Any swimmers (or your kids) going to audition for American Idol Season 6

Originally posted by ande in the music biz You never know who's going to wind up with a long term career versus being a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder or a none hit wonder. Idol has proven itself to be the best launching format for new artists. Because of the artists repeated TV exposure from the show, fans are very familiar with them and want to support them when their singles and CD's are released and when they tour. Radio is more likely to play the artists single because the artist won American Idol and radio stations attempt to play what is most popular in their format. I believe Clarkson's Breakaway CD did better than her first CD because she had better songs (more singles), better production, and maybe better promotion. Who's to say which artists will have vibrant careers 20 years from now. Idol just gives singers a powerful start that most new artists never get. Many artists have career peaks that they will never be able to match again no matter how hard they try. Ande Good insight Ande, I was hoping you would have some commentary to add. I guess the idol winners are just a little too sanitary for me. They are being fitted into a pre-tailored suit...not of their own design I might add. People like Elvis Presley, Johhny Cash, Bob Dylan (I am no fan of Dylan..just an example), and Jerry Lee Lewis have great music by most standards but they are/were also people who had loads of personality (admittedly sometimes to their own disadvantage) and I think this is the part of the package that is missing from the "idols". Remember Glamour Shots at your local mall? The place that took your picture and made you look like a million bucks? That is how I see these idol winners. Sure it sounds okay, but is it even really them? I saw Elton last week in Vegas and there was no question that the music I was hearing was coming from a man full of character and life. A man who was passionate about music and the meaning behind it. Perhaps this is just the result of listening to a musician with a lengthy career full of success. I don't know. Just the same Ande, I value what you have to say as you are in the music business (and older than I am to boot :) ).

Originally posted by ande in the music biz You never know who's going to wind up with a long term career versus being a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder or a none hit wonder. Idol has proven itself to be the best launching format for new artists. Because of the artists repeated TV exposure from the show, fans are very familiar with them and want to support them when their singles and CD's are released and when they tour. Radio is more likely to play the artists single because the artist won American Idol and radio stations attempt to play what is most popular in their format. I believe Clarkson's Breakaway CD did better than her first CD because she had better songs (more singles), better production, and maybe better promotion. Who's to say which artists will have vibrant careers 20 years from now. Idol just gives singers a powerful start that most new artists never get. Many artists have career peaks that they will never be able to match again no matter how hard they try. Ande Good insight Ande, I was hoping you would have some commentary to add. I guess the idol winners are just a little too sanitary for me. They are being fitted into a pre-tailored suit...not of their own design I might add. People like Elvis Presley, Johhny Cash, Bob Dylan (I am no fan of Dylan..just an example), and Jerry Lee Lewis have great music by most standards but they are/were also people who had loads of personality (admittedly sometimes to their own disadvantage) and I think this is the part of the package that is missing from the "idols". Remember Glamour Shots at your local mall? The place that took your picture and made you look like a million bucks? That is how I see these idol winners. Sure it sounds okay, but is it even really them? I saw Elton last week in Vegas and there was no question that the music I was hearing was coming from a man full of character and life. A man who was passionate about music and the meaning behind it. Perhaps this is just the result of listening to a musician with a lengthy career full of success. I don't know. Just the same Ande, I value what you have to say as you are in the music business (and older than I am to boot :) ).