Ryan Star to Open For David Cook

*DIES* the probability of me not ploding from fangirlyness is very slim :jittery_tb: OMFG is it March yet?!?

Eh. I’m not too excited about this. It’s good news for Ryan Star, but I’m not sure it’s a step forward for DC.

Wasn’t there someone named Ryan Star on the first season of Idol too? Is this the same person?

Not the same person. Ryan Star on the first season of idol was female. The Ryan Star from Rockstar is male – in every sense of the word. LOL. (Although I preferred Toby Rand). :blush_tb:

I think he’s a pretty good match, but it’s interesting that Ryan Star’s announcement came so much later than DC’s. From what I’ve gathered, a handful of the dates that have gone for sale are already sold out without Ryan’s name– so one would conclude that a lot of the early dates will be packed with DC fans and no Ryan Star fans. Seems like a good opportunity for Ryan to gain new fans, less so an opportunity for the two acts to cross-pollinate each others’ fans– at least not for the early/already sold-out dates. But then again, I guess since Ryan’s opening for DC, not vice versa, that’s how it usually goes. I often go to concerts based on the headliner’s name with no knowledge of the opener, and end up discovering great up-and-coming acts that way.

Too bad DC won’t be playing at Bowery Ballroom with Ryan. That’d been cool.

I LOVE Ryan Star.

Eh. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not too excited about this. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s good news for Ryan Star, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a step forward for DC.

It wouldn’t be a step backwards, though. The guy is just opening for DC. It’s not like DC opening for Ryan. Realistically, there’s only a limited number of acts that would fit an opening bill for DC, and I think having an opening act lends DC more touring cred, honestly.

so one would conclude that a lot of the early dates will be packed with DC fans and no Ryan Star fans.

I think that would be the case whether Ryan’s name was on the tour or not (well, somewhat–maybe there would be some Ryan fans in the audience). DC is better known and has a larger fan base right now. Ryan may or may not have been mentioned when purchasing tickets anyway (for example, only a few vendors mention that Lesley Roy is opening for DA on his tour but her deal was made before tickets went on sale).

Having never heard of Star or the reality show he rode in on, and being a bit anti-reality show to begin, me no likey this arrangement for David Cook AT ALL. Like primeminister, I don’t see it as a step forward. After all, Cook is trying to establish himself outside of reality TV with an audience that reportedly tends not to support the shows. Hummmm….

Cook is trying to establish himself outside of reality TV

hmm, how is trying to accomplish that again? by getting another (has-been) reality TV star?

Ryan Star is all kinds of awesome. I actually thought he was a better fit for Idol rather than Rockstar Supernova. He is vocally more talented than all the contestants on that season (although Dilana is probably up there too) and he is amazing with re-arranging songs. His rendition and arrangement of “Losing My Religion” is arguably the best re-arrangement I’ve seen on both Idol and Rockstar. I think he would’ve done so well on Idol. He is what comes to my mind when I think of a solo rock artist who’s specialty is giving ordinary songs a different spin.

Does Ryan Star have a band? Who will accompany him? Will he travel with DC and the EEB on the tour bus? How many songs is he likely to play? Sort of seems like adding him to the bill adds to the expense and not to the profit (since the shows are selling out based on DC alone) so what’s the advantage of having him open?

I never in my life stopped to consider the implications of having an opening act on a tour. Huh, the things you learn by being a fan.

Sadly, the show near me (Joliet) is only open to students. I probably wouldn’t have gone down to Joliet for Cook alone, but I would to see Ryan Star. I’d also be a tad more excited about seeing Ryan. His pre-Rock Star album is great. Looking forward to his major label debut!

ETA: I had to email Sarah. No doubt she will be besides herself with this news.

I kind of doubt Cook’s tour will make much money since these are mostly small college gigs with free or very cheap tickets. I’m guessing Ryan Star’s label (Mark Burnett =producer of Survivor) is paying to have Star as opening act.

This is a tour to expand the fan base for both of them. Their labels will pay the bills and probably be happy with a small profit if any.

totally thought they meant ryan starr from idol and could not believe it, until i realized who they were actually talking about. that would’ve been horrible.

Does Ryan Star have a band? Who will accompany him? Will he travel with the band on the tour bus? How many songs is he likely to play? Sort of seems like adding him to the bill adds to the expense and not to the income (since the shows are selling out based on DC alone) so whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the advantage of having him open?

Ryan may or may not be taking a cut of the profits. Sometimes opening acts get nothing (sometimes opening acts pay to get on the bill, but that’s usually with bigger tours and I doubt that’s the case here). I can’t recall where I read it, but I saw some article about how it’s sometimes unprofitable in the short run for artists to be opening acts.

Ryan and/or his label will have to pay for his own band, transportation, accommodations, etc. It shouldn’t come out of what DC makes unless DC has agreed to some profit sharing. And if he has agreed to give Ryan a cut of the profits then he must see Ryan as some benefit to his tour. Opening acts round out the show, provide more substance, and they make the main act seem more like a “main act.”

pj
Feb 6th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
His pre-Rock Star album is great. Looking forward to his major label debut!

It is. He is a very talented songwriter and vocalist. And he is hot too. LOL! I’m excited just looking at the producers of his new album!

Sarah is going to go into fangirl overload with this news!

Is he bringing his demented feather hoodie?

Could not stand Ryan Star during Rock Star, can’t stand him now.

Thanks for elaborating, soundscene!

Well, as long as the expense doesn’t fall on DC/DC’s label, I guess it’s harmless. I don’t know that it promotes DC in any major way, but I think overall it’s positive.

I did hear something about Matt Nathanson opening for DC on at least one venue, but maybe that was an off tour show? Can’t remember.

Opening acts aren’t supposed to promote the artist they’re opening for. Off the top of my head I’ve seen Kelly Clarkson numerous times in concert and till this day I can barely remember the names of her opening acts.

FWIW Ryan played with him at the Atlanta jingle ball he did back in December. They must have hit it off.

Hmmm, this is interesting. I read the bio on RS on the provided Rockstar link above. They both have similar backgrounds as far getting started in a band in HS and continuing into college before breaking off on their own…

Me no likey the touring with another reality act thing. He should be trying to shake that stigma. Oh well, not like I have any control over it.

I don’t see this as negative at all. Most concerts have an opening act. I think it’s a great arrangement. Fans of Ryan Star will be exposed to David’s music and vice versa. Seems like a win-win situation for everyone.

Another Cook fan turned me on to Ryan, and I for one am very excited that he’ll be touring with David. David is much more than ‘just another reality show contestant,’ and so is Ryan. I think having an opening act only adds credibility to David, and Ryan may not be a huge name, but he has a very devoted following from what I can tell. I think they complement each other very nicely. From what I’ve heard, Ryan will have his own musicians for his gig. One of them posted on MySpace recently announcing the shows.

I don’t see how an opening act could be much of a negative… I booked shows for my brother as his manager for a long time and I don’t remember most of the bands that played. Our only criteria really was a vibe similar to ours or that would get people “warmed up” for the headliner, and someone who wouldn’t scare the fans away (ha, that happened a time or two!). Bonus if they brought a crowd that could stay and become my brother’s fans too!

(One can hope he would never have an opener as scary as the guy who opened for us who brought two scary hos with head to toe blue body glitter and rapped about the guns in his trunk…)

I never got that into David Cook…but now I wanna go to a show since it’ll be both of them, as a double header that could be all kinds of awesomeness. This is kinda random but I remember when Ryan got kicked off of Rockstar Supernova he was pretty bitter and made the comment that he’ll be “looking down on them from the top of the charts” (referring to the band) so the fact that he’s opening up for and AI winner 3-4 years later is kinda funny. But he was really really great on that show, his performances were some of the best of that season. It’s weird, I was literally just talking to someone about this show last night and I haven’t even thought about it since it went off the air, lol However we were talking about Magni…loved that dude!!

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m guessing Ryan Starà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s label (Mark Burnett =producer of Survivor) is paying to have Star as opening act.

Sometimes opening acts get nothing (sometimes opening acts pay to get on the bill, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s usually with bigger tours and I doubt thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the case here).

