We’re looking forward to introducing you to Leslie Cours Mather. Check out our conversation below.
Leslie Cours, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Most mornings my husband and I wake up early, and I head out to our back patio while he makes coffee. When he joins me, we chat about life and the world while enjoying the beautiful sounds of being outdoors in beautiful Franklin, TN. Tennessee has had a huge place in my heart since I was 18 and I’m so happy to be back. After mentioning how happy I am (and yes, I say it most days) I head to my office, put on worship music and get out my Bible and my journal. Afterwards, we rally and head to the gym before starting our workdays!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve worked as a recording artist, songwriter and producer for decades. I have lived and worked in both Los Angeles and Nashville for over 30 years. I’ve written and recorded several studio albums in both LA and Nashville. My songs have charted on Billboard, MusicRow and in Europe and my videos have been featured on Fox news and several other platforms. My focus now is producing vocals.
I have found that I absolutely love working with young developing recording artists, so I launched a business as a Vocal Producer. A Vocal Producer is a seasoned music industry professional whose job is to support and coach a singer in a recording studio. My job as a vocal producer is to be an advocate. I’m there just for the benefit of the singer so that everything runs smoothly and he or she feels supported emotionally.
Some of the things my job entails include working with a developing artist before we go into a studio so that we have picked the right key and the singer feels ready to enter the vocal booth. Once in there, I act as a translator between the vocalist, the engineer, the record producer and anyone else that might be adding opinions and direction. My presence allows the singer to relax and focus. While in the booth, I help make any necessary changes and adjustments. These could be technical, like offering suggestions to help a singer stay in tune, or pulling a stronger performance out. Once we’re finished recording, I sit with the singer and the engineer and “comp” the vocals together, which means we cut and paste several small parts of the recording into one amazing vocal track, and I focus on making sure the singer is happy with the results. In addition to this, I offer tuning services so that the final vocal is at the highest standard.
Last March, I launched my YouTube channel called The Vocal Booth as a way to promote my business as a Vocal Producer and offer free tips and advice to young artists everywhere. It’s new and I’m learning a lot about how YouTube works! But most importantly, I am more and more passionate about what I do every day. When I see the difference I make in a young artist, both musically and emotionally, I find it extremely fulfilling.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom is unstoppable. When I was young I used to think she never sat down. She has a work ethic that never quits, even to this day and she is in her 80’s. She is my inspiration when it comes to hard work. I’ve watched her start business, grow businesses, volunteer and run our household. One year, she and my dad decided to retire to South Carolina. This didn’t last long. They both were bored. She decided to go into real estate. She took every client no one wanted, including walk-ins. And she became the top selling agent in the office. In the entertainment industry, there will always be someone more talented, more beautiful, more…whatever. You can’t control that. But you can outwork anyone. And you can decide that no one will outwork you. That’s what my mom instilled in me, and that is what I have passed on to my own kids.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
My recording artist career was filled with frustrations, challenges and hardships. Some came directly from the music industry itself, and some from my personal life. Many times I wondered if I should walk away. Many times, I was struggling to stay in and feeling forced out. In my career people stole from my family, lied to me about my potential success, mismanaged me as an artist, treated me with disrespect, pretended to be one thing when they were another and tried to take my song ownership from me. In my personal life, I walked through childhood leukemia with our daughter, kidney failure and a kidney transplant in my own body and the sudden death of my dad while I was on tour. And all of these things made me stronger and more determined. They are the reason I am so passionate about The Vocal Booth and my work as a Vocal Producer. If I can help younger developing recording artists avoid half of what I endured, it’s a success.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Unfortunately there are so many lies the entertainment industry tells itself and, worse, hopeful artists. There are two in particular that I find most distasteful. The first is, “You Don’t Need to Understand the Business.” You hear it all the time. Executive types will tell singers to focus on the music and leave the business to the experts. This leads to artists easily being misled. In the studio, engineers and record producers assume singers don’t know or care about how to run their recording session, which again can lead to singers being taken advantage of. As a Vocal Producer, I am doing my part to empower singers to understand and take control of their sessions. That’s why my role is important: I’m an advocate in the singer’s corner.
Another lie that breaks my heart for young artists is, ”Fame and Success Will Make You Happy.” The industry sells the dream that hitting the charts, going viral or signing a deal equals fulfillment. A song might blow up on TikTok or YouTube, and that’s great. But sustained success requires hard work. And artists can easily wrap their identity up in their successes and failures. This can be a very isolating business, complete with lots of judgment and rejection. This can lead to depression, loneliness, anxiety and all kinds of mental health issues. Having a strong support system is vital, which is another reason I am passionate about being a vocal producer.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
As a Vocal Producer, the layer of emotional support I bring to young developing recording artists goes far beyond technical tweaks like pitch correction or phrasing. I intimately understand the emotional journey of a recording artist, from thrills to heartbreaks. And because of this, I create a safe, nurturing space where artists can confront vulnerabilities, release performance anxiety, and channel raw emotions into authentic, powerhouse vocals, often leading to breakthroughs that elevate their artistry and confidence in ways that last a lifetime. What most people, especially in the cutthroat music industry, don’t focus on is an artist’s well-being. My role is special because I get to help artists feel emotionally and mentally supported while at the same time help them get amazing vocals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LeslieCoursMather.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Vocal-Booth
