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[S647]So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star

by Cameron Landers, Cam

Even with the popularity of American Idol, I have to say Idol is not and cannot be the de-facto standard by which (I hope) we all measure talent. First of all, there's the age limit. There are so many rising stars and excellent budding artists and performers in this country and all over the world that don't fall into that age range that Idol is only scratching the surface of worthwhile aspiring talent.

And let's keep things in perspective: Idol is an entertainment show. Their objective is to provide entertainment in the form of a hit show - not to "create new artists". They depend on ratings to stay on the air. Some would say-- isn't that (the popularity of the show and it's good ratings) a true measure of the performer's talent?

No - it's just a measure of a well-orchestrated hit show. The performer's talent is not really the objective of the show - rather - keeping the show on the air and it's ability to sell advertising is what's important to the producers and investors who fund it. Just like any other show on TV.

I have to say from my own experience that long-term success in the music business does not revolve around the age 15-20-ish kids that you see performing from week to week on Idol. Not that they aren't good... and not that for that small snapshot in time they haven't (in a way) proven their ability to be a draw... even though the venue actually generates that. Certainly most of those who make the top 12 are capable singers and they will have incoming opportunities from record producers and MTV and all... and maybe they will get a real career going - IF they don't get sucked down the wrong path...

At the end of the day, it's a tough business, and that's the side of it the rest of us don't see.

My point is, there is no replacement for experience. People think its some sort of fairy tale golden plate and spoon - that everyone will just hand you everything you'll ever want for the rest of your life once you reach that point on idol where you have industry recognition. Such is hardly the case...

If you do end up being an artist and live performer as a career for real - it's not going to be glamour and success handed to you on a silver platter just because you came in at the top (or close to the top) of an American Idol competition.

When you get to the point where the top 6 find themselves each season, you've got a good chance to get called for record deals, sure... but then you better be able to "put up or shut up". You've got to hack it through some boot-camp-like A&R "development" and then instantly adapt to being on the road. Now the work begins - and it ain't a good time to be needy... even if you're only 15.

Something about audiences and longevity... Even those who win (or make it close) on Idol are mostly appealing to a 14-25 year old audience. That's cool if you're 14-25... hell yes! But to make it in this business across several decades and to maintain mass appeal across audiences of all-ages requires an ability to seriously compete on a massive scale - hitting the circuits... day after day, week after week. All of them - east coast, west coast, Reno, Tahoe, Vegas, New York, Atlantic City, Europe, Japan, international resort circuits, and everywhere in between.

It's a tight tour schedule, it's a blazing roller coaster, and you have no time to be moody or tired or even to think about how it feels. You will be running on very little sleep - all the time. They will drag you out of your bunk and shove you on that stage if that's the only choice you leave them, with barely time to clear your poor, hoarse throat.

When you arrive backstage at the shows: nobody cares what you look like or how you sound. They only care that you fulfill the contract - and you will - no matter what it takes. Your inconvenience or feelings or mood or heath or scratchy voice thing or petty problems are of no concern to a stage manager or tour boss. They don't care, and they don't want to hear it. You're on, babe. And you better shut up and be ready for cue.

Next: To make it through more than one tour, YOU must consistently generate a DRAW. The moment you fail to do that more than once at a large venue, you're freakin' toast. Those empty seats cost someone a lot of money. They were counting on YOU to fill them.

What money there is in the music business (if you are not a chart-topping 20-year-old artist) is made on the road-- and if you can also sell recordings that's gravy but you can never bet on that, especially these days.

The whole industry has changed in this new MP3 era to a model where the emphasis is on live performances... which are pod-casted all over the place and excerpts sold online as teasers to get fans to buy your single or the EP, or subscribe to members-only fan sites, buy promotional merchandise and all that good stuff... but mostly to get them to your next show.

I can tell you from experience that being on the road for a long time is tough - only suitable to those who have a true obsession for the music and working a crowd and those who can handle being on the road long enough to consistently generate filled seats. And then turn around and do it again the next day, town after town, over and over again, week after week, month after month.

I've been singing for live audiences since I was 12. Believe me - that was a long time ago. More years have passed since I was 12 than some of you who are reading this have even been alive. The music business is a hell of a lot more hard work than it is fun most of the time. But at the end of the day - you either bust your hump for it or you get knocked aside by those who will. You pretty much have to like it a lot to survive that.

