Category: Meet the Session Singers

by Gary Powell

Kenny Williams auditioned his way into my life in 1987 while he was studying voice at the University of Texas. In my life he has been and will stay. Kenny started his theatrical career at Austin’s Zachary Scott Theater Center performing in “Once on This Island,” “Five Guys Named Moe,” “Forever Plaid,” “Blues in The Night,” “Gospel at Colonus” and originated his unforgetable toes-turned-up-elfish role in “Rockin’ Christmas Party” – the “Beehive” spin-off created by Austin director Dave Steakley.

Kenny left Austin in 1997 for his first national tour, appearing in “Grease!”. A year later, in 1998, he joined the national tour of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” which later landed him in New York City. Not to be intimidated by NYC, Kenny joined the Broadway Company of The Lion King on May 28, 2002! The show is performed at the 1,597 seat Minskoff Theater located at 1515 Broadway.

So, just fifteen short years after I met Kenny Redell Williams, he catapulted onto the Great White Way with yet another story of over-night success – full of training, discipline, talent, persistence and several hundred auditions.

To hear this amazingly silky, smooth and emotionally moving voice visit Kenny William’s MySpace page or go hear Kenny in person in his own show “Just For The Love Of It….. Kenny Williams Sings!” on May 5, 2008 at Sortie, 329 W. 51 Street, New York City. Kenny sang two songs on my very first album produced for Walt Disney Records, “Disney Babies Playtime” in 1989. I am proud to have been part of Kenny’s early creative life and also proud to have had him in mine. I am looking forward to many more projects together in the future.

Click the photos above to enlarge and see the full size versions of Kenny backstage and in costume.

These Kenny Williams solo performances can be found on various Disney Karaoke and other recordings listed below. Please note that I do not sell these recordings. For more information please go directly to Walt Disney Records or follow the links below for specific titles.

The Lion King Performances

“The Circle of Life”

Various Disney Group Performances

“Celebrate,”(from Pocahontas), “I Hear Thunder,” “Twist and Shout”

Solo Performances

“Imaginaria”, (released on Miramar Productions), “Wiggle Your Toes,” “Here is the Church” (from Disney Babies Playtime) with “Wiggle Your Toes” also appearing on the Disney album “Mother Goose Songs and Rhymes”

Solos for Gary Powell

“Love Means Forever” (Ensemble 109 – The University of Texas), “Magical Dreams Come True” (Demo for Disney World, 1995)

by Gary Powell

Joe York’s life was somehow substantive without arrogance and beautiful with neither posing or posturing. The vocal performances he delivered over a twenty year period in my studio cannot be held appropriately significant in a simple list as below. Although all these songs were performed beautifully, it’s Joe’s presence we will all miss the most.

Joe’s memorial tribute was held at Austin’s Outdoor Zilker Park Theater on September 8th, 2007. All of us who have shared Joe’s theatrical and personal life will carry his warm, gentle spirit with us forever. None of us, however, will ever reproduce his rich baritone voice which was solely Joe’s gift to all of us who have ever have heard him.

To learn more about Joe York and his influence on Austin, please read “Losing Joe” by Austin writer, Michael Barnes.

These Joe York performances below can be found on various Walt Disney Records recordings and the other recordings listed below. Please note that I do not sell these recordings. For more information please go directly to Walt Disney Records or follow the links below for specific titles.

Various Walt Disney Records Solo Performances

Dear Heart, Bella Notte, Never Smile at a Crocodile, Once Upon a Dream, I Think I’d be Perfect for You,
It’s a Sunny, Sunny Day, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, So This is Love

Various Walt Disney Records Choral or Group Work

YMCA, Rhinos, Rhinos Can’t Be Beat, Great, Great Gargantuan Gorillas, The Parade

“Through My Eyes” by Composer Gary Powell

Was It Wrong?

“Rhapsody of the Soul” Ballet Composed by Gary Powell

Suavis Unitas Ne Discedas, Timens Decedende Timens Manendi

By Gary Powell

How does one know when meeting a person for the first time that they will become a career-long musical colleague and life-long friend? Freshman Robin Huston showed up for an audition at the University of Texas for Ensemble 109 the very first semester I started directing the vocal group in January, 1985.

