Is Reality TV Smothering the Local Music Scene?

OK, if you’ve made it through the title and are still here…good. :) This is a mighty large issue (or as some would say, can of worms) to delve into. Here we go…

Since American Idol, we’ve seen an onslaught of new reality TV shows such as RockStar, Nashville Star, Celebrity Duets, and the resurgence of Star Search. Granted these shows are nothing new, considering shows like the Louisiana Hayride, American Bandstand, Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour, Ed Sullivan Show, Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, and Connie B. Gay’s Town and Country. So music in television is no new thing.

But it would seem like public consciousness has changed, now today’s teen has more buying power and communication options available to them then ever before. And the baby-boomer (pop music’s first big market) has continued influence and marketability. Couple that with the advancements in telecommunications (Television, radio, and Internet), and people are starved for celebrity more than ever before.

For those of us (including yours truly) who have slogged it out playing in weddings, talent shows, clubs, casinos, churches, and the like, the current situation leaves one with a bad taste in one’s mouth. Sure it makes for good entertainment, and the music/talent is good on these shows. But I, and a great many of my colleagues, think that this is short-circuiting the vibrant life of local live music scenes everywhere. Let me unpack this some more…