Dordt University alumnus Noah Deist has been selected as a semifinalist in the "CBS Mornings" Mixtape Music Competition for his unique cover of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now," showcasing his live looping skills and demonstrating his mission to bring joy and encouragement through his music.
Dordt University graduate Noah Deist (’21) is a semi-finalist in the “CBS Mornings” Mixtape music competition.
As part of the competition, Deist submitted a cover of Johnny Nash’s song “I Can See Clearly Now.” According to CBS, “hundreds of entries came in, showcasing a variety of styles including soul, rock, country, and experimental. But only 14 made the cut.”
Deist is one of the final 14. On a recent airing of a “CBS Mornings” episode, about two million viewers got to see a portion of Deist’s submitted performance.
“I am super stoked about this competition,” says Deist. “I have wanted to be a music artist ever since I was a little kid, and I have been working to achieve that dream for a long time now. This competition feels like a big step in the right direction.”
Every week, the Sioux Falls native records and posts cover songs on his TikTok page. Some of his videos feature the breathtaking landscape of Southern Utah, where he and his wife currently reside. In his videos, Deist often engages in what’s called “live looping,” where “I jump from one instrument to another, building an entire band sound by myself,” he explains.
While at Dordt, Deist was heavily involved in all things music. “I was involved in a worship team every year. Getting to rehearse and lead worship with so many other talented musicians and learn from them was an incredible blessing,” he says. “During my senior year, I was able to partner with Production Arts to plan, record, and mix a song. Through that experience I learned so much about recording and mixing—many tools that I still use today as I produce original music.”
Deist’s faith plays a big role in how he approaches music. “My goal as an artist is to write songs that people connect with and that encourage people in different aspects of life. Everything I create is fused with a mission to bring joy and encouragement to anyone listening.”
The winner of the competition will have the chance to record their song and be featured on “CBS Mornings.” The cover will also become the anthem for the show’s new promotional campaign. Voting closes on August 13.
“If I were to win the competition, I would get a trip to New York City to perform live in front of millions of viewers on the ‘CBS Mornings’ show and a sit-down with the crew to do a full interview about my music, which would be incredible,” he says.
To view his submission and consider casting a vote, visit cbsnews.com/news/meet-the-semifinalists-for-the-cbs-mornings-mixtape-music-competition/.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
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