Since you asked…

…basically a hillbilly version of The Partridge Family (young folks, google it…). Growing up in a small town in Western Kentucky, life was centered around music, sports, church, farm and family. My mom was a phenomenal singer and pianist. You will hear me quote her often when giving performance and singing advice, phrasing in particular. She, my brother, and I were singing tight 3-part harmonies since I was able to form words. With my dad on bass, my aunt on drums and my uncle on guitar, we performed at revivals, festivals and church events all over the region. I began piano and theory lessons at the age of 7 and continued through senior year of high school.

Speaking of high school…

…my high school had great wrestling and band programs, but no choir program at all. And so I started one my sophomore year. I arranged the music, gave voice lessons to my friends and my mom accompanied on piano. We won first place at Regionals and then State for the next three years. To this day, the school now has a successful choir program. And so, at the age of 15, I got my big start in vocal coaching and arranging for groups.

Even though I liked singing and performing, I had a huge problem:

… singing hurt. Nearly always. I would lose my voice so easily. Either by yelling one time at a game, or because of my severe allergies, my voice would give out. I still had to muscle through performances, and therefore had terrible tension issues. I was in and out of the ENT’s office (that’s a singing doctor) constantly, but got no great answers. I did get a diagnosis of “acute vasomotor rhinitis” and “chronic edema of the vocal folds.”

I had to find a way to keep singing.

And so began my pursuit of trying to find vocal freedom for myself. This included experimenting with diet, supplements, speech habits and studying anything I could find on vocal pedagogy. I hired a few vocal coaches. Although I gained a little from them all, none of them had solid answers for my issues. In college, my undergrad voice teach was great. Dr. Ted Wylie pushed me hard with very demanding repertoire. I got the lead in most of the operas even from freshman year. But because I could sing high B’s and C’s and they sounded nice, no teacher could figure out my problems. Constant fatigue and sore throats from bad allergies were killing my love of performing.

MY PAIN IS YOUR GAIN!

My constant search over many years for answers to help my own issues meant that I had amassed an enormous collection of knowledge about the human voice. I had been teaching my friends to sing, directing and arranging for choral groups at the age of 15. Adult teachers and choir directors would comment on my ability to get directly to the problem affecting the singer and make up exercises to help it quickly. I very soon realized that my struggle had become a huge asset: I can fix just about any vocal issue. And fast. Best of all, it is my true passion. Showing others what is possible is my calling.

What I’ve been doing for the past 30-Something years

Teaching private students, putting shows together, leading worship, raising kids, performing in many areas of entertainment, hosting televised shows, being a college professor for 18 years, publishing articles and teaching materials, studying and competing in mixed martial arts, being a Certified Personal Trainer, earning two degrees in Piano and Voice Performance, working currently on a Masters in Commercial Media Composition, coaching world-class entertainers, giving master classes through over 50 international tours, composing, arranging, conducting. SO BASICALLY…

I have been preparing myself to work for you.

If you’re searching for the right vocal coach, I would be honored to work for you or your artists. From getting your voice stronger to putting your entire touring show together (including transitions, interaction with band and audience, creating moments and even what to say and when), this is what I do. Hit the button…let’s talk.