Cinderella Singer Meeting With ‘Miracle Man’ Helped Save His Voice

"I don't even know how to describe it really. It's just scary," Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer tells Noisecreep of literally losing his singing voice. "It's not only what I love to do and it's my passion to sing the songs I write, but it's also my livelihood and it's scary on a lot of levels."

Keifer looks at the world with a 'glass half full' mentality. After all, life's been a rollercoaster for the singer and guitarist. Unlike most artists who just worry about constant changes in the music industry, Keifer spent nearly 20 years worrying about his voice. Around 1991, Keifer was diagnosed with paresis which is basically a paralysis of one side of the voice box.

The problem is neurological and hindered by infections -- even the common cold can cause disaster. The voice problems meant Cinderella's 2008 summer tour was canceled and also derailed the release of Keifer's long-awaited solo album. Now, with surgeries and a cadre of vocal coaches, Keifer says his voice is "stronger than ever" and Cinderella plan to hit the road this summer. Still, the voice problems remain a constant concern, requiring care and continual maintenance.

"A year ago, I met the 'Miracle Man' who is a vocal coach," Keifer continues. "He really taught me a lot of things about breathing and how to control my air and how to prevent this from happening again. I've been studying this technique -- it's what they teach opera singers -- classical voice training, which I've never been trained that way before. It doesn't change the tone of your voice, just how you support it. I still sound the way I sound but I'm not hurting my voice, and it's really worked and my voice feels stronger."

In truth, Keifer's speaking voice is very deep and quite different from his signature rasp on songs like 'Nights Songs' and 'The Last Mile.' Still, with the breathing, the rasp is possible and the band is ready to give fans the songs they want on the road this summer. While Kiefer wouldn't spill the beans about who Cinderella will tour with this summer, the band does has a few warm-up dates scheduled across America in March and April. Fly dates are not common for Cinderella, so the intimate shows will be a special treat for fans.

"I think it would make me feel a little better going into the summer. Usually we book a tour and go out, but it's been three years since we've been on tour, and it just sounded like fun. We don't usually do fly dates -- just to jump on a plane and go do a couple of gigs to kind of knock them out to say we did it," Keifer explains.

Cinderella will unofficially start their 2010 tour March 19 in Denver. The band is also confirmed for the M3 rock festival in Baltimore. More dates will be announced.