One Man makes his own World-Wide stage in his own closet...

 

Tom Kiesche is the Closet Singer.
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After not singing for more than a decade, Tom was coerced at a party to sing “Ol’ Man River.” The reaction by those listening was so great, that several of his friends, including the accompanist, made him promise that he’d start singing again. He would, but with one condition… He would sing again for the enjoyment, love, and passion of it. He had stopped singing while living in New York because he had lost all the fun of it. It had become a way to possibly pay rent, and all his well-meaning coaches, teachers, directors... bullied, pushed, or manipulated him into singing what THEY thought he should sing, how THEY thought he should sing…



The first baby step back was finding an affordable vocal coach. One that would not only adhere to very simple perimeters of never saying things like “you shouldn’t sing that song,” or “don’t do it that way,” but also a coach that would encourage individual artistry, expression and creativity.

A few coachings later Tom improvised an ending to “I Won’t Send Roses,” which sent his coach into a laughing fit. He convinced Tom that they should record a version of it, and send it to a misogynistic radio talk show host who was popular at the time. They did. It was recorded in his coach’s studio, with a fan running, a fish tank bubbling, and a clock ticking, with every 15 minutes translating into money coming out of Tom’s checking account. Tick tick tick.

After the audio was recorded Tom asked two friends if they would act in a video for it, and soon after, it was put online for all to see. For the next song, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” Tom decided to save money, and have less stress, by using a music track he built with his coach, and by using a microphone he had purchased years earlier, in the quietest place he could find in his own apartment… His closet. 

It wasn’t until several videos later that Tom appeared, and around that time that he realized he was literally turning into a closet singer.

The rest is history. It’s rough, it’s raw, it’s low-fi. It’s ever evolving. One mic. One closet. No rules. Just fun.

Tom Kiesche, the Closet Singer: Closet Singer "Volume One: Rough Raw Released"
"I am not kidding when I tell you how proud that I am to see what you have done and what you are doing! It is so exciting to see someone embrace his passion and create something that touches so many lives. Well Done! ...you are such a gift to people and... so unselfish about sharing it."
-Ricki Maslar - Casting Director, Los Angeles, CA.
"Hey Tom: You are a HOOT!!! This certainly has to be the most unusual version of my song (Rhythm Of The Rain) I've ever heard. Love it!! Tender, but tongue in cheek at the same time. Cheers"
-John Claude Gummoe - song writer
All material copyright Tom Kiesche, BigQuiche Productions
All credits for each song are posted in video and also in YouTube descriptions.
If there's no particular credit listed, it was probably done by Tom.
Closet Singer Original Song
Blend of Songs
COMPLETE SONG LIST
What song will come out of the Closet next?
Forever in Blue Jeans (054) To All The Girls...
Love's Been Good To Me (053)
Lonely Pillow (052)
Every Rose Has Its Thorn (051)
the Love Crazy King & the Closet Pirates (#50!!!!)
BLOOPERS Love Crazy King & Closet Pirates (#50!!!!)
Most Recent Songs 47-49
(contest submissions and first International Closet Singer)
Feeling Good/Nobody... (049)
Always On My Mind
(abbreviated w/added BLOOPERS)
Black Magic Woman (048)
(with Voodoo Chick)
Can't Help Falling In Love
(abbreviated -90 seconds)
What Kind of Fool am I
(abbreviated -90 seconds)

On the Road/Movin' Right... (047)
(Guest: Ron Rogge' & Others)

Songs 37-46
(a few got quite complex & performed two original songs)
You're Nobody till someBUNNY loves you (046) (Guest: Diana Suko)
Green Green Grass Of Home (045)

Stupid Cupid (044)
(Happy Valentine's Day!)

Suddenly, Seymour (043)
(Guest: Crystal Keith)

Blue Christmas (042)
(Guests: Gumby and Pokey)

Burning Love (041)
BLOOPERS - Suddenly Seymour
Red Riding China Hood (040)
(Guests: Emmie, Alex, Heather)
Butterflies in the Moon (039)
California Uncle (038)
(Guests: Floppy, Bruiser, Squeeky, Toad & Monkey Girl)
BLOOPERS - Red Riding China Hood
BLOOPERS - Butterflies in the Moon
Have you subscribed to the YouTube Channel yet?
Monster's Lament (037)
(Film Festival winner, see IMDB)
Told your friends about Closet Singer yet, or are you a Closet Fan?
Songs 25 - 36
(pushing the envelope of a tiny walk-in closet)
Rhythm of the Rain (036)
I Am I Said (035)
(Guest: Cha'r)
High Hopes
(Guest: James Rio)
Being Alive (033)
Time In A Bottle (Requested)
Soft (032)
(Guest: The Diviners Band)
BLOOPERS - Soft

If You're Irish... (031)
(Happy Saint Paddy's Day!)

Dancing With Myself (030)
Strangers in the Night (029)
(Guest: Jack Nicholson)
Bewitched, Bothered &... (028)
O Holy Night (027)
Lollipop (026)
(Guest:Caroline Whitney Smith)
Have you joined the FACEBOOK FAN Page Yet?
Accentchuate Personality (025)
(Guest: Julia Rhonda)
Songs 13 - 24
(getting comfortable enough to make others uncomfortable)
Hero In Me (024)
Winter Wonderland (023)
(Guest: Kimberly Stanphill)
Iris (022)
Tonight Is Halloween (021)
For What It's Worth (020)
The Warrior (Reject!)
(Guests: Jim, Michael & Jen)
On the Street Where... (Reject!)
(Guests: Jim, Michael, & Jen)
The Sound Of Music (Reject!)
(Guests: Jim, Michael & Jen)
Rejects (019)
Summer Wind (018)
I Will Survive... Easy (017)
(Guests: Kathi, Denise & Kaleena)
The Impossible Dream (016)
I Am Where I Am ((015)
(Guest: Henry Dittman)
That's Life (014)
Alone All By Myself (013)
(Guest: Marian Tomas Griffin)
Songs 1 - 12
(the beginning of an idea, testing and experimenting)
Mama, a Rainbow (012)
(Happy Mother's Day)
Swinging On A Star (011)
(Guest: Michael Lanahan)
You're My Kryptonite (010)

Time After Time (009)
Beast Of Burden (008)
More I Cannot Wish You (007)
You Raise Me Up (006)
Ol' Man River (005)
Hey There (004)

Real Live Girl (003)

The Best is yet To Come (002)

I Won't Send Roses (001)
(Guests: Bryan & Laurie)

 

           

All material copyright Tom Kiesche, BigQuiche Productions

Other Links of/for Tom
Tom's IMDB Page
BigQuicheProductions.com
Crazy Uncle Tommy Stories
TomKiesche.com
Big Quiche Channel on YouTube
 
 
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