I have said many times in this column that I believe live music is always better.\u00a0I still hold to that premise, but I also realize that television has become an even bigger influence on live music today.<\/p>\n
In the early days of television, variety shows were very prominent.\u00a0 Some of the more mature readers may recall shows in the 1950s through 1970s like Red Skelton, with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra; \u201cThe Jackie Gleason Show\u201d, with the June Taylor Dancers; and many other early pioneers of TV with guest or house performers.\u00a0Television then went through a time in the \u201880s and \u201890s where variety shows disappeared.\u00a0Our friend, Tony Orlando, was one of the last real variety shows to successfully run on TV and it lasted until 1976.\u00a0 The Carol Burnett Show lasted two more years, finishing its run in 1978.\u00a0 All these variety shows incorporated live music and performers on TV.<\/p>\n
Over two decades of television passed before a new type of \u201creality\u201d TV show appeared such as \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d, followed by \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d, \u201cThe Voice\u201d, and others.\u00a0 These shows presented \u201ccommon\u201d people performing in hopes of becoming \u201cuncommon.\u201d\u00a0 These shows have launched new careers for singers, dancers and other performers.<\/p>\n
Another voice for music on TV is PBS.\u00a0 At least twice a year, PBS airs their fund raising telethons and in my opinion, airs some of their finest programs during that time.\u00a0 PBS specials became a huge opportunity for not-so popular performers to be recognized as tremendous entertainers.\u00a0 It also gave a stage to performers from the past to be recognized by a new generation and re-appreciated by an older audience.<\/p>\n
These \u201creality\u201d TV shows and PBS specials have launched tours for many performers, giving them the opportunity to perform for live and very appreciative audiences.\u00a0 I hear quite often from people who would love to see us bring \u201cso and so\u201d to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center to perform.\u00a0 Many of these performers would not have been recognized if it were not for these popular TV shows.<\/p>\n
I happen to think this is a good thing, because like I have said, \u201clive is always better!\u201d\u00a0 It also gives performers the opportunity to keep performing for an appreciative audience willing to pay to hear them.\u00a0 That\u2019s called job security.<\/p>\n
As we prepare for a new season in 2015-16 at the Niswonger, I can tell you that, if all goes as planned, you will see some of these performers you have seen on television on our stage in Van Wert.\u00a0 Since November, our programming committee and I have been working diligently on another inspiring season of performances for you to enjoy.\u00a0 In just two weeks, on April 14, at the StepCrew concert, we plan on announcing the new Community Concert Series for 2015-16.\u00a0 It will be filled with new and familiar performers, some you have seen and heard on TV.<\/p>\n
As soon as we can get a confirmed season completed and approved, we will announce the rest of the season.\u00a0 Our goal is to have it ready to unveil early in June.\u00a0 You will be amazed with some of the talent we (hopefully) have lined up for next season.\u00a0 Once again, even more performers you may have seen as a result of these recent TV shows.\u00a0 Television and performing arts centers are teaming up to bring music into your lives.\u00a0 It seems to be a working combination that has become successful.<\/p>\n
Music is also a very important aspect of this Easter season.\u00a0 Celebrate Easter in a church of your choice and may music fill your soul in a good way as you celebrate the triumphal resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Happy Easter, everyone!<\/p>\n
FIN\u00c9.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have said many times in this column that I believe live music is always better.\u00a0I still hold to that premise, but I also realize that television has become an even bigger influence on live music today. In the early days of television, variety shows were very prominent.\u00a0 Some of the more mature readers may […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-11 05:37:01","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62296\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}