The worst -- and best -- of the Billboard Music Awards

My Monday started by seeing what friends had to say about the Billboard Music Awards the night before.  There are many musicians and music fans alike on my Facebook friends list, so the comments themselves were entertaining.

The toughest comments had to do with the prevalence of lip-synching and computerized touches that took away from the human element.  I can't say that I disagree with that desire to see more emphasis placed on the "human touch."

There's a place for the electronic element in music.  But there's more skill and emotion involved when the music is "real."

The Billboard awards had their share of bad moments, "lowlighted" by the poorly conceived leap by R&B singer Miguel that ended up with him landing feet and legs first into two female fans and leading to a "what the ..." moment that was all the rage on the internet.

And then there was Prince, bringing out the best.  He may not be burning up the music charts the way he once did, at least in comparison to the performers taking the stage Sunday night.  But the diminutive one came out looking a bit like Hendrix, and playing a bit like Hendrix too.  When it came to Prince, the best part of the night was saved for last.

Best of all, it was "real."