Ryan and/or his label will have to pay for his own band, transportation, accommodations, etc. And if [DC] has agreed to give Ryan a cut of the profits then he must see Ryan as some benefit to his tour.

Huh, that’s really interesting. I’m with Jolene, I never thought about the logistics/economics of opening acts before, but now that I think about it this ^^^ makes a lot of sense.

I actually have a story to share. My friend who told me about Ryan Star actually met him at an industry function prior to the holidays, and the guy seems to be a big priority for Atlantic right now. They seem to be really gearing up to give him a big push this summer, getting him out there, and trying to line up licensing deals for his tracks, etc. I forgot the all details of what she told me, but I got the sense they are worried about the potential for an uphill battle RE: the reality show stigma. That’s why it’s interesting to find how well-written his PR was. It talks about him being a NY musician, and harps on his extensive experiences working clubs, etc., and buries the Rockstar Supernova mention in the middle of the PR, and only as part of his longer list of accomplishments. Still don’t know too much about him, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve heard, and he seems talented and legit. He seems to be facing very similar obstacles to DC, although DC as the winner of a much bigger show will for sure have a way tougher time shaking the reality show stigma. It’ll be interesting to see how Ryan’s promo rolls out.

Not a good move at all. The reasons why have already been eloquently stated by others. There may be some minor benefit of cross-exposure among each artist’s fans, but the negative public perception and press portrayal this will bring about far, far outweighs that.

Count me as another one that isn’t thrilled with this arrangement. Sure, fans of TV reality music shows will love this, but I don’t think that’s the audience that this college tour is going for. I don’t like the idea of another performer sharing the bill with David Cook that came out of a TV reality show, no matter how talented Ryan Star may be. This decision almost fuels the stigma attached to fame coming as a result of appearing on a TV reality show. On the other hand, maybe this is a case of running toward instead of away from a perceived weakness.

It smells to me like a label deal that works better for the labels and for Ryan Star than it does for David. I don’t think this will benefit him much, if at all, and I do think it could hurt a bit. I just don’t get a good feeling about this arrangement for his first tour out. Sure, an opening act is a great idea, but there are loads of incredibly talented up and coming artists that could have fit the bill better. This is the part of the music biz that I could do without. Oh well.

Sure, an opening act is a great idea, but there are loads of incredibly talented up and coming artists that could have fit the bill better. This is the part of the music biz that I could do without. Oh well.

Exactly. What I thought he might do was have a band from each different college he plays open up for him. A former co-worker’s husband has a band and they opened up for Daughtry at one of their club shows, so it’s not like that sort of thing hasn’t been done before.

But, what DC is doing is imbecilic. For the life of me, I can’t understand how this idea was ever greenlighted.

I finally got my tickets this afternoon for the Azalea Festival 4/2 show here! :jittery_tb:

FYI for you peeps coming here from out of town or local, the bleacher seats are almost sold out. Most of the seats that are left are in the balcony.

It looks like from the dates on that press release that my show won’t include Ryan.

Here’s a conversation I can imagine playing out at college campuses:

(Group of girls and guys sitting together in the dining hall):

Girl#1: So you guys want to get tickets for the David Cook show?

Guy#1: Who?

Girl #1: The guy who won American Idol.

Guy #1: Hell no!

Girl #2: Come on, he’s different.

Guy #2: Like that Daughtry dude?

Girl#2: Sort of, but he seems like he’s more for our age.

Girl #3: The tickets are only five dollars.

Guy#2: Really?

Guy#1: Well, who’s opening for him?

Girl #1: Ryan Starr, the guy who won that “Rock Star” show a few years ago.

Guy#1 Another TV show singer? Screw that!

Guy #2: Yeah, screw that.

(Ok, I’m not going to win a Tony for this. But, you get the idea….)

modified the conversation a bit:

(Group of girls and guys sitting together in the dining hall):

Girl#1: So you guys want to get tickets for the David Cook show?

Guy#1: Who?

Girl #1: The guy who won American Idol.

Guy #1: Hell no!

Girl #2: Come on, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s different.

Guy #2: Like that Daughtry dude?

Girl#2: Sort of, but he seems like heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more for our age.

Girl #3: The tickets are only five dollars.

Guy#1: Nah

Girl #2: They are giving away a box of AI detergents.

Guy#2: Really?

Guy#1: Well, whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s opening for him?

Girl #1: Ryan Starr, the guy who won that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Rock Starà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  show a few years ago.

Guy#1 Another TV show singer? Screw that!

Guy #2: Yeah, screw that.

(Ok, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not going to win a Tony for this. But, you get the ideaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.)

Somehow, I don’t see college kids really caring that much who opens for him. I didn’t know Ryan Star from Adam until a few minutes ago, and I’m betting most of these college kids never heard of him either, and could care less what his musical credentials look like. He didn’t win his show and it’s a few years old (and not even close to AI in audience or hype) so I seriously doubt the introduction will be: “Reality show rockers tour”. YMMV.

There are things that work against Cook as far as “cred” goes, but mostly they’re inherent of his own reality past. His opening act on a college tour is small potatoes compared to that.

….and, his shows are alrady selling out. To college students. I’m sure some will snub him, but hey – appearantly many others won’t.

BTW Ryan Star did not win RS Nova when he was on. It was the Canadian dude — can’t even remember his name. Anyway, seems like a strange combo to me. Ryan is a favorite of mine while I never got into Cook either, so I would go just to see Ryan. Check him out on the tube.

Lukas Rossi (sp?) won, lurksalot.

Girl #1: Ryan Starr, the guy who won that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Rock Starà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  show a few years ago.

Guy#1 Another TV show singer? Screw that!

Guy #2: Yeah, screw that.

(Ok, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not going to win a Tony for this. But, you get the ideaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.)

I think you’re overestimate college students’ need to seem “cool” (if DC’s reality show past plus Ryan’s reality show past robs them of some “coolness” factor). Frankly, entertainment on campuses, especially the smaller ones that DC is playing, is limited. You get somebody coming that’s decent and that they may have heard on the radio or seen on TV and the place will fill up (btw, I’m not knocking DC’s draw at all, I just recall what college entertainment was like–DC would bring in an audience regardless). They’re not going to shun DC’s show because he’s touring with another reality show grad.

Ryan Star is an up and coming rock act. Most people don’t even remember him from Rock Star. I sure didn’t, and I watched both seasons. He seems to have label backing based on the promotion that he received including song placement with NFL and the TV show. So, I think he is a good fit for DC.

I don’t believe college kids will care at all. Since Cook is easily selling out all college venues, the guy opening for him can only benefit. Ryan Star’s fans will probably be upset as they are unlikely to get tickets except for the larger venues.

Reviews of Ryan Star from David Cook fans who saw him open for him have been positive. This guy is also just a musician trying to make it.

The only way I would see that it could hurt Cook is if his college sales were slow and he wasn’t selling any tickets. Since that’s not the case, there is no way Ryan can really hurt him unless he really puts on an awful show which I don’t believe is the case.

M2CW…When I decided to find a show I could get into on this first tewer by David Cook & the EEB, I did not even think about or care if they were going to have opening acts or not. If so, cool, I might discover more music that I like. Or not. If I like it, I’ll stay & listen. If not, I’ll do something else. I still don’t have tickets for a show, although I plan to get them soon! But I’ve been reading and hearing that the shows are selling out QUICKLY, like the 2 shows at the Atlantic City casino that sold out in 10 minutes. The reservationist I spoke to today told me to get tix ASAP when they go on sale, as they are expected to FLY.

I really don’t have any thoughts about him having an opening act other than Oh really? An opening act? Aren’t those usually for big-name artists? Oh well, OK, whatever. If David likes the opening act(s), maybe I will too…. Is it really a huge strategic and/or tactical move to have 2 bands on a show?

As for me personally, I am already WAY past the “reality show stigma” allegedly attached to Cook. I think I was past that right after he sang Hello on AI. Or Eleanor Rigby, Billie Jean, Little Sparrow, Always Be My Baby. Oh, certainly by the time he sang The World I Know. And Sharp Dressed Man…heh. It was just another step on the way to getting where he was headed anyway. It just sped up the process and exposure…a bit.

