I admit I'm an American Idol junkie.  I used to feel terrible about the folks who are in the audition phase because they get treated poorly.  I heard an interview with Kelly Clarkson the winner of season one and she said how could these people not know, they go through four auditions before they ever get in to see the three judges.  Obviously if the producers are lying to the contestants that's one thing, but if they're looking for their fifteen minutes of fame then they roll the dice.

What caught my attention was the number of people who stated that this was their one opportunity.  I don't know about you but if I loved something as much as these people say they love singing then they should be filled with possibility.  If they've waited all these years to break into the business then is it really a passion or a ploy to get on television?  Is success only the big prize?

I've worked with many artists over the years whose success has evolved.  They got to nurture their business to a level of success that reinforces their self-esteem, self-worth and their bank account.  If artists are visionaries then are these folks on American Idol in it for the instant gratification?  I believe there are many definitions of success and many paths to success.  If we limit ourselves so early on in our careers then where do go from here?  If we're only successful if we get a piece into a museum our first time out then that bar is raised very high with little or no foundation to support us if we don't get the next museum to add us to their collection.

Be open to the possibilities, be open to the opportunities, and be open to creating new alternatives.

Hoping for better...
Greg