Taylor Hicks to Star in National Tour of ‘Grease’

Well, I’m happy that he’s getting work and that his performance on the show was good enough for him to be offered this, but I was sort of looking forward to him getting back to the business of the next CD. I mean, he can do some of it between now and November, and it would be a lot more time than he had on the first one, but I don’t think that was what he was implying yesterday on the myspace announcement. I assume the $ must be really good, and maybe he’s thinking he’ll need it to produce/promote the new CD since he’s sort of contract-free right now, if I recall. Ah well. Whenever the next one comes out, I’ll buy it. As far as Grease, maybe it’ll come to Detroit, and then I won’t feel bad for not going to see it in NY.

Taylor seems to be a good draw for Grease so it’s money in everybody’s pockets. I don’t think Taylor has a label so I’m assuming the new album will be self produced. I don’t see indie Taylor doing much better than indie Bo. Although, it is a little sad that he’s choosing the $ over the music but I’m not here to judge. I guess ten years as a broke musician were enough.

(Just want to add that doing a small part in a Broadway show doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t write/record an album at the same time.

from the Grease forums

Dec. 2 – 7, 2008…………..Providence, RI
Dec. 9 – 14, 2008…………East Lansing, MI
Dec. 16 – 21, 2008……….Columbus, OH
Dec. 30 – Jan 4, 2009……Minneapolis, MN
Jan. 6 – 18, 2009………….Chicago, IL
Jan. 20 – Feb. 1, 2009……Cincinnati, OH
Feb. 4 – 15, 2009…………..Baltimore, MD
Feb. 18 – 22, 2009…………Omaha, NE
Mar. 3 – 8, 2009…………….San Diego, CA
Mar. 10 – 22, 2009…………Los Angeles, CA
Apr. 22 – 26, 2009…………Portland, OR
Apr. 28 – May 10, 2009…..Costa Mesa, CA
May 12 – 30, 2009………….Seattle, WA
June 2 – 7, 2009…………….Appleton, WI

and his myspace blog did say “creative break” from Grease meaning to me he wasn’t quite done with it…. and this

“there is also a business aspect which must be thought out and planned for carefully. These business decisions will allow me to throw a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  long partyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  full of tours, CDs, and great music”…

He needs to make money to spend it on all this great stuff

…I suspect he got that offer he couldn’t refuse…. And in the end it is Taylor’s decisions of what is best not the fans…sometimes I feel we are very spoiled and selfish and it is all about us…just sayin.. :smile2_tb: ETA: on his Facebook page it says that the CD will be out Spring 09…so if it comes out April or May and the Grease tour is over June 7…he can still do a CD tour for the Summer of 09..

…I suspect he got that offer he couldn’t refuse…. And in the end it is Taylor’s decisions of what is best not the fans…sometimes I feel we are very spoiled and selfish and it is all about us…just sayin..

I don’t take it that personally like that. Of course Taylor will do whatever he thinks is best. It has nothing to do with me. And I can register disappointment that I’ll have to wait longer for an album, coughandfearthatmaybehe’sturningintoahackcough but in the end, it has nothing to do with Taylor. I don’t have a personal relationship with him. It’s just an opinion, and I happen to be expressing it.

He’s going to increase their audience in his sparkle suit. If it would have come somewhere NEAR me I would have gone. Not to see Taylor, but to see the show. Anyway, I never would have known it was on tour if it weren’t for him being in it…. I would say he’s getting a good paycheck. Hopefully for his fans, he doesn’t lose the focus on the music.

I think it was just an offer he couldn’t refuse. I mean if they offered me skads of money just to postpone my next cd, I think I’d do it too. But then I am a hack, lol.

It’s obvious that Taylor loves theatre, and the theatre life is a good one, and I also know that he doesn’t let the dust settle around him so for him, I guess it’s a good idea. For those of us itching for some new music, not so good. Oh well, I only have a month to wait for Ray LaMontagne, or is he gonna tour with Grease too, lol. Surely, I kid.

He’ll have just the one number in each show, right? He’s been doing the Teen Angel bit, correct? Not that having a smaller role in a touring production is nothing, but perhaps he’ll have enough downtime to work on new material.

And I can dream: Wouldn’t it be cool if he did another “shadow” tour like he did with LMBO during the AI5 tour?

Sorry, I don’t mean to be a wiseass but I never put Taylor in the “omg, amazing original artist, league.” I always saw Vegas lounge act so Grease seems okay to me. Maybe, he’ll prove me wrong with the next album.

Disclaimer: I am a big, big Taylor fan. Will even go see him in the Grease cheesefest if the opportunity presents itself.

That said:

Looks like the career is sinking fast. So much for the indie, original artist, working hard for his original love — music.

I am sure the money is good and, honestly, not much else is out there for him anymore.

I do not see a single aspect of this as a positive for his image, but I am certain, the money will keep him financially afloat.

Ahhh, Taylor. Wishing you the best, as always, but I don’t guess I will be buying an album of new music anytime soon, much less buying tickets to a concert stop on a tour to support it.

I might check it out when it comes to Chi-town.

I was always under the impression that Taylor was working on the album while in NY. After all, once he got his bit down, I doubt it was a big time committment for him. Maybe he’ll put the finishing touches on the album during the break, tour with Grease, and then go out on a solo tour.

Speaking of Grease (I guess this is the best place to put this), I found this interview with Ace. He says that Taylor gave him a lot of advice, but he couldn’t repeat it in the interview. LOL.

And here’s a link to Sunday’s Broadway on Broadway event in Times Square feature parts of Grease Lightin.’ Cheesy fun.