But, what DC is doing is imbecilic. For the life of me, I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand how this idea was ever greenlighted.

Hmmm, maybe I’m just not getting what the problem is. I think this is a really good idea. Honestly, if I hadn’t read that Ryan Star was on Rock Star: Supernova, I never would have known. I only knew of him by checking out the add dates on All Access. I could understand if the guy was terrible, but from the sound of it he seems good. And if he fits the vibe of the show, then there’s no problem.

Okay I registered to respond to this.

I am usually very cool with all of DC & Co.’s decisions but I do NOT like this.

I looked up Ryan Star because I had never heard of him and got his MySpace. He seems like a total douche. Even his name is a douche.

David should NOT be associating himself with this guy at all.

I feel like he is being used.

Nobody will really care who opens for David – they’re going to see him, the opening act is secondary. I can’t see it doing DC any harm whatsoever. The only thing that concerned me was the fiscal issue, and right now I think it’s quite possible the Ryan’s label is paying for him to join this tour – it’s good exposure for him and he’s certainly not the one selling the shows – seems like something that might actually put some money in DC’s pocket, or his label’s pocket (which I don’t mind – the more money he’s bringing in the more likely they’ll be to invest in him).
I don’t think DC is being taken advantage of. Someone on his end is gaining something by doing this, I’m sure.

Sure, fans of TV reality music shows will love this, but I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the audience that this college tour is going for.

Um, I’m not so sure these students will even realize that RS is from another reality show…could be wrong though.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure some will snub him, but hey – appearantly many others wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t.

Yeah and those with credibility who don’t snub him can tell the others what they missed.

I didn’t know who Ryan Star was until it was posted here. I saw a thread about it on DCO and didn’t bother to check it out because I thought, “I don’t know who this person is.”

tempest . . . tea cup. IMO.

Umm, the college shows are selling out…sometimes in under an hour. There are newspaper articles about long lines at the college box offices…so I don’t think the identity of the opening act is a problem. (And yes, a few students may scalp their tickets but not all 500-1000 of them.)

University of Wisconsin is just one of many schools selling out. So far this is the Hottest Rock Tour on tourtracker.com

I don’t think this is a bad idea at all. Justin Guarini opening for David would be a bad idea.

David has the much bigger stigma attached to him as a result of winning Idol than Ryan EVER did as a finalist on RockStar. Ryan is just going to be a new rock guy for most people in the audience, not “Ryan from RockStar.” Most people probably forgot that show ever happened, and the ones who do remember probably watch Idol anyway.

I guess I just don’t think it really matters who is opening for him People will go or they won’t based on him. I saw Maria Muldaur open for the Grateful Dead back in the day. She’s now one of my most favorites and I could really give a rat’s ass about the Dead anymore. I just don’t think an opening act says a single thing about the main event. I didn’t even think she was all that good back then but she’s freaking amazing. They are very much MOTS.

I just used the college kids skit as a representative example of the kind of conversations that would take place among people in general when they hear about this tour bill or what people’s individual thoughts on the topic may be. They may not remember Ryan Star, but when they read stories about two reality show contestants going on tour together, the story will form their impressions for them.

I mean, as far as the press/ bloggers are concerned, the story writes itself. Even if writers don’t depict it negatively, it’s not the public association that Cook should be striving for in the infancy of his solo career.

Actually, Noctem, I’ve seen nobody depict it negatively so far. I’ve actually seen only bloggers writing after the show they are writing about is sold out. Who knows, maybe after they see your posts, they will have a negative spin to put on it…so far I’ve seen nothing but positive…and yes I do pay attention.

I am a very big fan of Ryan Star as well as David and I’ve been a fan of Ryan’s for years. So obviously for me I love this pairing. There is a lot more to this than 2 reality show contestants touring together. Ryan hasn’t been on TV for almost 3 years, he’s the only contestant on the show who got a major label deal and made a major label record. The promo is just starting up for him and his song Last Train Home goes for adds early March, it was also in the PS I Love You movie. So this isn’t the case of looking for anyone from reality TV to accompany David, it is looking for another new solo artist who has the same vibe and style of music that has major label support. Ryan will tour with a band as well. And Ryan could very well sell out and headline his own tour, he’s done it before. This is a mutually beneficial plan.

Anybody who looks for the reality TV connection will find it, but what does that mean anyway? That people who have been on TV should never associate with each other? The fans that will go to these shows will be a fan of one or the other, so they don’t care about the reality TV stigma. And the college students who are going because the tickets are $5 and have nothing better to do will still go. So I don’t see what difference the reality TV thing makes. the media will always label them as reality TV contestants. 10 years from now it will still be written in press releases that David won American Idol.

Also, don’t forget that Ryan has a strong and devoted following of his own. He has fans who will travel and do anything to go see him. If anything this will create even greater demand and buzz for the show. Now that word is out, expect that there will be Ryan Star fans at every show. This is the perfect opportunity to expose each other to the music. Both have great vocals and an intensity in their music and find original sounds and ways to arrange songs. I think its a perfect idea.

With a nod to Noctem, another take on how his skit might play out:

Girl#1: So you guys want to get tickets for the David Cook show?
Guy#1: Who?
Girl #1: The guy who won American Idol.
Guy #1: Hell no!
Girl #2: Come on, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s different.
Guy #2: Like that Daughtry dude?
Girl#2: Sort of, but he seems like heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more for our age.
Girl #3: The tickets are only five dollars.
Guy#2: Really?
Guy#1: Well, whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s opening for him?
Girl #1: Ryan Starr, the guy who was in that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Rock Starà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  show a few years ago.

Guy#1: Is their music any good?
Girl #2: Well, I bet we can find them on YouTube.
Guy #2: Heck, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s only five bucks and we donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have anything else to do that night, letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just goà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ If we donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like them, we can always leave.

I did hear something about Matt Nathanson opening for DC on at least one venue, but maybe that was an off tour show?

Matt Nathanson is opening at the Patriotic Fest.

http://www.patrioticfestival.com/performers.html

Most people have no idea who the opener is before a concert. Heck, I frequently still have no idea, even afterwards, since they’re often regional bands I haven’t heard of before, and I don’t care enough to pay attention. Since the college shows are selling out in hours, if not minutes, and long before the general public even gets a chance at them, there seem to be enough college students who don’t have a problem with reality show contestants. Scalpers are selling tickets for hundreds of dollars. I think DC has managed to avoid disaster once again.

I don’t think this will hurt DC at ALL. He’s the American Idol. Everyone knows he was on the show. I don’t think it matters as long as the general public likes what they hear from him on the radio. If they like it, they will continue to buy his album. The only people who will have a problem with it probably would never buy his album in the first place.

Sure, there may be a few articles about the tour, but the casual observer isn’t going to be following every single DC mention in the press or on the Internet. I also doubt most will care that Ryan Star was on RS.

When DC is written about in the press, he’ll be described as the platinum-selling rocker from AI. :wink_wp:

I guess being somewhat familiar with Ryan, I just don’t get what the big concern is.

He got a nice little write-up in the local Philly paper when he did a small acoustic gig here last month, NBC is using his music for a new show called Kings, NFL & Nike used his music for a football montage, and another song à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Brand New Day,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is featured as the new show Lie To Me’s main theme song.

I think the guy is a pretty hot commodity right now and is being heavily promoted by his people. I don’t see how he hurts David at all. YMMV, of course.

MJ, what do you think?

I’ve heard about Ryan Star for a while now and figured out he was in Rock Star about ten minutes ago. This is not a big deal, and the press and bloggers will not make a big deal about it because they don’t care about Cook that much in the first place. I doubt most of the people going to these concerts will even remember
the existence of Rock Star.

I fear the uproar if Cook and Daughtry ever go on tour together.

I fear the uproar if Cook and Daughtry ever go on tour together.

From the immediate sellouts, and fans who can’t get tickets, right? :tongue_wink_ee:

Word, Cathy, word.

And I think it’s a strong possibility, and have thought so since David won.

So, really, what I take away from all of this is that nobody puts a negative spin on things faster or more efficiently than the actual fans. Storm in a teacup indeed.

