Talent Show Phenomenon

As technology changes, it impacts the world around it as well. The music industry has vastly changed, especially with the abilities of sharing music and downloading that has become available now. As well as the fact that artists are more equipped with marketing themselves and getting their music to the audience with computer programs and the options that internet has created. Although, I feel another avenue for scouting that doesn’t get mentioned as much when the topic arises are all of the television shows that are going on in the past few years. I’m surprised I hadn’t even thought of it before because I have been an avid viewer of these shows since I was a little girl.

            Technically, the start of it was Star Search which first aired from 1983-1995, although they didn’t focus solely on singing but rather the entertainment industry as a whole. However, many people who ended up becoming stars had competed on that show at one point in time, regardless if that was their big break or not. Strictly sticking with musicians, some of those people are: Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Christina Aguilera,  Justin Timberlake, LeAnn Rimes and Usher, just to name a few.

            The big rise, more recently noted, would be the success of American Idol. Idol is in it’s 10^th season and although people were skeptical about the show lasting due to a judge change, it’s seeming like this panel of judges has let in a distinctive variety of talent that the show may have never done before! And rightfully so being each judge has been a successful musician themselves and seem to look for the drive/passion in the people that auditioned.

            Since the Idol success, shows have sprouted up and become successful as well such as The Sing-Off, The Voice, America’s Got Talent etc... But how have the contestants done since leaving these shows? Clearly, the top 3 competitors from American Idol would be Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry; 2 out of the 3 were actually winners from the show and are still prominent in the industry. As for the other shows, the winners don't seem to be as prominent yet but maybe that's because they are still rather new?

          So far, the Sing Off has produced two winners, "Nota" and "Committed". For those of you unfamiliar with the Sing Off, it is based off of A Capella groups. The winner gets a $100,00 contract and to record an album, however I haven't heard much of Nota since they cut their first album and showed up on the 2nd season for a guest appearance. And Committed's album has yet to debut, but their sound could be promising as they can be compared to such groups as Boys 2 Men. The Voice has a different spin as well because although they are searching for solo singers, they take 4 industry leading musicians and have them form groups out of their favorite singers purely based on voice alone. They continue having them compete against each other and making cuts until they find the best out of the bunch. (This show is currently airing on Tuesday nights). 

          In no way am I trying to discredit these kinds of shows, in case that's how it may have just come out. Although I may not always agree with the choices that get made as far as contestants are concerned, I still feel that the opportunity that they are giving to people is a chance of a lifetime. People that may not even believe in themselves all that much, now get an opportunity to make that attempt and even change their own minds on what they can do! There's nothing like watching a show and knowing that opportunities are being given to average Jo(e)'s ;) haha. Maybe I'm just a reality TV sucker? who knows?

On an ending note though, I am going to attach some links, not only to my references, but also to some websites that I thought were really interesting and if any of you are interested in this topic as well, now you can check them out! Please click on the following: Idol Success Stats,  
Blog of Idol,   Idol Infographic,  The Voice,  The Sing Off,   Wiki Star Search