Idol Headlines for 03/22/09

Very good, comprehensive article on Adam, MJ. Thank you~

Every article about Adam seems to be a long series of praises from everyone who has worked with him.

But according to Isaacson, “They haven’t really tapped into what he can do yet.”

“I think you are in for some really spectacular performances from him,” says Isaacson, “We’re at the tip of the iceberg of what he can do.”AMERICAN IDOL

This couldn’t have me more excited. Still 4 days left before a new performance in the Adam Lambert show.

Love the Adam article, MJ. :smile1_tb: And of all the people Adam’s been compared to appearance-wise, he still reminds me of Pete Wentz the most. That’s the first person I thought of when he walked into the audition room!

This couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have me more excited. Still 4 days left before a new performance in the Adam Lambert show.

I’m about the same place :thumbup_tb:
Adam is the one that fascinates me to a remarkable degree.

If he can heed Simon’s warning after ROF (and it was a warning about stepping outside middle America’s box), he can have this.
If he loses it is because he chooses to by not toning things down.
His choice either way.

Congrats MJ…terrific article, not only because it is about my favorite one but because it is good journalism. I love the fact that you validate all of your comments and that you are not just stating a singular opinion. I found it interesting that the first comment towards your article would read:

I’ve NEVER watched a single episode of “American Idol” (and I take ENORMOUS pride in that!), but I thought the show was about showcasing amateurs? This guy sounds like a consummate pro!

Back hand praise to you because it made him read about AI. But it does point out the thorn in AI’s side. People still believe that you can pluck someone out of the shower, put them on AI, and they will be the next American Songster.

Maybe that is the reason Danny is still doing well in the voting. People just assume he is one of those “plucked from the shower singers” since he has that real amateur vibe. Oh well!

Maybe that is the reason Danny is still doing well in the voting. People just assume he is one of those à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“plucked from the shower singersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  since he has that real amateur vibe. Oh well!

But even Danny isn’t really an amateur. He’s been singing in front of church congregations for years.

Adam has only been an understudy for Wicked and has never performed on Broadway. He’s never had a recording contract or been on television. He’s only performed for local audiences in the LA area. He’s still undiscovered at this point.

Peeps who work with Adam absolutely adore him, without reservation.

It’s your article MJ?
Congratulations, no wonder it was so accurate and informative.

MJ ~ excellent article! I’m just giddy like a schoolgirl after reading it.

I remember reading somewhere that Adam also did a European tour of “Hair” once upon a time. Did you hear anything about that in your research?

And, yes, Valentin432 …. The Adam Lambert Show …. too bad we have to wait until Wednesday this week!

okay, lipsynching the chorus on the group numbers makes so much sense to me now. I remember thinking last season that they were turning down some people’s mics during the choruses.
If you listen to Reeling in the Years from last season, you’ll notice that David Cook’s voice on the chorus becomes over-poweringly loud on the line right before his solo starts.

Excellent article on Adam, MJ. I agree with Tess. Thank you!

Great article, MJ!

But according to Isaacson, “They haven’t really tapped into what he can do yet.”

“I think you are in for some really spectacular performances from him,” says Isaacson, “We’re at the tip of the iceberg of what he can do.”

I’ve been thinking that all along, that we haven’t seen his full potential yet. It’s nice to see someone who has worked with him confirm that. Can’t wait to see what he does next week!

Simon Cowell to Build Tanning Salon in Mansion

Lol, why am I not surprised? :laugh_tb:

As far as the lipsynching thing goes… eh. It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. At least they sing the solo parts live. Besides, it looks like the group numbers would be a mess this year if they actually sang live. Megan and Scott didn’t have a clue what to do last week.

okay, lipsynching the chorus on the group numbers makes so much sense to me now. I remember thinking last season that they were turning down some peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mics during the choruses.

I know. I am probably one of the few people who actually enjoys the group numbers, although I don’t think have been as good this year as they have some previous seasons. And, yeah, Megan always looks lost.

Great article MJ- Now I see why we see some of David Bowie in him.

MJ–good article, but the newpaper is owned by the anti-christ….LOL

^^^LOL MrRJ, too true!

Great article MJ. The amazing thing is how all the Idol articles revolve around him. He’s getting all the press, all the buzz, and all the excitement. TPTB would be silly to kick him off this early, given how much controversy and devotion he’s generating. Love him or hate him, everyone feels extremely passionate about their opinion of him.

Vote him off and the show will lose some of its spark and energy. Bottom line, he is Idol this year!

Great piece MJ…you are realy nailing the writing articles art…

Oooooops sorry doble post…

I am beginning to think that it is Adam’s crown to lose at this point. There is really no one who comes anywhere close to generating the buzz and water cooler performances. Look on iTunes at the the number of reviews and ratings for “Ring of Fire” —516 reviews and 1,783 ratings vs 98 reviews and 434 ratings for his closest competitor, Danny Gokey.

Vote him off and the show will lose some of its spark and energy. Bottom line, he is Idol this year!

Really! There are times when reflecting back on an episode, other than Adam and Allison, I’m hard-pressed to remember who the other 8 are! I’m starting to think the whole “judge veto” thing was put in place solely for Adam’s benefit.

MJ ~ hate to be a pest with Adam questions, but if you ever do a follow-up article, is it possible to do a little research on Adam’s original music? Does he write the lyrics, the music, some of both? Isn’t his dad a poet or writer of some type? From the YT vids labeled “original,” I do see promise there and it makes me curious as to how much of that is Adam’s input.

I am beginning to think that it is Adamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s crown to lose at this point. There is really no one who comes anywhere close to generating the buzz and water cooler performances.

I totally agree. He’s my pick in the work office pool. While I don’t really enjoy his singing, I do appreciate that his performances are leaps and bounds ahead of the others. I do have to say, though, that I cannot stand watching him and his contorted facial expressions… eww. But there’s no doubt in my mind that he will win. He’s the one people are talking about.

Are we sure they’re really singing their solo parts live? Because I’ve seen some bad lip syncing during solo parts as well. It sounds like they’ve got a track going, so whether their mic is on or not, they could probably get away with not actually singing their solo parts. I don’t know…

Of course, there are fewer solo parts in the group numbers this year it seems. And, honestly, I think the lip syncing takes something away from the show. I do judge the group performances. If they’re not working at it and really trying to make it entertaining for the audience, then why should they be worthy of the title? It’s part of the show and the whole experience. Isn’t the most important thing that they show us, the voters, that they are a good performers, not just good performers when they feel like it? Now it just seems like they’re going through the motions up there. The contestants always laughed at the group performances, but at least in past years they had to somewhat take them seriously or they would wind up looking like even more of a fool. Now they don’t even make an effort to learn the words to the songs.

Besides, the ones that did the best in the group performances usually wound up sticking around to the end of the competition. Usually it was the best time to hear the “raw” talent in their voice–when they’re forced to sing songs they never in a million years would choose to sing on their own, and that may even be out of their vocal comfort zone. Idol may not be a singing competition anymore, but singing should be one of the biggest parts of the equation.

Great article on Adam, mj.

Some folks on the Broadway boards have been fairly merciless towards Adam, branding him a traitor who turned his back on the theatre world. They’ve taken some fairly innocuous comments, such as calling the stage his bread and butter and not listening to showtunes on his iPod, and have tried to twist them into something they’re not. They’re not criticisms of the musical theatre world and the people who work in it. They are simply an expression of where his interests lie right now. It’s not that Adam has grown out of musical theatre, it’s more that he’s evolved away from it and is following his heart to a different path.

If Adam truly had any negative feeling towards the stage, doesn’t it stand to reason that his co-workers would have picked up on that, maybe even harbored some resentment towards him? Instead they all seem to love him and have nothing but the highest praise for him. They’re the ones who encouraged him to try out for Idol in the first place and had been pushing him in that direction for years. Your article points that out and also notes all the other stuff he’s been doing over the years in pursuit of his “other” career. Still I have no doubt once some poster over at BWW links to your article, there will be another round of posts skewering Adam. All written by Broadway wannabes who have the burning desire but not the talent and can’t stand the fact that Adam has the talent but not the desire.

Vote him off and the show will lose some of its spark and energy. Bottom line, he is Idol this year!

I agree. I can’t imagine the show without him.

Peeps who work with Adam absolutely adore him, without reservation.

I love the quotes from people who have worked with him and fans who have been following him from the theater or Upright Cabaret. He does seem like an incredibly nice guy. His talent is spectacular. Thanks for the article MJ!!

Has anyone seen Idol Wrap this week? Michael Orland is the guest; he and Kim were talking about Randy Travis’s reaction to Adam’s performance, and Kim said that Randy T. probably went home and cried in his closet. The look on Justin Guarini’s face was PRICELESS! I don’t think Kim realized what she said, but Justin did! I laughed out loud.

And, re: Adam. I don’t deny his talent, and I really like the person he is. But I just can’t take his voice. It grates….I think there are many people who feel the same way. The only way I’ll vote for him is if it boils down to him and Gokey. I don’t think anyone has this competition in the bag at the moment.

That said, if Adam does win, it will be a satisfying end to the season for me, just because he’ll win on merit, even though he’s not my cup of tea.

Wow, mj! I don’t know if you can get a physical copy of the Post today, but Adam’s picture is almost the entire cover of the stand-alone TV section they have on Sundays. They have small pictures on the left side of Allison, Lil, Danny and Alexis (why? LOL!). They obviously did this layout before last week’s show. Anyway, your article title is front and center in large red letters and your byline is down in the left hand corner. There’s a small picture of it at this link: http://www.nypost.com/tv/tv.htm

Very impressive when you see the actual item!

