American Idol vs. The Voice

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment. AMERICAN IDOL has been No. 1 among Adults 18-49 for the past seven consecutive seasons and currently ranks as the No. 1 television show of the 2010-11 season.

 

"The Voice" is a vocal competition series modeled after Holland's top-rated vocal talent discovery show, "The Voice of Holland." Hosted by Carson Daly, the show features four musician coaches: Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, who will coach only the most talented vocalists.

As a musician, being patient for your "time" to come is immensely difficult.  If you're not industry savvy, you don't know where to start, who to talk to; overall what you should be doing to prepare for a professional career in music.  So what do all these talented and talentless dreamers do?  They audition for a show that allows them the opportunity to compete for a record deal.  Those with no talent, get their 15 minutes of fame, while the rest us hope and pray that they choose us to move forward.

For the last ten years, American Idol, has been the show that encompasses this opportunity.  I recall watching the first season as a freshman in High School.  I was so mesmerized by singers Kelly Clarkson and Tamyra Gray and crying, due to hysterical laughter at those who believed they could really sing.  They couldn't.  After a few seasons, it felt like they began moving into an image direction.  You not only had to have the talent, but you had to have the image too. Majority of the Idol contestants sing well, but there were times that I was shocked at the Judges/America's choices on who stayed and who was eliminated. Nikki McKibbin and Justin Guarini over Tamyra Gray in season 1 or Jordin Sparks, who is talented in her own right, over Melinda Doolittle in season 6.  These choices did not make sense to me.

Now, something new has generated.  NBC may have actually found a niche with The Voice.  NBC has created a show where initially, the judge does not know what the artists look like.  The judges choose these artists based on their talent, their voice.  Finally, America is exposed to a show that is based on the instrument and not the person behind it.  Although I know my path is music, I do not feel that auditioning for The Voice or any other show, is my way to get there.  However, I'm thankful for opportunities like these because it gives me hope.  I've reiterated many times throughout my blogs that I'm not a cookie cutter image of the "ideal" artist, but I do have the talent.  I'm continuously striving to improve my musicianship and absorb any and all information that will help me get to my goals.  I'm just hoping they'll be able to look past the outer shell. 

http://www.americanidol.com/about/

http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/about/

Music Moods and Music Appreciation

 

I have heard it said that the universal languages are love and music.  This article knocks it down to “The International Language.”  You may not understand the culture and customs of different countries and regions.  However, you can still find a deep appreciation for the music these areas create and perform.  Your mood can also be effected by the music you are exposed to.

In each of my posts, it is evident that music is my passion, but I’ve never shared how it makes me feel.  Music has a great power over my emotions.  There are times when I put my iPod or iTunes on shuffle and repeat and it ranges from jazz to rock to opera and then back to hip-hop.  My mood is influenced by the memories the music triggers.  I jump from the awkwardness of middle school at a school dance to laying in my dorm room thinking about my future.

I find it interesting that music is such an influential entity.  I can only speak for myself, but outside of the shuffle mode,  I usually listen to music according to an emotion.  If I feel angry, I’m listening to any kind of rock and roll music I can find.  If I’m in “strong like” or in love, I’m listening to love songs and slow jams.  Ironically, if I’m hurt or heartbroken, I can’t listen to anything.  At a point like that, my feelings are too raw and any kind of music could trigger an emotion that I’m just not ready to deal with.

I really enjoyed this article because it encourages music appreciation as well as taking the initiative to expose yourself to different genres of music.  You do not have to limit your likes just to what you hear on the radio.  There is more to the music industry than the Rihannas and Lil’ Waynes of the world.  Try something new!

 

http://www.essortment.com/music-affects-mood-62015.html

http://www.moodsmusic.net/

http://www.lucreid.com/?p=817