Auditioning singers?

[Fishheadjoe]

I've been playing in a three piece band for a few months... bass, drummer and guitar player. Playing mostly 60's and 70's classics, but without a lead vocalist.
I ran an ad on Craigslist, received about 12 responses and spoke with most of them. They are basically in the same boat as us... folks who for whatever reason, steered away from music for a number of years and now, as they enter their late 40's/early 50's, have more time to devote to music and have taken it up again.
I have arranged for a rehearsal space for our "auditions" and provided each with a list of 6 songs we are willing to do, having them pick three. I have booked 4 singers in half hour intervals to meet with us, do the three songs and spend some time chatting and getting to know each other.
What I'm hoping for from you good folks, is some advice or good questions to ask these people and or how you would approach these auditions. This is all pretty new to me and I want to ensure that we come across as professionally as we can, yet at the same time, letting these singers know that we are in this for fun, but also quite committed to each other and not willing to be the guy in the band that is constantly un-prepared.
Any and all advice is sincerely appreciated!
Fishheadjoe

[tycobb73]

How often do you want to gig out?
Are you able to keep your weekends free?
What songs would you like to ad to the setlist?
Do you smoke?
Do you drink?
Know any bar ownes?
How often do you want to practice?
What is your day job? don't want music to be his only income
What does the misses think of the idea?

Make sure you see his vehicle and how dependable it is.

[Fishheadjoe]

Thanks for that Ty... exactly the kind of thing I am looking for... I figured experience folks here would have been through this numerous times and I would much rather learn from others mistakes, then make them myself!
Fishheadjoe

[NickInMesa]

Prepare yourself for some American Idol moments, my friend.

But in the middle I am sure you'll find a gem.

[longfinger]

Ask them if they play a musical instrument (ie. guitar or piano).

They don't need to be good performers on the instrument, but they should (IMHO) know music basics and be able to use the instrument as a tool to help them learn songs on their own. (eg. key up songs, sing in tune.)

Having a karaoke-singer or a shower-singer in a real band of musicians can be very frustrating.

[duff beer]

Ask them if they can sing the songs in the original keys as recorded...

Also, ask them if there are any songs that THEY do well...maybe you know already them or maybe they are easy enough to attempt at the audition.

[jaywa]

1) Have your drummer lay down a solid 4/4 mid-tempo beat, give the singer an extra drumstick and tell him/her to hit the nearest flat surface with the drumstick, in rhythm.

2) When the singer walks in, have the heaviest piece of gear your band owns sitting in the middle of the floor and say to the singer, "hey would you mind helping me move this out of the way?"

I'm not joking. The first test tells you if the singer has any kind of time feel, the 2nd tells you if he/she is going to be a diva or is willing to do their share offstage as well as on. You don't want a singer that fails on either count.

[Fishheadjoe]

Thanks again folks... some good stuff here for sure!
Appreciate you all taking the time... I'll update this thread Friday as we are meeting them this evening.
Again, thanks very much!
Fishheadjoe

[Fishheadjoe]

Well, it seems that we have found a singer! Thanks in no small part, to some of the advice given here... he seems to be a well grounded, enthusiastic bloke, who is doing this for the same reasons we are.
Again, thanks to this great community for the advice, now the real work begins!
Fishheadjoe

[MNAirHead]

are you willing to sell?
do you know how to setup a PA?

How long will it take you to learn the lyrics to 60 songs.