Our guest on this episode of How I Learned to Sing is Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait. The frontman takes us back to his childhood, how he first fell in love with singing, support from his family, and the challenges that touring presents for a singer.
How Lee Jennings Began Singing + Early Influences
When Lee Jennings was around 13 years old, a moment listening to Evanescence’s Amy Lee on the radio transformed his life. “She had this classical voice. Very operatic,” he recalls, noting that he was already involved in musical theater and choir at that time. The dramatic flair of Lee’s voice captivated Jennings, leading him to wonder if this was his first musical crush. A memorable moment came when he had the chance to perform at the Aftershock festival, where he shared with Amy Lee how much her music influenced him. He fondly remembers, “She was like, ‘I don’t hear that often. It’s so cool to hear that from you guys.’ So it was a big special moment last year hearing that from her.”
School was not an easy environment for Jennings, but his choir teacher recognized his talent and encouraged his mother to arrange voice lessons for him. This intervention marked a pivotal moment in Jennings’ life, as he explains, “I finally found the one thing at school that made me feel comfortable and made me want to keep going to school because, for me, I never wanted to be there. I was tired of getting made fun of. I was basically six feet tall in elementary school, so, of course, all the bullies picked on me.”
His family played a significant role in nurturing his musical talent. The car became a cherished space for singing, with memories of his mother playing music from Blondie, Billy Idol, and Queen. As he explored his own musical tastes, including bands like Evanescence and The Used, he discovered his true passion for music.
Lee Jennings on Starting Bands
During the MySpace era, Jennings experimented with various musical styles, forming bands that ranged from electronic grindcore to “super scenecore.” He had a local project called Make Me Believe that gained popularity in northern Atlanta, and he even worked at a small venue where he helped book bands, including Circa Survive, from the ages of 14 to 21.
The formation of The Funeral Portrait was initially a light-hearted endeavor. Jennings never expected the band to evolve into a serious project, especially since they started by playing along to programmed drum beats. As he recorded his own music, he also began to produce tracks for other local bands, eventually building a home studio with assistance from his grandfather.
How Lee Jennings Maintains His Voice on Tour
Touring poses unique challenges for singers. Various factors can strain the voice, and what works for one artist may not necessarily apply to another. Jennings emphasizes the importance of understanding and trusting his voice and body, and recognizing the signs they signal.
Thanks to his classical training, Jennings has only lost his voice twice in a decade of touring. To prepare for performances, he shares, “I definitely warm it up. I definitely make sure I’m drinking a lot of water. I do some stretches because I do a lot of high kicks up onstage — I’m a big mover.”
Dive deeper into Jennings’ journey as a singer from his childhood to the present day by watching the full episode of How I Learned to Sing below.
How The Funeral Portrait’s Lee Jennings Learned to Sing
The Funeral Portrait in 2025
The Funeral Portrait is currently on Ice Nine Kills’ Hell of a Summer U.S. tour, which also features Dayseeker and Kim Dracula. This leg wraps up on September 13. Shortly thereafter, The Funeral Portrait will continue touring from September 18 through October 24 on In This Moment’s Black Mass trek, joined by Dayseeker and Ded. Following that, the band will head to Europe for an extensive tour from November into early December, bringing their total shows performed this year to over 100.
For tickets and more information, visit The Funeral Portrait’s official website.
2025 Rock + Metal Tour Guide
Stay updated on the bands touring in 2025, who is opening for them, and how to secure your tickets.
Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner
Conclusion
Lee Jennings’ journey from a young boy captivated by Amy Lee’s voice to the charismatic frontman of The Funeral Portrait showcases the profound impact of musical influences and familial support. As he continues to navigate the challenges of touring and performance, his commitment to his craft remains unwavering. For fans and aspiring musicians alike, Jennings’ story serves as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of one’s dreams.
FAQs
Who is Lee Jennings?
Lee Jennings is the frontman of the band The Funeral Portrait and a passionate singer with roots in musical theater and choir.
What inspired Lee Jennings to start singing?
Jennings was inspired by the operatic voice of Amy Lee from Evanescence, which sparked his passion for music during his teenage years.
How does Lee maintain his vocal health while touring?
Jennings maintains his vocal health by warming up, staying hydrated, and stretching before performances, drawing on his classical training.
What tours is The Funeral Portrait currently on?
The Funeral Portrait is on tour with Ice Nine Kills and will also join In This Moment for their Black Mass tour, followed by a European tour.
