Journey TV Reality Show - Seriously

[fred_journeyman]

Maybe Journey should have their own TV show where they have songwriters compete to have their song recorded by the guys on a new CD. That would get them into millions of homes where people would vote for the songwriter and the song. The winning song/songwriter would not only get their song on the next Journey CD, but they would get a contract with a label to produce songs for other groups. The show would not only feature Journey every week, but build a huge fanbase with those who might not have heard of Journey. By the time the show had finished its run, momentum would have hopefully built so that the forthcoming CD would have a lot of fanfare and pre-release hype and interest.

Every few weeks, the band would take a song that's received the most votes and play it live for the crowd.

They would be no worse off than they are now and maybe further ahead. I'm dead serious. It would be a show that I would watch and it would probably be a heckuva lot more interesting that Tommy Lee's Supernova show.

Andrew, this is a positive approach and I think it has merit. Others will disagree, I'm sure, but it cannot be ignored that reality shows can make or break people. As much as I can't stand reality shows in general, some have merit.

[larryfromnextdoor]

cain is a song writter,, they often have egos centered around their own creations, i bet cain would have big problems with this,, journey writes their own material , and cain created a way of writing powerful slow songs that everyone enjoys,, bet he would flip out,, i love the idea though,, anything to get them into the homes and have a name again!! way to go fred!

[ArnelRox]

While I see ur point Fred, I would think of it as very tacky.

[somethingtohide]

I think you're correct, in that it might generate some new fans for the band. But speaking as a longtime, 28 year, fan I wouldn't like it.

I know the band is a business, but a show like that would strip away any idea that what they do is an art form as well. It would put them right up there with Britney for me. They've already been given a bad name as being a corporate rock band and participating in a show like this would be the final nail in that coffin IMO.

That being said I like that you're thinking of new ways of promoting the band.

[fred_journeyman]

cain is a song writter,, they often have egos centered around their own creations, i bet cain would have big problems with this,, journey writes their own material , and cain created a way of writing powerful slow songs that everyone enjoys,, bet he would flip out,, i love the idea though,, anything to get them into the homes and have a name again!! way to go fred!

I didn't know that Cain would flip out, as you say.

I'm talking about one song. Do you know how many contests are being held right now for up and coming film directors? These are hosted by the likes of Steven Spielberg and others and the winner of theirs will get a huge contract with a studio and a chance to turn their script into a movie and/or TV show. More and more heavy-hitters like Spielberg and others are doing what they can to help "newbies" out.

Why can't Journey do something like this to not only help out an aspiring song-writer, but to put and keep their name out there in the public eye? If done correctly, (unlike Supernova and too many other reality shows), it could not only be good for the band, but ultimately good for the writer.

The truth is that things move at such a fast pace today and what is hot today, is dung tomorrow. We all know that. Because of that, I think Journey needs to step out of their "touring box" and do something different, which will go a long way (hopefully) in creating a new generation of fans. If we're talking about getting new fans (the younger kids), it's the kids who watch these programs by and large.

[fred_journeyman]

I think you're correct, in that it might generate some new fans for the band. But speaking as a longtime, 28 year, fan I wouldn't like it.

I know the band is a business, but a show like that would strip away any idea that what they do is an art form as well. It would put them right up there with Britney for me. They've already been given a bad name as being a corporate rock band and participating in a show like this would be the final nail in that coffin IMO.

That being said I like that you're thinking of new ways of promoting the band.

It COULD have that negative connotation IF they did an ENTIRE album/CD of songs written by others. I'm talking about including ONE song by an unknown songwriter on their next CD. The show would have a built-in fanbase and generate a ton of excitement for the band. This is something that would be mutually beneficial to both them and the songwriters. Too many songwriters NEVER get their work noticed and here comes Journey, alongside a group of aspiring songwriters not only to encourage them in their work, but to help them achieve something for themselves as songwriting artists. If I was their PR person, I would strongly look into this for them.

I think it could be an extremely positive thing for both parties...IF it was done well. It would also allow us to see the guys just talking and giving advice to aspiring songwriters, as opposed to always seeing them in "performance mode" on stage. I would tune in and I don't normally go in for reality shows at all.

[bluejeangirl76]

While I see ur point Fred, I would think of it as very tacky.

