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« John's Next Great American Band Blog
A Surprising Week of Billy Joel
I'm going to the airport and I was just thinking about last night. It was pretty surprising what went down. The bands are doing Billy Joel this week and it turned out to be pretty interesting how they interpreted the songs.
I think it's a stretch for a lot of the bands to play that kind of material. But some of them did it really, really well. Seriously! The competition is getting better and better. It was pretty surprising what went down. They really started to own it.
In my opinion, I think the winner is still up in the air because some of the bands last night were really amazing. But some of them didn't put in nearly as great a performance as I had hoped for.
Of course, it isn't up to me who wins. What I really want is to be able to help the bands get to the next round. It's interesting because some of the bands have taken our advice and it's worked to their benefit. But, when you're young and talented and on TV, there's always the risk of falling in love with your own reflection.
I don't mind if people boo me but don't boo me until you listen to what I have to say. I was being nice to Lauren last week but she's obviously too fragile and spoiled for the music business, you know? She should stop being such a prima donna. It wasn't like I was beating on her for the sake of beating on her. All I said is, "You really have to learn how to sing better."
It's weird because I'm getting paid to give my opinion but, if I don't gush, people get so upset. We live in a generation where everyone gets a trophy just for participating. Someone's going to win and someone's going to lose. That's just life!
My advice to everybody is just to stay humble, focus on your music and forget about being a rock star. Make good music and the rest will come.
Fox's The Next Great American Band airs Fridays at 8 pm/ET.
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Nov 9, 2007 9:22 AM
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Welcome to the TVGuide blogs, John!  (But you should be more than familiar with the blogosphere after the work the you, Robby and Mike have put into the GGD website.)
I wholeheartedly agree with you: you're being paid to give your opinion and people have to understand that not everyone is going to agree all of the time. And, it's not like you're acting like Simon Cowell, for goodness sake!
You may not mind if people 'boo' you, but I do ... it's rude to condemn a person for expressing their opinion, even if they disagree with it. Agree to disagree, people, and move on.
And yes, if one is to survive in the music business without having a complete meltdown (Britney, anyone?) you have to have a tougher skin than Lauren seems to have.
P.S. Lovin' the darker hair! 
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Nov 9, 2007 1:44 PM
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You and the other judges suggested things to help the bands be better. They're all grown-ups - well, except for Light of Doom  They can take the feedback and use it to improve, or they can ignore it.
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Nov 9, 2007 4:28 PM
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You're doing an amazing job on the show!! Keep up the GOOd work!
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Nov 9, 2007 11:35 PM
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Exactly. The world would have mopped the floor with Lauren. You didn't say anything the rest of us were'nt already thinking. C'est la vie!
I really love this show! Every time I watch, I change my mind on who's going to win. There's a lot of talent on there.
I think you're doing a great job. Keep it real. Nice to see you blogging!
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Nov 10, 2007 10:18 AM
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Great job, John! It's so frustrating when everyone keeps booing you, and they're not even letting you finish your sentence. You actually give some pretty useful advice, and I guess some people just can't handle that. Thank you for staying humble, and making amazing music. Can't wait to hear what else you have to say!
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Nov 10, 2007 4:21 PM
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John, thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is great to hear it from your own perspective. You are doing an awesome and fantastic job. Don't let the booing distract you. They may be booing, but they also know that you are providing sound critiques and invaluable advice. As per Lauren, whether it'd be you or anyone else, she would have reacted in the same way. Immaturity and stubbornness are her biggest challenges right now. If she's smart, she will listen and go train those vocals and practice humility.
Your fans are loving you and supporting the show. It is a brilliant idea to get working bands noticed. Looking forward to your next post.
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Nov 11, 2007 4:28 PM
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Hey John! I'm glad you've posted a blog, and I'm here via the goo street team blog. I don't usually get to see the nightly news due to work, but a friend told me that Brian Williams did a story on nbc about many teenagers who have the same type of attitude this rocket gal seems to have. It seems to be so common that it's called "trophy generation". I'm fairly new to teaching, and I didn't know what to think of this type of hyper-sensitivity that many students seemed to display, but other teachers told me they had noticed it also, and recently a friend told me about it being a big enough phenomenon to be on the nbc news. So.......it's not you, John, and I suspect it's this same type of "trophy generation" mentality that creates the booing without even listening to the actual words coming out of your mouth.
