Vocal Points: Where Have All The Voices Gone?

posted in: CountryFeaturesPop

John Mayer isn’t known for his humility. In fact, quite the opposite”he’s been called showy, cocky and even called out for his womanizing ways. But he IS known for his voice. The way that he can make his fans melt with his sultry, light tones, both in a stripped-down live performance, and with layering of harmonies on his fully produced records. But all that became impossible for Mayer when he was diagnosed with granuloma (throat inflammation). After looking into alternative remedies, it was determined he would have to undergo throat surgery to fix the problem. And while the surgery is somewhat routine, and he’ll be able to perform again after he recovers, he explained that the experience was humbling, in a post on Tumblr “I never thought I’d be wishing I could do what I love again”. Like so many vocalists, Mayer had begun to take his voice for granted, and needed this experience as an awakening to move his career and life forward.

Similarly, Adele”who has been battling voice problems since the summer”seems to finally be moving in the right direction. After many cancelled tour dates, much disappointment and a whole lot of speculation about what exactly was going on with her voice, the singer was finally diagnosed with a vocal chord hemorrhage, and operated on in early November. And while she’s been singing for a long time, it seems that Adele was not completely prepared for what her voice would have to endure with her massive success. But luckily she is in recovery, and will have plenty of time to figure out a regiment,  learn to take care of the voice that has opened doors to her that once seemed unimaginable”oh, and maybe quit smoking.

Another vocal casualty of late is Keith Urban, whose country twang will be temporarily silenced this month by a surgery to remove a polyp on his vocal chord. It seems that years of performancing have finally caught up with him. It was bound to happen at some point, especially with the lifestyle that musicians tend to lead, not to mention his past addiction to cocaine. All we can hope now is that Keith, John and Adele respect their voices, themselves and their fans enough to move in the right direction to prevent any future issues”and get well soon.

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  • http://www.ourstage.com/blog/2011/11/13/vocal-points-marie-hines-influenced-by-all-sounds-like-none