Well…my Tuesday nights are taken again… so much talent, so little time.
I host a songwriting competition in downtown Franklin, TN on Tuesday nights. It’s really a lot of fun. We do 7 weeks of preliminary rounds where songwriters come to share one song…usually just them and a guitar/piano. I bring in some industry folks who pick their favorite tune of the night and then the audience gets to vote on one. After seven weeks of prelims, we bring those 14 writers back to share 2 songs. Again, judges pick their top 3 writers and the audience gets to pick one. Then, on the last week, we bring those 4 hit makers back and pick a grand prize winner… they get $500 and are invited to play a round on a Friday or Saturday night with some big time established writers. It’s really a lot of fun and I get to work with some super talented people. I love the good ones, love the bad ones, and love their stories. You can check out the Puckett’ website… (also…the best food in the county is at Puckett’s)… www.PuckettsGrocery.com
Then, of course, is American Idol. I am not ashamed to say that my family doesn’t miss an episode. What I am ashamed to admit is that while I am at Puckett’s on Tuesdays, my family tapes it for me…that’s right, I said it – they TAPE it – on a good ol’ fashioned VHS tape. We don’t have TIVO or any other super device… just a good ol’ VCR. Anyway… we love it! Love the good ones, love the bad ones, and I love their stories. OH..and the judges. ESPECIALLY SIMON! As a general rule…I agree with him. And really just want to be him when I grow up.
Well this week… I caught a show on Public Television I hadn’t seen before. After AI, I was flicking through the channels and came across a documentary on the Metropolitan Opera Company’s competition for new, up-and-coming opera singers. It was fascinating. Just a side note.. I love Opera-studied it for several years while earning my Master’s degree at the University of Arizona. These young (22-30 yr old) singers were tremendous. It was so funny to watch… I loved the good ones, loved the bad ones, and I loved their stories. (OK>>there weren’t really any bad ones… just less great) But it was the same as AI and Puckett’s… same stories, same personalities, same struggles, same insecurities…etc.! Some were really nice and others, not so much. Some talked non stop while others didn’t say a word. Some had studied their whole life and others where just getting back into it after years of life got in the way. I was shocked….
Artists are Artists… no matter the genre. Country songwriters at a grocery store in Franklin, super pop wanna be idols at an arena in Chicago, or French speaking, high ‘C’ singing, vocal divas in New York City – they are all the same!
What a great week of talent… I love Tuesdays…
Now… if you want to read a super cool article… do a google search for Simon Cowell’s 50th birthday letter to himself.
It was awesome… Simon wrote a letter to younger Simon… he talked about failures and insecurities and bad times and good times and things that are really important.. loved this letter…
Did I mention… I really want to be him when I grow up? Have a great week!
Wally