By CARA SULIEMAN
THE BROTHER of Scots singing sensation Susan Boyle today (wed) blasted the type of show that helped make his sister famous – as he held his own talent hunt in Edinburgh.
Gerry Boyle, who was holding auditions for his own music label, said TV talent shows helped artists lose their credibility.
He said: “No disrespect to my sister but when an artist goes to shows like the X Factor, I don’t know if the public wants to buy their album, because they lose their credibility.
“With Instant Music we have identified a gap in the music market and we’re looking for people who fit that.”
£1 million prize
Mr Boyle was at the Dominion Theatre in Edinburgh to see a number of people perform for a chance to be signed to his new label, Instant Music.
The business whizz said he was planning to release a compilation album for the Christmas market including un-named established artists, alongside the new talent he picks up from a series of auditions.
And he revealed a cunning plan to help it succeed – the chance for customers to win £1 million by buying the disc.
He claims the proposed new album – which he hopes will be an annual tradition – will be marketed with the prize offered to customers who pick their favourite track with the winner whoever gives the best reason why via a money-spinning telephone hotline.
Gerry said: “With an incentive like that – we intend to top the album charts this December.”
“Biggest selling album”
He added: “What we are offering people is a guaranteed way to get their music out into the market place without having to impress Simon Cowells of the world.
“We have a whole team in place to write the music, to give the artists an image and record the songs.
“The instant music album will be the biggest selling album this Christmas – that’s what we’re hoping for.”
First up on stage yesterday was 64-year-old Stewart Abercromby, from Edinburgh, who sang Hallelujah.
He said: “I used to be in a band but we broke up 24 years ago and I haven’t sung since. I came along to audition because I like a challenge.
“It was nerve wracking going first and I think I could have done better – but I hope it was good enough.”
“Very interesting”
He was followed by 32-year-old Drew Gardner, who had travelled from Airdrie in Lanarkshire for the chance to try out.
He said: “I came down because I thought what Gerry was doing was very interesting. It’s giving people a chance without being like other talent shows.
“I have written over a hundred of my own songs – but performing is what I really want to do.”
Instant Music is one of a portfolio of products set up by Gerry under the Instant World brand.
He said previously he hoped to emulate the success of music mogul Cowell.
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