Hey Guest...
Thank you for your comments if at times a little blunt. Fear not. No onslaught from me because you know something? I CAN take criticism if it is fair and based on fact or at least direct obervation.
20 years in the industry, you say? If not in A & R then in what capacity (may I ask)?
I agree too that Kieran should have won. My friend didn't like that Kieran got to use the radio microphone whereas the rest of us used the corded one but as I told him, we were all free to ask for its use if we so desired and to my ears, it had been mixed the same and save for one point towards the end of the song, he didn't actually venture too far from the stage anyway, so it's not like that gave him any advantage. One of the females in the group didn't like his Robbie Williams get up at all. I think she missed the point of WHY he had gone to the trouble.
Please don't think that one karaoke performance in that kind of atmosphere is all you need to judge my potential by especially when I was A: drinking, B: unrehearsed and C: not really trying but only in it for the fun of it.
I do not seek to be an Elvis impersonator. I have no respect for those guys or indeed any tribute band. Get an original act. Be yourself. Do your own material or at least do a variety of stuff. Don't just rehash or play up certain idiosyncracies of famous artists (like singing new songs with impersonations of yesteryear's voices). To each their own though. I'm not into it personally is all I'm saying.
Good reason the second song sounded Elvis-y. It was an Elvis one LOL. It is one of my fave songs of his but it's unusual to have a good karaoke mix of the music by anyone unfamiliar with the song. I felt the mix for that one wasn't the best and detracted from its overall appeal which was already on shaky ground since most of the audience were hoping I'd launch into a high energy number and most folk today don't know it - even amongst self proclaimed Elvis fans strangely enough.
On that note, did you not notice how the crowd cheered when I made my way to the microphone for that second song? I knew the host, 2 guys in my group I was seated with and a tourist couple who were outside on the balcony. If that doesn't say 'appeal' / marketability to you then what does? It doesn't matter. I have already got feedback from established A & R people and know that there is more than the senior citizen market for myself. I am in karaoke for fun. My own music is my focus in terms of making money. That's why I don't try in competitions like I used to. Well, that and the fire for them has been all but extinguished now after having seen many and already achieved wins in the past in great venues with the air of a Reno if not Las Vegas show. I have had agents interested in using me for very different niche markets based on single performances they were present for and as I believe I said to Ray, also held a recording contract some years ago which I eventually wound up terminating due to professional differences with the erm......'gentleman' in charge.
'Dog on heat.' Understandable you would conclude this but believe it or not, there is something else at play there which I would rather not go into. Alas, it has allowed my interest in women to bleed into my commentaries.
Not sure which female you are referring to. If it is the one I think you mean then yes, I did see her with another guy later on but am trying to get out of the habit of describing every little detail I notice. The pre-edited version of the original post below to catman included a breakdown of what took place but I thought no one would care, so deleted it. My eye for detail is one reason I am surprised I did not notice you in attendance unless you had blonde hair and a short (orange?) dress because there was only one woman I recall seeing of the age bracket that would allow for 20 years in the entertainment industry unless you were a baby model or something like that. Fortunately, the 'something else at play' has educated me that there are far worse looking guys out there with just as attractive women on their arms and I'm sure you know that for yourself so don't give me this 'out of your league' nonsense. Had your comment reached me before I embarked on this journey I am on, it would have sent me into a depression like nothing you probably know. Since being burned as a baby and left scarred for life with fingers that are basically deformed as a result of scar tissue not growing as fast as undamaged skin or bones, my looks are the one thing people actually stand a good chance of hurting me with using nothing more than words. I'm not looking for your pity but perhaps you should use a little more tact when delivering criticisms lest you seriously f*** up someone else's head or emotional stability in future.
My bubble was not burst because you are the one who assumed I had model good looks. I know I have not ever talked my looks up and even taken issue when others compliment me on them such as when someone (ceepat?) did some weeks ago.
I am impressed with your observations of the evening and I thank you for your criticism regarding my voice. I had wondered if alcohol still stuffs up my sense of pitch and vocal quality like it used to. I see that it must do unless by 'shaky' you were just referring to my lack of familiarity with the song and breathlessness from dancing and singing at the same time as opposed to miming like today's dancing artists do for anything but the lines that they stand like statues for.
I wish you had introduced yourself so we could talk rather than your just seeing me from afar. It's great that it has kept you reasonably impartial but talk to me and you'll get a whole new perspective on who I am. Ah see? There I go trying to justify myself as a person - even to a complete stranger - just because I AM still sensitive about my difference in appearance. Well how's that? Turns out I AM upset. It's been a long time since anyone's made me cry. So, thanks. I know I still have a ways to go before I conquer my demons.
Submitted by Johnny Burrows on 13-09-2007

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