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David Foster: The Hit Man, in search of the next Madonna
AFP/Getty Images/Angela WeissDavid Foster said that he felt that he was ready for something completely different after spending several decades in the music industry
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AFP/Getty Images/Angela Weiss
David Foster said that he felt that he was ready for something completely different after spending several decades in the music industry.
Such an opportunity came when the famed music producer ' better known as the 'Hit Man', for many popular songs he's masterminded ' was offered a slot as a judge for Asia's Got Talent, the local version of the Got Talent franchise.
Drawn to Asia, the 16-time Grammy Award winner said yes.
'I wanted to do something that was not playing piano, was not song writing or sitting in a studio making music,' Foster said in a recent telephone interview. 'This was a new challenge.'
On the show, Foster will share judging duties with three other celebrities ' former Spice Girl Mel C, Taiwanese-American pop idol Vanness Wu and Indonesian rock icon Anggun C. Sasmi ' to select Asia's most talented performer.
The winner of the competition will receive US$100,000 and a chance to perform at the Marina Bay Sands Casino in Singapore.
As he has more experience in the music business than his peers on the jury, Foster he said that he was considered the 'father' of the quartet.
And, as a father, Foster promised that he would be a tough dad.
'I am probably the toughest out of four judges,' he said. 'If there is any good singer anywhere in Asia that participates in the contest ' and if they happen to slip by the three judges ' they are not going to slip by me.'
The 65-year-old said that the jury had good chemistry, with each member's individual background ' whether in singing, dancing or acting ' adding to the mix.
'I took the job fully expecting to find the next global superstar. Otherwise I would not have done it,' Foster said. 'I want to say someday that I was one of four judges that found the next Madonna, the next Rihanna, the next Sam Smith ' that is what I want.'
In a career spanning more than 40 years, Foster has discovered or produced hits from singers including Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Bublé and Madonna.
In 2012, Foster became chairman of Universal's Verve Music Group, making it his mission to promote jazz to a wider audience. In 2013, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
When discussing the local scene, Foster said that he had been surprised during auditions by the diversity of talent from the continent.
'The other Got Talent shows do not get the chance to see unusual acts from the contestants, but here in Asia's Got Talent, we got to see it every day 20 times,' he says. 'I saw things that I have never seen before in my life.'
He said that he also paid particular attention to Indonesian talents. 'I remember seeing a lot of Indonesian acts ['¦] a lot of great singing. Of course, I had Anggun sitting beside right me ['¦] so she was able to help.'
During the interview, Foster also shared advice for would-be contestants. 'Don't sing one of my songs, because I expect a lot from my own songs.'
However, because the show is not a singing competition, Foster said he wanted to think like a common man in judging the performance of the contestants.
'I have to ask: Was that entertaining? Was I entertained? Do I want to see more of that? If the answer is yes, you got to be put through to the next round. It's as simple as that.'
Foster likened judging the show to trial by jury. 'That is where the truth comes from.'
In the interview, Foster also mentioned the possibility of visiting Indonesia again next year for a show. A frequent visitor here, Foster said he loved performing in Indonesia, especially Jakarta.
'I really love Jakarta, I love to see the city, so alive.'
Asia's Got Talent premieres on March 12 on AXN.
