Singers Are Taking Better Care of Their Voices
Sara Evans sounds pretty good these days, doesn't she? That strong, feisty vocal has been a trademark of her recordings for years, and she's had a lot of power the last couple times I've seen her in concert.
Which makes this week all the more significant. Five years ago (April 25), she underwent surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville to have a blister removed from her vocal cords.
The fact that you probably don't remember it shows how far things have come. Only 15 years ago, when other artists -- including Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea and Patty Loveless -- had throat issues, it was big news. An artist's throat is as significant to his or her career as the throwing arm is to a pitcher in baseball.
In an earlier era, managers and record company people often tried to hide any issues involving the throat, concerned that any attention might cause people to question if it meant the end of their career.
You can understand why. Earl Thomas Conley developed throat problems when he tried to sing loud enough to hear himself in a technologically-challenged period, and the effects were long-lasting. Just in the last week, pop singer Jordin Sparks has been sidelined by a throat problem, and it's led to speculation about whether her career is over.
The number of artists who've been put on vocal rest or undergone surgery in recent years is staggering -- LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Chris Cagle, Heidi Newfield, Billy Currington and SHeDAISY, among them.
The industry has come a long way in recognizing the importance of keeping the voice fresh. It's why you see more water bottles than beer bottles in tow for country singers these days -- and it's why those lesions and polyps are now treated as blips, instead of career-threatening drama.
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Brody says:
Don’t forget about former Cherokee Cowboy Johnny Bush, who was once as big or bigger than Willie before his voice gave out to spasmodic dysphonia. He has to get botox injections in his vocal chords just to be able to talk and sing.
diane says:
Jordin Sparks, last years american idol winner is now also on “voice” rest for the rest of the month cancelling concerts with alicia keyes…The voice is a gift from God and needs to be taken care of..it needs to rest and be regenerated..Luckily vocalists are realizing this and giving their voices that extra rest when needed
BW says:
Remember what Josh Turner went through? Glad he didn’t think his career was over when he had vocal problems.
TomTom says:
All I ever hear about is artists cancelling shows and sometimes even an entire section of a tour because they are on doctor ordered voice rest, so I think they are actually straining themselves too much which makes it rough for the fans who plan on the concerts.