I tend to agree with JR on this one. I did not enjoy seeing that INXS was picking their new lead singer by way of a cheesy reality show. Reality shows are almost (if not already) the majority of what is on TV now, and most of them pretty much suck. I would hate to see Journey go the route of using a reality show to get their name back in the spotlight.

I personally am looking forward to seeing what happens with Journey's songwriting now that JSS is (almost officially?) on board.

So... my songwriter vote goes to the next Cain/Soto collaboration. What 800 number do I need to dial for that? Where do I send my text message vote?

[somethingtohide]

I think you're correct, in that it might generate some new fans for the band. But speaking as a longtime, 28 year, fan I wouldn't like it.

I know the band is a business, but a show like that would strip away any idea that what they do is an art form as well. It would put them right up there with Britney for me. They've already been given a bad name as being a corporate rock band and participating in a show like this would be the final nail in that coffin IMO.

That being said I like that you're thinking of new ways of promoting the band.

It COULD have that negative connotation IF they did an ENTIRE album/CD of songs written by others. I'm talking about including ONE song by an unknown songwriter on their next CD. The show would have a built-in fanbase and generate a ton of excitement for the band. This is something that would be mutually beneficial to both them and the songwriters. Too many songwriters NEVER get their work noticed and here comes Journey, alongside a group of aspiring songwriters not only to encourage them in their work, but to help them achieve something for themselves as songwriting artists. If I was their PR person, I would strongly look into this for them.

I think it could be an extremely positive thing for both parties...IF it was done well. It would also allow us to see the guys just talking and giving advice to aspiring songwriters, as opposed to always seeing them in "performance mode" on stage. I would tune in and I don't normally go in for reality shows at all.

Well, you could be right. Your idea sounds kinda like an American Idol for song writers with a song on a Journey album as the prize. It would be interesting to see the band "go out on a limb" like that.

I guess I'm basing my initial reaction to your idea on my feelings about INXS and SuperNova after their participation in Rock Star. Their participation in a reality show made those bands look rather desperate and uncool (for lack of a better word) to me. It just screamed "has been" by the very fact that they needed the publicity of a reality show. Can you see a band like Green Day being involved in a reality TV show?

Do you happen to know how those bands are doing financially and with the critics since their appearances on the show? That would be interesting to know.

Your idea has merit. But I'm still not sure I want to see Journey go down the reality TV road.

[AR]

Reality TV is what rules the music business. American Idol, Rockstar Supernova, etc are major players in what gets noticed. I've often said that for a veteran band to score a hit song, it would almost be a necessity to go this route.

Yes it is tacky, doesn't mean it couldn't work. Why else did Faith Hill flip when she lost an award to a "reality" creation?

Even an apprearnce on American Idol where they let Randy Jackson sit in or something would garner some attention.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Traditional methods like just releasing a record, having it promoted, and getting airplay simply do not work anymore. If they did, Arrival would have scored a couple of hits - had anyone in the general public heard it.

[somethingtohide]

Reality TV is what rules the music business. American Idol, Rockstar Supernova, etc are major players in what gets noticed. I've often said that for a veteran band to score a hit song, it would almost be a necessity to go this route.

Yes it is tacky, doesn't mean it couldn't work. Why else did Faith Hill flip when she lost an award to a "reality" creation?

Even an apprearnce on American Idol where they let Randy Jackson sit in or something would garner some attention.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Traditional methods like just releasing a record, having it promoted, and getting airplay simply do not work anymore. If they did, Arrival would have scored a couple of hits - had anyone in the general public heard it.

I absolutely agree that it could generate a whole new audience for Journey. The trick would be not having Journey appear like a has-been band desperate for publicity. How do you spin it to keep them "cool"?

[whocares]

I heard somewhere this summer that there was going to be a Songwriting "reality" show on sometime in the next year (TV season) Possibly even part of American Idol, for the final results show? Don't feel like looking it up, but would Journey do it? I doubt it. MY opinion is that just because someone could write a song, doesn't mean they'd be any good at producing music for other people, much less anyone.

Yeah, unfortunately "Reality" TV rules the airwaves, bigger profits in producing a show you don't have to pay much money to the "talent" for. But because they are on the air, doesn't mean they are all entertaining, or even a good idea. Who knows if this would work?