So you want to be a rock climber. You'd like to climb a rock wall or maybe hang off the side of a rock formation somewhere. Well, you'll have several styles to choose from to do it. It could be as easy as climbing a small tree or you could seriously risk your life. Either way, you'll need to know exactly what you're doing.

Rock climbing is climbing to the summit of a natural rock formation or climbing to the summit of a manmade rock wall. It could also be climbing to a designated endpoint on a climbing route. It doesn't always mean that you've got to reach the very top. A sectional climb like this is referred to as a pitch. If you're climbing several routes consecutively, it would be considered a multi-pitch climb.

Rock climbing has been around for nearly a hundred years. Climbers have encountered many kinds of rock formations all around the world. It's not surprising then that rock climbing has branched into several more distinct styles. Most of the rock climbing done today is considered to be a form of free climbing. This involves using solely one's own physical ability to climb. Equipment is used but only as a means of protection from falling.

◦ Aid climbing. The safest method of rock climbing is aid climbing. Equipment is used for all handholds and all footholds, meaning that the climber is assisted every step of the way. When rock climbing first began, this method allowed for ascents that were believed impossible. It was this fantastic enabling quality of aid climbing that brought such interest to the sport.

◦ Bouldering. This style of rock climbing involves short climbing routes that are near enough to the ground that a fall should not result in the climber's death. There is no rope or harness but, preferably, there is a helmet. The only other option for protection is to use a bouldering pad (protective mat). The climbing partner (an absolute necessity) on the ground usually directs the location of this pad, aligning it with the climber's location. The climbing partner is also the all-seeing eye that warns the climber of hazardous areas.

◦ Top Roping. This is probably the easiest and safest way to free climb. A rope is already secured through an anchor at the top of the climb. A belayer, your climbing partner, holds onto the opposite end of the rope, controlling any give or take while keeping it taut.

◦ Lead Climbing. This involves a lead climber who ascends with one end of a rope tied to his harness. The belayer, the leader's partner, holds onto the other end of the rope, giving or taking up slack as needed. The lead climber sets up a belay system as she climbs, securing safety anchors for her partner to use, which is also the fail-safe system to catch the lead climber in case she falls.

If this is a multi-pitch route, the partner picks up the anchor points on the way up. The climbers then proceed to the next pitch. If it's a single pitch, the anchor points are cleaned (taken out) on the way down by the last climber. This is a great way to help keep criticisms at bay that rock climbers litter the natural landscape. All climbers should live the creed: Take nothing, leave nothing.

◦ Free Solo Climbing. This is also called free soloing. It is the most advanced form of rock climbing. The climber uses nothing for protection. No anchor points, no belay, no rope and no harness. If he falls, he falls unencumbered all the way down. It's quite frightening. Accidents, in this case, are tragic. You've got to be fit, skilled and have great emotional and psychological control to do this successfully. Be more than ready. Be extremely more than ready. Your life depends on it.

If you decide to free solo, be very weary of the weather. The climbing may be going just fine and then it rains. This could prove fatal to this kind of climber. Dry, sunny days are what you want. Don't risk your life.

◦ Deep water soloing. The only "safe" method of free soloing is deep water soloing. This is climbing done on sea cliffs over water. While falling into the ocean beneath a cliff face seems better than falling on hard ground, it isn't particularly safe. You've got to be aware of the tides and of prevailing wave action, of submerged boulders or coral islands. Not only that but, if you're climbing more than 80 feet above the surface of the water, the impact alone could be fatal. Mind your elevation.

◦ Indoor Climbing. This designation is for all rock climbing done indoors. Climbing is done on man-made rock climbing walls. Any style is permitted, although not free soloing. You're required to wear and use all safety gear. This would be the safest and most recommended way to learn how to rock climb.

There you have it, all the ways to rock climb. It could be a highly dangerous activity where you risk your life at every moment. Or it could be very safe and protected without worry. Just use caution at all times. And, please, don't ever climb outdoors alone. You know you're just asking for it.

Article Source : Mage Rogue Arena Guide

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Both Cameron Landers & Len Q are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Cameron Landers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Entertainment Guide. --- Cameron Landers has been exciting audiences as a vocalist and front man performing live stage shows for many years. His live show entitled, CAMERON LANDERS EXPERIENCE is a MUST SEE. Check out the cool MP3 clips and the live video featured here:. Cameron Landers's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.

Len Q has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer who strives to protect the natural world. If you would like to learn about▪ Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them▪ The Fastest Way to Sharpen, Steeling and mor. Len Q's top article . to your Favourites.