CEDAR CITY — Attendees at community events might remember her singing the national anthem, previous titles from Cedar City and Iron County talent shows or Christmas songs on Main Street.

Cedar City 14-year-old Sydney Rasmussen’s most recent feat was in front of Randy Travis, Barbara Fairchild and John Berry in the nation’s midwest.

Last month, Rasmussen placed second as the Most Promising Vocalist and third in the category of Rising Star Entertainer of the Year at the North American Country Music Association International competition and awards show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

As part of the week-long celebrations, one of the events included the induction of Travis, Fairchild, Berry and the late Mel Tillis into the music association’s Hall of Fame.

“There were so many amazing people there that watched me perform,” Rasmussen said.

While Travis was not made available for visits due to health-related concerns, she did meet Fairchild, Berry and relatives of Tillis accepting the honor on his behalf.

“I did get to meet with Barbara Fairchild and she is just so much fun,” Rasmussen said. “She is a sweet little lady and I love her to pieces.”

Singing gospel music, Rasmussen was competing against other 13-16-year-old female performers in the New Gospel category at the event.

Raised in a family that attends Sunday services at their local ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she’s always been surrounded by gospel music.

“The way I feel when I hear it versus, like rock music, there is just a huge contrast,” Rasmussen said. 

Leading up to her national awards, Rasmussen previously won Cedar City’s Got Talent, Iron County’s Got Talent and Star Search. Currently, she works as an assistant director for The Singers Company mentoring younger girls to be confident through their voice.

Incidentally, her interest in competing was inspired by a Southern Utah University mentor. While earning a bachelor’s and a masters degree in music in Cedar City, Chenille Sheeran received a call from Tami Rasmussen one day needing voice lessons for her daughter.

Not long after, Sheeran was encouraging Rasmussen to perform in front of live audiences at city and county talent shows in Southern Utah. Since graduating, Sheeran has continued to work in the music industry and told Rasmussen about the festival near Nashville where she is currently living.

“Her selections and presentation were given rave reviews and compliments by the judges,” Sheeran told Cedar City News. “When she sings, the whole audience freezes as if under a spell. She has an incredible range with an entrancing presence — so much so, that when she is done singing, the audience can finally exhale.”

When not singing or practicing vocals, Rasmussen likes to clear her mind with exercise. She plays soccer for Cedar High School to help with her “mental health.”

“I find that life is a lot easier when I exercise,” she said.

Rasmussen is currently working with SUU vocal instructor Jackie Jackson and also enjoys singing to Broadway and pop tunes and listening to classical music.

According to the North American Country Music Association International website, the weeklong festival in Pigeon Forge, the home of Dollywood, is to “promote the development of the country and gospel music industry in each state and country through an international association.”

Watch one of Rasmussen’s March 2024 performances in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on YouTube below:

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