Taylor Hicks – A Capitol Fourth – VIDEO

Woo Hoo, Taylor videos! Thanks MJ.

Now,that’s what I call a great mini concert. No one lights up a stage like Taylor Hicks.

So good to see Taylor again. He always brings a smile to my face! He looks oh so sexy. Thanks MJ.

The crowd sure seemed to be enjoying him.

Jerry Lee Lewis has had WAAAAAY too much Botox, but I know it was a thrill for Taylor have shared billing with Jerry Lee . . .

I must say that this is the very first time that I have enjoyed Taylor’s performances. Although the TV was on, I didn’t actually start listening to Taylor until the second song but I enjoyed “Dancing In The Dark and “This Land Is Your Land”. Someday I may play the video of “Soul Thing” so that I can see what I missed by not paying attention. (Actually I listened to the second song and turned around and actually watched some of the last song.)

Last year they had Elliott perform, this year, Taylor. I wonder if they will stick with Season 5 next year or go for another season’s Idol. LOL.

Mmm. I think it’s Katharine McPhee’s turn next year.

I love This Land … I love Taylor too — this was terrific! Thanks for the video, MJ!

Loved seeing Taylor perform again. I miss the guy–he’s so much fun! Hope when he goes back on tour he’ll consider Massachusetts–perhaps the Lowell Auditorium (within walking distance from my home) or Boston. He was great at the Avelon last year. So sweet of my boys to get me tickets and accompany me–had two handsome guys at my side and they were such good sports since they’re not into American Idol. Thank you for the videos–reminded me of the good old days. Hope to see more of him on TV or at least when his dvd comes out.

I loves me a dancin’ man!

I’ve also missed Taylor. What a delightful mini-concert he gave us tonight. Great song choices. Hope we hear more from him in the near future. Looking forward to his next album.

Wow, such an entertainer! Taylor eats, sleeps, and breathes this stuff, and it sure shows! Love watching him live….makes me smile….Thanks a million!

You tell it Taylor!

He’s a great performer, energizes the audience – I just hope he’ll get some new moves — that one toe is tapping too many times.

Good on him!

his voice sounded good but good god why is he still doing that awful soul thing song.

also i think it really is time now to get rid of the gray…it worked as a gimmick for a while but is just plain werid now

Blair, that’s his hair! LOL!

I thought he was great. I really enjoyed seeing him again on my TV!

Great way to spend the Fourth- watching Taylor! He’s always so much fun to watch. I thought he was a lot better than Huey Lewis.

Taylor’s dancing has improved by leaps and bounds. Those was some pretty nifty moves there.
Coupled with that energy, stage presence, and cconsistent vocal, just a great show.

Just last year we were watching Elliott’s fine performance. I remember wishing Taylor would have this exposure and a chance to shine. Wishes do come true.

Great job Taylor! You rocked it!

Taylor rocked the Capitol !!
Great energy, great look, great singing, and great dancing.
I cringed a bit as he was working those stairs but his timing
was superb !!

Go Taylor. Still think he should have a musical variety tv show w/him as host.

I was lucky enough to see Taylor’s TV performance twice! What a terrific job he did. He has energy, class, and all the right moves! Now, more people will be exposed to the fine talent he is!

I hope he had the opportunity to meet Jerry Lee Lewis. As a man in his mid-70s, he still knows how to entertain.

Blair, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s his hair! LOL!

and? he can’t change it?

and? he can’t change it?

I think the point is, his hair is naturally gray, it’s part of who he is. Coloring away the gray is a personal choice. Many people, men especially, choose to stick with the gray. There is nothing weird or gimmicky about that, imo.

That was fun to watch. Taylor’s love of performing came through and the crowd loved it. He’s having fun, making money, and doing what he loves. I say, good for him!

Glad Taylor had a great time! He is so much fun to watch & so great at entertaining. This is hard for me to write because I can’t say I loved it, so please don’t hate on me, lol. All of the songs sounded rushed, and he had a weird vibratto in his voice which made it sound shaky instead on every song. I would have enjoyed it better were Taylor more relaxed and slowed down . I’m very happy for Taylor to get this kind of exposure especially since he will have a new cd out fairly soon. Hope he gained new fans from this!

Dancing In The Dark was awful – awkward dance moves and missed lyrics, sounds like he saying “Effing With Myself”. Not enough rehearsal time or nerves? First song, Soul Thing, was good and the other song was OK as well.

I know Taylor was there, but… BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL!!!!

Sorry. Fangirl moment. I’m gushing inside now.

I recorded the show as we were out at a festival, and yeah, definitely it’s questionable, regarding those DITD lyrics. lol Man, I love it when the guy gets all improvisational and takes those lyrical “libertays”.

He sounded rushed but perhaps time constraints were a big issue. The whole Bruce Springsteen/Courtney Cox video moment leaned toward the trite side. You know – it’s been done… Perhaps it was thought that was an ‘expected’ part of the song performance.

I thought Taylor had way to much virbrato going on then I have ever heard in his voice! Soul thing tempo I thought was too fast.

sounds like he saying à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Effing With Myselfà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ .

Yeah, I had to laugh at him saying “f*cking with myself” in front of a pile of kids on the 4th of July…and everyone just kept on smiling. Odd lyrical choice for the occasion, dude? lol Looked like he was really enjoying himself up there though, happy for him.

I thought he was hideously off-pitch in parts. And this is coming from a fan. But at least he combed his hair.

I don’t know. I’m getting kind of bored with Taylor. I’ll give the new CD a chance — maybe it’ll be more of what I was expecting. He certainly doesn’t owe me anything, and he should make the music and perform the songs that make HIM happy, but eh, it just doesn’t do it for me anymore.

I enjoyed Soul Thing and especially liked This Land Is You Land. I HATED Dancing in the Dark. Both the singing and dancing. Just no. yeah I hated it when he did it on AI too.

