American Idol 2006--Live Thread (Part II)

FOX ^ | 3-25-06

[silent_jonny]

still for Tammy

[Netizen]

It seems like every so often they bring back these talent search type shows that include animal acts. Remember the Gong Show? We'll have to see how long it lasts.

But, I think you're right about Taylor not wanting to lose rights to his songs. Or would he? If they are already copyrighted? At any rate, its not worth the risk.

He is talented AND versatile!

[Wolfstar]

Wow! Is that Taylor? What a great looking guy he was back then. It's sad in a way that's he's become middle aged in appearance at so young an age. He's 30, but looks about 10 years older.

[Wolfstar]

Netizen, thanks for the links to the Taylor audios. I could see myself buying a CD of his if the songs are good. I like that kind of male voice. What did Manilow call him? A whiskey tenor. I never heard that term before, but understand it better after hearing those audio clips.

[stlnative]

It is a shame Simon will not be one of the judges on this new show.


As far as AI contestants singing their own stuff...
No they are not allowed to do this, because it would not be fair to the other contestants who have not written their own before.

Chris and Taylor are both song writers and are way ahead of the other contestants in this area. (this is why many people have a gripe with them being on AI.)

I have tried to listen to Taylor's Non-AI music, but I just don't care for it. I don't like the way his voice sounds. I'll be 40 this year and Chris has the sound I like. But Chris' band is a little too far heavy metal for me. If Chris wins this or if Taylor does the winner will not be allowed to continue on with their bands. This will be a good thing for Chris IMO if he wins, because I feel his band's heavy metal sound (at times) is what was holding him back before.

Bo Bice's first album only includes 1 or 2 songs that Bo has written and he was not even allowed to have is band play when he cut them in the studio. The song "The Real Thing" was written by Bo. Bo was 2nd runner up.

[stlnative]

I agree! What an awesome artist!

Jonny are you gonna send the president a print of your artwork?

You need to have prints made and if you do, please let me know as I want one!

[CajunConservative]

It's kind of sad but in another way it's pretty good too. He's appealing to a wider age range of folks. If you read any of the ladies posting on the fan forums, you would see that it's not exactly family friendly if you catch my drift. He's got way more appeal than Ace for example. Women see a real man who is passionate about his music not some effeminate poser who is merely eye candy. That goes a long way.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

Wow, EXCELLENT work, Jonny! You've done a great job capturing his expressions. I really think Dubya would like that. Have you thought of sending him a copy? Or maybe sending him a copy to sign for *you*? :) (Okay, I guess that's two copies!)

[grania]

That's how he should dress tonight.....he's HOT!!!

The Hollywood handlers either try to make the ones they want to lose look worse that the could on purpose to influence the voting, or they're idiots.

[Netizen]

Netizen, thanks for the links to the Taylor audios. I could see myself buying a CD of his if the songs are good. I like that kind of male voice. What did Manilow call him? A whiskey tenor. I never heard that term before, but understand it better after hearing those audio clips.

You betcha! Aren't they great!! I think The Fall is my favorite, but they all are good! :)

[Senator Goldwater]

"Hell of a Day" by Taylor Hicks is a great song. I thought it was Sam Cooke for a moment. It's that good.

[Netizen]

"Hell of a Day" by Taylor Hicks is a great song. I thought it was Sam Cooke for a moment. It's that good.

I like Soul Thing, too.! :)

Wonder what song he will do tonight?

[silent_jonny]

Thank you all so much :)

[SirLinksalot]

From Graycharles.com

---

On MSNBC Last night Simon Cowell said the following to Rita Cosby:

Rita: Who do you think will win? What’s your prediction on who’s gonna win? Who’s gonna take it all?

Simon: I have a horrible feeling the public is going to vote for Taylor, and I’d prefer Chris.


Click here : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12038418/ for the page scroll to bottom and click on “Video: Inside ‘Idol’ with Simon Cowell”. The quote is after the four minute mark.

SNIP SNIP

Why would Simon “prefer” Chris? Easy, Simon’s job is to market and sell the winner of AI to the public. Is Chris marketable? Absolutely and easily. Remember that first and foremost Simon would like to make money off the winner. With Chris, you have a performer that is easily packaged into a box that makes sense. Go ahead and try it for yourself --- write a one sentence summary of Chris.