Well, I kinda, sorta see Taylor as someone who has the potential to be an interesting original artist, so another 5-6 months of teased hair and ice cream cones and sparkles is not thrilling to me. I’m glad that people enjoy him in the role, and I’m glad he gets to make a living doing something he enjoys. I’m sure plenty of fans will have a blast following him all over the country. Was he offered a chance to extend his stay on Broadway? It seems like remaining in NY would have been a better option in terms of working on a CD.

The fact remains that Taylor’s last original music was recorded in 2005, and now we’re looking at later in 2009 for anything new. (I don’t count the one co-write he had on his Arista album because it was a disco song. Gak!). It just gets harder and harder to think of Taylor as a songwriter and serious musician. I wish he would at least throw a couple of demos or something up on his myspace.

His last original music was recorded in 2005? I didn’t think it was that long ago since he didn’t win Idol until 2006, and the last CD wasn’t released until 12/06…not even 2 years ago.

Of course, I’ve read interviews where he’s already done the demos on these songs – he has them written, demoed, he seems to know what he wants to do with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in the studio between now and the start of the tour, and then while touring there is some tweaking going on and maybe some deals arranged for the release/promo, etc. If he’s doing it all himself, he probably needs the money from this gig to do it right.

I was all for his first run in Grease but this doesn’t sit as well with me. Taylor already has image problems so I would rather him work on getting serious cred. Though, if it’s true that he has a major artist interested in a song he wrote, then maybe he isn’t as bad off as it seems.

I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think it was that long ago since he didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t win Idol until 2006, and the last CD wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t released until 12/06

To clarify, I was referring to self-penned songs. We haven’t heard anything new written by him since he won Idol. I guess I was expecting more of a flurry of creativity once he got outside the Idol bubble.

The headline in the article said that Taylor would “star” in Grease. I wonder if he will have a different role because Teen Angel is not a starring role. It’s supporting at best.

Good luck to him.

I agree with mj, Ladybug and cheese on this one……..makes me sad.

I saw Taylor live 3 times on his solo tour. Each time, he walked out looking shy and uncomfortable, but when he started singing……. he came alive and showed his passion and joy for his music. He is an incredible live performer and I was looking forward to another solo tour with his upcoming CD with more of the pre idol Taylor vibe which I love.

If this Broadway tour makes him money or brings happiness – I am glad for him, but it isn’t the direction I was hoping he would take. I wish him the best and hope for more music in the future.

I was a huge Taylor fan back in the day. This makes me very sad. If he needs the money I get it, plus I guess having your name in lights and in the news is a good thing.

*Coughs* it’s just that this role reminds me of a lounge lizard……

I have all of his cd’s and if the music is good on his next I will buy it. I will be honest and say I was not impressed with the last. Whomp… errrmm

Where is the *Georgia* Taylor? The one infused with so much soul it is literally pinging off his body? That is the Taylor I want a cd of. Please no Whomp music this time, it did not go over well last time.

I did gather from information from interviews Taylor was working on his new cd . I do hope he shops around for a good indie lable or possibly a major, which I doubt will happen, to help him promote it for distribution. Greese the play really not my favorites and if he is making money more power to him . Yes regarding his cd I never really saw him as a big top 40 star or sounding like them either and hoping his next cd sounds more like his old stuff.

Ace in Greese ..can not wait to see some pictures…

I’m glad Taylor is doing Grease again.

Ace sounds great from the Grease video clip. Good to know he is working.

I’m a bit disappointed at an additional delay for some new music. From what he’s saying, he’s aiming for spring ’09 which isn’t too much longer, so I guess it is a good thing if he can earn some money during that period of time. It just feels as if it has been a very long time coming.

But, I will buy his next cd whenever it comes out. There is plenty of music coming out from other idols that I’m looking forward to in the meantime, so I guess I’ll just have to practice being patient!

Well thats a big downer for me .I mean I am happy he is making money and not broke like he was .Yet still I would like new music .I don’t know I wonder if we ever will get a new cd ?

Am I surprised by this?? Yes
Am I shocked that the new cd will be delayed YET AGAIN? HELL NO

I in no way believe he will be doing any recording on this cd during his stint in this touring company. If he didn’t do any recording while living in NYC for three months, I seriously doubt that this time moving around the country will lead him to do any recording.

Bad fan to think the worst…Maybe, but this is just the next thing that has come up to side track Taylor from what he has always claimed was is first love….a working musician.

Wonder if Ace will join the tour, once his stint on B’way is done. Guess it depends on how well he does in his role on B’Way.

I’m disappointed, too, at the delay the Grease tour will most likely cause in the release of new music. And I also prefer the raw and dynamic in-concert Taylor. I hope the Grease tour will be as positive for him as was the time in NY. Somehow, I don’t think that will be the case in every venue. I can see the West Coast press having a field day with it. They don’t love them some Taylor, it seems.

In the end, Taylor knows what is best for Taylor. I don’t believe for a moment that he has lost the passion for the music or for touring as a working musician. It’s in his blood. I won’t speculate on why he made this decision. All I can do is wait for new music and a concert tour – and wait I will.

I was definitely a Taylor fan during AI and for a period after that. However, I can’t help but feel that the whole “blue eyed soul, it’s all about the music” persona was just that – a contrived persona. I will go further to say that I could believe that Gray was snowed along with the rest of his diehard fans. This whole Grease thing just makes me think that the guy is a fairly good actor and that doing a traveling tour playing a one song wonder is where he has belonged all along. Bottom line is that I really don’t care and I hope the guy is happy. I’m certainly not holding my breathe for that fantastic, writing great songs, being true to himself album. I don’t think he really has it in him and I don’t think he has any idea who the real Taylor is.

