October 5, 2009 - In January 2010, NPR will launch a year-long exploration of 50 of the great voices in recorded history. With the series, we're hoping to discover and re-discover awe-inspiring vocalists from around the world and across time. Through archival material, interviews and music, NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered will spend the year delving into the lives and legacies of these voices. But we don't know yet whose voices they'll be.

Between Oct. 5 and Oct. 16, we're asking you — NPR listeners and readers — to tell us who in the whole world possesses the most beautiful, singular voice you have ever heard. Leave your picks, along with a sentence defending each choice and a link to an audio clip if possible, in the comments below, or email GreatVoices@npr.org.

We'll compile your nominations, along with those of our panel of experts, academics and public-radio critics. At that point, we'll name the nominees and ask you to help us winnow them down to the 50 great voices we'll profile in the coming year. We're relying on you to remind us of those voices we may have forgotten or never got the chance to hear; those voices that may sound strange to Western ears; vocalists silenced by politics or history; the singers who are only really embraced by critics and those who are heroes of the everyday listener. No voice is too outlandish, too old or too compromised. It's All Voices Considered here, and we can't wait to see and hear what you send us.

Hey - Johnny Cash is on the list! Please go to the NPR Website and nominate him as one of your top 5 picks...

Thanks!!!

Thanks Shawn...I placed my picks!

Me too Shawn....guess who I put first???

Thanks for voting!!!! :-)