Try to understand the music industry and the major changes happening today and be confused and perplexed. It is in flux, to say the least. According to widely-read bloggers, the major labels are dead, fans are fed up paying high prices for tickets for bad seats, Madonna is not singing live on stage, and the biggest music stars in the world can’t sell out stadiums or arenas. Music is shared for free all other the internet and available to purchase by the track. How to sell an album?
What are artists to do?
Stick to the music. Make good the live performance. Carve their niche. Connect with the fans.
In January of this year, Taylor Hicks released the long awaited DVD, “Whomp at the Warfield,” captured at the historic Warfield Theatre in San Francisco near the end of the first leg of his 2007 National Modern Whomp Solo Tour. The second leg of the exhausting tour continued until November 1, ending in Philadelphia, Mississippi, at Pearl River Resort.
The killer schedule paid off, and the American Idol alum set course on a road to long term success.
This long term success of the reality music show alumni was the subject of a recent blog.
As American Idol prepared to launch Season Nine, Jayelle Hartley, a blogger at open.salon.com/blog looked “beyond the 15 minutes of Idol fame.” Taylor Hicks was on her list of 15. Her focus for his longevity was his “touring mindset.”
“So what will it take to keep their careers going into the future? Diversification is key to extending a run on the show into a lasting career. …Touring is providing the Lion's Share of income, while Broadway is cherry picking the stage proven performers. Film and TV offers are also in the works for many. Diversification is key and these alums must work hard to maintain momentum.
“Which idol alum are most likely to achieve long-term success in the entertainment industry? Here is an alphabetical list of 15 idols who may have the best chance for extended careers in entertainment.
“Taylor Hicks (2006 Season Five, Winner)
Hicks utilized his decade of experience as a professional singer-songwriter/musician /performer to sail to Idol victory. His joyful, uninhibited performances and soulful voice mobilized an enthusiastic fanbase dubbed the 'Soul Patrol'. Post-Idol, He debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his single 'Do I Make You Proud'. The album 'Taylor Hicks' debuted at #2 and was certified platinum, but sales soon flatlined due to the music industry's lack of interest in promoting the 30 year old's hybrid rock/soul/blues sound.
“Touring proved his strength when he became the first alum to come directly off the show as a successful solo concert headlining act, a status he maintains to this day.
“After a mutual split from Arista, Hicks went indie, formed his own music company and produced 2009's 'The Distance' and the 2010 concert DVD 'Whomp At The Warfield'. In summer 2008, Hicks surprised many with his Broadway debut as 'Teen Angel' in Grease. The part went over so well that he was subsequently offered a lucrative deal as their marquee star on the national tour. His box office draw has the charismatic Clooney look-alike fielding future Broadway, TV and film offers. Hicks emphasis on business and artistic control as well as a tireless touring mindset has him in the game for the long term.”
That touring mindset has served him well.
The 2007 snapshot taken in “Whomp at the Warfield” showcases mindset turned magic that made his Modern Whomp Solo Tour the …
27th highest grossing tour of 2007!
That’s pretty amazing considering how many long-established artists toured that year!
As Ms. Hartey points out:
“…he became the first alum to come directly off the show as a successful solo concert headlining act, a status he maintains to this day.”
In a cover article in the Birmingham Magazine in July, 2009, Michael Douglas of Taylor’s management team, recounted the tour’s success and said that it gave the necessary jumpstart for Taylor to pursue business ventures like forming his own recording company, Modern Whomp Records, as well as a touring and merchandising company.
With Taylor’s unwavering devotion to his music, business acumen, and tireless work ethic…
He looks headed for way beyond 15 minutes of fame.
He has said over and over that this is a marathon, not a sprint.
From Warfield to WorkPlay…
Taylor Hicks is on a long train running…
And it’s on track.
Photo by Natalie Goik: Taylor at WorkPlay, September, 2009.
Quotes from:
Jan. 8, 2010 4:06PM
Beyond 15 minutes of American Idol Fame
http://open.salon.com/blog/jayelle_hartley/2010/01/08/beyond_15_minutes_of_american_idol_fame
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1 comment:
In every train's life, there will be times when it breaks down ( At the Seven Mile Marker , perhaps ). The Hicks Express is getting Greased and will make its way back on track for more solo tours in the future.
He needs fuel ( funds , material and recognition ) to keep his train running. Taylor will surely engineer his musical vehicle and be back on the tracks soon.
cath
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