013 Cowell Factor

This week - I take a look at the whole business of pop comebacks - are they good for the music industry! And….are the rumours about Simon quitting the X Factor really true? I find out - from the man himself.

I’ve just kicked the lid off the Fame Games - Talent Bank - and guess who I found lurking inside --- All Day Sucker. I found a song called Santa Ana - which I love because you’re sounding a little bit Steely Dan!

And now a quick shout out to Brit band…Sunbox…who this week sent me a great pic of themselves dressed as The Cure - god know why. But thanks guys - you look as good as you sound.

So check it out - check it out - American Idol really hit its stride this week with Motown as its theme. As the singing oil rigger finally got voted off we got to see Stevie Wonder and Joss Stone perform. But I was kinda happy to welcome back season two winner Ruben studdard - wearing what looked like pyjamas.

And my Idol scoop? Next week …the contestants will sing songs from the I Tunes Top 100 - so… expect lots of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears...Oh lordy…

So lets check in on Simon’s world because the rumors have been flying this week over whether this year's X Factor will be his last.

No way….

But who on earth would replace him on the judging panel? Well… he told me that if he did leave - and he is yet to sign a new contract - the judging panel would be left in the manicured hands of Cheryl Cole. Mmmm - good job Cheryl.

So here's the thing….
Old popstars never die they just make comebacks. The scary news this week is that 80’s New Romantics Spandau Ballet are to reform - but Spandau join a long list of proposed comebacks including Simon and Garfunkel and Brit band Blur who are also to reform this summer and jump a board the lucrative tour bus - or is it bandwagon.

So I couldn’t help but wonder….are all these comebacks good for the music biz or is just easy money for the record labels?

But doesn’t the fact that with all these comebacks and old 60’s stars still touring say something about the strength of their back catalogue of songs? Of course it does.

The fact is if you want to get signed to a major label you’re gonna need a whole lot of hit songs in your back pocket. It’s a bit like the publishing business when authors submit their first novel to a publisher - and they go WOW that’s brilliant - but before they agree to publish your book and hand over a wad of cash in the hope that you become the next JK Rowling - the next thing they want to know is…can you write another. And It’s now the same for music - imagine the Beatles only coming up with one album’s worth of songs?

Look…The fans of all these comeback kids… just want to hear all those great songs again - so it’s a win win situation.

I guess my message here is - the importance of building up your own portfolio of songs. Otherwise you know what happens if a label signs you on the back of only one good song? Yea, they’ll make you record a album of covers. We want new artists and new songs …that’s why Fame Games was born.

So lets make it work and get Indy music to take over the world. To hear this week's full Cowell Factor, listen to this podcast!

Email me a tony@famesgamesradio.com

The Cowell Factor

If you've only got ONE shot at FAME you might as well get it right!!

012 Cowell Factor

Well it's definitely been a week of highs and lows! The Highs? Simon gets named checked by President Obama on Jay Leno. And the lows...American Idol becomes a bit like watching the lions and the Christians.

Meanwhile, back in Britain -more lows - as former X Factor winner Leon Jackson gets booted off his record label. Boy can Showbiz be cruel!! So… just to help…I go in search of what you have to do to keep motivated in this business.

Now on American Idol…On Wednesdays’ elimination show, Alexis goes out in what can only be described as the most excruciatingly cruel way. She had to sing again to see if the judges would save her. And guess what? They didn’t. But hey, that’s showbiz!

But ten go onwards and upwards and I can reveal that next week it’s Motown - and Smokey Robinson is going to mentor - Get it on!

Now….back down in the Fame Games talent Bank -

This week I’ve found two artists who are completely different. No Second Troy is a rock band from Washington DC. And this band has somehow found a way to blend the pop hooks of Snow Patrol and Coldplay with their own unique arrangements.

Then… I found Indiana Gregg in the Fame Games contenders list - I like you Indiana because anyone who can write a song like Groovy Kinda wonderful deserves to be noticed. You certainly know how to write hooks.