[AR]

Reality TV is what rules the music business. American Idol, Rockstar Supernova, etc are major players in what gets noticed. I've often said that for a veteran band to score a hit song, it would almost be a necessity to go this route.

Yes it is tacky, doesn't mean it couldn't work. Why else did Faith Hill flip when she lost an award to a "reality" creation?

Even an apprearnce on American Idol where they let Randy Jackson sit in or something would garner some attention.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Traditional methods like just releasing a record, having it promoted, and getting airplay simply do not work anymore. If they did, Arrival would have scored a couple of hits - had anyone in the general public heard it.

I absolutely agree that it could generate a whole new audience for Journey. The trick would be not having Journey appear like a has-been band desperate for publicity. How do you spin it to keep them "cool"?

Having a new, youthful looking lead singer doesn't hurt. Play up some contraversy about Ross being "resentful" for being dismissed from the band for Randy Jackson. Have them play a song with each playing bass. One track sung by Jeff, the other by Deen.

Now I do not watch the show, and have no clue how many songs a visiting guest can play since there is a competition going on. Just thinking out loud off the top of my head of some ideas.

[fred_journeyman]

I absolutely agree that it could generate a whole new audience for Journey. The trick would be not having Journey appear like a has-been band desperate for publicity. How do you spin it to keep them "cool"?

Agreed, which is why I was saying that if it was done right, then it could be really good for both the band and the songwriter. There would HAVE to be a way to keep it from appearing tacky, or as you say making Journey appear like a "has-been band." If they could do that (and I think they could with some effort from the producers), then it could work.

You know, it's funny, but many past-artists included songs on their albums by other people that became huge hits. When I was a kid, I often though Three Dog Night wrote all their tunes until I found out who wrote "Joy to the World" and other tunes.

I'm talking about having songwriters write songs that would be in Journey's style and then the band picks ONE and includes it on their CD. There are some really great songwriters out there who have very little chance of getting their songs heard because of a variety of reasons.

I agree though, they would have to guard a show like this at every turn to ensure that it didn't start out tacky and didn't become tacky. Probably the first thing they need to do is take it out of the venue of having a live audience. I'm wondering if that isn't what makes these shows appear really tacky. Having a guy talk at you the entire time and going to a commercial every two minutes doesn't help either. Maybe making it more like a documentary style show, instead of a "reality" show with an audience. People could still call in, or log onto the 'Net to vote. I don't know - just talking. The audience provides the excitement, but it would be cool to make the show more of a "behind the scenes" look at what goes on in the studio while the guys are recording and/or coming up with new music. Each week, a new songwriter could be introduced and they spend a week with the guys working on a new song. At the end of the week, maybe THEN the band plays the song in front of a live audience. Again, just talking...

It's only an idea anyway. Chances are that this is all it will ever be - just an idea that's being bandied about. That's okay for me. It's fun to discuss.

[lights1961]

Maybe Journey should have their own TV show where they have songwriters compete to have their song recorded by the guys on a new CD. That would get them into millions of homes where people would vote for the songwriter and the song. The winning song/songwriter would not only get their song on the next Journey CD, but they would get a contract with a label to produce songs for other groups. The show would not only feature Journey every week, but build a huge fanbase with those who might not have heard of Journey. By the time the show had finished its run, momentum would have hopefully built so that the forthcoming CD would have a lot of fanfare and pre-release hype and interest.

Every few weeks, the band would take a song that's received the most votes and play it live for the crowd.

They would be no worse off than they are now and maybe further ahead. I'm dead serious. It would be a show that I would watch and it would probably be a heckuva lot more interesting that Tommy Lee's Supernova show.

Andrew, this is a positive approach and I think it has merit. Others will disagree, I'm sure, but it cannot be ignored that reality shows can make or break people. As much as I can't stand reality shows in general, some have merit.

um no..

[somethingtohide]

Fred-

I do think taking the live audience away would help...make it seem less like The Price Is Right. lol

A documentary style show might work....Oh well, you're right, it is fun to talk about...You never know, there could be the seed of something genius in it.

[bluejeangirl76]

Fred-

I do think taking the live audience away would help...make it seem less like The Price Is Right. lol

A documentary style show might work....Oh well, you're right, it is fun to talk about...You never know, there could be the seed of something genius in it.

Aaaw, no Price Is Right? How come? I think Neal would be good at Plinko.

