Has American Idol abandoned last year’s winner Taylor Hicks?
I was flipping through Newsweek yesterday at the North Star Cafe and came across a short article titled “Taylor’s Bad Day,” which asks the provocative question: did America pick the wrong American idol?
What the article refers to is the fact that “rocker” Chris Daughtry, who finished 3rd, has the No.1 album, which has sold over 1.7 million copies and has generated more airtime and buzz. Meanwhile, the winner Taylor Hicks, who’s distinctive for his gray hair, released his album three weeks ago and has sold only 640,000 albums so far. Even worse, his songs are getting little, if any, airtime. Frankly, I haven’t heard any of his songs on the radio, while I’ve heard Daughtry’s over and over again. J Records, the music label representing Taylor Hicks, tries to explain here that Hicks probably has a different audience than Daughtry, so it may take longer for (older) folks to buy Taylor Hicks’s album.
I think there might be something else (also) going on: American Idol has basically abandoned Taylor Hicks. Idol is not heavily promoting him, and, to add insult to injury, the show picked Chris Daughtry’s song “I’m coming home” as its farewell song for the entire season. Even worse, here’s what Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe said in Newsweek, “I think everybody thought Chris was going to win last season, including myself, and to be frank, people say Simon was wrong [to bash] Taylor. I’m not sure he was. People are buying Daughtry, not Taylor.”
While I believe Daughtry is definitely more marketable (and to be honest Daughtry’s music is more of my style), it’s pretty shabby for American Idol’s own producer to start bashing the person whom America voted for as the top Idol last year. Not only is it a bad business practice, it’s just a low blow.
Filed under: Media
This is two American Idol posts too many.
Yes, the people they chose on AI is absurd. Fantasia?! Come on!
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So the question I would have been more interested, so you’ve become a north star regular? what did you have… I always have a hard time avoiding the veggie burger and only taste other things when someone else orders them - kinda sad.
yeah, I love North Star. I usually get some form of burrito (most times, the bbq) with tofu and a salad instead of chips. quite yummy.
Hicks, smicks couldn’t care less. The bbq burrito is awesome. But next time try the sweet basil burrito, it’s even better.
Taylor Hicks was awesome on American Idol, however his CD is too tame for me. I like the crazy-ness he showed on the show. I hope he comes out with a more wild & funky kinda CD.
Still His #1 Fan.
Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!
Taylor did get a raw deal, and Idol should be held accountable to him for their lack of support. He legitimately won Idol last season, therefore, it is their duty to support and promote him. How dare they not pick a song by last season’s winner. I love Christ Daughtry, BUT that was really a low way to send a message to Taylor that we will not be supporting you. I’m a Taylor fan. Do I think Chris should have won…YES. But, America voted for Taylor. Idol should be obligated to play one of his songs on this season’s show. They want praise from the winners and even from those who don’t get their “love”, so why are they completely dissing Taylor? They suck, that’s why! And I don’t get Chris allowing them to play his music. From what I understood, he wasn’t exactly on good terms with them. It just isn’t right.
Idols do not need support after they win. If they are truly an idol, then the consumer will validate that. God Bless America’s freedom to buy what you want.
Hicks sucks, that’s why he’s not selling. He never should have won. He only won because he acted goofy.
Taylor promised “People are going to get their money’s worth” when they go to his shows. Well, I’m still flying high from his show last night. Just as I knew he would, Taylor ROCKS!!! He is one of the greatest entertainers I have ever seen, right up there with Elvis (saw him 5 times) and Michael Jackson & the Jackson Five!! Saw their “Victory Tour” . Go see Taylor live and you will agree!! America made the right decision when voting for Taylor!
Saw Taylor in Jacksonville Florida and couldn’t have come away happier. I only wanted to see him again! Even if a person is not as good as some might think just go on your way and find someone you like. STOP! with the trashing. Everyone should have a chance at their dream and I admire someone that gives that dream a chance and doesn’t give up.
If Idol is dissing Taylor and he is that good, then prove them wrong. Get out there and be an Idol. There is no way he is any good. He is so done and he has not even started yet.
how would you like it if someone told you ,yeah!! guess what you are out of here. can you even think of how it is to become a winner?? Taylor will be there for us in years to come. it may be a night club but where will you find YOUR favorite??????
I absolutely support Taylor Hicks. I’m old enough to be his mother and I was absolutely sold with him during the Idol “5″ season. When I first saw him during his audition he blew me away. Who would think that a 29 gray haired man would win the American Idol? Well, Simon did and so did millions of other’s. Chris Daughtry sells music to the younger crouds. I grew up with Jazz, Motown, the 60’s-70’s and then the music become louder and louder. Taylor Hicks brought back Soul and it’s not easy to sing Soul, but Taylor had no problem at all. Randy Jackson pointed out that no matter who the artist is, no matter what song it is, you make it your own. Taylor always put his heart and sould into his performance. He absolutely blew me away with his rendition of Taking It To The Streets. I felt miserable when I didn’t hear Taylor on the radio and also no mention of him from American Idol. We just recently saw him in person at the Grove in Anaheim. He had an audience of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. He was absolutely sensational and we couldn’t believe how personable he was to the entire audience. I was more than pleased to see him perform Heaven Knows on this year’s American Idol. I was thrilled to see him perform in front of the judges once more. What really went on is unclear, but all I know is that he was greatly mistreated as a winner and scorned. He’s bigger than they are because he’s a gentle Soul. He should have had a chance to sing the bye-bye song rather than Chris. Also, Shame on Clive Davis for praising Chris and putting down Taylor, Katherine McFee and also Ruben Studdard. What nerve he had in front of millions of people down playing the great SOUL PATROL KING by the name of Taylor Hicks! I love Taylor and he will go far due to his blues background. You can only take so much of yelling and screeming hard rock.
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He can’t sing in tune, he can’t hold long notes, and his voice isn’t even that good. His singing technique is mediocre at best. And he has neither looks nor charisma, unless you count goofing around on stage and fiddling around with his harmonica ‘charismatic’.
It’s the classic case of the masses going for the likeable underdog. They can identify themselves with him because their lives are just as mediocre as his singing is. Luckily this kind of freak result doesn’t happen every season. Katharine McPhee has a fantastic voice and looks hot, but lost out on the title. Go figure.
I voted for Taylor Hicks; saw him in concert and enjoy his CD’s/. I am so disappointed he doesn’t get airtime. He is a faantastic performer! America loved him. We should be able to hear him and see him.