Aint it good to be alive? If you’re reading this, guess who is still with us? As of this writing: Keith Richards, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Geddy Lee, Bobby McFerrin, Jon Hendricks, Ozzy Osbourne, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Bob Dylan, you, and me—to name a few. There’s a sad-but-true phenomenon that the popularity of Read More
Prompt 65: Gone Too Soon.
Dearly beloved— Yesterday we lost Prince, one of the most visionary artists in this history of pop. He is not alone. The year is young, but we have already lost many great musicians in 2016. Before Prince died, many legends had already fallen: there was country superstar Merle Haggard, and rapper Phife Dawg (of A Tribe Called Quest), and revolutionary Read More
Prompt 64: Unique
I’m fond of saying this, so now I’m saying it to you, and let’s see where it leads us as far as a Prompt is concerned. The word “unique” doesn’t have degrees; one thing can’t be “more unique” than another. You’re either utterly one-of-a-kind, there aint anything exactly like you anywhere anytime… or you’re not. Read More
Prompt 63: Body keeps the beat.
We singers often let others hold down the time. In the typical jazz/pop/rock band, the drummer and bassist keep the music churning, and our job as a singer is to soar over that steady foundation. Which is all well and good when we have a band backing us. But when we sing solo, who will hold down the groove? The Read More
Prompt 62: Casting Call!
From the people who brought you Survivor and So You Think You Can Dance comes the next hit reality-TV competition show, Earth’s Next Top Improv Group (ENTIG). Twenty-four singers will be flown to beautiful Skellig Michael off the coast of Ireland. Contestants will be challenged to sing improvisationally, individually and in groups, in a variety Read More