RSVP Blog

I genuinely feel that reality shows polarize the difference between entertainers and musicians.
As someone who began guitar at age seven I found myself drawn to Bass, not only as a means of being activley involved whilst avoiding the spotlight, but liking music for what it is. An audible sensation.
There are more than enough egomaniacal singers in this world.

Posted by: morntego at November 20, 2008 12:51 PM

To be quite honest at the moment I think TV is becoming overloaded with reality shows, people seem to want to see human suffering at its best and worst, also having been a vocalist I enjoy listening to talented musicians and have seen shows like Australian Idol toss aside some very promising talent, I grew up on Countdown and most of the music on there and thoroughly enjoyed it plus was also mad to listen to classical and blues and Jazz, I agree with the comment about Guy Sebastian he has come along way and fought hard to get there.

Posted by: amazonb at November 10, 2008 7:33 PM

By all accounts the entertainment industry can be a dog eat dog world and you wont survive without energy, motivation, a saleable product and someone in the industry to recognise and promote those talents.
So in my opinion I don�t think it matters to much how you get there, whether it is through a talent show or a door to door foot slog of promoters.
So after �winning� their fame I don�t imagine they will be able to retain it unless they continually prove to have the goods just like any muso who has clawed their way to the top.
As for the tone deaf souls that get rejected in entertainments sake, yes they are being exploited but surely must understand the risk they are taking in auditioning . And to many their 2 minutes of fame will be worth it.
Yes they need to be told the truth, gently. But that should not stop them from trying again as there have been many an untalented person who has through hard work and perseverance taught themselves the skills they need to make it.

Posted by: lovinman4u at November 9, 2008 10:37 AM

OK three left,, who will it be next,
I think Luke or Wes will be the remaining two.

Posted by: angela11 at November 5, 2008 8:35 AM

Saturday arvie, I just read what I wrote, bit too much friday night red wine, Think I got the blues after one hell of a week at work.yu know when you question what you're doing, thats why I agree with shows like Idol or anything for that matter, to get people started.

Thanks M again for bringing me to my senses..

Posted by: angela11 at November 1, 2008 6:25 PM

Angela, You've led a really interesting working life. I think we're a bit alike (Can't stand being bored.) Keep going and there is a good chance you will come across your true calling. Good Luck! All these different jobs add up to one interesting person ie You ! You're it honey.... Go for it!

Posted by: margie18 at October 31, 2008 11:06 PM

Hey Magie,
good to hear , thanks for advice, been trying to shake the Baby blues all my life.
Ballet teacher, spring board diving coach, graphic designer,-my trades.
Now project Secretary for an engineering Co,.
I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Posted by: angela11 at October 31, 2008 10:56 PM

Angela11.
There is nothing stopping you going after what you want .
Rgds
M

Posted by: margie18 at October 31, 2008 10:07 PM

Posted by: truantwarrior at October 27, 2008 7:39 PM
You are so right, they know what they up against and the criticisms come. I have every respect for these contestants, face the firing squad Y generation They're so young, I couldn't ever have had the confidence or audacity to do something like this at such a young age. Hell, I'm a baby boomer. Our training was get a good job, something safe and secure, don't take risks.
Man ,I would have loved this opportunity,
their training is 'if you want it - go get it'

Posted by: angela11 at October 31, 2008 9:31 PM

I would rather watch real talent anyday, than the mindless churning out of Foxfed 'crime' shows and other violence against women in the Law and Order/CSI ilk.

As to Idol and SYTYCD (my favourite!) - talent is talent is talent... Five minutes of fame on a reality show is nothing compared to the hard work, dedication and perseverance that these people put in regardless of whether the camera is on or off. The 'fakers' will never make it and the workers, well, credit where credit is due!

Guy Sebastian is still my ultimate idol because IMHO no-one since has displayed the sheer level of musicality and virtuosity this man is capable of. And the 'innocent (tone-deaf) souls'??? No such thing! These people exploit themselves for the fame. I think 'stage mothers' are more to blame than the producers of this show! I teach music and you wouldn't believe the number of mother's who expect their child to be the next Beethoven or Britney Spears despite the blatant lack of talent. People love to delude themselves and Idol makes hay of their delusions. Bring it on!

Posted by: truantwarrior at October 27, 2008 7:39 PM

Having been brought up watching Countdown and reading Smash Hits magazine, I think music is so much more about the popularity contest than the talent... maybe why I am here at RSVP actually... it really doesn't matter how fantastic you are, if there is somebody selling it to the market better, then you miss out on the glory!!

Posted by: lovescompany at October 26, 2008 5:50 PM

I like the way Idol has been structured this year with Aussie & overseas talent mentoring contestants. Our INXS guys and Cindy Lauper with her incredible vocal range (have missed a couple of weeks so don't know who else) means this show is growing in popularity and gaining cred.
Judging by the previuos comment you don't have to win it to be successful re:gsm68. Bobby Flynn from Brissie was heavly booked after his stint on the show, mostly by our alternate venues in Fortitude Valley.