So…

You did say you wanted to be in show business didn’t you? OK…Good. So let’s just put that to the test. How do you cope with the highs and the lows??? Well…. imagine - you’ve just sung in front of 30 million people on Idol - and Mr Cheesy Seacreast announces you have the least number of votes and you have to sing again to see if the judges want to keep you. So You do - and just like Alexis - you get booted off.
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But I couldn’t help but wonder - this business is seriously tough - so you need to be tough. So when the lows do come - how do you deal with them ? How do you stay motivated.

You know what? ..I don’t normally talk about Simon much …do I? Maybe I do…But I’m going to use him as an example this week. And I don’t really care whether you are a fan of him - or not.

Simon has this Karma thing going on. He never gets down - ever.

And its SO annoying.

If you’ve read his autobiography he talks about losing everything. And he did. He even had to go home and live with mum - no easy task I can tell you. And her cooking’s terrible.

And what happened? He never once gave up on his dream. He never once stopped telling himself he wasn’t going to make it. He had to start again. He got another job in A@R. He told the label they should look to TV for recording artists - they laughed at him. Told him he would never make it in the music business. (Yea right!)

So don’t suffer rejection - try again. If they don’t like your song - write another. Don’t listen to what people tell you - they may be wrong. And when the lows do come - be strong… because this business is all about winners - and winners get back up to fight again.

This business is so full of highs and lows. And that’s WHY I love it SO much.If you want talk about the fame game!

Email me a tony@famesgamesradio.com

The Cowell Factor

If you've only got ONE shot at FAME you might as well get it right!!

011 Cowell Factor

This week Simon dreams up some new rules to make American Idol sing -So.. two contestants go down and the ratings go up.

But first, before Idol… I go back in the Fame Games talent bank to discover two new artists who I think should be selling millions of albums.

The first is a guy who last year was a finalist on Canadian Idol - Oliver Piggott. I love your song Our Generation - you suddenly make folk music sound really cool. You don’t sound like anyone else - you're doing your own thing - and it's fresh.

Now I’ve mentioned this artist before but I cant help showcasing her again. It's Midori and Audioclique. I think Rock, Paper Scissors is such a brilliant song - I can't believe what you're doing Midori and yor only 16. With songs like this you so deserve to be huge.

And so what about American IDOL..This show has finally hit it's stride. Last week it was Michael Jackson songs- and I can reveal that next week is all about country music...expect loads of Dolly Parton songs!!

So listen up this is Tony’s tip of the week
With music now available with a single click, it's easy to forget that songs are not born whole and ready to play. They are created by artists like you who draw on a combination of skill and inspiration.

One of my favorite websites is the Measure for Measure at the New York Times website. It's all about the song writing process. The blog is hosted by some music heavyweights including Suzzane Vega and Roassna Cash. But whats really cool about this site is that the writers post their songs online and you can watch the songs actually evolve. So check this site out - not just because I said so - but because I think it will inspire you.

So.. Suzanne got me thinking and I couldn’t help but wonder…

So many people keep telling me, "The music ‘industry’ is dying," but they don’t say why. One of the problems is that shows like American Idol are not looking for the next talent to come along and change music, they’re looking for the next in a line of artsists we already have. They’re looking for the next Britney Spears, or the next Justin Timberlake.

If someone like Janis Joplin auditioned for Idol - she wouldn’t stand a chance. She’s wasn’t blonde, she didn’t really dance, and didn’t know the meaning of the word stylist. But seriously…..how many of the original ground breaking artists would even get a foot on the Idol stage today? Bob Dylan? Definitely Not. Willie Nelson - no chance. Bruce Springsteen? I don’t know….

What I love about Fame Games is that it has no pre-conceived agenda - it doesn’t discriminate. It’s not just about image. It's only concerned with breaking NEW music - it's all about the song - and the sound. SO..just bring on Indy Idol.

So… what does Simon say this week?

Well, he definitely wants Michael Jackson to guest on the X Factor. And I’m not surprised. With Jackson on the brink of the biggest comeback in the history of pop having already sold out 13 dates in London.

So here’s the thing….Do you think Simon’s right to have Jackson on the X Factor??????

