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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Philadelphia, PA, United States, 2007/12/05 - Years before “American Idol®” revolutionized reality television, Mike Gendler was holding open auditions for aspiring musicians, where no-name vocalists and instrumentalists would sing and play their hearts out for a spot in a band.
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Gendler, one of the three named partners of the Philadelphia-based company, EBE, is the company’s own Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paul Abdul wrapped in one. On Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 8:30 pm. Gendler will do it again as he searches for several vocalists and a string of instrumentalists to form a new band.
A nationally-renowned drummer, Gendler has worked with many of the world’s top artists including Pink Floyd, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Eddie Money and Adam Gaynor of Matchbox 20. As the owner of a production company that develops new and up-and-coming artists, Gendler has an eye and an ear for talent.
EBE is different from its competition in its approach to finding bands for its clients, who are looking for music that will “make” an event, whether it is a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah or special or corporate party.
“We’re the only company that does this in the area—other companies bring on existing bands and there is no quality control,” Gendler explained. “We grow them from the bottom up. We create crossover bands that can go from the latest Timbaland and Fergie songs to classics like Sinatra.”
EBE’s bands have multiple singers and members ranging from 18 to 40, so none of its bands are “too old” or “too young,” he said.
In addition to being talented musicians and vocalists, EBE also looks for the “entire package” in a performer, meaning they must have a unique “style” and know how to use it.
“Sometimes it’s not simply about being the best singer or the most talented musician, being a performer means knowing how to present yourself on stage, how to move and how to interact with the audience.”
Gendler is currently fielding calls from band hopefuls, who are put through a rigorous telephone interview before they even get in the door. If they pass the interview, which includes questions about experience, musical education and personal style, Gendler asks them to practice a selection of songs which they will perform at the live audition with one of EBE’s bands.
At the audition, they will perform in front of Gendler, who will invite a select few to return for a second round of auditions with the band they are auditioning to play with, he said.
EBE is looking for several singers to add to existing bands and entirely new band to add to its line-up.
"People ask why we’re always auditioning new performers,” Gendler said. “They think we’re replacing musicians, but actually we have a very low dropout rate—we just need new people to form bands because we are a growing company and we need to meet the demand of our clients."
The auditions will be held at EBE’s Entertainment Complex, 1020 N. Delaware Avenue, which includes a state-of-the-art showcase theater, sound stage, two recording studios and a video editing suite.
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Based on the television program “American Idol” produced by FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Ltd. Licensed by FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide.
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