Arnel Pineda launches million dollar challenge for Asian bands
International star Arnel Pineda's journey into the world stage is a classic inspirational tale for entertainers, not only in the Philippines but in whole of Asia too, especially those people belonging in bands.
Arnel, always grateful for his storybook success, is one who believes there's more to being merely inspirational.
He wants to give back by literally handing out a million dollars’ worth of cash and contracts (in the form of recording and management deals) to one particular Asian band (or of Asian descent).
Songs in English
The current vocalist of world-renowned power ballad band Journey recently launched Asian Music Camp to realize his vision.
He is inviting groups—amateur or professional, veterans or newbies—from all over the region to submit raw music videos showing them performing an original song and a cover, both of which should be in English. The videos are to be submitted online.
His criteria emphasize the fact that he's looking for a band that can deliver music of universal appeal.
Reality competition, rock edition
"We did this to give chance to aspiring musicians especially the hopeless ones. We will manage them until they see their first single loved by millions," Pineda happily shared in a gathering at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel to announce the project.
Called Asian Music Camp (AMC), the music talent competition among bands mimics the mechanics of reality singing competitions, with the public voting for their fave acts to advance to the next round.
The top 50 bands picked from AMC's initial entries will advance to the qualifying round wherein they will again submit "another original raw music video." The top 20 vote-getters then move to the semis for another round of submission that will be the basis in choosing the top 10.
Acts should trust their gut
The top 10 groups get to showcase themselves live on the show's TV season premiere (network still to be determined), while the final five will be housed in a compound in the Philippines as they compete for the million-dollar grand prize.
Asked what piece of advice he would like to give would-be participants, Arnel said, "They have to trust their instinct and talent. It has to come from the heart. And if the fans will feel that, I think they can get the votes."
He added, "It's the music that will speak for (itself). It's their playing that will take them where they belong.”
Solo album in the works
Songs that will be submitted in the initial round should not exceed eight minutes in total.
Submission and voting periods both begin on January 1, 2015 and end on March 31, 2015 at the Asian Music Camp website.
While Arnel remains a member of Journey, he is working on a solo album and collaborating with pop cellist Jela Mihailovic on a Christmas song.
For updates, like the Asian Music Camp Facebook page.
