Some Advice for Young Singers

When my sons were just beginning their country music journey at ages 11 and 14, it was difficult to imagine in just a couple of years how far they would progress as entertainers. Some of the best experiences they had were with house bands in small live venues in Arkansas, Texas and Missouri. There was no better experience for them than to work with experienced musicians that play simply because they love music, not because they are making a ton of money doing it! Young children and teen usually start out by learning to sing with Karaoke tracks and progress to professional accompaniment tracks. Those work in the beginning because that process teaches them to listen closely to intros, bridges and breaks so they know when to come back in singing. It also helps them develop better pitch because the musicians on those tracks are usually tuned correctly. Although, I can’t say much for the demo singers, more often than not, unless it’s the original artist or band, the singers have bad vocal habits or pitch issues. My advice to my students has usually been, listen to the original artist rather than the demo to learn the music if we didn’t have sheet music to follow. After the boys, The Lucas Brothers got through the first couple of years of practicing, competing and performing; it was time to start the live venue experience. My oldest son, Neal, had already begun playing the guitar and would play for hours. Nick had started forming his own particular style of being the “ladies man” with his soulful, smooth voice. Neal had this raw, edgy, energy that really caused you to focus on every move he made. But, together, they were phenomenal! Being prepared to work with a live band was key…the boys always had their lyric sheets and the keys they needed to sing them in, costumes, headshots and anything else that might be needed for promotion. I had taught them to be professional when they spoke to anyone, especially in the music industry. They always had fun during rehearsals with the bands, but were very attentive and respectful. There are so many live venues in Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and Tennessee and really in just about every state that welcome young, talented singer/songwriters. Also, don’t forget about the plethora of fairs and festivals in every state in the union that need entertainment! If you have put in your time learning much about your music, and can talk intelligently about the business of music and performing, then the sky is the limit! Don’t let another day go by just wishing you could be on that stage…. Our favorite places to perform: Arlington Country Music Revue, Grapevine Opry, and Silver Dollar City. Here is a link to the multitude of venues in the great state of Texas: http://governor.state.tx.us/music/directory/venues/venues-country Nick, 13, singing at the former Johnnie High's Country Music Revue in Arlington, Texas. Neal, 16, performing at JHCMR in Arlington, Texas. Together, they were The Lucas Brothers.

Songs That Make A Difference!

What’s the purpose of singing a song you ask? Quite simply…to tell a story. All of you know, there are tons of lyrics out there with little substance to them. My pet peeve is a song that repeats one set of lyrics…over and over. It’s almost as if the songwriter didn’t think his audience was capable of thinking very deeply. Or, the songwriter just had great connections in the industry to record such inane lyrics. (flickr.com) Nashville’s Muzik Mafia Founders Big Kenny, Kenny Alphin and John Rich (former lead singer for Lonestar) of Big and Rich; John Nicholson and Cory Gierman began their journey as the Muzik Mafia in October 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee. The group is made of singers, songwriters and musicians as well as a painter. Their purpose in forming this group was, as John Rich put it: "We wanted to do it on the worst night of the week in the weirdest place in town, so that if anybody showed up, they'd be there because they wanted to hear music, not because they wanted to schmooze." (About.com, 2012) (myspace.com) Some of the Muzik Mafia’s songs tend to shock the sensibilities, but if you listen closely, you hear the simple joy of making music. Others, are honest, tear-jerker ballads about real life. Founders Big and Rich recorded two of the most moving songs: “Holy Water” and “8th of November”. Both address social issues of rape and recovery and a poignant story about a particular Vietnam conflict. "> (YouTube.com) (YouTube.com) These songs are not the only ones with relevant stories to tell…there have been hundreds over the years since the first pressing. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter the story if it’s told honestly and with conviction. Something else that impresses me is the mantra of the Muzik Mafia – “music without prejudice”, - which means anything goes, fiddles and conga drums, steel guitars and saxophones. It also says much for them that the entire group believed in writing and performing music for the sake of music, not for the sake of the industry standards (CMT.com, 2004). References: Big & Rich - 8th Of November (Video) - YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozpdBvB0hek Billboard. (n.d.). Big & Rich Music News & Info|Billboard.com. Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music|Billboard.com. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.billboard.com/artist/big-rich/592506#/artist/big-rich/592506 Fabian, S. (n.d.). Big & Rich - Biography of Country Music Duo Big & Rich. Country Music. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://countrymusic.about.com/od/bigrich/p/BigandRich_pr.htm Gilbert, C. (2004, May 27). CMT : News : Muzik Mafia Make Vegas an Offer It Couldn't Refuse. Country Music Television - News, Videos, Artists : Online Radio, Song Lyrics, TV Shows and More. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1487969/muzik-mafia-make-vegas-an-offer-it-couldnt-refuse.jhtml Home. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.lonestarnow.com/ Music Group. (n.d.). Big & Rich - Holy Water (Video) - YouTube. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXLC1butGc Music Nashville. (n.d.). Big and Rich. Big and Rich. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.bigandrich.com/