Taylor Hicks’ “Early Works” Review

Taylor Hicks’ recently released compilation CD, “Early Works” is not exactly hitting the target in sales with Target. First week’s estimation had sales between 2300 and 2500 and the next week’s results filtering through the channels are perched at under 500. Disappointing, certainly considering this work the body of sound that helped to score Taylor Hicks that Idol win in 2006. I remember listening to Mr. Hicks’ tracks over at Gray-haired Dude and Wiseguy’s site, WOOO Radio back in those early days of the competition and absolutely loving what I was hearing.

Largely Taylor’s appeal for me, his being completely outside the PopTart Idol character. He did not look the part to play for a position on that reality show, and it blew me away to hear a prospective contestant in the early auditions sing something other than Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. I was a fan from the get-go. His Top 24 walk as he swaggered with measured bluesman steps, blowing a harmonica all the way from the elevator doors to the judge’s bench, captivated me. He was just too cool.

Now those same tunes that I grew so enamored with on WOOO radio for their very throw-back qualities are now, outside the show and the boundaries of their novelty, garnering criticisms even from past supporting reporters.

Ken Barnes, in USA Today’s IDOL Chatter writes,

“If there’s one overriding reaction, it was the less intensity he brings to a song, the better it sounds. Even cutting him a break for this album being made up of, well, early works, he indulges in some of the most overwrought, heavily mannered pseudo-soul singing I’ve heard since Joe Cocker’s heyday — something that the tight format of Idol probably didn’t allow him to practice to excess. The bulk of the album is made up of either dull, by-the-numbers blue-eyed soul (including, sadly, two cuts later recut for his major-label album, The Deal and Soul Thing — they are not diamonds in the rough here) or the aforementioned excursions into tortured oversinging (a cover of Ray Charles’ version of Georgia on My Mind, two highly Cocker-esque tracks called Heart and Soul and In Your Time).

Yet on a few tracks he breaks the mold, notably a pair of folky numbers, The Fall and West Texas Sky, that I would recommend you check out, especially the former. Skip, however, the ultra-loose cover of Archie Bell & The Drells’ Tighten Up, which the album booklet not only gives him credit for writing but which he seems to date (unless I misheard him) as coming from 1973, when it was a hit in 1968.

So a disappointing collection from someone who’s still one of my favorite Idol contestants. Let’s hope the new album displays a little more restraint and variety.”

I agree with Mr. Barnes regarding two of the best tracks on the “Early Works”, “The Fall” and “West Texas Sky”. He prefers the former while I prefer the latter. I find it interesting that “West Texas Sky”, up until this new CD was released had, in the past not received little to no commentary. I could imagine either one being a viable radio friendly offering.

Like Mr. Barnes I remain hopeful for Taylor Hicks.
“Well, we bursted out of class
Had to get away from those fools
We learned more from a 3-minute record, baby
Than we ever learned in school
Tonight I hear the neighborhood drummer sound
I can feel my heart begin to pound
You say you’re tired and you just want to close your eyes
And follow your dreams down…”
“No Surrender” Bruce Springsteen LYRICS

Everlast Tunes: “This Kind of Lonely”

“Put Your Lights On” Santana and Everlast live version, great combination; Santana’s flame throwing guitar work and Everlast’s full-throated growling.

video by the grace of TheGero; gracias amigo

Perhaps Taylor Hicks has something along this line regarding new music he’s working on for that post-Idol soph album.

“This Kind of Lonely” Everlast. Laid back tune, tinged country with a smack of sitting on the front porch Blues. Haunting steel guitar accompaniment. Video is a little ‘watery’ but the only one there is of a live performance.

video c/o milanv1

Everlast in 1999 at Woodstock. “Ends” Lyrics

Sunday Morning Saying “Grace”

