Mark Baxter
To say that vocal coach Mark Baxter is the man behind some of the world’s most successful performers would be an understatement. His contribution to music in general, and particularly to vocalists, is undeniable and his musical skill set beyond reproach.
After completing his formal musical training at The College of New Jersey, Baxter hit the road as a backup singer and drummer, playing up and down the East Coast in rock bands. During that time, he realized that attaining a certain level of performance perfection required not only stamina, but also an expanded vocal range and correct attitudinal perspective. To entertain six nights a week in clubs and to record in a studio during the day required being in a position of control of your body and – naturally, for a singer – your voice.
Dee Snider, Katie Agresta, Opening in Brookline
In the early 1980s, while Baxter’s band was opening several shows for Twisted Sister, he asked the group’s singer, Dee Snider, for his opinion on vocal coaching and Snider strongly recommended Katie Agresta, a vocal coach in New York City under whom he’d been training. Taking Snider’s advice, he started training with Agresta soon after talking with the Twisted Sister frontman and his skill set broadened to such an extent that Agresta invited him to join her teaching team.
While on staff, he trained singers, entertainers and vocal coaches and met a number of Boston-based performers including singer-songwriter Rick Berlin (founder of Orchestra Luna and Berlin Airlift) and Laurie Sargent (formerly of Face to Face, Morphine, Twinemen), both of whom commuted to New York City weekly to attend his classes. At Berlin’s suggestion, Baxter attended a seminar in Boston where he found that there was an immediate demand for rock-oriented vocal coaches in the city. At that seminar alone, he scheduled three full days with clients from the area who were eager to study his unique approach to vocal performance, prompting him to open his first studio in Brookline, to which he commuted weekly from the New York studio. While doing that, Baxter continued his own studies with vocal coach and author Eugene Rabine, who was based in Germany at the time but who also had a studio in Brookline.
Tim Collins, Steven Tyler, Other clients
As Baxter developed his own methodology, his client base grew. Laurie Sargent introduced him to Tim Collins, most noted for his work as the manager for Aerosmith from 1984 to 1996. Collins immediately recognized Baxter’s gift as a vocal therapist and introduced him to Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, who soon became Baxter’s client. Baxter has said that he’s “forever grateful” to Tyler for helping him to attain his status as an international vocal coach and for recommending him to so many of his fellow entertainers. He describes his success as being “sucked up into a powerful storm.” Only Tyler can speak for himself, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that the appreciation goes in both directions, since Baxter often accompanied Tyler to his shows during Aerosmith’s mid-‘80s “come back” years, assisting in pre-show warmups.
At this point, Baxter’s list of clients is in the hundreds, and most of them have trained with him for extended periods of time. Among the vocalists are Peter Wolf (The J. Geils Band), Gary Cherone (Extreme, Van Halen, Tribe of Judah). Johnny Rzeznik (GooGoo Dolls), Steve Augeri (Journey), Aimee Mann (‘Til Tuesday), Emerson Hart (Tonic), Johnny Lang, Grace Potter, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Del Fuegos, Treat Her Right, Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls), Martin Johnson (Boys Like Girls), Kristen Welchez (DumDum Girls), Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend), J.J. Grey (Mofro), Marc Broussard, Jennifer Tefft, David Minehan (The Neighborhoods), In The Pink, Talking To Animals, Jen Trynin, Piebald, Thanks To Gravity, The Upper Crust, The Heritics, Susan McNeil, The Sheila Divine, Michele Lewis, Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver), Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The cast of Rent, Lee Martin “Dewey” Bunnell, and Foghat.
The Rock-N-Roll Singer’s Survival Manual, Sing Like an Idol
Baxter’s clients have said that his truly therapeutic, personal touch to vocal performance makes him a standout vocal coach. He recognizes that the need for self-expression and healing often leads a person to study art, he says, and therefore advocates the arts as a means of personal growth and nurturing. Baxter details his multi-faceted methodology in his book The Rock-N-Roll Singer’s Survival Manual (1990, Hal Leonard) and in the 10-lesson CD Sing Like an Idol. He attends regular seminars at the Harvard School of Continuing Education at Mass General, led by laryngeal surgeon Dr. Steven Zeitels, and has participated in hundreds of voice-related courses.
Baxter’s home studio is in Revere, Massachusetts, and he has satellite studios in Los Angeles and New York. He has served as a consultant to professionals in the entertainment industry and amateurs who simply enjoy singing and has been a frequent guest speaker at Berklee College of Music.
Comments on vocal training
Asked to comment on his chosen career path, Baxter said he loves helping vocalists be the best that they can be, since he knows all about the stresses involved from his own experience as a singer. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of learning about the voice. I’ve read every book out there and continuously look for related subjects,” Baxter says. “Many of the singers I work with have vocal damage. The medical courses allow me to speak freely with doctors and then translate their findings into singers’ terms for my clients.
“As a performer myself, I know exactly what it feels like to sing in the worst conditions. Combining my understanding of anatomy with stage experience allows me to help others reach their potential. And there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.”
(by John Cappello)
