While you may have thought we’d forgotten about the Ask a Tenor segment, we really didn’t. You see, in between winning a couple of Gemini Awards and performing at the Emmy Awards, making special appearances at special charity events, and fine tuning their upcoming CD, Clifton Murray has been working diligently on crafting the answers to these questions. More than that, he’s been living the answers to these questions. Some things in life are just worth the wait.
One of the things the Tenors hear most often is that their music is uplifting and inspiring. Carolynne Ciceri, a fellow Canuck, wrote, “When I’m feeling blue, I listen to the Canadian Tenors. But what I’d like to know is, what do the Tenors listen to when they are in need of a little pick-me-up?”
Here’s what Clifton had to say: “We’re happy to hear our music brings you respite from the storm, Carolynne. Thank you. And I agree with you. Music is an escape and a way out of the grind and the pressures of the day. It’s no different for us Tenors. Those long flights and plane rides are made a whole lot easier with good music to listen to.
I enjoy a wide range of music. As of late I have Lady Antebellum on my iPod. I love their soothing harmonies and strong melody.”
Clifton went on to mention that each of the Tenors has their own inspirations, which might be found in some of the songs written and arranged by the four-some on their upcoming album. For Clifton, some of his inspirations include Lady Antebellum, Ray Charles, John Mayer, Blue Rodeo, Donny Hathaway, Bob Dylan, U2, Sam Cook and James Morrison.
And he added, “I was recently home for Thanksgiving and my father had Stan Rogers cranked the entire weekend. He is an incredible songwriter and his music is timeless. I love the songs Mary Ellen Carter and Northwest Passage.”
As 2011 starts to draw to a close, people will begin thinking of New Year’s resolutions, or things to add to their “bucket list.” Janet Long, Houston, Texas, asked, “What is one thing on your bucket list? Has this been accomplished yet?”
Clifton was quick to point out that he is living his bucket list every single day.
“I feel so blessed to be on this journey and living my dreams, I really can’t ask for anything more. Perhaps as I get older I’ll start thinking of specific things to tick off the list but right now every trip is a new adventure, and I get to experience things I didn’t think were possible. We have so much to be thankful for, and we owe so much to the fans and friends of the Tenors who keep us touring and traveling and sharing our voices. So, thank you for allowing me to live my dreams everyday. We would hope our music is a way of saying thank you for your support and dedication to the group.”
When Clifton, Victor, Remigio and Fraser walk out on stage, they appear so calm, cool, collected, and the audience is left to believe that they rolled out of bed looking as pressed and handsome as they are at that moment. Surely their entire day was smooth sailing, right? Jennifer Lewis, who hails from Canada, wanted to know if that was the case, and if not, “What is the strangest or funniest thing that has happened on tour?”
Remember that part about them “living the answers?” Well, we weren’t kidding. Here’s Clifton’s version of one crazy 24-hours with the Canadian Tenors.
“We recently performed on the Emmys, which were held in LA, and our schedule was pretty chaotic. We performed in Omaha on the Friday of that weekend, had sound check for the Emmys on Saturday morning in LA, then an event in Victoria for the David Foster Foundation that same night. Following David's event in Victoria, we flew back to LA to sleep there in order to be at the Emmys for dress rehearsal on Sunday morning and to perform Sunday night. It was a crazy schedule, and the only way it was going to work logistically was if we booked a private plane.
Now, we can’t afford private jets quite yet, so we had to call on some ‘friends in high places’ to help us out. He will remain nameless, but you all know him.
Anyway, we did the Omaha gig and the Emmys sound check on that Saturday with no problems. We were leaving LA at 4pm to be at a private event in downtown Victoria at 7 pm so there was really no room for error. The traffic from LA Live (the venue where we were performing for the Emmys) to the airport was pretty bad, as usual. When we got to the airport the plane experienced some engine trouble, and we were delayed for 30 minutes, so time was very tight. We finally got in the air with no time to spare. Of course, this is the time when things usually go awry, and they did. As we started our descent, we noticed on the video screen that our destination indicated Vancouver. We thought this to be a bit odd as our event was in Victoria. Jeffrey (our manager) went to the cockpit to inquire. Sure enough, someone had given the pilots “Vancouver” as our destination instead of “Victoria.” Because of immigration laws, the pilots were required to land in Vancouver before they could re-route to Victoria. We literally landed on the tarmac, did a 180, and took off again! Thankfully, immigration didn’t come out and check our passports or we would have missed the show for sure.
As we took off from Vancouver, it was already 6:30. That meant had 30 minutes to fly to Victoria and drive to the event. There was no time to dress or warm up or prepare. So during our flight, we were all getting ready. Victor was in the bathroom doing vocal warm-ups and getting dressed while the rest of us were getting changed into our suits in the cabin. We were tumbling and bumping into each other from the turbulence as we were humming, doing scales and tying ties. It was the funniest scene with clothes everywhere. We had just buttoned up the last button as we touched down in Victoria, and were singing in the van on the way (and I'm sure the driver was going bonkers). We arrived at the event at 7:20. The organizers had been stalling for 20 minutes. We sang three songs, mingled for 20 minutes, drove right back to the jet and flew back to LA. Thankfully we LANDED in LA. We arrived at 1am, were in bed by 2 and sang on the Emmy’s the next day. Phew!!”
What a story! And with the performance they gave, they looked and sounded as if nothing had gone awry! Who would have ever known!
The Tenors have recently added some new tour dates to their web site. Be sure to keep checking as new dates are continually being added. Clifton said he is especially excited about two shows at the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto and four dates at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
“Hey, I guess those are two more venues I can tick off the bucket list!”
And check back here soon for your chance to submit questions for our next Ask a Tenor segment where Fraser will be sharing his answers to your burning inquiries!
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