It’s in its 8th year and it just keeps picking up steam. We are fascinated by the thought that a singer can go from sheer obscurity to international fame and fortune inside of one TV season of American Idol. And we the people get to decide who that Idol is going to be by voting for our favorite contestants, week after week.
American Idol is wonderful for the music industry because it seems that it’s the only area that is really generating any excitement these days. Years ago, we had musical “trends and movements” that, like them or hate them, generated sales and brought money into the music industry. So Bravo to American Idol for keeping the torch burning for the music industry (even though American Idol's real success is in the TV industry).
American Idol is also fantastic for giving thousands of dedicated singers out there the opportunity to shoot for the stars! The serious ones will practice continuously for months before the audition. Even if they don’t pass the audition stage, (which just might mean they’re not TV worthy) they’ve benefited from the practice. And the singers that get into the later rounds of American Idol have instant celebrity status and are often sought out by record labels. We love it here at Skyelab Music!
So you ask, with all this good, what’s this about American Idol being dangerous for a singer? It's only dangerous is the singer takes away the wrong beliefs about the music industry and what it takes to be successful. And unfortunately, it seems that many have!
Myth #1
Success happens overnight.
The first danger is the misconception that success in the music industry happens just that fast. Success in American Idol is by far the rare, rare exception. Singers start to believe that this is the path to take to become successful, and if it isn’t by way of American Idol, they’ll find other contests that will propel them to fame and fortune overnight.
This is like believing the path to financial success comes from buying the winning lottery ticket. While of course this is true for the lucky few, most people realize that this is no way to plan for your future. So as a singer, don’t count on the short term score. Hone your craft and plan for long term success.
Myth #2
Anyone can be a singer.
We’ve all seen the American Idol auditions where a so called “singer” comes in and starts howling a song in no apparent key. Where do they get the idea that they’re singers? Is it from family and friends? They’re no friends if they let you embarrass yourself on national TV without first being honest about your lack of singing ability.
And do you see how the judges are laughing? Are we to feel bad because now the “singer” is crying because this was their dream? Sorry, no pity here. Why don’t people realize that really becoming a singer requires years of hard work? You don’t wake up one day and decide you’re a gifted piano player or a surgeon, so why a singer? This annoys me to no end. When a person decides 3 months before the American Idol auditions that they want to become famous, and that singing is the easiest way to do it, they insult the craft and everyone who has worked hard for years to attain a certain level of skill.
Myth #3
National fame and fortune is the only way to have a career in music
While this is what everyone wants of course, there are many other opportunities for singers who have talent, a passion for music and work hard NOW towards constantly improving their vocals skills. (Notice here that I said that they WORK HARD NOW, not that they are willing to work hard if they are chosen) There are independent labels, self releases, and numerous other ways to make a living doing what you love most, even if you never become a household name.
Myth #4
You either have it or you don’t
So many people seem to think that singing is something that either you’re born with, or not. So the American Idol auditions have so many people thinking that maybe they have what it takes, like they’re holding a raffle ticket that may be called. Once again, it doesn’t work that way. You might be born with a beautiful tone to your voice and you may love singing and have a unique approach. But without years of hard work to develop your talent, it will be worth nothing! The same thing applies to any career and every successful person in any walk of life. Is there an athlete on the planet that can compete on a professional level without the grueling workout schedule their competitors endure? No, talent alone is just the beginning. Then comes the hard work.
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