Taylor Hicks on Live With Regis and Kelly - VIDEO

Taylor Hicks

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”


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  1. 201 hicksaholic Jun 17th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Taylor did an interview with CW11:

    CW11

    He says he “comes from Alabama with a banjo on his knew”

    Dingo If you’re here get ready to throw up in your mouth again- I’m guessing the idea of a bluesy Teen Angel won’t appeal to you.

    Sorry to all the T fans who can’t stand anyone challenging anything he says or does but this one was too good to pass up

    Dingo you have to lisren to the interview to understand what I am saying

    Plus YEAAAA! Taylor is over 200 posts! For whatever that means

  2. 202 lg Jun 17th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    Count me in as one who has never considered herself to be a bona fide member of the “Soul Patrol”. That ended with the show for me. I’m just like so many others - patiently waiting in the wings for some good new music. However, if peeps want to follow Taylor from show to show, that’s cool too. Who am I to begrudge someone - it’s their choice.

    I don’t agree that the Grease thing is a desperate attempt by a fading idol to keep himself in the spotlight. YMMV.

    Desdemona, thanks for asking what I was going to ask about the size of the fanbase. I agree there is no way to really know the true size of Taylor’s fanbase at this point. I do know three people in their 20’s who were big fans of Taylor on the show, and like so many, were disapointed in the TH cd. I think there are many fans like them, who would be more than willing to give the new CD a listen, which can only bode well for Taylor.

    But, as has been alluded to earlier, the proof will be in the CD. Many like his pre-AI folksy stuff, while many prefer the bluesier stuff. Maybe he’ll be able do both. His raw southern-fried blues base, along with some great new material, with a tight band to back him up, gives me a lot of hope for the new album, in whatever genre(s) he decides to do.

    ETA: All of the various perspectives have made for a very stimulating read. :0)

  3. 203 MN Sue Jun 17th, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    Taylor’s perceived number of fans is impossible to determine and, IMO, irrelevant. There is an ebb and flow of fans with all artists based on their current product or lack thereof. Just because his latest product happens to be a bit part on Broadway doesn’t mean he has abandoned his desire, and those of his hard core fans, to be a relevant recording artist. I am personally hoping for an edgier, darker, and more introspective Taylor to emerge from his next cd. Gimme the grit and the growl and I will join Dingo in church and not want for anything more. Until then I’m glad his name is out there. Do I need to express myself on MySpace or Facebook? Hell no. (Childish fan expressions of self worth, if you ask me.) I’ll happily spend my time lurking at mj’s, posting when I’m feeling brave, and supporting Taylor in everything does.

  4. 204 Bobbi Jun 18th, 2008 at 3:56 am

    As far as the online demonstration of fan count - Taylor does attract a different demographic than Kelly, Carrie or John Mayer. I don’t think it is a demographic that is as likely to sign up on My Space or Facebook so I’m not sure that is a valid method of computing an estimated fan base for him. But, as evidenced by some of the testimonials here, we are fans that will buy cds and attend shows to support the music and performers we like. For me, Taylor is one of those people and I’ll be buying his next cd, without a doubt. So, yes, I’m a fan.

  5. 205 blueisyou Jun 18th, 2008 at 4:41 am

    So now all these Taylor fans don’t use computers? If myspace and fan site memberships now don’t count as guesstimates for a rough idea of the size of an artists fan base…. what else would suffice? Our imaginations? If he’s got all these fans, wouldn’t it show up in the calculations somewhere? People on this site are claiming they don’t belong to his myspace, but surely you have signed up for a fansite so you could at least read… if so, that would mean you are being counted. When I refer to the term “fanbase” I don’t mean people who happen to like a song or two, really I mean people that actively follow that musician and buy their albums and go to their concerts. Taylor and big fan base doesn’t equate. Even the media refers to “Hicks’ small but rabid fan base.” Of course, not every fan is going to be online, but in 2008 most have at least checked it out.

  6. 206 Bobbi Jun 18th, 2008 at 5:20 am

    Now, blue, that isn’t what I said! Things aren’t that black and white. I’m just saying that, generally speaking, I don’t think the majority of Taylor’s fan base are spending time tracking him down online. The rabid fans you talk about do, definitely.

    But, I think there are a lot out there who enjoyed him on the show and who are open to buying more music from him once something comes out, that just wouldn’t even think of getting online and going to MySpace. He did sell 700,000 cds, right? So even allowing for multiple purchases and vastly overestimating people shoving it down their friend’s throats….very conservatively, imo, I would say at least 500,000 - 600,000 of those were purchased by people that wanted to buy them. (Talk about pulling numbers out of the air!) :) ) Those people didn’t evaporate and the vast majority of them don’t expect the first AI album to be the best thing the artist ever puts out.