ETA: Meant to say congrats!!

I can absolutely understand why people love Adam without reservation. It’s like he’s the boy you want your daughter or your gay son to marry. He’s shown nothing but absolute kindness any time I’ve seen him on Idol. I really can’t say that about most of them. He just seems to be really good people. Do I love all of his performances? Not so much, but from who is left, I truly hope he wins. I’m just done watching this year. I’m just not watching until they get rid of Simon’s save. I really detest that, but ummm goooo Adam!

Congrats mj on the article! Big deal Sunday paper placement. Our little mj is growing up. *sniff*

Your article made Glambert sound very impressive. It actually would be cool if he won. But I agree with flicker that I don’t think anyone has it in the bag right now.

I don’t like the lip-synching. It changes group numbers from fun cheesy to just cheesy. But I can see how it helps the contestants out.

Now I understand how Dancing With The Starts gets all those people to agree to compete. I need to go get on a reality show or something so I can qualify next year. :blink_tb:

Sometimes I think that the mark of a true artist, in any field, is that they stir up controversy. In order for passion to be generated someone must have an opinion, and when you have an opinion you are more apt to vocalize it than to say nothing. Adam is polarizing so many segments of society, what an accomplishment for someone who appears so nice and even keeled when he is “off the stage”. And, like many have said, AI should be extremely happy that Adam has shown up on their stage. I really don’t think I have seen so many response comments on blog posts about an AI contestant, ever. People just want (desperately) to throw their feelings into the ring. If Adam does depart too early it will really take the wind out of a lot of sails.

Great article MJ! Makes me love Adam even more.

flove : “The Adam Lambert Show”

Bottom line, he [Adam] is Idol this year!

I don’t like Danny, but from looking at the dial idol numbers this past week, I am not sure Danny’s fans are going to take that statement lying down. Maybe things will change if Adam doesn’t do something as weird this week.

^^Danny may win, for reasons that escape me, but it’s still Adam’s show ’til he’s gone, and maybe even after.

Totally agree with everything soundscene wrote about the cheesy group numbers.

While I generally despise them (why can’t they do them the way they did on Canadian Idol last season?), it really allows the cream to rise to the top. While David Cook admitted after his win last season that he loathed doing them, he always gave them his best, and it really impressed me. He wasn’t “above it,” even though I’m sure he was worried about his “cred,” and he sang his solos and harmony parts very well. It was one of the things about him that made him stand out for me when I was still making up my mind about him.

It’s the mark of a true professional when you give your best in the worst situations, especially when your performance can reflect badly on those your fellow contestants. For those who stood out last season on the group numbers (Carly, Syesha, and, yes, surprisingly, Kristy Lee Cook, who was given a number of solos), it seemed their group-sing abilities correlated with how long they lasted in the competition (Amanda, I’m looking at you, LOL).

I hate the lip-syncing this season. It’s ridiculous.

Snagged this link to the NY Post TV Week cover from an Adam fan at TWoP:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03222009/photos/tvweekcover.jpg

Bottom line, he [Adam] is Idol this year!

Adam is totally caberet, gay dance pop, theatrical, 70′s glam rock, whatevia. He’s not commercial, and I don’t really see him becoming a real pop star, rock star, or any star other than a broadway star- just not commercial enough.

As far as I’m concerned, the only people who have a true shot at any sort of successful commercial career are Allison (teen pop rock) and Kris (acoutic pop rock). This season is really short on options. Last year, we had Brooke, Jason, Archie, Cook, KLC- people who were good looking, young, commercial, ready to go. The contrast is so stark, seeing as we have all these white soul singers this year. Where will the fit in after idol? UAC radio???

And, re: Adam. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t deny his talent, and I really like the person he is. But I just canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t take his voice. It gratesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.I think there are many people who feel the same way. The only way Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll vote for him is if it boils down to him and Gokey. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think anyone has this competition in the bag at the moment.

I agree with everything except I would vote for Danny over Adam. I think Adam can do well but am not sure he can pull in other idol’s fans votes after they’re voted off because he is so polarizing. I don’t get the sense he has any plans on dialing it back any time soon but we’ll see. At this point I can see him going a long way but too soon to see him for sure being in the f2 let alone winning. Away from the internet I know way more people who like Danny than Adam, even those who find him interesting. Personally I’d rather see Anoop, Allison, and Matt make the f3 and really shake things up, lol.

They obviously did this layout before last weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s show. Anyway, your article title is front and center in large red letters and your byline is down in the left hand corner. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a small picture of it at this link: http://www.nypost.com/tv/tv.htm

I’m going to get my own copy today. It is pretty exciting!

There was so much more I wanted to put in the article, but I only had 600 words.

I may do my own little article for the blog with the left-over stuff I have that I couldn’t use..

I think it’s interesting that season 7 is held up as a season with a lot of contestants who were (are?) commercially viable.

Brooke was dated 70′s Carole King /Carly Simon wanna be-didn’t care at all for her voice or nervous nelly routine.

KLC- was dated mediocre country

Carly and Michael Johns were both very dated and uninteresting.

Archie is like a teen Perry/Como Andy Williams.

DC and Cook were the only 2 with current commercial bordering on indie /Alt sounds.

What white soul singers have we got this year? The only one is Matt. Danny is Christian, Scott is early 80s easy listening, Kris is uh not quite sure but Jason Mraz he is not, …and Adam is the shit!!!!

He definately can be commercial-enough. Don’t want him doing the commercial pop crap.

I may do my own little article for the blog with the left-over stuff I have that I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t use..

That would be awesome.

This season is really short on options. Last year, we had Brooke, Jason, Archie, Cook, KLC- people who were good looking, young, commercial, ready to go.

Lol, is that Kara trolling?
I don’t want to compare with last season but bashing this season because there is not enough package artist is really funny…

Btw, does anyone have leaks about future theme nights?
I just find funny that we knew about motown week before the top 13, yet we know nothing about next week show.
Since DC has already recorded one performance and is not schedulled to appear this week, does this mean it will be rock?

I may do my own little article for the blog with the left-over stuff I have that I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t use..

Yes, please!!

mj Mar 22nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm

They obviously did this layout before last weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s show. Anyway, your article title is front and center in large red letters and your byline is down in the left hand corner. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a small picture of it at this link: http://www.nypost.com/tv/tv.htm

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to get my own copy today. It is pretty exciting!

There was so much more I wanted to put in the article, but I only had 600 words.

I may do my own little article for the blog with the left-over stuff I have that I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t use..

That would be AWESOME MJ! Please do it. I would love to hear all the other quotes from his collegues and friends.

Lol, is that Kara trolling?
I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want to compare with last season but bashing this season because there is not enough package artist is really funnyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Well, I’m talking about their style, and how it will fit in on radio. Where does Adam fit in? In case you forgot, the people who made it huge (Daughtry, Kelly, Carrie) have incredibly commercial styles. Daughtry sings Nickleback rock- very popular. Carrie sings Shania country- hugely popular. And Kelly sings Pink style pop-rock- also very popular. And Jordin- teen pop, Tasia- Soul/R&B, and Elliott- R&B. Those guys are also quite commercial- at least the music they released was very commercial.

I’m just looking at this from a realistic view. I just can’t imagine hearing Adam Lambert’s style on top 40, rock, or any sort of radio TBH. And Gokey is totally Taylore 2.0. Mike, Scott and Megan… no way in hell. Kris, Allison, and Matt are the only ones who have a true shot at a commercially successful career. It’s not about who I like or dislike. It’s just about who’s commercial. Adam is not. And that’s ok. But he shouldn’t win idol.

I may do my own little article for the blog with the left-over stuff I have that I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t use..

Ooh, pretty please, could you? That was a great article, it left me wanting more details!

I love Adam, and he’s my pick in the pool to win, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if he’s this year’s Daughtry- talented but gone too soon at 3rd or 4th. I think that who Idol viewers are willing to vote for and whose music the American music-buying audience is willing to pay for can be 2 different things. I’m not saying he’ll sell as much as Daughtry, but I do think what little we’ve heard of his sound is commercial, and who knows what direction he’ll go in from here on out on Idol, never mind post-Idol. His glam rock sound is coming back though. He’s just on the cutting edge with it right now. He could also go in the direction of a male Pink. She’s certainly into her outrageous costumes and behavior, so why can’t Adam do the same?

I dislike the lip-synced groups songs, and I was glad that Justin Guarini confirmed it on Idol Wrap. The lip-syncing is so bad that it’s kind of an insult to our intelligence to expect us to believe they’re actually singing. IMHO, there’s not much point to the group songs this year. I don’t know that they switched to pre-recording to help the contestants though. Doesn’t seem like making the contestants’ lives easier is ever a goal of TPTB. I think they did it because the sound engineers were always so bad at turning the mics up and down at the right time, and because it doesn’t require as much rehearsal time, and is thus cheaper.

I love Adam, and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s my pick in the pool to win, but it also wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t surprise me if heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Daughtry- talented but gone too soon at 3rd or 4th.

For some strange reason..I don””t think Adam would be too unhapy with that. I think he is bright and intelligent, and surely realizes that a lot of middle america will see him as the devil reincarnate.

No…Adam for sure isn’t a package…thank the gods for that. But I think he has all what it takes to be successful in the business. He is a very talented sexy young man. Saw some pics taken recently of him napping then just waking up. i think he was waiting to rehearse a song…damn he looked good! Very boyish and damn sensual. Me likey very much.

