A couple of weeks ago we played at North Hills here in Raleigh. Two young guys approached me and starting asking me questions about singing. I continue to be flattered that they thought enough of me to approach, compliment me and the group and then ask for advice. I was humbled and sort of taken back by the whole thing. Anyway - the guys sent me an email and spoke of their vocal ranges and asked for some advice. My initial thought was  again complete surprise that  they are asking the ole boy for advice.

In reading back my response, I found it an interesting read. I hope you will too.

I have included below an excerpt from their question and my response. Names have been withheld.

Email - So as you may know, my buddy and I are aspiring tenors.
We have pretty decent ranges. We sing higher and lower than most guys I
 think. Our ranges are pretty close.  I have up to a G above middle C
and he has the Ab (then the way high E or F in falsetto).  Then on the
 bottom, we have down to about the bass low E.  Being the only
 two tenors in our choir, we are normally able to wail out the high notes, but if
 the song needs to be quiet, or if it gets above a G, we rely on
 falsetto to get us through.  I remember sitting there during your show and all of a sudden, you just hit this amazing note and he and I just looked up and went, "Damn it..."  We're not trying to be annoying, but any sort of tips or pointers would be more than
 appreciated.  

My reply - My first reaction to your email is - forget about your range and what notes you can hit. I have noticed (in my years - especially since moving here) that a lot of singers seem to get caught up in this. Although it is useful upon occasion, I feel it can be counter productive. If you get wrapped up in what notes you can hit or what you think you should be able to hit you begin to subconsciously restrict your natural ability. Forget all that and just sing - initially.

I have never had a formal vocal lesson. I have spent my entire life emulating my favorite singers because it was the cheapest and only form of training at my disposal. I know I can be better and work everyday to improve on my weaknesses - thank you Brett Manning. I have always tried to sing with their tone, inflection, vibrato, pitch, expression, soul and most of all - feeling. I then incorporate what I have learned into "my own sound". I would never want to hit the mic giving the impression I am trying to sound like someone else unless I am actually doing an impression. Each of us humans have a unique vocal cavity. We should utilize this! This is what makes us individuals. Be YOU - not someone else. I remember a phone conversation I had with Edwin McCain. He said in paraphrase, 'if you can convince your listener that you are feeling what your singing then you've delivered the song. You have to sing with passion.' There is so much to singing than just the notes. I know I am not the best singer in the world, but I love how I feel inside my heart and soul when I sing. I can only hope to convey the same emotion to my audience.

My favorite singer since childhood has and will remain ELVIS PRESLEY. Growing up I had 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' on 8 track! I learned that entire album note for note. Not just the notes Elvis sang but also his back up singers and his band. His female "high voice singer" was Kathy Westmoreland. She is the person I attribute to being able to sing a strong high falsetto with control. I copied her note for note. Pianissimo through double forte! I didn't know how or why but I learned to sing every note she sang. Not in octaves but the actual pitch. I accidentally learned a technique that is reflected in the Brett Manning series. You'll know it when you get there but learning to sing like her and Elvis at the same time bridged all the breaks in my voice. Again, no formal training just emulating and relatively easy to do at a young age. I found that what I learned carried through to my adulthood.

Do you have a favorite singer? If not, try Elvis. He sings all styles and very well. Most singers are only capable at one style. Elvis was also one of the best at delivering the message of a song with passion and emotion. Listen over his 20 plus years of music. You'll hear how his voice and music changed over time. Very interesting. See if you can tell at which point he started taking vocal lessons. He has tons of material. At any rate, listen to your favorite singer (one with a range) and repeat what you hear without straining your voice. Edwin is also a great choice for delivery. He is an incredible writer but all of his songs tell stories that contain a message and he delivers them perfectly every time. His most recent albums are some of his best and can be found by following the link below. His website is edwin.com.

buy edwin cd's

••••••end•••••

At the end of every day, I give thanks for being able to do what I do and for being surrounded by the best human beings and musicians I have ever worked with. It is my hope that God works through me to do his good for others through the gifts he has given me.