Yea, he’s written some of the most memorable songs in pop history, but does he still have the X Factor - and more importantly is he still fit enough to moonwalk?? And do I really care????

I wanna know whether YOU would go to a Michael Jackson concert - and whether you REALLY believe he is still the King of Pop?

So - Email me a tony@famesgamesradio.com

The Cowell Factor

If you've only got ONE shot at FAME you might as well get it right!!

010 Cowell Factor

After being inspired by a song sent to me by a fame gamer …. I go in search of the Creative spirit in a bid to find out what it really takes to write that hit song.

But first… I’ve had quite a few emails this week on the subject of the live music scene in America. Jon Crowe – from New York band Character Nine says Tony, “Is the live music scene dying in the US?” Well John – I’m afraid it is in New York. But do go down to the Cornelia Street Café on Bleeker street – where they hold what they call the Songwriters Beat – It’s where indy artists try out their new songs in front of a live audience! Of course places like LA, Nashville and Austin, Texas all have a booming live music circuit. So John…. I think maybe you should move.

I get kinda cozy down here in the Fame Games talent bank today because I’ve found two really jazzy girls: New Yorker Emily Zuzik– this girl’s got such a smooth sexy voice – I couldn’t resist her. My other girl is Amber Ojeda from San Diego, I just love this jazzy sound you have. Your song Hype Love is fantastic. You are both my Fame Game Idols this week. Don’t stop.

And so….. to American IDOL –
And At long last… the top 13 are finally announced. This shows feels like its been running for months already. Listen and find out who Simon thinks should win. I have my mind set on someone else though!!!

But you know what...for all the stellar moments so far this season …I’m getting so tired of listening to all these bad covers. At least when David Cook sang covers – he proved he had the ability to make the songs his own. My version of American Idol would be simply Fame Games but on TV. In other words Indy Idol. Would you be a contestant on Indy Idol?? Yea you bet you would.

So you think you can write songs do you???
I had an email from Fame Gamer Sunset Slim in Nashville and he sent me a brilliant song he’d written called Hope I Never Write Another Song. – You know what? I’m beginning to warm to you Slim – and naturally I really hope you do write another song.

Slim – you know what? …artists like you – really light up Fame Games for me – and lift it to higher plane. I really like this song. So give it a listen and a vote.

So Slim’s song got me thinking….and I couldn’t help but wonder… what we really have to do to capture that creative spirit? Where do we find inspiration to write that hit song?
Why don’t you email me at Tony@famegames radio.com – and lets talk showbiz.

The Cowell Factor

If you've only got ONE shot at FAME you might as well get it right!!

009 Cowell Factor

Now I was going to mention three American Idol contestants who sang really badly this week and STILL somehow made it into the top 12……but I won’t. I can find better singers on Fame Games – and I do.

My first pick of the week from the Fames Games Talent Bank is Armen – and his fusion of hip-hop and R&B is just so infectious - and I love the whole spiritual vibe that’s going on.
Someone else I really like is Jason Adamo – I just love his voice – this boy can really sing. I so wish you were in idol this year…And now I’ve probably depressed you haven’t I?

Now talking of self-belief - What does Simon say this week? – well first off (IF you ARE an Idol fan – which I know DJ Crier is..secretly) – Simon says, "I think when we put the final 12 together, you will see more personality, this year.’ Oh Yea??? – OK….if you say so. And finally, I asked him what was that weird story about you wanting to have your body frozen when you died? Did he have anything to say? You’ll have to listen to find out!

So listen up - My advice to last year’s idol winner David Cook is enjoy your fame while it lasts because Ruben Studdard and Clay Aitken are the latest victims to be dropped by their record labels. Sadly they join an ever increasing list including Blake Lewis, Katharine McPhee and Bo Bice – How does that happen? Well…..Bad management comes to mind.So I couldn’t help but wonder – When you have had the biggest platform in the world and been watched by over 40 million people - What goes wrong?

So my question is – Once you have experienced that level of fame - What DOES it takes to stay on top?