I may do my own little article for the blog with the left-over stuff I have that I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t use..

oh yes please!

His glam rock sound is coming back though. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just on the cutting edge with it right now. He could also go in the direction of a male Pink. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s certainly into her outrageous costumes and behavior, so why canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Adam do the same?

Exactly. And remember this is a guy who has spent the last 7 or 8 years immersed in the Hollywood music scene in some form or fashion. I have a feeling if anyone in the Top 10 knows what’s cutting edge out there, what’s current in today’s music market, it would be Adam.

I’m another who wouldn’t mind *too much* (I can say that now) if Adam goes out early a la Daughtry. But I want it no sooner than the Top 3 show. I must have an Adam Homecoming! No one turned out for Kat’s LA homecoming, but I think Adam’s *return* will be a whole ‘nother story. A fabulous one!

Yes, mj, please do a longer piece, I’d love to hear what you learned!

I just canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t imagine hearing Adam Lambertà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s style on top 40, rock, or any sort of radio TBH

Have you heard his studio versions?

ETA: Yes, an Adam homecoming would be nice! And, yes too on the Pink. Anyone heard of Britney Spears, btw, or heck even Miley Cyrus does very staged performances, although granted, not very well and she can’t even really sing either. LOL Lots of “caberet” on the pop scene these days, and there always has been.

Well, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m talking about their style, and how it will fit in on radio

I don’t really care if any contestant is “commercial” enough to win. The concept of Idol is to discover people who haven’t a label contract because they aren’t “commercial enough”.
To my mind, the perfect exemple is Elliot Yamin vs. Ace Young, on paper, Ace is much more “commercial” and has a much more popular style (Elliot is not really top 40 material), but in the end Elliot was the much better idol contestant.

I still have no idea about what Adam would record, but he loves Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Goldfrapp… pretty much everything that has success today.
In the end, what makes an artist is his star appeal, Adam has that sort of charisma that makes people talk and watch his performances.

I just canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t imagine hearing Adam Lambertà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s style on top 40, rock, or any sort of radio TBH

Have you heard his studio versions?

And have you heard his original stuff on YT? May not be ready-for-radio as is, but I think with some tweaking and professional input, it certainly could be.

Still can’t stand Adam. This is gonna be a long season.

Adam is totally caberet, gay dance pop, theatrical, 70à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s glam rock, whatevia. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not commercial, and I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really see him becoming a real pop star, rock star, or any star other than a broadway star- just not commercial enough.

As far as Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m concerned, the only people who have a true shot at any sort of successful commercial career are Allison (teen pop rock) and Kris (acoutic pop rock).

That’s what I keep saying, too.

But then again, no one thought that Archie would succeed as a pop artist, either. So… you never know. Adam could very well end up going in a completely different musical direction than his Idol performances suggest. *shrugs*

I may do my own little article for the blog with the left-over stuff I have that I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t use..

Oh yes!! That would be awesome!!

I think anyone can be ~current~ if they are given good material and if they are marketed appropriately.

DC posted a new MySpace blog a couple hours ago and finally FINALLY called out the “fans” who have gone from tour stop to tour stop stalking him to bars, the hotel, and generally being a nuisance. What is sad though is the KrunkJess group will never in a million years believe he’s talking about them, even after Elkins.

RE: Adam and where he fits in

The thing with Adam is, is that he can LITERALLY sing ANY genre he freakin’ wants to. He’s already got the looks, charm and charisma part down of the package. Post Idol, he’ll need solid guidance to decide which direction to take him

Yes he worships David Bowie, but he also adores Michael Jackson too. If I were a label, I’d take him in a Michael Jackson route.

I keep thinking about all the great artists out there who never released anything that came near to being a top 40 hit in any genre but whose album sales are still something that is talked about years later. My favorite example is Pink Floyd, who after their first initial try with Sid Barrett never again released a song as a single. It was buy the album or don’t listen to them. Now after nearly 40 years their albums are still available for sale, not just online but in ANY generic music store, anywhere. And, Their Dark Side of the Moon stayed in the top 100 for over 500 consecutive weeks…that is 10 years, everyone. And, they still play on rock radio stations even though they haven’t recorded a new group album in 20 years…not an oldies station but current rock hits. And, they were as unconventional as shit when they first started out. Everyone thought they were too far out, and way over the top, and that NO ONE would listen to them much less buy an album…and the screechy foreign sounds they made, and the odd arrangements, and Roger Waters and his gigantic gong, and the great rock performance of The Wall.

I could go on and on…but I guess my point is that what someone may think is commercial at any given time can be quickly turned around when a great Artist is unleashed on the music psyche. I will never be too quick to judge Adam’s eventually place in music history. I’ve seen what happens when GREATNESS is set loose.

I’d sell Brooke shoes……

The thing with Adam is, is that he can LITERALLY sing ANY genre he freakinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ wants to. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s already got the looks, charm and charisma part down of the package. Post Idol, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll need solid guidance to decide which direction to take him

I think that of course, a great pop song sung by a great singer has a decent chance to hit, regardless of that singer’s image on AI.

Still, I think you have to play to people’s strengths. Also to carry over the most of your AI fanbase possible, you have to have some connection to the persona you sold on Idol.

Archie’s Crush played on his earnestness and innocence. And it was a ballad. No Air drew on Jordin’s talent for melodrama. Miss Independent played up the sass and strength that comes out of Kelly pretty naturally.

Adam has to put out something that plays to the OTT and the sex. I can see him doing a Lady Gaga type thing. But he has built himself as something of a rock act too, so I think he would have to have that on the album as well.

Emo would not work. Not enough glam, way to melancholy.

He’ll be interesting to watch post idol.

In the end, what makes an artist is his star appeal, Adam has that sort of charisma that makes people talk and watch his performances.

Exactly. Star quality and charisma. Adam has it in spades and no one else in the competition even comes close. And the pitch perfect, gorgeous voice.

Now, after his appearance on Idol, he has name recognition and the attention of people in the industry.

Adam may not win, but I think he has all the tools to be a commercial success.

Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the one people are talking about.

From conversations I’ve heard, though, not everyone is on the Adam Lambert love train. Anything could happen this season. He has great vocal skills, but I don’t believe his win is a foregone conclusion.

What Tess said.

DC posted a new MySpace blog a couple hours ago and finally FINALLY called out the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“fansà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  who have gone from tour stop to tour stop stalking him to bars, the hotel, and generally being a nuisance. What is sad though is the KrunkJess group will never in a million years believe heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s talking about them, even after Elkins.

That’s really depressing. I feel bad for him. I hate those girls!

I think the biggest problem Adam will face getting TPTB to stay in his corner is that TPTB and their 19 overlords have very little imagination with regards to what a contestant can do post-idol. Idol is, foremost, a TV show, and to create any drama you need the contestants to be “characters.” Idol is great at creating characters by manipulating the editing, airing certain items for some contestants, not airing other items that would give people a different impression of other contestants that would conflict with the character, controlling the ultimate song choices (song clearance isn’t the only issue with songs), controlling the ultimate arrangements of songs, allowing some contestants a lot of freedom (for better or worse), and restricting what other contestants can do with songs (for better or worse). Problem is that I think TPTB start to believe the truth of their own creations, even if it stiffles the real potential of that contestant.

TPTB may be giving Adam freedom to do everything he wants to do right now. But unless Adam starts showing that he can be mainstream, they will dismiss the idea that he ever could be. There may be a way to package Adam so the general populace will buy him, but right now he’s just showing us potential to be a niche artist. An odd combination of 80s alt and diva vocals. TPTB will do whatever they can to derail him unless he shows them something more, because they’re all about bragging rights with their winners. The winners that don’t give them that take a ginormous back seat. Adam is creating a character and Idol has determined they’ll run with it (so it seems so far). He’ll get boxed in if he doesn’t watch it, and it may be hard for him to get them to allow something different than the odd glammy emo broadway ott persona he’s currently working.

Silly delusional bitches! Leave DC the fuck alone! Poor guy.

Here is DC’s blog labeled ATTENTION that was first mentioned up thread:

Sunday, March 22, 2009

ATTENTION!
Hey everyone,
First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who has been coming out to the shows since my last post. The vibe at these shows has been amazing.

Secondly, I have to address some behavior that has become disturbing. We pride ourselves on being accessible to you as fans, but in contrast, we do enjoy what little privacy we can muster. To that end, the efforts by some fans to find our hotel rooms, call our hotel rooms, attach things to our bus, etc., is something I have to condemn. This relationship only works when it remains healthy for both parties, and should this behavior continue, the only thing we can do is take more preventative measures to maintain our privacy, which in turn makes us less accessible to you.

I hope this doesn’t come off as harsh. I merely want to nip this in the bud so we can continue to have a great experience with all of you at the shows we have coming up. Take care and see you at the next show.

~D

ETA: I do agree that it was about time that this behavior be addressed. I was wondering at one point it was going to get to before DC said enough was enough and apparently this was it.

FWIW Trina I don’t it’s the middle aged women either.

It’s about time, David Cook!

DC posted a new MySpace blog a couple hours ago and finally FINALLY called out the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“fansà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  who have gone from tour stop to tour stop stalking him to bars, the hotel, and generally being a nuisance. What is sad though is the KrunkJess group will never in a million years believe heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s talking about them, even after Elkins.

