There is beginning to be much hoopla around the start of Taylor Hicks’ National Grease tour, which will likely be undercut by the release of his Sophomore CD “The Distance” on February 10, 2009. The Taylor Hicks’ world of Message Boards is already lit up by the news and everyone is making their plans in order to make sure that they are part of the shadow tour that will inevitably follow the Grease Tour around after the CD’s release. For anyone that does not know much about Taylor Hicks, the one thing that he is, besides a really good singer, is very savvy at knowing how to market himself. He proved this during the American Idol Season “5″ National Tour, when he would manage to sneak out after the AI shows to meet up with some the members of his former band “LMBO”, in order to get some real face time with real people in the intimate setting of a club which gives Taylor what he needs to perform his best. These after shows became so popular that people would gather from all over the country just to see him in the true way that he was meant to be seen.
These new after shows will probably be filled with all the pre-requisite fans that have followed Taylor since he was on Americal Idol two years ago. If I went to one of these after shows I would most likely recognize about 65-70% of the people in attendance and a good part of them I would know on a more intimate level. I loved being a Taylor fan. It was fun at the beginning when everything was new and fresh, but like anything else that has been allowed to grow and flourish, it has taken on a life of its own and it doesn’t look like it is going to be any better this time around.
I don’t mean anything bad by this last comment. Taylor’s fans are mostly good people who are here just for the music, but there remain a few people who have taken it upon themselves to carry the Taylor Hicks’ Mantle whether or not he wants them to. In naming the CD ” The Distance”, I am of the hope that Taylor is trying to go that distance that he needs in order to build a new fan base.
A while back on my “About” page a blogger by the name of Intelligent by Design left me some very interesting comments regarding my comment about being a Taylor Hicks fan. It seems that this blogger is someone who works in the industry and their insight was quite interesting.
Ok, musically, I’ll bite into the debate…do you think that Taylor Hicks and American Idol are helping to bring back a sense of music being “not cookie cutter over produced crap”? No arguments about Hicks’ talent – he is talented. But, being one who works in the industry, I have seen the effect Idol has had. I’ve even worked with some very talented people who have been through the Idol camp. But talented people can still be overproduced if they enter through a system of overproduction, which I would argue that American Idol is a continuation of (see Motown, Stax, and a hundred other record companies in the 50s, 60s, and 70s and groups like the Monkees, Partridge Family, David Cassidy, etc). Idol, AGT, and all of these similar enterprises use very similar contracts that deny artists any ability to be artists in the first place. A winning Idol contestant is about the only person in the world (anymore) who has their persona and artistic output licensed to an organization in perpetuity…it’s really pretty sick when you look further into it. It is, IMHO, little more than a continuation of the created pop star, the payola scandal, and the predatory practices that began when music went from being a sole form of expression and became a business. But I do have to admit…I’ve tuned in a few times myself, and just as easily get caught up in the overproduced glamour of the whole trainwreck. And I make my living off of working with some of those same stars, in the same controlled industry. It’s a crappy dilemma.
A very interesting discussion ensued with a few well made comments by myself and other posters. Intelligent by Design went on to say:
I can see where the possibility would be to get out of a contract through means of insufficient promotion – there is a basic argument that when 2 parties enter into a contract to sell an artist, both sides have to at least attempt to do so. And there are some smart (and, unfortunately, usually expensive) lawyers who can do that. I would venture to guess that much of whatever money Hicks did make from his fame (I believe I remember a few national ad campaigns, etc, and album sales at least in the 100,000+ range for some of his stuff, which *should* have netted him at least a million) dwindled quick when forced to hire expensive entertainment lawyers and fight legal battles. Even for the winner, lawsuits like that come with a high price.
You make a good point about Hicks’ distribution, and the problem faced with going through an indie distributor. The indie distributors just don’t have the market power to hit stores like Best Buy. Interesting to note, however, Guns ‘n Roses over 10 year in the making Chinese Democracy is finally being released – through an exclusive distribution deal with Best Buy. I haven’t looked far enough into the deal to see what it does with regard to electronic downloads, but I would also venture to guess that there is a stipulation that will allow it to go to iTunes…it’s just impossible to make it without it. Another interesting story to note is the recent market data that was released about Radiohead’s In Rainbows. They made it available first as an electronic download based on donation – you only paid what you thought it was worth. It was then made available at the usual price in brick and mortar stores. They reports have come back in – the album sold 1.25 million online and 1.75 million in hard copy sales. Extremely interesting when you consider that Radiohead’s previous released (one of which was a grammy winner) sold in the hundereds of thousands. Although it should be noted – they got a fair amount of free press for releasing an album on a “pay as you wish” system, which probably didn’t hurt sales. The last time they sold with those kinds of numbers was in the mid 90s. Radiohead is now on ATO – a label founded by Dave Matthews, that has some amazing artists. I’d highly recommend checking them out – http://www.atorecords.com/. So far, it seems like they have a business model that is working better than the majors in the new climate – and they are certainly being more respectful to the people whose art they’re peddling.
