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Literally no lead singers around?

invader3k

invader3k

Feb 12, 2004
2,851
51
46
Fort Atkinson, WI
www.facebook.com
#1
(I posted in another thread about how we had a singer lined up, then he bailed on us..."Telephone Conversation I Just Had" was the thread title...we have upcoming paying gigs on the calendar).

We auditioned another veteran lead singer last night. Awesome guy. Very cool dude, with a GREAT voice. I mean, this guy would be the best lead vocalist I've ever played with, by a mile. He's coming off a 10 year stint with a well known cover band in this area. He and the other guys simply got tired and burnt out, and amicably decided to call it quits.

Anyway, his audition went great (as expected). Said he liked us and likes our set list. Sounds good right?

Problem is, he's not sure if he wants to do another band right now or not. He's contemplating doing solo acoustic shows. I can't blame him at all, and get where he's coming from. He did say our local and relatively light show schedule was appealing to him. Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed.

I was perusing the local craigslist and other area musicians classifieds this morning. There are LITERALLY no "lead singer available" postings at all. Not even "I'm a total newb looking to join my first band" type posts. Nada, zip, zilch.

I feel like if this guy says no to us, we may be screwed for right now. We'd have to go back to being a three piece hack garage band for the time being, which I'm dreading. Fingers crossed.
 
#2
Yeah pretty tough situation you got going there. In my cover band I was lucky as I knew our singer beforehand but finding a suitable replacement for her would be pretty hard.

Do you go to church? I know a LOT of singers at my place of service. Whether or not they fit your standards is totally up to you but that would be the best bet in your situation.
 
#3
Hmmm...yeah, I'm in a good church. I just can't think of anyone there off hand that would be a fit. Our style of worship is still pretty traditional (congregation sings with organ accompaniment). Might have to start looking at some "alternative" type ways of recruitment like that, though, if this guy turns us down.
 
#7
I'm in my first band for a few months now, and finding out just how difficult it is to find the right singer. Everything else is in place. The ad responses have been many, but few follow through (flakes) or are as good as they think they are (LeadSingerDisease). There is a HUGE talent pool here .. it's just a matter of making the connection. We're also trying friends of friends, and scouring some open mics. Our drummer also suggested posting flyers where music instructors give lessons.
 
#8
I'm fortunate enough to be in 2 bands that both have good singers....and neither one suffers from lead singer's disease. They both show up early and help load gear, and they both stay until the last piece of gear is loaded after a gig.
 
#11
Here's what I would do. Get back up with the guy who auditioned and tell him that you are willing to work with him and let him do some acoustic shows as well as be in your band if he wants. I think flexibility will win him over.
 
#12
Good vocalists, and, good drummers. That's what's so hard to find. And, for some damn reason, a good vocalist knows that. And, due to knowing so, the majority can be stricken with LSD (Lead Singer's Disease). Damn, I'm so lucky to be hooked up with 2 (two!!) great vocalists. I remember back in the day playing in some really, really tight lineups, and the only missing link was a great singer. If you do find a good one, you better hold on loosely, but don't let go.....:D
 
#13
For real, finding a good lead singer (or any singer really) can be incredibly difficult. I'd say in a rock band it takes a decent amount of charisma to make that happen as well...don't want someone who just stands around up there doing nothing.
 
#17
Ahh, Vocalists. My constant struggle. I have cried through more Karaoke nights and Open Mic's looking for vocalists than I care to remember. Our current guy is excellent and plays a mean lead guitar a well, but we went through at least 20 auditions with one "well, she's alright" out of the bunch of them before we found him.

I was stunned at how consistently bad most of them were. And I can count 3 of them who owned a microphone and only one that had anything that resembled their own amplification (powered monitor for himself).

Wish I had an easier way of doing things. Just keep looking, give everyone a half hour shot. Worst case scenario, you're no better off than you were before. Make sure you post an ad looking for a singer. I find there are a lot more Craigslist stalkers than there are Craigslist posters. If you post an ad, they will come. Just be ready to spend the time to separate the wheat from the chaff.
 
#20
invader3k said:
No, of course not. Why would you think that?
Click to expand...

Oh okay, I was just checking - thank goodness for that.

Then, I think "Two fingers" suggestion is a good idea and worth a try.
Here's what I would do. Get back up with the guy who auditioned and tell him that you are willing to work with him and let him do some acoustic shows as well as be in your band if he wants. I think flexibility will win him over.
Click to expand...

And "mellowinman" suggestion of hitting some karaoke shows, along with "Hapa" suggestion of hitting some open mics and calling agencies is worth a try too.

Good luck.
 

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