Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Jason Castro and Sanjaya! Oh My!

The American Idol Attraction at Disney World, Orlando, Florida, is throwing its Grand Opening this weekend. Much fanfare to ensue as members of note creating the show behind this attraction, such as Simon Fuller and cast mates, Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest make the parade on February 12th. You won't be seeing Simon Cowell, apparently in London overseeing yet another one of his many shows, and Randy won't be representing the Dawg House. Who knows where he is. Almost forgot, no Kara either.

Featured cast aiding in the promotion of this new Disney feature, past winners Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, and of course, my Mack Daddy, Taylor Hicks. Funtastically exciting for me - past IDOL BLUES subjects, Sanjaya Malakar and Jason Castro will be there waving to the crowd. Also on parade, beautiful Bo Bice, accompanied by Bucky Covington, Diane DeGarmo, Melinda (got new record out) Doolittle, Josh Gracin, Justin Guarini, Michael Johns, LaKisha Jones, Kimberley Locke, Mandisa, Syesha, Chris Cligh, Carly Smithson, Phil Stacey, Brooke White, and Ace Young. Noticeably absent, Chris Daughtry. Must be touring obligations or... something.

Obviously this is working in many directions regarding promotions. Everyone in attendance to receive some attention, the show gaining publicity and of course Disney's banking on making even more cash. Anyone holding Disney stock these days?
The Money Song - Mary Poppings/(1:09)Monty Python

video brilliantly created by Imaspongeyperson

Taylor Hicks Cancels the Beatles: Bo Bice Picks up the Slack

Posted on Taylor Hicks Myspace yesterday, Saturday, May 31, 2008 he writes,

Wolf Trap Cancelled

Hey Soul Patrol. Sadly, as most of you know, I won't be doing Beatles Tribute in Virgina. I know a lot of you bought tickets and I want you to know that I was as excited to be doing the show as you all were to be coming out. I'm truly sorry the scheduling conflict happened and I hope some of you will make it up to The Big Apple to catch me in Grease. I also hope to see you out when I'm back on the road in the fall. See y'all soon.

Taylor

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band will have to "tribute" without Taylor Hicks. But wait, folks, lo and behold, Bo Bice will be there in his place. Interesting that we saw Bo Bice on the show (Idol) this season twice - once performing then again at the finals, and now this change up. (I did get that text from the Biceman yesterday...)

Check out some Bo Bice tunes at his Myspace, he's got my favorite tune in the rotation, "Sinner in a Sin". Love. that. song.
One day I'm going to wake up
And I know that the sun is gonna shine
Keeps on shinin' down
One day I know clouds, they're gonna part
Yes and I know it's rays they will find me
Keeps on shining down LYRICS.

What, did some kind of agreement with American Idol happen in which one of the Idols would substitute? You know we got to have all that Beatles exposure early in the competition this season. Ah, I kid.

Anyway, I imagine with Taylor Hicks going all Teen Angel in "Grease" through September - obviously he did not have time to be at the Beatles' tribute. Ya know, can't be in more than one place at a time. Gotta pick, gotta choose. I'm thinking three months with Grease pays hella more than the Sgt. Peppers gig.

This man can sing, one of his best Idol performances:

Jason Castro Gets Free, Witness Bo Bice's Return

Jason Castro apparently decided time was right, as in right-on to leave the cheese spectacle that Idol has become. I can only imagine how glad he is to be Free of those horrible group sings. Man, this week who choreographed that mess? All that racing back and forth, nobody looked comfortable or happy - except for grooving to the music Little Winky Bat-Boy.

Yes, Jason Castro is Free to do what he wants any old time, well at least until this Summer PopTart Extravaganza starts up. This morning, I imagine Jason was positively sprinting out those Idol compound gates.
"I'm Free" Soup Dragons, video c/o letgr00ve

I admit, I was feeling the selfish, I wanted to keep him around a little longer on the show. Make Jason into my own beautiful singing television tamagotchi. A tamagotchi with gorgeous blue eyes, dreads and hypnotic voice. Admittedly, Jason made the right choice, it was time for him to do his thing. His thing, not being the guy with the confetti swirling into his dreads.

