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AMA’s 2009: Self Expression OR Desperation?

November24

I ENJOY watching award shows. No, not to see the awards, or even the actual winners, but rather to see everyone’s true colors, shine. (I use the term “shine” very, very loosely, with a large dash of sarcasm.)

Most REAL artists could care less about winning awards, and although the competition aspect of it is quite amusing, it’s only for that moment, then you’re onto the next.

Receiving an award for something you’ve truly created, does not validate it any more than the validation you’ve given it yourself. In other words, as a creator of art, an award does not make the creation any better than what it was before the award…it only DRAWS ATTENTION to it.

Of course, I CAN NOT WAIT until I get a chance to perform at award shows and step foot into the circus, but the American Music Awards on Sunday night left me stunned, but more importantly, concerned.

Now, AS AN ARTIST myself, I completely, wholly, and with every fiber of my being and existence, understand the NEED to express yourself. The NEED to be understood, the NEED to portray a message. I get that. And yes, SOMETIMES, us artists do take that raging and inherent desire of self-expression to the extreme…and make fools of ourselves or do something that makes the media talk for a couple of weeks…until the next outburst rolls around.

I also understand how competitive the music industry is today, and how important it is to sell records…because if you don’t, you get dropped from your record label STAT.

I EVEN understand how this need to express yourself and demanding competition can make a wrong turn, and turn into DESPERATION. (Huge Red Flag! BEEP! WARNING!)

BUT WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS THIS::

HOW DOES THE ENTIRE MUSIC INDUSTRY UNDERESTIMATE AMERICA?
DO THEY THINK PEOPLE ARE STUPID? DO THEY THINK WE DON’T NOTICE HOW DESPERATE THEY ALL ARE TO SELL RECORDS?
ARE TODAY’S RECORDING ARTISTS SOOOO OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THAT THEY THINK WE, THE PEOPLE, NO LONGER CARE ABOUT TACT AND RESPECT?

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE DO!

I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE, OR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, THIS ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN:

THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING.

If you are an artist, and you have an edge to you, I promise you are NOT compromising your existence and what you stand for, if you have to water it down just a little for a 4 minute performance on a less than PG national television show.

If you have THIS BURNING DESIRE that eats away at you while you sleep, and you feel the need to tell the world that something is wrong, THERE IS ALWAYS A RESPECTFUL, and TACTFUL way to do it. There is always a time and a place that is appropriate to stand up for what you believe in, and in turn will bring integrity and respect to your name.

HAVING ALL THAT SAID:

Dear Music Industry,

Don’t think we, the people, the majority, do not notice the difference between your acts of self-expression, and your acts of desperation. Rap, Pop, Electro, and YES, even Country, it is SOOOO obvious what is real, and what is manufactured. The only people you are ultimately hurting are yourselves - by narrowing the variety of your viewers, alienating your fan bases, and ultimately selling less records.

As Artists,

We are the people who have been blessed with creativity, and most IMPORTANT, the extraordinary gift of influence. We all need to drill through our skulls that, (and oh yes I am most definitely talking to myself here as well):

Having a microphone is a PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT.

Unfortunately I do not remember who told me that, but I know it was in elementary school, and it has stuck with me ever since. I pray quite often that I never, never, ever forget it.

I apologize for the obnoxiously long blog, but award shows as of late have been heavy on my heart, and I had to address the issue in writing. Would love to hear your thoughts on the AMA’S if you did watch them…especially since I just took an hour here to vent. Lol.