Biography of a teenager

Posted by: Deane F on 30 October 2004

Not sure whether I shouldn't be posting this in the Music Room.

A local teenager called Hayley Westenra, possessed of a classically trained voice with good timbre, has been throwing her talent after popera lately. And she has been making a moderate sum of money at it if the figures are to be believed.

She is 17 years old and is about to have a biography released. Her promoters are selling it as "an easy read."

I find the whole business funny and sad at the same time. Mostly sad because of the thought of a promoter or record company pumping her for all she is worth after pushing her into pop/classical at the risk of shortening her career for the sake of quick money.

I hope to god she doesn't start an "Opera Band".

Or fall in love with Nigel Kennedy.

Deane
Posted on: 31 October 2004 by Rasher
Must be a huge book over several volumes then.
Posted on: 31 October 2004 by JonR
...and translated into 150 languages.
Posted on: 31 October 2004 by long-time-dead
...... she could always duet with Charlotte Church !
Posted on: 31 October 2004 by BigH47
Its all ways amazed me that some of our recent "stars" from being in a room with strangers or what ever, have enough in their lives for a biography. WTF can a 17 yr old have?

Howard
Posted on: 31 October 2004 by Minky
Sadly (for Hayley) Hayley may be nearing the end of her allocation of NZ fame as the blue rinse and easy-listening sets seem to be in the process of switching their attention to "Yulia" who (to my ears) is as overblown as Hayley is insipid.
Posted on: 31 October 2004 by Deane F
A pity she hasn't given her voice and personality time to mature so that some dramatic interpretation can be given to serious music. Talent is nothing without heart and a deep connection to the audience is possible only when time and experience is allowed.

I blame her "wonderful" parents.

Deane
Posted on: 31 October 2004 by Stevea
IMO, she has a nice voice but hasn't managed to do anything particularly interesting with it yet. I can see here sliding comfortably into the elevator music genre.

Steve
Posted on: 01 November 2004 by David Stewart
Mostly I think it's down to the deep cynicism of the Record Company A&R men who, choose this time of year, (every year) to launch the latest rash of ghastly debut CDs from "wonderful and unique new talents", just in time for the 'Oh Jeez what do I buy Auntie Marge for Xmas this year??' market Roll Eyes
Posted on: 01 November 2004 by Stephen Bennett
quote:
Originally posted by David Stewart:
Mostly I think it's down to the deep cynicism of the Record Company A&R men who, choose this time of year, (every year) to launch the latest rash of ghastly debut CDs from "wonderful and unique new talents", just in time for the 'Oh Jeez what do I buy Auntie Marge for Xmas this year??' market Roll Eyes


Which is one of the (many) reasons I avoid christmas.

Roll Eyes

Stephen