If you’ve ever thought, “It’s too late to chase my dream,” think again. At 60, I decided to become a singer—and trust me, it’s a story you’ll want to hear. This is where we celebrate trying something new, taking big leaps, and going against the grain—no matter your age or stage in life. Let me share how I took that first step.
My First Leap of Faith
I never thought I’d be a singer. It wasn’t even on my radar. But one day, during a mortgage application meeting, my opera singer client casually told me, “Norman, you’ve got an incredible voice. You must be a phenomenal singer.” My immediate thought? This lady has completely lost her marbles.
But somehow, when she offered to give me lessons, I said yes.
Those early lessons were a riot. I couldn’t hit a single note to save my life. My teacher had me sing scales, and it sounded like a dying cat trying to yodel. At one point, she’d play two notes on the piano and ask, “Which one’s higher?” And I’d confidently say, “Uh, ummm… number 1?” Wrong. Every time. But eventually, I got it somewhat right—50% of the time!
At first, I kept my lessons a secret. A 60-year-old mortgage broker turning into a singer? Sinatra, I ain’t. But eventually, I couldn’t resist sharing. My family’s reactions? Well, let’s just say it didn’t go over so well. My kids laughed, my wife rolled her eyes, and even the imaginary dog would’ve left the room.
A few months later, though, despite my bruised ego, I tried again—this time singing to my 6-year-old granddaughter, She was the only one who didn’t laugh the first time around, so I figured I’d try again. I sang my heart out, and when I finished, she looked up at me with her big, bright eyes and said, “Grandpa, that’s the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard.” And that’s when it hit me: there’s an audience for everyone.
My First Audition
Fast forward to one of my first auditions. I had to record myself singing Somewhere from West Side Story. Picture this: I’m sitting at my desk, trying to look serious. Six seconds in, I stopped, shook my head, and said, “Oh, f***!” (Sorry for the language, but it was too funny not to share.) When I showed the video to my singing teacher, she laughed so hard I thought she’d fall off her chair.
My First Foray into Public Singing
Another one of my early adventures involved joining a local group called the Gotham Rock Choir. I still couldn’t sing a single note to save my life, so I’m not sure why they let me in. Maybe it was because I have a deep bass-baritone voice, and they needed more men. Either way, I was in!
After a year with the choir, I decided—nervously, but with a spark of courage—to audition for a solo. The choir director told us he wanted people to each sing one line from Let It Be by The Beatles. I chose the very first line, “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” Easy, right? Wrong! For weeks, I practiced that one line obsessively. By the time I auditioned, I could’ve sung it in my sleep—or so I thought.
When the concert came, I stood in front of a 100-person choir, dripping with sweat, visibly shaking, and staring out at an audience that included a dozen of my friends and business associates. The music started… and I froze. Completely blanked out. Finally, a few measures in, I came to my senses and belted out my line. But it was so shaky and off-key that the poor guy singing after me went off-key too. It was a domino effect of wrong notes. A complete fiasco!
After the show, though, my friends and colleagues came up, congratulating me on my “amazing” performance. I was so happy with their praise that I honestly believed I’d done okay. It wasn’t until a year later that I had the courage to watch the video—and I just laughed. It was such a pitiful performance, but it’s one of my favorite memories. It reminds me how important it is to try, even when the results are far from perfect.
Dressing Up and Taking Risks
Now, I’ve always loved a bit of theatrical flair. So when I had the chance to sing If I Were King of the Forest from The Wizard of Oz, I went all out—crown, cape, scepter, the whole nine yards. My wife, bless her heart, was probably wondering what she’d gotten herself into by marrying me. But hey, when you’re chasing a dream, you’ve got to commit!
(Watch the video at the very end where the coronation takes place!!!)
The Infamous ‘Adolpho’ Moment
My crowning achievement has to be performing I Am Adolpho from The Drowsy Chaperone. If you haven’t heard the song, it’s about a flamboyant character named Adolpho who’s convinced every woman on earth loves and adores him. Imagine a 70-year-old mortgage broker belting out, “The ladies love to cheer: “Adolpho!” I was hamming it up so much that even I couldn’t keep a straight face. My goal was to make people laugh—and judging by the audience’s reaction, I succeeded.
Inspiring Takeaway: Why It’s Worth Going Against the Norm
Here’s the thing: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about the process of learning and of achieving. It’s about having fun, trying something new, and proving to yourself—and maybe to everyone else—that it’s never too late to dream. Yes, you might fail. Yes, people might laugh. But they’ll laugh with you, sharing the fun and inspiration of your journey. Whether it’s performing for an audience, traveling the world, biking across the country, or finally learning something new, the dream is there for the taking. It just takes that first step.
Your Challenge
Now it’s your turn. Think about something you’ve always wanted to try but never dared to because it felt too “out there” or too “against the norm.” Then go do it. Start small, take baby steps, and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself along the way. Because life’s too short to stay in your comfort zone.
