June 7, 2010
Greyson Chance – Talent Missed by America’s Got Talent
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Today I came across a video of Greyson Chance. Looks like I’m a little behind since the video already has over 25 million views on YouTube. I actually found this tech blog post about Greyson Chance, that had me completely fascinated. It was a mix of my nerd side and my tv show/talent/music side. I love the way the guy describes the first time he watches this video of Greyson Chance. Here’s his description:
The video was titled “Paparazzi” and in it is a kid sitting at a grand piano on stage that looks like a school auditorium. My first thought was, ‘heh, he looks a lot like my son, Cyrus, who’s 12. On the piano he is playing the chords to the widely popular song Paparazzi. Behind him on the raised stage is a bunch of teenage girls about the same age of the piano player. They all look kind of bored in the beginning. After about 30 seconds, I am thinking, ‘heh, nice piano playing but I’ve seen better.” The girls in the background look like they are thinking the same thing.
But then at :33 seconds this boy opened his mouth. And out flowed a voice that immediately hits your heart. You can see the ripple effect across the faces of the girls. Theirs eyes widen. They turn to each other in shock and smile. You can see as he continues to flex his vocal skills they continue to be shocked and smile in wonderment. In their faces you see reflected the reactions of the whole world. A superstar is born before our very eyes. This boy has the potential to be his generation’s Elton John or Billy Joel. His name is Greyson Chance. It’s a name we will all know.
I immediately shoot an email to my friend, Guy Oseary, the superstar manager to Madonna and many more top stars. The title of the email said, “You must sign him today!!! He’s a superstar!!” Sixty seconds later my iPhone rings and it’s Guy. “I just met with him!”, Guy said. Guy was already on top of it and meeting with him and his mother all day. Meanwhile, over 40 other competing agents were trying to get to them. But when you could have Guy Oseary as your manager why would go anywhere else? The video quickly to over 4 million views in one day, after Ellen then featured it, and has now crossed 20 million views. The next day he performed on Ellen live! (Note: Guy and Greyson just announced that they have officially joined forces!)
I’ve watching this video many times. It’s playing as I write these words and tears of inspiration flow as I watch the transformation in the audience from boredom to wonderment in 30 seconds. The video captures a moment in time where this boy transforms before our eyes like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon. One minute he was an unknown somewhere in the world practicing in his living room countless hours to an audience of none and the next he is performing for the entire world.
This is the modern mythology of our planet; that anyone can pull out that magic sword and transform himself into King Arthur; The dream that anyone in the world with talent can and should be discoverable. We live in a world where true talent can be discoverable without barriers. Our generation must take it all way & democratize merit for all. In a world like this we don’t even need shows like American Idol. The collective hearts, minds and passions of humanity will discover that talent together and shine a passionate light on them.
Ok, I won’t hold you hostage any longer. Check out the video of Greyson Chance:
Of course, we’ve seen this type of storyline before. Her name was Susan Boyle. Similar storyline, but Britain’s Got Talent helped to make that storyline happen. Greyson Chance is the type of talent that America’s Got Talent is looking for. I’m sure they’ll be sorry they didn’t find him first.
Although, I must admit that one of the people I saw at the America’s Got Talent 2010 Las Vegas auditions was at least as talented as Greyson. A very different style, but I enjoyed listening to him just as much. I’m sure I’ll talk about this guy more once the AGT 2010 Las Vegas auditions actually air. It will be fun to see how he compares to the now very popular Greyson Chance.
It’s also the reason why there’s the America’s Got Talent YouTube auditions.
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5 responses to "Greyson Chance – Talent Missed by America’s Got Talent"
As he seems to have been able to find success without AGT, why would’ve he be interested? In fact, how do you know they haven’t approached him and he/his parents weren’t?
From what I read here and saw on the show it doesn’t seem to be “fun” to be on AGT if you are a performer. First you stand in line forever to audition to producers. They may take you or not. Then they may have problems with what you perform and ask you to do something else which may or may not be good for you or your voice. They’ll ask you for a “sob story” and even if you are great you have little chance unless you have it (though it’s better for kids) – all of last year top 10 had a sob story, coincidence? Then they may humiliate you even if you are good. Or they may tell you you are what they are looking for, invite you to Vegas and then not even listen to you again.
Now about the rewards. There is one chance out of how many(?) contestants to win a million … paid over 40 years. There is a slightly higher chance of getting exposure, but only top 5 or so have a chance to capitalize on it. Add to it a very restrictive contract.
I can see people go on AGT if they really really need exposure and cannot get it any other way. But this boy seems to be doing just fine without AGT.
I’d imagine there are quite a few kids whose parents decide this isn’t a way to go. Look for example at this video of a 5 year old singer and think back to Kaytlin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWkxUlF_jho
Now this girl is no less cute than “little Kaytlin”, but she also seems to be really enjoying herself, is very musical and has a great stage presence (IMHO). But instead of going to popular talent shows, her parents appear to have let her talents develop in a more normal way – with piano, dance and voice lessons. She is now 14 or 15, I think, and you can actually listen to her at 9,11, 13, 14 to see how she developed; she also plays piano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0xt4js1fEc and based on one other video, studied ballet too. Imagine for a moment that this little girl went to a talent show when she was 5 or 9 or 11. Sure, she could’ve made money, but she could’ve also ruined her voice.
The story of Greyson Chance makes me cry, he is so talented. I have heard Lady GaGa sing this song, but was never able to listen to the whole thing (she just can’t sing). I’m so glad he chose it, it is a very cool song.
Kitty,
You might notice that I didn’t say it would be good for Greyson to be on America’s Got Talent. I just said that America’s Got Talent would love to have him on it.
Yes, you have point there. AGT would’ve loved him. But… it’s a good thing for him that he isn’t on it.
John, you can see the same transformation on the audience’s faces in the video of Kevin Skinner’s AGT audition last year. The women in the audience especially seemed transfixed as they hear his fantastic audition. I listened to clips many other covers of the same Garth Brooks song on iTunes, and Kevin’s was the best.