Alt-Rock Edge in “nice guy” package - that’s mine.

Now compare Chris to another band thats popular today - once again, it’s all too easy.

Now try and do the same with Taylor Hicks - it’s much more difficult. If you’re in Simon’s shoes, how do you go about “selling” Taylor to the public? Name another musician that is big on the pop charts today that you could compare to Taylor. See the difficulty? This is the challenge that Simon doesn’t want to face.

Does Simon prefer Taylor’s music to Chris? I would argue that, for the purposes of this competition - it’s irrelevant. Simon prefers to make money - Chris can easily be a money making machine - Taylor, who knows? Now, before you go off on all the fans who watch AI lets remember that you constitue a small slice of the music buying public. Selling AI fans on Taylor is one thing, selling the world is an entirely different matter.

[Wyatt's Torch]

This is why Chris will win. The show is about making money. Period. Chris will sell more widely than just about anyone else in the cast and alt-rock is a genre in which AI has zero presence.

Personally, I like both Chris and Taylor. I just think Chris is the annointed one and will win the "competition".

[Wyatt's Torch]

Ay spoilers on song choices for tonight?

[retrokitten]

Isn't he amazing? I am always blown away at the emotion he captures from his subjects. I meant to comment on the Lee Marvin montage last week, too. Simply stunning.

[SirLinksalot]

Taylor's kind of music -- SOUL and BLUES appeals to a small but profitable subset of Americans ( and I'm willing to be corrected if I'm wrong ).

Taylor will not be like Kellie Clarkson, or Mariah Carey. Heck, I don't even think he'll appeal to the Carrie Underwood crowd ( cross-over country/pop).

But Taylor WILL have a cult following. Very similar to the Grateful Dead.

So, Taylor is my man because I PERSONALLY LOVE Blues and Soul ( yep. Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, BB King). But that kind of music just isn't as big today as it used to be. That's just the way it is.

It would be better then in the whole scheme of things for Taylor NOT TO WIN and simply go straight to the studio and make his album. I guarantee that they will be snapped up very quickly by the cult following he already has amassed ( heck, his self-produced CDs with his own compositions are selling like hotcakes in eBay for as high as (get this ) --- $400 !!!). Some people think he's a genius like Van Gogh.

I can't stand to see him win and then have to sing some schmaltzy Dianne Warren composed coronation song like -- A MOMENT LIKE THIS. Now *THAT* would be a nightmare.

[SirLinksalot]

Ay spoilers on song choices for tonight?

I'll post them as soon as I get something more reliable. All I'm hearing are speculations.

Here's the buzz so far ...

Elliott Yamin's fans at the official boards at idolonfox.com have been busy playing a guessing game. A family friend posted these hints regarding Elliott's song this week:

1. Song is from 2005

2. Has a "little more rock edge" to it.

3. Song is by a solo artist

4. Song is on the "list of his fans"

5. Not Usher or Jason Mraz

6. Song is upbeat and uptempo

The "list of his fans" was found, and it was whittled down, using the above criteria:

"Chariot" by Gavin Degraw OR "This is how a heart breaks" or "Lonely No More" by Rob Thomas

ANOTHER hint was posted--that the song was an "even" number on the "fan list"...

The final GUESS?...

"Chariot" by Gavin Degraw.

On Idolonfox today, a friend of Taylor Hicks--a DJ and fellow Auburn Grad posted this:

"Hello again!! I just heard back and all I can say is that he is NOT going to perform "Drops of Jupiter" next week…..he has, however, made a choice that is less-known, but something that is perfect for him to show his vocal range, etc. That's all I know right now and will post if I find out anything else."

Hopefully, more will be revealed!

[Netizen]

Now compare Chris to another band thats popular today - once again, it’s all too easy.

Yeah. Another dime a dozen band.

[CajunConservative]

Chris can easily be a money making machine - Taylor, who knows? Now, before you go off on all the fans who watch AI lets remember that you constitue a small slice of the music buying public. Selling AI fans on Taylor is one thing, selling the world is an entirely different matter.

This is why the current music is crappy too.