I don't think there's any substitute for Just Doing It. The more I perform, the better I can feel myself getting. I think eye contact is important, but I also am one of those who has a tendency to close the eyes when singing. If I find myself doing it in a performance, I will apologize (when the opportunity happens) and tell 'em I had the words written on the inside of my eyelids and had to keep checking 'em because I wasn't that familiar with the song yet...

I probably spend more time on the script for The Rap than I do on the song, but I do want to know exactly what I'm going to say when I get up on stage. Crowds do intimidate me, and I refuse to let 'em get me tongue-tied. I have found that if I'm comfortable with the audience, they'll be comfortable with me, so I work hard at it. I watch other performers and try to spot what bothers me about their body language (&c.) so I can avoid doing it myself, and spot what I like (and why) so I can imitate it.

Joe

[/B][/QUOTE]

www.soundclick.com/joewrabek
www.soundclick.com/deathgrass
www.soundclick.com/wrabeksworksinprogress
The Writer's Blog: http://nakedspacehamsters.blogspot.com