Renee mentoring on Nickelodeon's new "Road to Nashville" Web TV Series

Nashville based production company, Seek First Productions, has partnered with Awesomeness TV Network to produce the groundbreaking new music based docu-reality webseries, "Road to Nashville.” Filmed on location within music city itself, RTN follows the story of five talented young musicians with big personalities and bigger dreams. They will encounter big stars, stages, crowds, and drama, as they pursue their careers within the rewarding, but unforgiving, music industry. Renowned vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams, whose work is probably best displayed in artists such as Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Jason Aldean, and Tim McGraw, will be featured as a recurring mentor for each of the show's primary characters.

The first episode is scheduled to air October 18th on Awesomeness TV's online network.

Vocal Master Class Goes Out With A Bang!

Last Saturday (May 3) I presented my 12th and final Vocal Master Class and I have to say it went out with a Bang! I think the overall talent level this year was amazing and attendees came from as far away as California, Florida Virginia and England. We had everything from country singers, to pop, R&B and rap.

The panel discuss was two-fold. Bernard Porter founder of PCG Nashville and I discussed “Shameless Self Promotions.” Then we were joined by. Mark Lambert, (producer, manager, musician) and Krystal & Allison Steel, (2Steel Girls, The Voice, Team Blake Sheldon), discussed harmonies, duos.

I’m sad to see the Master Class end, but I have some other exciting things hiding in the wings that I can’t wait to share with you. Many thanks to all those who have made the Master Class a success.

CMA Close Up featuring Renee Grant-Williams

W

WHY WARM UP? BECAUSE RENEE GRANT-WILLIAMS SAYS SO By Bob Doerschuk CMA CloseUp Country Music Association's primary publication Many singers, in Country Music and other genres, grew up thinking that all they had to do before starting their show is make sure their clothes are on and their teeth are brushed. Those who manage to get a career underway learn quickly that there’s much more to it than that. CMA members can read in the April/May 2014 issue of CMA Close Up how several young Country performers get ready to hit the stage each night. But in this CMACloseUp.com exclusive video, renowned vocal couch Renee Grant-Williams makes it clear why warming up the voice is essential. Her words carry weight in our business. Tim McGraw affirms that “Renee has changed by whole approach. Her teaching has given me a lot more confidence in my singing ability.” “In short,” adds Rodney Crowell, “I’m a much better singer for having studied with Renee.” Many others, from Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney to Brenda Lee and Carrie Underwood, would similarly testify, based on personal experience.         On Saturday, May 3, Grant-Williams will lead a vocal master class in Nashville,-“Beyond the Basics: Shortcuts for Savvy Singers.”  To learn more, and to also check out her DVD instructions on warming up and other topics, visit -         www.MyVoiceCoach.com. --
© Renee Grant-Williams. All rights reserved. - Email Us

2014 Electronic Press Kit

Just finished my new 2014 Electronic Press Release and thought I would share it with you. Let me know what you think. )

Student Drawing Contest Winner March 2014

Between November 1 and February 28 each time a student had a paid session with me they entered their name for a prize of: A Yamaha Keyboard, a Voice Session with me, a Vocal Master Class DVD and Vocal Warm-up CD. I also awarded a Free Voice Lesson and products in a second drawing.

 

Congratulations to Claudia Pickering & Sarina Jones

Vocal Master Class WITH Renee Grant-Williams

 Vocal Master Class

WITH
Renee Grant-Williams
An intensive one-day training seminar for singers

BEYOND THE BASICS: Shortcuts For Savvy Singers

Renee Grant-Williams invites you to join her for an exciting, all-new, all-day, all-evening, spiffed-up, restructured, and reconstituted Vocal Master Class.

Saturday  May 3, 2014  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Soundcheck Rehearsal Studios in Nashville, TN

You'll learn innovative techniques that give you an edge you won't find anywhere else.

Panel Discussion: Social Media Marketing: Pot of Gold or Bottomless Pit?

Evening Performance Showcase: 7:30-???? You will perform and receive written evaluations by music industry professionals. We urge you to invite friends and families.

The first 25 singers to register are guaranteed two evaluated performances

 

All this for only $299
(This event will sell out—so don’t wait!

Registration & information: www.MyVoiceCoach.com or 615-244-3280 Now!

"This is what learning is. You suddenly understand some-

thing you've understood all your life, but in a new way."

—Doris Lessing

Elvis: Entertainer or Educator? Happy Birthday Elvis (1935-1977)

Happy Birthday Elvis (1935-1977)

Elvis:  Entertainer or Educator?

With the thirty fifth year anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death on August 16 just around the corner, it would seem there would be little new to learn about him, but it turns out there is.  Although he may not have realized it, Elvis Presley’s sexy moves actually modeled the ideal physical techniques for supporting a rich, warm singing voice – techniques still studied today by some of the recording industry’s biggest stars.

“Elvis was the perfect singing machine,” says celebrity voice coach Renee Grant-Williams.  “He had all the right moves.”

“I constantly reference Elvis in my teaching,” claims Grant-Williams.  “He had very strong legs, which he used as the basis for his support.  He literally pushed into the floor using that karate-type crouch.  He kept his entire upper body very loose so that it could resonate.  And the way he cocked his head over the microphone really allowed the sound to vibrate freely.”

“Did he know what he was doing?” Grant-Williams asks.  “Probably not, but he had extraordinary instincts and in his own way, I think he truly studied singing.  He used to sit out on the back porch for hours on late summer nights with the guitar his mother gave him, trying to imitate the singers he heard at gospel churches and nightclubs.”

Grant-Williams teaches the wisdom of using Elvis’ techniques to stars such as Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana), Faith Hill, The Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, Larry Gatlin, Keith Urban and Huey Lewis.

“My students are surprised and grateful to have someone familiar they can relate to,” Grant-Williams says.  “In fact, the first time I worked with Tim McGraw on using his body to support his voice, he looked up with mischief in his eyes and mumbled in true Elvis-style, “Thank you.  Thankyouverymuch.”

Grant-Williams feels that even Elvis’ famous lip curl gave his voice an edge.  “As sound leaves the body it needs to resonate against something specific,” she says.  “There are options – you can direct that flow of sound to the nose, the throat, the jaw or to the sinus cavities in the face.  But, I think what Elvis did – as evidenced by his lip curl – was to aim the vibration stream right at his teeth.”

“This was ingenious,” Grant-Williams says.  “There’s a kind of sweet spot at the front of the teeth where vibrations can focus and still pick up resonance from all the other areas.”

“Because his moves and techniques live on, Elvis will never completely leave the building,” adds Grant-Williams.