Taylor Hicks on Live With Regis and Kelly – VIDEO
Taylor Hicks performs with the cast of Grease on Live with Regis and Kelly.
Video After the JUMP.
Performance:
Interview:
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249 Responses to “Taylor Hicks on Live With Regis and Kelly – VIDEO”
blueisyou:
I’m a big fan of Taylor; I’ve bought his music and attended his concerts in my area. But I never go to MySpace. It’s out of my radar or comfort zone or whatever you want to call it. I’m a very infrequent poster on one fan site. How many fans in his fanbase are like me? I don’t show up in the numbers, but that doesn’t make me less of a fan.
I guess we’ll just have to disagree on this one.
Yes, and I’m still confused.
This is the part that loses me. I consider someone a fan who likes that person’s music, buys their cd’s and sees them in concert when the opportunity allows. I do not consider signing up for a fansite to be a requirement to being a fan. And, I don’t think MOST fans of anyone actually do it.
While it may be fun to think so, no I actually think it’s indicative of nothing. And, I mean not just for AI contestants but for any subject matter really. The number of people who seek out entertainment news online is still pretty small. Although nearly every house in America has a computer, very few of those are used to visit online entertainment sites, blogs, etc.
27 Million people watch AI, yet the number of those people who visit here or AI fansites or IDF or TWOP or VFTW is in the thousands. There are over 300 Million people in the US and less than 1/20th of them have myspace pages. The percentage of people making themselves known as fans in this manner is pretty teeny.
It could be argued that Kat McPhee has a bigger web presense than the Rolling Stones. So, ergo she must have more fans than they do. Hmm, I think not.
Put Clay Aiken in any kind of online poll with Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and Paul McCartney and Clay will probably win. Yet, the other 3 can sell out the biggest arenas in the country and he can’t.
Online polls start out with a skewed sample simply because they’re accessed only by the people who are inclined to spend a significant amount of time online each day in that endeavor. And, the sample itself only represents a small section of people and doesn’t have the required diversity for a true study. Therefore any online poll’s results as compared to the general population – be the subject current events, politics or entertainment are rendered statistically insignificant.
I have no incling whatsoever as to he size of Taylor’s fanbase (or anyone’s for that matter). And, I don’t feel compelled to make excuses for him. So, my point here isn’t to prove or disprove this argument one way or the other. I’m simply pointing out that the theory you’re operating under is a little suspect to me.
hicksaholic – No, I do not think any research was done at all, because there really is no time for that and you can’t really put Taylor’s music in an easy category like pop/rock/country. They obviously want to get it out before Xmas, so they can sell as much as possible. I think TBTB went with their instincts and banked on Taylor’s AI popularity would pull them through, without really thinking things through. It’s neither here nor there if Taylor had started recording during the AI tour, because the result would probably still be the same. Again, I think they went with safe songs that the typical family-oriented AI viewer would purchase. I also do not think that Taylor, as the AI winner, had very much input, but most likely, some compromises were made.
blueisyou – You are correct about Taylor’s hardcore fanbase being small. You can tell by going to his fansites – it’s the same posters that are posting over and over again. His myspace friends is not a large number either, but that’s because women over 40 generally do not use myspace and Taylor failed to attract a younger crowd, which typically does use myspace.
Excellent post Spenser
Wish I was that well spoken or rather, well written.
I think TBTB went with their instincts and banked on Taylorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s AI popularity would pull them through, without really thinking things through. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s neither here nor there if Taylor had started recording during the AI tour, because the result would probably still be the same. Again, I think they went with safe songs that the typical family-oriented AI viewer would purchase. I also do not think that Taylor, as the AI winner, had very much input, but most likely, some compromises were made.
If that’s the case and Taylor truly had little input then I am really p*ssed that TPTB trashed him when his cd was less than successful in their opinion. Would you not think they would realize they were a part of the problem?
AI should never trash any of their winners, whether they are successful or not. They shoot themselves in the foot, because they lose credibility (and viewers). It could be that Taylor was a thorn in everyone’s side, so now they’ve decided to get back at him. If that’s the case, that’s really childish, but AI was always based on snarky comments, ex: Simon Cowell.
The problem with Taylor – the TBTB didn’t understand Taylor, didn’t understand his music or how to market it. They were after quick bucks from Taylor’s AI fame.
The problem with Taylor – the TBTB didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand Taylor, didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand his music or how to market it. They were after quick bucks from Taylorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s AI fame.
