Tanner Massey – an adventure begins!

“Don’t just wish on a star; be a star”   Tanner Massey

Tanner MasseyIt is always exciting to introduce new talent to Torchlight Talent and 11-year-old Tanner is both brand new and amazingly talented! Tanner is a natural performer with a tangible passion for his art.

The Texas-born Oklahoma boy lives to sing! Tanner tells us on his YouTube channel:

“I love just about everything about singing. There are very few things about singing that I dislike right now!”

Tanner’s father told me the story of how he realised his son had real talent. They first noticed his amazing voice while he was singing along to a computer game! Tanner would always be singing – any time any place – and eventually they decided it was time to invest in voice lessons. After much searching, they found a singing teacher who was able to push Tanner in the right direction and, to hear him sing now, it would be easy to think that Tanner had been singing competitively all his life. Knowing that it has only been a matter of months suggests to me that there is a very exciting future ahead for Tanner – both vocally and for his music career.tksing1

Tanner has been heavily influenced by the voice and music of Bruno Mars and shares some of that highly 
successful singer’s easy tone and charming personality. However, Tanner also has a powerful voice with incredible dynamic potential and he hinted to me that there might be some power-ballad performances on the horizon. Tanner loves to sing and his enthusiasm comes across clearly in his performing. Not all recording artists are also able to hold an audience but, as well as having a naturally expressive voice, Tanner has a talent for communicating with crowds and individuals in a way that is very rare for one so young. Watch him performing live – click here: 

Tanner sings 'Hallelujah'

It may be surprising to hear that Tanner has struggled considerably with nerves to the extent that they would choke him up and prevent him from singing to his full potential. In the beginning, he flat out refused to sing in public and it took two months to convince him that he had a talent not to be wasted. Gradually, Tanner has been working to overcome these nerves and to hear him perform now you would think he was born on the stage! Much of this progress has been due to the encouragement he receives from his fans. In his own words:

Tanner in kitchen“I love support! I love people that cheer other people on and I love every single person right now!”

For a young artist in Tanner’s position at such an early stage of his career, a little encouragement will go a very long way. If you want to support youth music and make an enthusiastic 11-year-old smile, make sure you follow Tanner on whatever social media you use and let him know that you are behind him in his musical adventure:

As usual, I asked Tanner what advice he would give to other young people trying to achieve their musical dreams. He gave me a fantastic quote:

tannerdaredevil“Don’t just wish on a star; be a star!”

Tanner would like to thank Ray Sams and family (including his daughter, vocal artist Taylor Renee), Kevin and Laura Tatum (Heartland Opry) and ‘the many, many wonderful people on Twitter’ who have supported him in his journey. Tanner would especially like to thank his dad for driving to his gigs and always having his back.

“Thank you all (including Torchlight Talent) for being wonderful by getting Tanner’s name out to people.  We appreciate all you do.”  Tanner’s management

Will B Whitesell, Actor, Singer, Musician, Rising Star!

WillBLogo2015

“With hard work and believing you can live your dream.”    Will B Whitesell 

THE ARTIST

Will B Whitesell
Will B Whitesell

Twelve year old William Brandon Whitesell or better known as “Will B” was born August 18, 2002 in Las Vegas, NV.   He goes by Will B, his middle name; because he says the “B” is for BELIEVE! 

Will is one of 5 children in the family but the only one who is into the music world. “He has been since he was 2”, says his Mother Tammy. “We noticed Will would sing songs all day long and change the words to what it sounded like. Everywhere we would go Will would attract attention.” 

When Will was 12 months old he was entered into a baby pageant and won almost every category. His family didn’t take it too seriously, because to them he was special no matter what, but it seemed others could see it from the moment they met him. Will just seems to have a special charm that brings out the best in others, generating smiles and laughter, making this one of his greatest attributes. 

Will B Whitesell swing 2015
Will B Whitesell

His parents shared, that when Will was 8 they enrolled him in a few acting lessons because he was so funny and loved to entertain. The instructors asked if Will could sing and they said a little, like any other 8 year old. So he sang for them and they thought it was cute. A little over a year later they asked him to sing in front of a showcase. Will said ok and told them he wanted to sing Adelle. They said no, that he couldn’t do that, but he insisted. Little did they know he had been listening to Adelle all day every day and had been studying her. “Will came out and sang and everyone was blown away, especially us”, said his Mom. “We didn’t know he had taught himself to sing! It was amazing.”

