I Am Going To Be Famous - Or Perhaps Not!
Author: Paul Sims

The other day I was at a Karaoke and heard someone say that
they were going to apply for one of the music reality shows,
that we see too much of on TV. I don't intend to mention the
show, but instead make some truthful observations on the
realities of making it big as a singer.

The comment above is one I have heard often in various places
from numerous people, but the truth is most of them just do not
have the talent, and those that do rarely make it to the big
time. So you sing on Karaoke and at home, your mates think you
are great so do your family, so you must have something, right?
.. Wrong! Just because your friends and family say you are great
does not mean that you are. Too often they do not tell you the
truth. I have heard countless bad singers who think they are
great because someone told them so, normally a friend or family
member, when the reality is they sound like a moose gargling
broken glass. Sometimes it pays to listen to your enemies.

I run an entertainment agency based in the UK and often people
will ask my opinion on how they sound, and I am honest with
them. I try to be diplomatic, but if they are bad then I tell
them the nicest way I can. I have to admit that being honest
hasn't always gone down well with people, but if you ask a
question don't be surprised by the results. I know it seems
harsh to shatter someone's elusion but sometimes it's for the
best. If they were told the truth many would not apply for these
reality shows and have to suffer the humiliation of being told
how bad they are with it broadcast to millions (although it
would make the auditions very boring).

I have been to show calls, these are events where agents
showcase acts they represent, where some of the acts have
received the following comment from me Karaoke. What do I mean
by this? The truth is that they would be great Karaoke singers
but certainly not good enough to entertain an audience for an
evening, this remark tells me not to book them. At the end of
the day it is my reputation on the line. Now it could be that
they just had an off day, but would I want to risk it, the
answer is no. I also get to hear lots of quality acts that I
would book so it is not all bad. Many of these quality acts will
never make the jump to stardom, but they can make a good living
as entertainers. Some of these people are very gifted
individuals who deserve the big break, but the reality is that
it will never come. It is those outside the industry that think
it is easy.

So what would I suggest to those reading who do have some
ability? The answer is find a good agent, and if they are
interested in hearing you go for an audition, and wait to see
what happens. Management companies are also a good way to go as
they are often looking for new talent, and if they are
interested in you they will help develop you. Perhaps one day
you will be the next big thing to hit music, but in the meantime
you can make money doing something you are good at. The breaks
may come or like many pass you by, but you will be entertaining
people, they will be watching you, and there is a lot to be said
for the buzz a performer feels from the audience.

As an aside to what I have already written and to make my
point, I would like to share the following with you. A young
lady of my acquaintance recently had an audition for one of the
aforementioned reality music shows; she has a trained singing
voice, and has sung with a choir at The Royal Albert Hall. She
is young (21) and pretty and most importantly has talent, yet
they turned her down. With some nurturing she has the ability to
be a great entertainer. Stardom used to be something that was
earned, nowadays it is something that is fickle and managed, it
is manufactured for the mass market, and has little regard for
anything except the next pay check. Cynical perhaps, but when
you look at the wealth of talent out there, sometimes it makes
you wonder. They are not so much like the talent shows of
yesteryear that launched many careers; they are more like cattle
markets herding the masses to the slaughter in the name of
ratings.

Paul Sims 2008


About The Author: The author is currently CEO of CEE Worldwide
Entertainment Agency based in the UK. The author has over 30
years experience of the entertainment industry.
http://www.cee-worldwide.com