Many of you already know that I’ve been having vocal problems over the past summer. At first, I thought it was some sort of vocal infection. It appeared to get better on it’s own only to come back again and again. I would engage in extra long and intense vocal warm-ups to get through each gig. The hectic schedule of shows combined with this problem was taking its toll both physically and mentally. So finally I decided to get it checked out.
After trying to cure this ailment by visiting my regular physician, I was referred to an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat specialist). It was then that it was discovered I had a polyp on my right vocal cord. Concerned, the ENT immediately scheduled me an appointment with NYU Voice Center in Manhattan. After consultation with them, I decided to have the polyp removed by laser (with a local anesthetic). That procedure was done on Tuesday October 7th and the polyp was successfully removed.
For the past several days, I’ve been resting my voice – barely speaking for the first 2 days of recovery. I have gradually increased my normal speaking voice since (as doctors suggested) but I have still been cautious. The return to my regular frequency of speaking should be soon. Singing, on the other hand. will take a while. The NYU Voice Center doctors recommended I take at least 4 weeks off from singing. I unfortunately had to cancel most of October’s solo gigs, which is not a great thing to do when one just released a new album. But health comes first.
Not all shows will be cancelled, though. All my shows with The Wag will go on as scheduled. Instead of singing, I’ll let my fingers “do the talking”. With 2 other singers in the band – Alicia Van Sant and Brian Ostering and me on guitar – we should do just fine. And there will be one “solo” show in which some of my dear musician friends will do the singing for me. That will be at The Green Planet in Point Pleasant NJ on Saturday October 18th at 8PM. And, of course, I’ll be playing guitar for that one too.
I’d like to thank everyone for all of their well wishes, prayers, and concerns over the past few weeks. I hope to be back in full action soon, sounding better than ever. Thanks again for your love and support.
Don Lee