Why I become a harmony singer is the way many people do - be the younger sibling in a family act!

There is something quite compelling about hearing two or more siblings sing in harmony. Since I was 4 years younger than my sister who was quite the 'STAR' of our family, I was relagated to Harmony and back-up guitar. Oddly enough, I turned out to have a much greater vocal range in the end. My sister is a true Alto (and a good one I might add) with my natural range used to be soprano before I iniured my voice trying to perform in a difficult Opera. (The Pariahs by Leonard Kastle). Now I'm a Mezzo.

Anyway - instead of getting all depressed about always being the harmony singer, I found it made me a better singer overall to have to conform to someone else's phrasing and learn to anticipate their improvisations. It becomes second nature after a while and you can do it with just aboit anybody although there are always partners you prefer for whatever reason.

A good harmony singer doesn't strive to be heard or noticed, only to augment the lead performerance, providing depth when it's called for or delicacy when appropriate. I prefer not to sing every line in harmony when singing with a strong partner. There are, however, some songs that lend themselves nicely to being sung with two parts all the way through and those are wonderful. Any of the Louvin brothers repetoire for example.

There are some real standout harmony singers who do the things I describe above. Off hand I can only think of Cheryl White at the moment. Vince Gill, when he wants to can also disappear into a harmony part. I don't recall the name of Buck Owens' late haromny singer, but he too was one of those heavenly match ups.

I never used to like to show off when singing harmony with my sister but because of her limited upper range, she often pushed me to sing her through a key change or upward chord progression in certain songs. I considered that to be a bit too much but she still expects it when we sing together. old habits die hard I suppose. In our singing relationship, she'll always be the boss.

Sadly, I have no one to sing harmony with anymore. Once a harmoniser always a harmoniser! I hear the harmonies instinctively when listening to music that cries out for it here and there and I'll often sing it along with a record.

Anyone know any Los Angeles area folkies in need of a harmony singer - send them my way!