As a Performer I've won many things - a living for my family, blessings through charity work and donating my shows, smiles from friends and new faces, standing ovations the world over from the owners of companies, celebrities, leaders, and those unsung heroes that walk among us giving their all in every day jobs that make our planet function.  And after 10 years of performing full-time I have never been nominated or even won any kind of award as a performer.  

Today I just found out that Best of State 2010 has awarded me the Specialty Act for this year. I am honored, thrilled , and grateful.  As I will be unable to attend the ceremonies due to a performance that evening I need to thank the many people that have influenced me along the way - you know who you are!  There have been many.   5 in particular stand out and must be recognized: 

1. Coach Tony Ingle - the first person to make me believe I could make a living as a performer and inspiring me to try.  "I love you more than you love me".  Thank you Coach.  

2. Chris Poulos - the man that took me from a kid with a dream performing Donald Duck impressions in his living room to doing halftime shows at the Huntsman Center, charity events for Alzheimers, and my first paid gigs.  "Two people can do anything if one of them's God" he always says, and it's true.  Chris remains a mentor and hero of mine to this day.  

3. My Dear Father, John Hewlett - for opening doors that never could have been without his help in the corporate world and with "Legends in Concert", for believing I could do anything as a performer and creating an environment in our home that made it possible to let my inhibitions go crazy, and for giving me the right books in my youth that taught me "The Secret" to success long before it came out.  

4. My Sweet Mother, Marsha Hewlett - for embracing me the day I came home from my first day of school crying that I was the weird kid and encouraging me to be different.  For her love and support of all my crazy dreams, even listening to me figure out the piano with Billy Joel's "Piano Man" on repeat for 3 straight years.  You are incredible my Mom! 

5. My Beautiful Wife, Tami Hewlett - for taking a chance on a guy without a job or direction, simply an unrealistic vision of what could be, that I might make a living for us someday AND live in Utah.  For supporting us financially during the first few years while I worked on Alvin & The Chipmunks,  figured out the guitar, created Butthead Bartholomew, my Speaking career, and put the act together.  For continuing to be my Dream Girl through all of this and my inspiration for improving daily.  

I am honored by this.  Thank you Best of State and especially the State of Utah for embracing me in my homeland I love.  What a blessing the Lord has given me to be able to do something so unique, that I LOVE, and hope to continue to do the rest of my days.  

~ Jason Hewlett