Monday, December 16, 2013

Winners of my 3rd Annual Holiday Songwriting Contest

Congratulations to Katey Laurel & Tommy Ehman
winners of my 3rd Annual Holiday
Songwriting Contest


Katey Laurel
Click here to listen to Katey's song "Peace on Earth" 



Tommy Ehman
Click here to listen to Tommy's song "Joseph's Baby Boy"

We also chose two runners up Ken Wanovich "Christmas With You" and Nick McGee "I Know It's Christmas." Click the links to listen to their songs.

**Reminder** Songs are judged for lyric content, musical quality and originally as well as emotional impact. Songs are not judged by the singer’s skill level and/or the audio/video production.



Friday, December 6, 2013

New York Woman in a Country Song
In 2006 I had the pleasure of working with Dorie Klissas, former producer of the Today Show with Katie Couric. The morning this piece was due to air, Katie announced her departure from the show, and this piece was never aired.

Dorie and I had a lot of fun and quickly became friends. When I found this video the other day I thought you might enjoy watching it. Renee



Friday, November 15, 2013

Meet Emmit, my new associate teacher!

I've finally named the babies. This is Emmitt my
6-month-old Cornish Rex, his sister's name is Elsie.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

3rd Annual Holiday Songwriting Contest


3rd Annual Holiday Songwriting Contest
The holidays are quickly approaching wouldn't you love to have a new song to share with family and friends to celebrate this time of year? Who know, perhaps you will write the next "White Christmas" or "Frosty the Snowman."

Friday, November 1, 2013

Win a Yamaha Piaggero Portable Keyboard

***Win a Yamaha Piaggero***
Portable Keyboard
What do you do when you have a brand new, in the box, never-been-opened keyboard you can’t return? You add more cool stuff and have a raffle give-away for your students.
Between November 1 and February 28 at each student’s session their names will be entered in a drawing to win:

* Yamaha Piaggero Portable Keyboard w/ 76 Full-Size Touch-Sensitive Keys, 4.8 stars +
* One Free Voice Lesson with Renee Grant-Williams +
* Renee’s Vocal Master Class on DVD
+
* Warm-up CD
& Voice Power Book.
Total value: $600.

Yamaha Piaggero Portable Keyboard
Call 615.244.3280 to schedule today.
***Note***
Must live in the 48 contiguous United States.
Does not apply to partial, discounted or free sessions.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

******Tribute Song Contest Winner******


Joann Denny[1] 
Congratulations to Joann Denny who has won our Tribute Song Contest with her song “Bobby- A Tribute to FDNY Firefighter Bob Minara”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnSvHu4oZ3U
 

Joann will receive a voice lesson with me and 6 months free membership to her Membership website.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Bobby Leck sings a small piece of Amazing Grace Elvis style at his free session with me yesterday. Bobby was the winner of my "Elvis In You" contest. Click here to see his winning video Elvis In You Winning Video

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Rebecca Lynn Howard and I talk about about her song "Forgive"

Rebecca Lynn Howard came in today to work with me for the first time. We had a great time, she's a wonderful singer. Her hit song "Forgive" is one of my all-time favorites. Watch this video of our interview then watch her music video "Forgive" below.






Now watch Rebecca Lynn Howard's Video Forgive



Friday, August 16, 2013

I was a guest on "TheMusicBox"

Last night National Recording Artist TanyaDallas-Lewis interviewed me for her show "TheMusicBox." I had a great time.  


This Week on "TheMusicBox" w/ National Recording Artist TanyaDallas-Lewis! Meet Celebrity Vocal Coach Renee Grant-Williams!

Before Miley was "Hannah", before Keith, Tim, Faith, Martina and the Dixie Chicks were household names, they knew Renee Grant-Williams very well. You see, she doesn't just work with the stars, she helps CREATE them!

If you are a SINGER--- or know someone who wants to be--- plan to EAT YOUR DINNER with US this Thursday at 8pm EST! I'll bring the cornbread and the salad dressing! Is Rasberry Vinagrette ok? =) Logic Da' Teacha will be on hand to demonstrate a vocal warm-up [oh Lord!] ;-)
-Tanya, Stellar Award Nominated Recording Artist

Lovely note from Leslie Regenold

I was very touched by this lovely note from former student Leslie Regenol.



Elaine, 
 I was thinking about Renee and you this morning. Could you please
tell Renee that I think of her often, because of the difference that
she made in my life, and the lives of many students that I teach now.

