Paskvan celebrates new CD
by Sentinel-Tribune Staff
Abby Paskvan recorded her second album of southern gospel music this summer at Chapel Valley Studios in Sharps Chapel, Tenn. "Recording Psalm 92 was a spirit filled experience. The songs have a lot of meaning and I think people will relate to their message," she said. The title of the CD was inspired by an incident in church. "We were in church one Sunday and a paper slipped from my mom's Bible," Paskvan said. "Psalm 92 was written on it and immediately, I knew that it had to be the title of this CD. God connected the dots for us. It's 'Psalm 92' favorite bible verse of mine. It speaks of who I am and what I believe God wants me to do - Psalm 92 is about singing God's praises." "Psalm 92" was produced in collaboration with well-known music producer and Southern Gospel Christian recording artist Shane Roark. Paskvan's first release, "Near to the Heart," is being played widely on gospel music stations in Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.
Paskvan, the daughter of Brian and Rebecca Lentz-Paskvan of Bowling Green, has been singing for more than a decade. In 2011 readers of Christian Voice magazine named her one of the top five "Young Excelling Individuals" in southern gospel music. That same year, Abby won the Teens Offering Praise competition, its Southern Gospel division and was one of the first recipients of the "What would Jesus Do" award for acts of kindness to another competitor. She performs locally with the Bowling Green Area Community Band and singing the National Anthem at the National Tractor Pull and BGSU sporting events.
America’s Anthem Star-Spangled but Not Very Catchy
by Thomas Walton, Toledo Blade
“When it comes to national anthems, Canada wins the gold and the United States might not make the podium. Inasmuch as most Americans are as vocally challenged as I am, why did we make the “SSB” our official national anthem in 1931, especially when we had other choices that would stir our hearts without straining our vocal chords? Rendered by a gifted singer, our anthem is marvelous. If you haven’t heard Bowling Green teenager Abby Paskvan’s version, put it on your to-do list.”
Oh, Say Can You Hear… Abby Paskvan Singing
by David Dupont, Sentinel Tribune
“It is not surprising that people stand up when Abby Paskvan sings. After all, the 12-year-old is often singing the National Anthem. For several years she’s performing those duties at Bowling Green State University athletic events, the National Tractor Pulling Championships and elsewhere.
But “oh, Say can you see” are not the only words listeners are likely to hear from her voice, a big rich sound surprising coming from someone so small.
What she does have is a gift, Kolb (voice teacher) said. One can learn the music and theory, but for a singer “you have to be born with pipes” and Abby has been. “She has an incredible gift.”
Community Band is Worth Hearing Again
Letter to the Editor, Sentinel Tribune
“The last number was the “March of the Women Marines,” followed by an equally strong rendition of another march as an encore. Earlier, the 11 year-old vocalist (a girl wonder) sang confidentially and powerfully, easily bringing the audience to its feet after “I Have Plans for the Summer”! She as well as the band deserved the standing ovation they received.
"I was totally blessed by this young lady, when she closed the concert with It is Well With My Soul. She had all five of my hairs standing and I had a bushel of cold chills all over. I have never in my 70 years heard singing like this, thank you young lady for the blessing I received. May God richly bless you and your career. "
“I first saw Abby sing at Ice Horizons when my daughter was helping her former coach direct the show. I was blown away! After that I was fortunate enough to catch her performance at the Wood County Fair and then her recital at the Wood County Library. Just Beautiful!”
“I am from Michigan, and I was down at your tractor pull a couple of weeks ago. It was a good time. I was especially impressed with the opening ceremonies on Friday. I think that is the best version of the Star Spangled Banner that I have ever heard. I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the girl who sang that. It was Abby something…I believe.”
“Thanks for sharing your talent of music with us at the Lighthouse. God has given you a great gift! Keep on serving Him! God Bless You!"
“Thank you for performing again for the library Community Sing-along. Your voice is so beautiful, and it certainly fills the library when you sing! Everyone looks forward to your performances, Abby.”
“I just wanted to say thank you and congratulations to Abby. I have class with 2 women’s basketball players and they both were so amazed with how wonderful Abby sounded at the game last weekend. They told me that they want her to sing at all of their games!”
“Words cannot express the joy and blessing I receive daily from listening to Abby’s new CD. I play it almost every day and I often get goosebumps or start crying as I am so moved by both the message in the songs and Abby’s beautiful voice and the way she brings the words to life. What a God given talent.”
“My home is just west of the fairgrounds, and on Saturday I was delighted to hear Abby’s voice opening the Tractor Pull. I was Impressed!”
“Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed visiting your website and listening to your music. You have an amazing and talented voice.”
“Hi! I first heard Abby sing when I was Asst. Director of Ice Horizons. She was amazing!"
“Thank you for your beautiful music on Sunday. Our congregation felt inspired. What a blessing you are. We appreciate you sharing your talent with us.”
“Last Saturday Night I attended the Bowling Green Falcons/Michigan Hockey game at the new Lucas County arena. At the start of the game, the national anthem was sung by one of your 8th grade students. I was blown away by the talent this young student has as she showed with the passion in which she sings. It was an impressive sight to see and hear. Still living in Bowling Green and attending St. Aloysius for seven years myself and now teaching at a local high school for ten years. I understand talents like this are sometimes often over looked compared to other talents or achievements within education. I want to applaud this young adult for her courage to do a great thing in front of so many people. I want to say that this young individual, having not knowing her or ever meeting her, will achieve great things through the teachings that St. Aloysius offers and the desire to succeeded that this young student has shown just through her performance in singing the national anthem. If she approaches academics as well as other facets of her life with the same desire she will be a great asset to some future employer down the road. I wish you and your teachers continued success.”
“I thought I would mention to Abby how much I have enjoyed the CD that you gave me of her recital. I have it on iTunes and listen to it at least once a day and usually twice or more. Every time I hear it, it just blows me away. If you have other CDs in the future, I would like to buy them.
Abby is so amazing and such a sweet young LADY. After she sang at our church, the following Sunday, people talked during Joys about how great Abby sings and how much poise she has. My mom and many others said how sweet she is in addition. You just want to hug her.”