UP CLOSE

Up Close: Utah Artist Finds Healing, Comfort Through Music

Oct 9, 2019, 8:28 PM | Updated: 8:34 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Paul Cardall’s amazing career started with three simple notes that came to mind as a 14-year-old boy, who was grieving over the tragic and sudden death of his best friend that died in a car crash.

He had no formal training on the piano, just six months of lessons when he was eight years old. 

Now, after 21 top ten billboard albums and two billion streams, he’s the first Utahn to be nominated for a Dove award from the Gospel Music Association.

“I’m overwhelmed and grateful,” Cardall said. “It’s the equivalent to the Grammy’s for the Christian Community.”

Cardall said he sat down at a piano and the notes came to his mind. His friend was a piano player.

“It’s almost like a question,” Cardall said after playing those three notes. From those notes, Cardall said he started composing songs and would practice three hours a day.

However, this incredibly talented worldwide music composer isn’t about flash and flare, but inner feelings and emotion.

“I want to get out of the way and let the music do what it does for you,” he said. “I want to enrich a life rather than entertain a life. I don’t want any attention on me I want it on the music.”

Paul’s more than 30-year music history has hit a milestone. This is also his 10-year anniversary since getting a new heart.

“I go from driving this beat-up truck that I love that I think is perfect, that everybody thinks is a disaster, and I turn it in and they give me the keys to a Porsche,” he said.

10 years ago, Cardall received a new heart.

But it didn’t come without a price. A life for a life, as the giver was a 19-year-old man who took his own life.

“It’s tough, it’s tough because somebody died and I’m alive,” said Cardall who has tried to reach out to the family. “I don’t know if I would say much. I would let them feel, just let them feel the beating heart of their son, and probably just embrace them and say thank you”

Cardall’s journey, from being born with a half a heart, to now living with a new one is the inspiration behind his newly released album – Peaceful Piano.

“My heart has been healed time and time again and music was the vehicle that allowed me to find comfort,” Cardall said.

Comfort that has now put him in the running for a Dove award from the Gospel Music Association in the Instrumental Album of the Year category. The nomination is for his Christmas album.

“I think where I’ve been successful is I’ve never treated my albums like it’s just for people inside the temple walls. My music is for all children of God,” he said.

The Gospel Music Association’s annual Dove Awards show will be held next Tuesday, Oct. 15, in Nashville.

For more on his music, you can visit his website.

Cardall, who has been nominated for a Dove award, at the piano.

KSL 5 TV Live

Up Close

(Becky Hansen, Smile Creations Portrait Studio, St. George, Utah)...

Angie Denison

Up Close with Shawn Bradley

Last year, NBA legend Shawn Bradley was hit by a car while riding his bicycle in St. George. The accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. In an exclusive visit, KSL returns to the crash site with Shawn and his wife.

1 year ago

(KSL TV)...

Dan Rascon, KSL TV

Up Close: Girls Wrestling Booming In Utah

Once a real shocker in high school sports, girls wrestling has becoming one of the most popular growing sports in the country. That’s why the season may be over but practice continues for many girls.

4 years ago

Albee Bostrom and Sissy McDade turned their love of thrift store shopping into a business: Thrift H...

Dan Rascon, KSL TV

Up Close: Young Entrepreneurs Turn Thrift Store Shopping Into Full-Time Business

A simple hobby of thrift store shopping has turned into a full-time business for a couple of young entrepreneurs in Utah County. They’ve now opened up their very own unique thrift store with a flash to the past. We are talking about the 1980s and 1990s era.

4 years ago

Courtney Kimball and her sister Kym Frey help women living in the slums of San Pedro Sula, Honduras...

Dan Rascon, KSL TV

Up Close: ‘One Common Thread’ Organization Helping Women In Poverty

Two Utah sisters - one now living in one of the most dangerous cities in the world - are helping to bring women out of poverty by teaching them a skill that’s giving them new hope.

4 years ago

A BYU project called the "Rheumatic Relief" project is helping to heal children's hearts and save h...

Dan Rascon, KSL TV

Up Close: BYU Project Tests Samoan Children For Heart Conditions

A BYU project tests Samoan children for heart conditions, helping to heal damaged hearts and save hundreds of lives.

4 years ago

...

Dan Rascon, KSL TV

Up Close: West Jordan Girl Sings Her Way Into National Spotlight

An eight-year-old girl from West Jordan has won an incredible award. She became the Grand Champion Vocalist of the year in the 25th annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio, Texas.

4 years ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Up Close: Utah Artist Finds Healing, Comfort Through Music