I too am a long time Taylor fan. I can understand the disappointment with the national Grease tour news, as I along with many others have not been happy with the way things have gone down in his post AI career.

I’ll be waiting for the next album, whenever that may be. Hopefully, there will be one or two or maybe even three! good tunes on there, but I can’t help but feel a little excited at this news. I never would’ve dreamed it, but I think this might work out good for Taylor’s future in the biz.

I don’t know or care about Taylor, I’m sure he is great! But I saw Ace in Grease yesterday and I can’t tell you how fantastic he is! It’s such a great role for him and his dancing, singing and acting is so professional. He was just amazing in this. Go see it!

I will go further to say that I could believe that Gray was snowed along with the rest of his diehard fans.

I think perhaps said fans and Gray can and should speak for themselves. Besides Gray, many of them have, good or bad. Nobody forces one to start a website, or buy a cd. Freedom of choice……

The hyperbole on both sides is really strange. I mean we are talking Taylor Hicks of American Idol fame.

Hell yeah doing the road show of Grease is as cheesy as hell, but if he puts out a decent cd, I will buy it, and I won’t go see Grease, hell I live in NY and didn’t see him here, surely won’t go to see a road show. But on the other hand, it’s a paycheck, and we all need one of those.

Maybe the “blue eyed soul” “it’s all about the music” was true at the time. Maybe in trying to figure it all out, he changed. Maybe her hasn’t changed at all and is just doing the best he can for now. I wonder if he regrets some of the decisions he made since we assume he made TPTB very very mad and was difficult to work with?

I was a huge huge fan but I have moved on. Now it is David Cook and Jason Castro. Hopefully next season I will connect musically with someone else.

Music makes me happy. If Taylor makes another CD or goes on tour again I will make every effort to see him as I will with other artists I like.

The bottom line is: Taylor Hicks is great at filling seats but not so great at selling records. People will gladly shell out $70 to see him live in any setting, but hesitate to buy a $10 CD. He has to capitalize on that, from cheesy show to kick-ass band tour. He hasn’t abandoned his music, but this Grease tour has to be very lucrative for him, and a means to an end to get his own music out there. Indy records and tours are difficult to finance. See Blake Lewis.

I hate to be a downer, but Taylor’s songwriting on his pre-Idol music wasn’t that groundbreaking. It wasn’t bad at all, but I’m not sure why he got the rep for being such a “true artist” in the first place. He’s a great performer and I hope I can see him live again. Other than that, I think he should milk the cash for all it’s worth

Oh, and Pop, there are tons of pics out there. I’ll try to find links tomorrow, but I think MJ posted some in one of the headline threads.

Wonder if Ace will join the tour, once his stint on Bà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢way is done. Guess it depends on how well he does in his role on Bà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Way.

I’m hearing Ace was offered the tour first, but insisted on Broadway. I’m really curious if that’s what Constansuck meant. Just my own conspiracy theory. LOL. And that doesn’t mean Ace won’t do the tour. I suspect they don’t want two AI guys at once.

Grease has enough of a name value that ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s always going to do well at the box office. They probably brought Taylor in as a little added insurance to sell better then usual. Also it should be great for him. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s getting paid well for basically one song. In the meantime he can do lots of interviews across the country building his name up and also probably book a few late night gigs after a performance. When this finally ends heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll have been smart and waited to a time where a bunch of idols have released CDà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s at the same and he can get something ready possibly by the time the show ends again. Ace probably join the tour once Taylorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s contract ends and then after that they can bring in someone like Kimberly Caldwell to play Rizzo.

Instead of sticking with the music, Taylor sold out. Plain and simple. He might be in his true profession – performer and actor. I personally do not see him doing anything further in his music career. He might release another CD, but after two years of releasing the TH CD, most of the masses will have long forgotten him.

The hyperbole on both sides is really strange. I mean we are talking Taylor Hicks of American Idol fame.

Does that mean he’s got to play dancing monkey boy for the rest of his life? I mean, he used that image to win Idol, but I always figured he’d transcend that deal once Idol was over. I always felt he was a lot more than that.

But, the money, the easy money, it’s got to be tempting. And maybe it’s the only decent paycheck he can earn these days.

I won’t be going to see Grease when it comes to Providence. Absolutely hated the movie, and to be honest, I wasn’t all that impressed with Taylor’s performance on Regis and Kelly…

I did love his tour performances last year. And, if Taylor, at some point, puts out an album that appeals to me, I’ll buy it. If there’s an album of new material released before Fall of ’09, I’ll be very surprised.

No, not dancing monkey boy at all, especially for the rest of his life, but, like you said, the money, the easy money has to be tempting and I cannot blame him for taking it at this point.

The point I am making is that everyone seems to have this highbrow notion of Taylor as the serious ‘artiste’, when he maybe just wants to work. Maybe this is all a part of him still paying his dues.

I never thought of Taylor as a dancing monkey boy. He’s an entertainer, a musician, and maybe an actor, and maybe that versatility and daring to do some stuff that might raise one’s eye may pay off. Or maybe you can just call me Pollyanna.

Well anyway, Pollyanna purchased EW, and not a ticket to Grease, and I love B’way, saw Fantasia, didn’t think Taylor alone was enough to make me shell out 80 plus bucks. So I see your point.

Following various Idol’s lives unfold from expectations to realities is a gripping docudrama. To me Taylor looks lost. He no longer seems to know who he is.