    Again, this is speculation as is what you are surmising, but I think if Taylor comes out with a good cd, gets good press and shows up on TV and other places so people know he’s alive and touring, I don’t see any reason why he can’t sell a decent number of a second cd. For any cd to be a hit these days is a fluke….he does have name recognition going for him!

  7. 207 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 7:10 am

    I’m really interested in seeing where all of this side references he has made to acting is going. I just hope he can focus on this cd. It really needs to be good. Those that were disappointed in the first won’t likely give him a third chance.

  8. 208 chewsday Jun 18th, 2008 at 11:06 am

    Bobbi, I agree with you about the fan base. I think using MySpace and Facebook numbers is a fallacious argument. Taylor’s demographic does skew older than that of Mayer or Underwood. Many of those people don’t bother with MySpace.

    That said, some of those older fans of his while he was on Idol probably will never buy a CD or go to a concert. Others may have been disappointed that his music after Idol wasn’t what they were expecting - crooning You Send Me or Something.

    I think that his attempt to garner younger fans with the post-Idol CD didn’t work - mostly because the music wasn’t heard. So just who are his fans? It’s an interesting question that I don’t think anyone, including Taylor, can answer at this point. I do think that he has enough fans to continue to be a working musician. And I think a good new CD - if it gets the right promotion - can gain him new fans.

    (Now, will I be the one to kill this thread? I hope not….)

  9. 209 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 11:49 am

    I’m one of those people that was a big Taylor fan at one time, but gradually lost interest, since he appeared to fall off the face of the earth. I did buy his CD and was not impressed. Only managed to like one or two songs and the CD is currently collecting dust.

    I think the CD was just very dated and not current enough. It reminded me of something you would buy in the 70’s or 80’s. I have a feeling it was rejected by radio, so that’s the reason it wasn’t heard. Taylor has to go edgier and up-to-date with his music, otherwise he doesn’t stand a chance. His older demographic cannot sustain him. I have no idea why his record label (or Taylor) thought that music would sell - I don’t think baby boomers are well known for buying music and I think even the majority of that demographic was not impressed by it and I also think that people below the age of 40 totally rejected it.

    But anyway, just my 2 cents and here’s hoping that Taylor has more success with his next CD. I will check it out, but will only buy if it gets favorable reviews.

  10. 210 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 11:57 am

    Oh, and as far as Grease - I think Taylor is doing whatever he can do to stay in the spotlight and keep working as an entertainer. Probably something he would never do if he had been successful with his music. But, you do what you have to do sometimes. It’s only three months of work and it looks like he’s having fun with the part and most likely getting paid well. So, good for him! Good move!

  11. 211 jersey Jun 18th, 2008 at 11:59 am

    I’m certain I will buy Taylor’s next cd, reviews be damned. I can judge for myself whether or not it was worth my money. That said, if I’m unimpressed with cd number 2, I will listen to cd number 3 before purchasing. I can’t just blindly follow because he was my favorite during season 5. He’s not my friend, he’s a musician that I have greatly enjoyed in the past, on his pre-idol cd’s, some of his current cd, on tv and in concert. I hope to enjoy him in the future. I’m also certain that if he ever tours back in the New Jersey area, I will be attending his concert - because he is great live.

  12. 212 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    No chewsday you won’t

    I still find it interesting to discuss what has happened with Taylor. I guess it is not one specific thing but looking back in the days right after AI Taylor was really huge just like someone mentioned before. Just think about People’s hottest bachelors that just came out- David Cook made the list but hell Taylor made the cover! Plus he was going to record in Ray Charles studio and he was going to do a song cowritten with John Mayer. If the Mayer thing worked out it didn’t make the album( I know it was said it might make this album)

    So all of that was moving well for him then the AI tour started. That tour was certainly successful so I would have guessed TPTB would have given Taylor at least a little credit for that. He did do the shadow tour with LIMBO- perhaps that was a source of contention with TPTB. Then I had heard Taylor did not want to do the album while touring. Maybe that was something that he clashed with TPTB over. I know all of this is water under the bridge. I guess my only reason for discussing it is I hope whatever mistakes were made that if they were ones made by Taylor that he learns from them. All I want as a Taylor fan is for him to be making good music somewhere close to me. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I want some vindication of his talent in the immediate future.

    It had to be a heady experience going from nowhere to being the hottest thing going if only for a few months. But it has had to have been a little disconcerting coming back down from that point(don’t get me wrong- I’m not suggesting Taylor has crashed and burned but there can be no denying he is nowhere near as hot as he was right after AI.