The funny thing? Some of us are treating Ryan’s past reality ties exactly the way we wish people would not treat Cook’s (ie – disregard his musicality, original material and artistic chops and look at him only as a TV insta-celeb). Something to ponder.

Randomly googling this guy (which I think what many folks will do who like me don’t know the guy), these are the first videos that comes up

We Might Fall

Losing Your Memory

Nice stuff, I’d definitely give this guy a shot if I looked him up. Can’t imagine I’d be turned off from going to a concert just cause this is the opening act.

I fear the uproar if Cook and Daughtry ever go on tour together.

Best.concert.ever. I’d break my bank account for tickets :wub_tb:
Eh, I just can’t worked up over what college students may think about someone who hasn’t been seen on a reality show in three 3 years. Right now Ryan has a song being featured on NBC for the new show Kings and also the new show Lie to Me. To most he’s just a newcomer getting ready to launch an album. If the college venues were struggling in selling tickets that would be my worry.

I attended a sm/med sized state university and whenever there was a concert on campus, I went 90% of the time because it was cheap and within walking distance. My questions were always 1- When is it? 2- How much? 3- what type of music? Hell I saw Hootie and Blowfish and the Black Crows in college before they were big names and back then the tics were either free to students or $5.00. If it was a free/cheap concert I didn’t give a rats ass who it was and REALLY didnt care who the opening act was, if there was one. Most of the time I never got there in time for the opening act anyway.

IMHO, if someone wants to go see DC in concert, they really don’t care who the hell the opening act is or if there is one. And since tickets for many of the shows have already been sold before the announcement of the opening act, this will make not one bit of difference.

So, really, what I take away from all of this is that nobody puts a negative spin on things faster or more efficiently than the actual fans. Storm in a teacup indeed.

Eggzackly. This is totally a non-issue. Nobody cares about the opening act. If they’re bad, you just ignore them. If they’re good, cool.

Matt Nathanson, now that’s good. I love his song, “Come On, Get Higher”. Great song.

I thought Ryan was kind of a douche on Rock Star but I do think that he and David can complement each other musically. Well, it could have been worse… case in point, that stealth bitch, Dilana. Anyway, I would have been happier if Toby Rand was the opening act but maybe Toby was busy surfing or something.

I’m a college student and kudos to Noctem…THAT IS EXACTLY HOW WE ACT! Most of us don’t have money so we wouldn’t go spending it on a music act we don’t know. In fact, we would actually rather buy some food with it then go see the act. Also we care alot about music, so we care who we’re listening to.

MJ, what do you think?

When I first read the press release, I frowned a bit, thinking it might be better for DC to be paired up with a non-reality show rock act. Maybe a band who is up and coming in mainstream circles, but who college kids have heard of–maybe through their college radio station.

That way there really would be a mix of students there–not just those who are fans of reality TV.

But in the end, it probably doesn’t matter. The tickets have been sold for a lot of these dates anyway. And as others have mentioned, kids at some of these small colleges may turn out for any band that’s cheap and half-way entertaining.

Having said that I’m not seeing the tempest in a teapot some of you speak of. Maybe on a fan forum, where positive spin is paramount, a few fans playing devils advocate or posting contrary opinions is a big deal.

Here on my blog, not so much.

jjcoolgal891, If you’re a Cook fan, I hope you’ll let your friends know what a great live show they’ll be missing if they let the opener keep them from going…that right there will change the whole conversation.

If you’re not, then just forget I said anything. LOL!

Doesn’t the possibility exist that some of the people who are going to see Cook and/or Star are not primarily AI fans, but just thought it was a fun thing to do, or learned about them in other ways?

Star has not been involved in reality TV for several years. Just because he was once on a TV show doesn’t mean that all of his fans learned about him from there.

Well its not the opener that they would care about. As soon as they heard the main act is from American Idol…I’ve lost them. LOL

Aw, I think it’s cool that DC is “big” enough to merit an opening act. This time last year Jordin *was* still an opening act, and I don’t think she’s gotten up to headlining her own tour even despite the millions of songs she’s sold.

As for reality show stigma, if enough people got over DC being AI to buy tickets, I don’t think Ryan Star being a non-winner of a much less popular reality show is gonna make that big of a negative impact.

edit: don’t tell posters what to do

I think it’s less important for a small college tour than it will be later for a larger tour.

Having said that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not seeing the tempest in a teapot some of you speak of. Maybe on a fan forum, where positive spin is paramount, a few fans playing devils advocate or posting contrary opinions is a big deal.
Here on my blog, not so much.

For me it wasn’t about positive or negative spin, but I don’t think the opening act is all that important. I’ve been to concerts where I hate the opening act and just endure them until they’re done but I wouldn’t not buy tickets because of the opening act. Well I suppose if the main singer was someone I wasn’t really into I might but it’s hard to imagine.

An opening act from another reality show, that could be a problem. I think the Rock Star show is less cheesy in people’s minds than other reality shows but I could be wrong.

I don’t think Ryan Starr is a big deal or that David made a big mistake. I don’t mind people saying so. but I was surprised that a lot of people thought it was a real boo-boo. Did someone say “imbecilic”? Nah, I can’t see it, but of course different opinions is what makes it interesting.

Imagined conversation at my old alma mata…

Hey – wanna go see this concert tonight?
Who?
David Cook and Ryan Star.
Who?
Some American Idol dude and some other guy.. .
What kind of music?
I dunno.
How much?
Five bucks.
How much are the highballs at macados tonight?
A buck fifty…
nahh… screw the concert.

Heehee… ahhh that took me back. Wish Schmanda was here… she might appreciate that.

I don’t think they are going to be making much money on this tour. Too small of venues and low priced tickets. This has to be a tour to make fans. It cost money to rent a bus, pay for rooms, meals and help to set up, etc. I remember Daughtry’s first short tour was to small clubs and bars and I really wondered why so small to start. He later started opening for Bon Jovi. Two AI stars toured together and I don’t think it hurt them, remember Kelly and Clay toured. DC is coming to a college in my town but it’s students only and is being held in the student union so I’m sure it will be standing room only. He’ll probably never come this close again on tour, but I can only hope.

Two AI stars toured together and I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think it hurt them, remember Kelly and Clay toured.

I still have the battle scars from the fanwars from that tour LOL. It was BAD. Epic bad.

hypertwink Feb 6th, 2009 at 8:27 pm

Anyway, I would have been happier if Toby Rand was the opening act but maybe Toby was busy surfing or something.

hypertwink, you wrote what I came here to post. Toby Randmight be my all-time favorite reality TV singer, although Jason Castro and Elliott Yamin are right up there.

I really expected Toby to break out big after Rockstar: Supernova. Maybe he can tour with Michael Johns and call it Saucy Aussies or hopefully something more clever than my Friday night brain can conjure.

Regarding the Cookie/Ryan Star tour, I figure that those who perceive an AI stigma are already turned off and those who don’t won’t care.

I am also a fan of Ryan Star and David Cook. How a person is portrayed on tv is not how a person is in real life. Any fan of reality tv knows the spin they put on people to create certain characters that are interesting to watch.

I’ve met Ryan in real life a few times since his appearance on RS:SN and I can tell you this is a person who cares about his fans and will go out of his way to provide them with an awesome musical experience.

While I have never met David Cook or seen him live, I imagine that David has the same goals as Ryan.

I actually think they are a fantastic fit. If you love David’s music, you really should check out Ryan’s. I think you might be pleasantly surprised. Ryan is waaaaay more than he was on RS, just as David is more than AI. I consider RS the vehicle in which I discovered Ryan and his music and to me, that’s all that matters.
deb

p.s. Ryan Starr is the chick on AI; Ryan’s stage name is his actual first and middle name.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think they are going to be making much money on this tour. Too small of venues and low priced tickets.

Bingo! I am sure this tour is a loss leader designed to attract new fans and create positive publicity. I think it is a brilliant move.

By the way, Toby Rand is still with his band Juke Kartel in Australia. They are about to start a tour of Australia and have a single on Australian radio. They also won 2 awards at the Australian Music Awards.

p.s. Ryan Starr is the chick on AI; Ryanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s stage name is his actual first and middle name.

Thank you.

