Win some... lose some (the disappointments & victories of the performer)

So...everyone I know who saw American Idol this week was greatly disappointed about James being voted off. I got all kinds of facebook messages, clean and not so clean comments from angry fans. So assuming we all agree James has the best voice, range, performance skills and ability to connect w folks, WUZ UP WITH THAT???

It's just one of those unfair things in life. Sometimes the best guys lose. The ones with the most talent often go unnoticed, unappreciated, and feel devalued. I spent my life studying music at the best music schools in NYC and being mentored under killer vocal and performance coaches.

Not to mention my mother's keen ability to train me up to truly connect with people and love my audience more than I love myself and life itself! Even with all my training and love for my fans or friends or whatever you call the peeps who love you, I have failed MANY TIMES to win!

One time, I performed at the Gospel Music Competition of the year and won second place. Two of the judges approached me afterward and said they wanted me to win first! I was upstaged by a group of galz in a rock band who somewhat rocked and who were also somewhat cookie cutter. Put it on my resume and celebrated the oppty to enjoy the experience in Nashville and get that far (since I was picked out of hundreds of singers just to get to compete)

Another time, I competed for the McDonald's GospelFest. I was the only JEW who made it into the competition! So I should of felt lucky and I think I did. It's possible I was also the only white girl too which to me was an enormous honor.

So I got to be a finalist and nothing doing for being the winner. They chose this teen chick who had some sob story about needing the winning money for her college tuition. Her voice was mediocre but she hit one impressive but sort of pushed note at the end of her song.

That week, my church pastor honored me in front of the entire church with a plaque and much kudos and love. The pastor and his wife announced that I was THEIR winner and they loved and appreciated me.

Lesson to learn? No matter how great your fans say you are, you WILL feel de-valued from time to time. You will feel like giving up.  But take heart. The victory does not lie in fame or in rewards. The victory lies in how you touch people's hearts & how you make the world a better place w/ your song. 

You & me, we are one of God's few ambassadors of hope n healing...don't forget that!!!!!! He, Elohim, God, and his love is our greatest reward. We represent Him- the greatest healer n lover of souls anyone has ever known.

AND WHAT REWARD COULD BE GREATER THAN THAT?????? To represent the ultimate lover n healer! (I preach to myself here too) So dont let your "stinkin thinkin" get you down. Sing w all your heart cuz you love it. Beacause you love God and because you love all His peeps! You might be the only mirror of hope n love a person has ever seen.

Love to hear your comments @ facebook.com/michellegoldonline

michelle gold
music described as Celine n Beyonce meet Yeshua (Jesus) in Jerusalem
www.michellegold.com

Bella's Birthday Party 5/2/10

Wuz up with that? Singing without emotion and no connecting

OK. So I am a big fan of Big Mike and I am so sorry he is now off the show. Wishing him awesome success as he goes on tour and hoping he is a big as Christina Aguilera or even Whitney Houston someday. 


But why is LEE going so far? Wuz up with that?  I think Lee is a sweet guy and means well. He's moving up in the competition based on his sweet personality, great voice and good looks. But as a vocal & performance coach, I wish I could coach him on how to move people when he sings. Wouldn't it be great to give our audience something more than just a nice voice & a pretty face?

What's missing with Lee in my opinion? He doesn't yet give me chills when he sings because he chooses not to sing with great meaning and I can tell that he probably does not have a specific person in mind to sing to or connect to. Therefore, when he sings, I believe people don't feel anything or any connection or chills YET. I say YET because sometimes all a person needs is some great training or mentoring. Bottom line, when people hear Lee,  I think people say, "nice voice?"instead of, "WOW, that moved me! 


THE CHALLENGE:


When you sing, do you want people to say, "Nice voice!" or "Wow, that totally moved me to tears or to joy?" Do you hope to use your voice to share a beautiful message or are you satisfied to just sing well. I want to inspire you today to take your voice and performance to the next level. No more "Mr. or Mrs. Nice Voice'' for you! Let's get people saying, "WOW, he/she moved me." By "moved," I mean, moved to do something for the greater good or moved to tears of joy, forgiveness, repentance, and hopefully love for God and His people. 


WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM LEE


1. When not singing:


He could show more love toward his audience like Big Mike, and like Adam Lamburt from last season, blowing kisses, saying thank you a million times with COMPLETE sincerity. He can let his pearly whites shine and truly show adoration for his fans. (guyz & galz, Believers, you know we cant fake this stuff) If you don't feel love in your heart, pray for supernatural love from God to fill ya. He can help you give love even when you have been touring too long and have a case of  what they call "compassion fatigue." We are not perfect but everyone wants to love a singer who loves or is loving.


When on stage:


2. Practice connecting with people as you sing. Please agree with me in prayer, 


"Lord, from this day forward, I no longer want to be  thinking about my voice and how good or bad I sound when performing. Remove from me SELF consciousness which is from the enemy who wants me to think of only me. Lord, fill me instead with  God and Love consciousness. Remind me that people are not looking for a perfect sound, they just want me to bring the love and great message." With a desire to be God-conscious and to connect with your people, I am yours and ready to serve you in music wholeheartedly. Amen.


There is much to learn and some of it can be summed up in a few quick tips as I shall try to do from my experience of performing for over 15 years. 


TIPS ON CONNECTING


DECIDE IN ADVANCE WHO THIS SONG IS TO. 


Meaning, sing a song like you are writing a letter.  For example, for my song, DAYENU, it is a DEAR GOD letter saying, "Lord, you have done so much for me." I look up to God and sing and sometimes close my eyes ever so briefly in awe of His wonder. 


For singing Sabbath Prayer from Fiddler on the Roof, it is my DEAR BELLA letter. I picture Bella across the room and sing right to her. Later on in the second half of the song, I choose to look at audience members and sing to them, "may the Lord protect and defend you." By that time, I am fully immersed in the meaning of the song. I know Bella more than my audience so naturally, my singing and my emotion is going to be a million times more powerful with her in mind. 


FOCUS YOUR EYES IN ONE PLACE and IMAGINE SOMEONE YOU WOULD DIE FOR:


 Some students (especially believers) wil  tell me that they these deep feelings for people in the audience they do not know. You dont know them yet. You love them because God loves them. But YOU MUST think of someone you love and would DIE FOR and focus straight ahead and imagine that person. No groups please. Think of one person. It should feel like an intimate conversation. Rest assured, that as you are looking at your person ahead, people will feel invited in and since you are looking ahead, your eyes are the windows of your soul so they will see and understand your message clearly and powerfully. To see if you agree, videotape yourself at home applying these tips and check it out how moved you will feel as your audience will be too!


LET'S SHARE OUR LOVE and MOVE PEOPLE WHEN WE SING!


What are you thoughts? What is your favorite song to perform and who will you sing it to in your mind now? How easy would it be to videotape yourself this week singing one song and view it back?




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