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!!

006 Cowell Factor

Idol finally made it to Hollywood in an effort to find 12 people who could actually sing! Ryan Seacrest says there's an unbelievable amount of talent this year. Where has he been the past month?

Simon’s been working hard to spice up the X Factor judging panel with Victoria Beckham. Her credentials…even less talent that Danny Minouge.

My Fame Games artist picks this week include female artist, Naomi Striemer for her well structured power pop song “Images.” R&B talent Bobby Tinsley out of Tampa, FL has a song “What About Bob” that’s quirky, and original. Both these artists have real talent, please don’t stop!

It’s not without saying that I get a lot of emails knocking talent shows like American Idol. Is American Idol irrelevant this year though? When times are tough and people are losing their homes and jobs, how are people gonna feel sorry for a kid who loses it because he can’t play his guitar in an audition?

But no matter how bad the economy is or how low you feel, people will always need music simply because it is the only escape from real life. Your song can become someone’s symbol of hope.

To you, the artist, struggling to make your music heard, I say this – your song always has the power to change people’s lives!

One email I got in this week said, “We don’t need to get rid of big record labels, they will get rid of themselves.”

But the question I propose is, do we actually need big record labels? Now that we have the internet do you think we still need them? And with that…will A&R die? Tune in to this podcast and find out!

The Cowell Factor

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

005 Cowell Factor

Since joining Fame Games, I’ve been taking time to check out all the artists online and once again I’m drawn to the quality of songwriting. What shows like American Idol get wrong is that they don’t allow contestants to sing original songs so we don’t know if the contestants can actually write their own material!

I asked Simon about the creative process, and he said that if someone can write one GREAT song, then chances are they can write another one.

The Idol controversy this year is Joanna Pacitti which is similar to the electrifying Carly Smithson of last season’s Idol. But have you heard Joanna’s songs? They’re hot, and that’s why she’ll get my vote! Who cares if she’s been on a label?

Since Carly left Idol, she hasn’t exactly set the charts on fire but she’s hungry for success and she’ll keep trying. And that’s what YOU have to do – NEVER give up!

Here’s my challenge to you Fame Games, some of you already proved you can write a great song, but can you write another one…and another? Can Stars Go Dim write another song as good as “Get Over It?” Can Will Champlin write a better song than “Time Bomb?” What about you Midori, can you beat “Swim in My Ocean?”

Make my day, prove you can do it!

If you want success, you’re gonna have to build a massive portfolio of your own songs. Your songs are your ultimate power, you future, and even your pension…it’s your major weapon!

The Cowell Factor

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

004 Cowell Factor

It’s a hello and goodbye to Kelly Brooke who joined the judging panel of Britian’s Got Talent…and then got fired 6 days later! My advice to her, why not write a book called “How to make a million out of TV without ever actually appearing!”

Now to Idol, are there signs that Simon and Cara may not be getting along too well? Is Simon putting her in her place?

The highlight of the Idol auditions last week for me? Joanna Pacitti, and I trust that she will make the final!

Has the BBC sunk to new lows with its show EuroVision? And who even cares about EuroVision anymore? If you haven’t seen the show, please don’t bother – It’s an insult to real talent!

And the Idol scoop? Find out if it’s true that the final 12 will live under the same roof and be videotaped 24/7! Will this be Idol meets Big Brother?

I find that this year, Idol will be drawing more from ex-Idol winners, including David Cook. I believe that it’s his songwriting that makes him stand out from previous winners. This brings me to my piece of advice this week – If you can’t write songs, don’t even bother trying to make it big in this business.

I’ve been listening to enough brilliant songs on Fame Games to convince me that some of you guys actually know what you are doing! Congrats again to all Fame Games artists who have been sending me emails in regards to the 2008 Effigys; I was just so glad I could have a part in it. Special thanks go out to Sunset Slim and Sunbox for their messages.

I’ve been talking with two major record labels this week and they all say the same thing – they are cutting back on their artist rosters. But what I did learn, and there is a positive side, that labels are turning their attention to new independent artists! Tune in to this podcast and find out WHY!

The Cowell Factor

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

003 Cowell Factor

Has American Idol finally found a mean judge at last? Move over Paula! And speaking of judges, could former Spice Girl, Mel B be a contender for the new X Factor judge to replace Danny Minouge? Would Mel B work on the panel?

Is Idol a singing competition this year or a showcase of who can wear the least amount of clothes? I do have four people though that I think will make the Top 12, and I think I’m right!

I’m really excited about being part of the backstage at Idol and sifting through the Top 12 looking for that potential winner!

A big thanks goes out the Fame Games artists who were nominated in the 2008 Effigy Awards this year, I was so excited to be part of it. You all deserve success; please, keep writing and keep singing because don’t ever forget that this IS showbiz!

Listen to this podcast and hear who I’ll putting my money on for American Idol and I’ll see you next week!

The Cowell Factor

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

002 Cowell Factor

Happy New Year!! Congrats to the new X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke but bad news for Canadian Idol as it has been cancelled!

Could you believe all the tears though during the X-Factor, and the only dry and slightly pinched face was that from judge Danny Minogue but no worries for her because she is expected to replace Sharon Osbourne on American’s Got Talent.

But who will replace Danny Minougue?

The highlight on the X-Factor was Beyonnce’s performance as she is back at her best. Too bad about JLS though. I loved when they first auditioned but by the end, they were just another boyband! I so wish Louis Walsh would retire!

American Idol starts soon and the rumours are everywhere, particularly about Paula leaving the show (again)! But first, let’s just see how good the new judge Cara really is. But Simon says, “Trust me, Paula is here to stay…for this season anyway.”

In Hollywood, expect to see both Britney and Beyounce as guest artists during the LIVE shows and maybe, just maybe one of the remaining Beatles. I’m not sure which one, but I’m sure it’s not Ringo!

But what does Simon think about new Idol judge Cara? Is Simon complaining already?

I’m very excited about taking part in this year’s Fame Games Effigy awards. Who would I put my money on for Fame Games Artist of the Year? Who would I help get onto the music scene?

You’ll have to listen to the podcast and find out!!

And some final advice, since I’ve feeling a bit spiritual: when FAME comes knocking, don’t ever sell out! Always do what you do best! Until next week...

The Cowell Factor

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