-free

Happy Birthday Dad...I miss you

  D'Addario, the world-famous guitar and bass string
company (based in Farmingdale, NY), has released news
that could affect the Embers. Apparently, there is a
massive guitar string shortage in all of the NC music
stores that deal w/ D'Addario. This news was very
surprising to hear seeing as D'Addario strings are one
of the most popular brands of strings in the world.
After several months of scrutiny, researchers at the
company think they have figured out the source of the
problem.
    David Dixon (new guitarist for the Embers) has been
purchasing strings at an alarming pace. It seems as
though, while touring w/ the Embers, he is breaking
and replacing his guitar strings faster than the
company can re-stock them in NC-based music stores. It
is alarming to think one guitarist could be
responsible for a state-wide guitar string crisis, but
that seems to be the case.
    If you are an Embers fan and live outside of NC, you
can help by purchasing D'Addario 10-gauge electric
guitar strings at your local music store and sending
them to

The Embers Band
Attn: David
PO. Box 4132
Greenville, NC 27836

    Thank you and have a great day.

OK folks, this week was a trying week for everyone. Although grateful to have performed at Jason and Ashley Holston's wedding in Georgia, as well as the Reunion for Salem College in Winston-Salem, this week has done us in.

I wish to pay props to my partner that I share that stage with Wayne Free. Not only a great vocalist, but a bus mechanic, driver, and an all around handyman.

This week our generator went out, and we had to drive to Winston-Salem with no air conditioning in 80 degree weather...not so fun, we also lost the generator coming home from Georgia, although it was the wee hours in the morning, still not so much fun there.

This leads me to the next thing I would like to share with you all.

Sometimes we forget just how great things truly are, and it takes something like driving with no air conditioning for two hours, to realize we take a lot for granted.

I'm very grateful for being able to get on a bus crawl into a bunk and sleep whenever I want to on a road trip, some people have to stay awake and drive these long hour trips. It is those people I wish to thank right now, Bobby Tomlinson, and Wayne Free.

These two don't get the same opportunity the rest of us get, so Thank you both for doing what you do!

On a separate note thank you to the fans who come on our website and keep in touch with us by, reading our blogs, or writing to our myspace page. I am grateful for the friends I have met, and look forward to the friends to come.

Till next time,

Jt

I am smiling large as I write this entry because of a question posed by 'george' in response the the blog entitled 'seven' as constructed by the newest member of our band - J. Ray. 'george' asks "has Bobby started allowing you guys to do drugs?" This is hilarious to me! It answers my question - People DO read these blogs!

I admit that J. Rays entry was a little gonzo, but remember blogs aren't always serious. They are meant to be fun. His entry even asks - what is a blog anyway? I personally enjoyed his blog. You should read the one he wrote I haven't posted yet! Equally funny to me, but maybe not suitable for our readers - that I now know we have. None the less, I appreciate that he took the time to contribute.

To answer your question 'george' - no one in our group even gets close to using drugs. We all totally disagree with the idea of it.  Bobby disapproves of alcohol consumption and it's legal. No one in our group would even want to work with somone that does drugs.

Please view these blogs with an open mind. Some blogs may be specific, some may not. The inquisitive response placed by 'george' is a good one! I appreciate it. It has statred my day off just right. Thanks 'george'.


