American Idol 2006--Live Thread (Part II)

FOX ^ | 3-25-06

[silent_jonny]

still for Tammy

[retrokitten]

[Wyatt's Torch]

I think he hates this current group, especially the fact that Hicks is the clear frontrunner with the American public.

Yep. IMHO the show will be proven to be fake when Taylor is elimiated in the 4th position. Just watch. The final two will be Chris and Kellie. I will be shocked if it is anything different....this despite Taylor winning the vote every single week.

[StrictTime]

Love the pimp text!

[StrictTime]

What a good guy that Bucky is! Glad I spent about 8 hours this season dialing for him. I don't think there was a more worthy contestant, naysayers on this board notwithstanding. Do I think he was "The Next American Idol"? No. But I LIKED him and wanted him to do well.

[Netizen]

[Netizen]

What a good guy that Bucky is! Glad I spent about 8 hours this season dialing for him. I don't think there was a more worthy contestant, naysayers on this board notwithstanding. Do I think he was "The Next American Idol"? No. But I LIKED him and wanted him to do well.

I agree. I also may have to buy one of his cd's if he puts one out. :)

[stlnative]

Pimp Text

[stlnative]

Hey...
Taylor made the front page of my local newspaper!

http://www.randolphcountyheraldtribune.com/images/724.jpg

[Netizen]

[Wyatt's Torch]

Some interesting items of note:

Flea'd from another board:

I watched AI Extra this afternoon and they interviewed the male's vocal coach. He said NOBODY will be allowed to rearrange the songs for next week, like Chris has been known to do. (Those are his words, not mine.)

If true, $100 Chris is chided for not "making it his own".

Final Four foreshadowing?

[Netizen]

[Netizen]

In other news!

Living the Dream: Lindsey Cardinale Releases CD

[Wyatt's Torch]

What A Wonderful World" would be perfect for Taylor.

As for Chris, I think he will surprise, as he did on Country night. Those who myopically see him as a "screamer" will be surprised. The guy has a good voice. I believe it is a lack of appreciation for alternative rock that is driving the opinion. I think he would do a good job on "The Way You Look Tonight" or "It Had To Be You" or maybe "Nevertheless".

[misterrob]

Randy's favorites are Elliott and Paris. Simon should have a bubble of McPhee and Pickler over his head with a look of confusion on his face.

[Netizen]

Simon should have a bubble of McPhee and Pickler over his head with a look of confusion on his face.

Not so much confusion as indecision. :)

[conservativebabe]

Same to you sweetie!!!!

[kevkrom]

Not so much confusion as indecision.

Bah... it's like the old "Ginger or Mary Ann" question... a false dichotomy. The correct answer is "both".

(Although, in this case, I don't see what everyone else thinks is so attractive about Pickler.

[SirLinksalot]

I don't see Taylor attracting that wide of an age bracket of fans thus resulting in a much lower amount of CD sales than what Chris would have. If Kellie wins the producers and recording company will lose money on her.

I am reading the above statement and I have to say that based on my conversation with many people, I will have to admit that Taylor Hicks is one of the most polarizing figures in the history of American Idol. Those who love him, love him with the passion of a thousand suns. Those who hate him hate are so apathetic, like a thousand frozen rivers.

This is a post to hopefully start a "marketing" discussion in regards to the music industry.

MARKETING CHALLENGE

HOW DO YOU SELL SOMEONE WHO HAS TALENT BUT WHOSE MUSICAL STYLE DOES NOT FIT A CURRENT MARKET NICHE ?

The last time a runner-up outsold the winner of American Idol was in season #2 when Clay Aiken's album went almost triple platinum while Reuben's topped out at close to 2 million.

That was when the votes cast were so close that people actually wondered whether it was rigged by TPTB.

The thing about Chris vs Taylor though is this --- For 7 straight weeks now, every Dialidol (a statistical measuring software similar in concept to Gallup, but using actual dialed votes), and AT&T landline data show Taylor CONSISTENTLY on top. NOPE, HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN SECOND PLACE YET.

This could mean that Taylor has a RABID fan base and Soul Patrol will be similar to the Claymates or the Dead Heads (of the Grateful Dead ).

Your above argument is I suspect, very similar to what Simon is thinking. That is why he considers a Taylor victory to be a nightmare and is either resigned to that fact or scheming and trying to see that it does not happen.

Simon wants sales NOW. He cares less for rabid fan bases because this does not translate to money he can make quickly.

I've been onbserving Simon play this commercial game since Taylor Hick's Las Vegas audition. Paula and Randy were clearly impressed with Taylor's style. Simon, I suspect, likes the voice but his back and forth with Randy and Paula is revealing. This is what he said :

"It is not just about the voice"

(Note this indicates that he concedes that Taylor has a good voice)

Randy then asks : "You don't think a guy like this can be commercial ?"

NOTE THE WORD : COMMERCIAL in Randy's response. Clearly as early as the auditions, they're thinking of how to sell someone already in terms of the good old green buck.

