Does it go without saying that Talent is a prerequisite for getting a record deal? Or for success as an independent recording artist for that matter. If you expect a record company to spend millions to help launch your recording career then you best have some talent or you won't get signed. Talent is one of the required elements needed for a successful recording career -- and it cannot be bought. Granted, you can improve on what you have with practice, experience, vocal coaches, etc. But the raw talent needed to be a star is a gift.
It is sad that there are so many hopefuls who do not have talent and do not recognize that they do not. The sad part is that it is often these good people who support the "fringe recording industry" in Nashville and elsewhere. People who are willing to mortgage their homes (literally) to pay some "producer" to make recordings for them and help them become "stars". There is no point in telling these folks that they do not have the talent to compete. My experience is they do not believe me when I am honest with them. And so far I have never been wrong. They spend their money trying to buy stardom -- and without fail they lose their money. I might not be able to pick who will be a great star -- really nobody can for sure. But I am pretty good at recognizing those who do not have a chance.
There are hundreds of thousands of hopeful artists with good voices, tens of thousands with really good voices, thousands with great voices, hundreds with incredible talent and unique voices who will get signed, and of those, only a very few that that will be successful enough to keep their record deal for very long. If you don't believe what I just said, come to Nashville for a couple of days and spend some time at the bars and clubs downtown and elsewhere. These are the people who cannot get deals or haven't yet -- or who have had deals and didn't make it. And if the implication is not clear, most are exceptionally good vocalists. As a friend of mine says, "In Nashville, talent is the common denominator." So -- if you have the common denominator then keep reading my blog for a few other requirements for success.