Joshua Burton
Joshua Allan Burton was a young upcoming LDS musician from Cardston, Alberta, Canada. To say that Josh had a passion for music is an understatement. His memorable music touched the hearts of many people who had an opportunity to attend one of his performances.
He played to a full house for his first solo concert which took place at the Cardston’s Carriage House Theatre, performed on stage with world-class performer William Joseph, and his premiere album titled “Sketches” which was released on 6 November 2010 immediately gained public acclaim. His uncle, Wayne Burton, also a well-known musician, featured an original song by Josh from his “Sketches” album on Sound Cloud.com as a memorial to him. The song is called “An Evening Walk”. Not only did Josh love performing music, but he is also remembered as a composer (he began composing music at age 10), actor, and a compassionate humanitarian whose goal was to uplift others.
He also served a two-year voluntary mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Guatemala Cobán mission. He earned money to support his mission through the sales of his CD. On Saturday morning, 20 July 2013, in route to a service activity with a group of other missionaries and young adults, Josh was seriously injured when the pick-up truck that he was riding in overturned. His back was broken, he suffered a concussion, and his shoulder was also broken. He underwent surgery on Saturday evening to stabilize his spine and passed away from the injuries that he sustained at 11:15 p.m. on Monday evening, 22 July 2013, at the age of 23. At the time of his death, he had been serving for 21 months. Three other missionaries involved in the accident sustained only minor injuries.
The following was reported by Deseret News on Thursday, 1 August 2013:
Josh was the second oldest of nine children and was homeschooled through elementary, middle and high schools. Upon his return from missionary service, he planned on studying music and business.
Josh’s two maxims were “life is music” and “live life to the fullest,” and he worked hard to put these into practice. As a young teenager, Josh first discovered the magic of Fredric Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu” and began filling his life with classical mentors like Beethoven, Grieg, Ravel and Rachmaninov.
“If you listen, really listen,” Josh promised in his CD’s dedication, “I think you will hear something more than just notes on a piano, something deeper within the music. And my hope is that you will be better for having heard it.”
Follow Joshua Burton
Recent Posts
Asher Reynolds’ Passionate Rendition of “Remember Me” from the Disney Movie “Coco”
Having to say goodbye to a loved one because of death is never an easy experience. Someone once shared these pearls of wisdom, “Goodbyes are not forever, they are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.” And someone has also said, “When someone...
Aretha Franklin – “The Queen of Soul” with Gospel Roots
Latter-day Saint Musicians pauses for a moment this weekend to pay tribute to a true legend of the music world. Aretha Louise Franklin, dubbed “The Queen of Soul” by the end of the 1960s and throughout the remainder of her life, was a phenomenal singer, songwriter,...
Music in the Key of Life – The Influences of Music
Music is the universal language. A person need not understand the language in which a song is sung to appreciate the message that the song intends to convey. Music has played a part in the events of man’s everyday life since his earliest days. At times music has also...
Some Interesting Facts about Some of the Favorite LDS Hymns
Wherever Mormons gather - in a Sacrament meeting, a baptism, a fireside, General Conference, or a devotional – music is guaranteed to be a part of the service. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of...
Are You Looking for LDS Sheet Music for That Special Song? – Try These Sources
Music is an integral part of Latter-day Saint worship services and can be found wherever Mormons gather – in a Sacrament meeting, a baptism, a fireside, or a devotional. President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Through music, we raise our voices in powerful praise and...
Isabel Oakeson and Easton Shane Perform an Amazing Medley of Songs from “The Greatest Showman”
The mother, Amy Allred Oakeson, likes musicals. The father, Gary Oakeson, likes bluegrass. Isabel Oakeson, the daughter, loves pop. So, they came up with the idea to combine all three favorites into an amazing music video using songs from the blockbuster film, The...