The Working Singer Podcast

I am so excited for you to hear my conversation with business coach and hypnotherapist Jenn August. It goes without saying that this business is tough and can take a serious toll on our well-being. Jenn is a singer/songwriter herself, and with so much compassion and empathy, speaks to us about “fame shame,” how not to let ego can run away with spiritual mission, and how to turn our “blocks” into action.

Susan is an award-winning actress, dancer, and singer who has worked for over 30 years, and has been teaching acting for nearly 20. She holds a BA/MA degree in Drama/Theater and did most of her graduate work at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Today we’ll talk about how to make your emotions available to you whether on stage or in an audition, how to allow ourselves to take risks as artists, and why perfectionism can be a downfall for creatives.

Vocal coach to Halsey, Justin Timberlake, Martina McBride, and Pharrell, Mindy Pack has a unique take on vocal mechanics. Mindy speaks candidly about her development as a coach, her past struggles with vocal health, her advice on choosing the right ENT, and what new voice teachers need to understand about teaching.

Vocal contractor and session singer Bobbi Page has been a fixture in the session singing world for many years. She’s been the vocal contractor on mega films like Aladdin, Armageddon, and The Nightmare Before Christmas and on television shows like Family Guy and American Dad. In this conversation you’ll learn how Bobbi became such a sought after session vocalist and vocal contractor, how she got through her some of her toughest sessions, what kind of singers she likes to hire.

Crystal Barron is a vocal coach, MDH Breathing coordinator, trained in laryngeal massage, and mentor to new teachers. Crystal reveals how she overcame vocal health problems, how she challenged “teacher imposter syndrome,” and how our mindset affects our voices.

On this bonus episode, Carol and I talk building your performance quality and value, connecting voice and body, creating a voice for yourself as a performer. Carol offers all of this and more at her Movement for Singers Masterclass hosted by Empowered Singer Workshops.

On today’s brand new episode of The Working Singer podcast guest Sheila Jordan discusses keeping jazz music alive, her friendship with Charlie Parker, and being the first singer ever to be signed to the legendary Blue Note Records.

It’s time for our first working singer Listener Spotlight with Staci Griesbach! Staci’s story is familiar to many so many of us singers. Staci talks about that familiar fork in the road, having to choose between a full time singing career or the safety of a day job. Fifteen years later, Staci has finally given herself permission to follow her dream and record her first record, a lovely Brazilian jazz interpretation of selections from the Patsy Cline songbook.

A true Working singer in every sense of the word, for twenty plus years, Dave has carved out a full time career for himself creating relevant, educational shows for children and adults.

Catharine chats about being a singer-songwriter, what she learned watching Linda Perry work, and her transition into running her own studio.

Tashara Forrest (Soul II Soul, James Arthur, Paloma Faith) London based singer, performer, and owner of Sleek Entertainment opens up about how losing her mom inspired her to leave her full time job as a counselor to pursue a career in music. Tashara also discusses the realities of balancing her business with motherhood, creating good working relationships, and the key to building a loyal team.

Chicago native Josie Aiello (Quincy Jones, Kenny Loggins, Jazz in Pink) to the show this week. We discuss our love of Amy Winehouse, reality singing competitions, the difficulty of being a modern artist, the pain of losing a record deal, and the joy of aligning music with motherhood. This is a fun conversation you don’t want to miss.

St. Louis, Missouri born session singer Monica Reed has toured and recorded with the likes of Sting, James Brown, and Deep Purple just to name a few. Monica is candid about the excitement and loneliness of being a touring support singer, building her life after leaving the road, and her battle with cancer.

Amore chats about his early days as a singer, learning production, and writing music for cheer competitions.

Opera singer Jamie Chamberlin returns to The Working Singer podcast to discuss vocal trauma caused by an abusive relationship, the things that helped her to recover, and her thoughts what artists needs to do to care for their minds and voices.