Debi Selby

Lead & Background vocals

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28 Reviews (28 Verified)
Debi Selby on SoundBetter

Top Nashville Session Vocalist for Major Artists (Celine Dion, Josh Groban, OneRepublic, Michael McDonald, CeCe Winans...)

Hi there! I’ve been a professional session vocalist in Nashville for 20+ years and have sung on projects for artists such as Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Ben Rector, Michael McDonald, Reba McEntire, One Republic, Donny McClurkin, NF, Jonny Lang, CeCe Winans, Don Henley, Big Kenny, Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp and Francesca Battistelli to name a few. I've traveled as a background singer for Michael W. Smith, Mandisa and as a worship leader for Beth Moore and Stormie Omartian. I have recorded for film and TV including movies War Room and Beautifully Broken and TV shows Nashville (ABC) and Greenleaf (OWN). I have also had the opportunity to sing on many recordings for shows in Disneyland, California Adventure, Disney World and Tokyo Disney theme parks (Wonderful World of Color, Electric Light Parade, Castle Shows). You can also hear my voice on video game FarCry5. I specialize in soulful, powerful vocals. I sing full time doing sessions ranging from sight-reading choral print sessions to pop to black gospel background sessions. Through the years I've sung on projects of all different styles. I’d love to work with you!

www.debiselby.com.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Debi Selby
  • CeCe Winans
  • Newsboys
  • Gaither Vocal Band
  • Matt Maher
  • Josh Groban
  • Micah Tyler
  • Natalie Grant
  • Natalie Grant
  • Mandisa
  • Tommee Profitt
  • Donnie McClurkin
  • Michael W. Smith
  • Selah
  • Selah
  • Danny Gokey
  • Laura Story
  • Joe Pesci
  • Zach Williams
  • NF
  • Sanctus Real
  • Michael W. Smith
  • Francesca Battistelli
  • Francesca Battistelli
  • CeCe Winans
  • Michael W. Smith
  • Nashville Tribute Band
  • Micah Tyler
  • Mandisa
  • Nathan East
  • Jonny Lang
  • Greenleaf Cast
  • Hannah Kerr
  • Casting Crowns
  • Matt Redman
  • Danny Gokey
  • Becki Bice
  • Reba McEntire
  • Tim Hughes
  • Sidewalk Prophets
  • Becki Bice
  • Francesca Battistelli
  • Nathan East
  • Nathan East
  • Carman
  • Pamelaia Sanders
  • Adrielle K
  • Jeremy Camp
  • Natalie Grant
  • Mandisa
  • NewSong
  • NewSong
  • Dara MacLean
  • Don Moen
  • Christy Nockels
  • Matt Redman
  • Don Moen
  • Órla Fallon
  • Mark Schultz
  • Mark Schultz
  • Natalie Grant
  • CeCe Winans
  • Jeremy Camp
  • Michael W. Smith
  • Keith & Kristyn Getty
  • Keith & Kristyn Getty
  • Mark Schultz
  • Mark Schultz
  • Don Moen
  • Jason Crabb
  • Mandisa
  • Michael McDonald
  • CeCe Winans
  • Mandisa
  • Mandisa
  • Helen Baylor
  • Tony Orlando & Dawn
  • Kristin Chenoweth
  • Dennis Jernigan
  • CeCe Winans
  • CeCe Winans
  • CeCe Winans
  • VeggieTales
  • Audio Adrenaline
  • David Phelps
  • Stormie Omartian
  • Stormie Omartian
  • Vicki Yoh'e
  • Helen Baylor
  • Selah
  • Aurora
  • Cindy Paulos
  • Joe Pesci
  • Josh Groban
  • Michael Booth
  • Count Laws
  • David Rives
  • Adriam Lobaina
  • Gordon Mote
  • Stephanie Newton
  • Summit Worship
  • Helene Fischer
  • Bruce Cudmore
  • Leanne Leslie
  • Crowder
  • Belinda Jane
  • Gretchen Keskeys
  • Jen Haugland

Languages

  • English

28 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients

Endorse Debi Selby
  1. Review by Garrett T.
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    Wow! Talk about knocking it out of the park. Debi did an exceptional job on my project. You should have seen the look on my mixing engineer's face when her BGV's kicked in. Thank you, Debi!

  2. Review by Terry Ilous
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    By far one of my favorite singers ! She is so good it's scary ,a true gem period !

  3. Review by Steven W.
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    Excellent, powerful, vocals.

  4. Review by Michael Canaan
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    Debi has a worshipper's heart, and a spectacular voice to match. She sang wonderfully on my project, providing both awesome lead and amazing background vocals! She is truly gifted.

  5. Review by Jens S.
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    Debi is a wonderful and creative person to work with. Our communication was very professional and I got exactly what I needed for my production. I can only recommend working with Debi if you want results that are on point.

  6. Review by Moises Estrada
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    Great singer and amazing work. Very professional, highly recommended. I hope to work with Debi again in the future.

  7. Review by Edwin M.
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    Wow! That about does it! Debi is a pro’s pro and a singer’s singer. She was the right voice for this song and nailed it. Her variations to the original melody brought the ideal amount of color to the song. Her ability to communicate and facilitate the fantastic background vocals was a huge help. In this new world of collaboration at a distance, another example of how it can get done just as if we were all in the studio. Thanks Debi!!

  8. Review by Diederik B.
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    Wonderful voice and very professional. Definitely want to work with her again in the future.