This person has made so many valid points about the music industry that it gives me pause to wonder how much of an up hill battle Taylor has ahead of him. It seems to me that no matter how many bases Taylor may have covered in the way of distribution or self promotion or having his own artistic control, it simply comes back to how many new fans he will be able to reach.
Much talk was made out of how many new people Taylor reached when he did Grease on Broadway which unfortunately did not turn itself into CD purchases of his self produced “Early Works” release through Target. I never really followed up on the story or the final numbers or even the reasons why he did it, but in my mind it still comes down to the fact that he must be able to get his music out there in a way that will reach as many people as possible. I don’t truly feel that Taylor will ever really be a big radio star. He does not have the music that is meant to draw in the Tweens that will rush to buy a Jonas Brother’s CD or whoever the new flavor of the week is. Taylor needs to find that way to portray himself in the recording studio the way that he does on stage. Then he needs to get out there and beat the pavement to reach one fan at a time. I always use the example of Dave Matthews and his rise to stardom, not so much through Top 10 songs, but by reaching one fan at a time both young and old. Taylor Hicks is not there yet, but Matthews’ fame is a template that someone like Taylor Hicks would choose wisely to take into consideration.
Taylor’s core fan base will surely be there this time around as well, and yes they do serve a purpose in promoting him. I just have a small little wish, deep deep down, that the incessant self promotion of certain fans be tempered this time. If you truly care for Taylor as much as you say, step back a little in the background and let Taylor shine. Don’t continue to promote Taylor in the hope that he will notice you and you will then have your 15 minutes of Message Board fame as you type your “unselfish” story for all to see. This all started way back when we heard a singer singing a song which grabbed so many of us in a place that had not been reached in a very long time. It was a musical awakening for so many. Let’s let this be Taylor’s musical awakening. Think of all the time that he sang to us in concert, thanking us for letting him be himself again. Well I feel pretty secure that he has made that next step into the realm of artistic integrity that he has always wanted and that he so much deserves. Let’s step back and let him enjoy this moment.
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From your words to God’s ears…I need to think a while before I can add anything more, but thank you for this.
Yea, she’s back! Willpen, just a few hours ago, I mentioned you on a blog, and here you are, with a new well thought out commentary. I also will return to comment. Now off I go, to spread the news of your return to Hicksland. Rosie
I didn’t realize Taylor had named the cd. Good news!
Wonderful blog, willpen. I enjoyed your thoughts, and yes, let’s hope (some of) the fans will let it be about Taylor this time around.
Will you be able to catch his shadow tour?
Cheers!
Willpen, Rosie aways talks about your blog just found it, first time posting. Very interesting, I also hope the fans back off a little and let Taylor enjoy this release of his CD. I am also hoping with the Grease tour he will gain a varity of new fans. He seems extremely happy about how his life and carreer are going at this point. I love the title of the new CD. Thanks for your thoughts!!
JI
This needs to be repeated one more time:
“Taylor’s core fan base will surely be there this time around as well, and yes they do serve a purpose in promoting him. I just have a small little wish, deep deep down, that the incessant self promotion of certain fans be tempered this time. If you truly care for Taylor as much as you say, step back a little in the background and let Taylor shine. Don’t continue to promote Taylor in the hope that he will notice you and you will then have your 15 minutes of Message Board fame as you type your “unselfish” story for all to see. This all started way back when we heard a singer singing a song which grabbed so many of us in a place that had not been reached in a very long time. It was a musical awakening for so many. Let’s let this be Taylor’s musical awakening. Think of all the time that he sang to us in concert, thanking us for letting him be himself again. Well I feel pretty secure that he has made that next step into the realm of artistic integrity that he has always wanted and that he so much deserves. Let’s step back and let him enjoy this moment.”
Wonderful blog!
Bravo to you Willpen! I had written a blog very similar to yours and wound up deleting it because there is a small faction of the SP that will not accept the fact that they are more of a hinderence than a help to Taylor.
He doesn’t need street teams, or people contacting his new record company. He seems to be in very capable hands.
