That’s called walking on the reality side. True, he no more would know most of us should we pass him on the street.

(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

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.

I agree with you, Legacy. Thanks for throwing those valid points out there.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Remaining considerate when facing something someone might write that doesn’t mesh with your own ideas is not an easy task for some. ha.