I like the salt and pepper look on men. I think it suits Taylor and makes him look handsome and distinguished.

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Thanks for the video. I missed the show last night. Wow, what an entertainer. I smiled through the whole set. I don’t know how it does but he always makes me feel good. I think it’s his infectious attitude toward life – it came shining through on this performance. It’s a rare talent. Thanks again!

I am sooooo glad he got to sing Soul Thing. I really love his original stuff.

I think the point is, his hair is naturally gray, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s part of who he is. Coloring away the gray is a personal choice. Many people, men especially, choose to stick with the gray. There is nothing weird or gimmicky about that, imo.

it still was a gimmick for AI.that’s what first got him noticed imo.
everyone wa stalking about the “gray haired dude” and not necessarily his singing. i just think it doesn’t do him any favors anymore at this point. besides i saw some old pics of him once and he looked so much better with darker hair and some facial hair.

I have to agree that the Dancing in the Dark was my least favorite performance. But, he seemed to be having a great time and the crowd seemed to as well. This man seems right at home on a stage. So good on him!

I agree with Lu on that point and I watched the whole program. Huey Lewis whom slipped and Taylor at times were barely audible on stage both also seemed to be rushed to get thier set of songs done. Who knows maybe a tech problem or because of the rain eariler. Taylor seemed to be having a blast at his forte’ and is a good enough singer an is doing what he loves.(sounds famililar)I do not set bars for artists except for some behavior ,No more comando Britney.
I was very immpressed with the young girl who was a classicle singer. Simon bashing the theater hellow Brian Mitchell would be a proffessional amongst amatuers any year on idol.

Gray hair like haveing Jason cut his dreads trust me those eventually will turn..Now where is that dye..

I enjoyed seeing Taylor and he looked so happy up there. I too thought the songs were rushed and I am a big Taylor fan. Good to see him on TV again since I won’t make it to Grease.

Uh, I listened to Taylor’s lyrics in DITD a couple of times. What I hear is “funnin’ with myself.” Give the guy some credit for knowing his audience. He’s getting some positive press right now. Do you honestly think he’d take a chance on effing that up with some “bad” words??? LOL

That was a fun Taylor holiday performance. I also heard “funnin”, no “k” sound. Fans tend to notice more than the general public, and, probably have higher expectations. He looked to be having a good time performing for the crowd, so, I’m happy for him, and just generally happy to see him on TV again. Do not dye the silver!

I didn’t pay any attention at all to what Taylor said in the DITD song but I’m having a hard time picturing Taylor saying that he was “funnin with” himself. I’m not disagreeing that he said it… I just can’t picture it. :lol_wp:

I actually liked the faster “soul thing.” I even liked the rushed set, go figure. Everything, to me, sounded about right for the event, and the crowd seemed to enjoy. So, imo, it’s all good, lol

LOL Well à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“funnin withà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  would be just as funny. I’d swear re-watching on the DVR he said the alternative, but really it doesn’t matter, I was only kidding before. :wink_wp:

Ditto on not changing the hair! Grey is sexy, salt & pepper even sexier. Besides which, if he were to dye it now for the sake of pleasing peeps and distinguishing himself from his AI stint, wouldn’t dark hair then become the gimmick? heh

Besides which, if he were to dye it now for the sake of pleasing peeps and distinguishing himself from his AI stint, wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t dark hair then become the gimmick? heh

Exactly. His fans would be disappointed and his detractors would accuse him of being desperate.

His hair color is nice i think, and he should keep it…..just stay away from the bangs, STAY AWAY FROM THE BANGS PLEASE!

OMG I would have just died if I was that lady dancing with him LOL…Lucky lady. Thanks so much for these videos..Taylor is my fav American Idol and I just saw him on Broadway last week; he was fantastic ! Way to go Taylor !

Gosh, I don’t watch videos to tear someone to shreds or critique. I either enjoy the music or not. And, I enjoyed his set. I guess for every fan someone loses, there are 10 to take his/her place. Taylor is making new fans from his Broadway stint, and, I believe he probably picked up a few at the Capitol.

And, I agree, for Taylor to dye his hair now WOULD be gimmicky.

I thought he was hideously off-pitch in parts. And this is coming from a fan. But at least he combed his hair.

I wasn’t feeling the performance either. I only really enjoyed “Soul Thing”. The other two numbers? Eh. Why reprise “Dancing in the Dark” at this point? Another original song would have been better, imo.

I just love watching Taylor. Loved Soul Thing, it’s one of his babies so I always enjoy when he gets a chance to do his stuff. Dancing in the Dark was cool too. Hell I just like Taylor. Taylor’s gray was no gimmick. Yep, he’d look 10 years younger without it, but that would reek of selling out. If he was gonna do it, it would have been during his season, as the big transformation…..he didn’t bite then and rightfully so.

Loved his performance overall, although Dancing In The Dark was a bit of a hot mess and really I agree with MJ, why reprise this? I think this must have been the producers decision. But “This Land Is Your Land” was a great rendition with the high notes it was certainly “Taylorized”. He had the crowd going.

I want to know what funnin with yourself means It really doesn’t matter- just think it’s funny (or funnin)that so many people want to defend his choice of words(not on this board)

I was out watching fireworks but saw the program on the repeat. He and the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves. It came off as a very professional performance to me.

He seemed hyper to the max. The fast pace just added to the too-much-expresso feel. It all had an air of Reefer Madness. Probably the arrangements were so fast due to time constraints.

I’m a fan, but to tell you the truth, had I never heard of him before and just watched this PBS show by chance, I’d think he was just some guy who does the state fair circuit and also gigs at these kinds of events. It wouldn’t have left an impression one way or the other.

I used to love him on songs like Happier With Him. I guess I feel Taylor Hicks best when his voice is filled with pain. So suffer, Taylor, suffer! lol

For now, I am glad that he seems to be doing okay for himself. Still, as with any other musician, I’m not gonna go see him live unless he makes music I really and truly love. I don’t really relate to what he seems to be into these days.