Erick Schrody also known as Everlast and Whitey Ford, developed a unique genre-crossing sound mixing hip-hop and acoustic-based rock music; his sound appeals to me on several levels. In the event you haven’t heard of him, he won a Grammy for best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal with Latin rock musician Carlos Santana. They collaborated together for a tune called, “Put Your Lights On” featured in Santana’s 1999 album Supernatural.
“There’s a darkness,
living deep in my soul
Its still got a purpose to serve
So let your lights shine,
deep into my home
God don’t let me lose my nerve,
don’t let me lose my nerve…”

His vocals carry a subtle hint of Tom Waits married with something rich and molten, golden and fluid. He’s not a singer in the sense that the man carries a great range, but he knows what he has and works it to his advantage. In honor of Sunday, I can’t omit this tune while speaking of Tom Waits:
“Chocolate Jesus” Tom Waits

(Pure genius, and thanks to dwizle on the Youtube for capturing this golden moment on Letterman.)

Everlast, had been part of the group, House of Pain, of which I wasn’t a fan. I love his work that followed that break-up – Schrody’s soul and presence shine through.
“Lonely Road”

One basic thing that draws me to a singer, a performer, their ability to be fresh, innovative, and importantly be able to write a song. Singing covers is fine, if it’s a great tune, but to call yourself a real artist in the music world, you have to be able to pick up that pen and write.

Schrody has such a passionate, brilliant way with words. Anyone who follows any type of rap music will attest it’s all about the poetry, some are better poets than others. What I love about Schrody’s brand of music, he’s developed his own feel, a cross between that rap world, old soul and alternative rock. His exterior reads burly tough guy, but this man, who’s just recently hit that 40-year mark shows through his writing, especially over the past decade, he’s got a rich soul with intense, internal, spiritual chops.

Everlast found his portion of commercial success, not because he’s striven to be commercial, but he has a knack for targeting the emotional mark that speaks when you listen to him. His music is currently the featured opening song for TNT’s “Saving Grace”.

“One time around the sun
another year older and my work ain’t done
it’s time for me to write the final chapter

Deal the cards and roll the dice
sex drugs and rock’n roll are my only vice
tryin’ to figure out just what’s here after.”
“Saving Grace” Everlast

“What It’s Like” LYRICS

Everlast’s not been abstinent in the rifts that plague some of the mainstream rap artists and about a decade ago, a feud erupted between he and Eminem. It turned out to be likely a misinterpretation of lyrics written by Schrody that Eminem took offense to – the feud then took off in earnest with both rappers taking lyrical shots at each other. They finally arrived at a form of truce with Schrody backing out since he wasn’t in that game to fight to begin with, but it seems he did not want to appear to be intimidated by the overly passionate Marshall Mathers.

This tune is a fine example of his ability to pen down lyrics to wrap a message and story into a four minute time frame. This is an artistic video put together by caw102496 on the Youtube channel.
“White Trash Beautiful” Everlast

Everlast wrote “Letters From Home in the Garden of Stone” in honor of the current war situation in the Middle East.
“Who you think i should be fighting
Mom are you proud are you ashamed
I really am trying to do the right thing
I hope my government can say the same

cause I won’t know the man that kills me
and I don’t know these man that I kill
We all wind up on the same side
cause not one of us doing God’s will”
“Letters Home from the Garden of Stone”

Everlast’s music and news can be found over at his myspazz site.

The Calm

Thrown like a star in my vast sleep
I open my eyes to take a peep
To find that I was by the sea
Gazing with tranquillity.
‘Twas then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man
Came singing songs of love,
Then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man
Came singing songs of love.

Enjoying a nice mellow vibe.

Chris Daughtry Serenades Virgins

Voters, that is. Who knew? Chris Daughtry has sold 400 Billion copies worldwide. Yeah, with a “B”. I was wondering why he was releasing that same CD albeit with a few new tweaks and additions, and I am seeing the light now. That CD, following Chris’ fourth place ‘outster’ from that reality show, has been an enormous fat bellied cash cow. Can I get a “Mooo-lah”?

I read that stat from an article concerning Mr. D recording Foreigner’s 1977 hit, “Feels Like the First Time” for CNN. Chris Daughtry has been enlisted, so to speak, by CNN, to create the theme song for the cable news networks’ League of First Time Voters initiative. As the title of this initiative says, the League of First Time Voters, purpose is to get those virgin voters excited and motivated to get out and hit that ballot box.

