American Music Awards…

November 19th, 2007 · No Comments

According to my television, The American Music Awards are on tonight and there are “ten performances to make it an unmissable event!” Unfortunately, I recognized one name on the entire list of performers (Beyonce) and couldn’t identify the rest if they assaulted me. Who are these people? And what music are they exactly being awarded for making?

While I feel pretty knowledgeable about music, that which I know exists completely outside of the realm and scope of “Top 40,” music videos, corporate radio, and music sold in malls. So, perhaps it’s not a surprise, I don’t know anyone who would be honored at an industry event/major label awards show. Reading the names of the nominees and winners, I was shocked just how ‘out of touch’ with mainstream music I am. I spent the first ten minutes scratching my head, wondering if someone who plays a generic beat with a few choreographed dance moves can sell 10 million records? Why can’t great bands, with original material and insane stage performances, like local rockers Thee Emergency, Austinite’s Ghostland Observatory, or east coaster’s The Shackeltons sell just as many or more? These bands seem to have more talent in their pinkie fingers than these “award winning stars. ” I spend a lot of time at shows wondering why such and such band isn’t the biggest band ever…. and an award show like the American Music Awards, just compounds that question. And further more, in an age of successful and acclaimed musicians existing far outside the realm of mainstream music, do award shows like the AMA’s matter at all? In such a diverse market is “top 40″ obsolete? Is that kind of fame, even what the bands I love dream of attaining?

When my father and I discuss music, which is every time we speak, he often laments that ”There is never going to be another Beatles. …or even another Rolling Stones.” There are just too many choices and great bands out there, to many ways to be exposed to music, that one band will never be as dominant or popular as The Beatles were. The idea of “the biggest band in the world,” now all depends on point of view and preference. And certainly, as “The American Music Awards” prove, just because your the biggest, doesn’t mean you are anywhere near the best. I’ll take my locals every night of the week, over those award winning stars and “unmissable” performances.

source: soundonthesound.com

Sourse: American Music Awards…