To GuitarHacker's point about Melodyne - are there any entry-level articles to teach me how to use it to improve my vocals ? Also - what's the best price I will get it if I keep my eyes open (and which vendor).

Also - to the point about the brutal discovery of how one actually sounds...I've experienced this way too many times...it is truly eye opening to record yourself and only yourself performing a song.

The voice always sounds different to your own ears than other peoples - mine sounding so bad to my own ears I pretty much gave up on singing (in front of people, that is ; ) I'm not sure my voice could be pleasant enough to others to warrant all the singing practice it would take to make me feel like I can actually deliver a fair to good performance best utilizing my God-given abilities.