My decisions were not based on any outside influences such as politics, popularity, or media/industry biases.  The only instruments I used to compile my list were my ears.  All that mattered was how I felt and how I was moved when I listened to each vocalist.  Whether country, pop, rock or folk, it did not matter.  My ears don’t judge.  After all, there are only two kinds of music.  Good music and bad music.  😉

10.  David Ball

• When he was scouted by a music label, he was dubbed by them as, “The Human Jukebox”.  Texas Echo is by far my favorite David Ball tune.   His vocals allow me to escape into the moment of each song he sings.  Even though he is number 10 on my list, he is still my favorite country singer above Randy, George and Garth.

9.  Randy Travis

• Say what you will about his recent troubles or checkered past, but there is no denying the incredible vocal talent known as Randy Travis.   I could go on and on about this man, but I would rather sit back and enjoy his music…Forever and Ever, Amen…

8.  John Berry

• Known amongst country music’s inner circle during the early ’90s  as “The Voice”, Mr. Berry’s vocals are powerful and piercing enough to give you chills.  Don’t believe me?  Check out and listen to, Your Love Amazes Me, and you will see what I mean.

7.  James Taylor

• No one can tell me that I’m doing wrong today…when I put James Taylor on this list.  How sweet it is to be blessed with a voice like that.  Anyone else feel like singing up on the roof when they listen to his music?

6.  Jeff Buckley

• Although he had yet to build a substantial song list before his untimely death,  there is no argument as to why Jeff Buckley makes this list.  His moving rendition of Hallelujah is testament enough that he would have been a vocal force to be reckoned with had his life not ended before he had that chance.  Always such a sad shame when talent this good is taken away at such a young age.

5.  Daryl Hall

• When you hear the man sing live and forget the “manufactured” version of Hall and Oates, you will understand.  Pleasantly surprised, this boy can sing his soulful heart out.  My all time favorite, Rich Girl is his best in my opinion.

4.  Elvis Presley

• Elvis Presley is timeless, much along the likes of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix.  Is there any question as to why he still lives in the hearts of so many?

3.  Roy Orbison

• I absolutely love Roy Orbison.  There is a purity, honesty, and beauty to his voice.  I don’t know many people out there that don’t take a liking to his music or the man himself.

2.  Paul Young

• Besides Steve Winwood and Daryl Hall, I have yet to stumble upon such a soulful voice coming out of a white boy.   Soulful would be the word I would use to describe this musical talent.  Sorry Chi-Lites, but Paul Young did a much better job when he covered Oh Girl .  Although, many here in the states only know of Paul Young for hits like, Every Time You Go Away, and Oh Girl, he was much wider known to the Brits. 

1.  Steve Winwood

• Another white boy who can sing with some fierce soul behind them vocal cords.  I first caught wind of the great Steve Winwood when I heard the Spencer Davis Group’s Gimme Some Lovin’ as a youngster.  Not surprisingly, I was hooked.  I had to find out who was behind that voice.  Then, many years after came his Grammy winning success as a solo artist, followed by my favorite Steve Winwood hit, Roll With It.  Without a doubt, my number 1 and favorite male vocalist!  🙂
  

Why, you ask, were folks like Sinatra, Dylan, Lennon, Vandross and Freddie Mercury excluded from my list?  Remember, the title does indicate it as a “My…Favorite” list and not an “All Time Best” list.   Rest assured, that if this were a Top 25 compilation, these vocal greats would definitely have made the cut.  🙂