Singing - The Singer's Edge: Talk About Singing

Brent Bodrug is head of production company The B-Group Music, and works full-time as a producer-engineer and songwriter developing artists from Canada and the US. Brent has produced and/or written with artists such as Alanis Morissette (Maverick), Eva Avila (SonyBMG, Canadian Idol Winner), Andy Stochansky (RCA, Ani Difranco), Kim Bingham (EMI Publishing, Nelly Furtado, David Usher), Simon Wilcox (Universal, EMI Publishing), Jacksoul (SonyBMG), Ryan Malcolm (Canadian Idol Winner, Low Level Flight), Carlos Morgan (Juno Award Winner), and Son (Warner), as well as numerous independent artists. Brent has co-written songs with such notable writers as Stefan Skarbek (James Blunt, Amy Winehouse, Mel C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor), Blair Mackichan (Lily Allen, Lisa Stansfield), Curtis Richardson (J. Lo, Joss Stone, 3LW), Luke McMaster (Rihanna, Nick Lachey, Kyle Riabko), Jeremy Ruzumna (Macy Gray), Christopher Ward (Alannah Myles, Amanda Marshall, Hilary Duff), Eddie Schwartz (Pat Benetar, Rascal Flatts), Dean McTaggart (Amanda Marshall), Stan Meissner (Celine Dion, Starship), Cyril Rawson (Gretchen Wilson, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Jessica Andrews), Rob Wells (Backstreet Boys, Nick Lachey, Canadian Idol), Jeff "Diesel" Dalziel (Edwin, Rex Goudie, Melissa O'Neil), Jason Blume (Britney Spears), Joel Parkes (Kimberley Locke - American Idol), Tasha Thorbourne (Akon), Marc Jordan (Rod Stewart), John Capek (Rough Trade, Rod Stewart), David Martin (SonyATV, Hemingway Corner), Rupert Gayle (Keisha Chante, Shawn Desman), Ben Dunk (Wave), Ash Alexander (Tricky, All Saints), Robbie Patterson (Snow, McMaster and James), James Robertson (Roz Bell, Skye Sweetnam), Matt Hales (Aqualung), Nicole Hughes (Brian Melo), Dan Broadbeck (The Salads, Jersey, Headstrong), Kelly Levesque (The Neptunes, Walter Afanasieff), Perry-Alexander (Shawn Desman, Keshia Chante, Canadian Idol), Damhnait Doyle (Shaye), Derek Downham (Ron Sexsmith, Kyle Riabko, Shaye), and Rebecca Valadez (Janet Jackson). Brent has been invited to participate in SonyBMG’s Canadian Idol writing camp for 2 years and EMI Publishing's Idol camp this past year. He was also invited to participate in the Creative Collective (3 years) and has done writing camps for Peer Music, and most recently a writers’ retreat put on by the Songwriter’s association of Canada (SAC).

Speech Level Singing has grown into the world's largest and most widely recognized vocal development organization. While at the annual 2008 teachers conference in Hollywood, California 8 Master Vocal instructors impart their wisdom in a rare interview with Brandon Brophy. Each of these master instructors have been carefully selected by Speech Level Singing International to uphold and maintain the purity of its core teaching. Aside from running their own busy private studios throughout the United States, every master Instructor is instrumental for providing the careful and rigorous training to all Certified Speech Level Singing Instructors worldwide. Find out what has inspired each of them to achieve such great success. On this episode, The Singer's Edge is pleased to welcome: Greg Enqriquez, John Henny, Dean Kaelin, Kathy Kennedy, Wendy Parr, Vanessa Purdy, Jefferey Skouson, and Dave Stroud.

Martin Landquist is an artist, producer, and songwriter. Under the name Naid, he releases his own music as well as as producing artists such as A-Ha for labels like Warner, SonyBMG, Universal, and independents. Martin has written music for award winning commercials, webcampaigns and TV events. On today's show, Martin talks to us about his new album, Varanasi , his eclectic encounter with rhythm, and how he collaborates with songwriters and singers. For more info on Martin's new album, see www.naidmusic.com.

With a roster of students that include 6 leads at once on Broadway, 5 principles at once at the Metropolitan Opera, 4 winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, and over 125 Grammy Award Winners, Seth Riggs is considered by many to be the best and most successful voice teacher in the world. He is certainly the busiest. Recording artists, opera singers, musical theater performers, actors, directors, and producers all rely on Seth Riggs for help. Seth has dedicated his life to the study of voice. A singer since childhood, Seth's lifelong dedication to understanding how the voice really works eventually resulted in the unique and innovative approach to voice known today as Speech Level Singing. Despite Seth's virtuosic leap singing up to the double high C in the middle of this interview, he has asked that I assure the listeners that he was still experiencing vocal exhaustion following his recent hospitalization for pneumonia and from coughing and weezing. He hopes that listeners of the show will be forgiving, taking into consideration the unusually poor quality of his voice. He feels fortunate to have been able to make even transitions through the bridges during this interview.

