Honestly Evaluate Own, Loved Ones’ Singing Talent

A new season of Gospel Dream, the Christian equivalent to American Idol, is approaching as Idol itself winds down. Many talented singers are preparing as they study each season waiting for their shot.

What about the not so talented singers?

William Hung made a name for being so absolutely terrible on the third season of Idol. He was never told by the producers of the show he would be broadcast. He was unaware for four months until the episode aired.

I can’t imagine the anguish of discovering that your audition before the great Simon Cowell was a comical parody.

William Hung fortunately is the rare exception.

As an associate of a small record label, we receive CDs from artists wanting to make it big. Frankly, many of them never have a chance.

It disappoints me that so many people will invest money into recordings and CD manufacturing without talent. The recording studio won’t tell them, if fact, many studios will make a mediocre or bad artist sound much better than they really are.

I feel awkward when I receive a CD from an artist which looks so awesome yet sounds so bad. Why doesn’t someone tell them?

Just because someone has an OK voice, the look, or the drive, doesn’t translate into success. Music is subjective, great bands and singers are sometimes told they are terrible, yet they persevere. Unfortunately, without a reality check, so do many bad singers.

When our voice is produced, it resonates throughout our head; the three bones in our inner ear pick up the vibrations in the head and through the air. Our brain deciphers this to decide how we hear ourselves. Some not-so-good singers hear a great voice. Couple this with bad pitch and a lack of stage experience, and you get repeated early-season Idol episodes.

As a Christian, it pains me to tell someone they sound terrible.

Why do we tell our children and loved ones they have the talent, when in reality, so few really have what it takes to go all the way?

There are so many factors which are necessary for success: A good voice, stage presence, songwriting, originality, a well-produced CD, the ability to get airplay and God’s blessing.

How do you stop someone who is about to spend money on recording or drive 200 miles to an audition? They could be making the biggest mistake of their life, perhaps on national television.

This is a dilemma we face throughout life. If someone is thoroughly convinced they are good, what should you do?

If you know someone not so good who wants to take the trek, pray for guidance, and speak from the heart. If they decide to ignore your advice, pray they are not as bad as they seem … and that they actually get an audition.

 

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