Agreeance. He was too nice and too vague. After being at the show two nights in a row I saw first hand how scary some of these people are. I’ll just say I think this group was starting to believe they were making nice with DC and the band but I have a feeling over the course of the last few days it crossed a line. And for those that believe it’s middle aged women doing this stalking, no, it’s not. IMO security is going to have to step in or further 19 should get him a damned bodyguard.

Last nights show was nothing short of amazing, even better than the night before. I particularly enjoyed DC getting a wee bit too into the song “Souvenir”. Yowsa. That was quite a nice shirt he was sportin’. I have no problem whatsoever with him wanting to yank it open again anytime he feels like LOL

Adam has to put out something that plays to the OTT and the sex.

WORD. Whatever musical direction Adam goes into, just make sure it’s OTT, highly visual and sexy as hell!

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s about time, David Cook!

Seriously! & I think he should have been MORE harsh

He was too nice and too vague.

Okay, as someone who has no idea what’s been going on… I’d say his blog was not only vague but completely opague. I have no idea what he’s talking about or condemning? Okay, he mentioned calling and finding their hotel rooms, and attaching things to the bus (huh? how the f- do u attach things to a bus?)… but what’s “etc.”? Sounds like he’s alluding to stalking behavior, but in the interest of not calling out specific people, he’s left his blog almost unhelpfully vague. I wanna know what happened, and what he may start cutting back on– the bus meet and greets or just hanging out at the hotel/casino bars, etc.?

FWIW Trina I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the middle aged women either.

No one knows for sure, but there is a pretty notorious bunch to girls in their twenties who have been causing a bit of a stir for a minute. I think they are catching the brunt of the fan reaction to his myspace post, fairly or unfairly.

Whatever happens, I just hope it gets resolved peacefully. All the AI people spend a lot of time up close with OTT fans. AI’s format kind of breeds over-investment. It has always made me a little nervous frankly. I just want everything to turn out alright with no one getting hurt.

Adam… I think there’s no question that he will win idol… He’s so OTT people will continue to vote for him. I had drinks with some friends from work this past Thursday night. They said they’re voting for him just because they’re curious to see what he’s going to do from week to week. They really are not all that into his singing at all. So, we’ll see. My prediciton is Adam wins idol and is not a commercial success. Time will tell. If the world is ready for a 2009 version of Prince maybe he WILL be commercially successful.

“Etc” is following the tour bus, “coincidentally” ending up at the same hotel, same bar each night, deliberately hogging DC’s attention at the buses, trying to imply that they are now “friends of the band” and all sorts of obnoxious behavior, including invading DC’s space at a bar in Elkins, WVa. They are a group of mid 20′s to mid 40′s women who have completely given up their real lives to stalk David and *surprise surprise* learned today it’s not terribly appreciated.

Check out idletard.com for all the background info on this particular group of stalkers.

^^ Wow. Poor DC. THese people need to get a life.

Adam’s studio recordings are plenty commercial. BTW – what the heck does “commercial” really mean? It’s kind of silly. Kelly isn’t a thin, pretty blonde. Same old, same old gets stale. I think you just have to have that “somethin extra”

Like Beyonce, Adam has his alter-ego which makes for compelling performances and promise for an awesome concert. But, he’s perfectly capable of singing something for top 40 radio if that’s what he wants. Archie did – and boy, he had more people swear up and down all season he could never do a pop song on radio. Year after year, I’m still amazed people even really continue to pose this same proven wrong argument.

I really want to hear more stuff that couldn’t fit in the article. I loved the article, and have heard from people who feel the same. I only wish it didn’t focus on his “bread and butter” and “never sing show tunes”. He did say them, but he is very grateful for his music theater success. He was trying to explain what he wants to do, but he has to learn how to word it better and that people will take these quotes and run with it. I think the article will hurt him somewhat.

I don’t care at all if Adam wins or not. I assume he will not. He is gaining fans and attention from people that are not hardcore Idol voters. Those people will matter more for his longterm career. I think many from this season are more “commercial or whatever” than last year. Last year was so so “old” feeling. The contestants this year are way more current, fresh and better personalities overall. I think many of them have a much better chance at something in entertainment than last. I can see that the core Idol older skewed audience may like last year better, but I think this year is more appealing to their peers……and that means more opportunities post Idol.

Adamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s studio recordings are plenty commercial. BTW – what the heck does à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“commercialà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  really mean?

Totally a matter of opinion. I just dont agree. I see commercial as being able to appeal to the masses as opposed to a small niche group. There is nothing wrong with not being commercial but I think AI wants an artist that IS commercial. Again, it’s just my opinon and I could be totally wrong. He’s very talented but I just dont like his singing – and netiher does my “focus group” – lol.

ETA: I love Kelly Clarkson and I love her singing. She is most definitely a commercial success.

I just love that those bitches are ruining it for all the normal people wanting to meet DC.

invading DCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s space at a bar in Elkins, WVa.

That story scared the crap out of me. Seriously. If it happened the way it was told, I’m surprised it took him this long to say something.

commercial…. profitable, popular, in demand, marketable, saleable

artistic….creative, cultured, original, sensitive, sophisticated, refined, imaginative, aesthetic, discerning, eloquent, arty (informal)

What is is Simon said? Oh yea, there is no room for artistic on AI! What an ignoramus he is!

I guess I see commercial success as coming from the music first and not the artist. I think some people overthink it. My college aged friends would never have listened to a Taylor Swift song until one they liked was on the radio. They liked the song first, then they cared about who sang it. (she had music out a long time before she became a star) Ditto Jonas Brothers who were a joke until a cool song caught on on campus. I’m not sure they hear a song and think “David Archuletta is so innocent so this song works for me so I am now a fan.”

Kelly is commercial, appealing to a wide range of people, in my opinion because she got some hits that were big vocal rock ballads that were catchy. I didn’t know who she was, but fell in love with her songs first. There’s nothing at all I see where Adam couldn’t record a rock power radio friendly ballad too, and thus THEN becoming commercial. I was on spring break and a girlfriend actually heard Jason Mraz in a club for the first time. She put his name in her phone to go home and search youtube for him. I think it’s more about the music. I buy all Kelly Clarkson’s songs, but have never been on a message board for her and don’t really know anything about her other than she was on Idol and because of Idol I know she isn’t dating anyone? ha.

TPTB and the honchos at Sony/BMG aren’t the same people. Adam only has to please Sony, and they have to see him as someone capable of putting some unique vocals on some songs. I do see that he would have to please TPTB to stay on the show, but I wouldn’t if I were him. (Even though I wouldn’t watch the show without him)

Bottom line – they ALL HAVE to have a song that people hear and love …… all without knowing so much about the artist or even caring who the artist is in order to be a big success. So all this Idol stuff is fun for us to talk about, but if they get a radio hit it’s because random non-idol people love the song.

That story scared the crap out of me. Seriously. If it happened the way it was told, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m surprised it took him this long to say something.

What happened???

the american idol Fanatics are really something else……it is sort of sad the way some are so over the top. the saddest thing is when these Nutjobs find out where the person lives.

MJ ..you need to do a piece on the degrees of the ai fan….I’m sure you would do a credible job.

A silly little thought from silly little me…

I’m reading (or reading into) a lot of comments about Adam that intrigue me. It seems that many of his fans (me included) all say it would be nice for Adam to move forward with AI, that we will be dissappointed if he gets kicked off too early since we really look forward to what he will sing, and that we really don’t think he is going to win it all nor will we be heartbroken if he doesn’t because we think his career will continue to blossom, even more so without the restraints of the show.

I consider that being vested in the talent not the show. To me, that says oodles about the appeal that is Adam.

What happened???

It’s kind of hard to tell because it was all second hand from message boards. But the short version was that after a show, DC and the band went to a local bar and DC was cornered by this group of fans that have been following him around the country… to the point that they wouldn’t let anyone else near him and he ran away from them, exchanging angry words in the process. He ended sitting in the band’s van parked outside for an hour while for at least part of the time, these girls stood outside the van and yelled at him for not hanging out with them. They got into an argument with other fans who tried to get them to cut it out. Eventually, they went inside the bar and crowded around one of the other band members, staying right up under him. He ended up fleeing the bar too, and had to be helped to break away from the girls. David never came back out of the van.

These girls follow them around to most of the concerts and make very sexually suggestive signs, follow the bus, stay in the same hotel when they can find it, that kind of stuff. They see themselves as friends of the band and don’t believe the guys are offended by their behavior. They also say the reports of their behavior are exaggerated. They may be right, but the bar incident was observed by multiple sources. I don’t know, but it sounds wwwaaaaaaayyyyy past appropriate behavior to me.

I think Adam could end up like Jennifer Hudson…get booted a bit earlier than he should, but then building a credible career where he achieves much more than the typical “Idol” artist. Like J-Hud was, he is in a whole different league and shouldn’t compromise or water-down his style for the sake of staying on the show. He is beyond idol.

I guess I see commercial success as coming from the music first and not the artist

Me too. If we’re talking radio commercial it’s all in the song. In general people care for the song first, and not the voice or person behind it.
Jordin had hits cause she had perfect songs written for her. She’s not very artistic, she doesn’t have some sort of different voice, she is not charismatic and maybe most people who love No Air have no idea who she is. It’s the song first.
Of course, the song needs the promo too. I think any of these 10 with the right promo and song could have some hits. But, what I also thing is that the song will only take you so far, cause radio moves on to the next hit pretty fast, and if you want to stay in the business for a long time, you kind of need the rest, and that’s why the artist matters.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m reading (or reading into) a lot of comments about Adam that intrigue me. It seems that many of his fans (me included) all say it would be nice for Adam to move forward with AI, that we will be dissappointed if he gets kicked off too early since we really look forward to what he will sing, and that we really donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think he is going to win it all nor will we be heartbroken if he doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t because we think his career will continue to blossom, even more so without the restraints of the show.
I consider that being vested in the talent not the show. To me, that says oodles about the appeal that is Adam.

