VOCALS / BGV ’ S Michael Mellett
[ WM ] Tell us about how you got started singing ?
[ Michael Mellett ] I come from a very musical family . My father sang in barbershop quartets and directed the chorus . My brothers were in bands and had aspirations of becoming the next “ Beatles ” after they broke up . I was around all of this and was very interested in pursuing music . My Dad taught me to sing harmony at 7 years old and it was like learning a language . I quickly adapted an ear for harmonies and arranging . After singing in the High School choir and winning solo / duo competitions , I decided to go for a Bachelor of Music in college . I sang lead in a band that was part of the public relations arm of the school . This was during the rise of Christian Contemporary music in the 80 ’ s , and Nashville was where it was all happening . I transferred to Belmont College ( now University ) where I received my degree . I began to do recording sessions with friends which turned into a career in studio singing . I started small , but eventually worked my way into the industry and sang with Amy Grant , Michael W . Smith , Steven Curtis Chapman , Cece Winans and other amazing artists .
[ WM ] Who were your main vocal influences ?
[ Michael ] I am the youngest of four and there is quite an age gap between us . My twin brothers , Rob and Ray , are 17 years older and my sister , Nancy , is 12 years older . My parents were also in their 40 ’ s when I came along , so the influences followed suit . My brothers were into the Beatles . My sister loved James Taylor , Carly Simon , Stevie Wonder and Motown . My parents loved the crooners , Frank Sinatra , Andy Williams , and Mel Tormé . I became somewhat of a musical “ mutt ”. I liked it all and became proficient at imitating their styles and sounds . I didn ’ t realize it at the time , But God was refining my skills to work in the studio !
[ WM ] Do you play an instrument to accompany yourself ?
[ Michael ] I play piano and generally use that to write music . I leave the accompaniment to the pros !
[ WM ] Do you have a vocal warm-up routine ? If so , tell us about it .
[ Michael ] I do have some go-to vocal warmups . Rather than concentrating on producing sound , they start with breath production . I find that if I get my breathing right , my voice will fall in line . There are times when the amount of singing is greater , such as long days in the studio , when I have to take time to work on tone production by doing vocalizes or adding vocalized sound to my breathing exercises . In general , because of the amount of singing I do , I pretty much stay at a baseline for vocal performance .
[ WM ] What is your mindset when you are leading worship as the vocalist , compared to when you are singing as a backup vocalist ?
[ Michael ] Leading worship can be very intense . Your whole goal is to connect to the heart of God while stirring the desire of the people to do the same . That involves a lot of concentration and requires that I “ check in ” constantly with my intentions . I always want to steer clear of being solely performance based
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