People have to understand that he’s doing a traveling Broadway show as well as intimate shows after his Grease performance. He’s busting his hump to get his new music out there.. I’m sure when he does his single in the theater he will mention whatever venue he’ll be at that evening. That announcement is for the Grease fans. This is Marketing 101. He wants new fans. He needs new fans.
As much as the core SP love him.. step back.. If it’s a general admission ticket to wherever he’ll be on any given evening…. let the new fan have the front row.. let the new fan get pictures or video or just simply stand there and soak in what the core has always seen in him.
It’s really not important to be the darling of the SP on a message board and get the newest, latest, greatest pics and vids. Nor is it important to have him sign a picture of a second cousin named Fern’s baby..
Enjoy the man for the artist he is.
Let him…for once.. spread his wings and soar.
alwaysinthebackground, that was the section I wanted to draw attention to as well. Perfect, perfect, perfect. Thank you for this!
Nothing more to say but… Yo!
I am still in the thrill of you coming back to blog about Taylor, although I read some of your political comments. Hey, in the end I voted for Obama, my very first democrat vote, and most likely my last. I agree with virtual, and just discovered her about 5 days ago. Always, you are also right on. Taylor touched something in me that I did not know even existed. Perhaps it was youth, passion, hard work, a belief in ones self, my self, his self, your self. Then there was his love for music, conveying feelings thru lyrics, his voice, passion, and movements. His knowledge of music, exceeded mine, and I am old enough to be his mom. On AI, he was just showing people who he was as a guy with a good voice who loved music and performing. He was a little over weight, very gray at 29, looked older than his age and told us all that he was, REAL. He entertained us. Enough people enjoyed him each week and voted for him, and kept him out of the bottom 3. He won AI 5. No one can take that from him. He is still a working musician and entertainer and one whom I wish to support and follow. I also like to engage in discussions about him and his career. This is a great blog to do so, therefore thanks Willpen. Rosie
Maybe Taylor named his new CD “The Distance” because that’s where he hopes to see his fans! LOL.
Well, I don’t think the people who actually sit in the Grease audience will make much of a difference in Taylor’s fandom, but he does seem to be getting some good press out of being in the show. His name is out there. I don’t know. Whatever. (Not a fan of the whole grease thing)
Anyway, we had a pretty good debate at my blog a couple of weeks ago about how new music gets heard these days and some smart up-start (ha) convinced me that radio isn’t as important as it once was. People discover new music by word of mouth, internet radio, myspace “friends” and little voices in their heads. (sorry, I’m tired and can’t think!)
I don’t care what that guy said, I’d still like to hear Taylor on the radio!
Let me start first by thanking everyone for their support. It was not that I had forgotten about Taylor, it was just that I had found someone more important to believe in for a while. Now that I have had the chance to see a great man elected to the greatest job in the world, I can once again think about other things.
Like I said in my post, my thoughts for this post started back in October when my blogger friend Intelligent by Design, imparted their music business wisdom on me. While I always knew that all Idols had to overcome incredible odds for artistic integrity, it was IBD’s comment about this practice going back as far as The Monkees that was a smack in the face for me. It left me with the feeling that I had been duped since I was a teenager. Yes I did find my outlet in true Rock music and I did listen to my CSNY records and my Janis Joplin records. But, my real concern, that like so many other things that are out of control in our lives, that the music was the one thing that I could control. I guess seeing how really controlled the music business is has made me want all the more so to give a chance to every Indie Artist out there that are breaking the barriers and the molds everyday. My wish is that Taylor will be one of them, but as I said, in breaking the mold it must be done completely. So if that means that he needs his fan base to be ready to move with him on a dime, we need to be there.
To be honest with you all, I am still on the fence as to whether I will ever feel as invested in Taylor like I was in those first wonderful days in the beginning. The whole fan base stuff has just gotten to me. But it is my hope that me and him can find a personal relationship when it comes to his music. A relationship in which I can put on my headphones and disappear into his voice as I have so many times in the past. That is really all that I have ever wanted from him.
All I can say about your last pen, is don’t let a few bad SP’s ruin it for you.
I don’t understand how so many people can think that they know what’s best for Taylor. It seems to me that Taylor has a good business sense, and will be taking advantage of every opportunity that he can.
I agree that some people need to step back and not be so personally invested. Let Taylor be the entertainer that he is, and just enjoy the ride.
Trixi, perhaps willpen’s not talking about fan’s who voice opinions about what Mr. Hicks is doing or not doing, rather how the fans have approached each other of not like minds.
Remaining considerate when facing something someone might write that doesn’t mesh with your own ideas is not an easy task for some. ha.
Wow. Great post.
