around 1958 or 59 i was listening non-stop to records by the oranim zabar trio, an israeli group, and memorizing all the songs (they came with with transliterations of the hebrew words). i was hanging out at a local jewish center (swimming, taking fencing lessons) and they were having a talent show of the classes and anyone else willing to perform. i was going to be there anyway with the fencing class. i don't know where i got the nerve, but i signed up, dressed up, showed up, and sang 2 or 3 songs - on a stage, with a microphone. it was probably pretty bad - i had serious pitch problems back then - but they loved it and i was complemented on my pronunciation.