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Tim Storms

Tim Storms (born August 28, 1972) is an American singer and composer best known for his exceptionally deep bass voice, which has earned him for the lowest vocal note produced by a male and the widest by a male. Born in , and raised in Waterloo, Indiana, Storms discovered his passion for music at a young age while singing at a , where he first noticed the unusual depth of his voice. His voice, which never underwent the typical adolescent deepening but continued to lower with age, led him to pursue a professional singing career shortly after high school, initially in and touring with various groups. By 1998, he had established himself as an entertainer in , performing with the group 50s at the Hop and later as the bass singer for the vocal group Pierce Arrow. Storms' records were first recognized in 2000 and published in 2006, with his widest measured at 10 octaves—from G/G♯−5 (0.7973 Hz) to G/G♯5 (807.3 Hz)—achieved on August 1, 2008, at Citywalk Studios in . He further extended his fame in 2012 by setting the record for the lowest vocal note, G−7 (0.189 Hz), verified on March 30 at the same studio using specialized acoustic equipment and witnessed by music professors and an acoustician. That year, he won ' Bass Hunter competition, leading to a collaboration with the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir on the album , where he performed the deeply resonant . Storms continues to tour with ensembles and has developed an appreciation for through such projects, performing across the while maintaining his base in .

Early life

Childhood and upbringing

Tim Storms was born on August 28, 1972, in . He spent much of his early life in , , a small town in DeKalb County characterized by its rural landscapes and close-knit community of approximately 2,200 residents. The modest, community-oriented setting of offered Storms a stable environment during his formative years, shaping his personal growth amid everyday small-town rhythms. Following high school graduation, he relocated to pursue opportunities that led into his professional path.

Initial musical interests

Tim Storms exhibited early signs of musical talent through his naturally low voice, which was evident even during childhood and did not undergo the typical adolescent changes. At around eight years old, he discovered his affinity for music by listening to Christian groups and instinctively gravitating toward the bass parts, which he could sing along to with ease. By , Storms became more serious about , regularly performing lines an lower than written to accommodate his deepening . This period marked the initial development of his distinctive voice, as he explored across various styles, particularly within contexts such as informal group and local activities. His early exposure to harmonies fostered a foundational interest that emphasized low-register techniques. Shortly after graduating high school, Storms returned to to pursue a career in , marking the transition from informal interests to structured involvement. This step built directly on his childhood and adolescent experiences, where his low voice had already set him apart in casual musical settings like family or community gatherings.

Musical career

Early performances and groups

After graduating high school in the early , Tim Storms transitioned from his initial musical interests into professional performances with Christian ensembles, where his profound voice served as a foundational element in group harmonies. Storms began by singing with Acappella, a renowned Christian group, from 1995 to 1996, contributing to their vocal arrangements during live tours and recordings that emphasized tight, unaccompanied harmonies. He then joined AVB (Acappella Vocal Band), another Christian a cappella outfit affiliated with Acappella, as their bass singer from 1996 to 1999, where he provided deep support vocals for both independent performances and backup roles in larger productions. During this period, Storms also performed with Vocal Union, a Christian a cappella group, from 1999 to 2001, showcasing his low-range capabilities in ensemble settings that toured churches and events across the . Additionally, he appeared with , an early Christian a cappella ensemble, further honing his skills in group dynamics and live delivery. Later in his early career, from 2001 to 2004, Storms sang bass for , a Christian a cappella group originating from , participating in their national tours and recorded projects that highlighted layered vocal textures. These experiences in the and early established Storms as a sought-after vocalist in the community, with his distinctive low notes adding depth and resonance to the groups' performances.

Branson theater work

Storms established himself as a prominent performer in Branson, Missouri's vibrant theater scene starting in the late . He first gained local recognition through his appearances with the a cappella ensemble in the production "50s ," a nostalgic celebrating music and culture, where he contributed his distinctive vocals to the group's harmonious performances from onward. In 2006, Storms joined the Pierce Arrow Theater as a core member of the Pierce Arrow vocal group, serving as the bass singer in their high-energy that blended harmonies, comedy, and classic hits. His tenure there, which lasted approximately eight years until around 2014, featured nightly residencies that showcased his ability to anchor complex vocal arrangements and deliver solo bass lines in genres ranging from gospel to pop standards. Throughout his Branson theater engagements, Storms played a key role in elevating the local music scene by adapting traditional songs to accommodate his extraordinary vocal range, often incorporating low-frequency elements that highlighted his Guinness-recognized bass capabilities and added a unique depth to the productions. These adaptations, performed live in intimate theater settings, helped distinguish Branson's entertainment offerings and influenced subsequent vocal ensembles in the area by demonstrating the dramatic impact of sub-bass singing in live variety formats.