I saw something in your last response, though, and I couldn’t have said it better myself:
“The whole fan base stuff has just gotten to me. But it is my hope that me and him can find a personal relationship when it comes to his music. A relationship in which I can put on my headphones and disappear into his voice as I have so many times in the past. That is really all that I have ever wanted from him.”
Taylor turned me on to music, and I have heard so many great artists because of him. He may not always do what we think is best, and I’m sure he’s learned from some mistakes. But, if he can still be out there, creating music, then I’m going to support him in that.
Willpen, I love your well-written blogs that encourage such interesting thought and discussion. I agree with most of what you have said and I wanted to thank you for bringing up something that has been festering in this fandom that we should talk about.
To recap or not to recap. To report back to your message board about what you experienced or to keep it private. Either decision should be respected. And it hasn’t always been. People are buying M&Gs and are afraid to talk publicly about it because of being called braggy or being in Taylor’s face or self-promoting or wanting his attention. Yes, some want his attention. It doesn’t really bother me if they do.
I recap and share everything and only keep to myself what was asked to be kept private. I have been raked over the coals for doing this, even to the extent of being one of the first people lampooned on MFOYA. It used to hurt a lot. It doesn’t bother me anymore because I know what is in my heart. I know my intentions are to share my excitement with people I have come to care very much about.
At the beginning, I remember reading someone’s recap about seeing Taylor in American Idol and her excitement was so palpable! Since that time, I love hearing about everyone’s wonderful adventures. I’ve enjoyed the craziness of some of these stories and I’ve respected the people who choose to be private.
As an online fanbase, I think it is important for us to share our excitement and joy. I get as much happiness from reading about Boogie Board Roanpony who bought a M&G for a faraway, treasured friend who needed a lift and her friend’s incredible experience, as I do from being lucky enough to experience Taylor myself. We have all come a distance, too. It’s a good time to give each other a break and let each fan enjoy Taylor the way they see fit.
diane, bravo post!
Once again I want to thank everyone for their comments. I appreciate all who have supported my views as well as anyone who has found fault with anything that I may have written. For me this blog is all about the dialogue. I know that most of you come here with the understanding that this is all about MY point of view. That is why I have enjoyed the blogging experience so much more than the experiences that I have had on Message Boards. It allows people to read about what is in my head and how I feel about things and it then allows time for a discussion of differing opinions. I accept all opinions with an opened heart and mind and will never disallow anyone for what they have to say.
What I found most curious though is how so many out there who were having discussions, really just focused on the last paragraph that I had written regarding my desire for a certain toning down of some of the fan base. This part was probably one that I thought about the least. It was actually just a personal after thought. I am pleased that so many found this meaningful, but my intent was to open a dialogue about the music business in general and how Taylor’s move into the Indie part of the business will possibly affect this next CD. It was not my intent to impose my will on anyone out there who considers themselves part of the Soul Patrol. Opinions are just that: Opinions. The music part of this whole Taylor Hicks adventure has always been what it was about for me, and seeing what people actually reacted to only made me realize more that I am probably more in a minority than I had thought. I guess my desire to raise the dialogue to one that was away from the normal dialogue that is out there, has fallen short of it’s goals.
My personal goals for this blog continue to be one of diverse subjects and opinions. Again, I have found this whole experience very fulfilling and have once again found my love for writing that I had filed away so many years ago.
I have enjoyed reading this… It gave me some things to think about.
I think back to when I was a teenybopper and madly in love with Micky from the Monkees. I look back now and realize how contrived and used the members of the Monkees, as well as myself and their fans were.
I was never interested in AI because I felt they were using the media of television to produce mediocre music and make fun of some truly pathetic individuals for entertainment purposes…. and then one night, quite by accident or perhaps fate, I had AI on and Taylor Hicks sang. Part of what intrigued me about Taylor (besides his voice) was the fact that he did not fit the AI mold. I felt he was genuine, and truly loved the music.
I have been a fan who has hung in there with him, I enjoyed watching him embrace and then try to outrun the recognition that fame has brought him. I have met some absolutely marvelous people through his message boards, and I have met some I wish I never knew existed. I have been disappointed in much of the music on his AI cd only to fall in love with it when he played with it and polished it, and took it on the road. I listen to those same cd songs …. but the versions I listen to are those from Dewey and the various concerts where some fan was able to capture a pure recording of the song.