I was going through a bad time, when I saw Renee for a few lessons.
Just a few lessons, but they made a huge difference in my musical
(vocal) approach.

I was working on songwriting at the time, with a background in
music composition.  (I have a degree in that.)

A small town in Missouri, (I still live in Ar..right on the edge!)
had a sudden opening for their music teacher...(for the entire school.)
and they hired me.

This is my third year and I because certified (I wasn't certified) in
instrumental music k-12 (what I studied in college) And
vocal music k-12 (RENEE). 

I have wonderful students (about 150) that I never would have
had the confidence to teach (vocally especially)  if it hadn't been
for Renee..   I think about what I learned from Renee in a very short
period of time, and realize that it was extremely important in helping
me with a teaching style now.

I haven't given up writing, just focusing on this for a while.
While I work every week-day now I still have hopes of having another
lesson with Renee eventually when there is time.   We are off
to a busy start here, but hopefully when there is a break, I will
call you all!!

I hope that you and Renee are doing well, and consider you both
friends.  Please relay this message to Renee, and tell her that I think
of her in friendship and with greatest appreciation.

Renee's musical influence apparently extends very far...and it is
definately extending here, where I am.   I encourage my students
to dream and think big when it comes to music!

I wanted to tell you what I was thinking about this morning and
hope that you two are just doing great.

with fondness and appreciation,
Leslie Regenold
(Ar)

Friday, August 9, 2013

Paul Worley quote about Renee Grant-Williams

"I recommend all aspiring artists learn Renee’s tricks of the
trade as early as possible." ~ Paul Worley, world famed
producer of some of my students including Band Perry,
Martina McBride and The Dixie Chicks.

***Sign up for my FREE Video Voice Lessons!***
CyberVoiceStudio.com
Use consonants at the end of a word to add emphasis or a little zing.
When Faith Hill and I worked together on the song “This Kiss”, she was not
really comfortable with the song. She especially did not like the “this kiss” part.
However, when I got her to go early to the S of both words and hold
them out, the song took on new life. She recorded the song and you
know the “resssst of the story.” Why do you think that solution worked?

Monday, August 5, 2013

This is just plain funny!


Anyone interested in learning to sing better, go "like" my Facebook page where I post daily singing singing tips and you will have the opportunity to sign up for my FREE Video Voice Lessons!
https://www.facebook.com/ReneeGrantWilliams?ref=hl

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

My new babies

FINALLY! After waiting several months, I am picking up my 2 new kittens from the breeders tonight! One is a male the other is a female! This is the picture of them. Any name suggestions?

Monday, July 29, 2013

Singers, support your local high notes! See if you can learn to do it in 81 seconds and report back. Do any of you understand the concept of "support" and how it works? Please answer simply yes or no!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIbOXw23sow&feature=g-upl

Check out my FREE Video Voice Lessons Today!


"I’ve worked with a lot of vocal coaches, but what Renee has to say
really makes sense to me." ~ Linda Ronstadt

**Go to my Facebook fan page and "LIKE" me for my
daily singing tips and my FREE Video Voice Lessons! 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Learn to Sing with Your Ears




The mastering of vocal technique is what I strive for as a vocal coach. However, I have been known to exhort my voice clients to forget about technique and simply, "Sing with your ears." Unbeknownst to me until recently, I fear this has been largely mistranslated by my students to  mean something about a pianist playing without sheet music in front of them. That's called "Playing by ear!" Not the same thing! No wonder they seemed confused.

To me "Sing with your ears" means there comes a time when you need to let go of your controlling left brain and simply surrender to the flow of the music and lyrics. This phrase has a lot in common with another of my favorites, "Shut up and sing!"

I don't intend that you should abandon the vocal techniques you have worked so long and hard to master. But technique should be only part of your study. You must continually challenge yourself to let go of your concentration on techniques and just sing what the song means to you.

After all, isn't that what a singer's job should be? We're there to move the audience to feel emoti0ns, both new and old. Perfect technique will never accomplish that. If you are singing a dance song, your song should make people's feet want to dance. If you sing a sad love song it must strike a chord with those who have loved and lost. When you are singing a spiritual song, it should inspire those who listen to an even greater faith.

Pure technique does none of this. In fact, although vocal technique does wonders for the sound, in and of itself, it does nothing useful for the soul.

