What song will i have to cover to get feedback on my vocals?

[Ernest_Whaley]

This is one of mine that no one seems to be up to commenting on.

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11424807

I am willing to do a cover of a "classic rock" tune if you suggest one, and point me to the backing track. :cool:

Thanks, Blessings and Balance,

Ernest

[ronws]

Methinks thou art assuming too mucheth, from lacketh of response... eth.

You have a tone that others would give their right arm for. A natural, easy manner to the voice. And songwriting for days. In fact, if I were you, I would worry about what a bunch of hard rock and metal heads had to say. If I were you, I would go ahead and contact the management that handles Robert Cray or Buddy Guy. They do small tours, playing places like Winstar Casino on the Chickasaw Reservation (near Thackerville, Ok.) and Choctaw Casino in Durant, Ok.

I think your voice is perfect for the music that you do. You should already be out there, making money, or at least getting the bar patrons to tap their feet and attempt dancing.

It's not about the highest note, it's about the tonality and you've got that for days. And I like your stuff. And I count myself extremely blessed to have seen last year, Robert Cray and Buddy Guy double billed at the Winstar Casino (that's how I know about them doing that.)

But hey, if you really wanted to do a cover tune, I think you have the right tone and syncopated feel for "Jesus Just Left Chicago" by ZZ Top.

[Ernest_Whaley]

Thank you Ron, I am working on getting out there, hope to be doing it soon.

Blessings and Balance to you and yours in this holiday season.

Ernest

[KillerKu]

I agree with Ronsw here. You have a very deep spiritual connection with your music, Ernest, and it shows in your voice.

You have a very interesting tone and I've never heard anything quite like it. I mean, people could tell you tips to sing more like someone else. You might be able to further polish this style or gain some mobility with a few tweaks, but this is one of those situations where I wouldn't want to take away from your art or the message your voice communicates too much.

I 'think' I know somewhat the kind of technique you have, it's kind of a sobbed sound. But I think I also know 'why' you have this technique. Sure, maybe if you changed things around you could get a few more notes or a more traditional tone in places, but I don't think that's why you sing or why you sound this way.

That's emotion, spiritual and emotional connection to music. If we need more of anything out there, it's not higher and higher notes, or more technical perfection in general, it's people singing authentic music. You're the real thing and I'm impressed.

[ronws]

What Killer said. Singing should be about feeling, technique only to support that. It's not about the highest note and as for a sound ideal, you, Ernest, already have the sound ideal for your music. I would not change a thing. I agree with Killer. If you change it now, you will take away from the beauty of your music. Instead, get your own website domain and sell your stuff direct on mp3 downloads to people's computers and ipods. You don't need a record deal. All you need is copyright registration, though you have actual copyright the first time you record in a format or version that others can here, by sheer fact of time stamp. Register yourself as a songwriter with ASCAP or BMI, or both. Anyone wanting to record your song will have to pay to BMI and ASCAP copright lease and then those companies pay directly to you, regardless of record companies or no record companies. And register yourself as a publishing business in your county and then, again with BMI or ASCAP.

Seriously, you should already be making money with this, whether you play another gig, or not. However, when the music is good, people almost demand a public performance. You may find yourself getting more gigs. And there are online companies that place your music with websites and downloadable music sites. Standard rate is 50 % to you, 50 % to them. If the standard price is a 1 dollar a download, how much money are you making with 100,000 downloads (that's a limited success. If you were already established like, say, U2, it might be 300 times that many downloads.)

[Ernest_Whaley]

Killer, Ron,

I am speechless. Thank you so much for your comments that verbalize what i have felt about my music for so long, but never believed anyone else would hear also.

I will take your remarks to heart and see where I am lead.

Blessings and Balance,

Ernest

[ronws]

I've been reading about the digital revolution in music. You can record and mix your own stuff at home, as most here do, now. There are music placement services on line. 50 % to them for listing, 50 % to you for each play or download. As an unsigned artist. You don't need a recording contract. You just need digital distribution. I'm probably one of the few dinosaurs left that has actually bought a cd in the last few years. As soon as I can get an i-pod, forget about it.

What you will need to do is get yourself listed as Ernest Whaley, songwriter, with BMI and ASCAP. Anyone wanting to record your song as themselves will have to pay those orgs. Those orgs, in turn, pay you directly, as in a check payable to Ernest Whaley in the amount of $xxx.yy. then, register as a publisher (Whaleysong Publishing, for example.) Anyone wanting to publish your music in written or downloadable form has to negotiate with you.

You will need to hire a cpa.

