The Next Food Network Star!

I'm kind of a fool for those food reality shows…Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef, Ace of Cakes. But The Next Food Network Star is different. It's not about just great food or great culinary experience. It's something more. To be the next Food Network star, the winner has to have something special. THEY NEED TO CONNECT WITH THE AUDIENCE! It can be frustrating at times to watch some of these very talented people struggle at "performing". Some do fine in front of a camera but freeze in front of an audience. For some it's the other way around. The next Food Network star must have at it all. They need the whole package. Cool in front of the camera, cool in front of an audience, they need culinary talent, they must make the food not only taste good but look good AND look like it tastes good. They need to make your mouth water when you watch. They need to be likable, and most importantly they need to be authentic. As chef Bobby Flay says about the lack of authenticity…the audience will pick up on it and so will the viewers.

Well I'm sure you can see where I'm going with all this. When it comes to being an artist (no matter the genre) you have to connect. For some this comes natural and for some it ain't easy. Nothing worse than watching an artist crash and burn before your very eyes (okay maybe a comedian …all by himself trying to be funny and all you hear are crickets). Most artist will tell you "that's who I am, I can't fake it". Let me be clear, I am not suggesting you be anything you aren't. However, it is important to know who you are and enhance those appealing qualities. It's also important to listen to your audience. Not just what they say but what they don't say. Any artist who has felt the roar of genuine applause vs. the polite clapping knows what I'm talking about here. Find the things that work and ditch the stuff that doesn't. As an artist, like the Next Food Network Star, it's the whole package that is going to make things work.

BTW...A couple of pet peeves for me when watching a band… - music stands - I hate 'em, especially when they become a crutch for a musician or vocalist to stare down at. If you really need them make them as inconspicuous as possible. It's important to look at the audience and make the audience feel like your performing your music for them NOT because "it's a gig". And the other... if you're having fun…show it! If your audience likes you…they are more likely to like your music. The too cool for school vibe doesn't always work. Some artists may be able to get away with being condescending and standoffish (Miles Davis and Prince come to mind) but in general, like the next Food Network Star you stand a better chance by connecting and coming off as a person folks want to hang with down at the local pub. In fact at your next gig…invite everyone down to the local pub, have a nice hang and get to know your fans. The first one's on me!

Steve Belkin is a music business consultant and owner of Open All Nite Entertainment and an artist manager and partner with Left Coast Music Group.