It’s really a sad commentary on our country’s state of the affairs – the rampant voter apathy and the massive lack of concern the average American has for who’s calling the shots up on The Hill. So many Americans abstain from allowing themselves to soak up news, information and facts on the politicians striving to be elected, then cry foul when they find they’ve got a Fox in the Hen House. It’s also sad considering the attention and the fervor attached to the reality show, American Idol and the mass amount of folks who expend so much time and energy following the contestants of their choice and casting those telephone ballots.

Certainly I’m the last to cast judgment stones at A.I. watchers as I’ve been hooked by the gills every season, cast my phone in votes. But, I’m also a news junkie who keeps her eye on elections, local and nationally, and I participate. I admit to not engulfing myself head over heels this Presidential campaign up until recently. My reason for that, most of the time in the early stages (and this campaign did start early) there was so much bullshit and politically correct rhetoric to sludge through.

I was fascinated with Hillary Clinton’s daring bid for the top office, especially in light of the past controversies she and hubby were embroiled within during their time in the White House. There is a side of me that very much admires that lady, she has a steel spine and an iron will. (Gee, that sounds almost trite. Hillary affects me that way.) I’d never voted for her, but I am fascinated just the same.

Regarding the current candidates, my mental jury is still out. I find it near fairy-tale, the overall fan fair surrounding Obama; at least the women at the rallies have stopped fainting. Perhaps those A.I. devotees who have coined the word, “thud”, this is what was meant. That makes me wonder, just think of the genius if someone would have started a campaign with T-shirts and posters, “I Thud for Obama”. That’s rather catchy. Maybe the fainting would have continued, that at least, was entertaining.

Now McCain, he’s definitely got the experience in the bag and he’s carrying the War Prisoner badge of courage. My political leanings over the past couple of decades have switched from the left to more a more conservative viewpoint. The more education I have received about the meanings and goals behind each party, the more I realized I identified with the right. So many of the tenets of the Left contain such heavy Socialistic rhetoric and theories that I find them disturbing. Certainly too, the big Leftist proponents seem to be the ones who charge forward with some of the most vicious counterattacks. Often the folks speaking out for the Donkey Party are found to be such loons that it takes drastically away from the party’s appeal.

Ultimately, in the real world arena of voting for our country’s leaders, it will come down to who inspires me to click that button in the booth. Right or wrong, and be damned with that popular opinion, it will be my choice. That’s the beauty of the whole election process. That message ultimately the one that CNN is trying to convey in their League of First Time Voters initiative.

Returning to the Chris Daughtry and season five of American Idol topic, since Daughtry has come to the forefront as being one of that reality shows biggest money makers, do I think I got it wrong that season? I mean, look at the facts in the real world; Chris Daughtry has gone on to smoke the charts in popular opinion with those 400 Billion records sold – Taylor Hicks is still in the ‘struggling musician’ category, if you hold by the numbers. Denial aside, Taylor Hicks proponents, facts are facts. Certainly the man’s got a devoted fan base, but he’s not raking in the numbers, the figures that artists who have ‘made it’ make. Never being one to just run with the pack of popular opinion, popular choice or not, Mr. Hicks was and remains my reality show favorite. Taylor Hicks was the one who inspired me to pick up the phone back then, and after it is all said and done, he still inspires me.

Fantasizing for a moment, perhaps if the voting public could vote via phone from their living rooms we’d have a bigger “turn out”. Add to that, more televised coverage of the candidates speaking. Taking it one step further, how about a new reality show: “American Presidential Candidates”. It could begin at the start of the bid for office and continue through to the bitter end. Just imagine the ratings bonanza! (FOX are you listening?) Just think, MacDonalds could have special Happy Meal toys featuring fun facts, slogans and figurines of the candidates, like they do with American Idol. It’s a given who’d be the Chosen One for the show’s opening and closing tunes, it would be That Guy with 400 Billion albums sold, right CNN?