I remember when Ryan said see you from the top of the charts. Everyone knew Supernova was going to fail with those has-beens. The thing is, modesty was a liability on Rock Star, unlike on Idol. The judges wanted a certain bravado on that show. I thought it was more realistic and refreshing. After all, they were auditioning to be rock stars, not to sing My Destiny or whatever. Sadly, the concept is hard to replicate year after year, unlike AI. I loved that show more, though. The contestants were way more interesting and diverse.

jan Feb 6th, 2009 at 10:50 pm

By the way, Toby Rand is still with his band Juke Kartel in Australia. They are about to start a tour of Australia and have a single on Australian radio. They also won 2 awards at the Australian Music Awards.

jan, thanks for posting that information. I check Toby’s web pages every so often to get my fix. I was just hoping he would do better in the U.S.

You’re shitting me?! I have only purchased albums by two former reality show participants in my life…. David Cook and Ryan Star. What are the chances that they’d tour together? Jeebus, and I wasn’t planning on trying to get into the FSU show because Cook’s coming to West Palm for the music fest later on. But now…dammit… Obvs I was kind of stoked when I read Ryan was touring with Cook, so it never dawned on me that people would be worried about it becoming some kind of reality rocker tour or something until I opened the thread and started reading the responses. Eh, I’m still not concerned. The venues are small, and I think they will be filled Ryan or no Ryan. Bottom line…this will be a fantastic show. Cook is the real deal. Ryan is the real deal. It’s not like Cook’s touring with some overproduced manufactured yahoo who couldn’t write a song or play an instrument to save their life. If Cook expects people to overlook his reality show venture to appreciate him as a musician and songwriter, then it’s not so imbecilic for Cook to do the same with Ryan, who is also a gifted musician and songwriter.

For the record, their career trajectories are similar…

-Ryan fronted a band in high school heavily influenced by 90s alt rock, where he wrote or cowrote most of the music…Stage
-Cook fronted a band in high school heavily influenced by 90s alt rock, where he wrote or cowrote most of the music…Axium
-Stage broke up, and Ryan found local success working the NYC indie circuit with his self penned solo CD
-Axium broke up, and David found local success working the Tulsa music scene with his self penned solo CD.

Anyway, as I remember it, Stage was signed to Madonna’s Maverick record label and put out a major label self titled CD, but soon after the record was released the label underwent a major personnel overhaul or upheaval or something and Stage was neglected in the shuffle. It’s sad because that CD is pretty great. I found it on iTunes years ago during SUpernova, but I’m not sure it’s still there. Also, I think Ryan plays like five different instruments or something crazy like that.

Haven’t kept up with Ryan’s career as closely as I have Cook’s, but for anyone who’s interested, I did favorite this on youtube c awhile back: Ryan singing Somebody’s Son on some radio show. He wrote that song after Supernova wrapped, so it might be on the new album. Or not. Anyway, I loved it, though acoustic Ryan is a bit more frenetic than acoustic Cookie.

I don’t know if it matters who’s opening for DC. I think the stigma of AI will hurt him more with a lot of the college kids. My boys wouldn’t be caught dead at his concert. That being said there’s obviously lots of fans of the show and DC that will attend.

Loved Toby Rand and Magni, Ryan not so much. I’m on a mailing list for Toby’s group and they had an EP or something on iTunes but it was only available in Australia.

Sunchick, same here. I wasn’t even gonna try to get tix to the FSU show. But now… I’m rethinking. I looooved Ryan on R:S and have always wanted to see him live. Decisions, decisions.

I’m glad for Toby. I heard about him gong back to Australia but didn’t know about the tour or the awards so I’m happy for him. Maybe, when Cookie goes on an Asia-Pacific tour, he could hook up with Juke Kartel. I will ‘plode if that happens. Anyway, I’m glad for Ryan that he’s about to embark on a career…still think he’s kind fo a douche but hey, he seems talented and as I said before, it could have been Dilana. Ugh. :flush_tb:

I loved Ryan Star on RS Supernova! His “Back of Your Car” performance was one of the first things I ever downloaded on iTunes :mrgreen_wp:

I like him way more than David Cook though, so would rather see him in a small venue in the city than opening for Cook on a college tour.

So much word, sunchick!

Tatiana- yes. RS also let the contesta ts do originals AND play instruments from the get-go.

ETA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLs39Ex10Ro

For Sarah.

I love David Cook’s voice and I don’t care who opens for him as long as I see him perform. Having said that, I had no idea who Ryan Star is, so I youtubed him. Dude can sing! Loved his version of Losing My Religion. Maybe people will be like me and have no idea what show he was on and just judge him for his performance. Sort of like what DC fans are hoping will happen for David. I came to AI last year, because of the Davids. I had no idea there was this much stigma related to being on the show. When I hear a voice I love, I just buy the music because I like it. I don’t care how I came to know the artist. I am not a Justin Timberlake fan, but many people are. Did people not buy his music or go to his concerts because he was a mouseketeer? lol.

I just went on Rock Star journey through the tube.

I liked Toby just okay. Loved Ryan.

BUT, my faves by far were Marty and Jordis. Jordis cracked under the pressure in the end, but wow. Man Who Sold the World. This is how Imagine should be done.

Then Marty was forced to do Britney and he came up with this gem.

He was known for his OTT behavior so they challenged him to strip it down and he came up with a haunting version of Wish You Were Here.

I also loved “Sweet Suzie” McNeil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiUGm5aIWYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0MilVU-F5w

And the Rock Star band pwned the AI band.

Either Mark Burnett has more influence in the music world, or Rock Star was more willing to pay for GOOD songs to be sung on the show.

See, now i’m really pissed DC isn’t coming anywhere near the west coast.

I flove Ryan Star, not as much as DC but still would love to see them together in one show. :cry_tb: Now I’m depressed.

Remember THIS performance? woot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBCnWxrA-U&feature=related

I really love acoustic Ryan Star but a lot of the videos you all are linking to are older. If you want an idea of the vibe and direction of Ryan’s music to see what he’ll likely play at a show and what will be on his new album I’d check out his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rstar

Last Train Home is the first single, Right Now and This Could Be the Year have been used in a lot of NFL features including promos from this past Super Bowl, Brand New Day is the theme song to the show Lie to Me.

pj Feb 7th, 2009 at 1:24 am

I just went on Rock Star journey through the tube.

I liked Toby just okay. Loved Ryan.

BUT, my faves by far were Marty and Jordis.

PJ, I assume you saw Marty’s original composition, Trees? He performed two versions, one with the band and an acoustic duet with Dave Navarro. Marty was my favorite Rockstar: INXS contestant.

My favorites from both seasons performed Mr. Brightside, so maybe it’s the Killers that I really like. Plus Toby also covered Somebody Told Me. Hmmm.

I do prefer Toby’s version to Marty’s, but it cracks me up when Marty’s voice starts morphing into a fake British accent. I also floved Toby’s original composition, Throw It Away.

I enjoyed Ryan Star’s song choices more than his actual performances, but I’m surprised that he hasn’t blown out his voice yet. Hopefully, his label hooked him up with a vocal coach.

tigervixxen – thanks for the myspace info. His new stuff sounds like a cross between Daughtry and Matchbox 20 or Goo Goo Dolls to me..very marketable Hot AC stuff. Really catchy. I bet his album will do very well. Good for him!

Perfect match! My fave from Rockstar is Storm Large but still~

I’m firmly with Bob Lefsetz on touring with other people, “only do it when you share an audience”. David and Ryan definitely do. Not in the sense that they both were on reality shows, but that they have very similar styles, and both are really hot. I learned about Ryan through his song We Might Fall, before having watched Rockstar. So, really happy about this.

A lot of my friends(most of whom are college students BTW…) were pretty hyped about Ryan opening for David, before I told them Ryan endorsed Archuleta. LOL.

An opening act from another reality show, that could be a problem. I think the Rock Star show is less cheesy in peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s minds than other reality shows but I could be wrong.

I have to disagree with this. The rock world to its very core is the least accepting of “inauthentic” musical acts. So a show whose stated design is to “create” a rockstar would receive the most scorn of all reality singing shows from those in the rock world.