While at the 2008 annual Namm conference, Allison Austin and I had the pleasure of chatting with some exciting musicians including Bobby Kimball of Toto, Jason Scheff of Chicago, Music Producer Carmen Rizzo, rhythm expert Joel Stevenette, and singer/songwriter Greg Schzebel. Namm is It is the trade association of the international music products industry operating the industry’s largest annual trade-only event in the world. It is an invitation only conference featuring musical product displays from a record number of exhibitors, this year featuring over 1,500 exhibiting companies. It also features performances by high profile musicians, and offers a variety of educational and networking opportunities for industry professionals.

With a roster of students that include 6 leads at once on Broadway, 5 principles at once at the Metropolitan Opera, 4 winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, and over 125 Grammy Award Winners, Seth Riggs is considered by many to be the best and most successful voice teacher in the world. He is certainly the busiest. Recording artists, opera singers, musical theater performers, actors, directors, and producers all rely on Seth Riggs for help. Seth has dedicated his life to the study of voice. A singer since childhood, Seth's lifelong dedication to understanding how the voice really works eventually resulted in the unique and innovative approach to voice known today as Speech Level Singing. Despite Seth's virtuosic leap singing up to the double high C in the middle of this interview, he has asked that I assure the listeners that he was still experiencing vocal exhaustion following his recent hospitalization for pneumonia and from coughing and weezing. He hopes that listeners of the show will be forgiving, taking into consideration the unusually poor quality of his voice. He feels fortunate to have been able to make even transitions through the bridges during this interview.

On this weeks show: "Jennifer Hudson would have just been pushed to the side and washed away, but she kept pursuing her career." Singer, songwriter, producer, vocal coach and artist developer, Robert “RAab” Stevenson, has collaborated with some of the most famous voices and producers heard on urban and pop radio today. Among them are Justin Timberlake, the Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell Williams, Veit Renn, Teddy Riley, Guy, 69 Boyz, 95 South, Lil Jon, Trick Daddy, Freddie Jackson, Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley, Kevin Kendricks, Wylie Morris, Al Green, Kylie Minogue, J.C. Chasez and Three 6 Mafia to name a few. He has lent his vocals, vocal arrangements, production and writing skills to create some of the hits we all love. With the success of his debut album, RAab was on top of the world. But, as it goes in the music industry, the higher up you go the harder you fall. Such was the case, when Rip-It Records closed its doors forever. RAab felt he’d lost it all before he’d really had a chance to conquer it all. Getting back in the game was no easy task. But the passion was too great to ignore. The more he was rejected, the hungrier he became and the harder he worked. The hard work definitely paid off. And, when opportunity knocked, RAab left his door wide open. He spent two years touring with Justin Timberlake on the Justified/Stripped Tour as a background singer and background vocal arranger. And, when American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson was dismissed from the show, he was summoned to write, arrange and co- produce three songs on her upcoming debut album which will feature their much anticipated duet, “Ghetto Love”. Currently, touring with Justin Timberlake for the second time, RAab serves as Lead Vocalist and tour vocal coach on the FutureSex/LoveSounds Tour. When he is not on the road, RAab spends his time writing, recording, developing and executive producing new artists like the Young Prayzr, through his production company, KIMAD Productions. Young Prayzr is featured on the Sony/EMI Holy Hip Compilation CD to be released September 2006. Fittingly so, RAab is one of the most sought-after vocalists today. His schedule is jam-packed with concert performances, studio sessions, conference calls and meetings with AnR executives and label presidents requesting not only his services for their artists, but his name on their roster.

