A New Season of Idol

Well, it has begun again.  A new season of "American Idol."  I must admit that I have not been a loyal follower of the past seasons and I can honestly say that will not change this year.  I watched last nights first round of auditions from Philadelphia and it only confirms my opinion of the show.  It's whole purpose is based on getting ratings at the expense of other people.  I do not say this to blame the producers or the judges, nor am I offering any suggestions to alter the shows format.  It is apparently popular with the audience or they would not still be on the air seven years later.  I also know that by and large they focus on the auditions that did not go as well, or that have the most colorful personalities because it brings in the viewers.  As a performer, I feel bad for those who have their dreams crushed, but they must take the responsibility for putting themselves in that position in the first place.  I am not sure if their friends and family truly believe they have a shot at winning, I would hope so.  Otherwise they are toying with peoples' emotions and that is far worse to me than the show itself.

In my opinion, many who audition are simply looking for their fifteen minutes of fame and are hoping that through the internet they will achieve it.  In most cases, that will be true.  Perhaps not always as they would like, but then again it may be just the result they wanted.  People will be talking about them.  That in itself is a somewhat sad commentary on our society; that people need to search out some form of validation from the public at large.

I have had the great blessing of support from friends and family, and while I certainly make no claim to be the greatest singer of this or any other time, I have followed a path that led me to this point in my life.  Not a straight line, but one with many twists and turns.  Some doors closing and others opening, sometimes only a crack.  Music is my passion and I admire that trait in those who audition for "Idol" and if it is meant to be that music is to be a part of their life, it will be.  But they must be ready to look for ways that may not be as obvious as being a star in the firmament of popular music.

Terrence Niska