Turning to the remaining captives competitors left in the running for the Idol Title. Has anyone noticed, how over the past two weeks, Syesha's let her personality, at least the one she wants the viewers to see, out of hiding? Think back to was it two weeks ago? Yes, Andrew Lloyd Webber week. Syesha mentioned to Ryan that it was easier to sing as a character rather than to just be herself. What we're witnessing is a conversion from just Syesha into Syesha-On-Idol, a character she's developed so that she's more comfortable on stage. It's all in the acting, Syesha's figured it out. This chick is, as Pauler said a month ago, the perhaps Dark Horse to watch. Top 2? Maybe. Unlikely but maybe.

Then there's little Archuleta; surely writing anything but neutral or perhaps verging on sympathetic will bring down some kind of karmic evil on me. David's nice boy, obedient to his stage parent. He's trying very hard to please and do the best job he can per his instructions. The show loves him for all the qualities he's showing. David will most likely be one of the easiest contestants in show history to mold and meld into the cardboard cut out they desire.

It goes without saying, David will pose no issues or conflicts, such as those rumored to have occurred with their season five champ, Taylor Hicks. It's been widely known that Taylor Hicks dared to propose he have say on the post-Idol CD, and he dared present his own music for release on that CD. Oh, the horror.

David Archuleta is seemingly not bringing any preconceived notions of who he is nor try and push his own music on the producers. Little David will sing what they want, how they want and smile all the while. All that is important to wee David is that he 'connects' to the material. Don't you know his Pop has driven that word into his head...? Yes, he's a good boy.

Then there's David Cook. I can't decide if he's decided to sell his soul to the Devil or if perhaps he's doing this for his ailing brother and that little girl, Lindsey. It might be a coin toss. My altruistic side wants to believe Cook's not just surfing for that Demonic Contract but what do I know what goes on under that large cranium of his? Exactly.

Maroon 5 performed last night and that dude Levine, he just freaks me out sometimes with his vocals. Man, the judges dissed Luke Menard while he was on the show and to me Luke's sound is very similar to Adam Levine's. I have, driving down the highway, grooved along to them - but man, watching that guy... I read someplace Jessica Simpson had a thing of some kind with him briefly. Seriously (yes, JM, I'm looking at you, babe) who hasn't bedded this gal? (Including, now, our Cowboy's QB, Romo...agh. It's like "Richardson, TX Girl Does the World".)

Starring moment of the evening, outside of Jason Castro's 'manned-up' exit, Bo Bice. My, my, my, Bo Bice is Back. Bice sounded excellent, looked excellent - love that he performed his song "Witness". His recent release, for reasons I can't fathom just haven't hit big numbers, but man, it's a good CD. Pure Bo Bice. The whole 'Frampton Comes Alive' voicebox a kick. Here's Bo in all of his "I'm Back" glory. Bo Bice is teh bomb!
"Witness" Bo Bice video c/o AIfreak08

Don't hate Bo because he's beautiful...Yes, teh hair was Pantene beautiful.

Jason will be missed on the show, but it will be exciting to see him performing after this is all said and done. Loved Jason's parting comment, "Someone said I shot the tambourine man yesterday,". Anyone catch, LA TImes' Richard Rushfield, who was there, said in his report, that the band started Mr. Tambourine Man but Jason said no, we're doing the Marley. Love. This. Boy.
Jason, shooting the Tamborine Man: Goodbye Castro - for now.

Bo Bice's New 'Widget'

This is an effective means to showcase new music as well as interviews. Check Bo out here for more on his "See The Light" CD.

Now where's Taylor Hicks'version?

American Idol, Reality TV and What it Takes

The electric nature of Taylor Hicks' fierce and brilliant rise to the top on American Idol, season 5 can't be more defined than in this performance of "Taking It to the Streets":

this is the performance in which Taylor Hicks sold America, sealed the deal with the growing fanbase dubbing themselves the Soul Patrol.

