Sheila E., former drummer for legendary artists like Prince and Ringo Starr, is currently enjoying her latest gig as a judge on FOX's The Next Great American Band.  We got a chance to speak with Sheila prior to the season, but that was before the show premiered.  Since then, we've seen some great bands, some pretty good bands, and some mediocre bands.  Sheila E. was brutally honest in her conference call, especially critical of FOX's handling of The Next Great American Band's promotions.  The following is a summary of what Sheila discussed during her lengthy conference call.

Sheila was asked, first off, about the total lack of minorities and women left on the show.  Sheila blames this on the lack of minorities who watched the show.  She cites the fact that most Americans didn't even know American Band was on the air.  She kind of blames the network for not getting the word out to the right places. 

Sheila thinks Denver and the Mile High Orchestra is still in the competition (and why she loves them) is because they're great musicians, and that they have created some great arrangements.  Sheila is a big time Denver apologist.  Sheila also thinks that it's rare to see a big band on network television.  She believes that they can actually win the competition. 

Sheila believes that the writers' strike is necessary and she's on the side of the writers, but she also recognizes that the strike has helped the ratings for American Band.  Sheila says her family does not really celebrate Holidays, because being in a musical family everyday was a Holiday. 

Sheila talked about MTV and VH-1 and the downfall of the industry.  She doesn't like how pop music is not about bands anymore.  She thinks the show is important because there are a ton of bands out there who are really good, but who haven't been discovered yet. 

Sheila is not allowed to work with the bands, communicate with them, or even talk with them during the season.  They can't even hang out.  The only time the judges see the bands are when they are on stage. 

Sheila was very sorry to see Franklin Bridge get eliminated.  She thought they were a no-brainer for the top three.  She, again, blames a lack of an audience for not keeping Franklin Bridge around.  Sheila is sad that America seems to have lost their desire to be entertained by vastly different genres of music.

Sheila admits that the show being placed on Friday has adversely affected the show.  She thinks that the people who watch the show are enjoying, it's just that no one is watching the show.  Again, she thinks FOX is not showing enough promos for American Band.  She's legitimately upset about it. 

Sheila wants The Clark Brothers, Denver, and Sixwire to be in the final three.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)