Okay. Something has been bothering me lately. Now, I KNOW that I'm a good singer since I've been told so by people who aren't a family member or a friend, and I've sung at fesitivals and such. Now, we are doing something in my music class which requires a lead singer for each group, and this other group keeps implying that I can't sing, just because I don't have a thin whispy voice like every other high school girl. The teacher says I'm good, though. How can I stop. being. upset. about this? I really don't give a damn about their opinions, it's just I have an obsession over wanting to  be the best, and singing is one of the few things I can actually do. So, how do get over their annoyingness? I really can sing, (I'm no Idol auditioner.. *shudder*)
It seems that a lot of people think girls should sing like Olivia Newton-John or whatever.

As long as you're singing the truth, it doesn't matter what you're voice sounds like.

The worst thing for a singer is to sound like everybody else.  Be glad some nitwits don't like your voice or think it's different.  If you had no soul or personality (like those Idol contestants and their bigleague counterparts), you'd sound like everybody else.

It's cooler to sound like dylan or joni mitchell than maria carey.

Yeah, I mostly emulate singers like Joan Baez and Buffy Sainte-Marie since i have a similar type voice and I mostly sing political music.

you could do bob dylan, just make a bunch of indescrible noises.

Don't obsess about being the best. That can alienate fellow musicians. Concentrate on singing YOUR best. Stick to your path.

Heeey whuuuuudeeeeyouuuuu meeeuuuhheeennnn biiiii thaaaaeeeaaaat?!

ok, you might turn into a diva that no-one wants to work with. lol

you mean like jacko?

GO MAIRI GO GO GO!!!
Don't look back ... no time for envious ... you must know you've already got my best energy  

Have you listened to Linda Thompson or Sandy Denny--great role models for female vocalists who never "oversing" the song like the chattering monkey Idol contestants.  Also, Maddy Prior.  

Or Hazel Dickens if you want a real folk voice.  She's featured in the John Sayles' movie Matewan.  

I'll look those up. I don't like those types of voices that are so whispy- I have a bit of a deeper, stronger voice, and I can't sing like a young girl, really.

There's nothing wispy about Hazel Dickens.  Or Sandy Denny or Maddy Prior.  All strong voices.  Linda Thompson has more fluid to her voice, but nothing wispy about her.

On another tack, how about Patti Smith or even Marianne Faithful.  Great strong low voices.  Patti's even got a mustache!

KD Lang perhaps? You already are studying the classic's I'd say.

Annie Lennox although I appreciate she's not 'typically' in your style but she is a fantastic singer and a strong lady.

I mainly prefer my darker skinned female singers. Arethra, Warwick, Jocelyn Brown, Lady Day, N'dea Davenport and on and on I could go.

Nina Simone has some great tones and phrases to sing along to. A different dimension to your reportoire perhaps?

Good luck regardless, just some idea's for you to consider.

Nina Simone is a great call.  I think a vocalist could learn alot about phrasing from her.  Also, she doesn't "oversing" the way some divas do.

I'd say the same thing about K.D. Lang.  Or Patsy Cline.  All of them know how to live a song, not just sing it.

Bessie Smith ain't so bad either!

I like Aretha, but I have to say her "Eleanor Rigby" is one of the more mis-guided covers.  She starts out "I'm Eleanor Rigby" only to die later in the song.   D'oh!

Apps, any opinions on Linda Thompson or Sandy Denny?  Great natural British singers IMHO.

They are names that have eluded my ears, I must confess....I shall keep an ear out.