Stages, Divided.

NOW. For  another highly opinionated moment.

I may be part of a minority, but I still find it doubtful to think that the rewards resulting from hustling the regular club circuits are equally obtainable with the rigorous selection processes underwent on highly visible media talent searches.

There are areas that are incomparable for both arenas. These, which I dare say, draw the line between seasoned performers and  seasonal  performers. Seasoned performers are like good wine. They age, they get better with age, they last. Seasonal performers last as the TV network allows them for a season, as supported by the Mr. and Ms. Public's text votes and population.  Though both seek the ever elusive break,  the methods and game rules are so different.

Here are three areas that clearly divide both stages:

Area One:

The live club/bar gigs do not guarantee audiences, even if the talents have  established following and have religiously covered the necessary leg work .  Dates that fall on payday still rule, and should one act fall on weak days, it is still necessary to give 100% performance level before an audience of waiters, tables and chairs.  Those joining broadcast competitions enjoy a sure crowd (which  may like them or not), and do not have to worry if there will be people watching.

With Youtube and more,  audience is guaranteed . So does vulnerability to a slew of merciless- know-it-all- yet-faceless comments.

Area Two:

The talent searches give 3 minute shot at stardom, or less. Repertoire is whittled into something that which is believed to show the act in top form. No obscure requests on  tissue paper to contend with, no birthday greetings. The bar gigs see you as the messiah that can do Celine Dion one moment and Rhianna the next, and everything in between.  You do a 45 minute set, miss on one request and suffer the drunken public's frustrated calls for not doing that Billy Corgan tune (which you may have air guitar-red  to back in college).

Area Three:

If one misses that "note" on a Stevie Wonder cover, talent show guy gets immortalized for that lone fumble, without a chance of redemption at that very moment. The episode is run and rerun through gazillion uploads.   Crippling comments sprawl about, deadlier than MJ's throng of Thriller zombies.  The slight sharp/flat note done on national/ global media consequently turns into a mistake of national/global proportions.

Fair enough. 

Meanwhile ,  the gigging act gets a shot for redemption set after set. There will always be a chance to redeem the horrible version of the Barry Manilow classic the previous night. Though chances are, you may not have to play that song again as a big part of the previous night's performance may have been flushed down with the alcohol.

Oh well, or it may just be me. Just a highly opinionated moment, folks.