Hoosier Mommy's Indianapolis Recap

I hadn't been to a concert in about 25 years and probably would have gone another 25 years without going to one if it hadn't been for a phenomenal performer. The last show I went to see at the State Fair was the band Alabama. This time, I went to see Alabama's fix to whatever ails American music. I went to see Taylor Hicks on his first tour as the reigning King of American Idol.

My son and I picked up some friends and drove to the city. My husband works there, so he was going to meet us at the fairgrounds. The night and the weather were perfect. The traffic was not. The only other bad part was when my son and our entourage found our seats, my husband who was already there, flipped out his ticket stub with Taylor Hicks' autograph on it! I was SO JEALOUS that he just happened to run into Taylor as he strolled past the bus on his way to his seat! Here I have been the one to get the tickets, vote thousands of times, and basically become an Idol Addict due to Taylor, and my laidbackrockandroll husband is the one who gets to see him up close and personal! Grr. And then have the nerve of rubbing it in! Double Grr. I asked him about Taylor's looks and he said he is better looking in person and tall. I said, "How tall?", and he said "My height or taller." Hoosier Daddy is 6 feet tall. "What did you say to him?" Hoosier Daddy (he doesn't know I call him that or that I am known as Hoosier Mommy on the Idol boards ) said he congratulated Taylor and Taylor said, "Thanks, man." I knew then that he had truly spoken to Taylor. He thought Taylor was probably pretty tired of this aspect of his job as there were about 50 people wanting his autograph. He also said it was better that I wasn't with him when he ran into him. Thought I might have embarrassed myself, or something. But I digress. Back to the show.

What a fantastic evening for their first outdoor show. It stayed warm and there was no rain in sight. The crowd response to Taylor was like good sex, anticipatory, long, loud, and sustained! He was his amazing self, "taking us to church" with him celebrating his God given talent. I was on the front row of the grandstand right above where Taylor came roaring in with the State Police. I really wasn't expecting it. (I thought he would be coming in through the crowd from the back and that I should have gotten different seats. Hah) The stands were slightly swaying as the audience was stamping and calling for him in unison. Some of the other contestants got some mighty applause (there is no way that Chris got more, by the way for those of you who want to meter that), but the feeling of the crowd being a giant connected group was one that I had never seen or felt before. The audience was the embodiment of the Soul Patrol and it was so cool that our Indiana State Patrolman delivered him unto us. I know that not everyone is nuts for him as he gets his share of criticism, most recently from Mousketeer Limberdick. But the Indystar review that I read intimating that the audience left wondering why Chris hadn't won is absolute rubbish.

I spoke to a gal next to me after the show. She, like many of us Hoosiers, was pretty polite and quiet, leaving me to make up with occasional shrieks and whoops. I asked her who she liked. She said, "I like Elliott and my mom likes Chris."  She didn't know who her girlfriend liked. I told her I voted for Taylor. Then she perks up and says, "Oh, I voted for Taylor, too! And so did my mom. All the way!" So maybe she was talking about who they liked that evening, I don't know. More likely she was like me. I liked all of them (except Brenna) and being a teacher and a mom, I wanted them to do well each week. But I liked Taylor the best and after he sang Takin' It to the Streets, I responded with my version of "Takin' It to the Phones." Splitting votes was not an option.  I am one of those who never even watched the show, hadn't bought a CD for myself for years and only went to school functions like sports and musical events as I raised my kids over the last 20 years. When my daughter commented on my odd behavior, such as staying up for the weekly telethons, buying two copies of Under the Radar and emailing her links to Taylor news, I said I didn't understand it either: it was like he was MY kid. No wonder Taylor won without ever being in the hot seat! There really is something about him that makes the common person want to help him get what he deserves. America got it right. Taylor is the musical Horatio Alger of our time.

I have some decent photos, but the ones of Taylor were tough to get for a couple of reasons. Due to the movement of the seating from all the fans going crazy, I couldn't hold my camera steady! He is a complete blur getting out of the police car. And, of course, taking a photo of the Whirling Dervish of Soul as he entertains his fans is difficult anyway.