Now the documentary idea, there might be something to that.
You know, something along the line of Affleck's & Damon's Project Greenlight.
I would much rather see it done that way than American Idol/Rock Star style.

[yak]

I think you're correct, in that it might generate some new fans for the band. But speaking as a longtime, 28 year, fan I wouldn't like it.

I know the band is a business, but a show like that would strip away any idea that what they do is an art form as well. It would put them right up there with Britney for me. They've already been given a bad name as being a corporate rock band and participating in a show like this would be the final nail in that coffin IMO.

That being said I like that you're thinking of new ways of promoting the band.

Not unless they have sex tapes to hide. Seriously, I don't see them in the same sentence as that no-talent skank, no matter what the reason.

[somethingtohide]

I think you're correct, in that it might generate some new fans for the band. But speaking as a longtime, 28 year, fan I wouldn't like it.

I know the band is a business, but a show like that would strip away any idea that what they do is an art form as well. It would put them right up there with Britney for me. They've already been given a bad name as being a corporate rock band and participating in a show like this would be the final nail in that coffin IMO.

That being said I like that you're thinking of new ways of promoting the band.

Not unless they have sex tapes to hide. Seriously, I don't see them in the same sentence as that no-talent skank, no matter what the reason.

Okay...it was a little extreme to compare them to Britney under any circumstances.

[Jeremey]

The only reality show I think would have worked great for Journey would have been if the VH-1 cameras had been following the band around since mid-April or so and put out an "Osbournes" style celebreality series this winter. It would have been one of the top rated shows on cable tv, considering what the band went through this year. Any other ideas, with all due respect, do come off as being a little hacky.

[fred_journeyman]

The only reality show I think would have worked great for Journey would have been if the VH-1 cameras had been following the band around since mid-April or so and put out an "Osbournes" style celebreality series this winter. It would have been one of the top rated shows on cable tv, considering what the band went through this year. Any other ideas, with all due respect, do come off as being a little hacky.

Maybe, but I tended to think the Osbournes was pretty tacky. Funny yes, but pretty tacky.

But if we take your idea and combine it with a docu-style show, it could be interesting.

Okay, maybe forget the songwriting thing altogether and just go with following the band around for the next six months as they finish the tour and (hopefully) prepare for a new CD. That would be pretty interesting.

[yak]

The only reality show I think would have worked great for Journey would have been if the VH-1 cameras had been following the band around since mid-April or so and put out an "Osbournes" style celebreality series this winter. It would have been one of the top rated shows on cable tv, considering what the band went through this year. Any other ideas, with all due respect, do come off as being a little hacky.

Maybe, but I tended to think the Osbournes was pretty tacky. Funny yes, but pretty tacky.

But if we take your idea and combine it with a docu-style show, it could be interesting.

Okay, maybe forget the songwriting thing altogether and just go with following the band around for the next six months as they finish the tour and (hopefully) prepare for a new CD. That would be pretty interesting.

Osbournes were very tacky. Ozzy was incoherent (probably a good thing) most of the time.

So Fred, did you ever catch Gene Simmons/Family Jewels? What did you think? A pretty decent family unit, and very funny at times, with no F words every 3 seconds. His kids are even pretty normal.

[journeywoman]

Why don't MTV show a live concert on the VH1 classic channel. Top ratings for sure!Make viewers to really go out to see these guys perform live!Even make it sweeter by giving away free tickets or hang with the guys before the concert, free jackets sweatshirts.

[fred_journeyman]

Osbournes were very tacky. Ozzy was incoherent (probably a good thing) most of the time.

According to Sharon, he was being over-medicated for some reason.

So Fred, did you ever catch Gene Simmons/Family Jewels? What did you think? A pretty decent family unit, and very funny at times, with no F words every 3 seconds. His kids are even pretty normal.

Never did, Yak. Maybe it'll come out on DVD and I can check it out then.

[fred_journeyman]

Why don't MTV show a live concert on the VH1 classic channel. Top ratings for sure!Make viewers to really go out to see these guys perform live!Even make it sweeter by giving away free tickets or hang with the guys before the concert, free jackets sweatshirts.

That's a good idea. Didn't VH-1 sponsor (in part) one of Journey's tours not long ago?