I think Huey Lewis and Taylor were fast paced to reb up the crowd. They were on when it was light yet and had to make a visiual effect all on their own. This was a one time performance so I’m sure he didn’t want to learn many new songs. One was enough. I have to say I never mind when folks don’t do all the words exactly as written because I think about all the songs they sing and all the lyrics it must be tough to get them all right all the time. I have a hard time remembering what I did yesterday. I love Taylor and all his warts. If he was perfect he wouldn’t be Taylor. It’s his passion and leave it all on the stage attitude I love. He makes me smile and want more.

He really isn’t into anything these days, other than doing Grease. He has a new CD coming out. “First Works,” I think is going to be a polished album of his earlier albums. And, I liked all 3 songs, even if they were a bit rushed. I don’t like everything Taylor does, nor do I like everything any artist does, but, this set was pretty good, IMO. Those who attend his concerts say they are fantastic!

LoL, “funning with myself”???? Um, no, i don’t think so. LMAO!

Taylor is so much fun live; no one sits down! Any musician on stage who is really into the music feeds off the crowd and I think he was really enjoying himself on this program. I’m looking forward to “First Works”.

“This Land is Your Land” was appropriate to the 4th of July. The audience on the grounds and the TV audience either liked or didn’t. I doubt they even thought of it as a “set” of 3 songs. Simply entertainment for the event. He’s not on AI now, and he’s not being judged as critically as Simon would judge him on the show. The general public will either think he was lousy or superb or just nice job, and that is all the effort they will put in to it. We AI fans, on the otherhand, don’t even miss an eyelid twitch, lol….amazing.

However, he WILL be critically panned on his broadway thing and on his next album(s). That’s where the scrutiny is and will be. Just wanted to add that, as some things are new and splashed out there and will be analyzed to the max and should be. This Capitol 4th thing, though, just another engagement, one of many. :smile1_tb:

(I really like the guy, what can I say, lol)

Just an FYI: The name of the Taylors CD coming out on August 12th is called “EARLY WORKS”.

If you can, go and see Taylor as “Teen Angel” in Grease. I doubt you will be disappointed. Its worth the price of admission just to see him in that outfit and doing the hand jive.

I loved the way Taylor looks, gray hair and all. This is how we came to know him! I also question the inclusion of “Dancing in the Dark”; however, I am not complaining. The crowd was able to get into lyris singing with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“This Land Is Your Land.” Bravo, Taylor!

Besides which, if he were to dye it now for the sake of pleasing peeps and distinguishing himself from his AI stint, wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t dark hair then become the gimmick? heh

Exactly. His fans would be disappointed and his detractors would accuse him of being desperate.

hey i fully expected the SP to be against this but that’s not the point. the point is that taylor desperately needs new fans. that’s just a fact if he wants to remain a relevant recording artist. and yes i know he is on broadway and still on tv from time to time but people also make fun of him a lot. casual viewers or whatever do not take him serious as an artist.
and i know you guys and taylor ~so~ don’t care about sales but i guess i just don t like seeing idols fade into obscurity.

The good thing is Taylor is getting nothing but great press lately even for the Capitol Fourth appearance. I just hope it rolls over to his cd releases. Taylor is the best thing to happen to music and to entertainment( at least to me) in years and I want him to be successful and be performing for a long time. He can mess up lyrics and jump around like a banshee on Adderol on the stage and I’ll be watching and loving it.

First Works,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  I think is going to be a polished album of his earlier albums.

Please no- do not polish his songs. They lose the essence of Taylor.

Blair, that’s where we differ. I am a Taylor fan. I’m not sure I would qualify myself as a member of the Soul Patrol, although I’m not sure the distinction is all that important anyway. I don’t think changing his hair color would bring him new fans or make casual viewers take him seriously as an artist. In fact, I think it would do nothing but make him seem desperate and give all those bloggers and idiotic columnists a reason to tear him down. Taylor has been Taylor since we first met him on AI. For him to come across now as inauthentic, even in as small a way as hair color, would be a truly desperate move and completely unnecessary, imo.

His profile seems to be on an upswing with the outstanding reviews he’s gotten from Grease and the distribution agreement with Vanguard. His name is starting to seep into the general public conciousness again and as his public appearances step up toward the end of the year that will increase. I don’t think he’s in danger of fading into obscurity at anytime in the near future.

edit

Just a thought: How do we know that Taylor chose the songs for his set – other than, probably, Soul Thing? Could they have been chosen for him by the producers of the show?

There’s nothing wrong with changing your looks to appeal to a wider variety of people. Elliott Yamin did it! Clay Aiken did it! I’m not saying that Taylor should completely get rid of the gray, but adding more dark to his hair color would make him so much more appealing. People need to realize that it’s not just the music, but it’s your image too. But, ultimately the music has to be good! Taylor should completely get away from AC music. Taylor needs to rock out more! If he’s really into blues/soul, then do the real thing and not watered down versions. Blues and soul is get down and dirty music – not boy scout music!

Thanks for posting that, MJ. I didn’t get to catch the show. It’s good to see Taylor again. He looked great. I miss him.

exactly glamour

I’m a music person foremost so I can’t believe I was commenting on Jordin’s horizontal stripes earlier and now Taylor’s grey hair. He has most certainly improved his image with losing weight, losing the bangs, having better cuts for the hair, more tailored suits and expensive shoes as witnessed here. But no I most definitely do not think he should dye the hair dark. After all, it’s his trademark. He dyes it dark and he loses part of his essence and blends in with every one else. Boring! If anything, he should maintain the amount of darkness he does have left, as he ages it will most certainly go to all white. But the type of fans that gravitate to Taylor are either be 1. More mature, sophisticated (women) or 2. Not interested in the look (Jam Band/ Rock/Blues scene). I think he knows he will never appeal to teenage girls and with his style and look now he is entering George Clooney territory, which plenty of people find very attractive.

