The Roanoke Times: Idol Times

Comments

# 1

[March 27, 2008 1:03 PM]

Marc

I'm not gunna speak for anyone else, but my response to "Wendy" was not an attempt to help Mr. Hick's. As far as I'm concerned, the man needs no help - he's doing quite well by himself and far better than anything you can claim to be 'noteworthy'.

Furthermore, "bizarre accusations" you say? Need I remind you to reread you're own words which read: "As for a comment made about Taylor and the record label "mutually" ending their relationship, maybe so. But isn't that generally what the dumpees say?"

Talk about a 'bizarre accusation'. If that isn't an "incite to riot" statement, I don't know what is. It's sole purpose is to aggrivate his fanbase. Shame on YOU.

You stop with drive-by attacks and we'll stop with the reciprocating negative responses.

# 2

[March 27, 2008 2:00 PM]

sisymay

I love Taylor Hicks so much, and I did consider myself part of the soul patrol until they got so fierce with everyone.

I understand that they want to defend him, since he has always gotten the short end of the stick and because AI did him so wrong. BUT, lots of them go way overboard.

I just don't consider myself part of the soul patrol anymore, even though I am a huge fan.

Everytime I read the rantings of the SP, I can only imagine what Taylor is thinking.

He says he is grateful for his fans, and has never shown otherwise. He is very thankful and gracious and is a gentleman in every sense of the word.

But come on, I really believe he doesnt' like all this crap.

# 3

[March 27, 2008 3:29 PM]

Clint

I agree with you, Ramiele was the worst followed by David A. But most of all Chikeze should NOT have been sent home last night.

Clint in Aspen, CO

# 4

[March 27, 2008 4:54 PM]

sar

Dear Wendy, I apologize , also....I was just responding to the "Taylor who?" comment. What's the saying about the turtle winning the race? One never knows, he may be no # 1 again, soon.

# 5

[March 27, 2008 6:34 PM]

Chuck

I can't wait for some new music from Taylor Hicks. He is a genuine musical talent, and I have no doubt he will bounce back and continue.

# 6

[March 28, 2008 2:52 PM]

I heart M.Johns

Maybe it's b/c he's the oldest of the group (and closest to my age), but I love Michael Johns. A friend burned me a CD of some music by Michael's old band ... The Rising? ... and it was good. Kind of Pearl Jammy. But after watching a video of him in that band, I've got to say he's way hotter now. In one video, he was wearing a white baseball cap with shorts and T-shirt, looking frat-boyish.

# 7

[March 28, 2008 3:09 PM]

Sheila

I don't know why people like to bash Taylor, who obviously America loved and voted for. His Taylorization of classic songs grabbed America by the heart, and no one else has done that since. I would think that after the way Clive Davis dismissed him on the AI finale last year, I would think Taylor wanted to "dump" them. They know he has potential to be #1, but Clive was too busy promoting his choosen one. However, Taylor is a road warrior, and he knows the business. He is still more well known than the kids on the show right now. His live performances are the most amazing experience. I think he will be making LIVE music for many years, and will become a legend, and we will look back at this and say.... Oh yea...didn't he start out on that American Idol show?

# 8

[March 29, 2008 4:46 PM]

Saundra

Wendy,

The facts about the Taylor Hicks/J Records split are on record but statements by the label reps unfortunately came after this initial article was published.

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/01/two-idol-winner.html?cid=96209426#comment-96209426

In it, this was the only quote by a label rep: "Taylor is going to record his next album on his own," said a label rep. "He is no longer on the J Records roster."

That quote started the rumor that "he had been 'dropped' by the label because of poor sales", and is still being spun negatively by news media and blogs months later.

Later statements made by the label reps disputed the notion they dropped him, but that the two camps reached a mutual agreement for his next album. --------

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/01/katharine-mcphe.html

In this article dated Wednesday, January 9, 2008 ~ Shirley Halperin's EW article titled "Katharine McPhee: the latest Idol to go indie" it says, in part:

As for this recent spate of Idol exits, a rep for the RCA Music Group (which includes Arista, RCA, and J Records) tells Insider, “With respect to Taylor, we have an understanding that he will come back to us to play music once he’s finished writing his new material.”

------------ Friday, January 11, 2008 ~ NY Daily News article titled "Katharine McPhee voted off by RCA" http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2...off_by_rca.html (quotes pertaining to Katharine, Ruben and Taylor)

KATHARINE ~ "We put millions behind Katharine. Many of us at the label still love her songs. But we're in the major leagues. We didn't think she could break into the mainstream. We would rather be honest." (McPhee is talking with another label and is due to star in the movie "I Know What Boys Like.")

RUBEN ~ "The exec noted that Studdard put out three albums, "but there comes a time when we have to recognize the market for adult-oriented albums is tough. We allowed him to be a free agent, to make the record he wanted to make.

TAYLOR ~ "The same thing with Taylor Hicks. We didn't want to shove any songs down his throat. We wanted to make an album in the style he was comfortable with. We mutually agreed that he'd work on an album [on his own], we'd listen, and we'd see where we go from there. There's no acrimony."

------------

Saturday, January 12, 2008 ~ Reuters article titled "Idol dilemma -- ratings up, sales down" http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN1232057720080112?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

As for the "Idol" alumni jettisoned by RCA, Corson says "the door is open" to Hicks, once he completes his album on his own. As for Studdard, "it was business as usual," he says.

# 9

[March 29, 2008 5:19 PM]

Kimberly Chirhart

My money's on David Archeletta !!! And it was on Taylor Hicks in Season 5!!! Taylor is an AMAZING LIVE performer!! Can't help but have a good time at his shows!! Nice guy personally too.....have spent time around him on numerous occasions and he's awesome!!!