Rock Wins Out Over Country as Canada Celebrates a New Canadian Idol
Submitted By Marti Clayton
Sep 12, 2007

An editorial by Marti Clayton

Millions of fans voiced their opinions and Hamilton, Ontario resident, Brian Melo (25) took the Canadian Idol crown at last night's season finale.  This was the very first time for an Ontario competitor to win the crown even though the most entries come from the Toronto area every year.

Since I will be posting a CTV press release on the Season Finale's highlights, I would like to take this time to post my own observations of the whole Canadian Idol process. 

There is so much more to the show than just what you see on your television…

• the excitement of the fans lined up outside the theatre doors, hoping to get a seat for the show by providing the throngs with some entertainment; sometimes good and sometimes pretty bad but you have to give them kudos for stepping up (but as senior producer and sparkly warm-up meister Sue Brophey would say, “We only guarantee 100% will get in”) …
• watching the excitement of the fans outside the orchestra level doors as they create their posters with love for their chosen idol before the show starts… 
• the excitement of the fans on the upper theatre level, getting pictures taken with stand-ups of the judges, host, roving reporter as well as the top ten… 
• the excitement of fans choosing which t-shirt or article of memorabilia they are going to purchase, take home, and treasure forever…
• the excitement of the fans standing in line after a long evening to get autographs and pictures with the remaining competitors...

Does the number of times I used the word ”excitement” in the paragraph above,  relay to you, the reader,  just how high people’s emotions are running surrounding this whole event?  If you are in the Toronto area, I highly recommend coming down and taking part in the festivities.

I must say, being in the media end of the industry has taken some of the “excitement” out of coming to cover various events …. HOWEVER … last night, that “excitement” returned when my absolute all-time idols, Bon Jovi took to the stage and rocked the Bassett Theatre like it’s never been rocked before!  Man that felt good!  Plus the added bonus of Avril Lavigne, last year's winner, Eva Avila and the Top 10's performances.

Congratulations to all of the Top 10.  You are truly talented souls and deserve every break coming your way.  I’m looking forward to listening to your albums.  I’m looking forward to attending one of the 15 cross-Canada Top 3 Tour shows.  I look forward to seeing what you do with this awesome opportunity you have been given!

 

Brian Melo and Jaydee Bixby perform "Break On Through", "That Song", "That's All Right Mama" and "Streetcorners Symphony" in their singoff before the champ was announced - CTV Photo

A special word to Jaydee…..  It is truly an honour to have met you.  You are a wonderful, charming, talented young man and you have a great future on the horizon.  You are an old soul but have the naivety of a young child…. Never lose that!  You are truly unique…

Thank you to CTV, InSight Productions, Scott Henderson (I owe you one, Scott!)  for your hospitality and kindness and for making my job a whole lot easier!  BTW, your organization of the media room, press conference and after-finale party was a class act all the way!

To Mona Brown (my right-hand “man” and photographer when I needed one!); thank you for attending the shows with me.  You were great company even though I can be a bit “grumpy” at times.  I look forward to sharing this experience with you again.

SOME ADVICE TO FUTURE COMPETITORS AND THEIR FAMILIES....

I got a chance to speak to some of the families of the Top 10 and one thing really stood out to me that I would like to share.  It’s a given when these talented “kids” (I can say that because I’m a grandma!) get to the Top 10, they are extremely talented and the cream of Canada’s crop.  However, just because they got that far, doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement and telling your children they don’t need to change a thing is not going to ink them a deal!  I spoke to 16 year old Martha Joy’s parents, who told me their child had already had a major record deal at 13.  I mentioned that even though (in my humble opinion) she had the strongest vocals of anyone there, she still needed to learn some stage craft and also how to put some emotion into the songs she’s singing.  I was told she was a star just the way she was and the judges were just picking on her.  In my mind, this statement was their child’s demise and, sure enough, she was voted off shortly afterward. 

Parents - support your children but don’t tell them they’re perfect just the way they are!  Don’t close off their minds.  Help them to weed out the good critiques and teach them to use what they have learned.  That’s what will make an idol.

LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN to what the judges are saying!  I’m not talking about the witty things that keep their pay cheques coming; I’m talking about the valuable information they are offering to make your performances better.   They have years of music experience (Jake told me he had 27 years in the industry) and they know what they are talking about.  If they tell you they didn’t “feel” your song that means you have to make sure you make the next song you sing more believable.  There is just no way of singing a heartbreaking ballad with a smile on your face throughout the entire song and make the audience believe you, no matter how well you sing it.

If you have made the Top 10, that means you ARE good but it doesn’t mean you are the best.  The onus is on you to show what you are capable of, grow better each week with the advice you are offered and let Canada see that you are worthy to be their next Canadian Idol!  Brian Melo did just that.  He was in the bottom three, three times and ended up winning the show!  

"Hats off to you, Brian!"

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