This energetic, lightning caliber groove seen on the tube that night cemented in my mind that this man wanted to win this show. This is the performance that had me rallying to the phones for the fully allotted time, every week, multiple phones in motion, dialing like a fool - into a bloody reality show. Taylor Hicks sold me, caught me hook line and sinker and created a desire within me to help him achieve this goal. Obviously... it worked on many people. Taylor Hicks in this video embodies the type of drive and passion that absolutely captivates the reality music show genre audience. Contestants on these shows must create that furor, instill a belief into the viewers of their dream. I think, to date, Mr. Hicks owns the honor of being the most effective at accomplishing this goal.

Little Sanjaya from last season gave it a worthy shot. He managed to muster National attention when he cut loose and did "You Really Got Me". This was the week which would decide whether the kid would make the tour or just go home. Sanjaya's performances to that date had been rather subdued; although he was drawing a fanbase of tweenies, and comments about his Kelly LeBrock locks,he wasn't getting recognition for a lot else. Pulling off this performance got him the tour and even more National attention:

it also scored a prestigious "Saturday Night Live" parody (also provided Taylor Hicks) and created mini-celebrity, Little Crying Girl, Ashley Furl. This performance, definitely one of the highlights of American Idol season 6.

Sanjaya, unlike Hicks, did not go on to win the season, although perhaps he could have if he had given viewers more more of "You Really Got Me" as well as more of this type of performance:

instead of Jordin Sparks, Sanjaya would have been the one singing, "This is My Now".

Season 4 of American Idol had some memorable performances too, creating a mega-star in Carrie Underwood, although Bo Bice overshadowed her by most of his performances. In this brilliant, gorgeous delivery he made Idol "history" and established a benchmark ideal for other contestants to follow:

now whenever speculation turns to contestant strategy, question asked, "Should he/she pull a Bo Bice?". (Translation, should they sing accapella.)

To win the hearts and minds of the audience in these types of shows the contestants have got to pull that special moment, give that unique part of themselves that pull the television viewers into their dream, into their moment and compel them to be a part of it. It's as magic as magic can get on television, one of the secret ingredients that keep this type of program popular. It keeps me tuning in year after year, curious to see if another unique, visionary young talent will create headlines and make television history. I'm a bit jaded now regarding the judging and the manipulations in place that were becoming increasingly apparent, especially last season, but hey, it's showbiz. Season 7 of American Idol begins in a mere 3 and a half months.

Bo Bice and Thomas Lee, "This Train"

Bo Bice and Thomas Lee provide the crowd at The Canal Room in New York City a real treat with the acoustic, "This Train". No word of confirmation whether this song is on Bo's CD due out October 23rd.

Thanks to Bovixen for the video footage and for her sharing that Bo Bice love, lyrics posted on Diane Lev's site.

Bo Bice, "Freedom and Redemption"

Now that I got on the topic of Bo Bice, I had another thought after reading some of the posts at one of my favorite Bo Bice sources. According to the great Bo Bice blog team at Bonafide Bice, several great suggestions have poured out from one of their recent blog posts regarding naming the mystery CD due out on October 23rd the latest release date. The suggestion of "Kicking Up the Dust" is a catchy idea, and proven popular over there with the gals, but my take would be for Bo to provide an insight into what this particular CD might mean for him.

I like the name, "Freedom and Redemption". In numerous underlying themes in Bo's songs, the themes of freedom and redemption surface, so obviously they are important philosophies in Bo's life, to Bo's career. Random thoughts; he's free now 'to be Bo' something many fan forums have been rallying for since the post-Idol CD, largely seen as somewhat a shackle put upon The Biceman by that "evil" Clive Davis.

"Freedom" is one of the most important things we have in life and the one main love of our culture as Americans, our source of patriotic pride. I'd think too it a representation that Bo is setting forth his own man, not 'owned' any longer by the ties hindering and compromising his music from which he communicates his heart, his soul. This new CD is his declaration of freedom, a free new beginning.

For me, Freedom IS life.