It was good.
It made me smile.
It made hundreds of thousands smile and dance.
Taylor brought it.
Did his job.
Energized the rainy-day crowd.

Re: the hair:
He won’t, nor should he ever, dye the hair.
Of course, that is just my humble opinion.

I would have to disagree with you regarding his fanbase, hoodathunk. His fanbase consists mostly of mature housewives (40-60 age range). He has the same fanbase as Clay Aiken. I would say he has very few, if any, younger single professional women. Taylor does not have to appeal to teenage girls, but about single women in their 20′s or 30′s? If you are a recording artist/live performer this is the demographic you want and, unfortunately, Taylor does NOT have.

Glad you are in touch with the demographics, Glamour.

Who did the survey you’re quoting?

All you have to do is go to fan sites to find out. It’s not that difficult to do and you can usually tell right away who his fans are and what age groups.

Very scientific.

Not scientific, but usually VERY accurate.

His fanbase consists mostly of mature housewives (40-60 age range). He has the same fanbase as Clay Aiken. I would say he has very few, if any, younger single professional women.

That’s a very sweeping generalization. I do not like Clay Aiken. Nothing against the guy but not my type of music. I am attracted to Taylor’s voice and personality. His love of life and music exudes from him. He makes me smile. I find that very, very sexy. For the record, I’m a grad student and if all goes well with my comps, I should be a professional woman next year

I didn’t say it was the same music, but it’s the same demographic – older, married women. Also, I didn’t say he didn’t have ANY younger fans, but the majority are OLDER.

All you have to do is go to fan sites to find out. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not that difficult to do and you can usually tell right away who his fans are and what age groups.

No one’s going to deny that Taylor has a very, VERY large contingent of middle-aged female fans. But taking an informal survey of fansites just isn’t an accurate method of measure. All it “proves” is that the fans most likely to form Internet communities are middle-aged females. Nothing more, nothing less.

The thing is, even if Taylor were to add 40 pounds of muscle and dye his hair, the music he makes and enjoys isn’t going to change. He’s not going to adopt a glamorous new image and start recording Nickelback ripoffs or emo music. So why should he change his image — especially when it’s something that’s so incredibly distinct about him — when the people who are apt to align their musical tastes with how the musician looks, not how he sounds, are never going to be into his “uncool” music?

Taylor does not have to appeal to teenage girls, but about single women in their 20à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s or 30à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s?

I can’t speak for the rest of us, but this single professional woman in her 20s likes musical artists for their music, not for how “cool” they look.

I would have to disagree with you on that one, Kat. If you are a fan of someone, regardless of age, you do go into fansites. To say that only middle-age women seek fansites is not accurate at all. As I recall, in the beginning, Taylor did have more younger posters, but they all lost interest and disappeared.

Music and image are tied together. If your image is uncool and so is your music, you will attract “uncool” fans as well.

Considering my major is mathematics with a minor in statistics, I feel compelled to respond to your conclusion. Your thesis is that since you find mostly older women on his websites (your finding not mine), you conclude that his fans are older women. However, in order to make a valid conclusion you would need a random sampling of the approximately 350 people who bought his CD for a 95% confidence level and +/- 5 confidence interval. The key here is random sampling, the fans online is a skewed sample and absolutely no conclusions can be made about his general fanbase. However, you could make conclusions about his online fans. I can confidently conclude that his general fanbase must be larger than his online fanbase. Even if there are 2,000 fans online (that has to be on the high end) they each would need to buy 350 CD’s to account for his his total sales – not possible. If it is possible than I wouldn’t mind having a fanbase of these 2,000 rich folks myself.

neonorange, OK if you don’t want to go by on-line fanbases. How about if we try one of his concerts? I attended one of his concerts in April, 2007. I was surrounds by older women, who were at least 10-30 years older than me. I dragged a girlfriend with me who really didn’t want to go. There was a girl sitting to the right of me that looked to be in my age group, it looked like she came with her grandmother. Other than the three of us, everyone around me was MUCH older. I saw scattered younger people here and there and children who came with their Moms, but the majority of people were middle-age women.

Music and image are tied together. If your image is uncool and so is your music, you will attract à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“uncoolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  fans as well.

You have such a low opinion of my generation. We are not all wrapped up in image. You are describing one faction of music fans who are mostly attracted to pop music and pop rock. There is a whole world of other music out there with fans (including young fans) that don’t care about image – Jam bands for instance. Widespread panic has been one of the top 50 grossing tours for the past 8 years running. David Schools ain’t pretty (IMHO) but I sure as hell wouldn’t pass up Schools-side Panic tickets!!! This country has 300 million people, just because 4 million or so like one kind of artist doesn’t mean there isn’t room for other artists to tap the other 294 million. Cheers.

Sorry, Glamour not to be a bitch but 1 concert out of 200 is still not a very good sample. I attended a concert at Orlando and there were many young people. Hardly fair to categorize the whole country based on one concert at one location.

Popularity will always win out. I know it sucks, but that’s the way it is. Based on his last CD, he failed to win new fans other than the AI crowd. Sorry, I know the truth hurts, but it is the truth.

Also, how else would a fan find out the demographic of his fanbase, other than attend a concert and go to his fansites? No, it’s not scientific, but I would imagine it’s good enough.

Wow, this seems real important to you. Good luck with that. I am off to enjoy listening to my newly arrived Warren Haynes Benefit Concert. Viewing in my room now – Squeeeee!!! All non-cool fans welcome!!!!

No, not real important to me, but I prefer to deal in reality.

From the Stage Door pictures when Taylor comes out to sign autographs – the crowd appears to be about 50% young kids and parents, teens, and men. The other half looks like women from 20 to 80.

