Taylor Hicks is an entertainer first and foremost. He said so again this week after his memorable performance at the Republican National Convention in Tampa Thursday night.
He told HuffPost Celebrity:
“I’m an entertainer; that’s what I was invited to do. Seeing everyone being excited about the American political process is great. I’d go to the Democratic National Convention too if I was invited.”
It was a busy and, undoubtedly exciting, week closing his summer run at Bally’s in Las Vegas on Saturday night, then opening a week’s run at Harrah’s in Reno on Tuesday night, traveling to Tampa and performing “Takin’ It ToThe Streets” just before Clint Eastwood’s appearance and Republican Presidential Candidate, Mitt Romney’s acceptance speech.
At first, it was assumed to be an endorsement. Then Taylor Hicks declined to make it that and opened an interesting concept of celebrating the American political process while holding close his vote.
Isn’t that the way it is. We are all alone in the voting booth. It is the place where we voice our ultimate choice, made with soul searching, trying to gather facts, separating the important and not so, and looking at our own values.
But can a celebrity only entertain?
The Season Five American Idol told Fox and Friends Friday morning that his job was to “light some sparks” at the RNC and again sidestepped a question of support for the candidates. He said he was “keeping his vote” and “If you don’t like what you see, use your vote to change it.”
That’s the way it is. We all have a vote.
I respect Taylor Hicks’ decision to celebrate the importance of the event. He sincerely expressed how honored he was to be a part of it. He’s alone in the voting booth just like the rest of us.
His job is to entertain. As Americans with precious freedoms, it is our job to be informed, make the best decisions based on what we believe, and vote.
I think that’s what he has been saying. He chooses not to use his celebrity to endorse political candidates or try to influence our decisions.
It begs the question is a celebrity a rightful spokesperson for political views and persuasion? Now, they absolutely have the same freedoms we do to speak their minds and work for whomever they choose, and Taylor Hicks may choose to at another time. And we choose where we gather our information and who influences our decisions.
While I respect many celebrities as great people and Americans, I choose not to be influenced by their endorsements.
While celebrating the political process from which we all choose our leaders, Taylor Hicks kept the slate clean.
I think he deserves our respect and admiration for doing what he does best—entertaining.
Here is his performance at the RNC captured by PBS:
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Speaking of entertaining, he is back in Reno, NV tonight at Sammy’s Showroom in Harrah’s doing what he does best! If you think he rocked the RNC, wait until you see him and his band on stage for 90 minutes. He appears through the weekend with two shows Saturday night and shows Sunday and Monday nights.
For tickets and information:
http://www.harrahsreno.com/casinos/harrahs-reno/casino-entertainment/taylor-hicks-detail.html
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Sources:
“Taylor Hicks On Performing at the RNC, Taking Risks”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/31/taylor-hicks-rnc_n_1847494.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
Fox and Friends:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1815677065001/former-idol-taylor-hicks-on-fix--friends
Photo Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP via People Magazine: Taylor Hicks' sound check before RNC performance 8.29.2012.
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