Power of One Voice
By David E. Malloy/The Herald-Dispatch
Sunday May 15, 2005
Power of the Voice
Jaime Vendera claims to be the first documented singer to break a crystal glass using nothing other than his voice, which has led to an appearance on "Good Morning America" and an upcoming spot on "MythBusters."
This caption was under a Full color picture of Jaime - Holding an autographed signature broken glass.
Jaime Vendera of Franklin Furnace will appear on Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters" this week demonstrating his unusual talent of breaking glass with his voice. It takes 105 decibels to break the glass. Vendera can get his voicebox up to 120 decibels.
OHIO MAN POSSESSES UNIQUE VOCAL ABILITY
Franklin Furnace, Ohio - Jaime Vendera can hit high notes with his voice that very few other people can hit.
Vendera, 35, claims to be the first documented singer to break a crystal glass using nothing other than his voice. That feat has led to an appearance on "Good Morning America" and an upcoming spot on "Mythbusters," which is aired on the Discovery Channel.
Ella Fitzgerald on the old "Is it live or is it Memorex" commercial used an amplifier to break a glass. Vendera, however, doesn't need an amplifier to accomplish the same feat.
(caption)SEE IT ON TV
Jaime Vendera, a Scioto County Vocal Coach who was on "Good Morning America" last November, will be on the "Mythbusters" show on the Discovery Channel at 9p.m. Tuesday, demonstrating how he can break a glass with his voice.
(quote) "I have to get warmed up before I can do it. You have to be able to hit the right note. It has to be a perfect pitch. It takes about 105 decibels to break a glass. I can get my voice up to 120 decibels." - Jaime Vendera - Franklin Furnace, Ohio, man who can break glasses with his voice
VOICE (caption continued from start of article)
Since he shattered his first glass to practice for a Nov. 8 appearance on "Good Morning America," Vendera has broken about 100 crystal wine glasses made in Germany. The glasses cost $20 each, and thus far, other people have paid for them, he said.
"I have to get warmed up before i can do it," Vendera said Thursday. "You have to be able to hit the right note. It has to be a perfect pitch. It takes about 105 decibels to break a glass. I can get my voice up to 120 decibels."
A 1988 Portsmouth High School graduate who currently is working construction for his uncle, Vendera is also a vocal coach and the author of two books, "Raise Your Voice" and "The Ultimate Breathing Workout." He also has his own website, www.thevoiceconnection.com.
People walking around Central Park or King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland night, at time, hear Vendera practicing those high notes. Vendera currently is working on a construction project at the medical center.
Vendera has worked with a number of singers over the years. Phil Tayler of the band "Future Leaders of the World" is flying into the Tri-State to get vocal lessons. Bendera also gives private vocal lessons on Saturdays. Anyone wanting to sign up can call his at (740) 574-9917.
When he was flown up to New York City for his appearance on "Good Morning America," and opera singer tried to break one of the glasses, but couldn't do it. Vendera did. "After I gave them some training, most of them could do it."
He got a call for the "Good Morning America" show from a friend, JIm Gillette, who used to break glasses using an amplifier when he was touring. "He didn't have time for it, so he called me."
The segment for "Mythbusters" was filmed Feb. 7 in San Francisco.
Despite all the recent attention, Vendera has no plans to give it all up and begin chasing a dream. "I was out in Los Angeles from 1989-91," he said.
"My goal now is to be the No. 1 vocal coach in America," he said. "I'm not into touring. I'm happy with what I'm doing now."
Vendera, Howard Turner of Ashland and Tim odle of Sciotovilled, Ohio, have formed a band called "Burn the Sun." They're still looking for a lead guitar player. Turner plays Bass and guitar while Vendera plays keyboard, sax, flute, and harmonica and Odle is a drummer.
Turner, 38, a 1984 Paul G. Blazer HIgh Shcool graduate, has had his chance to make it on the road in the music business. Now's he's back in Ashland raising a family. Turner is operations manager at Lowe's in Wheelersburg, Ohio.
"We're just out having a good time," Turner said. "Our voices kind of complement each other. We'd like to put out a good CD we can be rpoud of."
Turner and Vendera have been singing together for about seven years. Turner called their sound a blend of the Beatles and Alice in Chains.
Vendera practiced some of his glass exploding exploits at Turner's hoem in Ashland. "I'm still sweeping up glass," Turner joked. "These are nice, heavy glasses."
Despite all that glass flying around, Vendera has never been cut. "I wear safety glasses," he said.