Oh well, Taylor did make his name hamming it up on AI5. Thousands loved the magic he created on TV that year. Is Grease the way to catch lightening is a bottle for Taylor? Mmmm……

Best of luck to him, and I mean that sincerely. He still thrills me!

I’d go see him in Grease, if he was going to be in my area. I still have faith that he will release a new CD and will tour in 2009. Taylor hasn’t had the smoothest path, but, he hasn’t stopped working or working toward his dream, whatever road that’s lead him down to get there.

Hooking myself up to the Valium drip and preparing to sniff some strong aerosol spray before I launch into my opinionated tirade.

For ME, this is awful. I didnt like the whole Grease thing but I decided that it was better than nothing and maybe it is but it makes me sadder than sad because for every day he gets wrapped up in this side show its a day he doesnt do what he was born to do which is make and perform his music. If you had asked me way back in the early going of 2006 if Taylor Hicks was going to be something big in the industry I would have been naive enough to say yes because he made such a tremendous impact on me and my life at the time that I could not imagine that anyone able to do that to me would be shelved but my nightmare is becoming a reality.

Personally, I would rather have Taylor perform his music in clubs than have him waste his time with this crap. Sorry, its how I feel and Im just sorry that the clock is ticking away on this amazing talent and not many more people than what we began with are able to experience it because he is wrapped up with teen angel. Gahhhhhhhh.

So in closing, all I care about is the next CD and if he doesnt deliver what I know he can deliver then I am closing this chapter. I have been waiting long enough and so has he. Its time to make a definitive stand. Its either mediocre gigs like Grease or its the music. Which is it going to be.

One more thing, he used to seem like the type who would gladly pass on the clownish gig that gave him a little money than on the soulful gig that allowed him to make a little and do what he loves. Maybe I was wrong.

Dingo, That was amazing, and a very eloquent wrapup to how a lot of us feel.

There is so much personal emotional investment in Taylor Hicks for so many here.

The blog he released a few weeks ago (in MJ’s original post) really explained this decision in advance because he knew many of his fans would be up in arms. If you go back and read it, he is saying that the Grease gig (aka business decision) is the way he is going to finance the type of music and tour he wants to do.

Sure he’s sold out a bit. So have Kelly and Carrie with Vitamin Water, and David Cook with Sketchers. And he’s most likely making as much on this gig as the current top selling idols are with their record sales. So that’s life. I still look forward to his next album and tour, and will thank the folks at Grease for financing it.

Its time to make a definitive stand. Its either mediocre gigs like Grease or its the music. Which is it going to be.

Looks like he chose “teen angel”.

I don’t know if any of you realize this, but Broadway touring companies do not pay the big bucks to their actors, unless Taylor made a special deal with them. Regardless, doubt this will fiance his music and tour, because it takes millions of dollars – seriously. Also, I just don’t know if Taylor Hicks is that big of a draw these days. So, who really knows his motivation for doing this. Good luck to him, anyway….he’s going to need it.

Glamour

Taylor ws credited for being a huge draw for Grease while he was in the cast. I think the producers said he was directly responsible for some $150,000 a week. So it would not suprise me at all if they did cut a deal with him. I remember when the news of the Taylor “bump” was first announced discussing the fact with a group of folks who said they were not at all surprised. The concensus of the group was that they would much rather see Taylor perform live than buy a CD from him, thinking he was a much better entertainer than singer. Now, granted, these were folks in Taylor’s home town who usd to have the opportunity to see him live on a regular basis. But I wonder if he feels the general population also holds the same view?

Broadway (as in NYC) and a Broadway touring company are completely two different animals. NYC big tourist draw, but Broadway on the road, not so much.

Oh, it depends on the city and state and the production company. (I’ve been there). Anyway, I think the producers were probably hoping to add to their pull by putting Taylor in the show. I’m sure that he will be featured in the TV ads for the tour, which will remind the folks aroud the country who’ve been making the “where’s Taylor jokes” that he is still around. Granted, in a cheesy role in a cheesy production, but no press is bad press as long as they say/spell your name right.

A friend of mine quit being a Taylor fan because of his decision to take the role of Teen Angel in Grease. She thought it was too cheesy and beneath him, and she couldn’t consider him a serious singer any more. It was like the last straw for her, and now she has become a Cookie.

Actually, Taylor would have made out better if he had completely disappeared from the public eye for a while and take some time out to find out who he really is and then make a comeback with a totally re-invented Taylor Hicks, but it looks like to took the cheesy way out and the Taylor jokes will continue at his expense. Sounds like total desperation on his part. He’s willing to play the fool just to stay in the game – sounds sorta pathetic to me. But whatever, man.

I know people who make most of their living doing National Tours where in the chorus you can make around $2800 a week plus a travel allowance which was high enough for most of them to live off of. As a celebrity he probably is getting a different salary with a better travel package.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s funny because Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve always felt that if you love the performer you will support everything they do regardless of what it is. I have a friend who loves Olivia Newton John and even though he doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like most of the music that she has put out now he still buys it because he supports her even when sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s down.

Also in defense of this production of Grease it was doing well before he came in due to the reality show to look for the next Danny and Sandy and the fact that it was Grease. The only problem was there was another revival of the show in the 90à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s that ran forever with Rosie Oà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Donnell, Megan Mullay, Bill Porter, and Sam Harris so the show really didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need another Broadway revival to begin with.

Taylor’s decision to tour with “Grease” certainly wasn’t a strategic career move. If, instead, he could have booked himself into clubs or small theaters for a tour to launch his next album — then, I thnk it’s too bad he didn’t. However, the choice probably wasn’t so clear-cut. His new album may not be ready to promote with a fall 2008 tour.