Redemption another theme that circulates within many of Bo's tunes. It's a word providing that ability to reinvent yourself, to grow and be 'reborn'. Making changes for the better for those you love and for yourself, making good choices. Redemption from whatever source you may believe in is a gift whether from a belief in a Higher Power or from within your own heart. Redemption saves you, your soul, and those with whom you are involved. Like a wheel it's an all encompassing circle of paying it forward and paying it back, that well-worn karmic reference I like to refer to, live well and good things come back to you.

When I think of perhaps winning the lottery or dream of spending my time, full-time as a writer and artist, I don't review the financial implications or engulf my thoughts with the sole monetary aspects. I think of what really lies behind having a large windfall of cash or being able to devote your life to what you truly love in your heart and soul (rather than what's needed to feed your children and put them through college...); it's Freedom. The most important thing money can buy is not $2,000.00 designer purses, fancy cars or other materialist crap; if you're smart you realize what money can really bring; Freedom. Having the luxury to spend your life doing what is in your heart and soul the ultimate in freedom.

I hope for Bo Bice that this new CD provides everything that lies behind the beautiful meanings of those simple words.

Much Love.

Amendment to this post: lyrics to "This Train"
This train is coming down the track and I'm hearing it calling my name.
I've got a dollar in my pocket and I'm hoping that I can make it on OK
All the years of counting on nothing, well at least its on my mind
If I can make it on this time, you know I'll take it on down the line

Chorus
Well now this train
Is coming down for me
And I know this train
Is coming down full speed
I know this train
Is coming down my way
I know this train
Is going to make it OK

I'm at the station with a bottle and a bible
And I'm waiting on a northbound train
God's willing and I'm hoping that He's happy
cause I know that I'm feeling no pain
All the years I've counted on nothing went by in the blink of an eye
All the tears and blissful years - you learn to crash before you fly.

Chorus
Yeah I know this train
Is coming down my way
And I know this train
Is going to make it OK
I know this train
Is coming down full speed
Yeah this train
Is coming down for me

This train is coming down for me.

[repeat chorus]

For me
Yeah
I know this train
I know this train
Yeah

Taylor Hicks v.s. Bo Bice?

Taylor Hicks or Bo Bice? That is the question savvy blogger Sean T. McMann presented on his blogspot, Sean's Space. His question asked popped up on the latest google alert that crossed my e.mail. This garnered my short attention span, and since I have blogspots on both men documenting their American Idol journeys and later career moves I thought I'd play.

Of the two blogspots, hands down, this one garners the most hits and interest. Both blogspots have the same rankings, both have about the same amount of information and links regarding information on Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks, but this one consistantly has always received more traffic. In fact, this blogspot had crashed three times during the season 5 American Idol shows - being flooded with hits over Hicks, I had to rebuild it once and have help from blogger to get it going again, it was knocked off the face of the web, flooded with double digit thousands of hits within a span of minutes. To be fair, during Bo Bice's run on the show the internet did not seem to pose as heavy an influence as it has developed into, most notably becoming a force predominantly in Taylor's year on the show. I attribute this largely to technology and the changing of the times, the internet a viable and fast source for information becoming more the norm and less the new.

Back to the question Sean posed, would I spend my last available entertainment dollars on Bo Bice or Taylor Hicks? Selecting one or the other based on this imaginary query with it's imaginary quandary, I ponder my experience with both musicians and my musical tastes and what I enjoy in a concert experience. Obviously both appeal to me on differing levels. I am not one of the type of folks that listen to one certain type of music, I admire and appreciate music of varying types, themes. My tastes span jazz to pop to rock and layers in between. Music is a form of art and like the visual format I find a variety of pleasures in the varieties of offerings available. Granted I get on tangents, and will wallow in one format or another from time to time, but I'm not one to stick with one genre and that's the only one for me. I don't go with a sound that makes me want to dance like some folks might, it's a deeper thing for me.

In concert as a live experience, you attend to feel the sound, be engulfed by the emotions and the vibe of the entertainer and performer. Live music allows you a semblance of intimacy with the musicians, it is a complete sensory experience, a tactile input, the appeal lying within being able to experience the sound and groove of the artist with your own senses. Concerts are a sharing of sorts between fans too, we gather together to celebrate our shared interest and appreciation for the entertainer.

