Singers Find New Ways to 'Get Discovered' Online Without Waiting in Line at American Idol

New websites allow anyone with an Internet connection, a microphone, and a webcam to get their shot at stardom. You audition, America decides…

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 6, 2006 -- The next American Idol may never be on the TV show. He or she may never see Randy, Paula, or Simon before building a huge worldwide fan base, getting a record deal, and becoming a bit of a celebrity. And all this without ever leaving the house.

A new website – www.Bix.com – provides anyone the ability to submit their own video performance online for free, 24/7.

"Simply choose the song you want from their list, sing it into your webcam and your video automatically uploads to their site. Next, ask a few friends to vote for you, and suddenly you may find yourself in the running of a major nationwide singing contest, with record label execs watching your every move," a Bix.com user writes.

It can be a tremendous boost to your singing career without all the hassle (time, energy, travel) required for American Idol. For one contestant, that's exactly what happened.

"I know firsthand what people go through during those (American Idol) tryouts, because I am one of them," said Bix.com finalist Nick Daugherty in a recent interview.

Call it the "get rich quick" or the "overnight success" mentality or just the chance to get on TV, but every year, more than 100,000 people try out for talent shows like American Idol. Add in "Dancing with the Stars," or "Rock Star: Supernova," and that number grows closer to half a million.

"People ask me all they time why I tried out. 'Why'd you put yourself through all that?' they ask. 'Do you really think you're a better singer than the 10,000 other people you stood in line with?'" said Daugherty.

"Truth be told, it's that elusive shot at fame. It's like playing the lottery. You know you can scratch off 100 tickets and still win nothing, but that little voice inside your head says, 'Yeah, but what if you try just once more? You just might hit it big.'"

Immediately following the American Idol tryouts, Bix.com sponsored a two-month "Second Chance" contest, where contestants could audition online with a microphone and webcam and let America vote for their favorite.

Daugherty got the invitation, but almost didn't take it.

"I was pretty jaded by the whole thing," he says. "I decided to go back to playing and singing my own songs at small coffee shops and clubs here in L.A., while working on a new album. But when I finally realized what a cool opportunity this was, I rushed to enter as quickly as possible."

And rush he did. In the last two weeks of the contest, Daugherty's popularity on the website surged. His version of the song "Chariot" (by singer Gavin DeGraw) took second place in the Audio category, which made him a Top 10 Finalist overall, heading into the final round.

"I got in about a month later than everybody else, so I had to work twice as hard getting people to go to the site and vote. It was really amazing though to see people who liked my audition so much that they'd go out promote it to their friends and family on my behalf."

The final round of the 'Second Chance' contest began Oct 1 and runs through Oct 14. Daugherty is one of 10 contestants competing for the $50,000 grand prize. This time he is singing another Gavin DeGraw hit called "I Don't Want To Be."

To view his submission and vote, visit www.bix.com/entry/9015. But hurry, the contest ends Oct 14.

A tip for aspiring singers everywhere -- try taking a shot online and let the fans decide. Forget about trying to impress.

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