I think it’s understandable if Taylor needs a steady paycheck for the next six months and I don’t think it means he’s abandoning his own music. (I don’t think touring companies usually pay huge bucks, but he probably does have a better-than-average deal.) The cliche — “Timing is everything” — is true. Sometimes, the timing isn’t right for the smart career choice or for the artistic high road and, when it isn’t, then another path — even a detour — may be the better alternative. It all depends on his situation as a whole.

Taylor may have a very good reason (money?) for accepting the offer to go on the road with “Grease.” I hope that it buys him enough time to get his new album ready, so he can tour solo in 2009.

Perhaps, Tay *** has found his niche here. [I'll admit that I couldn't type that in with a straight face]

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s funny because Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve always felt that if you love the performer you will support everything they do regardless of what it is.

Really? I have never operated this way. I love the music first. I don’t get personally attached to the performer.

And actually, I think that’s a horrible idea. When an artist has fans that will buy anything, they have nothing to strive for. They end up getting lazy and start releasing terrible music. Some artists are driven to create, despite the fans. Many of my favorite artists fall into this category.

Oh, the artists I have abandoned in my lifetime once they started coasting on their laurels. And I don’t feel bad about that at all. I’m a consumer first. Put out product worthy of my dollars, and I’ll be first in line to buy it.

Ya what MJ said. Im a consumer first, I work hard for my money and I get pissed when the artist I really like makes one crappy cd after another. Im a quick study and you cant fool me more than a few times before I decide that you sold me out when you stopped making the music that made me want to buy your stuff in the first place.

Funny I guess ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all on how the fan sees it. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m all about the music but also the performer but maybe since I generally go with musical theater or a wide range of style of music instead of one specific type of piece. I buy a lot of types of music and if the artist wants to artistically challenge themselves with something I will support them because thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s something about them that hooks me. Also with musical theater if I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like a score on the first hearing I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t automatically assume the music is bad ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sometimes takes a little longer to grow on me. I have a favorite composer Stephen Sondheim who is like God to me and he generally writes in interesting melodies that are challenging on the first listen. If I hear them for the first time I have a hard time warming to them but then over and over again I tend to find new gorgeous things about them that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll fall in love with.

Another example is a Broadway singer Betty Buckley who has this huge power belting voice that I love and can hear over and over again. I love the big booming voice but many years ago she came out with this CD of theater music done in a dark sometimes jazz sound and she employed a completely different studio voice for all the songs. Instead of belting when the song called for it she switched to a soft head voice that when I first heard I hated because she didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t give me what I wanted at the time. Since Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m generally a fan of her Broadway voice and her repertoire I decided to listen to the CD a few other times and generally grew to love this sound. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s put out many CDà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s since then some Broadway and some dark almost spiritual type of singing that doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sound anything like the last CD and I love them all.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not so much about resting on their laurels as they are exploring different sides of them that will further themselves in the long run.

Funny I guess ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all on how the fan sees it. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m all about the music but also the performer but maybe since I generally go with musical theater or a wide range of style of music instead of one specific type of piece.

I don’t care for musical theater, but I do have pretty wide ranging tastes.

I buy a lot of types of music and if the artist wants to artistically challenge themselves with something I will support them because thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s something about them that hooks me.

That’s not what I’m talking about at all. An artist challenging themselves or stretching into a different genre is one thing. Actually, I love artists who do this. I may or may not buy the product of the experimentation, but I would not abandon them completely because they try something different. I also agree that some works will grow on me with repeated listens.

But then there’s the artist who either starts repeating themselves, or just blows with the prevailing commercial winds. I don’t care why they do it, at that point, the artist has lost me. I don’t subscribe to the “Fan for life” mantra. I won’t just buy something because it happens to be from a particular artist. There has to be something more for me to shell out my dollars.

To bring it back to topic. I won’t be attending Grease just because Taylor is in it. If that makes me a bad fan. Oh well. I won’t shut the door on him completely. I’ll still check out the album when it’s finally released.

Actually, Taylor would have made out better if he had completely disappeared from the public eye for a while and take some time out to find out who he really is and then make a comeback with a totally re-invented Taylor Hicks, but it looks like to took the cheesy way out and the Taylor jokes will continue at his expense.

I think I had offered the same scenario awhile ago in old thread about what the future holds for Taylor Hicks complete with Rolling Stone interview about the cost of selling your soul to the idol devil. He did kind of drop out of sight after he finished touring and I thought that his refusal to march in Disney parades or appear on shows like Celebrity Big Brother or “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” was indicative of someone who had higher aspirations than being a former reality show contestant. I think there is something enigmatic about Taylor Hicks that I just can’t put a finger on. His affected idol persona with the whoo-hoos and Ray Charles moves now seems as much of a “part” as his teen angel role and far removed from whoever the real Taylor Hicks is. It brings to mind the comment from Kenny Rogers made that season about being three different people: the person you think you are, the person the audience thinks you are and the person you portray on stage. The more those three areas overlap, the more successful you are as an artist.

I certainly don’t begrudge him his decision to go this route but I think it will be a lot harder to try and sell whatever music he does end up putting out to anyone but diehard Taylor Hicks fans.

I certainly donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t begrudge him his decision to go this route but I think it will be a lot harder to try and sell whatever music he does end up putting out to anyone but diehard Taylor Hicks fans.

Taylor has always said that a good song is a good song and good music is good music. If a year in Grease is enough to kill his record, then it wasn’t very good music in the first place, I reckon.

I listened to some top-40 radio this weekend. It all sounded like one very long song. I guess the kind of song that sells lots of records. I’d rather listen to good music.

