I’ve been a fan of both Blake and Jordin all season so I was happy that they were the final two. Blake has been very original and creative all season. Despite what some other Wild Bluff Media staff members might think, I liked the beat boxing (and he’s on vacation so he can’t argue with me this time 
). But Jordin, Jordin has the voice. She has grown tremendously as a singer and performer this season. People like to see that improvement over the course of the show. I think that was one of the reasons she beat out Melinda who had been consistently good from week 1. Blake may have been entertaining and fun, but Jordin has the pipes. All three judges said as much last night.
Now, I know Blake has a big fan following otherwise he wouldn’t have edged out Melinda last week, but frankly, Blake didn’t stand a chance last night. Jordin sounded even better than she has at any point earlier in the season. The contest-winning song, This is My Now which they both had to perform last night, was practically written for Jordin. At the same time it was not Blake’s style at all. Blake did a good job singing it but Jordin’s performance was amazing, brilliant, awesome, fantastic, transcendental… it was so good I can’t some up with a single word to describe it. I know This is My Now is supposed to be the first single released by the winner but, if Blake were to win through some miracle, he should still let Jordin have the song anyway. It isn’t his style of music. It isn’t the kind of music that his fans who have been supporting him all season want to hear from him. If he were to release it instead of something edgier it would be a flop. We would end up with another Taylor Hicks.
I don’t think we have to worry though. Jordin is going to be the next American Idol.
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Posted on: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Taylor Hicks is a multi-millionaire with a million plus CD sales; an original single that stayed at #1 for six months and is still charted and making money; a current single at #20; a book coming out in July; just completed a 56 site sold-out tour filling venues of 600 - 6000, with an average audience of 2000+, and an audience of men, women, teens, and children who stand for the whole hour and a half shows (he starts his next tour in June); he was named Most Eligible Bachelor for 2006 by People Mag; he’s been on every popular TV show (many more than once); played at the White House and Rockefeller Center; opened several concert series; has been invited to play celebrity golf twice this year; and several well-known singers and groups have asked to play with him and his tight 7-pc band while on his tour, and some have even opened for him.
Taylor says he’s proud of and happy for the others from AI5 who are successful, and has kept in touch with several of them this past year - most recently Elliott and Bucky.
Taylor says he’s doing what he wants to do for the rest of his life and doesn’t mind who else sells more CDs. AI shares in CD sales, while personal tour profits go directly to the artists.
Taylor has accomplished all of this with NO aid and support from AI since his win. They would not even allow play of his post-Idol CD and single. In fact, some from AI diss him every chance they get, and he’s still successful. His fan base is still there and growing everyday - mostly with males and teens.
Worry me like that - doing what I want and loving it - and smiling all the way to the bank!
So Blake shouldn’t worry about ‘ending up as another Hicks’. He’d be just fine!
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
You GO! Tom!!! This MYTH that Taylor Hicks is somehow not successful has been spun and embraced by the media. Meanwhile Taylor just goes along doing his own thing. someday the media will rediscover him again like they always do and declare him to be the giant success he was all along. Blake would do well to match even a small amount of Taylor’s success. I doubt he will, (though I hope he does) He has a long history of dedication to music making throughout his life like Taylor, but he hasnt show much of a personality and has little cross over appeal outside of the youth market. Still I wish him well. AI hasnt been in the corner of its male stars that much, they dissed Clay up and down and left Rubin stranded in nowhere land. They acted as if Chris was their annointed boy (i love chris by the way) while Taylor was shunned from the get go. (we won’t even get into Justin G. or Bo) I can’t wait for tonight to see Taylor!!!!!
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Wow, touched a nerve did I? Your right, Taylor is doing fine. Taylor has had some success. He’s filling 2000 seats a show has a top 20 song, OK. How many stadiums has he filled? How many #1’s has he had? How many top 10s? I’m glad the guy is doing OK, I’m glad he’s happy doing what he’s doing, and I’m glad that he’s making enough bank. However, you cannot argue that he has done as well as Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. My point is that if Jordin wins she definitely has the potential to be on top of the industry like them. Frankly even though I personally like Blake’s music, I don’t think he will. He will be like Taylor in that he will do well, have a strong following, and dominate the niche market for his music but I don’t think he will be able to be an industry driving force like Kelly or Carrie is or Jordin could be.