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From:  Dean FH Macy <deanmacy@m...>
Dean FH Macy <deanmacy@m...>
Date:  Sun Dec 3, 2000  4:15 am
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] Re: CHILD SINGERS: BILLY GILLMAN


RALUCOB@a... wrote:

> unlike most singers his age, billy gillman seems to sing about things he
> knows about. in his credits, he only thanked his mom. it may be that
> 'oklahoma' has a real connection for him. hearing kids that sing about
> 'making whoopie' when you know they'd rather be playing with pokemon is just
> to silly for me. in that light, gillman is refreshing in addition to being
> someone to watch.

I have listened to Billy Gilman last Spring. Billy does sing about making
whoopie. For instance, this quote from an AP article, ""Little things that you
do make me glad I'm in love with you" is the bouncy opening line to kid dynamo
Billy Gilman's debut album on Epic Records. It's a little surprising to hear
love
talk from a 12-year-old, but the Rhode Island native doesn't seem to be afraid
to
sing about life's more mature subjects. He gives a powerhouse -- and slightly
disconcerting -- performance on Tammy Wynette's "'Til I Can Make It on My Own,"
a
tune whose subject matter seems way beyond his years. It's hard to listen to a
kid belt out, "'Til I get used to losing you, let me keep on using you."

I personally dislike kids singing way about their age group because some
producer
at a major label demands it. I don't like to hear a young kid sing songs way
beyond their years. I think it cheapens the voice that is singing this way.
There is no reason for any child to sing "love" songs; not in my book, but I
guess that's what the major labels want and that's what they get. But I won't
allow any producer to do that with my singers.

Billy Gilman has an exceptional, well trained voice, one which shows just what a
good teacher can do for a child singer. I just wish when Sony was making the
album they hadn't drowned out Billy's voice so much with their orchestration.
He
deserves to be heard above the accompaniment. It's a voice worth listening to,
provided he doesn't do those sexy songs.

Dean FH Macy


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