That is probably the best summarization of Taylor’s post Idol relationship with TPTB that I have ever read. That combined with the fact that I bet they had to pull Taylor screaming and kicking the whole way. Which would jive with MJ hearing Taylor was difficult to deal with (from 19, AI and record company sources) If they didn’t take the time or effort to understand Taylor or his music then they are at fault. Plus it makes more sense to me than Taylor being a difficult diva. Taylor has very good relationships with band members past and present, seems to have lots of longtime friends, and even supposedly has remained friendly with exgirlfriends. He wouldn’t be able to have maintained those good relationships if he was a prick.
Spenser – thank you. You said what I was trying to say much better than I could!
I think we’ll have to disagree on this one. It’s obvious to me Taylor’s hardcore fan base is very small, though I can see the other points, I just don’t understand how anyone can argue that it’s a big fan base. He didn’t sell many tickets for his Summer tour, nor did his album or book do well. So where are all these so-called fans? Since it’s the fans that buy the records, books and tickets. Big fan base = lots of tickets, CD’s and books sold. Small fan base = not many tickets, CD’s and books sold. That’s really the bottom line.
About his record, I think people put a lot of blame on TPTB. Ultimately, Taylor is the one that will be singing the songs and has the option of doing so or not. I am sure he could have stood firm on whatever it was that he wanted to do. My sense is that he made a mistake, took the wrong advice, tried to please too many people and the result of that was a luke warm CD. Again, that was a result of his choices.
It makes absolutely no sense to me that TPTB would sabotage a potential money maker, especially after they put up money to produce and market the album. They obviously did what they could, realized it was not “gelling” with the general public and chose to focus their marketing expenses on another Idol’s record in order to see a bigger profit.
If you notice, Taylor had A LOT of publicity (money spent) in the beginning for this album, then it died down. In any business, if something is working, and the risk is small, then it makes sense to keep pouring money into it in order to see a bigger return. But if it is not working, sometimes it makes sense to not beat a dead horse and move on to something else. It looks like that is exactly what they did.
Now, if his album was completely amazing, then I would be suspect that something was fishy. But, it wasn’t completely amazing. So what is there to be suspect about?
I still wonder why he never had a set single pushed to radio. He’s singing “Runaround” on the post idol TV spots, but, they don’t put it for radio adds. Then, way after the fact, they decide to try “Just To Feel That Way” at radio, but, he has no more TV spots to promote it. And, he’s the only winner that never had a video. I have no idea why this happened or who made the decisions, but, between those factors , his made up “Modern Whomp” genre nobody understood, and (JMO) a lot more give than take on his CD input, and Daughtry releasing before him with a huge push from TPTB, I think 700,000 sold is a miracle.
I’ll purchase the new CD and every other one he releases, just like I will for Ruben, and all of the other non-idol artists I believe have talent. I don’t expect anyone else to like what I do. I also, don’t expect Taylor to do anything more than live his life the way he sees fit, personally or musically.
Just for the record, MySpace, Facebook, whatever – no thanks.
I’m not. I maintain that I have no idea how big his fan base is.
Well, this is a little different than the myspace theory though isn’t it? I never looked up how many books he sold, so I have no idea (I’ve never read the book either). I think 700,000 cd’s is a lot, but I understand that it’s an underperformance by an AI winner. But, I actually think for the scale of it, Taylor’s tour appeared pretty successful.
I know nothing of sabatoge, and I don’t really subscribe to that theory. Just because they treat Taylor like crap now, doesn’t mean they did in the beginning. I also don’t have a hard time believing that Taylor can be difficult to work with. I have no problem with stubborn artists, so that won’t color my view of him either way.
I’m in agreement with MJ that a lot of the mistakes made during Taylor’s cd release were his own (or the mistakes of his people). Waiting to release his cd and missing the Black Friday sales is a huge mistake. Letting other contestants release theirs before him was the biggest blunder. History shows that whoever releases first, sells the most.
I have no prediction on the success or failure of Taylor’s upcoming cd. I’ll buy it, because man do I love that voice, but I have no idea if anyone else will.
I belong to the group that believes it was Taylor’s call to not invest recoupment dollars in a video. I have no facts to back this, just my opinion. I’ll take a kick ass tour over a video anyday.
You actually do need a video to market yourself. You need bodies to fill up those venue seats, or what good is it?