From the videos: Everyone is screaming for him. Security is yelling for fans to get off the street because they’re blocking traffic. His bodyguards are pushing fans back to prevent them from collapsing the barriers. He takes his time and signs, chats and takes pics with some of the little kids, if he’s asked, and anyone in a wheelchair, etc. The other day he stopped to have a picture with a little girl who had Downs Syndrome. On one of the videos, an obviously mentally challenged young man was screaming for Taylor’s attention. Taylor signs his playbill and the kid says Thanks, Taylor, Soul Patrol, Baby! Taylor says, thank you, yeah, Soul Patrol! The young man was practically crying with excitement. (This entire exchange can be heard on the video and partially seen. Plus the lady who had the camera wrote about it.)
Taylor’s fan base is probably the most diverse of the Idols.
In fact, one of the Olympians (Tim Morehouse – Fencing) who was at the Capitol posted a picture of himself with Taylor and wrote in his blog that they had talked for a while at the reception after the concert. Said what a super nice guy Taylor was and to be sure to buy his album and if you can, go see him in NY.

A member of the choir was blogging about the Capitol experience, and wrote that one of the cutest things that night was when Taylor Hicks (who she didn’t know because she doesn’t watch Idol)
came up to the back of the orchestra near the choir with his camera, a while after he sang, and he was crouching down between the guys in the last row, taking pics of the Capitol crowd and Jerry Lee Lewis. She said it was so funny, because he was smiling and was just such a friendly, regular guy trying to capture the experience. Oh yeah, she also said she had never heard it before the rehearsal the other night, but now she couldn’t get “Soul Thing” out of her mind.
Taylor’s going to be just fine. He’s still making people smile and he’s gaining new fans – one fan at a time.

If you are a fan of someone, regardless of age, you do go into fansites.

This is untrue. There is a difference between a casual fan who simply likes to buy CDs and a “super-fan” (for lack of a better term) who ventures out into the online community.

To say that only middle-age women seek fansites is not accurate at all. As I recall, in the beginning, Taylor did have more younger posters, but they all lost interest and disappeared.

It’s often difficult to tell an Internet poster’s age unless they explicitly state it (believe me, I’ve seen a LOT of 50-year-old women who use the much-maligned “!!!!11111!!!1″ punctuation). So I don’t know where you got this information, Glamour. As for posters “disappearing,” it’s often the case that posters simply migrate to different places. Look at Idolforums — it used to have a Taylor subsection, but it was never very active, and now there’s not one at all. However, those posters have not “disappeared.” They have simply moved to other sites.

Music and image are tied together. If your image is uncool and so is your music, you will attract à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“uncoolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  fans as well.

What is an “uncool” fan?

I prefer to deal in reality.

Fair enough. But what, exactly, is the “reality” that we are dealing with? If Taylor were to change his image to appear “cool” (which really is such a ridiculous term — what’s cool today won’t be cool tomorrow), he might — might — gain more fans and sell more albums. If he doesn’t, he’ll probably sell less albums. He won’t starve, he won’t shoot himself in the head, and the people who enjoy Taylor because they like his music, not because they like his hairstyle, aren’t going to go anywhere. And it doesn’t look like Taylor is, either. He’s still booking national gigs (the Capitol Fourth) and is touring on Broadway. He may not be walking the red carpets next to his eyelinered Season 5 competitors, but his “uncool” image of gray hair and drunken-uncle dancing haven’t forced him into obscurity just yet.

Sorry, I know the truth hurts, but it is the truth.

The truth that Taylor isn’t as popular as other music acts? I don’t think anyone here is under the delusion that he was.

i can ‘t believe you guys are denying that the overwhelming majority of his fans are middle-aged (40-60) women. pleeeease! it’s not an accusation you know.. it’s not supposed to be an insult. it’s just how it is…

blairw, I don’t think anyone’s denying it, although there’s never going to be a scientific survey yielding hard-core proof. But “majority” is a lot different from “all.”

ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not supposed to be an insult.

For something that’s not supposed to be an insult, it sure is getting lumped together with the word “uncool” a lot today.

Appearing in a Broadway show and selling your music are two completely different things. They are totally unrelated. These people that are seeing him in Grease will not automatically buy his music. They will only buy it if they like it – PERIOD. No way in hell do they become instant fans only based on the fact that he appeared in Grease.

Give me a break! an older fanbase is TOTALLY uncool! The goal for ANY singer/entertainer is to have fans (men and women) of ALL ages!

These people that are seeing him in Grease will not automatically buy his music. They will only buy it if they like it – PERIOD. No way in hell do they become instant fans only based on the fact that he appeared in Grease.

I never said that he was going to sell more albums or gain new fans because of his concert and Broadway appearances. I was only responding to the contention that Taylor is on the precipice of obscurity.

I will say, though, for a guy who is in danger of being completely forgotten, he seems to have a lot of people out there in cyberspace charitably concerned about his well-being.

Give me a break! an older fanbase is TOTALLY uncool!

Shockingly, some people simply do not give a shit about what other people find “cool,” no matter how many times we are told that it is the only thing that matters.

This is exactly the reason I left the fanbase. There’s just no reasoning with the soul patrol. Please – you must deal with facts, not fantasy!

This is exactly the reason I left the fanbase. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just no reasoning with the soul patrol. Please – you must deal with facts, not fantasy!

Well, now I must admit that you have me COMPLETELY confused. What are the facts and the fantasy that you are referring to? The only “facts” I am aware of are that Taylor won American Idol Season 5, that he didn’t get a video, he didn’t get a lot of radio airplay, and he sold 700,000 copies of his album, which makes him the lowest-selling Idol winner to date. It is widely accepted, though never proven, that the majority of his fanbase is comprised of middle-aged women.

So those are facts. I don’t get what the dispute is about, and I don’t understand why those facts alone would cause someone to cease being a fan of a particular artist. I don’t want to generalize, but I will say that on SOME Taylor Hicks message boards, there does seem to be a “fantasy” that Taylor is somehow really hugely popular and is the biggest thing to hit the music scene since sliced bread. I was frustrated by that, too, and that’s why I, like Glamour, don’t post on those sites anymore. But I think that opinion is pretty narrowly contained. Other than that, you are right, the facts are the facts. But ceasing to be a fan of an artist because, even though you like their music, they don’t have the “right” fanbase? That’s behavior I don’t get, at least outside of the Trapper-Keeper crowd.

