Go Mitch!

Though I can be accurately described as an American Idol fanatic, I've never been able to get into Canadian Idol. Certainly not due to an inferior talent pool, but because all in all, the entire premise of the show is lost on the people of this country.

In the States, more often than not, the winners of the finale (and sometimes even runners-up) have gone on to stardom and a promising career. That's because people are, for the most part, voting for the singer who's voice they like and who's album they will buy. And it only makes sense; you'd want to encourage a product you're anxious to consume - in this case, the product is a person's music.

Unfortunately, Canadian Idol fans don't subscribe to that same logic. Sure, it's the most popular show on Canadian television, but it's missing the point. All over this country, people root for the contestant who lives the closest to their hometown. It doesn't matter if they're any good, or if they'll realistically have any chance at a career in the music industry, what matters is that the whole community rallies around "Cute little Tammy Joe Smiley from Anytown, Pick-a-Province". Then, once the season is over, the former stars of Canadian Idol (including the winner) have historically drifted into a life of musical obscurity, wondering why only two dozen of the thirty million voters bothered to buy their album. It gives these kids a false sense of expectation.

Like Tyler Mullendore. Not to suggest that he's at all bitter about fading somewhat out of the spotlight since his elimination from last year's season of Canadian Idol; on the contrary, with typical Cape Breton graciousness, he had nothing but appreciation and thanks to all his supporters when I spoke to him recently. Still, he admits that Mullendore Mania has quieted considerably since the show ended. And while not winning has served him well in his ability to stay true to the kind of musician he wants to be, he deserves the same accolades and praise as he received while he was our local celebrity. So what if he's no longer on television on Tuesday nights? I'm sure he'd love for all his fans to come out and support his post-Idol efforts. (His new band, One Shot Wonder, is performing at the Carriage House in Port Hawkesbury on July 11th. Everyone who cramped their dialing finger voting for Tyler last June would be well served by turning out.)

All this being said, however, I have renewed hope after having seen Mitch MacDonald perform last Monday night. I've never been one to follow the crowd just for the sake of following, so my admiration doesn't have much to do with his being a local boy. I believe Mitch can and should go far in this year's Canadian Idol contest, and I'll tell you why (being an American Idol connoisseur who is suffering from illusions of expertise regarding these matters, to date having correctly chosen every Idol contestant who would have a successful career. Leave me alone, I don't get out much.)

I was very impressed with Mitch's performance. First, and most importantly, I think he has an outstanding voice, both in it's purity and musical relevance. His tone is very clear, and aside from a few wonky notes (which could be easily attributed to first-performance-of-the-season nerves), his pitch was bang on. He has an easily recognizable radio voice, which is an important characteristic in a time of vocal monotony in the industry. He chose a song that, while recognizable, wasn't so overplayed that it begged for voice comparisons. Add to all that his obvious comfort in front of a crowd, his charismatic nature, and his contemporary image, and ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a top contender for the Canadian Idol crown.

Obviously, with a show like Idol that is based on national popularity, nothing is ever in the bag. He's got some stiff competition, and he'll need to be consistently good to maintain his position on the show. But when all is said and done, I would certainly stand in line to buy a ticket to a Mitch MacDonald show, regardless of how he places in the competition. And that's the kind of person we should be voting for.

I'm hoping Canadian Idol fans in the quad counties remember that. Mitch, like Tyler before him, was good before he made the top 24, and he'll still be good when the show is over. Voting is great, as long as it translates into local support of his musical career after Idol is finished. Not only should we be flying the "Go Mitch!" banner now, it should continue when he comes home to perform for all the people who pledged their summer love.