D.R.A.G. 101- Perfect Song (but how?) cont.

If you have chosen a song, play with style, take the Dramatization tips and incorporate your own spin on this material. Your personal style is the link that will bridge your song into a number and create a signature that keeps your audience growing. The last thing you want is one bored audience member, this is a business and one person will tell a friend if they liked something but five if they hated it or were offended, we are selling a product which can easily be replaced, that being said most audiences are willing to give you time to improve before they pass judgement.
Personal style is unfortunately the one aspect we are unable to teach, this is up to you, however it should come organically and you will soon find yourself moving toward a specific genre that best compliments your new found style.

D.R.A.G. 101- Perfect Song (but how?)

Telling you to find the perfect number is the easy part, explaining why is a little more involved but showing you how to really find these numbers is the real question we must tackle.

It's all about leg work... We need to get out into the scene, see what's been done and start knock on doors.
It can be very frustrating to find once in a lifetime original recordings and you may break the bank trying to get them, this is why i recommend that mature seasoned professionals become your first resource. Seeking out the older more experinced queens, professionals who may not be performing any longer, is a great resource; these individuals are more likely to help then performing Queens as you are not competition to them. Most retired Queens still have a vault of tremendous recordings they are willing to share, these recording may still be on vinyl but with todays technology a few simple programs can rip records to MP3 format. Never underestimate the power, we all want to help you but you have to ask.
Keep in mind some of these Queens have been sitting on numbers for ten or twenty years, vowing to take them to their grave, so unless you are serious about respecting their treasures don’t ask. You have to show potential before anyone is going to trust you with their numbers.

A DRAG Mother is another great way to find material, find a current performer and ask if you can study under them, like a apprentice, this does take a much longer process but as with all great things you are guaranteed to receive valuable knowledge and if chosen correctly comes with built in securities. (If anyone is interest I can cover the benefits of a DRAG MOTHER in more detail)

Many queens I have nurtured find it easiest just to sit in front of their computer and research obscure theatrical musicals or artists. The sixties, seventies and eighties are a great place to start for obscure artists most songs are no longer in play and you can find completely outrageous lyrics. The internet can be your friend, just start searching:
Another great place to research is the library, allot of libraries still house musical recordings in a defined section, treasure this resource and please DO NOT DAMAGE these recording in anyway. Many times these are the last of the recordings and they can not be found anywhere else. if you find a recording you like enough, write down not only the artist name but the lyricist and CD title, go home and search by all of the above, you will be amazed by your findings. Web blogs (like this one) and chat rooms are increasing the popularity of previously unknown material, there is a growing interest, inquire everywhere you go on the internet you may just again be surprised by the response you get.

A lot of the material you will receive or listen too will be useless, either outdated or just not your genre, keep a positive attitude and persist, before you can succeed you have to find a least one solid number you can really drive home, once you get this bridge you will find the process allot easier.

D.R.A.G. 101- Perfect Song

Being a Drag Queen is more than female impersonation it is a delicate and fine art form, and finding the right song will be one of your biggest hurdles. It is not enough to be trained, as an artist it is your duty to find your niche, you must have the ability to make the right song choice for your abilities.

“A drag queen is just an average without the perfect number”

A performers song, set or performance is their signature. You will hear these signatures referred to here forth as the performers 'number'. A number is any song or performance an artist is known to perform (in our case it IS the show). One show can be made up of between seven and twenty numbers generally preformed back-to-back with alternating performers. You should always have three numbers and an encore prepared. This set-up will change depending on the market and demand for performers.

Example: In Alberta I was required to open and close a show only if hosting and perform one number if supporting, where as most shows in British Columbia I would be expected to have the three solos minimum and encore for all shows.

In the beginning you may find it difficult to find any numbers that work for you, in the long run we all find the numbers that speak to us, these are the numbers which will make up your niche to set you apart from every-other performer.

To find songs that work best for you, go ahead and start with a genre you are comfortable with, if you listen to allot of popular music start there, I don’t recommend unless you have the determination and ability (as will be covered in detail) to hold these songs you choose this as permanent signature, however feel free get a feel for the music then move into songs you can truly make your own. The key to your niche is to find songs an audience has never heard before something you can claim as your own, you want to have an audience requesting your numbers as your own. Live singers have a giant foot up in this context as they are in constant demand to write new material. By choosing popular songs you are guaranteeing that an audience has heard and knows the song you are presenting, by going out of your way to find obscure recordings for this same work will reinforce a willingness to buy into the work you have created.