as a young teenager my friends & brother were always telling me to shut up because I "couldn't sing". & Yes I was making mistakes, I knew I was missing notes I could hear, & feel it when I did. Only I never Got the chance to go back & correct it cos I was told to shut up. I therefor didn't practice & never got better. Only I'm stubbon so it diddn't last, but it had made me sensive.

The first memory of being told I couldn't sing however had nothing to do with my voice. When I was 8 I'd been in the nativity play choir all term, right from the point the teacher called a handfull of us in to test out a couple of songs. That year I was Gabrial (long blond hair meant I'd always been cast as an Angel, but that year I was promoted!) When it Got to the Dress rehersal I came forward as also to join the choir at the appropriate moment & another teacher came forward & had a go at me, saying that Gabrile couldn't possibly be in the choir!!! I was devestated! now I'd proberbly replie "what, Angels don't sing???" But when your little you get walked all over.