Now, there are those who will exploit him. I would pray that he gains enough self conifence to learn the worl "No," and use it often. And with Simon Cowell and Rick Rubins as handlers, a lot of nos will be need to protect a voice in maturing process.

Paul Potts spoke to a LOT of us with his music. All the rest, I for one don't really care. It's a shame there always has to be negativity when someone hits the jackpot.

A charade that elicits my true emotions, especially if greedy, is a scam. “Britain’s Got Talent” show owner, Simon Cowell, recently was crowned with a virtuoso talent search winner, Paul Potts. A mutual contract is prized by both men. His operatic music will bless the world. “I am Paul Potts” rings true to every person’s value and hope for life. He has a magnificent voice. Yet, world class talent does not develop in a vacuum. Is Paul Potts’ “underdog” status formed by Simon Cowell to manipulate our emotions, and further fatten pocket books, unfairly? I shed tears and replayed video sections several times to take in the emotions of singer, judges, and audience. The only other event that exceeded my awe and wonder, in a different way, was the 9-11 twin towers attack. I was amazed with Paul Potts’ concentration, constant tonal pitch; diaphragm and full body delivery; formation from the full throat, vibrato control: absolute control of the craft. Hard work showed. Maybe he had been master trained.

I heard Paul’s story at 0.00 on a video, “… the world of show biz seems a million miles away. Its Paul, a mobile phone salesman from South Wales.”, and then from Simon Cowell at 3.51, “I like shows where somebody isn’t a professional, has talent, isn’t aware of it, has a normal job, and then you see something else.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oxTy7KIAaA&mode=related&search . I found something else. Like normally expected of talent, it was: tutelage with operatic masters in Italy, four amateur opera productions, a concert for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with previous plans for an upcoming summer tour with that Orchestra. Okay, but my emotions are for a guy who said that he has a dream to do what he feels he was born to do, but lacks confidence! On his first TV interview after winning “Britain's Got Talent” [ BTG ] Paul said, “You know, I’ve not taken up promotions before because people wanted me to change who I was, and I’m determined to be true to myself, because at the end of the day ….”. http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts Hum? Emotions: unknown underdog singer who was bullied as a kid, and now discovered! He refused promotions? He is silently strong.

Okay, the music industry often tells entertainers who they should be; not let them be. That is negotiation and their choice. At 36 years old, he needs a good move. Switch camera. Simon Cowell spent 2 years forming the “Four Tenors” from three. Quintessential would be quints, a fifth tenor who has passion to make it big. “American Idol”, Simon’s company, can be British BTG in his old stomping grounds. There is a tenor who has refused promotions! Like a good Indian scout of yore listening for a buffalo stampede, Simon’s ear is tuned to packaging the product. He can hear a stampede and he wants it. Okay, money goes to people who bless us with worth! The 100,000 pound sterling “finders fee” is small compared to the reward. If BGT can showcase a discovery, one amateur, but a mature operatic singer who is not promoted, then perhaps the last drop of bloody money can be wrung from innocence.

Not his innocence. Ours. Simon’s announcement at the show that Paul Potts would be recording an album next week was good business linkage to the world. It was business. But, to link my emotions of hope and faith and love of humanity, and to link my personal challenges to a hold-out person, without full disclosure of the full story, seems manipulation of my expectations. The history of any contestant near the stage will be known by the producers; in advance. It matters to uncover embarrassing persons, especially when the prize is door money toward a contract. That is what scouts do. This operatic scout might have used the whole BGT platform to launch Paul Potts; with great emotion. All I want is a good spirit, fair to the closing words of Nessun dorma!, which are Vincerò! Vincerò! I will win! I will win!

The NBC New York city interview of Paul Potts had a common question, “… so, how did you learn to sing like this?” His answer, “Umm, I’ve always just sung - always sung. My voice has always been my best friend.” http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts Endearing for sure. DEAR ME! The close of the interview followed with a transition piece to NBC’s next show segment, a scene with ironic poignancy: “Greed in America - why some people will do anything in search of easy money.” Perhaps disclosures of Simon and Paul are not as full nor lyrical as other New York city namesakes, but such might have much in common with the MSNBC page item today: “Martha Stewart on grilled chicken done right”. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19054369/ Someone, turn up the heat about “disclosure”!

"Paul Potts Radames

A student of Ian Comboy, Paul has appeared on national and local television and radio. He has spent two summers touring Northern Italy training with one of the major opera schools, and has taken part in masterclasses with Vilma Vernocchi, Katia Ricciarelli and Luciano Pavarotti. He has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. With Bath Opera he has sung the roles of Don Basilio (Marriage of Figaro), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and the title role in Verdi's Don Carlos. Future plans include the role of Chevalier des Grieux (Manon Lescaut) for Southgate Opera, London, and another concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the summer. Oh yes! He also plans to get married in May this year!!!"

http://www.bathopera.co.uk/Past%20Productions/Aida/aida_biographies.ht m

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Potts

But this is a little played out isn't it? I mean I'm sure he's a timid person in rl don't you think the editors are capitalizing after this? the little footage of him walking in the green marsh, set to the polyphonic spree's "Reach for the Sun," gimme a break . Obviously the competition is now more than a little slanted.

However, everybody loves an underdog And we all wants Paul to win!

How simply marvellous!