Robin was eighteen years old, bright, a bit sassy, mostly naive and sang with a huge belting voice. In fact, the belt was so loud that I had to avert my ears in order to avoid my own inevitable hearing damage! Robin was the only singer who won this audition as a freshman. She soon became the most effective solo voice to belt out “Together We Are Texas”, a raucous theme song I had written for the group’s mostly Texas-born audiences. She flourished in the following four years of solid ear training, vocal experimentation, learning group skills all the while performing and improving beyond measure. The end product; a sweetness of vocal tone with a rock solid ear for hearing parts and a best friend for me.

I always hold Robin up as my example in countering the argument of choir directors or vocal producers who think all singers must be able to read music. If you dictate a difficult inside vocal line to Robin one time, she’ll hold on to it forever no matter what happens in the adjacent vocal parts. Here’s the cool thing: Change one note of her part in that same passage and now she’ll remember that until the same time next year. Change it again? She says, “Okay, I got it.” This is why Robin has worked with me across all vocal genres in recording sessions since 1985.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in advertising at U.T., Robin soon became the darling of the Austin musical theatre scene performing in many shows at Zachary Scott Theatre Center and many other Austin theatres.

Robin now lives in Norman, Oklahoma with her husband Tom Orr and two children Henry and Harper. Upon moving to Oklahoma and before the birth of her daughter Harper, Robin served as Vice-President of Programs at the Oklahoma Arts Institute. Husband Tom Orr, who holds the James Garner Chair as the Director of the University of Oklahoma’s School of Drama also has performance credits in my studio on Walt Disney Records’ hip-hop record “Party Beats” on the Gary Powell song “Genetic Experiment”.

These Robin Huston performances below can be found on various Walt Disney Records recordings and other recordings listed below. Please note that I do not sell these recordings. For more information please go directly to Walt Disney Records or follow the links below for specific titles for Shadow Play Records and other record companies.

Various Solo Performances for Walt Disney Records

The Right Move for Me, A Gift for You, Dear Santa, Hey Santa, Minnie Had a Little Lamb, God Help the Outcasts, Candle on the Water, I Just Wanna Fly, Santa Please Take Me Flying, Bare Necessities, I Want to Be Like You (Mowgli), Up On the Housetop, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Hide and Seek

Solo Performances from Various “Winnie the Pooh” Products (Walt Disney Records)

The Alphabet Day, Pooh’s Colorful Present, Number Hunt

Solo Performances from Various “Little Mermaid” Products (Walt Disney Records)

Part of Your World, Poor Unfortunate Souls

Choral Performances for Various “Lion King” Products (Walt Disney Records)

Warthog Rhapsody

Various Choral or Group Work for (Walt Disney Records)

Baby Mine, I Hear Thunder, The Claw (Toy Story Sing Along), Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?, Mickey Mouse Club March, Battle Hymn of the Republic (Bluegrass Version), Wanna Grow Up, Morning’s Here, Humpty Dumpty, Genetic Experiment, And I Eat Pigs for Breakfast, The Parade, Pat-a-Cake, Twistin’ the Night Away, Let’s All Roar Tonight

Joe Scruggs from “Not Afraid of the Dark”

Popcorn

Joe Scruggs from “Bahamas Pajamas”

Star Sun, Busy Box Band, Sweet Low, Saint Mountain (Bahamas Pajamas), Peas Porridge Hot, Whole Bed, Almost Home

Joe Scruggs from “Ants”

The Parade, Not Fair, Can’t Rock the Baby, Come on Down, Night-Light

Joe Scruggs from “Merry Christmas – Joe Scruggs”

Up on the Housetop, Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Imaginaria (Miramar Productions)

Styro the Dog, Shapes and Sizes

Various Performance for Gary Powell

Gary Powell Presents… (“In the Studio” Video performance of “I Just Wanna Fly”), Battle Hymn of the Republic (Choral Version), Psalm 42 (Phillip Sandifer), The Good News Is (Hall Chiropractic Jingle), Hark the Herald Angels Sing (University of Texas, Ensemble 109)

Kurt Van Sickle

“Blessed Father”, “Father, Father”, “Mother Devine”

The Great 9-1-1 Adventure (9-1-1 for Kids)

It’s Time to Go Play

by Gary Powell

My singing relationship began with Alicia in 1990 in the last two years of my teaching appointment in the Department of Music at the University of Texas at Austin.

