All of the issues are from various shows. While no show or performers will be named, I offer these random observations for the purpose of growth. Sometimes shows teach us what NOT to do! These comments are from when I was reviewing. One person at an Open Mic had such a tremendous R&B voice but they had no mic technique and literally blasted us out of the room. Sometimes loud is just loud. You have a great, big voice but I could not hear you! Going along with the “less can be more idea&...

If you are one of my younger readers, you may not know what the heck this is, so I’ll explain. Perhaps you have happened upon a re-run of the sitcom “Laverne & Shirley”…No? If not, whenever either one of them had a bad day or something bad or sad happened, they had a Boo Boo Kitty Moment. They actually had a stuffed cat named Boo Boo Kitty (see above) that they would just cuddle when they felt blue. Fortunately, I have a Boo Boo Husband for these moments!So…wh...

When I used to write for Stu Hamsta, the favorite columns, the ones that got the biggest bump-up on website hits, were the Pet Peeves Columns, This was the first one. On overstaying your welcome...a Cabaret show, no matter how good, should be 50-60 minutes inclusive of your fake encore, unless the club requires you to do a longer show. Some ask for 1:10-1:15 show and bigger names/stars are afforded longer shows. But, when people start looking at their watches, squirming in their chairs or need t...

On dressing for stage...If you are not comfortable in your shoes or performance outfit, it can be very distracting to the audience to watch you pull at your clothes or shift from foot-to-foot. Try to pick clothes that make you feel like a million bucks so that when you step on stage, you can focus on your singing. Also, "test drive" your false eyelashes and get used to them.NOTE: Look at yourself in a mirror in a sitting position as well if you plan to use the stool. Yikes, I saw this ...

I do not know one person who hasn’t had some serious life challenges. When you’re a singer though, with shows booked, how do you find it in your heart to get on stage and perform when something painful happens? How do you motivate? How do you buck up to entertain when you just feel like crawling under your blankets and sleeping for a week? Well, let’s talk about this today.I once walked into Don’t Tell Mama’s after driving directly to the club after a very traumatic...