On this program, we chat with Kyle Martin, a music pastor from California and the piano man from Billy Joel's smash musical Movin out. Kyle outperformed over 30,000 people to be one of 10 Piano Men ever considered for the role. We discuss Songwriting, how he discovered he was a tenor, and how that's impacted his career. He also talks about his role as a Music Pastor to a 2000 strong denomination, his background with spiritual music, and the challenges and joys of working in the ministry. "Success is where opportunity and preparedness meet." - Kyle Martin The reviews are in! "Dynamic", "Spectacular", "A piano player with a touch like Billy Joel", "An excellent tenor voice", are just some of the ways people have described Kyle Martin, the newest Piano Man from the Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel's Broadway smash, "Movin' Out". Kyle outperformed over 30,000 people to be one of 10 Piano Men ever considered for this role. Traveling to almost 100 cities in 2007/2008, Kyle is making quite a name for himself amongst Broadway and rock fans. Kyle also has performed and worked with top names, such as Richie Furay, Oden Fong, Jaci Velasquez, the 77's, True Vibe, Rosey Grier, Natalie Grant, Greg Long, Joanna Carlson, Crystal Lewis, and Bibleman. He also appeared on the television series, "American Idol" Season 4. Kyle has also recently appeared in INSP’s C.A.T.S. television show hosted by Jason Crabb of the Crabb Family and has taught the very first class on Christian Music and Worship at the 2006 Seth Riggs’ Vocal Camp alongside faculty like Terry Ellis (EnVogue), Rosanna Eckert, Cece Sammy (Pop Idol), Mark Hudson (Aerosmith), Chuck E. Myers (The Killers), just to name a few. He also came back to the 2007 Seth Riggs Vocal Camp as a guest artist and interviewer. He also finished writing and producing and performing as the singing voice for "Bibleman" in the 2006-07 Bibleman Live Tour, in which his songs are played at such venues like the Billy Graham and Franklin Graham Crusades, in front of audiences in the thousands. Kyle is a music pastor at Sunset Christian Center in Rocklin, CA, with a congregation of over 2,000 people. He is also a Certified Speech Level Singing® Instructor and is studying under world renowned vocal coaches Seth Riggs and David Stroud. In 2005, he performed for Saddleback Church's Worship Conference, was a guest judge at the ACSI "Musicale" competition for Northern California, and was a featured solo performer featured at the California State Fair. Kyle is currently working on his brand new album, “The Language of My Soul,” due out 2008. CONTACT KYLE AT: myspace.com/kyletrevormartin OR www.myslsworld.com/kylemartin

On this weeks show: "It's not as simple as having a great song or being a nice person... those things are important, but it's so much more now; it's understanding the world because we're able to; we're able to logon... it's a weird kinda evolution that's happening... alot of people grasp onto it but alot of people are in denial... You can use it to your advantage if that's what you want to do." Fritz Helder is the frontman and key strategist behind the band Fritz Helder and The Phantoms. Two backing vocalists, a guitarist, and a beat making DJ complete the 5 piece band. However, Fritz works with more than 30 people conceptualizing and continuously evolving the band's unique brand that integrates cutting edge music production, fashion, dance, and art all into each of it's unique performances. The band has been talked about, interviewed and reviewed by major newspapers and has been featured in fashion magazines. Early in the bands career, their one of a kind show had caught the eye of megastar Nelly Furtado . Since then, Fritz has personally worked with her on her music videos and provided choreography and art direction on her latest world tour. Today, Fritz talks with us about how he makes the most out of his surroundings, how he works collaboratively with so many people, and tells us how you can connect more with your body for performance. LOG ON TO FRITZ'S WEBSITE: www.fritzhelder.com

Accompanied by melancholy lyrics, and bringing to mind a blend of Roy Orbison, Loretta Lynn and Jenny Lewis, Nicole Atkins grew up in Neptune, NJ. After a few years playing in North Carolina with an alternative country band, she returned to the tri-state area playing solo gigs in New York City. Nearly broke and ready to give up her music for a day job, Atkins struck a deal with Columbia records as a result of a strong demo and impressive performances. She released the Bleeding Diamonds EP while assembling her band Nicole Atkins the Sea. She was named by Rolling Stones as an artist to watch and released her first full length album entitled Neptune City. On this weeks show, Nicole Atkins chats with host Brandon Brophy at Lee's Palace in Toronto. She shares her insight about writing songs, working with a band, getting discovered, and her ongoing experience with Speech Level Singing.

Singer/Songwriter Daniel Bedingfield was born in New Zealand-born, but grew up in southeast London. Mostly influenced by contemporary RnB artists, his sisters Natasha and Nicola teamed up with him to assemble their first band, called the DNA Algorhythm. Daniel has been on a non-stop ride since his first single "Gotta Get Thru This" charted at number 1 in December 2001. Since then Daniel has had two further #1 singles and 2 albums. Daniel recorded "Gotta Get Thru This" in his bedroom with a microphone plugged to his home computer In December 2001. Just a few weeks after its release by the independent Relentless Records, his song went to the top on the U.K. singles chart. On January 2 2004, Mid-way through his 2nd album, Daniel was in an auto accident and was cut from the wreckage of his jeep near Auckland, New Zealand. Daniel broke his neck and recovered from his injuries. While in recovery, he won an award for the Best british male artist of 2004, a very prestigious award in europe. The accident made an understandable impact on his music. Daniel formed a production partnership with LA producer Jack Joseph Puig, a veteran whose credits include idiosyncratic and unique talents like Beck, The Rolling Stones, No Doubt, Weezer and The Black Crowes. Second First Impression followed in 2005. Daniel is currently residing in Los Angeles and is working on a 3rd album, Stop The Traffik, due for release in 2008. On today's show, Daniel lets us in on a very personal journey as we chat about how he deals with tragedy, overcomes stage fright, and connects with his audience. www.danielbedingfield.com/ www.stopthetraffik.org/ www.myspace.com/nikolarachelle

