MLM Leads Generation And Life With Brent

As I expected, it comes down to the two Davids.

However, I think one is a HUGE favorite.

David Archuleta, while vocally the most talented on the show, has worked himself into a peciliar situation coming into the final. He has only showed one genre that he excels in: Ballads. Take away the chance for him to show off those crooning pipes to a slow, lyrical toon, and he gets mediocre reviews. His Chris Brown performance last week proved that.

And while he has the vote of most teeny-boppers, he is not the complete package or star material. In fact, he is a little awkward. He has shown us throughout this season that he does not know how to communicate in a one-on-one interview. Only in the taped moments did he ever seem comfortable.

Archuleta has one other factor working against him: He is not original. In fact, I would guess that, minus some slight movement of notes in some songs, he has not had an original moment. It appears that most of the differences he put into his music was the prodding of his father, not from his own imagination on how a song should be.

The “Goliath” in this match-up is definitely David Cook.

Lets fact it, Cook is the complete package for a star. Vocally, he is extremely talented both within and outside of his comfort zone. The minute-and-a-half time limitations have not served him well in the last couple of weeks, but his originality has. He has the look of a star, the ability to communicate like a star, and the ability to make songs his own through arrangements.

And while not all of his performance this season were his originals, the ones he performed that he did arrange were nothing short of incredible. He not only brought the house down on the re-arrangement of “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey but this rendition of Aerosmith was incredible (regardless of what Randy says in the end).

So what will it take for Cook to win it all?

Not much.

If Cook shows up with an original arrangement in hand and rocks the house in one of the many songs he’ll get a shot at this week, he’ll capture an overwhelming majority of the votes of anyone over the age of 16.

If an older demographic votes this week, Cook will win in a landslide.

The final airs live this Tuesday on Fox. Lets hope for a knockout performance from both contestants.

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Brent Miscellaneous american idol, David Archuleta, David Cook

To the voting public of American Idol:  Huh?

Granted Carly Smithson has been taking heat from Simon for weeks, her performance on Tuesday should have been enough to put her through to the next round.  In fact, that song proved that she can have a great time, perform, and not feel like she is trying too hard to impress everyone.  In fact, even Simon liked it (for once).

Instead of picking the person who blew it (Brooke White) or the guy that has no business making it this far (Jason Castro), you pick one of the two females that have some real talent and chance of making it in the music industry.

But there is an obvious reason why Brooke made it through:  She has a huge following based off of her looks and previous performances.

In fact, one forum I participate on continually has post about how “hot” Brooke is.  Of course, most of these guys are 18-23, single, and “living life” so to speak.  But this may have had a lot to do with who all continues to vote for her.

Had this been the first time she has slipped on her performance, it might be a little more easily forgiven.  However, this is a second time.

Brooke’s following is that similar to viral marketing techniques.  Consider it a “bandwagon” mentality of followers.  Her popularity has spread quite rapidly since Hollywood week was over.  Her fans have been contagious in how they promote her looks and talent, as is evident by the buzz on the Internet and now the voting.  Through this viral spreading of her fan base, the show became about popularity and not about performances (especially recent performances).  Brooke is talented…just not the most talented this week.

One good thing did come out of this week:  It left hope for a finale with the two real superstars of this season:  David Cook and David Archuleta.

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Brent Miscellaneous american idol, carly smithson, David Archuleta, David Cook, jason castro, viral marketing

I never cared for the concept of American Idol until I got hooked watching the auditions last year. Now, its a weekly ritual (and set to record on the DVR in case I’m gone). Its interesting to me…I actually get hooked on the performers and how they do.

For the longest time I figured the baby-faced 17 year old crooner David Archuleta would win it all. After all, he is (in my honest but educated opinion) the most talented vocalist. He has a great future ahead of him but he lacks originality.

Enter David Cook.

I’ve always like David’s style. He’s a rocker with a good voice. What makes him stand out is his ability to take a song, put his touches on it, and make it sound like an original that could be a #1 hit all over again.

Take this week’s theme: Mariah Carey. She is one of my favorite all-time female vocalist but I’m not a HUGE fan of some of her songs. “Hero” was huge hit, as was “One Sweet Day” (combined with Boyz II Men…my all-time favorite song. Ever. Period). However, I never really cared for “Always Be My Baby” as a song. It was a little too, well, bubbly for my taste.

Again, enter David Cook.

David C. takes the song, adds his touch (whoever is helping him with arranging these is a genius…and if no one is helping him, David C. is a genius), and makes a song that I believe will be #1 again. It reminded me of Aerosmith and Bon Jovi in the late 1990’s: A great song, darker than the original (more “rock” than “pop”), and performed very well.

My take on it is this: While David A. is talented vocally and a hit with the “teeny bopper” girls, he lacks one thing that David C. has. Yes, both have great voices, a great stage presence, and great careers ahead of them. David A. lacks a certain flare and originality.

David C. (boy its confusing marking who’s who…even I get confused typing it) has the ability to take a song, here it through his ears, and make it a hit. The other David just sings really, really, REALLY well.

By the way, this is a great point in marketing. David A. has a great voice and a great following, but he has yet to really brand himself. David C. brands each performance with his own touch (other than great vocals). You hear in marketing of anything that you should always brand yourself and not just your products or company. This is a great example of just this.

David C. has managed to brand “David Cook” as a future star, regardless of how the voting turns out. Tonight’s performance is just one great example of that. His voice, his arrangements, his personality on stage, everything about him sets him apart from just a singer or just a guy with looks. He has set “David Cook” up for a successful run in the music business.

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Brent Business, Miscellaneous American Ido, Branding, David Archuleta, David Cook