  9. Review by Jari S.
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    Wow, Debi is nothing but fantastic! She delivered amazing world-class vocals and had great creative ideas. She is excellent at communication, very responsive and a breeze to work with. I can´t recommend her highly enough, it was truly a great experience from start to finish. I will definitely work with Debi again!

  10. Review by Stephen Moyer
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    Had the pleasure to work with Debi for the second time and unsurprisingly she delivered exactly what I was looking for again. She adds so much emotion to her vocals and has a fantastic ear for what fits. She’s so easy to work with, and I couldn’t recommend her more.

  11. Review by Mike C.
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    This was the first time working with Debi it definitely won't be the last. Her voice is so amazing and strong and the layers she added were next level. I can't wait to start on the next song!

  12. Review by Stephen Moyer
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    Debi was an absolute pleasure to work with and is a true professional. Delivered gospel background vocals that were exactly what I was looking for. She really took the time to get everything right but delivered the tracks in a timely manner. Highly recommend!

  13. Review by Darren F.
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    Debi was fantastic! Super pro vocals with feeling, great ideas that she brought to the track, and very clear and easy communication. Couldn't ask for anything more! Awesome. THANKS DEBI!

  14. Review by Esben K.
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    Amazing singer with a powerful and soulful voice. Believe me, you get what you ask for and then some! Great communication and delivery time as well, very professional. I strongly recommend Debi

  15. Review by Maximilian G.
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    Debi recorded high-quality vocals for us. The communication was very professional and we are looking forward to work with her again!

  16. Review by Chris T.
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    Really loved working with Debi! her voice is amazing and the recording quality is perfect! highly recommend!

  17. Review by mick h.
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    Debi is the best, the tippy top. I gave direction and with an option to do her thing. Boy, am I happy I added that part. Sometimes when you work with experienced pro players its best to hand some of it over.
    After all, its the universe that they know so well.
    Blessed to work with such talent.
    The results speak. Five stars from NYC

  18. Review by Jason C.
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    Debi is amazing and so versatile. So easy to work with and collaborative. She will make your song come to life and her vocal production is spot on!

  19. Review by Terry
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    by Terry
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    She is fantastic, period! Easy to work with and a great singer. I highly recommend her.

  20. Review by Nana J.
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    Professional and precise! Debi delivered as promised, on time and with great vocals! We’ll definitely do this again

Interview with Debi Selby

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: One of the most fun projects I got to work on in the past few years was for Jonny Lang. He has long been a huge favorite of mine because of the grit and soul in his voice. Plus he's a monster songwriter. I sang background vocals on several songs on his latest release "Signs". If you've not heard this amazing album, do yourself a favor and go listen to it!

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: My own EP. It's nearly finished and I'm really excited about it!

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Digital. For a vocalist it is a lifesaver...and a timesaver!

  7. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  8. A: I put 100% into every vocal I do and won't send you anything I wouldn't want my name on. I want you to be completely happy!

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: I love that every day I get to sing something different and work with all types of different artists, writers, producers and publishers. It keeps it interesting.

  11. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  12. A: If I were on a desert island...there would be no power...so therefore I'd just take my dog. ;-)

  13. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  14. A: I always ask if they have any ideas for BGV's before I start creating them. I always want to be mindful of their vision. I also ask if they have a scratch vocal I can listen to, to get a better idea of the direction they want to take.

  15. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  16. A: If you're looking to hire a singer, check out their demo reel but also other full recordings they might have on their website so you have a more complete idea of their voice and vocal strengths.

  17. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  18. A: 20+ years. I moved to Nashville in the early 90s and began doing vocal sessions shortly after that. My career has been built over many years of working with producers, artists, writers and publishers that have consistently branched out as people referred me and continued working with me. I'm also a worship leader and have traveled all over the country for different live events. I'm also on staff as a worship leader in my home church. I've been super blessed to do what I love for a living!

  19. Q: How would you describe your style?

  20. A: Soulful, powerful, emotional.

  21. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  22. A: Israel Houghton. I've sung with him before but I'd love to write and perform with him since I'm also a worship leader.

  23. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  24. A: Black gospel and R&B.

  25. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  26. A: Putting power and emotion into a vocal.

  27. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  28. A: Soulful, powerful vocals. I'm also hired a lot for rich, airy BGV's with lots of texture.

  29. Q: What's your typical work process?

  30. A: If I'm hired to do a lead and BGV's I will get the lead done first so I have something to build BGV's around. I usually do 2-3 stacks of each BGV part for fullness depending on the song or what the client has requested. I typically work in sections until I'm happy with the performance and then listen down start to finish a couple times to be sure all the punches are clean and the levels are consistent. I record dry so I can hear an accurate representation of my vocal. If it sounds good with no reverb at all, I know it will sound great once that's added by the client.

  31. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  32. A: Pro Tools 12, MacBook Pro, Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser Mic, Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 USB2 Audio Interface, AKG Closed Monitor Headphones.

  33. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  34. A: Tommy Sims, Timbaland, Kirk Franklin, Lauryn Hill, YEBBA, Jessie J, Stevie Wonder, Israel Houghton, Earth Wind & Fire, Jill Scott, Whitney Houston, P!NK, to name a few.

  35. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  36. A: Lead and background vocals

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Terms Of Service

AVERAGE PRICES: Lead vocal: $150-$250, BGVs: $150-$250 depending on the work involved. I want you to be 100% satisfied so I'm happy to make necessary changes. Turn around time is 2-7 days.

GenresSounds Like
  • Jessie J
  • P!nk
  • CeCe Winans
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