Singing competitions shows are a popular genre, but a new one making its debut focuses exclusively on soul music.
Auditions and the five rounds of competition for “American Soul Star” have been taking place in Stonecrest and Atlanta since January. One hundred vocalists from around the country started singing for the judges with 10 making it to the finale held at New Black Wall Street Market in Stonecrest on March 1 and being named the debut show’s star.
The auditions, competition, and finale will begin streaming May 15 on Tubi.
“Showcasing soul singers from across the country, it stands apart from mainstream talent competitions by celebrating artists who truly embody the essence of soul music,” states a press release about the show.
The grand prize is a $50,000 record deal with Avant-Garde Entertainment, Inc., and Grammy Award-winning producer Xavier Lamar Dotson, also known as Zaytoven, who will produce the winner’s debut album, according to the news release. The final top 10 contestants will be awarded a deal for the production of a single song as well as a video and will be taken on tour.
“American Soul Star” is being produced in partnership with Atlanta radio station V-103.
“We are beyond thrilled to provide this incredible opportunity for soul artists to showcase their talent on a national stage,” said Michael Harper, CEO of Avant-Garde Entertainment, Inc. “Soul music is the foundation of so many genres, and with “American Soul Star”, we’re making sure that its legacy continues by uplifting the next generation of soulful voices.”
Harper, an Atlanta native and lawyer with a passion for music, said he’s been a fan of the TV singing competition show “American Idol” since it’s start. Over the year, Harper said, the show has shifted from covering all genres to a more “middle America” focus with a concentration on country music.
He said he’s had a record label for 15 years with soul and R&B artists and has always dreamed of having a singing competition show.
“It’s been incredible,” said Harper of the contestants who he described as multi-racial and multi-cultural. “I’m very impressed with the contestants, so dedicated to this.”
He added that all contestants are invited back to perform in the choir on the final show.
Harper said he hopes contestants benefit from the judges’ constructive criticism about their vocals, stage presence, etc.
Among those who competed are:
• Camiyia Bush, 18, of West Memphis, Arkansas, who started singing in church at age 5. She said her late grandmother, an evangelist, insisted she sing before her sermons. “One day I pray this singing takes me far in life,” she said in her bio from the show.
• Harry FRIIO, describes his artistic last name FRIIO as standing for “Free, Raw, Insightful, Intellectual, Outspoken, and I embody those words as an artist.” A New Yorker who relocated to Atlanta, he said “…I’m simply a God serving man doing my best to live through my love, my gifts, and to use them to give back to our most needy communities in the ways I feel I’m meant to.”
• Shyia the Voice hails from Center, Texas, and is described as performing “healing music.” “Shyia believes in the transformative power of sound, using her voice as a vessel to awaken the inner light within us all,” states her bio.
The show is described as “first-of-its-kind” dedicated exclusively to soul music and “unlike mainstream talent shows that focus heavily on pop and country music. The show fills a void in the music industry by spotlighting singers who embody the depth, passion, and authenticity of soul and R&B.”
Harper said “American Soul Star” will be produced annually and he plans to shop it to network television stations as well.
For more information, visit americansoulstar.com.
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Soul singers compete to be named a star – The Champion Newspaper
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