Simon put Taylor through for one reason --- ENTERTAINMENT VALUE (it still makes for viewers). How do I know that... Well here's the Hollywood audition revealing remark :

"I look at him and I ask myself, what's he doing in the competition ?, and yet, a part of me says to myself -- I can't wait to see what he's going to do next.

Come top 24 and Taylor finishes his song -- LEVON to non-stop ovation such that Randy could hardly get in a word... Simon admits that he was wrong in not putting Taylor through because he says he's never seen a more positive response in the history of AI to Taylor ( go look at the TiVo's if you have them, the history is all there ).

At this point, Simon isn't yet worried because even if Taylor hits top 12, he could still be kicked off prematurely.

But then came the nightmare.... After Barry Manilow's 50's week, roughly 5 weeks have past and he's beginning to look at the stats that shows Taylor CONSISTENTLY ON TOP. He looks at the Idol message boards and sees Taylor's posts outnumbering Chris and Kellie 2 to 1. THIS CAN'T BE !!! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON ???

Clearly Simon did not anticipate the number and rabidness of the SOUL PATROL.

How do I know that ? Heck in a subsequent PUBLIC INTERVIEW ( the same place where he already pimped Carrie Underwood as the winner last season ), he admits he does not know who will win this season. He indicates that he prefers Chris and Kellie but he has nigthmares that it would be Taylor ( I KID YOU NOT FOLKS, IT's ALL PUBLIC ).

So you see, Simon never really thought he'll sell, he's putting him through because they've never seen someone like Taylor before and he finds him ( and I'm using his own words ) -- VERY INTERESTING. In other words -- MAKES FOR GOOD TEE VEE ( and thus more viewers and advertisement). Simon took a gamble and now is trying very hard to find a way *NOT* to make Taylor win and be tied up with a promo contract that is a challenge he does not want to face ( and he might yet succeed ).

It could be that those who adore Taylor's style are those who grew up on Joe Cocker in the late 60's, early 70's and miss/are nostalgic for that era. The fact that Taylor's hair is GRAY makes him even more identifiable ( the above 40 crowd now considers him one of their own even when he's still a young man ). They hate what current pop music has become ( note the decreasing viewers of the Grammy Awards). American Idol cuts a wide swath of demographic and I might be wrong because I suspect most of those voting for Taylor are in the age of 40 and above (me for instance ).

But then there are not many of them who buy CD's anymore.

The ones who are major buyers of CDs are the ones who were born in the mid 80's and up. But by then, tastes in music changed and ALT-ROCK/HIP HOP/RAP/BOY-GIRL BAND MUSIC became the fad in the 90's to today.

Hence I suspect you might be right. I am still trying to don my marketing cap to think how I can sell Taylor widely....

This is how I reason ---> IF JOE COCKER WERE A YOUNG MAN TODAY, HOW WOULD YOU SELL HIM ?

Honestly, I don't know the answer....

The first question I would ask myself is this --- WHAT AGE GROUP ARE THOSE VOTING FOR TAYLOR ? WHAT AGE GROUP ARE THOSE VOTING FOR CHRIS ?

If the answer is a significant of oldies are voting for Taylor and a significant youngies are voting for Chris, then I have a hint as to why Simon is feeling antsy about a Taylor win....

It's looking like a 40's and above revolt. But then, do the 40's and above still buy CD's ? And if so, how often and how rabidly compared to ALT-ROCKERS ?

I personally suspect that stlnative is either in his 20's or in his early 30's.... too young to remember the quirky styles of singers like Joe Cocker.

I am not a marketing man but do work with marketing people and try to put myself in their shoes. It could be that Taylor might bring back the throwback music to popularity should he win... I don't know.

Anyone with a marketing background here who can help ?

[CajunConservative]

I think he hates this current group, especially the fact that Hicks is the clear frontrunner with the American public.

Yep. IMHO the show will be proven to be fake when Taylor is elimiated in the 4th position. Just watch. The final two will be Chris and Kellie. I will be shocked if it is anything different....this despite Taylor winning the vote every single week.

Taylor's set though. His band is heading to the studios in Nashville to start recording in a couple of weeks.

Taylor Hicks Band brings rock blues to Crossroads

Thursday, April 13, 2006

By CHRIS WELCH

Times Entertainment Writer, chrisw@htimes.com

The Taylor Hicks Band - yes, the Taylor Hicks currently on Fox's "American Idol" - is performing Saturday night at the Crossroads Cafe, but drummer Zippy Dieterich, a 1990 Huntsville High graduate, has a news flash.

"People come out and ask, 'Is Taylor going to be here?' And we tell them, 'No,' " Dieterich said, chuckling during a phone interview as he had breakfast at a McDonald's in Birmingham on Tuesday.

But all is not lost.

"They're always pleasantly surprised when they hear the rest of the band," Dieterich said. "Taylor spent a long time getting the band the way he wanted, and we'd like to think he's going to be back in the band after he's finished. And he's told us that.

