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Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Taylor Hicks, Curiosity Might Kill That Cat...

Apparently there is a segment of fans who have been on-line supporters of Taylor Hicks that are just not that into him anymore. Yes, they've taken all the postponed dates, all the changed plans, absence of communications, dealing with alternate venues and decided they have had enough.

I understand some of the angst. I mean back - way back - in the 2006 Idol days I was one of those who watched Mr. Hicks from his audition on that reality show all the way to his win. He gave me reason to think (which always gets me into trouble) that someplace in this wide US of A were real musicians stepping up to try out for that often scripted and sometimes insipid reality show. I mean you can take just so many Whitney Houston wannabe's and still admit you're actually letting your television display that crap fest of karaoke music into your living room. Evil television.

Well as some bid adieu to Taylor Hicks, I simply keep looking to see what he's going to come up with next. His run on "Grease" is up the 7th of this month and no word outside of 'taking some time off' admitted to by the man. That "Fall Tour" isn't happening, that DVD, "Whomp at the Warfield" apparently will never materialize and now the new, real CD isn't coming out until 2009, possibly Summer from what I have read.

Really, Taylor Hicks didn't tell a complete falsehood by saying he would have a new CD out in the Fall; he released that compilation CD, "Early Works" in August. Granted it is not a body of new works, but it does have all his past original tunes all in one place. But, yet it is understandable why some of his fans are selecting to denounce their undying loyalty and adoration, wanting to turn in their Soul Patrol membership card (if they ever held one), based on their frustrations with all the twists and turns they feel they're experiencing.

Other fans I have read just feel let down on a more personable level - that he's letting his talent just go to waste. They feel disappointed to think he may not aspire to the career that they had believed he could obtain. They're still fans, still love his voice, his talent but somehow feel sadness that what could be won't ever materialize.

Thing is, it's his life, his career, good or bad choices. He will obtain what he aims for and really wants. He just may not want what some of his fans want for him. Only Taylor Hicks knows for sure what goal he's shooting for - certainly he's not in the mood to enlighten anyone curious.
Jason Mraz, "Mr. Curiousity"

"Trouble" Taylor Hicks (on that reality show)

19 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:47 PM

    I understand the angst, but not the anger. I want new music and a tour. Whether that happens or not is the question.

    There's a lot of grumbling about his lack of communication with his fans. I get that. But when he does communicate, he tends to tell us what he thinks we want to hear rather than what's really going on.

    He's never come out and said that the DVD won't be released. We guess it won't be, but we don't know for sure. It would be nice to know, one way or another.

    Oh well. Such is life for Taylor fans.

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  2. Anonymous10:09 PM

    Taylor Hicks reminds me of a politician. He says what he needs to say to get the vote. Problem is we're not voting anymore and people at the end of the day want sincerity and they want things to materialize. It took a while to figure it out but there's a lot of talk and very little action from Taylor. The orphans site might be more vocal about their disappointment but the rest of his fans are feeling it as well. Their way of showing it is by not taking part and not caring anymore. Look how dead the boards are. What else is there to say?

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  3. You know he checks this blog daily.

    It's good you voice your opinions. He doesn't know where you come from nor can find out, but he's reading. Think he likes Everlast...

    Whether he takes note or not is up to him.

    Daddy Mack, are you listening?

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  4. Interesting that you posted the video of Taylor singing "Trouble" because that was the song that got my attention. I've told the story a thousand times, but I really did hear it by accident as I walked through the room. Goosebumps. I had to stop and hear the rest of it. I FELT that song.

    I've said that I feel sad lately about his career but not because Taylor isn't living up to his potential (or whatever). He worked his ass off, grabbing every opportunity the title of American Idol afforded him, made appearances, went on with shows when he wasn't feeling well, etc...

    I feel sad that it STILL seems to be so difficult for him to entertain the masses his own way, performing his own music. Creative people just aren't valued in this damned society unless they can bring in a lot of cash for a lot of people.

