“Fame Games” is sort of an Internet-based version of “American Idol” (which itself was derived from previous TV talent shows). Now ABC Radio Networks is taking the competition to US and international radio syndication. The on-air version is intended to drive listeners to station websites to vote for their favorite performances by unsigned artists heard on the radio show.
“Unsigned artists are writing and recording some of today’s best music and they’re doing it from their own garages and bedrooms,” said Laura Krier, an independent musician and co-founder of Fame Games. “This global radio launch is going to provide airplay and recognition for a new generation of talent. We can’t wait to start broadcasting the show with new affiliates in the U.S. and have an army of new voters choosing our top songs,” she added.
The radio version will be a collaboration of ABC Radio Networks and Mere Music International (MMI), which operates the Fame Games website. Fame Games will begin airing on select ABC Radio Networks affiliates on June 30 and be comprised of three 15-week competitions targeting young end consumers.
To enter Fame Games, artists submit their song(s) via the MMI artists site (www.meremusic.com) where it is evaluated by a production team before being made available for review by peers and listeners at www.famegamesradio.com. By gaining fan support and positive reviews, a song can then advance through several voting stages required to reach the qualifier show. Winners are determined by the highest vote totals with weekly finalists from qualifying events competing for track of the month honors.
Weekly episodes of Fame Games will air Monday-Friday. The program will be hosted by the established panel of five judges, which includes Laura Krier, Paul Sedkowski and Graham Keeling – all independent musicians and writers – as well as Sid Olivera, a former BBC radio personality. The group is rounded out by Jake Waby and Lexy Badger-Ward, two teenage music phenoms and artists-in-training who provide the teen perspective to the group’s discussion and on-air reviews.