One of the truly notably great entertainers of our day, Elvis Presley, understood all of this, intrinsically. This the reason he's gone down in the musical annals as one of the greatest entertainers of our day. Elvis connected, he shared, he gave of himself on stage as well as producing phenomenal performances. Johnny Cash was like that, Willie Nelson is that way too. One of my other favorites, Frank Marino, another example of a man who loves to share his music and openly appreciates his fans. He provides free music on his site as well as no charges for admission to his website. This in contrast to what has seemingly become the norm for many new artists, to have a fan club complete with yearly dues. Frank is a class act; always has been and always will be. First time I met him I was a girl of 17, he walked up to me, guitar slung on his back, shook my hand introduced himself. I was too starstruck to hardly speak, but his vibe has remained a strong impression with me always. He's a truly good guy. Don't get me started on the man's art, just check Frank out here.

In referencing some of these artists, my point - as a fan I felt like they loved that we fans were there for them, for their music, that all of us gathering together were appreciated in sharing not just for the money being generated. Raucous and rollicking loud music and rowdy full-on cowbell banging is entertaining but does it really complete you like the type of shows you attend in which you feel personally welcomed by the artist? That doesn't just involve hand shaking as in the case of Frank, it can simply be the vibe, the opening of feeling the artist throws out from the stage, no matter the size of the venue. The Rolling Stones, performed here in Dallas a few years back at a large open air stadium. Part of the way through the concert it began to rain, then pour. Some folks got up to head for the exits, most around us thought that would be the end of the show. Contrary to what we thought, the Stones kept on going, Mick did not let rain, no matter how hard the downpour stop him, he was a whirling dervish of energy, daring the lightning to strike him amidst all that electrical equipment on stage. Fans who had started to leave stopped in their tracks and I watched most retake their seats or stand where they were. Mick and the Stones worked their show in that downpour and we stayed, everyone got on their feet for the next hour, immersed by the intensity, the loyalty the Stones showed to us, their fans. Mick's strutting cockiness defying that deluge. That was one of the best thunderstorms I have ever openly stood out in and the best concert I've ever attended. The emotions that cut through the rain and the storm and kept everyone there were palpable, the Stones heroic in all our eyes.

So deciding between spending my last entertainment bucks on Hicks or Bice would go to Bo. I come to this conclusion based on my previous ramblings. The Biceman in concert is real, he's palpable. He gives of himself and looks you in the eyes. He touches the crowd in a sensory, tactile way. He gives out those good vibes you know lie within him from his music. I saw him too in an outdoor venue, it wasn't raining but it was hot, almost 100 degrees and he'd been sick. The man was on the thin side, but you'd never know he wasn't feeling well. He prowled the stage, he hung on the edge like he'd walk right out into the crowd with us. His voice as always sounded gorgeous, full, he can exude that right kind of sexual chemistry even when the circumstances are not 100 percent perfect. Bo Bice presented himself for camera shots during the show. I know, I was all over the place taking shots. Following the show he took some time to speak with those who walked to the edge of the stage.

I'm not knocking Hicks, I admire the man, I admire his fire and determination, I admire his seeking a goal and striving to achieve that goal. I enjoy his type of sound and his taste in music. He's an attractive man, but he - at least in my experience which has been limited, doesn't or at that time, didn't exude the vibe reaching out to the audience. Hicks was more in tune with reaching inwards and exploring his own musical experience and if the crowd shared, great but that did not seem the main goal. It is evident Taylor loves his music and enjoys performing but the vibe is different when coming from another internal source. So to this imaginary question, if it were my last $35.00, my last concert I could attend, of the two talented guys, I'd pick The Biceman.

Sanjaya's Time and Bo Bice's Glory

Sanjaya Malakar hits # 3 on Time's 100 on-line poll. Dedicated fans voted and voted for days to show their support and appreciation of Sanjaya.

Here's a Bo Bice video from "Blades of Glory" to honor the boy.


I love the subtle humor. Bo Bice sounds amazing. Nice tux, reminds me of the one my date wore in 19** LOL to our senior prom. I made him wear it - matched my dress.