    (Am I making any sense? I'm all hopped up on migraine medication!)

    I'm not giving up on him, in fact his continued struggle to do it his way makes me want to support him even more. You know, like a big F.U. to the music industry.

    BTW, my support is quiet and personal. I buy a CD, I go to a show. I may post a video on my blog of one of his best performances. I think the lunatic fringe may have done more harm than good.

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  5. Caryl, you and I go way back - we're Gray C. peeps. I understand what and where you are coming from. I'm not giving up either, I just want him to know what and where folks are coming from. It would be nice if he'd comment outside of 'anonymous'. And not in ways just to get folks to comment... (fake MFOYA)

    Which he does here, if my stats are correct. lol

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  6. Anonymous12:20 AM

    I'm just a fan of his music. Having said that, he doesn't owe me anything. Sure, it would be nice to have a new album. But it's not my deadline he has to meet. He'll do it when he's ready to do it.

    He's a grown man, I think he can handle his own business. In the meantime, I think I'll spend my time handling my own business.

    And occasionally writing my own post or two. :)

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  7. hmm...who knows if Taylor goes anywhere online? But, sure-he needs to know what the fans are saying if he wants to keep them interested.

    I can't help but feel that some of his AI fans have done some scary things that we don't know about. Maybe he's ambivalent about keeping any of his AI fans because of it.

    I can't explain why I'm such an ardent fan and I'm a normal, sane person. Imagine the effect his charisma would have on an unstable person. Maybe his silence is a way to slough them off. Unfortunately, it's turning off more than the crazies.

    But not me, "anonymous"! I'm here for the goosebumps.

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  8. I'm sure his fans have occasionally crossed that line a time or two. Would explain his having security all the time with him.

    I think he keeps up with all the internet buzz about him good or bad, who wouldn't? Interesting that latest interview was so much more personal, even coming from his apartment. That was a nice touch. Now hope the nutters don't start trying to send him all kinds of plants now word is out he likes plants. lolz

    I notice he doesn't say where he's heading next. ;)

    It was funny how he said, in the interview, that he keeps certain guitars handy for when the muse hits him, so he can corral her. I pictured him with a lasso in hand swinging it at an image of a 'muse' ala Sharon Stone in "The Muse".

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. Sunny, do you use the e-mail address I found on this site?

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  11. Yes, but I did not get but that latest from you, I sent you an answer. First one must have gotten lost or spammed out or something. I don't even read spam, I just delete it. lol Anyway, found you!

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  12. Anonymous11:29 AM

    Sunny, I really do understand the angst but some of the bithcing over every little thing he does or doesn't do is just bashing the man. I've read quite a bit of that bashing, you-know-where, over the past week.

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  13. Hi rosie, yeah, the Orphans site tends to get a little dramatic but I do like some of the posters over there. I've known - at least on line - some of them for a while. They go by other names but you can tell who they are...

    I'm not mad at him and can't understand why anyone would be mad. I'd like to see him come out with that new material, great if he could tour, but it may not happen.

    Perhaps that Broadway Bug has bitten him and he wants to do more of that stuff.

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  14. Anonymous9:40 AM

    Business decisions have to be made in relation to the funding and ability to make the project go forward. These issues can pose problems in getting your music out and places to play your tunes.

    It's just, it is what it is. But the lights sure are bright on Broadway, every night.

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  15. Anonymous7:45 PM

    Yep....people like to think they are in the know, and that they understand why people do the things they do. That's the part that drives me the most crazy about all the angst and speculation - no-one knows the thought behind anyone's actions, let alone someone they don't even know!

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  16. hey, anonymous. I enjoyed our conversation! (If you are who you sound like)

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  17. Anonymous12:48 PM

    It's so funny that the second Anonymous said Taylor is like a politician. That is so true. Taylor is the male Sarah Palin.

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  18. Anonymous1:53 PM

    Sarah Palin looks to be quite an effective politician, that would be taken as a plus in some circles.

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