The Canadian Idol show ran its short course to fizzle out a few years ago. There’s apparently not enough interest in Canada for this format, or its content. Not when we have the American version with all its shenanigans, that is.
The Canadian Idol had brought in one little innovation before the American one in that it allowed performers to play their own instruments starting from the audition point. That had been a good move, though it’s not quite certain that judges were all that happy about it.
What has generally been painfully absent from all Idol formats however has always been the element of originality and creativity, the possibility to present a contestant’s own composition. Seems like the judges need to be very familiar with the material, which needs to have been a hit by some famous star, else they are unable to judge what they see and hear from a complete newcomer. Hohum.
Well, fortunately for Montreal (and dare we hope? one day maybe for Canada!) we now have the Acoustic Nights Montreal Teen Songwriter Competition, a volunteer based local initiative, which had its second annual event just on Saturday June 23rd, 2012. Teens 13-17 who write and perform their own music now, like never before, have a priceless opportunity to be seen and heard as they compete for some great prizes. All that’s needed to get in on the action is talent, dedication, hard work, ambition, support from family and friends … and a bit of luck such as not to forget lyrics and chords or lose the voice to laryngitis on stage 🙂 But beware, the competition is fierce (in a friendly laid-back manner) – which is the best motivator.
This year even a broken guitar string right before the end of his performance did not prevent 17-year old Jimmy Khayata from winning 3rd place with his original blues R&R song which he penned and mastered like an old-school pro. The judges are human, experienced and understanding and are able to see and hear quality through all sorts of mini-disasters like this.
We are blessed with such very talented kids. Here are the 2012 winners:
- 1st Place: Laurie Martin, 17 (Montréal, QC)
- 2nd Place: Kassandra Chamberland, 15 (L’Assomption, QC)
- 3rd Place: Jimmy Khayata, 17 (Saint-Laurent, QC)
- People’s Choice: Charly Corbeil, 17 (Saint-Césaire, QC)
Keep it up, we want to see you one day get right up there on the charts, along with the greatest of them.
This is Canadian music history in the making. Remember where you saw and heard them first.
