General Music Chat

I am wanting some honest opinions from fellow Country music lovers, or any music lover for that matter. here is a youtube link to me singing just at a Karaoke place last weekend, I have been told several times to join a band or form one, PLEASE watch it and tell me what you HONESTLY think. Thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bix22JYQGFg


Kevin
Livingston Texas
traveling1971@yahoo.com

Yeah, Kevin; you're good enough for a country band.
.
But - if you just sing - don't expect to form a band around you, just like that . . .
.
If you want to sing Country music w/ folks, you've got to go to where the country music folks are.
.
Besides going to karaoke, start hitting open mikes.
Listen to folks who already sing or play country on their guitars.
TALK to them after they perform.
Once you get to know some of them, they might invite you up to sing harmonies.
And then - you're singing in a country band.
If folks like you enough, you just mind wind up in a permanent band . . .

Hey Kevin,
I feel I am most qualified to answer you of the regulars here
on General Chat. First of all this song is not very demonstrative
of vocal talent. It did not require you to reach any difficult notes
though you did reach the ones required well. You had strength
and delivery. Country vocals in general are very thick with
vocal acrobatics that many disregard as an accent or dialect
influences. You can sing a word many, many different ways and
that is the key to being a GOOD Country singer. You should listen
to Mark Chestnut closely and you will hear a master at work.
Singers don't sing with one hand in their pocket so you should stop that.
Use it to emphasize the song. If you cant reach upper register notes
with strength and delivery. You are destined to maybe a bar band
and Karaoke. You have the basics but the video doesn't show that you
have anything special other than the balls to stand up in front of
people and sing. I suggest you learn from the pros by listening
closely to every vocal note and replicating it. Teach yourself that way.

Yeah, Kevin; you're good enough for a country band.
.
But - if you just sing - don't expect to form a band around you, just like that . . .
.
If you want to sing Country music w/ folks, you've got to go to where the country music folks are.
.
Besides going to karaoke, start hitting open mikes.
Listen to folks who already sing or play country on their guitars.
TALK to them after they perform.
Once you get to know some of them, they might invite you up to sing harmonies.
And then - you're singing in a country band.
If folks like you enough, you just mind wind up in a permanent band . . .

Yep, and remember that being in a band is WAY different than singing karaoke. It's a team effort, and it is all about the music and not about you. There is song selection, rehearsal, recording a demo, more rehearsal, schlepping gear in the rain, hustling gigs, advertising and promotion. Some of your band mates will annoy you at times, some of your clients and fans will annoy you at times, more rehearsal... and I wouldn't have it any other way. Good luck!

I appreciate all of you. It is nice to get advice from people who know, who will tell it like it is. I do agree that was not a song to show any vocal skills..lol. I may add more soon that will be better. I understand about getting annoyed with people and hauling stuff around lol,,that would no doubt test you after a while. But I do feel I can do this and certainly want to. I will practice on vocals, and see what i can do. I will pay close attention to the pros. Thanks You all again. Loved getting some info.

I mess around at karaoke all the time, and in my experience most folks that sing there dont get what is involved with a band. Just my 2 cents

Its just way different without the words, and cues, plus noone sounds just like a record.

If you talking about a working gigging band can you do this for 4 45 minute sets and remember the words? Can you work a crowd? I dont consider myself that great a singer but when I go and belt out some AC/DC or Led Zep folks at these deals freak and say you sound just like the record, LOL. Then when I tell them that I consider myself a guitar player they wonder why arent you singing, I just say cause weve got the best singer in the area and he blows my doors off, LOL

But the only way to find out is start auditioning for bands, maybe check your local Craigs List, go to Music Stores and talk to folks that work there and also go see bands playing in clubs in the style you want to play, just ask what songs they sing and if they do a song you really really know then ask to sit in. If you come across good to them then ask if they know of other bands that might be looking for a singer.

Good Luck

I can sit here in my house without music and blurt out all kinds of songs, I think I know about every george jones song there there is. lol. He is my Favorite. I would like to stay away from Karaoke and find my way of singing. I am sure it is in me somewhere...lol. I do know a bunch of other songs of other people, and love to sing them. The one time I did George and was happy with it, there was no video camera. I am probly my worst critic

Ellis trust me singing at home and at karaoke is a whole different world than playing with a group of people.

As I said just get out there and do it with some live people even if its only an acoustic guitar or a piano, just do it if you think you can.

Good Luck

I wish i could find some musicians that are practicing at home somewhere and I could practice with them and get an idea of how to do it right. Its funny I am nervous about a band, but don't mind being in front of the people. I am more worried about the band getting upset with me and not working with me.

Ellis trust me singing at home and at karaoke is a whole different world than playing with a group of people.

As I said just get out there and do it with some live people even if its only an acoustic guitar or a piano, just do it if you think you can.

Good Luck

man, aint that the truth?

Kevin,
You have a lot of work ahead of you. You are nervous and not even in a singing
situation yet. Don't think for a minute that you will remember the words
work the crowd and sing convincingly if you are nervous. You have to
pay some dues in a serious situation. I agree with the others that you
should find a band that does what you want to do. Pick a few songs that
they do and perfect them. Then find a way to sing with them and work for
a back-up spot for free. Be up front with them and let them know what
your eventual plan is. If you are good it shouldn't be a problem. You will
get from it what you put into it. Don't forget this will take time from your
home life also.
GOOD LUCK

Do you have the drive to constantly struggle ahead ??

If so ... then by all means.

If no ... don't waste your time.

I appreciate it. i do have the drive to do better, and in genral I am never satisfied..lol. My family is used to my being gone, I have spent the last few years traveling to put sports on tv, and my company closed last year so i figured if I am ever going to do this, now is the time. This is by no means about money, this is about doing something I have ALWAYS wanted to do, and have been advised to do by alot of people I know and people i don't. To my defense though, that song, and also the lack of recording quality of a phone, I think I can do pretty good. Only twice before have I ever really TRIED to make it perfect. Both times I was sober and honestly had to concentrate on the song, but they went perfect. Even i was satisfied. I do intend to try to make a better video, with a more challenging song so i can continue getting advice. I do appreciate it guys. All of it.

Hey the timbre of your voice sounds country to me in the video you kept the beat and stayed on key but that is not enough as others already have suggested, the hard part is to find a bunch of guys who are willing to work with you and believe you can be their front man.

Good luck

I appreciate it, yeah that is more of what i am worried about. Finding guys to practice with that understand I have NO experience with live bands. I guess thats why I was hoping to find some guys that were practicing somewhere that i could go and give it a try and learn some stuff. I have live here in Livingston texas the last 16 years, but i don't really know anyone here cause I have spent my time traveling for work. I guess I need to do what one of the other guys on here said, and go to places where Country bands are playing and maybe meet some musicians. I am confident I will find them. Another reason I have waited till now is that I always drank to sing. I knew if I got into singing earlier on that it would lead to a serious problem. Now I seldom drink, and if I do it is a small amount, and I no longer need it to be in front of people. Not sure what changed, but now I feel comfortable in front of people giving speeches or singing etc.