Why Best of SL LIVE?
Tuesday, October 30. 2007
Whoa, looks like I have created quite a bit of a flutter in the live music sphere of SL than I thought I possibly could
Here is my explanation of my motives behind the contest....feel free to ask me if you have anything else you need cleared up 
1. We are not going to be differentiating by
styles for a reason - people already go to live music concerts of
genres they like. There is nothing to make them sample or listen
closely to someone of a genre they might not care for. This will make
people listen to a blend of styles and genres and hopefully broaden a
few horizons
2. We are going to have two permanent judges throughout the contest and
one rotating judge position to bring a fresh perspective - one of our
permanent judges is Sir Brennen, a DJ/Performance Hall owner. We are
still looking for a second permanent judge. Some of our rotating judges
will be Doubledown and Prince Sonoda (of the SL Enquirer).
3. Right now we will be solely focusing on the vocals - if someone
is strumming along with the song, will not make much difference, but
help in audience perception.
4. I am placing ads and banners at every possible place - I am
hoping that this will draw in more than simply a musician's friends
into the contest's voting process. I am not of course, denying that
this is a popularity contest ultimately. What I hope we can see is that
an interactive process draws a larger audience.
5. I was going to put the venue booking fee up for the prize money,
but I got some sponsors, which was why I upped the prize money by
throwing even the sponsorship money into the pot. If I am a live music
venue wanting a singer to perform live, I pay them for the booking -
which is exactly how I see this contest working for venues who book it.
6. The minute one has open enrollment with no entry fees, everyone
and their grandmother can sign up - how many of them are serious about
singing? maybe 1/3. This was the reason why we wanted to have the 100L
entry fees - so that we only get serious entries.
I hope I got all the questions. I do want to reiterate I did not
envision this as a vehicle to belittle anyone in the SL live music
scene. I was not trying to offend sensibilities - I am not trying to
mislead people.
I have been in SL for 6 months - 3.5 dog years. I had no clue about
the live music scene until recently - all I knew were the jazz clubs
and the dance places. When I was asked by an AvaStar reporter about
what I can think of when he says biggest venues of live music in SL
were, my reply was literally, "Phat Cat's?".
The point I am trying to make is that - not everyone knows live
music in SL. I am in-world everyday and can list you the name of every
top designer of clothes and jewelry - I can probably name 2 live
musicians - ok, I am kidding, maybe 20 - but still!
I got into this contest not as a star vehicle for established artists
and venues, but as a push upward for those starting up or those who
have not reached that peak audience yet. This was for those venues that
crop up everyday with custom builds and starry hopes in their eyes -
those that want to be noticed by the world.
I do apologize if I have offended anyone with this novella of a
post, but that was certainly not the intention of me or my contest.