Funny how this whole image thing seems like the precise opposite of what it is. Being dark and smoky and penniless and all James Dean doesn’t make good music. Would a heroin habit make Taylor a better musician? Would it make you more likely to buy his music?
Reminds me of teenagers all trying to be ‘different’ by being exactly the same. Piercings, anyone? How about a nice batch of facial tattoos?

Being dark and smoky and penniless and all James Dean doesn’t make good music.

Doesn’t necessarily make bad music either. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that Taylor be penniless.

Would a heroin habit make Taylor a better musician? Would it make you more likely to buy his music?

What? LOL. Of course not.

Unfortunately, image is important. I have a co-worker friend who HATES Taylor based on his dancing-monkey Ford commercials. It’s too bad, because if he was with me at the Taylor Hicks performances I attended last year, I think he would have really liked him.

Unfortunately, image is important. I have a co-worker friend who HATES Taylor based on his dancing-monkey Ford commercials. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s too bad, because if he was with me at the Taylor Hicks performances I attended last year, I think he would have really liked him.

Then he is doomed, isn’t he?

I am amazed at how few people appreciate Taylor Hicks for being the original he truly is.

Well, I hope it all works out for him. But my fear is that the farther he gets from his Idol fame, the harder it will be to come back to music. He had a big Idol fanbase, many of whom where a little disappointed with his 1st record and have been waiting for the next one… but time moves on and people have lives… I don’t know. I don’t know if taking this much time to get something else out there is wise. I have my fingers crossed though.

As someone who has never cared for him I have to ask how is he original?

Ol’ Tay Tay can still bring the comments, can’t he.

I will inject here, because it has been referenced, that I started to worry about Taylor’s career with those ubiquitous Ford ads. I cannot tell you the number of people, some of them fans of Taylor when he was on Idol, that hated those things and felt he was selling out. I am sure he was “required” to make those, but they did not enhance his reputation, in my view.

I will say now, as I said a long time ago, I love the smooth-voiced guy who made that lovely recording “Under the Radar.” I was energized by the charismatic stage performer he was with that awesome band he toured with post-Idol.

I want that guy back, and it may happen, but I am afraid a real successful post-Idol career was run over by a Ford and slipped up by some Grease. (With maybe a dab of a not-so-great CD thrown into the mix.)

I remember Taylor from his audition and really liked the guy. Then he became a complete clown in my eyes and I couldn’t stand him. He oozed phony and that’s how I’ve seen him ever since. Of course, if I liked his singing more I probably wouldn’t care.

My expectations for Taylor’s career are pretty low but I am impressed that he had such a big effect on his fans. He seems to have touched a deep chord in them.

As someone who has never cared for him I have to ask how is he original?

As someone who is a fan and follows his career, I have to ask, how is Taylor Hicks banal?

edited – everyone has a right to be here. Please don’t question posters’ motives.

Does Taylor know who he is as a musician? I think so. But is his self-esteem strong enough for him to go against the flow? Has it ever been? These are questions I’ve always asked myself. The more I’ve watched him and learned about his life these past few years, I really wonder. He struggled so hard for so long, and then came AI and all that it supposedly offered. But that led to the conundrum: Should he do his thing his way now that he had a much broader stage? Better yet, could he? I think he wanted to and even thought he could. But things didn’t go as planned or as hoped, and he had to make some concessions. One concession led to another, and the ball may still be rolling. I don’t think it has been by choice; I think it has become necessity. I don’t for a moment believe that Taylor has sold out for the money. I think the money is a necessary means to an end.

That musician we fell in love with – the raw, gritty, pre-AI soul and blues singer – is still there. I don’t know what it will take to bring that performer back to the forefront, but I believe it will happen eventually. I see Taylor in a struggle not only for the means to finance new music and a new tour, but to reconnect with his soul. It’s there; it’s always been there. He will make the connection once again. Somehow. And I’ll be waiting.

(Rereading this post, I think I might just need a drink to help me get a grip. Anyone need a poor excuse for an armchair psychologist?)

edited – everyone has a right to be here. Please donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t question postersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ motives.

You are absolutely right, mj, and I do apologize!

edit: Apologizing and then rewording what you said is still going to get you edited. Please respect your fellow posters.

Actually Crazymomelon I thought I was defending Taylor Hicks doing Grease. Also Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been reading and posting on this board for so long that I generally read just about every story (theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re addictive) regardless if they are in favor of one of my favorites or not. I personally donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see why heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s original there are many obviously who disagree with me. I feel like Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen his type of performance style before and I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t find anything unique or special about him as I feel like heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a lesser version of The Blues Brothers. I know there are many who disagree with me and there are many who agree. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just one of those some like chocolate ice cream and some like vanilla.

Also Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been reading and posting on this board for so long that I generally read just about every story (theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re addictive) regardless if they are in favor of one of my favorites or not.

StevenD, you don’t have to explain yourself. My blog is not a fansite. Posts devoted to a particular Idol are not designed as fan threads. Negative commentary on an Idol is as welcome as the positive.

Thank you for contributing, please carry on.

There are reasons that Taylor is making these moves. I just hope he’s getting some good advice. Who knows, maybe a stinit in musical theater may be a stepping stone to movies? I just want him to have a bigger role.

I do wish him the very best and hope he will have time to do other things, even if it is a local gig.

When Simon would tell someone they are Broadway and not a Pop Star, I would think, “So, what’s wrong with that?”

