Singing out for a new career
Beth Spangler, a senior radiographer at Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, has always had a passion for music. Now she has a chance to leave her healthcare career behind as she vies for a recording contract with United Artists Media Group.
On the Oct. 20 episode of “The Voice,” Spangler’s battle duet of “I Turn to You” wasn’t strong enough to beat out competitor Mia Pfirrman. But judge Gwen Stefani saved the 30-year-old from going home when she used one of her “steals” to bring Spangler on to Team Gwen from judge Adam Levine’s team.
Spangler will now compete in the “knockout” rounds, where she will still need to outperform her teammates to move on to the finals.
The Aiken, S.C., resident grew up in a family of musicians, and spent her time performing in church as well as at weddings and funerals. Her practical parents, however, steered her toward a career in healthcare.
“I just didn’t have the opportunities fall into place to grow into a career in music,” she said. But after her dad’s motorcycle accident in 2012, she realized that music is also a way to improve lives. According to the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, Spangler’s father lost a leg in the accident and she took a leave of absence from the hospital to care for him. “Being by my dad’s side, I saw how badly he wanted to walk again,” Spangler told the Chronicle. “I witnessed his fight. I witnessed his dedication. Seeing him set a goal and achieve it, that inspired me to do the same.”
No matter what happens, Spangler says her healthcare days are probably behind her. “Now that I’m out there, I don’t think I’ll go back to hospitals,” she said. “I’ve had that taste of doing what I love.”