Andrew Dubber     

October 18, 2009 – 4:55 pm

Music as culture as a TV format – and the antidote to X-Factor.

Guys in their 40s and 50s who once harboured dreams of rock/pop stardom, but were just a bit rubbish so they gave it up. We assemble a bunch of them together, get a couple of music coaches in to work with them, refamiliarise them with the instruments they played in their teens and early twenties, and then they jam and compose for a week in a garage, and at the end of it, they put on a concert in their back garden or pub for their family and friends.

The overall lesson is that music is something that people can do for fun, friendship and enjoyment. You don’t have to be brilliant or famous, and nor does it have to be your career.

Dad Rock takes a leaf out of the ‘anyone can cook’ shows book, and applies it to playing in a band. Playing music together builds confidence, forges strong social bonds and is a great way to express yourself, let off steam and entertain yourself.

Dad Rock also provides a commentary – and a positive spin – on the de-professionalisation of music in the digital age.

Episodes would feature a different set of ex-musicians in different towns, each with their own backstories. Conflict, character development and narrative would derive from the interaction between players, frustrations with playing abilities, and the reactions of family and friends along the way.

Naturally, you wouldn’t have to make it all about rock music – or all about male performers. But that’s where you start because it’s simple and obvious – and the audience can easily identify and recognise improvement.

Think it’s a bit of a winner, actually.

This is a re-post from my Posterous site from a couple of weeks back. Since then, I’ve had meetings with two television production companies. Things look pretty promising for this show, actually…

Tagged: Idea, Music as Culture, TV