International tours and collaborations

Tim Storms expanded his musical reach through international tours with Christian groups, performing in , , , , and . These tours allowed him to showcase his exceptional bass voice in diverse cultural settings, fostering cross-cultural appreciation for choral . In , Storms starred in the 2013 Apotome, which premiered at the Festival d'Automne à and was exhibited at the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle in , as well as in , , and in 2014. This project highlighted his vocal talents in a multimedia context, blending with across European and American audiences. A significant collaboration occurred in 2012 when Storms won a competition, leading to his recording with the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir in for the Tranquillity: Voices of Deep Calm, released by . His uniquely low register contributed to tracks such as "The Twelve Brigands" and "," providing profound bass foundations that enhanced the album's theme of deep calm and serenity. This partnership with the renowned Russian choir exemplified the impact of Storms' voice in international choral projects, bridging American and Eastern European musical traditions and earning promotion through interviews in and . Storms continues his international performances, including appearances in at ACAFEST in November 2024 and in in July 2024, collaborating with local groups.

Guinness World Records

Lowest vocal note record

Tim Storms achieved the for the lowest vocal note produced by a male on March 30, 2012, when he sang the note G-7 at a of 0.189 Hz during a recording session at Citywalk Studios in . This infrasonic pitch, equivalent to one vibration cycle every 5.29 seconds, surpasses the previous record and remains unbroken as of 2025. The verification process involved independent witnesses, including two college music professors and an acoustician, who observed the attempt and measured the sound using specialized Bruel & Kjaer equipment: a low-frequency capable of capturing sub-audible vibrations, a precision sound analyzer, and a for post-recording to confirm the . This rigorous setup was necessary because 0.189 Hz falls well below the human hearing range of approximately 20 Hz to 20 kHz, rendering the note inaudible without amplification or visualization tools. Storms first attempted to claim the record in 2000, producing a note measured at 8 Hz—about 12 Hz below the typical lower limit of human audition—which was officially certified by in January 2002 and later published in the 2006 edition of the book. He reclaimed the title in 2012 after it had been surpassed by another vocalist, marking his second successful challenge to the category.

Widest vocal range record

Tim Storms achieved the Guinness World Record for the greatest by a on , 2008, spanning 10 octaves from G/G♯−5 to G/G♯5. This accomplishment was recorded at Citywalk Studios in , where precise measurements confirmed the range's extent. The lower extreme of this range, G/G♯−5, highlights Storms' exceptional register as part of his full spectrum. The record was verified by through detailed hertz analysis, registering frequencies from 0.7973 Hz at the lowest note to 807.3 Hz at the highest, equivalent to 9 octaves and 11 semitones in concert tuning. This measurement surpassed prior benchmarks for male vocalists, establishing Storms as the holder of the widest documented range for a male at the time. In historical context, the achievement built upon Storms' earlier vocal feats, including initial recognitions claimed in 2000 and published in 2006, which laid the foundation for his expanding capabilities.

Awards and honors

Branson recognitions

Tim Storms was voted Branson's Bass Vocalist of the Year from 1999 to 2001, earning the accolade for three consecutive years in recognition of his exceptional performances within the local music scene. In 2001, he was inducted into the Branson Entertainers' Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions to the area's vibrant entertainment community. These honors reflect Storms' prominence in , widely regarded as the , where over 100 live shows featuring music, theater, and variety acts draw millions of visitors annually to its numerous theaters and venues. The Bass Vocalist of the Year award, determined by local industry votes, underscores the high regard for specialized vocal talents in Branson's tight-knit community of performers specializing in country, gospel, and nostalgic revues. Similarly, induction into the Entertainers' Hall of Fame celebrates enduring impact on the region's cultural landscape, alongside other notable figures in music and stage production. The recognitions significantly bolstered Storms' career trajectory in Branson, solidifying his reputation as a leading singer and opening doors to sustained theater engagements, including his performances with the cast of "50s " and later joining the Pierce Theater in 2006. This local acclaim provided a foundation for his long-term presence in the area's entertainment ecosystem, enhancing his visibility among audiences and peers.

Other achievements

In 2012, Tim Storms was featured on in an interview discussing his for vocal extremes, during which he described winning a competition to perform a low E note—more than two octaves below middle C—for composer Paul Mealor's album Tranquillity: Voices of Deep Calm alongside the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir. That same year, he appeared in a segment highlighting his 10-octave and ability to produce notes audible primarily to elephants, such as G-7 at 0.189 Hz. Additional media coverage, including a Classic FM interview, has showcased his techniques for achieving ultra-low pitches, emphasizing controlled vocal fry and resonance rather than simplistic methods like excessive alcohol consumption. Storms' records first appeared in the Guinness World Records 2006 edition, recognizing his initial achievements from 2000 in lowest note and widest range, with subsequent verifications in 2008 and 2012 solidifying his status in the publication's annual updates. Beyond records, Storms has contributed to notable recordings, including his performance on Mealor's from the 2012 Decca album , which incorporates the lowest note ever composed for and for which he won the international "Bass Hunter" competition. His discography includes tracks like "Lonesome Road" and pieces such as "Nearer Still Nearer," available on platforms like and , demonstrating applications of his range in contemporary and traditional genres. Storms' vocal extremes have influenced bass singing by inspiring specialized competitions and compositions requiring sub-audible frequencies, fostering greater public and musical interest in the physiological limits of production and techniques for deep resonance.

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