But sometimes you have to pay money to make money. Taylor is a visual performer. A kick ass video might have garnered him so new fans.
sorry some new fans.
That’s a very good point, hicksaholic. Taylor is a visual performer and the TV screen loves him. A great video would have done wonders for his career.
Worrying about Taylor is wearing my ass out! Please Taylor be a success, for God’s sake, so I will stop obsessing over this! Sorry, a little humor for this everlasting thread.
This has been a great discussion about Taylor’s career thus far and his prospects for the future. But the bottom line IMO is that in the last two years he has made more money than most of us and if he manages it well, he’ll be fine. With the Idol tour, the Ford commercial, the book deal, the private gigs and his tour not to mention the selling of his pre-AI CD’s which at the lowest estimates is a nice chuck of change (since he had no overhead), I would consider his run on Idol a success. Is it enough? Only he would know that but it’s a great start and will allow him to take his time and do what he wants to. As long as he continues to make music I like, I’ll buy it and hopefully get to see him perform. I really don’t see him becoming a superstar, but who cares? There are many artists out there “under the radar” so to speak making very good livings. In terms of earning potential even the “worst selling Idol” ain’t too shabby.
And don’t forget his new club in Bham that will open next spring(?) Like someone said a few days ago ” Poor Taylor, he has a Mercedes, just finished vacationing in Italy, living the life in NYC for the summer”
Spenser, if you read through my comments on this thread, you might notice that I pointed out the lack of sales (numbers) repeatedly. MySpace was just one possible angle that I mentioned to make my point that his online fan base did not seem big, one of many.
What I find more interesting is why there was a decline and what could have been done to prevent that. I tend to think that artists are the ones responsible for their successes and their lack of. Others like to blame everyone else.
hicksaholic, being born and bred in NYC, I can tell you living in NYC for the summer ain’t all that. Hot, muggy, smelly. But living in NYC on someone else’s tab, that’s not so bad!
Very interesting discussion. For months, I thought it might be just me and my small merry band with a lack of faith. It appears others have the same hunches/thoughts/opinions.
I’ve expounded elsewhere but, the Grease thing, for me, is a colossal disaster. In my mind, Taylor is along the lines of a Widespread Panic, Government Mule, Marc Broussard mold. To me, THAT is where he should play. A pompadour and a shiny suit singing Beauty School Dropout just don’t fit. And, stretch? Why? He hasn’t even reached potential within what he really does well.
Get a duet together with Grace Potter or Joss Stone, some gritty chick. Go to Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and STAX in Memphis where all the great Soul Artists recorded. Sign up for a “Live from Sun Studios” performance for YouTube. Cut a track in Ray Charles’ Hollywood Studio. Deliver on the promise.
Probably the biggest problem that Taylor has is over-promise and under-deliver. Whatever the reason. If you say you’re going to do something, then you better do it. Can’t be the boy who cries wolf, otherwise after a while…nobody’s listening. Taylor has had some awesome chances and I’m hoping that the next CD will be “killah” and vindicate him in some way, but if past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, I have my doubts.
That said. I, too, hope to be the wrongest I’ve ever been.
“Deliver on the promise.”
Probably the biggest problem that Taylor has is over-promise and under-deliver. Whatever the reason. If you say youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re going to do something, then you better do it.”
Exactly! Well said. Deliver on the promise(s) Taylor, or don’t make them.
Oops, I forgot to put quote markes on that second paragraph, and it was too late to edit when I discovered it. That paragraph is a quote from Double D’s post right above mine. Again, sorry.
Whether or not Mr. Hicks has gone in the direction deemed correct by some of you in his Broadway debut, he’s accomplished a few things that may in the long haul, prove a wise move.
First, he’s gotten his name and face out in the media again. His billboards are covering buildings in NYC. He’s getting television interview time. He’s managed to show there is another side of his personality; he’s not just this dark barroom blues performer, we’re seeing the guy has a wild sense of humor.
Appearing on Broadway in “Grease” as the Teen Angel in that black glitter-winged suit is a brave endeavor. He’s receiving promotion and attention for any upcoming projects while getting paid. Man, I see nothing but win in this for him. Being spotlighted on The Great White Way – and importantly – from the reviews I’ve read, actually liked and appreciated for your role in a show, not a bad thing.
Sure Warren Haynes likely wouldn’t want to do such a role, but who really knows? ha.