Nothing new in the AI world. All of that was beeing written last year about David Cook.

Okay, he mentioned calling and finding their hotel rooms, and attaching things to the bus (huh? how the f- do u attach things to a bus?)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Perhaps some kind of GPS monitor? Me thinks if these bitches are crazy enough to spend all of their time and money stalking someone, it’s probably nothing to drop a few hundred on some CIA worthy surveillance equipment.

It’s a shame that this happens to the AI kids. I guess it’s a byproduct of that artificial personal relationship people seem to envision they have simply because they spent the night voting for someone. Stalking someone by following them to their hotel, “accidentally” winding up where they’re having an after show drink and otherwise trying to ingratiate your way into a strangers life is both pathetic and annoying.

I have a lot of sympathy for these guys, putting up with the crazy. You can totally see it coming. Once people start waxing lyrical about how a tv reality contestant has changed their life and will be the next legend of all that is the American sales charts, you know it’s only one step away from marrying flat Clay, driving around the country in a Soul Patrol bus, eating up your savings in a shitty economy to attend 13 Cook shows, bidding five grand for some Archie memorabilia or the excessive, effusive fantarding that goes on at any number of these fansites.

Adam & Reverand Doughie Douchebag, I would suggest that you sell your houses, give up your apartments and erase any paper trail of your existence right quick. It’s only a matter of time before some of these nutjobs pick up your scent!

I was at “thebestarts.com” and under Adam Lambert, their favorite to win AI, they have lots of U-Tube stuff posted. I clicked on his Demo Reel 2 and in the comments to the side they state that MJ Big Blog is their favorite Idol Blog. This is a site for more classic music and Broadway. MJ’s is my favorite Idol Blog and I guess lots of folks from all different places like it too and I’m sure folks there are not the usual AI viewer.

One of the fans I met with the other night was at the bar in Elkins and witnessed the incident. Makes me sick to my stomach. And yep I do believe it happened just like that like I believe they’re full of shit when they claim to be friends with the band.

Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things but there’s a picture floating around of him sitting at a blackjack table the other night. The girls who took it said they weren’t stalking him, that he just happened to move to the table near where they were but yet they invaded his space by taking a picture and posting it. Of course I shouldn’t be shocked though because I’m pretty sure these two are friends with the KrunkJess crew.

OH! I forgot DC gave Archie a shoutout last night :wub_tb: The funny thing is Ryan Star came out to sing with him on ADAM and at one point Ryan did that thing Archie use to do on tour with him at the end of Please Dont Stop the Music, that jump up and down and point move LOL. Adorable.

the saddest thing is when these Nutjobs find out where the person lives.

I REALLY hope that never happens.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care at all if Adam wins or not. I assume he will not.

Well, you know, whether Adam leaves at #10 or #2, I feel sorry for whoever has to perform AFTER him on the AI tour. lolz

That story scared the crap out of me. Seriously. If it happened the way it was told, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m surprised it took him this long to say something.

I’ve been following this story with great interest. And like you, the Elkins story just horrified me.

The way the story has been told, is these girls cornered DC in a bar, literally wouldn’t give him breathing room (he couldn’t even get a beer or take off his jacket). He took off with these girls following him saying stuff like “What, are you too good to hang out with us now?” He had to barricade himself in the band’s van to escape. And apparently, there was some sort of scuffle between the crazy fans, and other fans who saw the whole thing go down.

DC needs to get more specific. The next step is to identify these bitches and then ban them from his shows.

ETA: Idletard.com site has more information if you’re interested in the deets. Just a warning: it’s an offshoot of VFTW, and they can get pretty harsh mocking the fantards, but the webmaster who runs the site has done a good job chronicling the shenanigans of this particular group of “fans.”

Whoa that’s some scary sh*t out there! Nothing new though, I’ve heard the same scary, crazy stories from other past Idols. And people wonder why these Idols sometimes don’t want to come out and hang out with the fans. It’s stuff like this that ruins it for both the Idols and the normal fans. I do wonder though if these are new fans or the same groupies who latch on to one or two male Idols every season and think they are the soulmates of these guys. :wallbash_tb: You try to be nice and give them a smile or a hug and then they think you want to marry them LOL!

Doesn’t DC have security with him? Archie doesn’t go anywhere without his tour manager, who also operates as fan control. I know DC is a more mature, bigger guy and all but still he is the object of too much interest…he needs to be protected…

Adam at #6 would be good, he could segue into the group number halfway through the show!

It’s hard not to believe that story when so many people (who don’t even know each other) tell it. You just can’t get that many people creating a situation that didn’t exist.
If it’s true, he obviously knows who they are and his people could take care of the situation, but I don’t think it would be productive to tell their names to the public, you just know other fans would try to make it right with their own hands and that could make things worse.
Also, I think that blog messae is not just about that group of people, even some fans who go to only one or two shows stalk DC in hotels and other places.
I hope the things attached to the bus are not what I think they are…

But unless Adam starts showing that he can be mainstream, they will dismiss the idea that he ever could be. There may be a way to package Adam so the general populace will buy him, but right now heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just showing us potential to be a niche artist.

Don’t remember where I saw the breakdown, but evidently Adam is skewing outrageous numbers in Europe and Malaysia. The thinking is that perhaps Simon sees “International Idol” in this one.

I hope the things attached to the bus are not what I think they areà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Pink panties? Lol.

Trouble is, these wacked out chicks sound so delusional, like someone said upthread, they probably don’t believe DC means them…

That sucks for Cook. Just seeing pictures of him taping his Idol performance makes me really miss him. I love how he is handling this stuff. At least it seems like they know who they are. I don’t think his fans would mind if he got a restraining order against them.

I think Adam knows the difference between what he needs to do recording wise vs performances. He has never (or rarely – it’s a musical debate) used his falsetto during live Idol performances. His studio recordings uses his falsetto extensively. His falsetto is light and airy, thus making better for radio.

DC – Get some restraining orders for those whack jobs pronto! This is some scarey stuff!

Last comment on my opnion about Adam being commercial. I think his appeal is his performance style… not necessarily his singing. Since you can’t see performace style on the radio, I don’t see him being all that commercially successful in the mainstream.

Last year, I was pretty convinced that one of the Davids would win and they would be “commercially” successful. I guess the jury may still be out on that one but they’re off to a good start. Anyway, we’ll see. I still think the most commercially viable contestants on idol this year are Matt and Allison.

I think Adam has grabbed peoples’ curiousity. His version of RoF has played on our city’s radio station a few times. My mother was shopping at the mall the other day and in the TV area of a furniture store, around 10 TVs kept playing his RoF over and over again…and people were standing around paying attention. This is in freakin’ Canada!! Say what we all will, but you just can’t buy that kind of publicity. Like him or loathe him, you just can’t help but be drawn to him.

As for Cook’s fan situation, I don’t think this behavior is rampant only among his fans. Archie’s fans can be over the top in their fandom too. This is strictly my opinion, but as an adult Archie fan particularly, you’d never catch me following him from one concert to another and at my 4th meet and greet. For someone who has just turned 18, that has to be pretty creepy.

But unless Adam starts showing that he can be mainstream, they will dismiss the idea that he ever could be. There may be a way to package Adam so the general populace will buy him, but right now heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just showing us potential to be a niche artist.

Don’t remember where I saw it but evidently Adam is skewing outrageous numbers in areas like Europe, Japan, and Malaysia.

Maybe Simon sees an “International Idol” :money_mouth_tb:

I see BEWARE posters popping up on dc’s bus……beware of betty-susie-sleepy-goofy—

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to get my own copy today. It is pretty exciting!

I’m so glad you are! I was going to ask if you wanted me to send my copy. It was exciting to me and all I do is read here!

Doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t DC have security with him? Archie doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go anywhere without his tour manager, who also operates as fan control. I know DC is a more mature, bigger guy and all but still he is the object of too much interestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦he needs to be protectedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

I’m convinced that something happened with Archie while on tour, too. But no one is talking; or doing anything more than hinting. He had some security with him but it was lax and then all of a sudden security was clamped down tight. I mean really, really tight.

I’m glad David Cook is calling out his stalker fans if that bar story is true. I thought the S7 AI tour was full of inappropriate fan behavior. Cook seems to get the oversexed ones who think they have a shot with him. Scary that it’s gotten this far. He really should have called them on this nonsense earlier in the game.

How many people can follow a band around on tour accross the country? Are they all independently wealthy?

Jabkmc – I’ve noticed that too. I’m glad they reacted swiftly to whatever happened. Hopefully it was nothing too freaky. Some of these people are OTT like you said – I don’t get why they try to meet him multiple times, following around the country…is this typical for other pop artists or does Idol breed crazier fans than usual?

I stopped reading little David A’s fan sites when they started going OTT and gushing so much about the tour and its venues. I support the kid whole heartedly but, to me, there is a big difference between supporting and becoming obsessed. If people want to spend lots of money and go to different venues of the same concert, that is their perogative. But when they go and think, because they are a fan they should get first rights to the meet and greets, and front row standing room, and should have a free pass from security, that is when it starts to get uncomfortable for me. And the worst, is when they post about how Jeff A. knows them and makes sure they are treated special and that he will make sure that Archie goes out of his way to honor any request they have…you get the picture.