So how does any entertainer get his music, his voice out to the public? Who, but a large music machine would have the money to even attempt to do this. I think Taylor is doing it with perhaps the only currency he has, the American Idol name recognition. It has helped me to understand his decision to do Grease (which I personally loved seeing him perform in during a fairy tale trip to NY). He is using his AI title to open doors that he can use to get his voice heard. Will it be enough…. Perhaps not ….. But there is this hope within me that he will put something on that cd that will have the spark that will allow him to go the distance. That the music he has within him will pluck the soul strings of the listener so that they will be able to finally understand and appreciate what so many of us hear and see and experience when we attend his concerts.
There is a part of me that understand the fans who create the fantasy for themselves that Taylor recognizes them, that they are important to his career and that if he had the time they would sit down, drink a beer, and talk about the music. I have learned so much about Mr. Hicks life and statistics that at times I feel as if I know him as well as I know many of my real life friends. But the difference is that I know there would be no recognition in his eyes if he did see me in a crowded room of fans, that he does not know my name, my birthday, or state I live in and he really doesn’t care to know…. he is polite, a gentleman and will smile at me during a meet and greet, call me darlin’ and give me a hug…. but when I walk out of that room he will forget and move on to the next fan. This does not make me angry or sad or more motivated to do something which will bring me to his attention, I am just all young and girly on the inside( still the same old lady on the outside) for my one minute of time with the man and grateful for the vicarious thrill he has given me!!!
There was a time when I thought that if the friends I had made on the TH message boards decided that they should move on, or lost interest in the man….. that I would lose them as friends…. I now realize that those who have become true friends are people with whom I have much more in common with than just Taylor Hicks and those friendships will carry on into the future. It is ok with me if they are not dressed in Taylors colors and cheering him on, it is ok if we have different opinions about the world, our country, the economy, or religion — that is what makes the friendship interesting and helps me to grow and learn during my time on this earth.
Thank you willpen…. you have challenged me, taught me, and loved me over the past couple of years… I am so glad that Taylor Hicks introduced us!
Willpen The fans care most about seeing Taylor become a big enough success in the music industry, that he will be able to sell enough CD’s to be able to tour to his hearts content. We’d love to hear him on the radio and have him win grammies. It is just that we feel helpless other than for buying his music, going to see him, and for some of us yaking about him on the net. The yaking about him with other fans took on a life of its own. I think so many responded to your last paragraph, because we have experienced the good, bad and ugly in his fandom and it is the only part we can control. It is the part that has affected us as fans, not Taylor. rosie
Legacy said:
I agree with you, Legacy. Thanks for throwing those valid points out there.
I do believe that with Taylor launching his own label and having total control of his art is the best path for him. That being said I do think that in any artists career that fans play a very key role in the success of an artist. Accroding to wikipedia fans involment in the promotion of an artist dates back to early street teams like the KISS Army.
(Wikipedia)
“A Street team is a term used in marketing to describe a group of people who ‘hit the streets’ promoting an event or a product. ‘Street Teams’ are a powerful promotional tool that has been adopted industry wide as a standard line item in marketing budgets by entertainment companies, record labels, the tech industry, corporate brand marketers, new media companies and direct marketers worldwide.
Many duties include:
1.placing stickers and posters in their communities/or social network sites/blogs
2.bringing friends to the shows
3.convincing friends to buy band merchandise
phoning your local radio station to request their songs be played
4.bringing vinyl and CDs to local DJs in the clubs where they work
5.putting up posters/giving out release t-shirts
posting to band forums and bulletin boards online
maintaining zines or websites dedicated to the band)
I do believe that the team Taylor has from management to PR over at BWR is a great one, in regards to his current career promotion within the mainstream media. I myself think the above listed activities for a fan to do is where things should remain. I think it is over the line as well as unproffessional for fans to contact his management, PR Team, distributors (A2M), and try to tell them how to do their jobs or push what they think each entity should be doing in regards to Taylor’s career. Also I think that it is not putting a lot of stock in Taylor and trusting that he knows what is best for his career.
So in that regard I do think that many in the fandom should take a step back and let things play out for 2009. The blogs are great, the videos, the banners on social network pages, the forums, and the sharing of photos and experiences is what being in like minds with other fans is all about.
I for one am excited about the new album and possibly seeing Taylor Live again. As well as seeing a lot of fans truly go “The Distance” with him.
TF1
Legacy, you wrote: “there would be no recognition in his eyes if he did see me in a crowded room of fans, that he does not know my name, my birthday, or state I live in and he really doesn’t care to know…. he is polite, a gentleman and will smile at me during a meet and greet, call me darlin’ and give me a hug…. but when I walk out of that room he will forget and move on to the next fan.”.
That’s called walking on the reality side. True, he no more would know most of us should we pass him on the street.