Texas Vocal Vibrato

[Chris LeDrew]

In Dallas for the past few conventions, as well as out and about, I noticed that many of the singers use a very pronounced vibrato with a deep baritone style. From where did this style originate? Is pronounced vibrato a historical feature of Western Swing? I hear Dale Watson doing it from time to time on ballads as well. Willie has a taste of it in his voice too. However, I don't hear it in Townes Van Zandt or Steve Earle, which leads me to believe it is a feature of the older Swing style. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

[Mitch Drumm]

I associate it more with the Ray Price style rather than western swing per se--I don't know how much of it you would find pre-1950. Darrell McCall in particular has been recording in that way for about 45 years. Sometimes I think it is an affectation like the fake accents and big hats adopted by those born yesterday, but on Darrell it's cool.

[Earnest Bovine]

In Dallas ... very pronounced vibrato
From where did this style originate?

Inbreeding?

[Charles Davidson]

If inbreeding has anything to do with TEXAS music,then I'm all for it,I allways thought may be something in the water that made so many great pickers and singers from Texas,in every type of music.When some one figures out what it is,I want some of it.DYKBC.

[ray qualls]

Some singers knows how to use the vibrato in their voices. The ones I can't stand are the ones that sounds like a Billy Goat! Example: early Tanya Tucker or Toby Keith. Sounds like they're mowing someone down with a machine gun!!!!!!!!!
Thhhhhhhhhhhanks for Liiiiiiiiiisstening.RRRRRRRRay

[Chris LeDrew]

I like vibrato mostly at the end of a vocal line. It's nice to know that a singer can perform with or without it, and use it as an effect - much like steel bar vibrato. I don't dislike the style of singing I heard in Texas, it's just that the vibrato seems very thick and ever-present in the vocals.

[Charles Davidson]

Ray,I'm glad someone noticed that about Toby other than myself.DYKBC.

[Glenn Suchan]

Some singers knows how to use the vibrato in their voices. The ones I can't stand are the ones that sounds like a Billy Goat! Example: early Tanya Tucker or Toby Keith. Sounds like they're mowing someone down with a machine gun!!!!!!!!!

Two more that have made a heavy vibrato their signature voice are: Sylvia Tyson of Ian and Sylvia fame, and Buffy Saint Marie. What a vibrato she has!

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

[Doyle Weigold]

Don't forget "Little Jimmy Dickens"

[Dan Hatfield]

Ray, you nailed it, IMHO.
Dan

[Ben Lawson]

Hey Bama Charlie, Johnny Bush for President and Jake Hooker for V.P.

[Donny Hinson]

Yup. The world is full of Slim Whitman wannabees.

[Chris LeDrew]

One vibrato I really dislike is Joan Baez (The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a prime example.)

One vibrato I do like is Burton Cummings. He has a command of it, and uses it to enhance tone and express lyrics.

Like Mitch said, it seems that Ray Price had a lot of influence on singers of this style. I guess among that group there will be good and bad.

[Jon Moen]

I think sometimes the older the performer, the more pronounced the vibrato becomes. Does anyone else notice that?

[Chris LeDrew]

Some people get shaky when they get old.....maybe they're just shaking.

[ray qualls]

Chris, maybe thats why old men take a leak 10 times a day! Because they're shakey. Ray

[Chris LeDrew]

Hey Ray, I'm not even 40 yet and I'm getting up in the night!!

[ray qualls]

Sorry my friend! I couldn't help myself. Ray

[Richard Damron]

Vocal vibrato is a function of the volume of air passing over the vocal cords. Less air - more vibrato. Lots of air - no vibrato. Have you ever noticed that a great deal of vibrato comes at the end of a long held note? It can, to an extent, be controlled although I suspect that the bulk of it is simply a performer's style of singing. Since Ray Price is my long-time vocal hero, I can't disparage the technique - whether it's natural with him or designed. George Jones, on the other hand, sings very forcefully and with little or no vibrato. No matter. The so-called vocalists of today could take a lesson - or two - or three from either of them.

Richard

[Darrell Criswell]

Justin Trevino has a marvelous vibrato and great vocal control, but the absolute best vibrato was the old Johnny Bush, his voice is not the same now as earlier, I used to listen to him in the 80's in San Antonio and he was unbelievable.

[Susan Alcorn]

and don't forget Curtis Potter.

[Fred Shannon]

Susan, Curtis, who lives close, has a natural vibrato and he has to control it or it can make his voice sound "too busy".

BTW you might know that Curtis had a slight heart problem sometime back and his wife Pat has recently had a similiar malady. They are both in fine fettle, good spirits, and working hard again in the music field.


phred

[Jody Sanders]

Curtis and Pat were at the OSGA Show. Both looked great and Curtis did a fabulous job of singing. Jody.

[Ford Cole]

Vocal vibrato is not/should not be a goal in and of itself. It is a byproduct of relaxed vocal cords, deep breathing, and controlled exhaling. Correct use of vowels and posture are contributing factors, too, ie. like Ray and Curtis, two of my very favorites, also!

[R. D. Miller]

Gary Stewart was another one who used a lot of heavy vibrato, usually at the end of each vocal line.