Frank Sinatra. Could he make it now?[/caption]Carol Forsloff------Elvis Presley finds his fame at Sun records, after walking in the door of a small studio in the South, as did Johnny Cash, both finding some rejections but also a direction and a world where opportunities were not clouded by massive numbers voting and getting friends to vote as well, which prevents many talented people from ever being heard. This is a problem for musicians that spills over into painting and writing and all the arts.
Earning money in art, writing books and articles and performing music is often thwarted by some of the abuses in technology. Add to this a continuing focus on youth with whole towns who concentrate specifically on “their” particular relative or friend who can vote people in or out of competition. The quality of the performances at times becomes reduced, even with the influx of those who claim talent simply to be part of the community of art. Add to this the reality show entertainment aspect where the ridiculous of someone dressed as a tree with a large megaphone is selected to present based upon the unusual disguise, not the talent of voice or instrument.
One woman said, when asked her interest in Jackie Evancho, whom the judges and audience had ruled especially talented, “She's too young to be that good, so I wouldn't vote for her.” So Evancho did not win first place, nor did Susan Boyle, because there were people who voted in opposition simply to thwart the more serious talents from winning.
Step in a room where, if you are a seasoned artist and someone asks what you do, and you answer you are an artist. You will rapidly learn that nearly everyone around also claims to paint, play music, or write. All of that is good, as these creative avenues are useful in building morale and interpersonal skills. But many of these same people find that with certain technology they can sound as professional as anyone, despite the fact their talent does not rise to the level of the professional who has trained for years. New music software can change the vocal key, timbre, quality of almost anyone, including those who have said they can't sing. Digital technology allows for copying and corrections of artistic work in ways that simulate serious painting, again with limited talent. And programmed outlines and software can turn out a book in a few hours with all the grammar and spelling errors that could make an English teacher fret.
Writing has its own issues, along with those in art and music. Journalists are confronted with hundreds of thousands of bloggers, many untrained in writing, who have strong political opinions and ideas but lack the knowledge to do comprehensive research and don't look on all sides of an issue in order to write in a fair and balanced way. So the typical reader sees an article online in a format that looks just like their local paper (but often with no contact information) and uses the information as if it were the truth, not an opposing notion by the traditional media. Furthermore that traditional media is often so downgraded by the bloggers, that many people now don't trust anyone except a blogging friend. So reputable and experienced journalists are losing jobs and income as a result.
The answer to these issues is actually quite simple. If you are ready to “buy”, look for a hands-on demonstration someone can sing or play music with a live performance, even if that's in a living room somewhere. Look at original paintings and the artist in a gallery working on a project. And with news and information, check the background of the writer and find the contact information as well, so you don't end up with the wrong information from a 16-year-old who just knows how to create a great-looking website with technology skills.
The abuses in art, music and writing are established by many people to be barriers for artists who have spent years honing their crafts. But it is the citizenry that supports the mundane, the artificial and the popular friend as opposed to the talented that brings the cultural aspect of the arts to levels of ordinary that do not elevate thinking or interest or abilities.
you mean like Michale Jackson ?
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