The first time you record something in a format that can be heard by others, you have functional copyright. Registering with the copyright office is a feather in the cap and speeds things up in a lawsuit but that's most of its limited value. So, whatever you right, record it before you even play it for friends and strangers. The timestamp on your recording is your copyright.

Seriously, you have a market already.

[ronws]

By the way, because I do like your voice, I would like to be able to hear you do "Jesus Just Left Chicago," by ZZ Top, preferrably just as you perform. Acoustically, while singing.

I-IV-V chord progression in the key of E. Baritone range, almost conversational style of singing. Leaving lots of room for accent and of course, a rambling guitar solo bubbling out of the south Texas bayous.

[ronws]

By the way, if you do a version of that song and it's good enough to sell, you will need to pay copyright lease to BMI. They have a blanket price per year (not much) and you can record anything in their catalog. It's cheaper than per song lease. But you could make a chunk of change from that and the blanket license from BMI would pennies on your dollar.

And vice versa. If Billy Gibbons heard your stuff and said, "Man, we've got to cover that," ZZ Top's management would pay blanket license (which they already pay) and BMI would pay you for ZZ Top recording your song.

[jonpall]

Hey Ernest, I really dig your tone and you're just a good singer, man!

[Jens]

firtst off let me start off by saying, this is not my type of music or vocalsound i would prefer since as many on this site im a rocker. But i put on this tune and started listenening, and man youve got something...

I cant put my finger on it what it is but youve got it and very few ive heard has that.

As i said i generally dont like this type of music and these types of sounds i still find myself sitting and listening and getting shivers down my spinen so thank you for sharing that with me.

/Jens

[Ernest_Whaley]

Ron, Killer, Jonpall, Jens, I can't thank you enough for your comments and advice!

Tomorrow I will be registering my Publishing company's name at the town hall, copy writing a collection of songs, sending cds off to CD Baby, setting up downloads with them and ITunes, setting up a web site with host baby, and not worrying about the fact I saw MY JOB advertised on the internet. Did i also say i am setting up a Singer Songwriter Showcase at a local coffeehouse sandwich shop.

Gonna be busy!!! And I have you guys to thank for the kick in the butt!

Blessings and Balance,

Ernest :cool:

[KillerKu]

That sounds incredible to get this all setup so fast, Ernest. You've got to live the dream man. It's far too easy for talented people to not get out there and make an impact.

Practicing and improving has it's place, but you only get so much time, you never know what the future is going to hold.

To think of all of the art that is lost when people sit in their rooms and practice their lives away and I was one of them, mind you, but almost all of my favorite musicians are either old now, or dead. If all they ever did was practice, at some point it's too late to share the gift.

You're doing exactly what you need to do, and what we should aspire to. Keep moving.

[ronws]

Ron, Killer, Jonpall, Jens, I can't thank you enough for your comments and advice!

Tomorrow I will be registering my Publishing company's name at the town hall, copy writing a collection of songs, sending cds off to CD Baby, setting up downloads with them and ITunes, setting up a web site with host baby, and not worrying about the fact I saw MY JOB advertised on the internet. Did i also say i am setting up a Singer Songwriter Showcase at a local coffeehouse sandwich shop.

Gonna be busy!!! And I have you guys to thank for the kick in the butt!

Blessings and Balance,

Ernest :cool:

That's more like it, twin brother from another mother. I could hear you already had the "sound." It just needed to be heard and marketed. And believe it or not, not all of your audience will be baby-boomers, such as myself. Each generation rediscovers a music style or music that would ordinarily be before their time.

I used to spend a lot of time at a Guns n Roses fan forum. More than half the members weren't alive when "Welcome to the Jungle" was released.

[ronws]

Anyway, while you are at it, go ahead and pay the fee BMI (I think it is, though it could be ASCAP or SESAC) so that you can cover "Jesus Just Left Chicago" and put it on an album.

In case you don't know what song I am talking about, here ya go.

[gno]

Nice job. You've got a great voice and good style and rhythm.

[Ernest_Whaley]

Nice job. You've got a great voice and good style and rhythm.

Thank you Guitartrek! I work on it daily as I don't have the natural skills most players do.

Blessings and Balance,

Ernest

[scorpione]

I thought it would be Steelhearts cover of She's gone lol.

It sounds really good. You should get signed, this style suits you perfectly.

[Ernest_Whaley]

Thanks scorpione, I'm working on it! Though I think I would rather do studio demo work, and continue to write and let others perform the tunes.

I spent 16 years in bands and onstage 6 nights a week back in the day, and don't miss the road or the grind at all.

There is something to be said for getting on stage when you WANT to and not when you have to. :cool:

Blessings and Balance,

Ernest