This year’s edition of the Star Quest, the Star Lager-sponsored reality television show committed to rejuvenating and promoting the musical band culture in Nigeria, teed off to an entertaining start on Sunday, March 14, evening. It is the sixth season of the popular show and from the first episode, avid viewers and fans of the show, which airs on television stations across the country, knows that they are in for another pleasant viewing experience.  Indeed, if there was any doubt as to the abundance of musical talents in Nigeria, this must have been put to rest with yesterday’s episode. 

The audition train berthed in Calabar, Cross River State for two days and it was buffeted with varying degrees of Star Quest hopefuls. While some were impeccably talented and only needed the exposure and expediency of the Star Quest to reach the top of the global music industry, others were just average talents who wanted the platform of the popular television show to achieve their musical ambitions. There were also the outright talentless and also-rans who came, ostensibly, to fill up the audition venue. These were the wannabes who’s less than one-minute appearances sent many viewers into deep slumber.

The judges, comprising the duo of KC Presh, inaugural winners of the Star Quest, graciously advised the latter group to just concentrate on whatever vocation they were involved in at the moment and not bother about venturing into music. As harsh as that sounded, it was the truth because music might be fun and enjoyable; it is not a profession for everyone. One thing stood out however, which OJB Jeezrel, notable music producer and a member of the judging panel, also pointed out, was the plethora of instrumentalists in Calabar, especially drummers. They outshone the singers. “When I get back to Lagos and I need a drummer, I know where to go to,” he said. The story continues tonight on Sound city (DSTV) from 9 to 10pm;Africa Magic from 10 to 11pm,TVC and DBN Television from 10:30 to 11:30pm while STV and Supercreen will run from 10:45 to 11:45pm. NTA and AIT will screen from 11 to 12midnight everyday for the next 21 days.