When combined with the first part of the interview, this truly constitutes what could be called a masterclass. Continuing from last week’s conversation packed with content gold, hear this time about an A-lister that he is coaching, his time working on “American Idol” – including a Scotty McCreery story – plus he talks about what is at the root of performers getting stage fright, plus he shares about some of the artists he’s working with. All this from a vocalist, songwriter, guitar player, producer, vocal arranger, artist mentor, and vocal coach. He was the lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist from 2006-2008 and 2013-2020 for five-time-GRAMMY-nominated pop supergroup Ambrosia. He has been a member of the Elton John Band and the Michael Jackson “This Is It” band. He also worked as a Vocal & Performance Coach, Vocal Arranger/Producer and First Line Judge on seasons 10 and 11 of “American Idol.” As a session vocalist, he has sung on many major records, commercials, and motion picture and television soundtracks.
“There’s something… with vocal arranging that I just, it really moves me, and it really feeds my soul.”
“I learned so much watching him and was given the opportunity – he was producing a track for Celine Dion that he was pitching for a record, I don’t know if it’ll ever come out on the record or not or make a record for her – but, I got to do vocal arranging on that for Celine and also for Kelly Clarkson.”
“Quite a few years after (I left) the Elton John band, Elton was working on a new musical… and Davey (Johnstone) recommended to him that I do the vocal arranging on it and vocal contracting and sing on it.”
“Independent artists can be Toto. I mean, Toto, you know, a lot of bands like that, they’re not getting major, normal record deals anymore ‘cause the industry has changed so much. So, you have a lot of bands and artists that continue to be prolific and put out records but they’re doing it independently.”
“Every time I’m there, there is, unquestionably, some moment at which, inside, I’m looking at Kenny, going, ‘This is freaking Kenny Loggins. Ken, you are coaching Kenny Loggins. You are here talking to Kenny Loggins. You are hanging out with Kenny freaking Loggins’.”
“There have been singers who have gone on – like Kelly (Clarkson), like Carrie (Underwood) – and have had incredible careers; incredible careers, number one hits, and have gone on to really make their mark on their own as artists. That said, a vast, vast, vast, vast, vast, vast majority of these singers, when they leave (American Idol), will never be heard from again.”
“If you don’t pull your head out of the sky and stop acting like you are Elton John or you are one of these superstars that really earned it, you better start paying attention and listening.”
“If (a reality performance show) was purely a singing contest it would look completely different. They’re casting, they’re – it’s a show. They’re having to look at the temperament of the audience and the changing times and what’s going on in the record business and a whole variety of things that impact the decisions in how they cast, which is fine, that’s the nature of the business. But you’ve gotta know that going in if you’re going to be a contestant – there it is, you’re a contestant.”
“When you’re on tour, there’s probably going to be two to three nights in the entire tour that you’re rested, and your voice feels great. The rest of the time it’s going to be triage.”
“Close the Blinds” (by Anastasia Lynne)