Casual fans, like me, who read that kind of stuff start feeling like “why should I bother” because if I’m not calling a radio station a hundred times a day, or buying numerous albums or songs for gifting, or going to every concert within a 1000 miles I am a BAD fan. Ane then, when these fans start trying to find out the hotel, and calling the room if they get the room number, and making sure they eat at the same spots, and buying an already well paid “star” numerous gifts it becomes way to bizarre. I find it strange that “groupies” are still prevalant, and that now they range in age from 15 to 50 or more.

I think security would be the way to stop it. Putting “warnings” out through the blogosphere or other media isn’t very effective at anything, except to create some buzz, like it has here, and unfortunately the offenders probably enjoy the attention.

Was in AC on Friday for DC’s concert. From what I heard, Dave was escorted around the hotel by a bodyguard/security guard. When I was checking into the Borgata, I did count 8 groups of fans with cameras running past me toward the casino. It was later described as an amoeba-esque crowd that moved and grew in size. The casino is/was a public space so it was up to security and the hotel to decide what to do with the amoeba. Not sure what they did. I never did spot him or the amoeba. I just headed to my room, once I got my key. Personally, I’m not the amoeba-joining type. Heh. As for the concert, Dave and his band were tight. I mean, rock solid and the instrumentation that they’ve added to the songs were fantastic. I like his album, but I can honestly say that he and his band have tweaked it. Added layers and depth. Live “Come Back to Me was awesome” – added some great strings at the end.

MJ, congrats on the spread. Great article! Awesome. I’m still hoping that you’ll write a book about the AI world – including fantards and the whackiness of this. If not a whole book on the tards, at least several chapters.

Wanna know how crazy some of these stalker fans who’ve been following his tour are? There was a super famous stalker who was wearing a blond wig spotted in the audience. I kid you not. Hoping to be incognito? Well, it didn’t work, because first thing I noticed was this REALLY tacky and long ass wig from several rows back. Was informed by some of the people around me that they were part of this stalkeratzi. WTF?

Am glad David posted a blog about this. Boundaries or affirmation of normal, legal, and or healthy boundaries apparently need to be posted by burgeoning stars. As it is clear that some people were under the whacked or deluded impression that David and his band like having their privacy invaded – or have their hotels tracked or buses followed. I know that fantards had infiltrated hotels before and roamed the halls during the AI Summer Tour – I think Ramiele blogged about that to condemn it. As did the other Idols who were on tour – hotel being their oasis or home away from the cheesy madness of the concerts and bus-lines. Part of the craziness of AI.

But I have to say that the “attaching stuff to buses, etc” shit, the blond wig stalker ‘hiding’ in the crowd, as well as the Elkins story just ratcheted the fantard behavior to serious stalking and scary shit. As in Dave and Simon Fuller might need to get more bodyguards and post security outside the buses scary. As in restraining order scary. As in made me think of Rebecca Schaefer and Selena scary. I also thought of the GPS device or some kind of bug that stalkers could listen into bus conversations or camera bugs. Whatever these stalkers attached was scary because again, his buses are private property. What the hell is wrong with people? I don’t think David needs to make a laundry list of what legal or healthy behavior is though. Because the things he DID list were scary enough as it is. Again, what the hell is wrong with these people?

How many people can follow a band around on tour accross the country? Are they all independently wealthy?

That’s what I always wonder. How deep is their credit card debt?

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get why they try to meet him multiple times, following around the countryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦is this typical for other pop artists or does Idol breed crazier fans than usual?

I’m not sure. I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my lifetime, and I think there’s a distinct difference with the Idols. Sure there are always groupies and such finding their way backstage for some quickie, unsanitary sex with their rock star of choice – but a lot of that comes from the bands being open to letting hot young chicks back there. A lot of this idol-stalking seems really uninvited, and not to be rude, but most of these stalkers aren’t quite the hot groupies these guys probably had in mind when they started their tours.

Honestly, I would have to say that the whole meet and greet culture of Idol is part of the problem. I understand the contracted interaction with fans after the official idol tour stops. But, once these guys are on their own, they should just discontinue that practice completely. It just fosters an unhealthy familiarity. And, there’s a reason big stars seem so aloof – because it’s a part of the mystique to seem unapproachable. As far as PR/image goes, it’s assumed that really huge celebrities do not need scheduled meet and greets to attract and retain fans. So, scheduling these things at every tour stop sort of gives the impression that these AI people are still very B, C or D list.

I mean, if you refuse to buy a guy’s CD because he won’t make nice with you at the bus, you’re not really a fan of the music are you?

ETA:

I also thought of the GPS device or some kind of bug that stalkers could listen into bus conversations or camera bugs.

I think this could easily be fixed by chaining a few rotwiellers in and around the bus, no?

Doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t DC have security with him? Archie doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go anywhere without his tour manager, who also operates as fan control. I know DC is a more mature, bigger guy and all but still he is the object of too much interestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦he needs to be protected

Yes DC has his tour manager (his name is Art) as well. To some extent he acts as security but I think it’s reached the point where he needs a bodyguard.
The AI tour was bad with the magic rainbow stuffed unicorn shit but the same nutty fans are still obnoxious and bordering on scary.

Considering the state of the record industry and the paltry amount of sales even the biggest stars are garnering everyone seems to be a niche artist. Commercial ain’t what it used to be.

I don’t know if Adam will win. I am not even sure he should. Just because he’s my favorite doesn’t necessarily mean that he can do what it takes to win this show. Does he have the right look. Hell yes. Can he sing circles around everyone this year, IMHO hell yes. He certainly has the best stage presence of the lot. I am also not one of those people who say it’s better not to win because I can name about 5 dozen people who know better. I want Adam to win, but I don’t hang his worth on whether he is going to move units. I think his worth will be determined on the stage, and not the Broadway stage as I see his bread a butter being live performance. In that, there isn’t anyone this year that can touch him. It is the Adam Lambert show. FWIW, his recordings are pure bliss.

I hate the lip syncing. It’s a cop out. I am sure that that is has more to do with them being underprepared because they are trying to cram their schedules with a bunch of stuff predicated to the bottom line. It needs to stop.

Glad DC at least spoke out no matter how vague. Another past contestant of a few years ago had similar problems with some of his fans and I am sure he wished he had spoken out.

SpenserJ, great post. I don’t get the meet n’ greet thing either. As a fan of David A, I went to his concert to see him perform. I don’t expect a personal encounter. I don’t know when that became expected of singers. I’m glad he’s clamped down on this. And those David C followers, imo, are clearly mentally disturbed. This type of behavior should not be taken lightly.

It seems a little more complicated than this group just following them around the country and being creepy and acting entitled at every show. It seems as if they have a kind of symbiosis? going on with the band. I don’t know what kind of interaction David has with this group but I have heard multiple stories of them sitting with Neal giving him booze talking with him and other members in the band. A story was going around online that this group gave Kyle the blond wig he wore in AC.

They have been able to get into student only concerts. How does that happen? Are they just that good at scoring tickets?

Anyway I don’t know if David’s blog and this groups creepy behavior are one in the same. Because I am very confused. After giving them so much access are they unsure of how to tell them to back off. I think it’s a hard balancing act for a new band. I think they all were used to having fans become friends back in Tulsa. But this is something totally different.

No matter what David wrote I think that if he and the band continue to have success (which we all hope for but who really knows) the interaction will be cut off. For his own sanity if nothing else. I really was surprised how he even tried to keep up the bus meet and greets.

Did a fan put a spy device on the bus? That seems illegal. Or is that what they’re afraid of. It’s better when the guy has a wife or g/f but maybe that wouldn’t stop this crew.

Can anyone post what he said in his mySpace?

FWIW Adam did Dilana’s (from Rock Star Supernova) version of ROF. So it wasn’t that original.

As far as DC and the stalkers, it’s a fine line. It’s really important to maintain a relationship with the fans but outrageous behavior should never be tolerated. Most travel with a tour manager/bodyguard but wouldn’t want a whole posse. A casino is probaby the safest place because there’s extra security provided by the casino, plus their own strict rules about loitering in packs.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m convinced that something happened with Archie while on tour, too. But no one is talking; or doing anything more than hinting. He had some security with him but it was lax and then all of a sudden security was clamped down tight. I mean really, really tight.

I’m not convinced anything happened to Archie at one of his concerts but I do love reading the stories of how strict and protective of him his tour manager Ray is. The fans are starting to call him “The Nazi” in jest because he has all these strict rules if David comes out to meet the fans after one of his concerts. I appreciate that and David seems safe and comfortable with his band and his security.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get why they try to meet him multiple times, following around the countryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦is this typical for other pop artists or does Idol breed crazier fans than usual?

Hey now, a lot of people that have tried to make it to two or three concerts while on Spring Break or a few days off from work don’t do anything OTT or expect special privileges. They stood in the long lines like everyone else or paid for VIP tickets. It’s two or three days of fun and it’s also a chance to meet the friends you’ve made from the fanbase and hang out with them.

The types of fans doing the inappropriate things that Cook is talking about in his blog is a whole nother story though. He just needs to beef up his security and be done with it.

“DC needs to get more specific. The next step is to identify these bitches and then ban them from his shows.”

I am LMAO over that comment MJ, OMG! :clap_tb: :clap_tb: :jittery_tb:
I think every idol has groupies that follow them around. I don’t know where the fuck they get the money. I sure in hell can’t afford it, I have something call bills. LOL.