For something thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not supposed to be an insult, it sure is getting lumped together with the word à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“uncoolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  a lot today.

it’s not necessarily “uncool”..it just creates a problem when you only have a certain demographic as fans (except the disney crowd). it’s the same for blake really.

So, you are saying that a fanbase comprised of middle-age women is cool? Did I get that right?

So, you are saying that a fanbase comprised of middle-age women is cool? Did I get that right?

What I’m saying is that most people who have completed middle school don’t let notions of “cool” and “uncool” dictate which albums they buy and which artists they listen to. No, in the eyes of popular culture, having a fanbase comprised of moms is definitely not cool. But most adults could not care less.

It wasn’t just the fanbase that I don’t like and don’t connect to. I find the SP to be rude and over-zealous. They are a very close-minded bunch of people. I actually have not been to any of his fansites in more than a year, but his last CD was not what i expected and was disappointed in it, but i did buy it. I gradually lost interest in him because it looked like he had disappeared and of course he had NO success with his CD. so, it really was a combination of things that he made me distance myself.

Glamour, I do hear you about some of the SP. Shoot me an E-mail if you’d like: idolicious.blog@gmail.com. We can spare poor MJ another migraine

What Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m saying is that most people who have completed middle school donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t let notions of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“coolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“uncoolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  dictate which albums they buy and which artists they listen to. No, in the eyes of popular culture, having a fanbase comprised of moms is definitely not cool. But most adults could not care less.

You are very wrong in your statements. People are influenced on what to buy on what’s considered “cool” and popular. And Taylor’s last CD was not considered “cool music” – not by a longshot!

People are influenced on what to buy on whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s considered à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“coolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and popular.

Some people are. Other people, despite what the Clive Davises of the world would have us believe, are still capable of exercising independent thought. But isn’t there a difference between “cool” music and “good” music, or even between “uncool” music and “bad” music? I mean, it’s possible that a lot of people didn’t buy Taylor’s CD because it received no radio airplay or because it just…wasn’t very good — not because they heard from someone that it was “uncool.” There is also a lot of music out there that is considered hip and popular, but which, well, sucks. And we all have our own independent opinions about which music falls into which category.

But when we try to get into quantifying these things, we run into problems, because everyone’s opinions are different. So I have to respectfully disagree about my statements being “wrong,” because there is no Law of the Land governing coolness. It’s not written into the Constitution. As I stated before, what’s cool today will not be cool tomorrow. Our children will mock us as horribly uncool for listening to Fergie, Daughtry, and Rihanna.

Well, if no radio stations wanted to play it – what does that tell you? That music is AC music. AC music is background music for offices. Why don’t you face it? The music was bad!

Well, if no radio stations wanted to play it – what does that tell you? That music is AC music. AC music is background music for offices. Why donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t you face it? The music was bad!

Radio plays a LOT of bad music. What ClearChannel’s opinion of “bad” vs. “good” music is is not my personal opinion of what bad and good music is — thank God. As for “facing the fact that the music was bad” — that’s your opinion. It’s my opinion that Taylor’s last CD was not that great, although it wasn’t horrible. And there are a lot of people out there who really, legitimately enjoyed it.

We all have our own opinions, but the fact that you and I didn’t think the CD was that great doesn’t detract from someone else’s opinion that it was. It’s a highly subjective thing, music taste. In this area, there are no “facts.”

Radio plays whats popular – PERIOD! There is an audience that they cater to and that audience is NOT middle-age women!!! You might not like it, but that’s the way it is. It’s the same reason Clay Aiken does not get played – that music is NOT considered “cool”. His demographic is NOT considered cool!

Radio plays whats popular – PERIOD!

I think we all know this. My contention is that just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s good, and vice versa.

There is an audience that they cater to and that audience is NOT middle-age women!!!

This holds true for POP radio. There are many other stations and genres out there that cater to different audiences.

You might not like it, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the way it is.

Except that it’s NOT the way it is. I can turn on my XM radio and get hundreds of channels that play more than current pop music and don’t cater to high schoolers. Or I can turn on my community radio station and get awesome independent music that will never make it onto Ryan Seacrest’s radio station. That music might never be popular and it might never sell millions, but it’s out there, and it’s out there to the extent that entire radio stations can devote themselves to playing that kind of music. I suppose that makes me horribly, terribly, irredeemably uncool. But it also makes me very, very happy.

But neither of us is going to change the other’s opinion. I hope that you find (or have found) artists who make music that you like — AND who are cool. In any event, it was fun chatting with you!

“Radio plays whats popular – PERIOD! There is an audience that they cater to and that audience is NOT middle-age women!!! You might not like it, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the way it is.”

This isnt entirely true – I have been in Television or radio advertising for 6 years now and the demo group that we shoot for is 18-49 adults. We want the people who hold jobs and can afford to Purchase our “products” watching and listening and that includes middle aged women and men

I like what I like as far as music goes. I sure don’t wait for someone to let me know if it’s “cool” or not. That’s the problem with a lot of things going on in the country now. No one wants to make their own decisions. Just wait and let the crowd tell you what to believe in. Sorry, but this whole “cool” or “uncool’ thing as though one is good and one is bad really gets me riled up.

BTW I think Taylor is “cool”.

Why donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t you face it? The music was bad!

Wow, that’s a really rude statement. I don’t put up with childish rants here. More posts like this, glamour and YOU ARE BANNED. Read the guidelines:

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

Thank the lord we don’t all like the same kind of music. Trite but true…doesn’t it make the world a more interesting place? And hey, this is coming from a professional, semi-hip 30-something woman who doesn’t listen to radio because she feels pretty bloody disenfranchised by the whole industry. If you go for so called ‘cool’ music, great, enjoy the fact that it’s all over top 40 & MTV…and if you don’t, that’s cool too. Success is measured in different ways. Any artist who can make a living through their art is a success in my book, nevermind if they’re at the top of the pyramid.

