Jamie Redfern - Why I Love Australian Idol

Love it or hate it you have to admit that Australian Idol has been a much needed shot in the arm for the Australian music industry. The number of success stories the popular concept has nurtured and created to date is nothing short of amazing, and all have been instrumental in instilling or reinforcing the required belief in other budding young performers that they too might actually have what it takes to make it in the exciting world of showbusiness, if presented with the same opportunity to showcase their talents.

As director and vocal coach of the Australian Showbusiness Academy in Melbourne's Hoppers Crossing, I personally witness each day the very positive effect the Idol concept continues to have on young performers with stars in their eyes and ambition in their hearts - and I love it !

Before Idol, New Faces and Young Talent Time gave young performers a chance to be discovered and gain rare television exposure.

Both New Faces and YTT enjoyed enormous ratings success, and the socially accepted adjudication method employed by each concept at the time was the use of gentle positive encouragement. My own manager the wonderful Miss Evie Hayes was the perfect example of this philosophy in action, and would only ever critisize a talent quest contestant using the most respectful and diplomatic words possible - and we all loved her for it.

Then came Pot Of Gold and the introduction of the always entertaining though often razor tongued critiques of Bernard King. Bernard knew only one way to adjudicate - his way - and once again, though in stark contrast to the method used by Evie, the television viewing audiences loved it. 

The success of Pot of Gold was a sign that times had begun to change, and that something which was once television taboo, had become a sure fire ratings winner.

The negative comments occasionally directed at contestants on Australian Idol now make Bernard Kings tirades seem like the ramblings of a schoolboy on valium, but in defense of the idol judges, and the concept in general, I have to say that it is only a true reflection of how much times have changed yet again, and is nothing more than what the contestants can expect should they make it as successful performers on the world stage.

My humble advice to performers who find themselves in the Idol judges firing line, is to use the experience as a positive - a chance to harden themselves to the realities of the negative aspects of the industry I have known and loved for the better part of 45 years.

Comments often levelled at performers by some members of the public and the media via the internet and other social mediums can be potentially soul destroying - it comes with the territory. 

Showbusiness is unfortunately not all glitz and glamour - it is a rewarding but tough industry and a performer has to be equally as tough to succeed and survive in it. Nowadays, I truly believe mental toughness is a prerequisite to a successful career as a performer, and that Idol is simply giving the contestants a taste of what to expect, nothing more.

Personally, I hope that Australian Idol exists for many years to come - not only for the sake of the Australian music industry, but also for the sake of the many exciting young world class stars of the future we are yet to meet, who might not have otherwise been given a chance to shine.

Jamie Redfern