Well, one look at the top money earners last year – tells its own story. The big money is in touring. The Billboard figures for 2008 show that Madonna tops the list of high rollers earning $242 million! But let’s face it, the top earners have been around for decades and have a huge fanbase.

So…build YOUR own fanbase.

The download stars of today – artists like Just Jack and Gnarls Barclay, had already built a massive fan base online. But if you look at these artists today – guess what? They are now on major labels – WELL what a surprise. The major labels will always come knocking – once they sniff talent – moreover , if they can see you have done most of the work by building a ready made audience – you surely have a bigger chance of getting signed. So go for it.

And if you wanna argue this? – be my guest – just email me at tony@famegamesradio.com - And Lets talk!

The Cowell Factor

If you've only got ONE shot at FAME you might as well get it right!!

008 Cowell Factor

This week American Idol dumps some bad singers for a change as the public take over the voting. I'll also let you in on who’s going to be mentoring the top 12. And… without a man boob in sight - I lift the lid on the fame games talent bank to reveal two more of my favorite artists.

Has anyone noticed that just about every former Idol contestant appears to be on the Billboard chart this week. David Archuleta, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Hicks.

Back in Hollywood, the Idol rumors continue to fly over who’s going to mentor the final 12. Listen to this podcast as I reveal two more artists that are possibly in the running. My advice? – Oh Please….just keep them young.

Now it's time to get my man boobs out Aussie singer Diana Anaid and her song Last Thing. This is pure hot pop – and with some very tight and angry lyrics. I love it! Next up is a British band Two Spot Gobi with their song Sunshine Lady– I reckon this is probably the best new band I’ve heard in a long while.

I have to thank all you guys for your emails. This week Fame Gamer Kitana, really got me thinking. She says..."Hey Tony, what is more important to a 'HIT SONG' the melody or the lyrics?"

So I couldn’t help but wonder - What really makes a song stand out – what makes it a hit? You'll have to listen and find out!

Bill in NYC also emailed me and he says. "Tony, Now that you've heard all the quality talent here... what will you do about it? You come across as "one of us!" Is that put on or is it real?"

Bill, Bill Bill - The Cowell’s are real – we mean what we say. Listen to this podcast and hear my two cents.

But I will tell you this, I will always let you know the music I like at Fame Games. I’ll tell you the music I don’t like – if you want – but that would only prove negative. And I don’t do negative. I’m here to be positive and hopefully give you the confidence never to give up on your hopes and your dreams of being famous and getting your music noticed.

So if you want to talk about it – go ahead – make my day – email me at tony@famesgamesradio.com - if you dare…

The Cowell Factor

If you've only got ONE shot at FAME you might as well get it right!!

007 Cowell Factor

American Idol announces its top 36! But one is already disqualified…and I know why? I will give the inside Cowell scoop and let you know who will be on the X Factor judging panel next year! And... who does Simon think will win Idol?

This week on the Fame Games website, I discovered “gold” with the band Dalton and Beta Rays! They both have the ability to write great songs! Dalton’s “Gabriel” has hit written all over it and Beta Rays can write great songs without getting into any lyrical clichés.

Hey Sunbox, thanks for the poem! You should write a song to it! It’d be a massive hit!

And who was disqualified from Idol... Joanna Pacitti… and it’s not because she was once with a record label. Listen to the podcast and find out why!

So who’s gonna win Idol? Paula and Simon put their money on the men this year. Listen and hear who they are!

Next week, I’m going to tell you who I think will make the Idol Top 12 as well as let you know the celebrity mentors, so don’t miss out on next week’s Cowell Factor!

So who is really going to take over Danny Minouge’s spot in the X-Factor? Simon says, “Danny Minouge of course.” The underlying meaning: Posh Spice wouldn’t take it!

With the Grammys being held last week, many Brits took home the big awards for the night. My question of the week: What does it take to crack the American charts these days?

Email me at tony@famegamesradio.com and let me know which British acts you think could break American charts this year! Who knows, it could be Beta Rays!

The Cowell Factor

If you've only got ONE shot at FAME you might as well get it right!!