Rather than trying to convince someone the music they like is bad, can’t we just agree we all love music and revel in that together? Nah, guess that was back in the 70′s.

There is an audience that they cater to and that audience is NOT middle-age women!!! You might not like it, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the way it is. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the same reason Clay Aiken does not get played – that music is NOT considered à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“coolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . His demographic is NOT considered cool!

So, let me make sure I have this straight – it’s been a little difficult to keep up. Is it just middle-aged women that are perpetually uncool? Do they also have to be married to be uncool? And, can they be cool if they have jobs? Since it appears that the ultimate in uncoolness is the middle-aged housewife.

I enjoy seeing Taylor perform, regardless of how unfashionable that may make me. I’m not 40 yet, so maybe there’s still hope for me? Nah, I’ve been married a while, so I guess I lost my cool factor long ago.

Glamour, at some point, if they’re lucky, all women hit middle age. And ya know what – they can still miraculously be contributing members of society. Some of them also choose to get married and stop working to raise their children. And in my opinion, there is nothing about that that makes them worthless as people. And, most of them are far too busy to give a shit if DJ’s and blog posters think they’re totally uncool.

Exactly, SpenserJ — especially those of us with big fat check books — I have my *own* money, and I’m not afraid to spend it on what I like.

Thank God I’m old enough to not care about what’s cool. I also know what I like and don’t have to have some DJ (who doesn’t even get to pick his own music btw) tell me what I’m supposed to like because it’s cool. They wonder why radio is dying? I don’t. The stuff on popular stations is crap.

And, most of them are far too busy to give a shit if DJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s and blog posters think theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re totally uncool.

That right there pretty much sums it up.

Have you ever noticed that the people who worry the most about what’s cool are less cool than the people who don’t think much about it and just do their own thing?
As to Taylor’s fanbase, I would say the die hards are mostly women 35-60. Practically every artist that comes from American Idol has a predominately female fanbase anyway, and Taylor is no exception. His fanbase happens to skew older because he performs a style of music that these women grew up on – a mixture of sixties and seventies rock and soul. He has the showmanship that these women are familiar with, from Elvis, to Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, and Freddie Mercury. These women have seen cool bands come and go. They know the difference in what is perceived to be cool today, and what they know has proven to be classic. As a lifelong (female) music fan who has followed music since the sixties, I strongly believe Taylor is a classic. He’s never been “cool” and I hope he never attempts to be. What I do notice is a lot of male fans are more open to Taylor than most Idol alums, they just aren’t as uh…intense.

Generally speaking, middle-age women in America are not considered to be cool. That’s not an insult, btw. When I reach middle-age, I don’t expect to be cool and I’m fine with that.

The “throw-back” idol went back too far! That’s the reason for the older fanbase, so i agree with you hoodathunk.

What Hicksaholic said is how I feel too. I like what I like, my teens like what they like. No matter how much a song or artist is pushed to appear the “coolest” none of us will listen to it or purchase it if we dont like it. The “sorry but you will have to just accept it that no one caters to middle aged women” completely offends me.” Ah young one, believe me you will still be considered “cool” when you are middle aged if you live and love your life with an open mind like this completely “cool” middle aged woman. There is hope for you too Glamour.

The à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“throw-backà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  idol went back too far! Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the reason for the older fanbase, so i agree with you hoodathunk.

Who’s to say it’s “too far”? If he’s enjoying the music he’s making, earning a living and happy with that, there’s no reason for him to change his sound or his hair colour. Maybe you or the pop music industry would find him more appealing, but that’s hardly the point. Taylor and his place of personal happiness is the only thing in this equation that matters, perceptions be damned.

What’s considered “cool” is highly subjective. My teenaged nieces, and their friends, for instance, find Top 40 music highly HIGHLY uncool. The older girl listens to indie bands and the younger one loves classic rock AND emo.

Oh, and neither will ever read this, because they BOTH think American Idol sucks. lol.

So really, what the hell is this argument about?

Well, if he’s happy, i guess that’s what’s really important. i’m not exactly sure what his goals were by winning AI. i would imagine he wanted to be a superstar, have hit songs, sell CDs (that’s the only way to get his voice heard, btw), sell out concerts and have world-wide fame, but if he’s happy where he is, good for him. i’m still willing to give him a chance with his next CD, but i will not buy unless i love it and it gets good reviews. i’m not interested in buyin a cd of oldies music. If i want to buy that stuff, then i will buy it from the original artists that did it much better.

ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m still willing to give him a chance with his next CD, but i will not buy unless i love it and it gets good reviews.

So if you love the CD but it gets poor reviews, you will not buy it?

Generally speaking, middle-age women in America are not considered to be cool. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not an insult, btw. When I reach middle-age, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t expect to be cool and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m fine with that.

Fair enough. But generally speaking, a lot of middle-aged women do not consider teenage girls to be cool, no matter how cool they *think* they are. Ah, the circle of life, it moves us all.

If it gets poor reviews, no, I will not buy it. If i like a few songs, i will most likely download the songs i like.

Generally speaking, middle-age women in America are not considered to be cool. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not an insult, btw.

Generally speaking, most people stop thinking about what is and is not cool in high school. And – I believe when someone calls someone else “uncool”, they are indeed attempting to be insulting. Although, typically people over the age of 20 with any sense of self-awareness whatsoever are pretty much immune to that lame of an insult.

Gross generalities are problematic because they attempt to define people by such minute criteria. The fact that someone may enjoy a certain artist or a certain song really says nothing about them. It’s just so weird to me to make something like this seem so important.