This is why the example of the Kelly/ Clay tour receiving acceptance is completely inapplicable. Pop music has readily embraced prefabricated, TV show spawned singers, and that’s logical, because many pop stars who didn’t get their start on TV are nonetheless pre-fabricated themselves. But, rock is a different game altogether.

But, what this all comes down to, as I said previously, is press portrayal. If the stories don’t mention Ryan Star’s background as a television show singer, then there’s no issue. But, if the headline is “Ex-Reality Show Singers Go On Tour together”, well, then that is a problem indeed.

“Ex-Reality show singers go on tour together.”

Ya that doesn’t sound too good. The press would try to make Cook out as trying to hold onto American Idol and Reality show television.

Really? Wow, didn’t know the press cared so much about Cook’s tour to report his rather obscure headliner as breaking news. So far other than the tour announecement it’s mostly been local press publications about shows selling out. The Idol blogosphere might go there, but large publications? Guess we’ll have to wait and see what headlines (if any) this gets.
I think some of you are overestimating slightly how closely the press follows David’s career and actions. Just slightly.

IMHO, even if there will be such headlines, they won’t cause any problem whatsoever. The shows are sold, the people who aren’t going to the shows won’t care one way or the other, the people who snub Cook because he won AI are already biased against him and won’t need any extra fuel.
This tour is for winning over new fans, it’s not meant to win over everyone, certainly not the ones predisposed to hate anything that’s linked to reality TV.

In the end – I think the whole thing is a moot point – Cook has such strong ties to AI as its current winner, that anyone who goes to see him would have to be open-minded enough about AI. His opening act is such a non-issue compared to that.

Count me as one who couldn’t give a rat’s patootie about marketing strategy and is psyched for a great show! (I’m selfish that way.)

Thanks for all the updates on Toby Rand! I still have “Throw It Away” on my ipod. :cool1_tb:

Im a big fan of Ryan’s as well as David Cook’s. Ive loved Ryan’s music since his band stage. I have to agree with djmom what you see on TV is actually not always a true perception of an artist’s character or their talent. I have also met Ryan in person many many times as I live in his home town and have been to alot of shows. He really is a sweetheart and loves his fans. He constantly engages his audience at his show and at every show he will stay to meet every fan, take pictures or just chat for a few. He stays as long as he has too!
There are many similarities between david and Ryan. When I heard they were going to tour together I was exstatic! For me it’s not about the reality show thing that was just a way I found David Cook but how much they both love their music and pull at your heart strings. Ryan’s music just like David’s relates to each of our lives and grabs hold of your soul! Plus there both nice to look at.lol
Seriously You wont regret having Ryan Star opening for David and will fall in love as much as RStar Fans :biggrin_wp:

The press would try to make Cook out as trying to hold onto American Idol and Reality show television.

LOL, yeaaaah…. I think that’s really quite a stretch.

Ryan endorsed Archuleta. LOL.

Say what? How could he endore Archuleta? He doesn’t even need to shave! :lol_tb:

Okay, now y’all made me look at those RS vids. House Band.. :wub_tb: Wonder where those guys are now? I admit I thought the concept was horrible when I heard about it and felt like it was in really poor taste to attempt to replace MH in such a way, but I warmed up to the show. The House Band was killer, the talent was legit, the song selection blew AI’s theme weeks out of the water, but they really sold me when they allowed the singers to perform original tunes. AI has inched in that direction more the past two years but aren’t there yet, and IMO it took RS to a whole other level. I did like Jordis and Marty and Suzie, but towards the end of the first season I was mostly a JD girl because I dug me some Pretty Vegas .

Man, I still wonder what Cook would have been like performing with the House Band from RS instead of Ricky Minor and crew….

“…ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not the public association that Cook should be striving for in the infancy of his solo career.”

This. For me, this is the issue in play. Not the concerts themselves, or the ticket sales, or what have you. It’s the image and association.

Cook has done a fairly good job of being “non-Idol like” even while being on Idol (and the Idol.) You know, he wasn’t planning to audition, he just didn’t see Idol as his path, it was not a competition but a progression, the announcement that he won was the most absurd thing he’d ever heard, sometimes you have to kiss the beast to save the beauty (this was my personal favorite lol) etc, etc, etc. Although certainly there are things that he has to do by contractual obligation, and he’ll always be an AI winner, downplaying the connection or treating it as a distant memory is the way to go, in my view.

Not that I like to compare them, because I don’t see them as all that comparable, but did Daughtry do his small venue tour with another former reality TV contestant? And, his first large venue tour was with whom? I know, I know, different in countless ways, but for me, the need to disassociate (even if only in image) to the extent possible is paramount.

pj, thanks for all the links! I think Losing My Religion is still my fave. And I bought Last Train Home when it was first on itunes for the soundtrack to that movie. I really would love to see these two together.

I think this is a pretty good pairing. I remember Ryan as talented and intense. For me RS: Supernova wasn’t as good as RS: INXS, mainly due to the judging panel (!) and the wierdness of Lukas Rossi. Marty Casey & the Lovehammers did get a major album out after RS: INSX, to set the record straight.
The CBS show was head and shoulders over AI as a showcase of talent and rock music, after being gone 3 years, I still hope the show will return to the air.
I’d go see Ryan and DC them if they were playing near me, which they are not. By the facts people have cited, it looks like Ryan is definitely is being pushed for the majors.

>Really? Wow, didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know the press cared so much about Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s tour to report >his rather obscure headliner as breaking news.

They don’t. The press doesn’t care that much about him, period. There are not going to be front-page headlines declaring that his career is over and his credibility is dead.

weareallinnocent, Honestly, Ryan has been trying to get away from that “connection” of being on rockstar. He actually was not even going to do the show and was encouraged at last minute. He talks about his decision to be on RS alot in interviews when asked stating the reason he went on was to “get his music out to more people or as he states to the world”, which it definately did! He has fans in tailand, germany and england which he would have never had before. I totally get the whole getting away from reality television scene and Ryan has definately done that to us fans. David will be the same. we may right now remember he is the american idol but 3yrs later we wont barely even think about his association with AI, just like rstar fans dont associate him with RS as this is more than 3yrs later. We just enjoy his music! To see his stuff on Rockstar is not a true glimpse into him definately check out some of his new stuff. :clap_tb:

I fail to see why it’s a bad thing this guy is opening for David. The truth is, other than us, people who know everything Idol, only the ones going to the concert will know who opened for David. And of those who are going to be there, only some will remember his name, only a few will know he was in a reality show. And will that matter? I doubt. What David has to do is to go up there and give a show that the audience enjoys and remembers, no one cares if the guy who opened for him was in some reality show 3 years ago.
I don’t even think David has to distance himself that much from American Idol, Yes, there are snobs who don’t care about people who were on reality TV, but that’s not the general audience. Most people don’t care, don’t know where you came from. They just want music that they like to listen, give it to them and they will listen to you.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the image and association.

David will ALWAYS be associated to American Idol. Doesn’t matter who opens for him, that image will always be with David.

This sounds like a good combination, Ryan’s music is in David’s genre and he seems quite good. And it’s good for David to have an opening act, it gives quite the good impression to an artist.

David is not Daughtry. Daughtry had the ability to distance himself since he went out in 4th place. David is the current American Idol, he’s got the AI title around his neck…he’s playing Disney parades and is going to be headlining the opening of the Disney/AI theme park. As long as he’s part of events like that I don’t see his people exactly trying to break him away from all things Idol just yet anyway.

I don’t think that this is going to hurt David in any way, although I don’t like the pairing. I don’t think he should have another reality show contestant opening for him, no matter how many years ago Ryan was on Rockstar. I could not stand Ryan on the show, and he’s done nothing since to change my mind. I thought he was way over the top on the show, very full of himself and rude when he was kicked off.

I really wish that someone else was opening for my show, but I guess I’ll get over it. At least I’ll get some good music when David comes on.

Over 100 posts on David Cook’s opening act? Bwah!! Oh, David.

I love DC, have never heard of Ryan Star or the show he was on – but, an opening act has never and will never stop me from seeing a main act I love, no matter who they are.

I’ll admit I cringed a little when I found out he is also from a reality show, but most people going either won’t know or won’t really care. I also agree that this little college tour will not be making any huge headlines.

