6A
Friday, December 4, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
Unique soloist devotes career to singing personal messages
By KAREN ZETTERSTROM Special to the Kansan
In the middle of the cluttered Lawrence apartment sits a Baldwin piano laden with sheet music. Flyers from operas and performances hang on the walls.
"I think I have a slight monopoly on the singing message business here in town," John G. Andrews said proudly. "People are often surprised at the quality of my voice when they hear me."
For the past seven years, Andrews has been singing messages to people in Lawrence. "I got the idea after a friend hired me to sing a birthday message for his wife," he said. A singing message costs $20.
Andrews, 45, began studying music in high school and received his BA in music from the University of Kansas in 1978. He is a tenor.
Today, Andrews keeps busy with his singing messages and other live performances. "I am a serious professional," he said.
"I've sung messages in grocery stores, banks, fire stations, a radio station, houses, fraternities and sororites, the Law Enforcement Center and even a funeral house." Andrews said.
Andrews performs a wide variety of music depending on the person doing the hiring and the occasion. He said birthday messages are the most popular.
Alan Martin, a customer, wrote in a letter of appreciation, "I'll always associate birthdays with the sound of music. It makes a special day even better."
Sometimes Andrews wears costumes when performing singing messages. Andrews said dressing up gave the performance charisma.
"For humorous messages I have been occasionally dressed in drag. I have even been known to sit on a man's lap and give him a little peck on the cheek," he said. "I have very Italianate characteristics on my mother's side. I love dressing up
Most of Andrews' business comes from recommendations or from people who have seen one of his performances.
formal."
Roger Bain, former director of marketing for Sunflower Cablevision, wrote in a letter of recommendation, "John is one of the most unique and certainly one of the most exciting talents I have ever witnessed." Bain added, "His voice is a marvelous instrument, his timing impeccable. He also has a GIANT sense of humor."
Andrews' sense of humor shows up in the dozen commercials for MTV that he has done for Sunflower Cable.
Dressed in a vampire costume, he popped out of a coffin and with a spooky laugh sang "I'm your MTV-*" . . . for a Halloween commercial
"I had a lot of fun doing the commercials," he said. Andrews
See SINGER, p. 7, col. 1
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