I feel so bad for Cookie, he seems like a really nice guy who would do anything for his fans but after a show people should give him space and let him chill. If these girls are seriously stalking him they should stop after this blog from DC and realize that they need to get a life and move on. You can still enjoy the concert without invading on someone’s space. What the hell are they attaching on DC’s bus, lol? Yeah the price you pay for fame, DC needs a bodyguard ASAP! I don’t know where the fudge do these girls get the idea that Cookie has to “hang out” with them. LOL But were friends now David, don’t you see, NOT!

I am an Archie fan too and I still can’t afford to travel out of state to go see him live. If he doesn’t make it to my hometown, I settle for the videos posted online, thank you youtube.

Let’s just put it this way, Selena knew her murderer. Her murderer started out as a fan and was the president of her fanclub. It was not a random act of violence committed by a stranger. That relationship started out probably as affectionate and even fun or as healthy as a fan/star relationship could be. Dunno, but given that Selena had arranged to meet with her in private, I’m guessing she didn’t think the lady was a murderer or pyscho. But look what happened. It’s a fast slope to crazy and illegal. Just sayin’

So if David was disturbed by the OTT fan behavior that has been going on since his tour started, maybe he decided enough was enough – and as he wrote, “nip it” in the bud. Maybe something happened, liking finding some shit attached on his bus or maybe someething was said. Regardless, he chose to post about healthy relationships and boundaries. I’m not suggesting that the blond girl stalker is a potential murderer. I don’t know her. But I can certainly have a PoV – and based on what I’ve read – that shit is crazy. And further, all I know is that I saw a grown woman wearing a tacky wig trying to HIDE or be igcognito at a public space and in a concert. Whether or not she had drinks with the band or whether that wig was attached to the bus doesn’t really make a difference, IMO. It’s a slipperly slope to crazy. Look, John Lennon was killed by a deluded fan. It only takes one mentally insane person. And seriously, some of this shit is bordering on insane.

I am glad Justin G., mentioned about the lip-syncing crap. WTF for real idol, let the kids sing live, who cares if it sucks or if it is cheesy. That is what we want, we like it cheesy. Hell, Adam can probably sing the whole f-cking group number with his eyes closed. Bring back the live performances…..:)

Tess, WORD to your whole post. That’s exactly what I was alluding to in my previous post, but you said more eloquently. Like you, I want to support David A’s career, but not be obsessive about it. There’s a big difference. I don’t want to make a sweeping generalization about all of David A’s fans, but there seems to be this sense of entitlement among many of them that because they hobknob with his vocal coach or chat with his father and harass him for passes, they’re suddenly part of this very special ‘clique’. It’s just wrong on so many levels. Perhaps if I were 12, I’d understand the whole worshipping (stalking??) thing, but I’m not so I don’t.

Cook’s problems seem to be a lot more serious. These people are dellusional. He needs a Ray on his team!

deleted

This entry on Idletard explains the whole bar story and has various pictures of all the stalkers.

One of the huge reasons I stay away from fan boards now is because rarely will these people get called out on their behavior. The people there will applaud DC for opening his mouth or complain when certain incidents are posted yet these people are RIGHT THERE on the boards, some give cellcerts and phone updates then they get applauded.

Anoop
Adam
Kris
Matt
Scott
Michael Sarver
Danny
Lil
Allison
Megan

What do they have in common? Nothing really, they are all different. Comparisons fail because it’s like comparing apples to oranges to bananas to grapefruit to strawberries to grapes to papaya to raspberries to kiwi to pineapple.

All I can say is: I WANT MORE ANOOP PLEASE!!!!!

Poor Cookie. Unfortunately, this happens to everyone once they become a star. The bad fans just make it harder for the nice fans to be able to meet them. That is why so many artists have VIP and other ways of meeting them that is more controlled. It seems to happen to each artist.

MJ!

Here is scan of your cover story!

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6282/nyp01.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4905/nyp02.jpg

They got Megan’s name wrong! They called her KELLY! Eeep!

DC needs to get more specific. The next step is to identify these bitches and then ban them from his shows.

He’s been entirely too nice for entirely too long. Believe me.

The Elkins incident is only the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Thanks Snuffles!

The NYPost distributed in Boston doesn’t have the TV Section in it. Why would it? Duh. It’s nice to see it in full size! .

This entry on Idletard explains the whole bar story and has various pictures of all the stalkers.

:blink_tb: :shock_tb:

Wow… if just a tiny fraction of this is true, why haven’t these folks been banned from entering the venues, or arrested? Restraining order? This is really, really scary.

All of this is really fascinating and freaky. Like most people here, I’m the kind of fan who buys music and a concert ticket if the show is nearby, but that’s about it. It’s bizarre to watch what at the outset seem to be normal, run-of-the-mill fans undergoing this gradual behavior change that ends in crazy. I imagine people just feed off of each other, all in the sense of fun and love for their Idol, and they lose sight of reality at some point.

I think what I understand the least is the whole gifting thing. It’s fine if people want to hand someone a little momento, but these big, expensive gifts, and new gifts at every tour stop and meet and greet … I don’t know. While it’s obvious these boys have all they want and need, the desire to GIVE to them is so strong, but what is the intended result? I guess for most people it’s just a means to connect in a tangible way, but I don’t know. It’s perplexing.

MJ, allow me to join the ranks of those who would stand in line to purchase a book, written by you, on the phenomenon of fandom.

Wow, that’s really creepy about the DC stalkers. There are so many weird people out there. I’m a DA fan and if I ever get the chance to go to one of his concerts I would never *expect* to even meet him. I’m pretty new to the whole AI fan thing…so this pretty common for former idols, the weirdo stalker fans? I could get away with acting all fangirly if I wanted, as I’m pretty much the same age as him, but I don’t even get that. They are just normal people living their dreams, why alienate and scare them to death?

I have no problem naming names. Besides, it is all on the Idletard.com site anyway.

Jessica Svajgert aka KrunkJess and her no life friends are the people following Cook from city to city and behaving obnoxiously and weirdly along the way. I believe among her crew is an Emily (a regular at rickey.org?) and some girl named Serena. All have been regular posters on DC fanboards.

Wanna know how crazy some of these stalker fans whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been following his tour are? There was a super famous stalker who was wearing a blond wig spotted in the audience. I kid you not. Hoping to be incognito? Well, it didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t work, because first thing I noticed was this REALLY tacky and long ass wig from several rows back. Was informed by some of the people around me that they were part of this stalkeratzi. WTF?

The problems start during the AI tour when the singers allow the fans to treat them like trained monkeys…
“Pose with Charlie the unicorn David!”
“I want a hug!”
“I want to give gifts!”
“Can I get ANOTHER picture?”
“Say Puppy Johns!”
“Can I get a kiss?”
“Talk to my friend, I’ll call her cell!”
“Can I touch your dreads?”
All these requests are answered with “sure!” and over time the requests become more and more demanding and the fans who follow the tour become more and more convinced they have developed a special relationship with the star. There were DA fans and Castro fans openly whining at one point about NOT getting to meet them, as if it had become an entitlement or something. Danny Gokey is already falling into the trap by inviting random fans to eat with him at The Cheesecake Factory.

Never, ever allow fans to believe they are special or are your friends, it is a recipe for disaster each and every time. Sign an autograph, say thank you for your support and then get the heck away from them. Cook was way too tolerant of the freaks who are following him and now they have deluded themselves into believing they are friends with the band and that won’t stop unless Cook and his band tell them to fuck off. Then, of course, the freaks will blame Cook and talk about how he’s got a big head, doesn’t like his fans, etc. That’s probably why he’s grinning, bearing it and hoping they’ll eventually go away.

The normal fans on fansites bear responsibility too. Each year this OTT stuff pops up and each year it is either encouraged or ignored, probably because people want the “goodies” that come from OTT fans abandoning their real lives and going to multiple shows (pics, video, stories about meet and greets).

They got Meganà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s name wrong! They called her KELLY! Eeep!

What is it about the women on AI this year that no one can remember their names!! Little Rounds, “Allison” Grace, and now Kelly Joy?

I guess Adam should be grateful that on results night Simon said, “No offense, ADAM … as opposed to, “No offense, Alex …

mj, great article and congrats on the great front page coverage!

This whole DC thing is making me sick to my stomach. I agree with SashaB, this could turn into some scary shit. I hope DC takes the steps he needs to to stop these “fans?” in their tracks…perhaps the blog was for some fringe peeps these fans have talked to that think they can do the same thing? I’m glad this is not the majority of his fans.

http://www.idletard.com/blog/archives/category/david-cook

There are several blog entries, going back as far as last summer and fall.

There’s a big difference between bad, creepy, stalkerish behavior, and being the type of fan to go to more than one concert. Both DC and Archie have their OTT fans, but I know a lot that simply want to enjoy the show. And when an artist is the type to never put on the same performance twice, it’s nice to be able to experience the same music sung a different way. From what I’ve been hearing, most of Archie’s fans who have been waiting for him after the show are first-time meet and greeters. Some have met him before, but Ray sets things up so everything is calm and organized. I haven’t heard any accounts of bad behavior from fans waiting after, and Archie seems happy and comfortable with these fans. I’m not one to stay after a concert to meet the band, but if you’re respectful, I see nothing wrong with it. And on this tour, at least, I haven’t heard of anybody expecting special privileges for having spoken to Jeff A. I did hear some really sweet stories about David finding out about sick fans and meeting with them, but the rest of the meet and greets are all radio station sponsored stuff.

