Felson Palad, Fil-Am Gospel Artist Discovers Fulfillment in Sharing Powerful Voice with Retirement Homes”

I discovered the incredible musical prowess of gospel artist Felson Palad through Instagram. While already a follower of his wife, Donita Rose—a former Philippine movie actress turned chef—my interest piqued when she introduced her fiancé. Intrigued, I began following Felson and was immediately captivated by the exceptional quality of his voice. Whether performing covers of Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up” or Jeffrey Osborne’s “Wings of Love,” Felson exhibits a vocal tone that is both rich and resonant, conveying profound emotions that resonate with both the lyrics and the audience.

I reached out to Felson Palad to uncover the beginnings of his singing journey, learn about his dream collaboration with an artist, and discover what achievement he holds most dear.

Ruchel: How did you first discover your passion for singing?
Felson: My mother, originally from the Philippines, has a deep love for music, particularly the classics of crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones. At the tender age of seven, I have vivid memories of entertaining my family and neighbors by singing in our living room. Prompted by my mom, who would usher them in, I would perform the songs they requested. Unsure of my pitch accuracy, as my music teacher later pointed out that I was off-tune, I remained blissfully unaware at the time. I simply sang whenever they asked, laying the foundation for my journey, development, and a resilient attitude toward opinions on my singing abilities.

Ruchel: Do you intend to stay in the US to expand your singing career or in the Philippines?
Felson: I had been singing in churches in the Philippines. Later, I was sent to Israel as a worship leader. Subsequently, the ministry based in Orange County recognized my talent and petitioned for my relocation to the US. Here, my role expanded to being a singer for retirement homes, which serves as a ministry for us. Providing entertainment and music holds significant importance in our mission.

Ruchel: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Felson: I’ve had the privilege of collaborating in live performances with renowned gospel singers such as Don Moen and Lenny LeBlanc. Additionally, I had the opportunity to sing and translate a song for Tommy Walker, another esteemed gospel artist. Looking ahead, my aspiration is to collaborate with legends in the field. One of my musical and vocal heroes is George Benson, and it’s a dream of mine to join forces with him.

Ruchel: How do you prepare for your shows or concerts?
Felson: Since I’ve dedicated myself to singing full-time, my daily routine involves a meticulous two-hour preparation. I allow a two-hour window immediately upon waking up before diving into my vocal warm-up routine, which lasts for about an hour and a half. Additionally, I incorporate stretching exercises into my routine, recognizing the importance of flexibility in enhancing my vocal performance.

Ruchel: If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
Felson: I love legends and old school music. I would love to open for Barbra Streisand, Michael Buble, Tom Jones and other old school music.

Ruchel: What would you be doing right now if it wasn’t for your music career?
Felson: Before I came in the US I was a biology teacher for food micro biology and basic genetics. I was a university teacher back in the Philippines.

Ruchel: Which famous musicians do you admire?
Felson: I like different kinds of genres. I actually sing some opera songs. I love Mario Lanza, Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra. I love country music too but I am not into heavy metal rock. But I do sing 70s, slow rock music like Journey and many more.

Ruchel: What’s an average day like for you?
Felson: I perform two to five times a day, bringing my music to various retirement homes. As a partner, I’m involved with 70 retirement homes across Orange County. Occasionally, I extend my reach to include performances in LA, Beverly Hills, and Riverside, ensuring that those within a 60-70 mile radius who appreciate my music can enjoy my performances.

Ruchel: Which skills have you gained that help you perform effectively as a musician?
Felson: It may sound deeply spiritual, but I incorporate prayer into every aspect of my preparation. I take time to pray for people I haven’t met, for my audience, and for the songs I’ll be performing that day. This practice is not only a spiritual discipline but an integral part of my daily routine, alongside my vocal exercises.

Ruchel: What’s in the pipeline?
Felson: I frequently have performances within the Filipino-American community, and I also have regular shows at retirement homes. Interested individuals can check my website at https://www.felsonpalad.com/ for updates, where I occasionally post my schedules

Ruchel: What are you most proud of today
Felson: I am deeply passionate about my ministry of singing in retirement homes. Some may perceive it as mere karaoke singing, dismissing its significance, but I firmly believe that we are all called for a specific purpose. I hold the conviction that our talents should serve a purpose and align with a mission. In music and singing, I have discovered and embraced that purpose and mission.