“Crashed” Daughtry

video c/o semolinacustard

Staind: Substance Over Illusion

Today marks the release date for Staind’s new album, “The Illusion of Progress”. I’ve heard some of the new tracks and it’s a change from some of the band’s previous works. Guitarist Mike Mushok has said that “The Illusion of Progress” marks a very different record for the band, “…better different.” I agree.

This new sound not the only evidence this band continues to grow and evolve; they’re branching into an interesting form of marketing. What spurred this idea behind the new CD campaign? The band has, over the past two years witnessed the benefits of interaction with the fans.

Lead singer, Aaron Lewis is a contrast to the likes of say, Eddie Veddar, with his long tangle of hair, model good looks. Lewis is this slightly bearish looking guy with round powerful looking shoulders and fierce ‘Colin Ferrel’ eyebrows. I mean, if you passed the guy on the street you might dismiss him as a local construction worker. That just lends to the guy’s appeal. Aaron Lewis’ beauty lies in his voice, the man possesses some of the best rock vocals in the market today. Lewis doesn’t need rely on studio production or over instrumentation to sound great, he’s absolutely dynamic when he performs acoustically.

Here’s Lewis in a video from 2006, “Outside” (Love this song.)

In a positive form of self-promotion, Staind has become a real presence on their website. They take the reins regarding involving themselves in the communication with their fans, providing that reach out and touch us experience. Their fans have responded in kind which has motivated the band to continue to do even more. Mushok says Staind is looking forward to seeing how the new initiatives play with its fan base but likes the fact that everything that’s planned “…gives a little bit more back to the fans. It gives them more options and ways of getting more from us.” Yes, give and you receive. Mushok’s a wise man.

Now what exactly is Mushok referring to in his statement? Not content to just put out a new album or offer the usual exclusive or special edition album to accompany the main offering, Staind is taking it a step further. On top of the exclusive album offering three bonus tracks, buyers also receive a free one-year membership to their fan club (Dysfunctional Fan Club). According to Dane Venable, the senior VP of pop/rock marketing with Atlantic, this offering encourages buyers to link to the group’s Web site and expose them to Staind’s online community. Involvement within the community has proven to build band loyalty as the fans are able to stay abreast of the real life happenings for the band and their music, tours. This also allows access to a special 30-minute documentary on the making of the album.

Although they have a paying portion to their website, unlike some artists, Staind’s Official website’s forum is open to view – you don’t have to be a member to read the forum. This contrasts to what is seen in some artist’s ‘official websites’, that webpage ‘gate’ that you can’t pass until you pay up.

“Believe”, is the first single released from the album, currently sitting at No. 9 on the Mainstream Rock chart after just four weeks. The benefits of having the backing of Flip/Atlantic will be felt as the marketing campaign unfolds. The label has planned an ambitious viral campaign for the launch and promotion of the album utilizing a broad range of Web sites and platforms. Outside of taking the single to radio, the new CD is for sale on iTunes, and back on July 24, released the video on AOL.

New tune, “Believe”

Aug. 28, Staind will appear on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Touring starts with two weeks of European dates with Nickelback in September, which is part of the band’s first concerted campaign overseas. Staind returns to North America, touring October through December, more dates expected after the first of the year.

As the story has it, following this new tour, Aaron Lewis will be releasing a solo album with acoustic tunes. A cover of “Turn the Page” might be on it.

Staind has definitely turned their own page, regarding maturity, growth and artistry as “The Illusion of Progress” evidences.

Taylor Hicks and “Don’t Let Me Down”

You know it’s one thing to have an interest in a singer, celebrity, it’s completely another thing to consider oneself ‘Hall Monitor’ for that individual. This little phenomenon is commonplace among the fans circumventing American Idol contestants. Interesting in an odd non-important way but perhaps a study in what drives the popularity of that show.

