The release from E! Entertainment Network is pretty elaborate, but the gist is this: On July 9, The network will launch a new show called Opening Act, produced by Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance) and his Artist Development Team -- which includes such people at Martina McBride, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz and singer Jason Derulo. But it's not a competition show. The folks behind the show troll the Internet looking for talented but "undiscovered" singer-songwriters, then give the ones they choose shots at opening for artists such as Nicki Minaj, Brad Paisley, Gym Class Heroes and others.
Of course, nobody's going to walk right onto a major stage just because Lythgoe's crew liked their YouTube video. Where's the drama in that? "There’s more involved in opening on stage for the first time than vocal coaching, songwriting and seemingly endless rehearsals," the release says. "The openers often have personal challenges to overcome, including family members who don’t support their dreams, cash flow woes, medical issues and picking up and moving to a completely different city where they don’t know anyone, just to be in the thick of the music industry."
The premiere will feature Arielle, a singer from Dallas (or more accurately, Allen, at least according to her ReverbNation page). Host Olivia Lee surprises Arielle with the news that she's going to open for Rod Stewart in Las Vegas -- in five days. There's a lot more where that came from, but why spoil it?
Here's a sample of Arielle's work. Nice stuff.
