Vocal T to calm tired throats

By Guy D'Astolfo | March 26, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

The drink will be available at Powers Auditorium on Saturday.

GIRARD — Recording studio owner William G. Thompson has seen countless singers gulp down homemade concoctions over the years to soothe their throat.

One day he said to his wife, Beatrice, “You know, everyone drinks something to calm their throat, but why hasn’t anyone bottled it?”

She responded, “Did you hear what you just said?”

Thompson repeated his question, and then had a “Eureka!” moment.

The studio engineer and state trooper from McDonald was about to get into the beverage business.

That was three years ago. After many months of development, Thompson will roll out his product, Vocal T, this week.

“It’s made out of all-natural products that are good for a person’s throat,” said Thompson. He wouldn’t divulge the recipe but said the main ingredient is honey, which he purchases from Hill’s Apiary in New Wilmington, Pa.

Vocal T comes in three flavors: Honey Lemon, Honey Mint and Honey Lemon Mint.

“Singers are always making up their own concoctions, using vinegar, cayenne pepper — all kinds of crazy stuff,” said Thompson. “We did research and came up with blends which we tested on users ... and we got some strong testimonials” as to the effectiveness of Vocal T.

Thompson has contracted with Colteryahn Dairy of Pittsburgh to make the product and package, as well as distribute it in that area. He also has a warehouse in Lordstown from which he will handle Internet orders (www.vocalt.com) as well as local distribution. He plans to build a regional sales base before attempting national distribution.

Vocal T sells for $3.49 for a 20-ounce plastic bottle.

The beverage is not aimed at the general public; therefore, it will only be available in music and health-food stores and not supermarkets.

It is marketed toward anybody who uses his voice a lot: singers, preachers, actors, cheerleaders, politicians, announcers, broadcast media reporters and speakers.

The name, said Thompson, plays off the word “tea” — which has connotations of a pleasant and refreshing beverage — even though Vocal T contains no tea. He stressed that his product is not a medicine, but it does soothe and restore the throat.

Mahoning Valley residents will be among the first to get a chance to taste Vocal T. It will be available Saturday at Powers Auditorium in Youngstown for the premiere performance of local songwriter Darren Thomas’ oratorio “Forgiven.”

Thompson, a 30-year trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, has invented products in the past. He came up with a game called “Can You Rap” in 1994 and later, a seat-belt vest.

The Youngstown native is a graduate of North High School and has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Geneva College in Pennsylvania.

He has operated a recording studio in Girard and worked as a sound engineer for a couple of decades.