It’s funny some of the tactics used to gang up or run off ‘elements’ that the kewl kids on the block deem non desirable. Like in my blog yesterday, these characters are still back in the school yard ganging up and playing bully. Just like those schoolyard bullies they find justification in random ways for their actions, and just like those schoolyard bullies, they are always on the side of ‘right’.

Another funny thing, many like to hide behind the ‘bringing it all back together’ facade while still carrying on the fight, behind the scenes so to speak. In the Girlfriends blog, once again Chill comes out looking like she wants unity, is against the name calling of ‘good’ fan, vs ‘bad’ fan, even starts a post about her let’s all get along facade. Well, it does make her appear to be fair and nice and sane, even though behind the scenes she befriends and makes wagers in order to intimidate and try to kick me off of a certain site. That whole concept an obvious attempt brought out by the troubled 15 Minutes of Fame person designed to keep me away, natch. So obvious, so low-brow and so childish. Ah, those Kwazzy Fanatics.

Then there’s the sisters of Taylor Hicks’ fandom who are incessantly yapping about suing this person or that. Man, litigious must be their middle name, if it’s not one thing, it’s another issue that has them screaming ‘court’ and ‘criminals’. Then, as a side note, curiously at the top of Chill’s site, she has in her website “…be nice” as something Taylor Hicks supposedly said in reference to the fans.

Apparently that does not apply to many of the ladies at the Girlfriends’ site. That or the definition is what is the issue. Let’s see, “Nice”.

Ah, Mr. Hicks, I think certain somebodies are letting you down.

“Don’t Let Me Down” Taylor Hicks

video c/o sunnydey1

You all be nice.

Taylor Hicks’ Elusive Deal with Target

I beg to differ with some of the usual Taylor Hicks’ bloggers encouraging folks to run not walk to the local Target for their copy of the Taylor Hicks’ “Early Works” CD. Oh, and don’t look on-line, Target doesn’t have it for sale there either.

Before anyone wants to immediately label me as just spewing negativity or lies, man – I did a little research this morning. I pulled up Target on-line thinking, as I cued in “Taylor Hicks” in search, that one of those cute ads that some of the other bloggers had displayed on their sites would pop up with some sort of happy exclamation that yes, indeed the new Taylor Hicks compilation CD was actually ready for purchase.

Instead what I found, after hitting ‘enter’, this PAGE. So I stepped it up, went in a general search only to be directed to THIS PAGE. It is Target’s on-line area that takes you into amazon.com which we know isn’t selling “Early Works”. Low and behold, no on-line marketing of Taylor Hicks on the Target sites. What has the Target reference spelled “Exclusive”, been actually intended as “elusive”? That word is seeming to fit much better.
***Correction, August 13, you can purchase this CD on-line, apparently at amazon.ca. Those lucky Canooks. Of course, I doubt that amazon.ca will hold it against you if you’re not Canadian. Go ahead, order your copies.***

My curiosity peaked now, and after grabbing another cup of Joe, I decided to pull out the cell phone. After all it does say in the gray print not all of Target’s offerings are available on-line. (That first cup always encourages my reading comprehension.) My thought on this was though, since reportedly Taylor Hicks has penned this elusive ‘exclusive deal’ with Target you’d think interested parties could buy the new CD on-line through them. What do I know? Obviously jack.

I picked up the phone and called one of the largest Super Targets in Dallas. I mean this is a mega-Super Target, and not wanting to start at the middle I went to the top of the Target food chain, locally. I also asked to speak to the manager in the music department, man, I wasn’t going to mess with a mere salesperson. Manager-Man came to the phone within a minute or two; I inquired as to whether he had that new Taylor Hicks’ CD, “Early Works” in-store. The man paused and then said, “Who?”

I gave the guy the run down that his company had this exclusive deal to market Tayor Hicks’ new CD, “Early Works”, mentioned that Taylor Hicks had been on American Idol a while back. I’m sure this impressed him, he cleared his throat, said something to the effect that he did not know the name, and likely thought I’m a complete loser in the musical tastes. The guy said, “Hold on and I’ll see what I can find out.”

