Mixing Room

Saturday, June 18, 2005

My son Arnold JR had a passion for singing eversince he was a young boy, but it was just a year or two ago I noticed that he was getting better at it. Now besides continuing his studies, he does regular gigs with his acoustic group called "Soul Ground". He had always been interested in joining singing contests but felt that he wasn't really ready until recently, when upon my encouragement he joined the latest season of Search for a Star in a Million on ABS-CBN.
He got in the top 50 and performed group singing when they were trimmed down to 40.
But he got axed when it was trimmed down to 30. Now for the life of me, I can't understand why after he gave a good enough performance, he got axed. I've been in the music business for quite sometime and I have never been nor will I ever be biased about vocal performance even if it is my son's own. but I do believe that someone who's experienced enough to be in a band and now in an acoustic group and has done various recordings under Star Records and who once filled in as lead vocalist for the Akafellas be taken out so early in the game. You mean the 30 other singers left in the competition were better? Well i guess it depends on what criteria they used for judging. After being praised bythe shows own judges and being observed as one of the better contenders he still got axed.
And that was why my son felt bad, because he felt that he gave a good enough if not better performance than no more than 20 others. It seems like the judging was questionable! or rather the judges don't really have a say on who goes and who stays. I guess whoever made that stupid decision to axe him early in the competion had his or her reason to do so. In total disregard to the so called judges in this so called prestigious competition.
Funny... after doing a recent album for this show, I've always thought it was a "singing" competition and not a popularity contest for who ever is in charge.
Oh well that's fairness for you I guess!
JR my son has gone back to school and still performs regularly when he can since this bad experience has not dampened his passion for music.
I for one will never again work on another album for this "Singing Competition Show" simply because I no longer believe that it is fair and honest.
I guess in the end what matters is the ratings.
I'm proud of you JR and be proud because that show doesn't deserve you.

--MXRR at 12:39 AM
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