Alicia remembers auditioning for Ensemble 109, a recording studio vocal training and performing ensemble, and not making it the first year. Persevering, she was accepted the next semester after her second effort. It’s hard to imagine my missing this young woman’s talent the first time I heard her. Alicia graduated U.T. in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. She earned a Master’s Degree in 2000 in Software Engineering from National Technological University.

Theatrically, Alicia has performed at Austin’s famed Zachary Scott Theatre in Beehive in 1994, The Gospel at Colonus in 1996, and Dreamgirls in 1997. Alicia has sung with many musical performing acts including both Austin’s R&B greats, Marcia Ball and Rayon Foster. Alicia has also been seen on Austin City Limits performing with Miss Lavelle White. Alicia then sang the background vocals for musical introduction of the movie, “My Best Friend’s Wedding”.

And what does Alicia Jones do with all that education when she is not in the studio? Well, she has now worked for Motorola/Freescale for eleven years with four years preceding that at AMD. She is currently a Senior Software Engineer who both designs and codes software used at Freescale to help other engineers verify that the PowerPC microprocessor chips we all use actually work.

So, what can the young singer learn from Alicia Jones in getting work in recording studios? Follow Alicia’s lead on this: Be prepared before a session, read music well, arrive early for sessions, be able to take musical directions, be adept in many vocal styles, sing dead solid in tune, work in concert with other singers, try to make the vocal producer’s life easier and finally, be real. This is the short list of why Alicia Jones is a “first-call” session singer in my studio. Add in raising two young boys along with a wonderful husband and father, Jerry Jones, and you have here a very full and complete life. You go, girl! I’m proud to have you as a major part of my professional and studio life!

These Alicia Jones performances below can be found on various Walt Disney Records recordings and the other recordings listed below. Please note that I do not sell these recordings. For more information please go directly to Walt Disney Records or follow the links below for specific titles.

Lion King Performances

I Just Can’t Wait to Be King, Can You Feel the Love Tonight?, Warthog Rhapsody

Cheetah Girls 2 Karaoke

The Party’s Just Begun, Strut, Do Your Own Thing, Step Up, It’s Over, Cherish the Moment

Disnosaur

Make Some Noise

Chicken Little Karaoke

Shake Your Tail Feather, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I Will Survive

Various Walt Disney Records Choral or Group Work

Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Pooh’s Colorful Present, Number Hunt, The Alphabet Day, I Won’t Say (I’m in Love), Kiss the Girl, The Twist, Rhinos, Rhinos Can’t Be Beat, “Little” Medley, London Bridge, Happy Birthday, Bunny Hop, Pulling Santa’s Sleigh

“Not Afraid of the Dark” by Joe Scruggs

I Can Dance, Rainbow Colored Jump Rope, Anteater, Fireflies

Emilio Delgado from Sesame Street

Dance, Rhyming Country

Gary Powell, Arranger/Producer

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Rich Harney, Composer

Jesus Lamb of God

Kurt Van Sickle

“Blessed Father”, “Father, Father”, “Mother Devine”

by Gary Powell

(Click here to visit Helen Darling’s website.)

It was January, 1985. Helen walked into the classroom at the University of Texas to audition for the performing vocal group, Ensemble 109, I was directing. I’m pretty sure she had a bow in her hair. She could barely speak, much less sing, due to laryngitis. Nonetheless, she was game for giving it a try. She sat at the piano and struggled to get any tone out at all performing one of her original songs. Obviously when someone sings for you with nothing but air and you can still hear the soul, then you have met a singer. Helen has been in my life both professionally and personally ever since.

Immediately after graduating U.T., she moved to Chicago and sang several jingles which made it into the popular lexicon. Helen moved from Chicago to Nashville where Decca Records grabbed her up for a two-album deal. Continuing to develop as a songwriter, Helen penned the hit song released in 2001, “Bring on the Rain”, which you can now find on Jo Dee Messina’s Greatest Hits Album.

When my very first multi-track recorder showed up in the mid-80’s, it was Helen who that day quickly stacked a bunch of vocals just to try it out. We’ve enjoyed that kind of ease of music-making ever since. However, it’s not history that makes Helen valuable in recording sessions. It’s her ability to musically coexist with other singers with the studied ability to vocally sculpt tone and phrasing as needed. I talk a lot about the relationship between the voice and the ear for studio session singers. Helen is the flagship within that paradigm. Another twenty years or so? I hope so.

