[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We need your help. The Programming department at KBEC opened up a huge debate when we started talking about the top 10 male and female vocalists of all time. We argued genre (Is rock harder to sing than country? Does pop have any relevance without catchy lyrics? Who even knows what they are singing when it comes to opera and Latin?)  So we laid down the gauntlet among us and said “Come up with your list and defend your picks”.

Understand some of us had a criteria of trying to pull from all different musical genre. Others simply picked the artist they thought had the widest vocal range. Still others said, “Hey this is the 10 that touch me the most when I hear them belt out a song”.

This is where you come in. We need you to vote for 10 males and 10 females from our lists. If we left somebody off you can write them in. Be prepared though to justify your pick.

At the end, much like an election, most votes win. Let the debates begin! Below you will find our composite list.

VOTING ENDS AUGUST 31st[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Top 10 Male Vocalists Poll” color=”sky” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbec.com%2Ftop-10-male-vocalists%2F|title:Top%2010%20Male%20Vocalists||”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Top 10 Female Vocalists Poll” color=”sky” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbec.com%2Ftop-10-female-vocalists-poll%2F|title:Top%2010%20Male%20Vocalists||”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Barry Wolverton’s Choices

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Male

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Female

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Dave Van Zandt’s Choices

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Male

Honorable Mentions: James Taylor, George Michael, Tommy Tutone, and Hank Williams (Jr. or Sr.)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Female

Honorable Mentions: Bonnie Tyler, Olivia Newton-John, Annie Lennox[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Jim Phillips’ Choices

 

A Little insight to my list:

Yes, as the owner of a radio station I listen to a lot of music. Yes, it is varied and isn’t always country. When we decided to take on the task of top 10 female and male vocalists, I do what I often preach, I developed a process and procedure for making my selections. I did add one person who is 100% my favorite and I will admit that prejudice. But for the rest I made them battle it out. I started with 68 males and 43 females in categories such as Pop, Soul, Country, Rock, Classical, and R&B.

After narrowing down the list I went to YOUTUBE and compared live performances. I then asked myself one simple question: Did that performance blow me away?  I went for range, vocal delivery and the ability to make me “hang” on every word. That’s the reason for the diversity, that’s the reason for the list and that’s why I encourage you to watch all the selected performances. Good luck in your voting and thanks for making KBEC a part of your life![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Male

Honorable Mentions: Paul McCartney, Elton JohnAndy WilliamsElvis Presley, Michael Jackson[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Female

Amy Winehouse – Slow, bluesy and just so full bodied vocals.  Sassy defined (Video)

Tammy Wynette – If you have George Jones on the male list you have to have Tammy on the female, duets aside her range is unmistakable.  (Video)

Maria Callas – Her voice can bring you to tears of sadness, joy and delight all in the realm of one brief stanza. The Operatic queen. (Video)

Stevie Nicks – In full fairness, the first list had Loretta Lynn here but I couldn’t be honest with myself if I didn’t include the one woman’s voice that every time brings me to the speakers. Stevie’s voice is just my personal magic. (Video)

Patsy Cline – Defines ‘raspy’, defines “cry in your beer’, defines ’emotionally filled’ (Video)

Linda Ronstadt – Bringing it with force, style and just down right talent. I’ll argue she does a better version of Tumbling Dice than Jagger (Video)

Whitney Houston – The queen of pop and dominated the vocal range.

Aretha Franklin – From gospel to soul to R&B and Rock, she did it all.

Oleta Adams – (Video) That song shows the total range!

Barbara Streisand – She won a Grammy, a Emmy, Oscar and Tony, enough said…. (Video)

 

Honorable Mentions:  Celine Dion, Karen Carpenter, Etta James, Mariah Carey, Roberta Flack[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

DJ Alexx’s Choices

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Male

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Female

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Ken Roberts’ Choices

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Male

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Female

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Sarah Rhodes’ Choices

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Male

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Female

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Friends of the Station’s Choices

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Male

  1. Frank Sinatra – a class by himself
  2. Sam Cooke – soul, style swing
  3. Paul McCartney – Amazing voice even now; couple with his songwriting
  4. Otis Redding – Incredible passion, emotion in his singing
  5. Tony Bennett – Great voice and – in his late years- incredible joy in performance
  6. Dean Martin
  7. Mel Torme – The “Velvet Fog”.
  8. Bob Dylan – not McCartney in voice but songs far exceed Paul
  9. Bruce Springsteen – ditto, plus amazing energy in live shows
  10. Bobby Darin – great singer but Mack the Knife would put him in if it was all he ever sang.

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Female

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Top 10 Male Vocalists Poll” color=”sky” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbec.com%2Ftop-10-male-vocalists%2F|title:Top%2010%20Male%20Vocalists||”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Top 10 Female Vocalists Poll” color=”sky” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbec.com%2Ftop-10-female-vocalists-poll%2F|title:Top%2010%20Male%20Vocalists||”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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