You're doing a great job!
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Nov 11, 2007 7:03 PM
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Great work on the show - I am biased since I am one of your biggest fans (front row at 3 concerts this tour - met you at Darien Lake). You are speaking from experience and truly trying to help these bands - if they can't take constructive criticism then why come on the show in the first place?
And as for the booing - come on America - give it a rest, this man is over-qualified to give his opinion & even if you don't agree with it, at least let him speak without all the background noise.
We love you in Rochester, NY Johnny - hope you're back this way soon!
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Nov 12, 2007 8:39 PM
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Very well said John. I can't say that i've always agreed with what you've said in regard to some of the bands. I try to keep in mind that you catch things that most people don't. I thought your summary was right on. And I agree with your opinion of Lauren. She seems like a spoiled child, too bad the advice given by all three judges wasn't taken. Based on that, I'd say she wouldn't ever make it professionally.
As for people boo'ing, they're gonna do it, we all know that. That's what makes it entertaining? I love how you put your foot down and speak your mind, whether anyone agrees or not. As you have said over and over, you're trying to help them, not put them down.
I'm looking forward to Friday.
Stay safe! YOU are AMAZING!!
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Nov 13, 2007 12:08 PM
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Hey John, today's an amazing day as the band's Greatest Hits album is now officially released. It is exciting and I can't wait for my own copy to arrive in the mail. The new recording of Name and remix of Feel the Silence are AWESOME to say the least.
Your fans are celebrating with you. Big KISS from all of us!
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Nov 13, 2007 1:00 PM
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Thank you for blogging this because I missed last week's episode (I was 8 miles high) just returning from Naples. Having spoken to you on several occasions I know you are very articulate and well-spoken. Having played in several female bands I have to agree that you were giving some very constructive criticism to the Rocket's lead singer when you told her she should listen to Chryssie Hynde (Pretenders)~I even thought Annie Lennox and Melissa Etheridge too. It saddens me that the girl was so defensive because she may be hindering her own progress, and that of the band's~cutting off her nose to spite her face~isn't that a shame? Especially when there aren't that many really good female musicians/bands around. I also have to agree wholeheartedly with your comment about the boys, Light of Doom. Why would their parents allow them to "objectify their sexuality" in such a predator/pedophile society we live in now? I'm sure there are at least a few in the music business who would sell their souls to get next to those boys. As you pointed out, there's quite enough of that going around. I admire and respect your protective attitude towards them. You are a light in the darkness~a shining example of moral fortitude and courage to express yourself in that way. I was also amazed at the interview I just watched on LA-TV where you discussed how your parents died six months apart when you were just a teen. Wow~that touched deep into my soul because that is exactly the same thing I went through too! One of these days I'd love to finish that conversation. Until then, stay as wonderful as you are.....Much love and respect, Terigoo~Just one of many of your devoted fans. P.S. They have put up the tree in Rockefeller Center~the season is upon us. Remember performing "Better Days" at the tree lighting in 2005? Goo-d Times!
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Nov 13, 2007 7:00 PM
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John
Your doing a great job as a judge...........like I knew you would.
Hang in there and keep up the good work. So todays the day.........congrats on the greatest hits CD .Its a huge accomplishment
and we are very proud of the GGD.
Good luck on the new CD and looking so forward to the next tour !!!
See ya out there,
ROBIN BROWN
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Nov 13, 2007 11:07 PM
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John
Your doing a great job as a judge...........like I knew you would.
Hang in there and keep up the good work. So todays the day.........congrats on the greatest hits CD .Its a huge accomplishment
and we are very proud of the GGD.
Good luck on the new CD and looking so forward to the next tour !!!
See ya out there,
ROBIN BROWN
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Nov 13, 2007 11:08 PM
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John
Your doing a great job as a judge...........like I knew you would.
Hang in there and keep up the good work. So todays the day.........congrats on the greatest hits CD .Its a huge accomplishment
and we are very proud of the GGD.
Good luck on the new CD and looking so forward to the next tour !!!
See ya out there,
ROBIN BROWN
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Nov 13, 2007 11:08 PM
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