I think Taylor is just being pragmatic. I don’t blame him for going for the cash. It’s not like he’s old. He has lots of time to make serious music and do the clubs. Is it so bad that he wants to cash in while there’s still someone willing to pay him? I have plenty of musician friends who take side gigs to pay the bills. There’s no shame in that. I actually think it’s a little presumptuous to assume that he’s selling out because he’s not going by some fan-prescribed script. He’s never going to be a pop star. He can make a record whenever. His shelf life for making money to be able to continue doing music is probably limited. I say give the guy a break! And I’m not a real big fan of his!

His shelf life for making money to be able to continue doing music is probably limited. I say give the guy a break! And Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not a real big fan of his!

Well, it’s a trade-off. Make the money while people still remember you or make the record while they still remember you. Perhaps finances are dictating this decision, but I agree with Beesims, I think lasting impressions and image are important. The longer he hams it up in musical theater, the less likely he’ll be taken seriously once, or if he ever, settles down to make some serious music. We may not agree on this, but I do think he has it in him to make a solid, substantial record.

As far as giving Taylor “a break”? Of course, he can do whatever he wants, and good luck to him. However, I may not be on board for everything, and I reserve the right to play armchair quarterback. .

Yep. Bad fan. .

MJ, I’ve noticed fans are the harshest critics sometimes. I really don’t see much chance of him being taken seriously, though. He’s perfect for AAA, but they don’t take AI types. They’ll put up with Amy Winehouse and all her wackiness, but ignore any merit from an AI guy. Maybe that will change….

Besides, Taylor’s already been Teen Angel. I don’t see how doing it a bit longer on the road will make that much difference in terms on how he’s perceived by the general public or the critics. Obviously, some of his fans aren’t happy.

ETA: I do think he’s more than capable of making a solid album. But I confess the hyperbole turned me off for awhile. I really think his talent is performing and selling songs, rather than writing. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong.

My last post on this topic I promise. I actually thought Taylor was doing 7 weeks of Grease and looked again and saw it was 7 months!!! And Teen Angel is a tiny part. There’s just no way this is about anything but money which is fine. Ruben Studdard did a tour with another Broadway show and that was no biggie. If Taylor hadn’t made so many comments about bring real music back, etc,. it wouldn’t be a blimp on the radar. It’s just the irony of the whole thing, Anyway, Grease could be touring for years so lots of opportunities for future AI alums looking for work.

The Teen Angel part in Grease is what it is. I’m not crazy about the whole thing, as I posted earlier, but — in the interest of accuracy — Taylor’s part is a cameo. Grease has always featured a “name” performer in that part. There’s a difference between a cameo/featured role, and a walk-on or an extra, where someone has few if any lines, no song and no buzz.

Just read this whole thread and I have to say it is so refreshing to come to a place where everyone has varying opinions that are respected without a big backlash. I agree with almost everything dante said except I haven’t moved on to other musicians. No one has touched me musically like Taylor so I will wait it out and pray for that incredible sophomore album. But meanwhile I am not happy with the Grease tour. It may be wonderful for him financially and given the same decision maybe I would have done the same but if so Taylor should stop the it’s all about the music talk and say for now at least it’s all about the money. And maybe that is what he was hinting at in his last message on Headquarters.

Dingo great to hear from you.

Mj thanks so much for your blog- you have just the right mix of letting everyone post their own opinions and modding when necessary. I don’t think many could do the fantastic job you do.

Taylor does have an album coming out soon. Right?

The longer he hams it up in musical theater, the less likely heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be taken seriously once, or if he ever, settles down to make some serious music. We may not agree on this, but I do think he has it in him to make a solid, substantial record.

I totally agree.

He says he has an album coming out. Well, he’s been saying that for months. He says a lot of things. They never pan out. I think he tells people what they want to hear and has no problems totally bsing his fans and stringing them along. I just don’t think he has any integrity. And now he’s touring Grease? Wow. So bad.

Taylor doesn’t have to answer to anyone but himself. Ever hear of “don’t bite the hand that feeds you?” Well this is exactly what happened. Grease saw an opportunity (as he was so successful in NYC) and guess what? So did he, took it as his next project and it feeds him. Did anyone expect him to say “No, I don’t want to Star in Grease’s National Tour?” Have followed many musicians in my life and whatever they announced was going to happen, I was totally satisfied with it. New doors open and don’t know of any entertainer of sound body and mind that would pass this up. Later for the CD, it is coming out, I’ll wait.

Grease is a reality show play that has been panned by all respectable critics. It’s a bad play to begin with. Why would he even want to be associated to a play cast off a reality show? To make matters worse Grease on the road is an gigantic step down. Broadway is high end, the tour is low end.

Of course he should have passed it up. I can’t think of any serious musician with any dignity who would do it. It just really reeks of desperation and feels like he’s holding on for dear life. He’d be better off leaving on a high note, but I guess he can’t pass up anything in fear that there’s nothing else. I’m pretty sure that’s the truth. I don’t believe he’s recording his album right now or in the next few months, as there would be no point since he can’t market it since he’ll be too busy doing Grease for the next year. He’s just trying to appease his fans as usual and as usual they believe every word even though his word doesn’t mean much. Whomp at the Warfield.

Well, my guess is that this is a way for him to make money and keep himself in the public eye while he secures an indie deal. I think if he had one, he’d be focusing on that, recording, and an upcoming tour, etc. That costs money. Sad but true. I doubt he’s doing “Grease” because he loves singing “Beauty School Drop Out.” At the same time, deals take time and I think it’s better he does something while he negotiates. I know the purists will disagree. I think he lost street cred (if he ever had it) a long time ago. At least he’s not hosting Bingo nights!