What I’m really looking forward to is who will be opening for him on his next tour, because (fingers crossed) that’s the one I’ll probably be able to go to (and I’m fully aware that he may be the opener himself on his next tour – I’m just Dreaming Big).

I’m not sure if it really bothers me that another contestant from another reality show will be opening for David Cook, although the first thing that crossed my mind was – why? I think it would have been better to have un unknown band, perhaps one David Cook likes and therefore happy to give them a bit of exposure. David Cook had been there before as a struggling musician so he must understand how hard it is for an unknown band to get the publicity they need.

As for Rockstar, I don’t really think much of that as a show. Most of the contestants seemed more like wannabes with pretend rock star attitude and singing styple – they appeared to think singing a rock song must mean screeching at the top of their voice. A lot of the contestants are simply unlikeable. Ryan Star seemed to have a bit of an attitude himself, and I do wonder whether if he can get on well with David Cook who is a much more relaxed and affable person.

David’s concerts and tours have been selling out very quickly. It’s nice to know that David can sell tickets on his name alone.

What a fantastic break for Ryan Star and his career. Hope he gets more fans from this. I don’t know his music at all. I look forward to hearing his music.

^^^”What a fantastic break for Ryan Star and his career.”

Completely agree with this perspective and point!

Trina, good point about the Disney gigs, too. LOL

sweetsassy, thanks for your insights and perspective as well. All good points.

As I said before, never judge people by what TV shows you. Ryan truely is humble and a sweetheart. All I can say is Im happy for both musician’s and hope they have a wonderful tour!

I think you all will be quite suprised, as there will be many of us Ryan Star Fans who will be at these shows :surrender_tb:

It will be interesting to see how many college “kids” go the concerts compared to DC’s legion of cougar fans.

The interesting thing is that I’ve gotten 3 or 4 “Google Alerts” since this *broke.* The way I see it, nobody freaking cares. This isn’t news. Nobody cares who opens for David Cook. Sorry to all you Ryan Star fans but it’s just really not news.

Bottom line – David Cook is playing to sold out college venues. This is a dream for him. He is a musician that wants his music to be heard. My guess is that he is a very happy man right now! A year ago, this would not have been possible for him. He is also very smart and in control of his music and image. I think he would never have agreed to Ryan Star if he didn’t feel it was right for him. I just don’t see this as that big of a deal or impending disaster as far as him being taken seriously. Many established artists were eager to work with him on his record right after Idol, because they thought he was extremely talented. He is probably way too busy rehearsing and getting ready for tour to read the blogs, but I bet he would get a chuckle out of the debate his choice for opening act has caused.

The fact that Cook is selling his shows on his PRESENT tour has no relevance to this discussion. Those shows were selling out before the opening act was announced. (Although there’s been reports of a lot of scalping going on, so we’ll see how much of the audiences are actually comprised by college students).

But, the media that comes out of this tour could definitely impact his FUTURE success. It’s about branding. He’s trying to brand himself as a serious musical artist and, as much as possible, move away from the TV-manufactured-artist tag. But, if he is seen as and branded as more of a reality-show music star than a serious artist, then that can absolutely affect future airplay, album sales, and also the success of future tours.

Completely random but woah! I just came back from Target and they had the Light On video playing on monitors in the music section! I had to do a double take. After LO finished I stuck around a bit longer to see what else was shown and followed was Akon/Lil Waynes I’m So Paid, Springsteens “Working On a Dream’ and Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’. Then after that a voice just saying to buy the latest music at Target. I wonder if this is paid promo..?

Good for Ryan Star if he’s opening for Cook. In the big world, I can’t imagine anyone caring much if at all. The majority of these gigs will be to college students and not the general public anyway.

Any fans who make it to the shows will probably be the “super fans” of both who are willing to buy tickets from broke college students at premium prices.
And if Star is Cook’s opening act when he goes for the bigger gigs, so what. I don’t see this as any big deal.

BTW, I see that I’ve been linked at a Ryan Star fansite. For those of you who wish to “make your mark” here, you might want to read my guidelines first:

http://mjsbigblog.com/?page_id=1172

I’ll just let y’all know, I have very little patience with pissy board incursions. But, so far so good. As long as you follow the rules, all will be well.

I hope DC has great success with this tour. Hope nobody took my little college kid conversation the wrong way. I was just kiddin around. But, truly, some of my babysitters are college kids and when you mention idol to them they just roll their eyes…

I guess ultimately, I don’t see him as getting “rocker cred.” I guess I don’t care either because from what I can see, it doesn’t really sell albums. They are about being special but they certainly aren’t about supporting people who make music. I guess I’m really over the rocker thing due to this. I mean do I want people I like to sell enough to make more albums or do I want them to have “cred” whatever that is? My whole thing has always been about hearing more from those who I like, so the rocker cred is actually not only overblown in this instance, but really stupid. I’m thing they shot themselves in the ass. I mean in two weeks, the Boss couldn’t sell what the American Idol did. Oh and he had a freaking superbowl to do it….so save me your cred. I doubt seriously that it matters.

With artists who have been working musicians for most of their adult life, the reality show option has to be a really tough call because there will always be people who see them as being “from” said reality show. This is apparently true for Ryan Star, and it’s even more true for David Cook because he won. He IS the American Idol until a new one is crowned in May, and his press package will probably have that little tidbit in there until the day he dies no matter how many other accomplishments he has in his career.

The thing is though, as a fan of Ryan Star who encountered his music via RS:SN, I don’t think of that show when I see him perform or listen to his new music. I’m glad the show existed because it introduced me to an artist whose music I really connect with, but I don’t think about reality television as any more than a stop along the way that helped him get where he is now. I’m pretty sure there are David Cook fans who feel the same way.

Hearing that Ryan is opening for David Cook made me say “hmmm… Maybe I’ll check out David Cook.” If the sentiment goes both ways, that would be really cool.

Velva, I was actually about to check out Ryan Star, until I heard that he endorsed David Archuleta. I’m not interested in that…sorry. I guess I don’t understand a rocker who doesn’t endorse a rocker. I heard all , everly last thing, archuleta did and I find Ryan Star’s endorisng him a huge detriment to Ryan Star, so much so that I don’t really care what he does. Sso yeah, I guess he lost me there.

Nevermind. Honestly, after a season is over I really look at people with fresh eyes. Just trying not to take a kareoke reality TV show too seriously in the end.

If an argument starts here, I’m going to be deleting a whole bunch of posts. Do not bait or mock your fellow posters, please.

LOL re “endorsing” Archuleta! What does that even mean? Nothing like bringing it full circle back to AI fan madness. I think we’ve left the planet for an alter-universe! ;-P

Velva, I really appreciated your post and getting another perspective on things, and I agree with you completely, that’s exactly how I feel about Cook – AI was a step on his journey, and the road ahead is open and could go so many places.

Oh, and I will definitely check Ryan out after hearing such great things about him from Cook fans who heard his stuff. Appearantly there really is a common ground and a similar vibe, according to them, and I for one am curious.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy what you hear from Cook as well.

And I could care less who he “endorsed”, whatever that means.

I have no idea who this Ryan Star is. I don’t watch reality TV shows. I only ever watched AI7 Top 2 on lark but normally don’t watch these types of shows. Good luck to him.

AI and Rockstars are shows that are launching pads for musicians and artists – that’s their brand promise, no? No one is disputing the legitimacy of Kelly, Leona Lewis, Carrie or Miranda Lambert, who is a country star who was discovered off Nasheville Star. The more artists who launch off their careers off of reality music shows the more that chips away or debunks the alleged ‘stigma’ of AI myth. David owes his fame to AI, a reality TV show, and there is no shame in that fact. I’m glad that AI continues to pimp him, Kelly and Carrie as well. So rather than ‘run’ away from a reality music tv foundation, I think David embraces and acknowledges it. So to me, this Ryan Star choice says that David likes his music. Why should the fact that Ryan was a contestant on a TV reality music show be a deterrant? That would be kettle/pot scenario, I’d imagine. I just think this underscores his belief and Fuller’s belief that genuine musicians can come from TV shows, even thought it’s not AI, but same premise.

I think it’s interesting that DC threads always get so many comments. He seems to create a lot of heat in people, which probably bodes well for him.