"We're still trying to do the same thing without him, but we definitely miss him."

The Birmingham band temporarily changed its name to Little Memphis Blues Orchestra with Brian Less on piano/organ/vocals, Mitch Jones on bass, Sam Gunderson on guitar/vocals and Dieterich on drums/vocals. Dieterich said with Hicks gone, he, Less or Gunderson handle the lead vocals.

Before he was ever known as the gray-haired singer on "Idol," Hicks and his band played soul, rock and blues around the South at clubs and fraternity parties. Since Hicks left for his "American Idol" adventure last fall, the Blues Orchestra has been playing "more blues and New Orleans-style funky stuff. It's blues rock 'n' roll."

The 34-year-old drummer was born in Fort Payne and his family moved West before resettling in Huntsville, where he attended school from the eighth grade up (some of his family still lives here). He attended the University of Alabama, where he met Less. Dieterich was in Nashville when Less called a year and a half ago and asked him to join the Taylor Hicks Band in Birmingham.

"He called and said they needed a drummer and I packed everything and headed to Birmingham," Dieterich said.

Dieterich said Hicks' run on "American Idol" has given the Blues Orchestra some great exposure. The group is going into the studio in two weeks to make its own CD.

"Oh, yeah, it's jumped leaps and bounds," Dieterich said of the band's exposure. "We get a lot of people out of curiosity, sparked by the whole name. We get a lot more attention and people recognize the Taylor Hicks Band.

"Hopefully, we'll play together as a whole again. If not, we'll keep doing what we're doing because we love it."

Dieterich said the group talks to Hicks on a regular basis. The band members have become local celebs in Birmingham.

"We do a lot of promos for the Fox station here and every Tuesday night. His fans, called the Soul Patrol, go to a certain club and we watch the show and do something live with the Fox station," Dieterich said. "We've got to keep rooting for him. He's a wonderful singer and songwriter."

[CajunConservative]

I think he hates this current group, especially the fact that Hicks is the clear frontrunner with the American public.

Yep. IMHO the show will be proven to be fake when Taylor is elimiated in the 4th position. Just watch. The final two will be Chris and Kellie. I will be shocked if it is anything different....this despite Taylor winning the vote every single week.

Taylor's set though. His band is heading to the studios in Nashville to start recording in a couple of weeks.

Taylor Hicks Band brings rock blues to Crossroads

Thursday, April 13, 2006

By CHRIS WELCH

Times Entertainment Writer, chrisw@htimes.com

The Taylor Hicks Band - yes, the Taylor Hicks currently on Fox's "American Idol" - is performing Saturday night at the Crossroads Cafe, but drummer Zippy Dieterich, a 1990 Huntsville High graduate, has a news flash.

"People come out and ask, 'Is Taylor going to be here?' And we tell them, 'No,' " Dieterich said, chuckling during a phone interview as he had breakfast at a McDonald's in Birmingham on Tuesday.

But all is not lost.

"They're always pleasantly surprised when they hear the rest of the band," Dieterich said. "Taylor spent a long time getting the band the way he wanted, and we'd like to think he's going to be back in the band after he's finished. And he's told us that.

"We're still trying to do the same thing without him, but we definitely miss him."

The Birmingham band temporarily changed its name to Little Memphis Blues Orchestra with Brian Less on piano/organ/vocals, Mitch Jones on bass, Sam Gunderson on guitar/vocals and Dieterich on drums/vocals. Dieterich said with Hicks gone, he, Less or Gunderson handle the lead vocals.

Before he was ever known as the gray-haired singer on "Idol," Hicks and his band played soul, rock and blues around the South at clubs and fraternity parties. Since Hicks left for his "American Idol" adventure last fall, the Blues Orchestra has been playing "more blues and New Orleans-style funky stuff. It's blues rock 'n' roll."

The 34-year-old drummer was born in Fort Payne and his family moved West before resettling in Huntsville, where he attended school from the eighth grade up (some of his family still lives here). He attended the University of Alabama, where he met Less. Dieterich was in Nashville when Less called a year and a half ago and asked him to join the Taylor Hicks Band in Birmingham.

"He called and said they needed a drummer and I packed everything and headed to Birmingham," Dieterich said.

Dieterich said Hicks' run on "American Idol" has given the Blues Orchestra some great exposure. The group is going into the studio in two weeks to make its own CD.

"Oh, yeah, it's jumped leaps and bounds," Dieterich said of the band's exposure. "We get a lot of people out of curiosity, sparked by the whole name. We get a lot more attention and people recognize the Taylor Hicks Band.

"Hopefully, we'll play together as a whole again. If not, we'll keep doing what we're doing because we love it."

Dieterich said the group talks to Hicks on a regular basis. The band members have become local celebs in Birmingham.

"We do a lot of promos for the Fox station here and every Tuesday night. His fans, called the Soul Patrol, go to a certain club and we watch the show and do something live with the Fox station," Dieterich said. "We've got to keep rooting for him. He's a wonderful singer and songwriter."