The Innovator
I was watching YouTube today, and searched for some of Charice’s amazing singing performances, and afterwards, I started to surf around for other singers. There were so many, from Brazil, Germany, USA, France, Italy and yes, the Philippines.
As I was watching these amateur singers, I realized, what an “Innovator”, Dave Duenas (A.K.A. FalseVoice) had become in the music business. I’m not sure if anyone really notice, (or maybe you did), the underlining effects he had on impacting, not only Charice’s world, but also, every other amateur singer on YouTube. All major music industries can point toward Dave Duenas, as a perfect example of what can happen, if they have the right person who can utilize the right tools, in marketing, promoting, and of course, a Charice Pempengco to work with, wouldn't hurt. By the way, over 12 million hits on his FalseVoice site. That’s a staggering number of views.
You’re saying to yourself right now, “No, YouTube helped Charice Pempengo”. Yes, I agree with you, but only as a manifesto stepping-stone. If that was the only reason, why isn’t a MAJOR label or Oprah, signing and show casing more amazing amateur singers off YouTube? And why haven’t you heard of their name on any major mass media? In my opinion, and it goes way back, back before Charice was on Ellen Degeneres and Oprah. I believe it was Dave’s pure genius ways he went at it, by promoting Charice on YouTube, the “right way”. By challenging Charice’s critics, comparing various famous singers, “spot” commenting on other sites, picking the right songs, doing incredible, yet simple videos, with the right touch of style and drama into his videos. And let’s not forget, in the music business, a little bit of luck.
Just 2 small additional points, the reader cannot say Charice had no exposure to the public. She was on various local Filipino T.V. shows already. Also, notice the trend of singers comparing to other singers in current YouTube videos? You only rip off someone else’s idea, when you know the formula works.
From a music business standpoint, Dave is this generation’s new wave of raw talent managing. Other then Chasters, No one outside, really thinks or recognizes his profound impact he stirred up in the music industry, and arguably, the first to do so on YouTube. (By the way, a lot of research went into this article and I could not find another singer, who was signed, with the same IMPACT Charice is having now).
Just like vinyl records, cassettes, and even CDs now, these products are now outdated in the music business, so are the days of music companies telling us, who we should listen to. With Charice, the subculture YouTube crowd told the music industry, Charice is who we wanted and the music company delivered it on a silver platter.
I’ll submit to you my final argument and you can make up your own conclusion. Other then big music company signings, with major clout and money, with the likes of Disney Corp, American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and Britain’s Got Talent. Who else ranks up there with Dave, as having a legitimate leg up, in the world of putting an amateur singer over the top (on YouTube). Not only do the Philippines have one international singing sensation to be very proud of, but if you think about it, you also have an international music innovator to be proud of, as well.
-Jeff Ryan
Los Angeles, Ca