|
In this issue… * Career Updates, including… - SellaBand Milestones - My new vocal coach - My “American Idol Experience” * New and Exciting SellaBand Contest(!!!) * Awards and Nominations * NEW FEATURE: “Behind the Glass” * What’s next…
SellaBand Milestones
The month of December was a big one for me on SellaBand.com. Not only did I gain over $1,000 towards my project and hit my $2,000 milestone, but I gained a few new Believers as well! I am so thankful to everyone who has played a part in my success on SellaBand and I am looking forward to a wonderful 2010 shared with all of you!
If you are not yet a member of SellaBand and/or would like to become a part of Team Apryl, please check out my profile at: www.sellaband.com/aprylevans
My New Vocal Coach
Being a few miles from New York City has its advantages and one of them is how close I am to all of the musical magic that happens in that city! Just last week, I started studying with a new vocal coach, who also happens to be a music producer. His name is J. Chris Griffin, and he has worked on tracks (mixing, engineering, and/or producing) for Madonna, Janet Jackson, John Legend, Missy Elliott, The Corrs, Kanye West, as well as many others. My coaching sessions are taught out of Studio C at the famous Cutting Room Studios, who also has quite the impressive list of clients. Each lesson, I will be in the vocal booth singing and recording and working on getting to that next level as an artist. A lot of vocalists stop taking lessons after a while, but I believe that every artist should continue to try to reach that “next level”. We can always get better and grow and this is what I intend on doing.
- To see how J. Chris Griffin runs his lessons, check out this video:
- And to see a short video of new teen sensation Justin Bieber hanging in the very studio I take lessons in, while taking a break from filming a segment for Good Morning America, check this video out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V28VjYGc_r4
My “American Idol Experience”
While on vacation at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, I had the chance to audition for “The American Idol Experience.” This is an attraction that opened in early 2009 in which visitors to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park are given the opportunity to audition for a chance to participate in one of the attractions daily shows in front of a live audience. The audition process is very similar to that of the actual show’s process. I had to audition for a “first round” judge, who loved my “sultry voice” (her words) then passed me on to the producers. I had to sing two songs for the producers and they loved my rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” so much that they asked me to perform in the show! They told me that not very many people have the vocal chops to pull of the song, but that I do - I was floored by their commentary!!
Before the show, I had two cameramen follow me around and tape a video montage that was used to introduce me to the audience, just like in the real show. Then, it was time for hair and makeup, a session with the vocal coach, then rehearsal time. During the rehearsal, I and the other two performers got to step out onto the stage for the very first time and were amazed to see that the stage looks EXACTLY like the one on television. It was amazing!
Finally, we were able to perform for the audience, as well as a panel of three judges who looked, sounded, and acted curiously like Randy, Paula, and Simon. I got the best feedback from the judges and had an amazing time!!! They say that only 10% of the people who audition make it to the show, so this was a wonderful honor and my favorite part of my vacation!! Pictures to follow as soon as I receive them in the mail from Disney World…
New and Exciting SellaBand Contest!
I am always looking for new and exciting ways to keep my current and future Believers involved in my music, and I had a great idea hit me just last month while I was in the studio recording my Christmas cover song. How many times have you heard an artist’s voice on SellaBand and thought to yourself, “Wow! I bet this artist could sing my favorite song beautifully”??? Well, now here’s your chance! I am offering the chance for one lucky Believer to choose my next studio cover. I am covering the studio costs and you get to just enjoy the music!
Here are the rules: 1 - The contest will run from January 1st, 2010 to January 31st, 2010. At the end of the month, one winner will be selected to choose a song for me to cover.
I am very excited for this contest and hope that you will all enjoy it as well! I would love for you all to start thinking of ideas for the cover you would like me to sing! Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have on this.
To view the official contest poster, please click here: Apryl Evans Cover Contest
Awards and Nominations
USA4Real “R&B Single of the Year” – Nomination for “I Shouldn’t” I was nominated for USA4Real Radio’s R&B Single of the Year for my tug-on-your-heartstrings single, “I Shouldn’t”, which I wrote and recorded. Although I won the popular vote by a large margin, I did not win the award (which upset many of those who voted for me). I was, however, honored to have won the part of the award that counts – the votes of the listeners. Thank you so much to all of you who showed your support of me and music by voting!!!
Talentcast Song of The Week – Nomination and Award for “I Shouldn’t” I was nominated for and won Talentcast’s Song of the Week and won!! What an honor, considering I was nominated amongst so much wonderful talent! Thank you to everyone at Talentcast for recognizing my music and thank you to everyone who voted!!
The Dream Team Christmas Song Competition – 3rd Place for “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)” What an amazing moment it was on Christmas Eve when I found out that my cover of Mariah Carey’s “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)” won third place in The Dream Team Christmas Song Competition! I was so very flattered that the judges had chosen my song to come in third place amongst so many beautiful Christmas songs! Thank you to Phil for organizing the competition and to the judges for taking the time out of their busy schedules during the holiday season to judge all of our songs!
Behind the Glass… Featured Song: “I Shouldn’t”
This is a new feature that I am going to be running in my monthly newsletter, where I will give you all some insight into what goes on “behind the glass”, whether it be a story about how I came up with a concept for a song, what happened in the studio while recording, or what I am working on next. This month, in light of the various nominations for this song, I decided to talk about the writing process behind “I Shouldn’t”.
“I Shouldn’t” is one of those songs that just poured out onto the paper in front of me without a whole lot of effort. It came to me while driving one day, and I knew I HAD to pull over and write down the lyrics that had just popped into my head. There was something special about this song and I knew I just had to share it with the world. Over the next few days, I developed the story and came up with something that could reach so many people’s hearts. The story is told from the singer’s point of view and focuses on a love lost many years ago that is greatly missed. The lost lover is still out there somewhere living his life, but the singer misses him greatly and just can’t get him out of her head no matter how hard she tries.
I wrote the song with enough specific emotion to really make the listener feel the pain the singer is experiencing, but with enough of a mystery to the lyrics to allow anyone who has ever missed an old lover to be able to picture their own story while listening to the song. I also worked with the producer to give the song a neo-soul feel with a classic touch. I hope you all like this song!!!
What’s Next…
At the beginning of every month, I look forward to the month ahead and set some goals to work towards. One of the things I am currently working towards is starting to book gigs again now that the holiday season is over. I am setting my sights on booking gigs at big places like New York City’s famous venue The Bitter End and a fabulous little place in Hoboken, NJ (hometown of the late Frank Sinatra) called Maxwell’s.
I am also going to have DiscMakers press over a hundred copies of my self-funded EP entitled “One of Those Girls”. Once I have received them, I am going to mail an autographed copy to every single one of my Believers who has purchased 10 or more parts!
Finally, my last big goal for the month of January is to hit my $3K milestone on SellaBand! Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Have a great month everyone!!!
Peace, Love, and Music, Apryl Evans xoxo |
