REVIEWS
What Readers are Saying
"A compelling read! Sheila Dutton takes us behind the scenes of the Dutton family story. With warmth and honesty, she shares the perseverance behind their remarkable journey. I loved getting to know the woman behind the music and discovering the hard work that shaped three generations of performers. A beautiful reminder that the most meaningful journeys are often the ones we don’t plan."
— Kristine Delano, best-selling author of "The Lies We Trade"
“I loved the book. I had a hard time putting it down. I want to read it again.”
— Genene Hill, Journalism Educator
“A captivating tale of faith, tenacity, and determination—a multigenerational family that has weathered hardship and misadventure but also has brought joy to millions through the magic of their music. A must-read for the whole family.”
— Nyhl Henson, Technotainment® Founder; MTV, Nickelodeon, and CMT Visionary
“OUTSTANDING! A story that warms the heart. A book that surprisingly entertains. Five Stars. A great read.”
— Steve Dratter, 5-Star GoodReads Review
Imagine finding the strength to turn a daily practice into a source of lasting joy and profound purpose for an entire family.
What if one could navigate life's most harrowing trials—from devastating accidents to government investigations—with an unshakable sense of peace?
Author Sheila Porter Dutton has close to fifty years of experience as an educator, mother, and CEO of one of the world's most successful family performing groups. With no musical background of her own, she gives a behind-the-scenes look at how her desire to teach her children discipline set The Duttons on a path they never predicted: one of America’s longest-running family acts, with over 10,000 live shows and appearances on America’s Got Talent and PBS. Along the way, faith, determination, and grace carried them through every setback.
In this true and captivating tale, you will find:
The harrowing true story of a 43-foot tour bus plunging off the road and the divine intervention that left 23 family members alive.
Why “cereal box violins” were the secret weapon in building a multigenerational family legacy that spanned decades.
The “First One to Five” game that turns tedious practice sessions into an effortless, self-motivated habit for children.
The high-stakes standoff at a Russian customs checkpoint where $20,000 and a family's future hung in the balance.
What really happened when federal agents raided the family theater, and why an international diplomat ended up in shackles.
The surprising reason a celebrity judge on America's Got Talent asked the family to “sack” half its members.
The nine-day jail stint that triggered an international diplomatic crisis reaching the desk of the U.S. Secretary of State.
Why a “hand-shaped” bruise served as proof of spiritual protection during a catastrophic vehicle disaster.
The radical frugality and discipline used to pay for instruments and lessons on a professor's salary, and to pay off a $3 million mortgage in just 13 years.
Pick up a copy today to get a glimpse behind the curtain of how one family turned their daily grind into a beautiful legacy.
A mother's account of how one small decision—enrolling her children in violin lessons—grew into one of America's longest-running family acts and how faith, discipline, and determination carried her family through seven adoptions, a federal investigation, a bus crash, and a theater fire, creating a legacy now carried forward by three generations.
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A memoir about finding the strength to turn a demanding daily grind into a source of lasting joy and profound purpose for an entire family, and the unexpected path they took to get there.