The # of comments on David Cook topics always interests me! This is quite fun to read. I’m not worried at all about Ryan Star being Cook’s “opening act” on this mostly college tour. I don’t remember Star from RS:SN and I only watched a few episodes of each of the RS shows. I DO remember David Cook though! hah. I’m also not very worried about seeing 2 “reality TV show” rocker dudes on the same bill. It’s about the music now for me and has been for some time with Cook. I’m really interested in seeing Ryan Star now too, what with all the comments on mjs here.

I don’t see this tour or this opening act adversely affecting Cook. It’s his first solo tour after his AI exposure (yeah, and WIN). WOOHOO! He’s got one platinum selling single (an AI coronation song, OK, but it IS platinum), another rising single from his record, and his first major label album went platinum in about 2 months. I just don’t see that there’s some serious NEED to distance himself from Idol, reality TV show winner-ness, and somehow earn “rock cred” at this point. What, he’s not gonna “make it” in the business if he doesn’t totally disassociate himself from AI RIGHT NOW? I’m going to give him a little more time and a few more records to make it or break it. hee. From all appearances, he IS doing what he wants to do, playing the music he wants to play, has the band he wants to be in. He is continuing to establish himself in the music biz and music world. He’s been earning his way for years already.

As long as he can earn a living doing what he wants, I’m gonna listen and buy and watch. I really hope he’ll be around for many years, making music to share with those who want to hear it. I don’t attach any stigma to him for being on AI – I’m thankful for it because I doubt I ever would’ve heard him without AI.

He seems to create a lot of heat in people

With just a kiss on the neck. :smoke_tb: :innocent1_tb:

Found some new Ryan vids. I am digging that song. The bongo dude is super awesome. I think he was in his old band? It looks like Justin from Stage.

AI and Rockstars are shows that are launching pads for musicians and artists

Yeah, in another thread here, I was sayig that television has been a launch pad for new artists for as long as I can remember. Older generations had Ed Sullivan and what? Bandstand, I guess? My generation had MTV (120 minutes was my favorite when I was a kid.) Now there’s AI and (ack!) Disney. I remember MTV had it’s detractors back in the day. Of course AI in the early years used to push the R&B and tweenie crap and poo poo the rock, which helped solidify the whole fluffy pop diva stigma. Now that they give equal weight to rock, pop, country, folk, etc, it’s gonna take awhile to shake that whole only a belting diva or a bubblegum tween idol can be successful coming from AI stigma, but it will happen.

found these fresh new ryan star videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YXDq9ItNh0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rBmdr97KSU
good stuff.
:thumbup_tb:

With just a kiss on the neck.

hee. Love that song. It would seriously be a big hit if released as a single.

I don’t give much importance to “rock cred” either. I think it’s kind of irrelevant. I listen to rock among other things. There’s all kinds of rock so it’s really a vague term anymore. Trying to label music is like trying to catch sunlight in a box. Okay I’m being poetic ha.

I didn’t like Ryan Star on Rock Star, but from all these endorsements here I’d be open to listening to his music and taking a second look. I agree with those who said that the bigger world won’t care about who opens for DC. I hope Ryan and David and his band all have a great time, make great music, and entertain their audiences.

You know those people who don’t watch reality shows instead watch some shows that I don’t get at all. Like Nip Tuck or CSI, violent or graphic shows. No thanks, give me my AI with all its cheese and manipulation, at least there are some talented kids on it and some sincerity.

Just an opinion…but for me it isn’t a good decision for DC. Ryan can out do him. Hot guy with a great voice and instrumental talent.

I just want to say Im also extremely excited to see David live for the first time with all his hotness…! Especially looking forward to hearing light on and heroes my two favorite songs off the album. Also Thank you for keeping an open mind on Ryan and his music. I just love them both. *hehe* :wub_tb:

found these fresh new ryan star videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YXDq9ItNh0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rBmdr97KSU
good stuff.

Okay, I think I figured out how this whole Cook/Star tour arrangement came about. Overheard backstage at the Jingle Jam…

Cook: I like your hat.
Star: Thanks, man. I like your hat.
Cook: We’re like hat soulmates or something.
Star: *nods* Chicks dig condom hats.
Cook. Word. Plus, they keep your ears warm. So, wanna open for me on tour?
Star: F*ck yeah! R U serious?
Cook: As a heart attack. I liked your set. .
Star: Awesome. I liked your set, too.
CooK: Cool. CU in Febs.
Star: ‘kay. L8ers.

:smile1_ee: :innocent1_tb:

^^^^^^^^ROTFLMAO!!! They both like to sing about circles and death too!

I don’t think it’s the best match but based on all of the ticket sellouts that have been occurring, I don’t think David needs help from another artist to draw crowds. I looked at some of the Utube links of RS and I wasn’t crazy about the performances, but I’ve been to tons of concerts where I didn’t like the opening act and it never affected my enjoyment of the main performance… and it sounds like RS definitely has his fans! As for the reality show connection….it will only hurt him if reviewers decide to spin it in a negative way, so I’m hoping that doesn’t happen.

BWHAHAHAHA sunchick! Good stuff there. I just had to say add this from my personal experiences. I once went to a Jackson Browne show JUST to see the opening act, John Hiatt. I actually left after Hiatt finished and Jackson Browne came on. I stayed for maybe 1-1/2 songs from Browne, who was so boring I went home. But John Hiatt was GREAT!

When I was in college, I don’t recall getting any actual rock or pop shows on our campus. But I DID go to many concerts, from high school on. I didn’t have a lot of money either but if I really wanted to see someone, I found the funds somehow.

After watching him on AI, finding more of his own music, and seeing the AI tour (more than once), I had already decided that I would do whatever I possibly could to see Cook live with a real band, doing what they wanted to do, as soon as possible. And if he’s going to have an opening act, well maybe I’ll discover some MORE new (to me) music that I like. Cool.

lurksalot said:

Just an opinionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦but for me it isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t a good decision for DC. Ryan can out do him. Hot guy with a great voice and instrumental talent.

You know, that’s one aspect of this opening/headlining pairing that I had not thought about. As alums of reality shows, both acts will bring along fandoms that are more apt to engage in X is better than Y comparisons as opposed to maybe just saying Y just isn’t my cuppa but X is. I don’t think there will be crazy Kelly vs. Clay levels of fanwarring when they co-headlined, but there may be some of that. Hopefully, it’s a very small segment of the total crowd for the tour.

At the very least, I hope there’s some cross-pollination of the fandoms because both fandoms (one would think) would be less apt to dismiss the other act because they came from a reality show background.

I attended a sm/med sized state university and whenever there was a concert on campus, I went 90% of the time because it was cheap and within walking distance. My questions were always 1- When is it? 2- How much? 3- what type of music? Hell I saw Hootie and Blowfish and the Black Crows in college before they were big names and back then the tics were either free to students or $5.00. If it was a free/cheap concert I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t give a rats ass who it was and REALLY didnt care who the opening act was, if there was one. Most of the time I never got there in time for the opening act anyway.

IMHO, if someone wants to go see DC in concert, they really donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care who the hell the opening act is or if there is one. And since tickets for many of the shows have already been sold before the announcement of the opening act, this will make not one bit of difference.

I wouldn’t give a rat’s ass either. If $5.00 gets me into a concert with music I like–who cares. I wouldn’t care who the opening act is–nobody cares about that. It cost more to see a movie and I bet I’d have a lot more fun at the concert. Since I would do anything to go to a David Cook concert and there was an opening act–it’s just to warm up the audience for what’s to come–the real act.

Stigma about being a “realty” star. Cripes, Cook as far as I was concerned was no longer a contestant after he sang Billie Jean. After that he performed better than the guest stars did. Never head of Ryan Star and wouldn’t care either. No, going to a Cook concert on his “tewer” is selling like hotcakes all by itself and people are complaining they can’t get tickets.

I’m one of those who are very happy that Ryan is opening for David on this tour. I’ve always wanted to see Ryan live, but it never happened for me until now. Instead of not really appreciating the opening act and waiting impatiently for the main act, I’ll be enjoying the whole night in Niagara. Awesome!