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For those who don’t know the lingo, BGV = background vocal/vocalist.  In fact, if you look “BGV” up in the dictionary, you will see the definition, along with the pictures of the four individuals above.  That is because they just so happen to be BGV prodigies.

Starting with the top-left and moving clockwise, let me tell you about these geniuses:

John Frusciante is the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He also does most if not all of their BGVs live and on the record.  He has a really unique and killer voice and it has the perfect texture for BGVs.  On top of that, the layered parts that he comes up with are so creative, almost sounding like a keyboard pad at times.  For my favorite of his BGV work, go watch/listen to Universally Speaking, Dosed, & The Zephyr Song.

Ed Cash is primarily a producer but ends up doing sick BGVs on most of his artists records, namely Bethany Dillon and Matt Wertz.  Some highlights are Dillon’s For My Love and Wertz’ Everything’s Right.  He has a God-given ear for this stuff.

Shelly Moore is a good friend of mine and I’ve been blessed enough to watch her BGV work in action on several occasions.  Sometimes what she does sounds odd at first but when you listen to the playback it’s simply amazing in a why-didn’t-I-think-of-that kindof way.  Here are a few examples of her talent:

- Light Yourself on Fire by Steven Miller

- Angels We Have Heard on High by Daniel Renstrom

Daniel Renstrom is also a good friend and sickly talented at BGVs, especially his texture and ability to hit crazy notes.  Case and point: listen to this compilation of BGVs he did for Shelly’s first record:

Hope this was inspiring to you aspiring BGVs..