I work with Indie artists. All singer songwriters and musicians who have decent careers touring and selling albums. They are remarkably talented with small but loyal fan bases. They tour the world and work their butts off everyday as the CEO of their own companies. Slowly and steadily growing sustainable careers. They are not famous (yet) and perhaps never will be. But damn they are good and I am so proud to be working with them.
Ever since the start of American Idol and subsequently The Voice, X Factor, and America’s Got Talent I have been truly troubled by what these shows represent to the masses about music and what real talent is. I could never pinpoint exactly why until now, an artist whom I am familiar with and respect has entered into the three-ring circus of instant stardom.
Here are my thoughts, not meant to demean Tony Lucca in any way, rather just use him as an example. Tony had an opportunity to be in NSYNC but chose the admirable route of writing his own songs and trekking around the country with his acoustic guitar building his career and growing his fan base with his great songwriting and performing talent; basically, the hard way. Tony is very close friends with JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake, as he was in the Mickey Mouse Club along with Britney and Christina.
I am sure this is exactly what the producers were hoping for. It’s all over the gossip media that Christina told Tony backstage Britney had a crush on him during Mickey Mouse Club. How much do you think they are going to play on that? I'll bet they try (already have) to get Britney on the show. That would be huge news and huge viewership. Not only Christina and Britney on the same show, but some "nobody" singer songwriter from their past; using him as a monkey to create drama for bigger viewership. And then Tony has to pretend like that was a big amazing deal and honor for him. I'm calling this one. But it also makes me wonder if this is all contrived.
You know what burns me about this? The likes of Adam Levine and Christina "coaching" the likes of Tony Lucca... Tony doesn't need coaching; he just needs someone to cut him a break! He’s really talented and has put in his time on the road. Adam, don't make him go through this, just bring him on the road as your opener! That's where he gets to be himself, singing his own songs and will gain REAL fans, people he gets to touch personally so they become life long supporters of everything he creates.
Side Note: There is also Angel Taylor (Also on Adam's team). She has great management, CAA for booking and 27,000++ fans on Facebook, her album was produced by Colbie Callait's producer (they sound exactly alike) and she has opened for tons of big people. Hard worker no doubt, fighting the fight.
Anyway, Here's what I really don't understand. NOW Tony is touting The Voice version of "Trouble" by Ray Lamontagne and Angel is shouting to her fans telling them to go buy her version of Adeles "Someone Like You" for sale on iTunes! Getting people to buy millions of someone else's songs!! After all those years of painstakingly writing and recording his own songs, traveling the country to get his music out to people and now he is telling his FANS to buy someone else's music???? And they'll be doing this for as long as they are in the show. At what price does one want to be famous? Perhaps, this discovery is leading the public to his own music as well and he is seeing a windfall of record sales he would not otherwise get. I really want to believe there is a benefit here.
These humble artists set the stage for Adam Levine, Cee-Lo, and Blake Shelton and Christina to shit talk each other to create drama and increase viewership so NBC can make millions of dollars. Essentially they are pawns for these celebrities that are media whores.
I would like to believe that Adam Levine is in this because he genuinely cares about helping a really talented person get a break. But at the end of the day it's all for the money. Adam is quite capable of helping an emerging artist without being on this TV show and if he had any scruples he would have turned down the offer to do it out of respect for the songwriters/performers who are busting their ass’s everyday.
The more I think about it the more I am disappointed that Adam is a part of making talented songwriters jump through hoops like circus poodles. 10 years of touring, playing shitty clubs, leaving your family for weeks to go play for 50 people a night, forgoing food and car repairs to use the money to record an album.... isn't that hoops enough?!
When I talk about singer songwriters selling their soul to the devil by going on these shows, I never really meant it, just a figure of speech. But the more I think about it, the more I believe they really are. But where I get caught up with my own beliefs is, how can I begrudge an artist for doing what it takes to get noticed, and an opportunity to make money and continue to make art without financial worry.
I suspect we'll see Javier Colon (Last years winner) at some point, he did release a new album recently, November 21st of last year... Oh, you didn't know this? That's because word of mouth isn't great enough. And essentially a musician needs people talking about houw great he/she is al the time.
I might be more apt to watch The Voice if it was actually a fair playing field. If everyone in the competition had put in their 10,000 hours. But Tony Lucca is competing against people whose careers consist of Karaoke night at the local bar and a pipe dream to be famous one day.
It truly pains me. This household won’t be adding to the Neilson ratings of The Voice anytime soon.
