680News

DISCUSSION WITH RUDY BLAIR

Answers posted on Wed. March 5, noon - 1 p.m.

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QUESTION

Rudy, this is Kemi from Keminications Media. Who, What, When, Where? When is this media Idol? I left you a voicemail. I wanna enter. I'm a freelance media woman who can sing. LOL. Anyway, I'll have a story about your quest to sing on my blog tommorow. I'm sure I'll beat you! LOL. Tell me more. Call me or reply back. it's a neat idea!
- Kemi Olunloyo Joshua

ANSWER

RUDY: Thanks for the e-mail. It looks like for Toronto’s media idol my audition will be April 11 at 680News but that could change. If you want more information go to http://www.ctv.ca/idol/gen/Home.html. If you can beat me, great , because this isn’t about beating anyone. The reason I decided to do this is I wanted to “experience what the idol contestants go through. It’s easy enough for us to watch the show and laugh at the bad singers. But what’s the "real" reason behind it?? Some are really bad and tone-deaf but some can really sing and get stage fright. I wanted to know more about the experience. And since I can’t sing I thought “why not get singing lessons for my audition?” And if you haven’t heard, my singing coach is Brian Vollmer, lead singer of the Canadian 80’s rock bad Helix. You remember their big hit Rock You, don't you? Well Brian is also a classically-trained singer and trains other people. So since Brian and I are good friends I asked him to help me. We only have a few weeks so it’s going to take a lot of work. Again this isn’t about winning ... it’s about the experience and understanding and the best way to do it is to share my experience with the 680News listeners (haha).

QUESTION

We understand that you will be wearing a truss support for your hernia when going for the high notes! Is this true?
- Tom and Carole, Belwood Ont.

ANSWER

RUDY: Wow, what a question! I never heard of a truss. I had to look it up. So to answer your question, since I don’t have a hernia no, I won’t be wearing a truss. But you may want to wear ear plugs when I do try to hit those high notes. :)

QUESTION

When and where is Media Idol
- MK

ANSWER

RUDY: So far to what I understand my media idol audition will be April 11 here at 680News. CTV will bring a camera crew and tape my performance and put it on their website here. There will be other media personalities doing the same thing from Toronto. Then you the listener will vote who should win. The winner receives $1,000 for their charity and competes for the national championship. That winner receives $10,000 for their charity.

QUESTION

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your singing lessons? What singing skill do you find most musicians are lacking today?
- DP

ANSWER

RUDY: The biggest challenge is finding the time! I’m already so busy so I have to be creative. A lot of times I’m actually rehearsing on the bus or subway when I’m going to and from work. Since it take me an hour-and-a-half to get home I figured it’s the best time to do it. And yes I do get a lot of stares. The answer to your second question is really hard to answer because it’s so broad so I’ll try it this way. You don’t have to be a great singer to be successful. But I do believe charisma, originality, passion and work ethics make a big deal in your pursuit to stardom.

QUESTION

Did you ever have aspirations to be a singer in your youth? And if you did, why didn’t you pursue them?
- Diana

ANSWER

RUDY: Of course I wanted to be singer. When I was very young, my favorite group was the Jackson 5 so I wanted to sing like them. I copied their dance moves and knew every word to every song from ABC to I want you back. But as I grew older, I realized my best singing was done in the shower ... alone!

QUESTION

Do you have difficulty speaking after your lessons? Does your throat hurt?
- PDC

ANSWER

RUDY: Speaking is fine, it’s breathing that’s hard because it has a lot to do with that. Hitting the right notes is tough, and the exercises aren’t easy too. The toughest part is trying to learn the words to the song I have to sing, Listen to the Music by the Doobie Brothers.

QUESTION

What’s it like, getting lessons from an 80s rock band lead singer? And if this goes well, would you consider a career in singing?
- Patricia

ANSWER

RUDY: It’s a lot of fun working with Brian. He’s such a pioneer when it comes to music. My lessons are done at his house and he lives in London, Ontario -- you should see it! It’s like a wonderland rock museum. He has so many great things like posters and old albums. But it’s kind of weird too because if anyone told me when I was a teenager the guy I was watching on MuchMusic singing Rock You would one day be one of my closest friends, I would have told you “stop smoking the dope!” But a singing career in the future? Hmmmmm, who knows. Anything can happen if you believe hard enough. :)