That’s not to say that Archie doesn’t have OTT fans. He does. But when we’re discussing this type of topic, about DC and Archie fans, and other Idol-spawned fans, it’s really easy to start lumping innocent behavior into the obsessive category. Ultimately it’s about how a fan treats the artist that matters. Sure, it’s whacked to spend your life savings to attend 15 shows, but that represents 0.01% of both DC and Archie’s respective fanbases. As does the scary stalker types.

Good for David for posting that. It’s just something that comes with fame, something they have to contend with. It’s a shock at first, especially for anyone who becomes hugely famous overnight, as happens with the Idol winners. A lot of them have complained about it.

There are always going to be OTT fans, weird fans and obsessed fans. Even though most people aren’t that way, there will always be a few. And the tv show seems to fan that flame a lot, as fans see their Idol up close week after week and come to feel like they know them.

It’s pretty sad but unavoidable that famous people have to insulate themselves and put buffers and layers between themselves and their fans, if they want to have safety, privacy, and peace of mind. They’ll have to become less accessible in time. Clay Aiken sure went through this. I don’t know how it was for Kelly or Carrie.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Pose with Charlie the unicorn David!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I want a hug!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I want to give gifts!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Can I get ANOTHER picture?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Say Puppy Johns!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Can I get a kiss?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Talk to my friend, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll call her cell!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Can I touch your dreads?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

You are so funny Niall, that sounds really bad but so true. I feel like a bad “normal fan” now, LOL…. I want the “goodies” sometimes and I don’t have to work for it, the privileged fans will do all the hard work for me. I just have to youtube it…:) So am I a quarter fantard? LMAO…. :lol_tb: :lol_tb:

I wish someone would tell the idols to stop lip-syncing, it’s really annoying.
Oh I love the in-depth article on Adam, thanks mj.

That’s some pretty disturbing shit right there w/the psycho fans. Good for him for addressing it, now let’s just hope it was enough to get them to STOP.

You are so funny Niall, that sounds really bad but so true. I feel like a bad à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“normal fanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  now, LOLà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦. I want the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“goodiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  sometimes and I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to work for it, the privileged fans will do all the hard work for me. I just have to youtube ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦:) So am I a quarter fantard? LMAOà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦. :lol_tb: :lol_tb:

You seem like a nice lady so let’s just say one eighth fantard. LOL.

Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not to say that Archie doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have OTT fans. He does. But when weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re discussing this type of topic, about DC and Archie fans, and other Idol-spawned fans, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s really easy to start lumping innocent behavior into the obsessive category.

Adult women dropping their real lives multiple times to follow a teen boy around the country, to concerts, meet and greets, and befriending his father, isn’t normal. I’d say the same thing about adult males who show up at Miley Cyrus shows sans kids. It’s just weird and inappropriate. My parents never had any interest in my teen idols but somehow AI seems to make it ok and that’s too bad. It is one thing to say “that young man is a fine young singer, good for him” and another entirely to seek out opportunities to make personal contact with him.

There are just as many OTT fans in the Castro, Clay, Archie, etc, fanbases as there are in the Cook fanbase. None of them are any better than the others. DC’s crazy fans harass him at tour stops. Archie’s crazy fans open up blogs called “Counting David’s Character” where they obsess and deify him. All the fanbases attack the comments section of blogs whenever they read something they don’t like, to the point of being completely irrational. None are any better behaved than the others, some are just more visible.

LOL, this is reeally random, but what does TPTB stand for? Does it have something to do with idol producers? Lmao, sorry if I sound extremely unintellgent. It’s just been annoying me lately, cause I have no clue what it means. Anyways, great article MJ!

LOL, this is reeally random, but what does TPTB stand for? Does it have something to do with idol producers?

Yes, TPTB = the powers that be (in this case, the producers)

being the type of fan to go to more than one concert

ruh roh… I resemble that remark!

Niall, you are absolutely correct about the loonies in every fanbase. I have been to a Taylor Hicks concert, so I have seen the lunatic fringe members of the soul patrol. They had tickets to like 20 shows. The other thing that really creeped me out about them was how they knew everything about all of the guys in the band, and you could overhear them talking about them like they were good friends. It’s all so delusional and batshit.

This entry on Idletard explains the whole bar story and has various pictures of all the stalkers.

Okay, first of all – that idletard site is pretty damn funny. But, OMG, I would die if I was one of those chicks. See, this is the problem with putting all of your photos on the net for the world at large to see. Not only is it scary the lengths these stalkers will go to to become head tard of the fantards, but it’s truly frightening how much the commenters knew about the stalkers themselves!

That is some crazy shit. Oh, and not to be cold, but I think those photos proved my theory about Idol stalkers not necessarily being what the mind conjures up when thinking of hot young groupies that rock stars want to bang. Just sayin.

I’ve said my piece far too many times on this board about the gifting thing. Suffice it to say, if you’re bringing gifts to someone you’re seeing in concert, you might be round the bend. I’ve always wondered if the givers put their home address in the gift somewhere, then get really pissed if the recipient doesn’t send a thank you note.

Oh, and if MJ really does write a book about crazy fantards, I so want to write the forward. It will be filled with expletives and get you in deep shit with your publisher, but it will be funny as hell, I promise.

ruh rohà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ I resemble that remark!

But do you try to find out what hotel they will be staying at and coincidentally book yourself there too? Do you follow the tour bus to find out which restaurant or bar the person is going to so you can coincidentally be there too? Do you try to get close to the band in order to get closer to the object of your obsession? do you bring expensive gifts? Do you feel entitled to a meet and greet or some other form of personal time outside the concert? If not, you aren’t doing a good job becoming OTT. Work harder!

If not, you arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t doing a good job becoming OTT. Work harder!

LOL LOL

^^^I decided to move this topic out into a separate post…

Wow at the story about DC’s crazy fans… I also echo the question… where do they get the money to follow him across the country? That’s such a mystery to me too.

But do you try to find out what hotel they will be staying at and coincidentally book yourself there too? Do you follow the tour bus to find out which restaurant or bar the person is going to so you can coincidentally be there too? Do you try to get close to the band in order to get closer to the object of your obsession? do you bring expensive gifts? Do you feel entitled to a meet and greet or some other form of personal time outside the concert? If not, you arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t doing a good job becoming OTT. Work harder!

Wow… I do have work to do!!! Poor DC… I worry about his safety with this bunch of nutjobs.

Adult women dropping their real lives multiple times to follow a teen boy around the country, to concerts, meet and greets, and befriending his father, isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t normal. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d say the same thing about adult males who show up at Miley Cyrus shows sans kids. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just weird and inappropriate. My parents never had any interest in my teen idols but somehow AI seems to make it ok and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s too bad. It is one thing to say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“that young man is a fine young singer, good for himà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and another entirely to seek out opportunities to make personal contact with him.

I was discussing people mistaking innocent behavior for obsessive behavior–going to more than one concert doesn’t equal obsessiveness. Spending your life savings following around an artist does. I also don’t think you have to fit a particular demographic to enjoy an artist’s music. If an adult male likes Miley Cyrus songs, then why is it creepy if he goes to her concert? Isn’t music about… music? If the adult male fan is going for a different reason that would be illegal if his desires are acted upon, then that would be creepy. But I don’t think we should generalize all people of a certain age or gender. It just makes it that much harder to be a fan of music when people expect you to limit yourself based on your image as opposed to the image of the artist you enjoy.

Does this age-appropriateness extend to TV as well? Is it wrong for me to watch cartoons sometimes? Should I feel ashamed that I watch teen dramas? If I like a song put out by Demi Lovato, is there something wrong with me?

I get calling out obsessive behavior, especially if it’s dangerous for the artist and unhealthy for the fans who are acting on an obsession. But I don’t get generalizing people based on their age or gender.

LOL, this is reeally random, but what does TPTB stand for?

The Producers Those Bastards aka The Powers That Be

I get calling out obsessive behavior, especially if ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dangerous for the artist and unhealthy for the fans who are acting on an obsession. But I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get generalizing people based on their age or gender.

Amen!

tinawina: I can see him doing a Lady Gaga type thing. But he has built himself as something of a rock act too, so I think he would have to have that on the album as well.

I was thinking this too. I always see the discussion of relevance/commercial/etc. I admit, most of my musical tastes are NOT mainstream, so when I consider Adam one of the few artists I might be interested in post-show, maybe it’s a sign he isn’t a “commercial” artist. Still, I consider Lady Gaga rather “commercial” and I can see Adam being in that style, with a bit of a glam-rock edge. Also, I see no problem with him being niche and not being put in a box. Granted, I only liked Adam after Ring of Fire; before that I was rather indifferent, but slightly intrigued because of some random youtube clips.

Anyway, great article, MJ. I would love to read more about it.

Woh! It’s cool to see you published in the NY Post, MJ. I did a double take on the ‘by MJ Santilli’ line at the top. It was a great read. Thanks for writing it and congrats

Well, not that they’re similar in any way, but Michael Jackson imo was never *mainstream* in the traditional sense, but he sure as hell was commercial. Just sayin’…

Nice article, MJ! I think Adam has star potential, but I really have no idea if Adam is inherrently commercial, or if it even matters cuz Sony seem to be masters at defying expectations both ways. As I said previously, if I had to guess, I would imagine they envision him going the pop star/OTT entertainer route. Seems kind of an obvious guess, what with the Jacko appearance, the talk of Britney mentoring, etc. I really never expect anyone who pushes the envelope too far to win although it would be fun if he sticks around a good long while, so we’ll see what happens. At least the priceless look on Simon’s face after ROF didn’t disappoint.