Raleigh, NC — (October 23, 2015) — Multi-Platinum-selling country music artist and Garner, NC-native Scotty McCreery will receive the 2016 Patrick D. Kenan Award for Vocal Health and Wellness at Duke Voice Care Center’s 10th Annual World Voice Day Celebration Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the Cary Arts Center in Cary, NC.
McCreery is one of country music’s hottest rising stars. In just four
short years, he has sold more than 2.5 million albums, earned Platinum
and Gold album certifications, achieved Top Ten hits and multiple
awards, and performed concerts around the nation. Even with his vocally
demanding schedule, his distinctive deep voice remains strong and true,
in large part due to his mindful attention to healthy vocal habits. “My
voice is my livelihood, so taking care of it is essential,” said
McCreery. “I make sure to stay as healthy as I can and not put any
strain on my voice…well, unless I’m at an NC State sporting event! I
also consult with my doctors regularly to make sure my vocal cords
remain in great condition.” McCreery will share more secrets for keeping
voices healthy at the event, which begins at 7 PM. The audience will
also be treated to his captivating baritone as he performs a brief
acoustic set.
World Voice Day is an international day of celebration of the human
voice. Singers, actors, teachers and preachers need healthy voices to do
their jobs, but we all need our voices to connect us to the world.
According to Ingo Titze, renowned voice scientist and President of the
Pan-American Vocology Association, “Voice carries not only informational
messages, but it carries our feelings, our identity, our personality,
and our state of health. It even gives clues about our confidence and
benevolence. Texting can do little of that. Let’s keep vocalizing.” Duke
Voice Care Center has led the Triangle’s observation of World Voice Day
since 2007.
Duke Voice Care Center is a specialty practice in the Division of Head
and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke Medicine. The Duke
Voice Care team includes laryngologists (ENT doctors with special
training in caring for voices), speech-language pathologists and singing
voice rehabilitation specialists (speech-language pathologists who are
also performers and voice teachers) who work collaboratively to evaluate
and treat voice problems. Duke Voice Care Center also hosts a number of
educational programs throughout the year including presentations and
workshops. DVCC’s annual World Voice Day Celebration is usually their
biggest vocal health event of the year.
In 2010, Duke Voice Care Center announced the establishment of the
Patrick D. Kenan Award for Vocal Health and Wellness, to be presented
annually to individuals whose lives and careers increase awareness of
the importance of the human voice. The award pays tribute to the legacy
of a dynamic and ambitious Duke physician and performer, Patrick D.
Kenan. Designated as a Duke Center for Excellence in 2006, Duke Voice
Care Center was formed in large part as a result of Dr. Kenan’s vision
for vocal health. Country music sensation McCreery will be the eighth
recipient of the award. “We look forward to honoring the work of this
extraordinary young singer,” says Leda Scearce, Director of DVCC’s
Performing Voice Program. Previous PDK Award honorees have been
Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, international opera star
bass-baritone Simon Estes, National Public Radio broadcaster Carl
Kasell, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Tift Merritt, the
Triangle-based band Delta Rae, and Durham’s all-male chorus 100 Men In Black.
Each year at World Voice Day, the vocal health experts of Duke Voice
Care Center help people learn about how the voice works, how people can
keep their voices healthy and strong, and what to do if they have a
voice problem. “Voices are the foundation of who we are. Our voices
serve to inspire us, contributing to our beliefs and values, influencing
the collective history of the human race. We honor our voices on World
Voice Day and the unique contribution of everyone’s voice signature,”
says Duke Voice Care Center Director David Witsell, MD, MHS. In addition
to McCreery’s appearance, DVCC’s 2016 World Voice Day Celebration will
feature educational learning sessions, demonstrations, games, prizes and
a vocal health fair.
Photo Credit: Eric Adkins