He returned to the phone and said, “Oh, we have a couple of them, I saw two.” Being the Curious George that I am I asked can you tell me how many you received today? He looked it up in their magic Target computer machine and told me, “Two”. I thought to myself as I hang up, ‘two’ what the hell kind of promotion sends in two lousy CD’s for the first day of sales?

Not stopping with that mega-Super Target, I called another Target closer to me. That sales manager informed me they didn’t have any, to check the Super Targets they might. This sales guy had no knowledge of this CD and apologetically added he wasn’t familiar with ‘that guy’.

So I thought, well this is Dallas, I’ll go to Taylor Hicks’ ‘homeland’. I pulled up Targets in the Birmingham, Alabama area. Target in Fultondale told me they did not carry it, nor did he see it coming in on his list – he advised me to check the Birmingham area Super Targets. I called the Trussville SuperTarget next. A very polite sales girl and about three other people went into discussion about not knowing what I was asking for – I could hear them over the phone she had laid on the counter. Salesgirl returned with negative news, they did not have any in stock, had not received any nor was there any on the incoming list.

I hit the jackpot calling the Birmingham 280 Super Target, they had received 10 copies in stock and at the time I called, had three left, obvious some fans in the B’Ham area.

Here’s the store with three left:
Birmingham 280 Corridor SuperTarget
4616 Highway 280 S
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 408-7687

None of the other stores had any copies in the B’Ham area.

So before you go walking, running, or drive in your car to your local Target, call first. Good luck with finding the “Early Works”. Perhaps more will be on the way, I mean after all this is just the first day of offering the CD through this big Target promotion. There is always re-orders and you can call and just bug the crap out of those sales people who don’t know who you’re asking about – that is one grassroots way to get the man’s name out.

Taylor Hicks “Early Works” Has Me Thinking…Bob Marley

Tomorrow is the big day that Taylor Hicks’ “Early Works” hits the market. Will we see a spark, a light or just some stirring it up? Let me light up a big fat one in celebration, and hope for the best for Taylor Hicks’ CD.

Man, but right now, I’m thinking Bob Marley.
“Stir it up” Bob Marley

While I’m on the Bob Marley track, lest I forget one of my absolute favorite moments from last season’s American Idol, and in honor of “Uncle” Nigel Lythgoe departing the show, how about some gorgeous Jason Castro.
Jason Castro Shot the Sheriff

Castro seemed done with playing their little game. I love a quiet rebel.

You Say Good-Bye, I Say Hello

Reading through the massive amounts of emails waiting for me from my week and a half off the computer enough to annihilate several thousands of my gray matter particles. Some of the things you, dear readers, write to me are completely astounding. I’m guessing throughout all the written missives, I was missed. In turn, it seems I missed out on some changes in the Hicks’ internet websites as well as the rumored start up of a promotional campaign related newsletter.

Whereas a few of the Taylor Hicks’ related websites have given it up and shut down, another newsletter idea has been broached to help in marketing Taylor Hicks. I found this discussion on the “Official Soul Patrol” site. The goal and purpose of this newsletter described; “Join the Marketing Taylor Hicks newsletter! No spam. No email or group conversations. Your email address is not shared with anyone. You will receive one email per week filled with lots of information on how to help market Taylor’s music. This weekly email newsletter is for people who like American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, and want to help market his music. The newsletter is filled with lots of marketing information! To subscribe, send an email to marketingtaylorhicks-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.”

About a dozen folks gathered in that thread to talk about Taylor Hicks and this ‘grassroots’ planned effort of guerilla marketing. This newsletter is to stand, from what I comprehend, as a guideline on better ways to reach out to the mass public to inform and recruit interest in Taylor Hicks and his music.

Taylor Hicks has his compilation CD due to hit the Target shelves on August 12th. Goal one of this group and other Taylor Hicks’ fans, to get folks to buy the CD. Thinking is, if someone buys this CD, they will love it and become stalwart fans. That brings me to the discussion, however muted in this thread for the newsletter. As always there is that Soul Patrol aspect and moniker to contend with, and no matter how it’s phrased if you are not ready to stand up and shout “Soul Patrol” or become a board member, you just ain’t a fan. Not really.