    Sorry for the ramblings but the thread is alive still - kinda like Taylor.

  13. 213 mj Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    So all of that was moving well for him then the AI tour started. That tour was certainly successful so I would have guessed TPTB would have given Taylor at least a little credit for that. He did do the shadow tour with LIMBO- perhaps that was a source of contention with TPTB. Then I had heard Taylor did not want to do the album while touring. Maybe that was something that he clashed with TPTB over. I know all of this is water under the bridge.

    Refusing to work on his CD during the tour was a huge HUGE error in judgment on Taylor’s part, as was allowing other Idols to release their CDs before he did, effectively stealing his thunder as the AI winner. Who knows–if he’d given himself more time to work on the album, maybe he would have had the time to record in Ray Charles studio, or polish up that song with John Mayer…

    However, as others have said, I’m not sure the music on that CD would have appealed to many people outside the fanbase, in any case.

    Taylor is learning from his mistakes, hopefully. I’ll bet subsequent AI winners are taking note, as well.

    BTW, I wonder what happened to the Live DVD he was supposed to release? I expected that to come out before Christmas last year…

  14. 214 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm

    It was just posted on another board that Vanguard is releasing his preidol works cd August 12th. I’m just hoping that is not in lieu of a second original album.

    Taylor is learning from his mistakes, hopefully. I’ll bet subsequent AI winners are taking note, as well.

    Just my luck- why can’t the one I loved the best be the one to learn from the mistake not make the mistake? I sometimes wonder if Taylor p*ssed off some people so much that he is going to have trouble recovering from it. I sure hope not. I really think the only way Taylor would be difficult is if something was really against his musical beliefs(for lack of a better word) He seems to have a great work ethic, believes in punctuality and seems to be a pretty grounded guy. I just cannot figure out how given all that he could have made TPTB that mad that they would intentionally want him to fail.

  15. 215 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    Mj

    Supposedly he is having difficulty clearing the tags he used during the live sessions.

  16. 216 mj Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:38 pm

    I just cannot figure out how given all that he could have made TPTB that mad that they would intentionally want him to fail.

    I can’t imagine TPTB intentionally wanted him to fail. Taylor’s poor sales have actually been bad for the franchise. It was very much in their interest that Taylor succeed. They didn’t really start dissing him until the album failed to sell. Disowning him didn’t make the situation any better, imo. They should have kept treating him like the winner whether he sold records or not.

    I’ve heard that 19 and the staff at AI and the label had negative experiences working with him. Heard that from a few different sources.

  17. 217 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    hicksaholic, it was mostly a combination of factors - bad decisions, poor management, bad timing. But, the one thing that stands out the most is that the CD just wasn’t very good.

    I also wonder if Taylor suffered from over-exposure, because after he won, he was everywhere - Leno, People magazine cover - Hottest Bachelor, Ford commercial, AI tour, all over the tube, countless interviews, etc. Sometimes over-exposure has the opposite effect.

  18. 218 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    I’ve heard that 19 and the staff at AI and the label had negative experiences working with him. Heard that from a few different sources.

    Do you know if that was because he would not agree to compromise musically or something else like he was full of himself? It seems crazy knowing Taylor worked so hard for that opportunity to be heard that he would sabotage it by being difficult. But I don’t know the man- maybe he is a complete *sshole but get turn on that charm on stage. I sure that’s not the case. Again that would be my luck.

  19. 219 mj Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    I also wonder if Taylor suffered from over-exposure, because after he won, he was everywhere - Leno, People magazine cover - Hottest Bachelor, Ford commercial, AI tour, all over the tube, countless interviews, etc. Sometimes over-exposure has the opposite effect.

    A co-worker of mine hates him based solely on the Ford commercials that were EVERYWHERE that summer and fall. Just can’t stand the guy, and he’s never heard his music.

    It’s too bad, ’cause I think he might like some of it.

    BTW, he has no problems buying Idol music–he has Carrie, Bucky and Kellie in his collection, and he’s never watched an entire episode of Idol.

  20. 220 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    Maybe the cd was a result of fighting back and forth between Taylor and the label and the result was noone won.

    Also mj perhaps if what you heard is true then maybe once the cd underperformed(not my words mind you) the fact that they didn’t like to work with him made it that much worse.

  21. 221 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

    I think the CD was made only for the AI audience that voted for Taylor and TPTB thought that would be enough to sustain him. TPTB I’m sure have learned lessons from this - fans of AI, the TV show, does not translate into CD sales. The only thing that sells CDs…make a good CD with GOOD songs on it!!

