Just a place for random rantings and ravings.....

Thursday, May 25, 2006

The REAL American Idols

You know, I got to work this morning and turned on my computer, just like I do every morning. I go to MSN and the first thing I see is "America Picks Hicks" in the headline. For those of us who DON'T care, "Hicks" refers to Taylor Hicks, the newest winner of American Idol. My first thought was (of course) WHO CARES? Though I understand why the show is one of the most popular shows on television, I don't understand why it's one of the most important news stories of the day. Think about it, it's almost equivalent to the New York Times of the 80's announcing the winner of The Price Is Right or Press Your Luck on the front page of their daily presses. Again WHO CARES? Not to sound like I was instantly in a bad mood (I WAS irked though), but ever since American Idol came to network television, I have yet to watch five minutes of any episode, and when other teachers began discussing the show from the night before, I would cringe and contemplate leaving the faculty lunch area just to save myself from the pointlless debates about who sang better, who wore a horrible dress or who sounds like a horse on meth. As a musician myself, I've encountered countless performers, singers and musicians who have FAR better talent than any of these folks being propped up in front of a national audience just because Simon Cowell says they have what it takes to be a "star". The sad thing is that there are sooooo many people in this country who have passionately worked on their craft for years and won't ever have the benefit of a worldwide audience to buy their albums and t-shirts. They do it for the love of their instrument- be it voice, instrument or acting and can only hope to be "discovered" one day. The chances of that ever happening are slim to none.



Soon after I sat at my computer a few of my kids strolled in to class and milled around (as they do every morning) preparing for the day. As if on cue, two or three of them suddenly began singing "What a Wonderful World" to the best of their abilities. As those beautiful off-key notes began to come from their 8 year old frames, I had to pop a smile because honestly, these kids are MY American Idols. So today's blog is dedicated to the scores of young, hopeful, talented, passionate and innovative dreamers who will struggle for the next twenty years in order to simply make a dent in the harsh climes of the music industry. Keep dreaming because as they say, those without dreams don't have much.

7 Comments:

Blogger Kiyotoe said...

Your kids just started belting out "What A Wonderful World" for no reason? What kind of school you got over there? What is this.....Fame, w/ Cocoa and Leroy and the little Jewish dude that played the piano?

By the way, are you absolutely sure you've never watched more than 5 minutes of American Idol???

Hmmmmmm...................

Thu May 25, 12:52:00 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

While I would wholeheartedly agree that there are many more people much more worthy of Idol status, let's not forget that 60 million people voted. When 20% of the country cares, that's prolly worth front page status. Paz y amor rules! See you in the Pitt!

Thu May 25, 12:58:00 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

evidently your kids have a very impressive repertoire. Agreed, this country is obsessed with "reality TV", especially AI; I must say I did watch in the beginning, not religiosly, but as with most TV shows, anything with people of color, gets my attention. I quit watching after the last person of color was axed. I realize that's racist;shoot me; there is one thing I'll ask you, correct you meet more talented people daily, however, as a musician don't you appreciate the voice of a Mandisa, Paris or early dpartee Giddeon? Peace & Love, micki

Fri May 26, 07:00:00 AM

 
Blogger paz y amor said...

You know what Micki, I think you just gave me an idea for my next blog!

Fri May 26, 07:47:00 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

paz: look forward to next blog;you and kiyotoe keep me thinking, not to mention communicating; only thing, i won't be able to see new entry, until 5/30/06 as monday is a holiday & i can't access work e-mail at home. enjoy the holiday. love, micki

Fri May 26, 10:43:00 AM

 
Blogger ambandenva2 said...

I completely agree. I stopped watching the show when Ruben was outshadowed, publicity wise, by Clay Aiken. I mean seriously America did NOT pick clay they picked Ruben. Anyway, I hate reality shows they keep working actors and writers out of work. REALTIY TV SUCKS!!! Sorry had to get that out.

Fri May 26, 01:45:00 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i don´t know anything about any of the folks on the show. it´s probably on way down south here, but i don´t really know because we don´t really have tv. cozy higs, first team, mandorico, and money g´s jazz standards (along with stevie, miles, roots, zepplin, marvin, and ben harper) are doing the job just fine. no joke, man: from where i sit, a real idol will be a father soon. that´s who i´ve voted for every season since there was one rickety red instrument with two chords coming out. even then it was all love for song....and you reminded me of what a wonderful world at the hash and yah shows. beautiful.

by the way, read ¨blink,¨ if you haven´t yet, by malcolm gladwell. there´s a chapter in there about music and how people judge what they hear. i think you´ll dig it, because it kind of relates to what you´re saying here.

Sun May 28, 10:38:00 AM

 

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