Posted by: angela11 at October 25, 2008 10:21 PM

I had the pleasure of seeing Chris Murphy From idol in a small restaurant/bar in Margaret River. He was doing covers but was really great. As a performing musician myself I was in awe - A born entertainer.

Posted by: greatsouthernman68 at October 24, 2008 10:13 PM

A pure voice emitting from a pure soul???? and people wonder why people have a problem with christians... Lennon didn't belive?? yeah that's probably why he wrote so many great songs with lyrics that were worth something. I could go on but back to the topic....I think the idol contestants can have a good voice but that's just not enough to be considered a good musician..or really a musician. All they sing are horrible pop songs or "anthems", it's one thing that is so wrong with the music industry. As others have said give me some blues rock

Posted by: jason899 at October 19, 2008 11:09 PM

Is that Sophie girl still in it? I think she's fab, although I would never claim to be an Idol fan... She really grabbed me as someone with a very special and real talent, who enjoys what she does and would survive, though most likely only in the "alternative" music world.

Posted by: piscesangel at October 18, 2008 6:20 PM

Sorry istj54, i don't understand the comment 'if your a Christian'. Ali Khan was a Sufie, Pavarotti a Catholic, Cat Stevens held a strong beief which reflected his beliefs long before he became a Muslim. . No-one condenmed them for being who they are. The world praised them. Theres nothing more beautiful than hearing a pure voice emitting from a pure soul as these are the people who change the world through their ability to communicate with deep conviction. Lennon was a good song writer, He knew how to put the right words togethr,but he didn't believe. Idol would rather present a 'clean ' kid to our tweens as a positive image, and make the point that you don't have to behave like a spoilt brat to earn sales. Have a look at Saturday morning music on TV, f'ull of blasphemy' for you, and our kids watch it and think it's real. Give them something good to aspire too, I say!
Come to think of it, why was Christianity the only belief system you had commented on? What if our beautiful Indian singer (have forgotten her name)or Than Nui wins? Would it all be OK then?

Posted by: angela11 at September 26, 2008 9:06 AM

these shows can be a huge stepping stone for many musos but their success can come at a huge cost,continually having to pump out cheesy bedroom ballad remakes of timeless classics is blasphemy!,all because you owe the bigwigs who made you famous. I thought guy sebastian was a really talented musician but i have not yet heard any of his recent work that moved me like his audition clip when he sang "ribbon in the sky". I only hope these guys still love what they do and can eventually reproduce the music in their heart,be it original or decent remakes of classics. we all make our choices, its how we deal with the results that makes us who we are. Go and buy a ticket and see an unknown artist, support live music,this is where the passion and love for music is.

Posted by: averagejo73 at September 25, 2008 6:51 PM

This may not be a 'popular' point of view in this blog..but i LOVE Idol. I think it's a great opportunity for all of those people to have people see and listen to them.....to experience everything....fantastic!!!

Posted by: okamhere at September 25, 2008 5:43 PM

I think these young people are courages in their attempt to follow their passions and make a name and money out of it. The set backs/criticisms are worth it as it teaches them not to be "prima donnas', they have to hold themselves up and take it, sometimes even having to perform again, can you imagine what that would be like? It's better than slogging at Uni for half their life and owing money at the end,or a so called proper job. Good luck to them.

Posted by: angela11 at September 25, 2008 5:25 PM

Sorry lostinthesuburbs...Just re-read what I wrote and it's ambiguous. I meant that the talented ones do get recognised on those shows....and, I agree, there is a multitude of talent in all fields, that never gets recognised...also personality and drive/ambition has its place too...which seems unfair too.

Posted by: istj54 at September 24, 2008 10:04 PM

I have to disagree with you isti54. Plenty of these people ARE talented. I happen to know a lot of fantastic musicians, but just because they are talented it does not guarantee success by any means. You need to fit a certain image, and no matter how good your voice is a record company will never sign you if they believe there is a risk they wont make BIG $$$'s out of you.

We are at a point in society today whereby kids believe the only way to get a sense of recognition musically is to try out for shows like idle. And of course commercial television exploits these people, and make mega dollars doing so...its the circle of life.

Thats the real reason its so repulsive unbearable to watch.

Posted by: lostinthesuburbs at September 24, 2008 9:41 PM

If they are truly talented, then these people would be highly regarded in the industry...as long as they are christians:)) Don't jump on me there as I happen to knpw that many parts of the industry now have gone this way...look at how well Dean Guyer, Guy Sebastian...and others are going.
I think that I have contributed to most blogs now so I might get up and start my day in the real world.

