Knolls Irresponsible?

[Gater]

I'd never considered this until yesterday, but...

If Shannon was in such dire straits financially, couldn't feed his kids etc, then wasn't it incredibly irresponsible of him to even audition for Idol?

He would have had to travel some distance, spend money, etc just to get there. Not the kind of thing you do when you "can't feed your kids."

And he must have known that, even if he got through the auditions, it would mean months and months of NO INCOME, being unable to work on the farm at all, while jetting around Australia and being on TV.

All of this instead of, oh I don't know, getting another job? Doing some work? Trying to feed his kids? Either he's not as hard up as they make out, or he was a jerk to go and try to become a "rock star" -- that's hardly a sensible plan for trying to save your desperate family, is it?

As others have pointed out, best case scenario it would take a long time for him to actually see any real money from this. To me it seems about as much "responsible parenting" as buying a thousand dollars worth of lottery tickets.

[Doc]

It worked out nicely for him though didn't it! He and his family are now assured of a brighter future, regardless of whether he beats Guy or not. He put everything on the line, and he'll soon be reaping the rewards. I'm not even a Shannon fan, but I admire him for taking the chance.

Good luck to both boys for next Wednesday.

[I Love Alex Lloyd]

I think you are forgetting or were unaware that the Idol final 12 were paid $500 a week to replace income lost while they were doing the show - just like the Big Brother contestants. I understand that's more money than Shannon and Rochelle had been living on.
And I'm with Doc: good luck to both of 'em!

[Gater]

I didn't know about the stipend. That's okay then, although it still seems a funny decision to me.

Wouldn't it be nice to see all of that money spent on voting for him go into the hands of Shannon and other farmers instead of lining Channel 10 and Telstra's pockets!

[magpie]

I read that Shannon's family had to sell the farm (don't know if it was the Family one or Shannon's) due to failed crops, so having no "job" I think it was a very wise move to do it now, when the opportunity arose and whilst the family were at their lowest.

[GUESSWHO]

I don't think 'irresponsible' is the right word, I would use the word 'naive' & believe he still is to some extent.

No doubt he wanted a better life, but, a solo career in the music industry that is so all consuming & you're schedule is totally controlled? When it boils down to it AI ideally designed for a young (well age maybe is irrelevant) single person?

I'm not saying parents, single or otherwise, shouldn't work, that's just daft, but AI is not the usual type of occupation. And he is neglecting his fiance & kids.

So his motive is yeh $500 a week for a few months not I live for music & belive my passion can make this work. Naive or what!

I agree with Gater, except I'd use the word naive.

[Mo]

Blimey give the guy a break!
At least he got up off his backside and had a go, I don't find that irresponsible I find it admirable.
You gotta take some risks in this life if you want to get anywhere.
Please don't sit on the other end of a computer and knock people who have dared to try.

[Gater]

Mo, my comments were due to the huge deal the media were making about Shannon's troubles. I hate that kind of hyperbole, and always try to balance it out mentally. E.g. the hype about the Rugby World Cup, which we now see was a load of hot air and the "fierce competition" has been a dull exercise with the worst TV ratings in Channel 7's history (fact).

GuessWho, naive is probably closer to the truth. I would hate to see either Shannon or Guy get churned up in the "star machine" and spit out at the end with not much to show for it. The record company may make millions, but quite often the artist doesn't.

[Mo]

I guess these days it is much harder to get a start in the record industry. Years ago the aussie record industry was thriving and lots os young kids had a go.
Even Mark Holden!!!!
Nowadays Pokies have taken over as the main entertainment in clubs and pubs, they are the star attractions. So there is not the same flow of places that have live music.
But it is sad that the winners of this comp will end up making pap music that the record company think will sell.
I still applaud them for having a go.
I think they have a good idea of what will happen to them after the comp is won if they win, so if they go into it with their eyes open then hopefully they will come out of it unscathed.

[nads]

I thought it was mainly during the drought that they had real financial troubles.