-free

 Last night I was driving home, thinking about blogs and what I would write for this blog.  What is a blog anyway?  I don’t know.  So what am I supposed to write?  Maybe a blog is just a written stream of thought.  Toaster pastries.  My toaster broke; it was only $7 at Target.  What else can you get for $7?  A used pair of dress shoes at Goodwill?  Bobby gave me Josh’s dress shoes and they’re pretty comfortable.  I like the way they slide on and off real easily.  My dress shoes slide on and off, but not that easily.  I got those from Target too.  Have you noticed how all their clothes seem to fall apart after a few months?  I have.  They do fall apart after a few months.  Probably because they're made in Thailand by a 7-year old kid.  My son is about to turn 9 and he can barely clean his room and take out the garbage by himself, so I don’t know how a 7-year old can make a pair of dress shoes that will last a long time.  I know a cat that has lived a long time.  At a house I used to live at there was a 21-year old cat.  He looked exactly like the cat from pet cemetery.  He made a crazy noise that sounded like a 7-year old kid being tortured a long way away.  Even when he was real close.  He couldn't sit down because he was so old, and all his teeth had fallen out.  I wonder if that cat could make dress shoes?  Maybe if he was in Thailand.  I’m glad I’m not an old cat.  If I was then I definitely wouldn’t make dress shoes.  I couldn’t type blogs either.  Is this a blog now?  That’s what I've thought for the last five minutes.  Beer.  Gotta go.

-John

Well this has been  an exciting couple of weeks. Our album is getting significant attention abroad. We entered the Sweet Rhythms Chart from Solar Radio as the highest ranking new entry at number nineteen. We came in ahead of Ashanti (21) and Snoop Dogg (23)! Our promotional campaign is about to lift off as well and we are very excited about it. We'll keep you up to date.

We played a new club in Charlotte this passed Sunday called the Thoroughbred Lounge. If you haven't been you should go. The staff and owners are incredibly nice and the venue is equally as pleasant. The place was packed with shaggin' machines. Really a great crowd and venue.

On a lighter note, I have noticed by viewing our web traffic that I am consistently the least popular Ember member. As the tears begin to well up I ask - why -  oh why!?!? What have I done? I give you my heart with each performance and bulk email. I feel so broken and alone...but Stephen only has one more hit than me and he probably did that himself! HA! Talk to you all soon!

-free

Well the band has been rehearsing for the past few weeks learning new material as well as re-learning some crowd favorites. We are also working on more original material. We have a lot of work to do and it seems like the time flys during rehearsals - except for the occassional bump in the road! I am very excited about the band right now. More than ever. We have a group that learns fast and plays incredibly well together. I am very proud of the work ethic and dedication all the guys and gal have shown during this slow time of the year. We are about to pick it up and get very busy. We still have tons more work to do - we plan on bringing our audience a whole new show.

I am sad to say that Clay is no longer with us. He had personal decisions to make that took him away from the band. We wish him the best. He is a very respectable guy. We are still looking for a new sax player -  but I'm not worried about it so much. The band is really tight now. Josh has also departed the band due to family constraints back home in South Carolina. We hated to see him go and we wish him only the best. Life goes on though - John Ray [J. Ray] has stepped in to take Josh's place. He brings a very welcome style and feel to the band with his playing. In fact, he and David played in a group named Dystonic for some time. This makes us stronger.

Simply put - I am just adrenalized about our group and with the release of our new CD, I can't wait to see how this year unfolds. We will continue to bust it to deliver top quality showmanship and professionalism as has always been the case with The Embers. This is the most harmonious group I have ever been affiliated with. I am proud to be an Ember.

-free

The title of this CD says it all - The Show Must Go On. A true testament to the perseverance of The Embers. Through it all -  Fifty years this year The Embers have been entertaining audiences all over the world. What an honor to be a part of such a storied tradition. I felt that way when I joined the band over three years ago and now more than ever.

I am so proud of this CD. So very proud to represent The Embers name and Bluewater Recordings, Inc. as a singer and Embers member. Through my time and experience during the creative processes of this CD,  I was able to meet and work beside some of the most amazing, accomplished, prolific, talented and consummate professionals. I have learned so much about life, music, business and myself. I am forever grateful for the opportunities and experience that has been presented to me. It excites me now that you - friends and fans -  get to hear the finished product.

talk soon,

-free