I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think of any serious musician with any dignity who would do it.

This isn’t necessarily a reference to Taylor, but serious musicians do lots of stuff to pay the bills, including playing music that isn’t their cup of tea. All serious musicians don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing. Just sayin…

ETA: I could say that I don’t know any serious musicians with any dignity that would try out for AI, but that would make me a hypocrite, I guess. I love the show. LOL.

Pj, you’re right. He has lost street cred – even from many of the fans that looked past the Idol stuff and tried to see him as something more real. I guess if he was a serious musician like he’s claimed so many times, he wouldn’t have sold his soul on AI and would have somehow figured out to get a record deal the regular old way. He’s willing to sell anything, that includes his dignity, his soul, meet and greets and spit filled harmonicas.

I like AI too, but not for musicians like Taylor claimed to be. Those types would generally steer clear from it.

I agree with you blueisyou. He should have passed on this. If he wants to do music, there’s always a way to do it even on a limited budget. I’m afraid this was the final straw for many of his fans. Can’t imagine there would be any anything to talk about in the next year, while he’s on the road doing Grease. As far as his next CD, I’ll believe it, when I see it. In the meantime, take everything he says with a grain of salt. You can only take the BS so far, then people start to catch on to you and when fans stop believing, you’re in trouble.

Glamour, I do think people are starting to figure this out. If his word doesn’t mean much, what is there? I have been saying this for a few months now. Even on this very blog I got in a debate about the size of Taylor’s fan base. People argued that his fan base was huge, I disagreed, pointing out that his sites have very few members. People again disagreed, saying many fans don’t use the computer. Now the numbers for EW came out proving that the SP is a far cry from big. It is tiny and he cannot afford to have this many fans disappointed in his decisions. He just doesn’t have that liberty.

He has taken the BS too far and it’s becoming painfully obvious. I see it as lying to his fans. I’m starting to wonder if some of the BS he was accused of in the past is true as well. That’s a scary thought.

Mia said, “Following various Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s lives unfold from expectations to realities is a gripping docudrama. To me Taylor looks lost. He no longer seems to know who he is.”

Mia has such a great point, although I am not sure if he doesn’t know who he is or if he just doesn’t care who we think he is as long as he is making money. I definitely feel there are some “dark corners” that he keeps far away from most folks and most particularly his fans.

Reading all the comments, I realize that I find the topic of Taylor Hicks still fascinating, as the question, not just of Taylor Hicks but of his authenticity, how people feel about all that, seems to really matter somehow, even to matter painfully. And I’m no exception. I don’t know what it all means but I think his story will make a killer movie someday. I just hope it’s not a tragedy.

I think many people are scatching their heads over Taylor Hicks. I keep wondering how does it come down to this? You are handed something on a silver platter, he got so much attention after his win. He was everywhere – magazines, TV, commercials, etc. I think most of the excitement was due to the fact that he was the most unlikely winner. Someone who struggled and had a tough life. Everyone loves to see the underdog win.

I can’t imagine what the guy is going thru now and it’s come down to singing Beauty School Dropout in a Grease tour.

You’re right, blueisyou, this would make a killer movie and it’s already a tragedy. But, it would make a greater story if he could somehow make a comeback. Everything is possible, in life.

I remember people saying things like “Taylor is set for life financially ” etc after the idol tour, Ford commercial, private gigs, his successful tour etc. What happened to all that money? I thought he was supposedly commanding $50,000 for an appearance? And he supposedly got $500,000 for the Ford commercial?

I think one reason he is losing fans is that once he lost Gray Charles, he never cared to or was able to get a good website up and running. I have partly lost interest in him as he doesn’t communicate much with his fanbase. And many of the things I hear from him don’t pan out.

I still wish him luck, but it is hard to keep faith. I will always be on the lookout for a return to the Taylor music I loved so much.

An actor performs in TV, movies, plays, and special events.

A musician performs on TV, movie soundtracks, musical theater, and special events.

Why does Taylor’s performing in a variety of venues create such a stir?

It’s amazing how magnetic the man is. He attracts fans and detractors like no other performer I’ve seen. Almost everyone has an interest in Taylor!

“Why does Taylorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performing in a variety of venues create such a stir?

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s amazing how magnetic the man is. He attracts fans and detractors like no other performer Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen.”

It really is strange isn’t it? It seems like regardless of whether you believe Taylor has a large or a small fanbase I don’t think it could be argued that he has a very vested fanbase. For some reason he has qualities(I guess charisma or magnetism) that draw your interest in his success to a very strong level. I can’t explain it. I doubt Taylor has any major problems financial or otherwise that would require his fans to be so concerned for his welfare but for some reason they are.

Because there is such a strong interest in all of his business decisions there is a lot of angst among the fans who so badly want him to suceed (typically at the fan’s definition of success).

I really think Taylor still has the same qualities that draw fans to him as he had when he was so wildly popular on AI. I think if he can ever get in front of the public again on a big scale he can recapture that magic. For whatever reason, he did not get the promo others got. Because of that it becomes out of site out of mind for virtually everyone.

I have often thought Simon Cowell or Simon Fuller ought to be able to come up with something that involved a comeback for Taylor. People would eat it up I bet.

I strongly doubt, at this point in time, that AI, Simon Cowell or Simon Fuller want anything to do with Taylor. They only promote contestants who have made a splash in the music industry and Taylor has not done anything yet, nor does he have anything to promote.

Color me very disappointed.

“It’s music, man. If music is in your heart, you feel it, you play it, you sing it, you perform it, you bust your buns doing it. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what its all about!”
–Taylor Hicks

I miss THAT guy.