I felt that the kids were all talented and performed well, but the show itself was very low budget. They didn't spend much money or creativity for the set, with the exception of Chris. Lisa and Paris, as talented as they are, looked like a couple of girls performing at a school program. Actually, it wasn't a whole lot better than stuff I have seen at the Cloverdale High School Variety Show or Monrovia's Annual Show Choir dinner. There is always one or two performers at those school functions that is truly talented and has the heart that makes them stand out. The Top Ten of American Idol deserved a bit more budget. Lisa choked on the tv show, I guess, because she is apparently very talented. I hope she starts writing and recording her own stuff and continues to sing and play the piano. That was great. I did not care for Paris modeling Michael Jackson in her act. Yes, he was talented, yes his sister apparently showed her a few of his moves, but Paris, Michael is NOT TO BE EMULATED OR PROMOTED. He is the weirdest f***ing Hoosier we ever had next to Charles Manson. As always, Paris had a very cute outfit on. For those of you who complain about her doing music that is too old for her, remember that most music is too old for her! She is a kid! She reminded me of a gymnast, someone who is very comfortable with her body. My friend Maureen, who flanked me on the right, said she was impressed with her showmanship. She was all over the stage and did a good job. She is amazing and she is going to make lots of money doing voiceovers and maybe some teen movies in addition to her singing.  She is cute as a bug's ear.  That's county talk, folks.

It seemed that Chris started off the second act with more lights, more smoke and the ever-present but trite flames. Even the band was louder. It was like the tv show all over again, you know, where it seemed like he got better treatment than others. I like his voice, but don't like the way he prances around with his head looking up at the mic. Makes him look shorter. Liked the songs he sang and if he gets some really good material for his own, he should do well. They say he has a few good lyric ghostwriters working with him. Will someone please tell him that lighters aren't in vogue anymore! Or legal for that matter. So change your material, Chris. Hair plugs would be a good investment, too. I saw a picture of you before your best friends fell out and you were very handsome. Don't think gel is going to help those who are follicly challenged like Chris, no matter what Ana thinks about the magic of gel.

Ace was the one who I was most impressed with as to growth and showmanship. I'll be honest. I didn't like him all that well on the tv show. The falsetto on most songs got on my nerves. I even mistook his politeness and quietness for being less than manly. HOWEVER, I am an ACE CONVERT. He is very free and easy in his movement on stage and his interaction with the audience. He has a very athletic yet graceful bod. He has a great attitude, too. I can see him on tour and picking up some Rod Stewart rock moves. I guess he has some of his own, but I didn't see him jump off the stage. (Did he, anyone?) When he threw his beanie into the crowd, it made Chris' guitar pick flips look paltry. DAUGHTRY PALTRY? We can't have that. Chris, get a slingshot and flip those babies out into the crowd! They will love it and you will have a new signature move. Maybe you can attach it to that tacky chain. Back to Ace. I would love to see him in a male harmonizing group where he sings the high parts. I recently watched a PBS show (Doo Wop -A who's who of classic acts from rock's golden age are featured in this compilation of three previous doo-wop specials, including the Del- Vikings (Come Go with Me); the Penguins (Earth Angel); Gene Chandler (Duke of Earl). Ace could definitely sing that high part. He and the other 3 guys minus Taylor sang together.

Another person who has a big personality and charisma is that Kellie Pickler. When she and Bucky sang the duet, I wasn't all that impressed. Bucky, Bucky, Bucky, as in everyone loves Bucky. Bucky did a lot of singing off and on throughout the show. He is really cute and happy looking. Does his brother sing? Should they start a band called COVINGTON COVINGTON? Do you think they could get a discount on some tattoos? Well, I wasn't that impressed with the Grease number. Have heard lots of high school girls and boys do that one better. However, the next two/three songs from Kelly were more than decent. I just love that kind of voice. I am not one who likes a high pitched soprano voice, even though I appreciate it, nor do I like the miasmic stuff on the pop charts that many seem to admire. I definitely hate the loud screaming stuff that big singers sometimes fall into. Mandiver did that a few times. I like a voice like Kelly has and a song like Walking after Midnight. A rich mellow voice from a singer who enunciates clearly is my fave and Kellie is just going to get better as she matures. She definitely is a natural onstage. I want to see her in a movie with her idol Dolly Parton. I have no idea whether she was canoodling with the Buckster, (I am sure she asked, "What's a canoodle?") but she was definitely scootering with him. Scootering brings to mind our next singer, Elliott.

Elliott is a scooter whore. He was going up and down behind the fence entertaining us as we waited for the show to begin. Others rode on it, but it seemed like Elliot played the most. Elliot was definitely showing off and loving it! He was so cute and adorable and lovable and young at heart. Everyone talks about what a big voice comes out of such a little girl when talking of Paris, and what a throwback Taylor is, but few comment on the disparity of Elliot's look versus that voice of his. He dresses like Skater Boy, but sounds like Crooner Boy. I would love to see him in a Zoot Suit. He is another one that people want to help. I get the impression that he didn't dare to dream the big dreams and didn't really understand how very good he is. Reminds me of kids I had in school who weren't appreciated by most of the teachers, you know, the teachers who only like the high achievers? And especially high achievers in the academic classes? Well, a lot of those kids peak early. Late bloomers can be seriously amazing. Elliott reminds me of a kid in my daughter's class who was always in trouble for talking too much in class. His grades were not all that hot and he almost got kicked out of school for putting a dead deer in another student's convertible. Ran into him at Wal-Mart the other day and he is making all As and Bs at Montana State, has built a stock portfolio by day trading and he is set to go to Germany for an internship in international banking. His talking too much in school? Well, he couldn't help himself. It's a gift. He has a fantastic personality and that will take him far in Adultworld. The one who many figured would flunk out turned out to be a potential for the most likely to succeed.