Boko is currently the Music Director for the National Tour of the hit musical Wicked. He spent three years music directing Rent on Broadway after having music directed both national tours , as well as supervising the Austrailian production. Boko also music directed the national tour of Swing! for which he was nominated for an LA Drama Critics Circle Award, and the first national tour of Mamma Mia! Other credits include CATS, Les Miserables, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, The Who's TOMMY and Sunset Boulevard, as well as appearing as guest conductor with the Toronto Symphony. Boko has composed music for many theatrical productions, including at Canada's acclaimed Stratford Festival as well as composing music for the National Hockey League annual All Star Game.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Rory Steven Kaplan was influenced by the arts from the start – his father was a still life painter and his mother an accomplished pianist. At the young and impressionable age of nine, Rory first heard the record that forever changed and shaped the direction of his life: Meet the Beatles. Not long after, his parents bought him a guitar and his musical career was launched. In his early teens, Rory shifted his focus to keyboards after being exposed to Walter Carlos’ groundbreaking album Switched On Bach, which introduced the Moog synthesizer to the world. Rory was offered his first U.S. tour at the age of seventeen, accompanying singer Dennis Dean. At the end of the tour, Chick Corea was so impressed with the talents of the burgeoning young musician that he hired Rory to serve as his chief synthesizer programmer and technician. After several years with Corea, Rory went on to work with jazz greats Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample, and Stanley Clarke, even doing a short Japanese tour with guitarist Jeff Beck. Kaplan next began working for Fairlight Music Computer, an Australian company that manufactured the first digital sampling instrument. Rory was then asked by manager Frank Dileo to put a band together for Michael Jackson’s first-ever solo tour, the “Bad Tour” – a journey that would take Kaplan literally around the world and would last over a year and a half. Following the conclusion of that tour, Rory returned to the recording studio, programming and performing with internationally renowned artists such as Jon Anderson, Yes, Joe Cocker, Four Non Blondes, and the Yellow Jackets, culminating in a co-production credit on Edgar Winter’s album The Real Deal. In 1996, Rory was hired by Digital Theater Systems (DTS) to serve as executive producer and head of artist relations for a new record label intended to introduce multi-channel audio to both the music industry and consumer. During his eight-year tenure with the company, Kaplan executive-produced over 180 multi-channel CDs and DVD-Audio discs for a staggering array of top artists, including Sting, the Eagles, Queen, Steely Dan, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Wilson, Diana Krall, The London Symphony, and Vince Gill. In 2003 Rory formed his own independent company, Rory Kaplan Productions, Inc. through which he continues to pioneer the development of exciting new products and technologies. “My goal is to bridge existing gaps and bring together the right people, technology and artists to ensure that the end result is one of integrity, one which displays true artistic craft in all aspects and on all levels,” Kaplan says. “Despite the proliferation of new technologies and formats, I am confident that art and commerce will once again find balance, and that recording and delivery will be forever changed for the better.”

Dr. Shawn Nasseri is an Ear Nose and Throat surgeon who works almost exclusively with the voice. He has treated several thousand voices over the last dozen years, including the last seven in his thriving Beverly Hills practice. This has included a wide range of patients from a number of top platinum selling recording artists to local and international musical theatre actors to professional voices all over the world. Dr. Nasseri has dedicated nearly his entire practice exclusively to voice work. Today, he gives us a fascinating look at the complex instrument we know as the voice box. He describes briefly how to ensure we use it efficiently, and he also tells why Speech Level Singing is so incredibly effective. Please welcome, Dr. Nasseri. DISCLAIMER: The following podcast is not medical advice and should not be taken as such. This is an interview with a doctor for entertainment purposes only. mySLSworld.com is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate content posted on the mySLSworld.com website or in connection with mySLSworld.com, whether caused by users of mySLSworld.com or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized on mySLSworld.com. Listeners should see an ENT if they are concerned about their voice or before beginning vocal training.

As an AnR executive for Capitol, Loren brought Less Than Jake, Jimmy Eat World, and Annie Stella. He independently produced and signed The Hippos to Interscope Records, Automatic 7 to AandM/Vagrant Records and Jason Morphew to Sony Music. His most recent success was as an AnR consultant to Jimmy Eat World's self-titled CD for DreamWorks. Loren is also extensively involved in the careers of The Plain White T’s / Fearless Records and Rock Kills Kid/Warner Bros. Records. Loren is actively involved through his company Band+Aide, in continuing to identify, guide and develop the careers of emerging artists. Before turning his extensive knowledge and expertise to the business side of music, Loren began his career as a guitar player touring with such bands as Soul Asylum, The Smithereens, The Damned, and Social Distortion.