Do you hear what I hear?

Well, the new season of American Idol is off and running. I will admit that I do not watch the actual competition, only the episodes of auditions. Some of those people singing really stink! I know some of them are trying to be bad singers because they think it will get them t.v. time (and it usually does). I generally agree with the judges on their decisions and I don't know how or why they let some people sing for a long time. But anyhoo--that wasn't the purpose of this post....Tonight, I got to thinking about the bad singers who really think they sing well. They all spout something about "well my mama says I sings good" or "my bestest friends made me come up here to be the next Idol." Ummm, yeah. Maybe they are tone deaf. Maybe their friends and family would rather lie to them and watch their loved one humiliate themselves on national television. Maybe singing off key is a new musical trend that I am not aware of. Soooooooo.....I pride myself as a musician. I am a singer, looovveeee to sing but (lately) have been mostly singing for myself and not performing. I usually know when I've hit a wrong note or just not hit a phrase right. I am my own worst critic. But here's the fear I have lurking---what if my friends and family have been being nice to me and letting me THINK I can sing when I really can't. Maybe I'm one of those freaky Idol contestants that I always make fun of. I'd rather people be honest than be polite (when it comes to my vocal abilities). You don't have to be mean about it but if I suck, please tell me.

P.S.--at least one of my brothers will chastise me for using the word "suck" here....it was the only word that adequately conveys my passion. deal with it. *innocent grin*