Last night I watched the Billboard Awards and I was quite excited watching Chris Brown; he was a marvel to see—his dancing was electrifying in the sense that I looked forward to seeing what new contortions would escape from his body with every shake, spin and flip.  On most people these moves would never be flattering, but with Chris Brown’s execution, they looked like moves I even wanted to try (See Chris Brown’s performance by clicking the link below).  But, that was just the dancing.  Nevertheless, Chris Brown was excellent.  The evening’s full package performances, however, were missing something altogether different–the energy and vigor that Michael Jackson would have packed in the place. I miss him more than anyone will ever know!  June 25^th, 2009 marked the expiration date of true showmanship and the artist’s ability to produce an unadulterated live event.  Remember Motown 25 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XZGJiY2a3o&feature=player_detailpage)?  Remember When Michael Jackson showed up on BET to honor James Brown in those sequined silver pants (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN48lsXL1oA&feature=player_detailpage)? Remember when Michael Jackson wore the baby blue shirt with the black buckled pants on his Bad World Tour singing, “You’re Just Another Part of Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vwHQNQ88cM&feature=player_embedded)?”  Ahhhhh…those were events.  That’s what was missing from Billboard’s efforts last night.

It is time for artists go back into the Michael Jackson arsenal; hire breathing coaches and personal trainers so that they can build up their stamina for singing and dancing.   Although Michael Jackson will never be the average artist, and no other artist will ever rise to his level of artistry [he is an artistic anomaly in every sense of the word], he learned his craft the same way most people learn—one step at a time and with practice, practice, and more practice.   There were times in which even this 8^th wonder of the world was forced to lip sing (Motown 25), but I am sure it took twisting his perfectionist arm.  What was missing from the Billboard awards though was a genuine humility from the artists that the world had tuned in to watch their display of talent.  From my vantage point, a lot of pomp and circumstance was given to the aesthetics, but very little attention had been paid to the artistry. It doesn’t even look like they love performing nowadays.  While I will never ridicule artist that lip-sync (It makes me tired just to jog and hold a conversation) I will advise every artist to be more dedicated to their audience.  Believe it or not, the audience is providing the favor by being attentive.  Micheal Jackson, the best ever, understood this “secret.”

So, thank you Stevie Wonder (James Brown would have rocked out too!) for saving the day!  I am certain Berry Gordy sat in that Las Vegas audience as a proud professor because it was from his school [of performance] that Stevie Wonder, award presenter Gladys Knight, and Michael Jackson graduated.  Seasoned artists seem to show a level of gratitude that appears to say, “Even after being in show business for 45 years, you still think I got it; and, I appreciate how much you believe in my gift.”

The Billboard Awards were entertaining, but they clearly needed to perform a séance to summons Michael Jackson—his spirit was missing.

Chris Brown’s Billboard performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMP0FScVqgU&feature=player_embedded