For me, I think once you begin to no longer care what may or may not be cool, once you start to make decisions based on what you want, not what your friends think, that’s when life really starts to get good. That’s the beauty of getting older – defining your life on your own terms – not giving a rat’s ass what everyone else thinks – and just doing whatever the hell you want. And, from where I sit, that’s pretty fucking cool.

If it gets poor reviews, no, I will not buy it.

That saddens me. Your opinion should be more important than the opinions of reviewers or friends. Why let someone else’s tastes dictate yours? Well, IMO, of course.

SpenserJ, good for you. Unfortunately, society doesn’t look at it that way. Younger people are always looked upon for fresh ideas. It’s always been that way. i remember an intervew that Susan Sarandon gave on one of the talk shows how she is not offered the roles anymore that she used to get. we all age – there’s nothing anybody can do about it. i plan on aging gracefully and i’m not going to pretend that i’m cool when i’m not cool.

i don’t spend money on music i don’t like, sorry and music reviews are important to me.

SpenserJ, I think I love you. You say things the way I wish I could! We must both be very uncool.

Younger people are always looked upon for fresh ideas.

Clearly, this is why teenagers hold political office and run the world’s most successful corporations.

i plan on aging gracefully and ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not going to pretend that ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m cool when ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not cool.

Then you will not be aging gracefully, IMO. But Glamour — and I think we’re all assuming that you’re a young woman here — you will be surprised how your opinions will change when you reach the “uncool” age and realize that your life doesn’t have to be dictated by some VJ on MTV or by the cheerleading squad at your high school telling you what’s cool and what’s not cool. It will be a wonderful experience.

I realize that at your age you probably have “uncool” adults telling you this every single day, but somehow I predict that, as articulate as you are at your age right now, you will not look in the mirror one day and simply acquiesce to your “uncool” status.

Clearly, this is why teenagers hold political office and run the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s most successful corporations.

Maybe that’s what’s wrong with this country.

I have no idea how i will age. but, my parents look very good for their ages!

I think what’s cool changes as we age. I certainly think my friend Spense is the coolest person in Tampa. :=)

i donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t spend money on music i donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like, sorry and music reviews are important to me.

I don’t spend money on music I don’t like, either. However, I figure that out for myself, rather then let reviewers dictate my tastes.

Maybe thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wrong with this country.

LOL, I can see it now…as its first order of business, the Middle School Congress rewrites the First Amendment as such:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, unless, of course, such speaker or journalist is deemed by the Middle School Congress to be uncool, in which case, they shall have absolutely no rights to freedom; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I have no idea how i will age. but, my parents look very good for their ages!

Yeah, but are they COOL?!?!?

Like i said, when i’m middle age, i don’t plan on being cool and it will not bother me in the least.

Parents are NEVER cool.

Like i said, when ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m middle age, i donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t plan on being cool and it will not bother me in the least.

Something tells me your opinion on that subject will be drastically different in ten years.

Parents are NEVER cool.

LOL. You ARE young, aren’t you?

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t spend money on music I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like, either. However, I figure that out for myself, rather then let reviewers dictate my tastes.

i usually agree with music reviews. i have bought cd’s w/o bothering to read reviews – big mistake!

Something tells me your opinion on that subject will be drastically different in ten years.

No, it won’t. i’m 27, not married. in 10 years, i will be married with children – i could care less about being cool at 37.

ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m 27

If you are 27 years old and you are still influenced by what’s “cool” and what’s “not cool” to the point where it dictates the choices you make in entertainment and in life, then I am simply at a loss for words.

i like to be cool. what’s wrong with that? at 27, i am not old!!

Could we keep this conversation NON-PERSONAL and ON TOPIC? If it continues in this vein, I’m closing comments.

In fact, the cut off is HERE. Get back to talking about Taylor Hicks, NOT what you think of each other.

i would imagine he wanted to be a superstar, have hit songs, sell CDs (thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the only way to get his voice heard, btw), sell out concerts and have world-wide fame, but if heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s happy where he is, good for him

I think any artist wants to reach out and touch as many people as possible (as a visual artist, I desire the same thing), but if ‘superstardom’ comes at the cost of your own taste in music, then selling out probably isn’t an option a lot of artists are willing to take. “Fame” just for the sake of fame is only vaulable to people like Paris Hilton, imo.

[edited] I think my parents are very cool. They are helping to support me through grad school. My dad has excellent taste in music and we share CDs all the time. He has taught me to keep a very open mind to all types of music. I hope to be as cool as he is someday.

Whoops sorry MJ. I posted before I read your warning.

BTW, my dad likes Under The Radar but not the new CD. Maybe he is not so cool after all, LOL.

I certainly think my friend Spense is the coolest person in Tampa. :=)

You’re pretty freaking cool yourself girlfriend.

EDIT – sorry mj – I must have been posting at the same time you were! All done here

Sorry MJ – me too – I think I was blabbing on and on as you wrote that

the bottom line is i’m pretty sure his new cd’s won’t be very successful. just judging from his current “situation”.
first week sales will be less than 50k…yes my crystal ball told me…

the bottom line is ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m pretty sure his new cdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be very successful.

But here is the question — so what? Those of us who listen to it and like it will buy it, and we (well, most of us) won’t throw it away when the numbers are released and it fails to sell 500,000 copies. Taylor will probably continue to tour small venues, and his fans will continue to go see him. Neither he nor his followers will commit suicide or submit themselves for a public stoning because of his lack of “success” or over his or our uncool status.

Life will go on, a new Idol will be crowned, crappy new music will continue to get played on the radio station, and independent artists a lot more interesting and talented than Taylor (and some less interesting and less talented) will come and go. Taylor will be there in the middle of it all. For me, that is good enough. I, and I think a lot of his fans, simply don’t need our CD purchase validated by sales or reviews.

As someone posted in another thread and I agreed with, there is something about seeing Taylor and hearing him sing that just makes a lot of people happy, no explanation for why that occurs. It just does, apparently to a lot of people.

To me that’s “cool”.