THE MAIDEN edition of Appietus Idolz, the first ever reality show to be organized in Ghana by a sound engineer, Appiah Dankwa aka Appietus, was launched last Tuesday in Accra at the Coconut Groove Regency hotel.

The event however did not attract the expected patronage as most of the musicians Appietus had been working with did not turn up; it was attended by the press, DJs, programme managers, Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) officials as well as some of his colleague sound engineers and family.

Among the guests were Alhaji Sidiku Buari, president of MUSIGA, Kweku Sintim Misa (KSM), DJ Bosco and Papa Bills, both of Adom FM, DJ Lalo of Obonu FM and Paa John. Sammy Forson of Citi FM was the MC at the launch.

Briefing the audience about “Appietus Idolz”, Mr. Yaw Boakye, Communications Director of the show, said it had been observed that most talented young men and women who competed in music reality shows in the country found it difficult to come out with their own albums as soon as practicable.

To save the young talents from such delays therefore, Appietus initiated the Appietus Idolz.

The programme, which is open for talented young men and women between the ages of 18-25, would not permit the singing of songs of popular musicians as is always the case on most reality shows.

Rather, contestants would compose and sing their own songs while Appietus provides them with his own beats. According to Mr. Boakye, qualified talents would be selected after auditioning in three zones in the country, namely Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.

To qualify for preliminaries, he said, one had to be able to compose and sing six songs of his or her own before picking forms.

After that, 30 contestants who would qualify for the preliminaries would be taken through another round of auditioning to select the final 10, who would be camped in a comfortable house and compete before a panel of judges, and this would be telecast on TV, he said.

The overall winner of the competition would have a recording deal with Creative Studios, as well as other prizes, which were not specified at the launching.

This winner would be decided on by 50% SMS text votes from the public as well as 50% decision from the judges.

Earlier, the reality show had been criticized by some as having an inappropriate title - Appietus Idol - because the name was some similar to that of another show, hence the change to “Appietus Idolz”.

Meanwhile, others have also praised Appietus for the brilliant idea to ameliorate the music industry.