The Price of Success

About a month ago, one of my hometown boys won the finals of the “Canadian Idol” competition – (for my American friends, it’s our version of the equivalent American Idol Series). His name was Brian Melo and there was no two ways about it – the kid was good. He had that soulful, confident exterior and a voice that he could switch from gravelly to mellow with ease. And his confidence and audience pizazz grew immensely during the running of the series. But here’s some things that happened to Brian and the people he’s been close to for quite a while that many people probably would never think about.

The first thing that happens when you win this series is that you are instantly ‘signed’ to a major record label – in this case, Sony. The contract is ‘exclusive’, meaning all other musical ties that Brian may have had are over. The problem is, is that Brian had some fairly major ties in the Hamilton area where he lived. He had been ‘fronting’ (singing for) a local band – “Stoked”, I think they’re called, and they were over halfway through recording the band’s first CD. A friend of mine had done hundreds of hours of pre-production and recording work with Brian and Stoked over the last half year. All this is now over. The band loses their front man/singer – essentially, the ‘voice’ of the band. All the work done one their album is in the tank. I’ve talked with their producer, as he’s the drummer in one of my bands, and he is definitely not too happy with all the work that he’s put in for nothing. And I’ve heard nothing locally about Brian’s band, Stoked, so I’m assuming that the band is in the tank, as well. It’s almost impossible to continue an original act when you’re just starting out and you lose your front man.

I wish nothing but good things for Brian Melo and what he might gain from his new career, and I certainly don’t blame him for anything that’s happened to people around him because of his Canadian Idol success. But still ... it sure sucks for the members of his band, Stoked, and my friend, their producer. It seems that the price of fame is often paid by other people.

D. Berryman

October 17, 2007