Staying Healthy During Flu Season

This is a bad year for the flu - and I'm sure that's not news to you.

As a vocalist, you need to be extra careful with preventive care - you can't cancel a gig just because you're sick.  I've had to perform long gigs while sick more times than I wish.  It's not fun, and you risk losing your voice because of it.  (I have injured my voice because of singing a 4-hour pop/rock gig while sick.  It took about 9 months for my voice to heal.)

But when you have a gig commitment, you have to keep it.  If you booked a show, and you cancel for illness, chances are you're not going to play at that venue again.

Case in point:  singer Brandon Flowers (The Killers) performed at the 1st Bank Center two weeks ago while he had the flu.  I was there.  I couldn't tell, except that he told the audience.  He still gave his all.   In other words - you've heard it before - the show must go on.

So please take care of yourself!  Here are some things you can do to stay healthy.  They're basic, but that's the point - they're the foundations of general health, which is the foundation of vocal health.

• Wash your hands frequently.

• Don't touch your face.  You touch things that other people - some sick people - have touched.  Your skin is a great barrier... until you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

• Eat healthy.  You know what that means.  Especially avoid sugar.  I tend to fall sick when I get into a sugar habit.

• Stay hydrated.  Your voice will thank you.

• Get enough sleep.  Your immune system will be stronger.

• Avoid being around sick people as much as possible.

• Carry alcohol wipes in single-use packets to wipe down other microphones.  I highly recommend doing this if you aren't bringing your own microphone to a gig.

See you in the studio!