  22. 222 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    Glamour
    Maybe you’re right- Are TPTB at Sony/ Jive whatever that unwilling to think out of the box that the only genres they think exist (right now) are pop, country or rock or a mixture of those three? Then it is amazing any other artists are ever signed. But maybe they are not, at least on those labels. If that is the case then unless you are in country, rock or pop perhaps it is better to not win AI but get far enough to garner a fanbase and hopefully a lesser known label.

  23. 223 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    I don’t think genre should matter. There are good and bad songs in every genre. In Taylor’s case, the CD he made was AC/pop. I didn’t see any blue-eyed soul or that whomp sound he was going after and I’m still not sure what that whomp thingy was all about. Blue-eyed soul is gritty, edgy, get-down-and-dirty music as in Bob Seger, Michael McDonald, Ray LaMontagne and I didn’t see any of that in his CD - he sure did have lots of sappy ballads, that in my opinion, were not even that good. Again, I think TPTB were going after the AI family-oriented audience and banking on that.

  24. 224 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

    Glamour

    You’re right about blue eyed soul being edgier and when you think about it Taylor excels on all of those afore mentioned artists covers. What I just can’t figure out is I would not have thought that would be rocket science to figure out by recording company professionals. Do you think they did any market research prior to releasing or was it just so quick that none could be done? If that’s the case I hope the label he winds up with now does a better job. I would have guessed that record companies would get focus groups together and get feedback. Is that done or not?

  25. 225 blueisyou Jun 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    “That said, some of those older fans of his while he was on Idol probably will never buy a CD or go to a concert.”

    OK, apparently there seems to be some confusion in reference to the word “fans in a fanbase”. I am not talking about people who happen to like him in passing. “Oh, Taylor Hicks, I like him. But not enough to buy his CD or go to a concert.” That is NOT a fan that is a member of his fan base, at least not the kind I’m talking about. For example, I like Chris Daughtry’s music, but not enough to buy his CD or count as a fan. So, I am referring to active fans, the ones that sign up for fan sites, follow the musicians career. In Hicks case, that base is rabid and small. My mothers casual liking for Taylor Hicks doesn’t make her a member of his fan base. Hope I’m making that clear.

    The internet gives a VERY good idea of the size, activity and interest out there for an artist. Just like it’s a great way to communicate with the world, it’s a great way to take note of the publics reactions to things. (that’s why there’s often polls etc online) How come people always come up with excuses for Taylor Hicks? Like he’s exempt from reality? That seems like a common theme.

  26. 226 chewsday Jun 18th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    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.

  27. 227 SpenserJ Jun 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    OK, apparently there seems to be some confusion in reference to the word “fans in a fanbase”.

    Yes, and I’m still confused.

    So, I am referring to active fans, the ones that sign up for fan sites, follow the musicians career

    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.

    The internet gives a VERY good idea of the size, activity and interest out there for an artist. Just like it’s a great way to communicate with the world, it’s a great way to take note of the publics reactions to things.

    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.

  28. 228 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    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.

  29. 229 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Excellent post Spenser

    Wish I was that well spoken or rather, well written.

  30. 230 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    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.

    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?

  31. 231 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    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.

  32. 232 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    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.

    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.

  33. 233 Bobbi Jun 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm

    Spenser - thank you. You said what I was trying to say much better than I could!

  34. 234 blueisyou Jun 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    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?

  35. 235 dancingqueen Jun 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    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.

  36. 236 SpenserJ Jun 18th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    I just don’t understand how anyone can argue that it’s a big fan base.

    I’m not. I maintain that I have no idea how big his fan base is.

    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?

    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.

  37. 237 MN Sue Jun 18th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    And, he’s the only winner that never had a video. I have no idea why this happened or who made the decisions

    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.

  38. 238 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    You actually do need a video to market yourself. You need bodies to fill up those venue seats, or what good is it?

  39. 239 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    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.

  40. 240 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    sorry some new fans.

  41. 241 Glamour Jun 18th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    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.

  42. 242 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    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.

  43. 243 LA Pat Jun 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    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.

  44. 244 hicksaholic Jun 18th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    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”

  45. 245 blueisyou Jun 19th, 2008 at 12:28 am

    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!

  46. 246 double d Jun 19th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    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.

  47. 247 JudyOhio Jun 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    “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.”

    Exactly! Well said. Deliver on the promise(s) Taylor, or don’t make them.

  48. 248 JudyOhio Jun 20th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    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.

  49. 249 Spinshack Jun 25th, 2008 at 10:49 am

    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.

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