[Jeremey]

Why don't MTV show a live concert on the VH1 classic channel. Top ratings for sure!Make viewers to really go out to see these guys perform live!Even make it sweeter by giving away free tickets or hang with the guys before the concert, free jackets sweatshirts.

That's a good idea. Didn't VH-1 sponsor (in part) one of Journey's tours not long ago?

Dude, VH-1 sponsored this tour!

[fred_journeyman]

Dude, VH-1 sponsored this tour!

Well there you go. Perfect opportunity for them to do some "on location" filming of a live concert!

[whocares]

That would make too much sense Fred. The company that owns MTV/VH1 isn't interested much in music being on TV anymore. At least not "real" music.

I'm all for having a Journey concert broadcast on VH1 Classic, where they actually do play music most of the time, but unfortunately, I don't see it happening. Why? It makes too much sense.

[fred_journeyman]

That would make too much sense Fred. The company that owns MTV/VH1 isn't interested much in music being on TV anymore. At least not "real" music.

I'm all for having a Journey concert broadcast on VH1 Classic, where they actually do play music most of the time, but unfortunately, I don't see it happening. Why? It makes too much sense.

It's weird that they would sponsor a tour and not be willing to promote the band on their own channels. You're right... that makes way too much sense.

[SF-Dano]

fred_journeyman
Journey TV Reality Show - Seriously
Maybe Journey should have their own TV show where they have songwriters compete to have their song recorded by the guys on a new CD. That would get them into millions of homes where people would vote for the songwriter and the song. The winning song/songwriter would not only get their song on the next Journey CD, but they would get a contract with a label to produce songs for other groups. The show would not only feature Journey every week, but build a huge fanbase with those who might not have heard of Journey. By the time the show had finished its run, momentum would have hopefully built so that the forthcoming CD would have a lot of fanfare and pre-release hype and interest.

Every few weeks, the band would take a song that's received the most
votes and play it live for the crowd.

They would be no worse off than they are now and maybe further ahead. I'm dead serious. It would be a show that I would watch and it would probably be a heckuva lot more interesting that Tommy Lee's Supernova show.

Andrew, this is a positive approach and I think it has merit. Others will disagree, I'm sure, but it cannot be ignored that reality shows can make or break people. As much as I can't stand reality shows in general, some have merit.

LarryFromNextDoor

cain is a song writter,, they often have egos centered around their own creations, i bet cain would have big problems with this,, journey writes their own material , and cain created a way of writing powerful slow songs that everyone enjoys,, bet he would flip out,, i love the idea though,, anything to get them into the homes and have a name again!! way to go fred!

Fred, I like the idea and also like the documentary style idea. While it may come off cheesy to many of us here, it is apparently what works with the majority of people out there now. The success that INXS is having now is directly attributable to the TV show in my opinion.

As far as Cain sharing the song writing spotlight, I really don't think that would be a problem for one tune. Jack Blades wrote/collaborated with Neal on a few of the tunes on Arrival. And who is to say that the "winning" song could not be tweaked a little bit musically by the band after. Again, referencing INXS, the song "Pretty Vegas" written by JD Fortune was ever so slightly tweeked for its realese on the CD with other members of the band getting writing credit on it.

If Journey wants any type of major comeback (ie. top 10 billboard), this is the kind of out of the box opportunity they should take advantage of.

[fred_journeyman]

Fred, I like the idea and also like the documentary style idea. While it may come off cheesy to many of us here, it is apparently what works with the majority of people out there now. The success that INXS is having now is directly attributable to the TV show in my opinion.

Thanks SF-Dano. I agree too that INXS's success is because of that TV show - love it or hate it.

As far as Cain sharing the song writing spotlight, I really don't think that would be a problem for one tune. Jack Blades wrote/collaborated with Neal on a few of the tunes on Arrival. And who is to say that the "winning" song could not be tweaked a little bit musically by the band after. Again, referencing INXS, the song "Pretty Vegas" written by JD Fortune was ever so slightly tweeked for its realese on the CD with other members of the band getting writing credit on it.

And that would absolutely be possible. Any song they chose to record would have to give them the leeway to "make it their own."

If Journey wants any type of major comeback (ie. top 10 billboard), this is the kind of out of the box opportunity they should take advantage of.

Well, we'll see what they come up with over the next year. Maybe some good things are in store for the guys as well as us fans.