Does anyone remember VH1? Or MTV?
Obviously they're still around…
But I mean the real MTV/VH1 that continually aired music videos + content 24/7?
I vividly remember returning home from 5th grade (exhausted from a day of hard labor) and plopping down on the couch to watch hours of music videos without moving.
(I also vividly remember that I wasn’t allowed to watch Maroon Five’s “This Love” music video because it was so “adult” for my baby eyes… thanks Mom.)
I don’t know why… maybe I’m getting old and nostalgic… but there was something magical about that era of music television.
The focus was on the music, and it was freaking awesome.
Today… “music television” basically means some weird dating/reality show that tangentially features some element of music.
Even the major music competition shows like American Idol or The Voice have completely lost their teeth…..
Every trailer from The Voice is essentially just 60 seconds of Ellen Degeneres (or whoever they have as a guest judge) sitting upside down in her big chair with a kazoo while the other judges run in circles in the background.
So many talented artists and musicians have looked to these shows as an opportunity to chase their dreams… only to find that it barely moves the needle at all for their music careers.
It’s sad for the artists. And it’s sad for the consumers.
Sad sad sad.
I just miss the music… and the stories behind it.
WHICH IS WHY….
….when I was offered the opportunity to build a new show for the Mastering.com YouTube channel, I knew it was my chance to bring back this magical era of music television.
I wanted to build something that captured the glory days of MTV that featured amazing musicians and artists, and combine it with the anything-can-happen excitement of a competition show.
Most importantly, I wanted to create a place where people could actually discover new music again.
So today………. I am excited to finally share with you a brand new show from MAD Records, called “Battle of the Bands”.
Hosted by a younger, more socially anxious Ryan Seacrest (me), and joined by a rotating panel of guest judges… Battle of the Bands is a brand new music competition show where five bands battle for a chance at a record deal with MAD Records.
The winner gets funding for their next release and gets to work with our team on the promotion and rollout of their new music.
It was filmed live in Nashville, TN by our amazing team, and professionally mixed + mastered to give you the most immersive experience possible.
It’s not perfect (some of my jokes don’t land and some of the camera angles weren’t perfect), but the MUSIC is front and center… and that’s what really matters.
The goal was to recreate exactly what it feels like to be at a show in Nashville on a Friday night…. and I think we did just that.
NOW BEFORE YOU WATCH….
This was a massive undertaking to create… and pushed me so far out of my comfort zone….
So please, I ask sincerely that if you enjoy it, you’ll consider sharing it with a friend (or enemy).
Everyone knows someone who needs some new music in their lives.. so please consider sharing this show with anyone you might think might enjoy it.
I can’t express how much it helps.
As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support.
NOW, without further ado…. here is Episode #1 “Battle of the Bands”:
Click here to watch on YouTube
🫡⚔️🫡⚔️🫡⚔️
Michael from MAD Records