Helen and professional photographer husband, Dennis Darling, live in Austin and summer in Montana and the Czech Republic.

These Helen Darling solo performances can be found on various Disney recordings and the other recordings listed below. Please note that I do not sell these recordings.

Disney’s Karaoke Series: Hannah Montana

“The Best of Both Worlds”, “I Got Nerve”, “If We Were a Movie”, “Just Like You”,
“The Other Side of Me”, “Pumpin’ Up the Party”, “This is the Life”, “Who Said?”, “Crazy”, Don’t Want to Be Torn”, “Every Part of Me”, “He Could Be the One”,
“I Wanna Know You”, “Just a Girl”, “Let’s Chill”, “Super Girl”

Disney’s Karaoke Series: Disney Girlz Rock

“Let’s Bounce”

A Bug’s Life Sing Along

A PARENT’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER
“Lucky, Lucky Snake”, “Black Widow Spider”

Jungle Book 2 Soundtrack

“Queen of the Jungle”, “He’s a Lucky, Lucky Snake”

Disney’s Party Beats

“Jenny from the Block”, “Missundaztood”

A Toy Story Sing Along

“Woody’s Waltz”

Lady and the Tramp and Friends

“Dear Heart”

Dinosaur

“The Perfect Size”

Chorus Performances for Walt Disney Records

“Black Widow Spider”, “Santa Wrap,” “Santa’s Rap,” “The Herd,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “Anytime You Need a Friend”

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Joe Scruggs & Ballet Austin’s “Not Afraid of the Dark”

“Rainbow Colored Jump Rope”, “I Can Dance”

Joe Scruggs – “Traffic Jams”

“Goo Goo Ga Ga”

University of Texas Ensemble 109 – “The Feelin’ is Mine”

“It’s So Easy”

by Gary Powell

The first time I heard Laura Benedict Scott sing was in the mid 1980’s at an Austin club “Toulouse” on 6th Street. She had a commanding stage presence and was ripping Aretha Franklin’s “Think” like no other singer I had ever heard. Laura has been an important part of my studio ever since.

Laura has performed across the country with the popular Austin band, “Rotel and the Hot Tomotoes”, for twenty years. With them, Laura has made two separate appearances performing at the White House for President Bush. Laura has also been featured in starring roles at Zachary Scott Theatre Center, in Austin for the shows “Beehive”, “Rockin’ Christmas Party”, “Soul Sisters” and an amazing performance as Pasty Cline in “Always Patsy Cline”.

Laura is currently working with her new group Three Blondes, which is performing at Austin conventions and gala events. Her natural talent for R&B, session skills, work ethic and loyalty make her a “first-call” singer in my studio. I’m so proud to have Laura Benedict Scott associated with my long history as an Austin music producer.

These Laura Benedict Scott solo performances can be found on various Disney recordings and the other recordings listed below. Please note that I do not sell these recordings. For more information please go directly to Walt Disney Records or follow the links below for specific titles.

A Bug’s Life Sing Along

A PARENT’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER
“Rolly Poly Pillbug Rock ‘n Roll”

Dinosaur-Disney Song Factory

“Make Some Noise”

Disney’s Animal Songs

“Lucky, Lucky Snake”, “Rhinos, Rhinos Can’t Be Beat”, “Anteater”

Various Other Laura Benedict Scott Solo Performances for Walt Disney Records

“Home for the Holidays”, “So This is Love”, “The “Little” Medley”, “The Bunny Hop”, “The Silly Words of Christmas Time”, “The Swim”, “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”

Chorus Performances for Walt Disney Records

“Black Widow Spider”, “I Won’t Say I’m in Love”, “Happy Birthday”, “Bibidibobbididoo”, “Shout”, “Morning’s Here”, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”, “High Hopes”, “Ladybug”, “Flea-Ring Circus”, “Little Miss Muffit, Little Bo Peep Medley”, “Let’s All Roar Tonight”

Jingles

“Just Take the Keys” for the State of Texas, “Franklin Federal”

Miramar Productions

Imaginaria-“Night Magic”

Kurt Van Sickle

“Blessed Father”

Miramuse

“In My Palm”