The Tenor
In The Rear View Mirror
A True Story
By
Robert A. Chapin
Copyright 2011
Smashwords Edition
Revised September 3, 2011
I have always wanted to be a singer. At my current age of 64 I am well past my prime for America’s Got Talent, or American Idle. The best I can do now is sing in the shower and even that makes me feel mindful that belting it out at home is not like performing in front of a TV audience. I am also aware that there is a fine line between a performer and the proverbial “lounge lizard.”
My mother was a member of The Sacred Heart of Jesus Choir in later years at our church once we kids were all grown. Even before I left home for the army, she would croon to the Elvis songs and was in her glory. She was pretty good and had a talent that served her well. She was an Elvis disciple, knew every one of his songs and even had a shrine in her living room. When she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and capable of traveling, my sister Bonni surprised her with a trip from Western Massachusetts to Memphis. It was the conclusion of a life long dream to visit Graceland.
One of her most memorable accomplishments was the recording of a song by one of the many recording studios in Nashville. She dabbled in poetry and saw an advertisement to “become a recording star”. All she had to do was send them $200.00 and sing her poem acapella and one of their musicians would put music to the lyrics - and that was going to make her a rising star. Actually, it was a flattering testament to her hidden talent.
I recall the day it arrived. She called me to say that she was on her way to Nashville to become the next recording sensation - the only problem with that was she was 70 years old. In an effort to keep her dream alive, my sister and I continually complimented her and although we were aware that the entire process was just a moneymaking scheme, we never let on that she had been duped. The recording company continually sent her teaser offers to send in another $100.00 and they would take the process to the “next level.”
We would only allow her to cut the first record which came to her in the form of a cassette tape. She carried the recording everywhere and at every opportunity played and overplayed her “#1” hit almost to the point of when somebody wants to show you snapshots of their grandchildren! Nevertheless, for $200.00 it was like playing the lottery where they advertise “ a dollar and a dream” - this being her $200 dream.
Just when I thought we had heard the last of her dream of stardom, I was stopped at a red light and began to belt out a tune from behind the wheel. Now, we have all witnessed the person in the car next to us looking in the rear view mirror - running their tongue across their teeth and slicking back the hair. One of those types who ignores the green light and has to be prompted to hit the gas.
“How ridiculous”, we say to ourselves, as we swear we will never have a go at making a fool of ourselves. We only reserve that for our time in the privacy of the shower.
I have always wanted to sing and the closest I have come is to be a part of our church choir. Just like the one mother was a member of. Approximately 7 years ago when my wife and I moved to Bonita Springs, Florida, we joined a church and I was taken with the wonderful soprano voice of one of the ladies. It seemed that she was always singing a solo and she stirred something in me that prompted me into action.
As exciting as it was, I could never sing in front of others, especially a congregation of 300, so I settled for the shower, then graduated to that “I would never do that” of the person staring at my teeth and hair in the mirror. There was a burning desire to be like mother, and as I got older, the aspiration of singing in the choir just once in my life was about to become a reality.
The choir director was, (and still is) a beautiful soprano trained in music at The University of Virginia. She was magnificent, thin as a rail with long blonde flowing hair. She asked if I would like to join the choir - and I jumped at the chance. I don’t know too much about music but can read the musical scale and I will never forget the night of my first practice. I never thought I would have to audition along with several other neophytes. When it was my time to sing the “do-re-mi”, my body was numb and I don’t know how I got through it, but it went well, then it was on to the next applicant.
I was accepted into the choir of approximately 30 people consisting of an even mix of men and women - bass, tenor, alto and soprano’s. Kristal, the music school graduate helped me with tips on how to breathe - when to breathe and how to present myself in front of the congregation. I didn’t know at the time that she was priming me to sing solo in an upcoming service.
I have always enjoyed Randy Travis and because I have never sung before, I was unaware that one can simply purchase his recordings minus the vocals and there are usually three different octaves with which to match your voice. My first song was “Through The Fire” by Randy. The first performance was to be four weeks away, and I recall practicing by placing the CD into my computer, putting on the headset and in time I was able to punch out a fairly descent version. Randy Travis I am not, but I was on my way to the memorable “fifteen minutes of fame!”
I practiced after my wife went to bed which was usually at 10:00 PM, and even then did not want her to hear me. I closed off my office door and the sliders leading to the kitchen and was careful not to belt it out with too much enthusiasm.
I would practice over, and over, and over, for what seemed like hours. My throat was at a caving in point and then I would retire for the night. On the morning of my first solo I awakened at 5:00 AM and it was back into my office where I was able to get through the early morning jitters. There were to be two services, everything was in place and the recording technician prepared for several practice sessions. I was warned not to practice too much because your voice can give out after fifteen minutes or so.
At this point I just wanted to throw in the towel. I am not a quitter, but something or someone (possibly Satan) was trying to discourage me from my appointed task. I had never sung before and this was a do or die situation. When it came time for me to take the stage, I did so with great fright and terror, but Kristal was there to guide me and short of holding my hand she gave the sound technician a sign to begin the music and for the first time in my life I was about to become a singer.
The music began and I momentarily thought I had lost my voice. My brain was signaling me that when I open my mouth nothing would come out. Suddenly, the orchestration led into my vocals. As I sang the music everyone in the choir - of which I could see many, began to smile and Kristal gave me a thumbs up sign. My wife who had never heard me sing was beaming with delight. The sound technician who was at the back of the church was signaling me to either increase or decrease my voice.
Finally, I came to the end of the song and the congregation broke into a thunderous applause. My heart was beating so hard that I could feel it banging into my throat. I had finally fulfilled what mother had fallen in love with for so many years. I repeated the song in the second service and again was thrilled with the response.
When the service was over several dozen people approached congratulating me for a job well done. At that point, I felt like my mother who, so many years earlier had never given up on her dream of becoming a singer - even if, only in a choir. She was definitely a driving force in my life, but sadly, she passed away 18 years earlier. She was a devout Christian and I have come to realize that she is one of the Angels looking after me and perhaps guided me.
Several days later I received an e-mail from Kristal directing me to the church website where I listened for the first time to my first vocal. I can only relate to you that I had that same feeling mother experienced when she heard her recorded song for the first time.
I called my wife Maureen to the computer and together we listened again, and again, and again! That was when she confided in me that she never heard me sing. Since that time I have recorded 7 selections mostly by Randy Travis and the church has sold a number of copies to members.
Prior to leaving the church for the season (we winter in Florida and summer in Virginia), I had occasion to sing with one of the finest steel guitar players in the country music industry, a gentleman by the name of Joe Kline. Joe was in the congregation one Sunday when I was singing Three Wooden Crosses by Randy Travis and said that he would be delighted to perform with me at a special “music” appreciation night at the church.
I never thought I would have come this far without any music training. I have since, taken up the five string blue grass banjo and now I have a new and different awareness of music.
If you have a dream, go for it. Before you know it you will be at a point in your life where you will be thinking “if only I had…” I have also come to realize that my talent is only directed by God.
I don’t often sing in the shower anymore because we have an exceptional recording console at our church. I will admit that I have been known to belt one out while at a red light.
So, the next time you see someone grooming themselves in the rear view mirror, while licking their hand in preparation of tacking down their hair… don’t be too critical. It may just be a reflection of you.