There is an additional meaning behind my instruction to "Sing with your ears." And that has to do with how your vocal relates to the underlying track, accompanying you. The band, orchestra, piano or guitar sets up its own internal rhythm and sub-rhythms. Then along comes the singer's voice, the most audible instrument in the mix, but there is a great tendency for the singer to march on to the sound of its own drummer -- ignoring its relationship to the underlying rhythm in the track.

This shows not only poor social skills, but actually makes the singer's job harder. Instead of ignoring the band, why not let its rhythm and rhythmic pushes cradle your singing? Singing with your ears lets you surrender to the group rhythmic push and pulls, and the give and take with the instruments. You invite unity with the music instead of adversity.

How to accomplish this? Try closing your eyes and concentrating on just the music as you sing. Feel its inner rhythms and its melodic play with the vocal line. Then, still with closed eyes, gradually insert your vocal line into the mix, making certain that you fit into the grooves instead of fighting them. This is why we practice -- so we can let go of our obsession with technique. That's making music!


Nashville vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams reveals the trade secrets that have already helped hundreds of aspiring singers become celebrities: Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Dixie Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Huey Lewis, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean, Christina Aguilera...

Like me on Facebook at or follow me on Twitter @MyVoiceCoach. My blog can be found at MyVoiceCoachBlog.com.

Go to CyberVoiceStudio.com and sign up to receive my free weekly Video Voice Lessons.

For more information go to MyVoiceCoach.com or call 615.244.3280 to schedule a private voice session in person, by telephone or by Skype.
 

Friday, July 12, 2013

The Business Side of the Music Business Get Thee to an Attorney




The winds of change are racing through the label-driven recording industry. Although new avenues of distribution have emerged through social media marketing, I can’t think of a single singer who would turn down a offer from an established record label. I doubt that the record labels are going to fold up their tents and slip out of town kicking and screaming anytime soon. So it's still important to study the traditional paradigm.

You, as an aspiring singer need to find one person in a position of power who really, really, really believes in your talent. It must be someone who has powerful contacts and is respected by the music business community. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a manager. A lot of record deals are handled by entertainment attorneys, as well as producers, managers and agents. You need to find that one person who believes in you and is totally committed to furthering your career. Since you will absolutely need to have an attorney on board eventually to protect your interests let's start there.

If you are just starting your career, you may say, well what do I need a lawyer for? I don’t have any clout; I don’t have any hit records; I don’t have a hit song; why do I need a lawyer? In fact, it’s probably the time in your career that you will need a lawyer most. A good music business attorney can be a one-stop shopping center for information. They aren't managers, but they know the business. They aren't producers, but they know what it takes to get things produced.

How do you choose your lawyer? Make certain they have expertise in the music industry and have had successful relationships with the major labels. I highly recommend interviewing several before making a decision. If you do, as a courtesy, tell them you are meeting with others also. It helps if they understand you and love your music. Now you have a fan who can get your team's ball rolling and keep you out of trouble by protecting you from yourself.

A good music business lawyer is going to be aware of the kinds of rights you have and what you have to bargain with, as well as what the relative value of those rights are. By relative value I don’t mean simply money. A good music business attorney will protect your career, your time, your talent, as well as your freedom of choice. The reality is, you are going to have to give up some of those things every time you sign a contract that requires you to bargain away part of your time, talent and, ultimately, your future.

You will need their counsel if you are asked to sign a long term production contact or long term management contract where time is an important element on both sides of the ledger. The good lawyer is not always just out to get you the biggest bang for the buck. They will try to put you in a position where you can maximize your talent, maximize your time, and maximize your future opportunities.

And don't discount the power a respected music attorney can wield when it comes to getting the attention of the record executives. Label executives will return an attorney's phone call a lot sooner than yours or mine!

Another thing to consider is to start looking for an attorney before you need one. Many nationally-televised talent shows allow their contestants only a few days to reach an agreement to compete on their shows. Given such a small window you do not want to spend precious time searching for and trying to obtain a productive meeting with a good attorney. 


Nashville vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams reveals the trade secrets that have already helped hundreds of aspiring singers become celebrities: Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Dixie Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Huey Lewis, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean, Christina Aguilera...

Like me on Facebook at or follow me on Twitter @MyVoiceCoach. My blog can be found at MyVoiceCoachBlog.com.

Go to CyberVoiceStudio.com and sign up to receive my free weekly Video Voice Lessons.

For more information go to MyVoiceCoach.com or call 615.244.3280 to schedule a private voice session in person, by telephone or by Skype.