As this poster writes, being content to just post and blog about Taylor Hicks a paltry effort to try and keep his name up and noticed. “Congratulations PBF and whoever else is involved in the creation of this great idea. It’s refreshing to see the fans actually doing something and taking positive steps to help Taylor instead of just posting and blogging about it. It is one thing to talk about doing something while it’s another to actually do something about it as you and other supporters are doing.” Yes, that newsletter will certainly be the cure for the common sales woes. I mean why hasn’t anyone done this previously? hmm. Wait, there was that Modern Whomp Magazine attempt. Interestingly this individual starting the newsletter and that individual with the now defunct magazine effort have something in common…

How well this idea will go over is hard to tell, especially in light of what this newsletter publisher may be dealing with regarding potential associations. One example, one poster was simply having problems just grappling with the grassroots idea, she writes, “Purple, I’m sure you have fans who are interested in this, however, I’m curious and need more information. Who is in charge of this? Who authorized it? What are the goals? I have a lot of questions about it…”

Regarding ‘authorization’ I believe point is missing here, that working under the ‘grassroots’ ideology puts aside any need for any sort of authorization. As far as ‘goals’ I think it’s self evident what the ‘goals’ are intended.

Then there is this happy poster who simply decides to write in song, “Love lifts us up where we belong….” I like them, short, simple and random. One other was concerned she was knocking but she couldn’t get in to the membership area, “Am I one of the ones floating around out there? I sent my request to join.”

Where’s the ‘net to reel her in?

Apparently something wandered amiss as one of the moderators wrote, and in context it sounds more random than the singing poster, “Lets stick to the topic of this thread.

ANYONE having personal issues with who is saying what on other blogs, needs to take this to either PM or Email, NOT on the boards.”

I went back to reread and did not see anyplace in which anyone mentioned anything untoward or out of place…that was followed with the non-fan discourse, “Why would “nonfans” want to join to help Taylor ?? Is it just Ideas in general to help different artists or just for Taylor?”

Which was answered with “By “non fans” I mean people who are not part of the sp/fan boards.”

That brings me back to circle on the fan/non-fan issue. “The majority of people who voted for Taylor have lost track of him or have ceased to be as enamored as they initially were. This is a way to learn how to get these people back into the Taylor Hicks camp.”

That creates pause; consider the ways that many of Taylor Hicks’ current on-line fans behave. I mean, you can’t joke around about Mr. Hicks, you can’t question anything he does, anything he has said, you must always present a completely over the top fan aspect or you are accosted, insulted, and labeled a non-fan. Hopefully the newsletter will aide in how you can actually cultivate and gather fans rather than run them off.

Fuel for thought, if someone disagrees with you and you have a goal to bring them over to your viewpoint, what is the most effective manner of approach? Certainly you catch more flies with sugar than vinegar, but many of the fans only know vinegar, sugar the last thing they consider.

Many in this fan base of Taylor Hicks, who label themselves Soul Patrol, are of the opinion that if you don’t fall in line and think and act like they do you should be beaten bloody and cast onto a teeming ant pile. Seriously, there are some rabid and vicious members of this base that have turned away many a fan from fear of what steaming pile they’re stepping into. I have folks who read me regularly, email me often but won’t post – certainly not with their usual on-line names for fear of retribution or worse. It’s silly yet true. Association with me likened to hanging with the Devil himself because I dare to speak my opinions and my mind regardless of the common accepted theories of thought regarding Taylor Hicks. To joke, to question equals ‘smearing the man’s name’ and other nonsensical bullshit that clogs up the rational for even wanting to show support for the man.

Lest you think I’m trying to claim any originality for this thought, this poster in the thread proves there are many who think this way, “I’m sure Taylor has lots of supporters out there who prefer not to be involved in board politics. I can’t say that I blame them.”

So will this newsletter lend any insight, change anything or alter the current Taylor Hicks on-line culture? From my stand point, I seriously doubt it.