Will despises Bullying! Because of that, he started anti-bullying events in schools and local radio stations. “Will wants a world of peace and love”, says is Mom. “He is known to be a hugging machine, hugging everyone he meets! He is a very lovable young man.” 

THE ACTOR

At 10 years old Will was called on to audition for a Musical. His parents were a bit reluctant because Will hadn’t had much experience in musical stage performance, but decided to go anyway. To their delight the audition was a complete success with them loving Will! While they still had auditions to do in LA and NY they told Will’s parents that they would let them know. A short time later they officially awarded Will a placement in the cast for an 11 month tour of the United States. Knowing what a great adventure it would be they accepted the appointment and with great anticipation got ready for the tour. 

“It was a big decision for us”, said his parents, “Will loved school and was an A – B honor roll student all through school, and this would mean being away from school and his friends and family. But in spite of that, Will wanted to do it. A private teacher was assigned to travel with them helping Will to keep his grades up. Will worked 6 days a week usually traveling on the 7th day, and did school 4 days a week for 11 months. “He loved it and never complained”, said Mom. 

Will B Whitesell water 2015

When Will completed the tour he did 2 movies, both bully movies, one where he played the part of a bully and the other where he gets bullied. I’m told they should be out late 2015. 

Will has done two commercials and a web series. He takes his craft very seriously taking acting classes and vocal lessons. In addition he is also now enrolled in dance lessons. He is currently home schooled through Connections Academy and doing extremely well. He’s been very busy touring with JoJo Siwa from dance moms and with Kidz Bop. 

THE SINGER

Will is currently recording his own EP which will have 5 new songs, 4 covers, and 1 original that he helped write, “I Will B Yours”.

Iwillb musicvideoWATCH WILL’S NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Will sings all day long, it’s in his heart. He’s learning Guitar and Ukulele and also enjoys playing the keyboard and piano. If that’s not enough, he wants to add drums to his many musical talents. 

When it comes to acting, Will is amazing! He writes his own scripts often in class. His class mates are so impressed they ask him to write some for them too. Like all preteens Will can’t wait till August when he turns 13!  A legit Teenager! 

Will is great when it comes to social skills. The younger ones look up to him and the older ones enjoy hanging out with him. Will has a very positive outlook on life and brings that same energy everywhere he goes, providing encouragement and showing love and support to everyone. Will simply loves everyone and somehow always finds the good in everything and everyone. His Mom told him that he was a combination of Bob Hope, Jim Carrey, and Sam Smith! (The heart and brain of Bob Hope, the comedy of Jim Carrey and the voice of Sam Smith!) 

THE PERSON

Will B Whitesell 2015
Will B Whitesell

Will spends most of the day on something related to his dream. He writes short screenplays and creates short films cutting and editing them on his Apple Computer at home. Will loves Apple products.

While most kids are playing video games, not Will, he is in his room creating something to do with either music or movies!  

On a personal side, Will is a vegetarian. He loves animals and hates the thought of what happens to them. He is very conscientious about what he eats. A very healthy, smart kid who is into Chia, Flax, Almond milk, all kinds of healthy choices and in addition loves to cook his own creations.

Will’s hobbies usually have something to do with his Dream. He makes music, creates movies, attends shows or movies and is constantly learning from others. Outside of his career pursuits Will enjoys swimming, hiking, and spending time with his best friend and Buddy his dog! He is happy just hanging out with all his friends. 

His mentors in life are Billy Hufsey, his acting coach and Steven Ventic his music producer. 

He loves them both and is blessed to have them in his life. 

Will works very hard on fulfilling his dream to become a professional singer and actor and along the way wants to inspire other kids to follow their dreams.

After Fox 5 News saw Will perform live at the Silverton Casino, they featured him on their program saying, “Watch this kid! He’s going to be a singing sensation.”

 

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