Ok, guys. I will get the catty remark out of the way fast. I have to tell you it isn't a snark against Kat. It was said as a smart ass remark for my hubby. Kat was his fave and Taylor was mine. He never voted, of course. But he deserved a comment about Kat cause he stumbled into getting my fave's autograph without even trying, then waving it in my face. Kat was my favorite girl from the audition and Taylor was my favorite guy and vice versa with Hoosier Daddy. I will admit I was starting to wonder about Kat's nice factor after reading stuff on the boards, but I think, honestly, that my first impression of Kat being a sweet natured and polite young lady with a fantastic talented and well trained voice is the one I am going to stick with. People who get upset because she said something about Indiana being country probably are the ones who like to get upset. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Would like to see how well you operate standing in front of 10-12000 people at Kat's age. I also don't think country is synonymous with being rednecks or backward. We bought acreage so we could live in the country. I took a picture of a deer in our side yard this evening. I love the country. Kat's remarks about country is just fine with me. Kat was trying to relate to the venue. She'll get better at, like, you know, the small talk. Or maybe she won't. It doesn't matter, all she has to do is sing. That is her gift.  Broadway beckons.

For those of you who think Indiana is the outback, you are wrong. It is the Cross Roads of America and has many beautiful places and people. Hoosier Hospitality is what we are known for. Indiana is an agricultural state and the fair grounds shows off that aspect of our state. 4H through Purdue is big here and my son's Archery project was sitting in one of the displays with a blue ribbon on it. The grounds were built when that was a rural area. Unfortunately, like many urban areas, the area around the grounds is somewhat past its prime. It is not a run down ghetto. The grounds are flanked by two of the main arteries in the city, 38th Street and Keystone Avenue. Butler University is just down the road as is Broad Ripple, the artsy fartsy area. As far as country, we have beautiful country in our state and beautiful country people. Indianapolis is a great city which has poured tons of forethought and money into making it a good place to work and for some, to live. But Indianapolis is not representative of the state, in general, nor is the State Fair representative of our capital city.

Kat was dressed in a beautiful black dress. She looked gorgeous and sounded good, but not as good as she is going to when she is completely healed. She should be singing more songs then, I hope. Surely, they will showcase her more before the end of the tour. Hopefully, she hasn't damaged her vocal chords permanently. Some of you folks have suggested she should dress down because the other girls did. Nah. They are underdressed. She was just right. Modern life has become very casual, but show business, in my mind, deserves COSTUMES and WARDROBE. We already discussed the sets being less than fancy.

Ready for the katty remark? When Kat explained that she broke her foot, she raised up her leg to the side to show her cast. It was cute because her goofy movement was in such contrast to her refined look. When my husband asked how she hurt her foot, without hesitation, I explained that during a rehearsal, she got carried away and started humping Taylor's leg. Taylor had to step on her foot to get her to dismount just like you have to do to an overzealous dog. This definitely got Hoosier Daddy back for the time I asked him what he thought of Kat after she flashed her cooter to 30 million people and he said she didn't do that. He informed me that she flashed her panties just for him. Laughter is what has kept us married for 30 years next May.

Anyway, Kat changed her dress to something more casual, as did Taylor, for the finale. There was no bumping or grinding with Taylor as she learned her lesson in that nasty humping incident. Nor did Chris fondle LITTLE DAUGHTRY like he did at one of the prior concerts. Found out it was against the contract. Simon did not want anyone to give anyone any inch of their love unless it was him or with him. Look at all the trouble Pauler got into. In addition, Indiana is a conservative state, so accentuating your positive is not appropriate in cow country, unless the cow is stump broke, of course. Save it for more sophisticated cities, like LA, and San Francisco. No, wait. Don't do it in San Francisco, Chris. Trust me. Don't fondle yourself in San Francisco.

If nothing else, this concert proved that American Idol is all about what is  good for American Idol, the show. The business in show business is just a hassle for community theaters, but it is the focus when you get to the big time. They are out to make money. Period. Another thing about the TV show is that it really is important to be prepared with a song list from a wide array of genres so you can move forward through the show. The songs need to be in your range and you need to be able to connect to the audience! Taylor Hicks is a very smart and focused person who has class. He has a great and supportive network of family and friends. He will weigh every decision as he moves to his next challenge, because for him, "It's all about the music, man."