Posted by: istj54 at September 21, 2008 9:03 AM

Previewing your Comment
A good instrument does not a make a good musician. For idol contestants, their instrument is their voice. Technically they are brilliant. But singing someone else's songs to a backing track won't win much praise from me. The total lack of sincerity and twisted obsession with fame is an insult to the art form. Iggy Pop, for example, couldn't sing to save himself. Yet 'Fun House' and 'The Stooges' are undeniably classic albums - raw, loose, free. Bob Dylan is another fantastic example. Perhaps I'm not the best person to ask because I do tend to dislike polished vocals. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that it doesn't matter how well they can sing, music's nothing without soul. I don't think you'll find that sitting in a recording studio with Mark Holden for a week pumping out tired, cheesy ballads. Maybe the Australian Idol contestants should all go to India and get naked for a few weeks...just an idea...

Posted by: madeleine141 at September 18, 2008 2:30 AM

Question: 'How do you make a million out of running a Jazz club?'

Answer: 'You start off with two million.'

Posted by: margie18 at September 11, 2008 1:16 PM

Ah the blooze .Im in a blues / rock band . 4 old farts having fun making music.

Posted by: ljaist at September 8, 2008 2:00 PM

Art for Art's sake..............

It would enough for me to know that my art did something for people.............inspired them,spoke to them etc..........for fame and glory.............uh uh

Shows like these exploit talented people,and ridicule people to entertain the masses.

There seem to be a lot of contestants crying and saying things like "this is my last chance etc"......egomaniacs.

Give me a person who sings in a choir for the sheer enjoyment of singing,with like minded people.

There are so many talented people..........does it have to end in fame? Can't having people appreciate your talent be enough????? Can't the fact that you enjoy your art be enough?

Comon now.........you need something(a career) to fall back on!

and the people judging............they look at the contestants as ways to make money....do they know anything about art? Maybe Marcia.

I should say too,that i have seen the show at other peoples places......not something i would deliberately view.

Posted by: musicteacher at September 7, 2008 6:27 PM

I'm with you H2H ..... live music at your favourite pub beats watching Australian Idol anytime.
My favourite used to be The Union in Adelaide. Friday night and Sunday arvo Tommy Richardsons Jazz Stompers core group with ever changing extras of musos and singers kept the place jumping!
A friend alerted me to the fact that if I looked into:
www.ozzyjazz.com .. entered the Union Hotel and looked thru the regulars, I'd find me listed ..aka Cid Charisse LOL
Awful photo... they do say the camera adds pounds :-)
So not just the young talented get their 10 mins of fame LOL

Posted by: waternymph47 at September 7, 2008 2:22 PM

Gimme a 'dirty blues band' live in an underground any day....

Posted by: heart2heart57 at September 6, 2008 2:23 AM

Sorry guys and gals........I personally know one of the semi finalists in Aust,Idol......(A show I have never bothered following because of all its hoohaa!.)
BUT........this girl is a crazy /lovable 17 y.o with a marvellous voice that brings goose bumps when she hits the top register.
She's a kid (that's probably being "used" by Channel 10) and she reacts like any teenager : boisterous! over the top! excitable! but never the less a lovely spirit....and altho I know how much these shows are rigged to some degree,I hope that this show gives her career the boost she has worked for,for the last couple of years.

Already our choir now has to find a specialist soprano to replace her........and I reckon we have Buckley's chance

Posted by: kurli at September 6, 2008 12:11 AM

Yes I find anyone with that amount of courage to do what they love as credible.

Who cares about respect as this is not the aim of the well oil PR game!!!FFS

The music that comes from the show is what you want out of it ^ nothing more > nothing less isn't it????????

Tone deaf schmeff!! give them an award for showing up..........the aim of these shows is never the truth hence the audience participation and money spinners..

Give them all a break and bow to thier courage I say xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Posted by: amourmoi08 at September 5, 2008 11:29 PM

Shows like these are more about entertainment than about music.

Many great musicians are terrible entertainers.

Many good entertainers are terrible musicians and lip-syncing to a midi soundtrack is normal practice these days.
(Spears and co...)

There a hundreds of choir singers out there (OZ) who are better vocalists but couldn't make a career of music - and even more seasoned instrumentalists who have regular day jobs to pay their bills.

Have you ever tried getting a mortgage loan after telling them your a musician?

Posted by: eatsrootsandleaves at September 5, 2008 10:48 PM

I agree patc111960 it is a golden opportunity for real talent not able to get a break anywhere else!

Seriously I think many of the applicants to Australian Idol have the prime talent of being egomaniacs .. as wether they can sing well or not, it is all about having the guts/belief in yourself to just get up there.

Of course a large percentage are just plain tone deaf which must simplify the task of whittling it down to a few.
Sadder still are the ones sounding like finger nails on a blackboard and abusing the judges for saying they don't have the talent they are looking for. They sound great to themselves when they are doing Karaoke after a few too many drinks at the pub :-)

Posted by: waternymph47 at September 5, 2008 6:14 PM

I think some have genuine talent that has been honed over many years. These show are sometimes just the way for them to get that big break.

Posted by: patc111960 at September 5, 2008 3:47 PM