Michael Potter, otherwise known as the Classy Cowboy and a junior majoring in vocal performance, performed in his junior recital at the McKay Auditorium on Wednesday Nov. 18.
William Walter Arnett III, a senior majoring in music from Arizona, has known Potter for two years and introduced on stage. Arnett said, “Mike’s a classy cowboy. He has a super classy personality and a very unique person. He sings classical and country, which is super unique.”
For his junior recital, Potter sang in the languages of Italian, English and German.
According to Arnett, classical is the basis of all music and one of the hardest to master. “Once you grasp classical you can move to anything you want to. He has a fantastic voice. Just listen to him talk. He has a very connected, masculine, deep, rezone, powerful and manly voice.”
Potter said he enjoys both classical and country music. His and his teacher picked the music selection, and he has been working on them the whole semester. “Mike’s just a good guy, good to the core. Never find him doing anything wrong. He’s a solid guy,” said Arnett.
Harmony Laufou, a senior from Hawaii majoring in vocal performance, has been friends with Potter for about two years. “His performance was very Mike Potter. He’s pretty classy but a bit of a goof ball with a serious love for theater and drama. He loves to be in the spotlight but is still very humble. From the song choice, to his suit, to the way he carried himself on stage was very true to him and his being.”
Many of Potter’s friends from music classes came to support him, like Brittany Tanuvasa from Oregon, who is majoring in vocal performance. Tanuvasa said, “I thought it was an amazing performance because we are both vocal performance majors and I’ve heard him sing and he has come a long way. I almost teared up because I was so proud of him. The last number especially was really powerful.”
Music has made a big impact on Potter’s life. He remembers his first lessons with Professor Michael Belnap. He brought his guitar in and sang a Marty Robins song. Belnap said it was really good and that was the voice they needed for classical. “For classical singing you don’t scoop, but with country that’s a big aspect. I would find myself fighting that. Singing a lot of country helped more than it hurt me.”
Potter said his awesome teachers have influenced his singing career. “When I sing country, I also have tendency to have a growl sound, so have to get rid of that. I remember there was this one singing lesson and he said pretend to be your favorite opera singer and I was over the top with it and he said that the sound I want and that was a turning point.”
Ever since he played the guitar at the age of 13, Potter was majorly influenced by Jonny Cash and sang a lot of his songs. “I think I should do a tribute to Jonny Cash concert.”
As many known him by the Classy Cowboy, Potter said, “Nothing makes me happier than being covered up in dirt in the ranch, but I love classical music.”