A few months ago I posted my first "performer profile" (of Roger Anthony "Yolanda" Mapes). The idea is to ask several performers a stock set of questions and get to know them a little bit better.
Today I'm profiling singer Dwight Thomas Vaughn. I met him as Tom, a singer from a social group made up of many performing artists looking to get more out of their creative lives.
Tom made a clear intention of what he wanted to achieve and, a year and many gigs later, he's booked a show at Iridium. And, as you can see in the video below, he's singing his lungs out and having a lot of fun line dancing around New York City. You can't ask for more than that.
The countrified version of his act is new (to me at least) but it's one of those things that seemed to be there all along. Kind of like how Yolanda performed as a drag queen, then as a country singer, then walked down the Spiritual path and now has combined it all becoming a drag queen Gospel singer. Yolanda without the Gospel seems wrong. Tom without the Dwight seems equally incomplete. :)
So, today enjoy getting to know, Dwight Thomas Vaughn!
BroadwayWorld.com also nominated Dwight Thomas in the category of Best Male Debut for his cabaret show “Trail of Cheers” which opened at the Metropolitan Room last year and continued on to The Laurie Beechman Theatre and at two venues in his native state of Missouri last summer.
His music video “Don’t Come A Knockin”, based on music from his CD release, was shot in NY this past fall and can be found on YouTube (below).
As a composer, Mr. Vaughn released his first CD “Liquid Life” in 2003. Music from Liquid was featured in live shows at the Pyramid Club, SBNY, the Sound Factory as well as the Limelight. As a studio musician Dwight Thomas has helped by providing back-up vocals on the Lucie Arnaz CD “Latin Roots”, produced by Ron Abel and Lucie Arnaz on the LML label.
City You Live In: New York, NY
What Stripe of Artist Are You? Singer/Songwriter
How To Contact Tom: www.tomvaughnmusic.com
Current Project: Dwight Thomas Vaughn & The Missouri Statesmen at the Iridium Jazz Club - April 2, 2013 - 2 shows at 8 & 10
Fun Performing Thing You Did That Wasn’t A Traditional Acting Gig: I did a LOT of corporate work in the 90's with many many productions companies in the city. I have two favorite memories. One was performing at the "Gift Show" at 225 Fifth Avenue in a quartet of singers I put together singing small sets to themed evenings during "Gift Show Week". We did this twice a year for 3 years. We had to do the same number on all 12 floors! We nick-named it "Ground Hog Day" after the movie because of the repetition. The other was at Mohegan Sun where I had to portray James T. Kirk for a Star Trek skit.
Role in a Play and/or Musical That You Can’t Wait to Play: Jekyl & Hyde
Role in a Movie That You Will Be Perfect For When They Remake It: Hank Williams - a bio pic
Favorite Compliment a Director Has Given You: "Nice Timing" - During "Nunsense Amen" and the cooking with the BVD scene in a production on Fire Island.
What’s On Your Resume Under “Special Skills”? Lei maker
What Are You Currently Doing Show-wise? Dwight Thomas Vaughn & The Missouri Statesmen - April 2, at the Iridium
Dwight Thomas Vaughn & The Missouri Statesmen @ The Iridium April 2, 2013
Comments