super observations Sticker - it is very easy to forget that "pop" is not necessarily a dirty word.

Tonight's show should be pretty hot - Clive can fuck off hard, btw

yep, pop is big biz and why not?

btw, we're still getting that unwarranted "satire" designation

I will be calling them again when they wake up - it's been 6 days and I am in a zero tolerance frame of mind

You are so right. I love Clay Aiken but I listen to all types of music. I listen to the Beatles, Atlantis Morrisette, Enya and Yanni. I even listen to Contemporary Christian music. It all depends on my mood and what I am doing at the time.
I dont listen to the radio anymore. They play the same songs over and over and play to many comercials. My cd player works just fine. Oh by the way I am soon to be 40 years old.

Clay's fans seem to transcend age

You've brought up another important point---there's a significant potential market for pop etc. music that DOES NOT LISTEN TO RADIO

So TPTB need to rethink their emphasis on radio play - it's not always the be all and end all

Of course, radio as we know it is going the way of snail mail anyway

This was a really fantastically intelligent and insightful article. How nice to read a writer who does his homework and know what he is talking about!

I love ALL kinds of music but when I heard Clay Aiken I decided not to listen to the radio as much (they hardly play Clay ) And play my CDs, especially Clay. And I am in my 20s.

I loved your article.It is high time for the music industry and the radio industry to start to listen to their listeners and play what they want to hear or the radio as we know it will disappear. Clay Aiken's voice is fantastic and I am not surprised that his appeal transcends generations,he is the one to watch !

thank you, molly rogers

Ashley,

As you know, Clay Aiken has lots of fans in your age group as well. And more and more of them are not going to be listening to traditional radio as time goes on.

I think the music industry has not always understood the diversity of tastes and views in the young-20's listeners.

I'll bet you are psyched about a new cd coming out by Mr. Aiken.

thank you, d, for your kind words

I agree with you that Clay Aiken is "the one to watch." I think the industry could learn a lot from his marketing arc.

Great article. My friends and I don't listen to radio either. They have their set playlist and forcefeed us what they think we should like. My ipod is great. I download all my favorites including Clay Aiken.

I really enjoyed this. Isn't it weird how people expect us all to morph into Mama (as played by Vicky Lawrence) at some point?

Very good article! I have tickets to 3 concerts in August to see Clay Aiken and I'm 65 years young...BUT, the last CD I bought (3 weeks ago) was Rob Thomas, which by the way, it very good. The one before that was Joe Cocker, love that man too. Went to his concert couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. However, I love Clay as much as I loved Elvis.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!! YOU ARE STATING WHAT ALL CLAY FANS ALREADY KNOW, AND ALL NON CLAY FANS DON'T GET......

I do not think that the music industry is changed in the slightest because of American Idol - apart from providing an audition forum for the unbelievable disasters, and a few rarities who probably would've made it anyway in this age of podcasting and GarageBand

The subjectivity of the voting process and the judges makes the actual event a non-starter in terms of crowning the best of the pack.

Another great article and nice insight, Sticker! Its great to see that information floating around in cyberspace!
Keep up the good work!
:)
Can't wait for tonight's show!

Hey Sticker, Thanks for the great article. I too am planning to see Clay in concert this summer, but not before seeing Maroon5, and Jack Johnson. My 15 year old daughter and I are both huge Clay fans, but also love to listen to Green Day, Rob Thomas, Anna Nalick, Howie Day, the Dixie Chicks and many more. I don't listen to radio much, because I am tired of hearing the same 5 songs all day long.

im a grandmother and i love the music of clay aiken. in fact, there are 4 generations of clay fans in my family, including my mother, myself, my sisters, my daughters and my grandaughters! we attend clay concerts together as a family. american idol brought this outlet of music and fun to us!!!

Thanks for a great article! I don't listen to the radio anymore, either; not enough Clay on the air waves - so I just popped his CD in the player and listened only to him during a 7 hour drive yesterday.

If radio WOULD play his music even once in awhile, I would tune in.

Thank you for a extremely perfect article. I can't seem to get some people to understand that it doesn't matter how old you are when it comes to music. I have a 16 year old son that loves music but he calls me a MUSIC FREAK because of my wide range CD collection (Aerosmith, Bon jovi, Velvet Revolver, Ben Jelen ,Clay Aiken,The Eagles, Howie Day) Music is an International Lanuage and there are no limits,

I don't have an iPod, but if I did, it would house Britney, Roky, Kelly, and Cattle Decapitation.

Some mashup that would be

I am a 52 year old grandma, with 4 generations living in the same house. We are all fans of Clay. Through my many years of living, I have seen many concerts,(Madonna,INXS,VanHalen,Scorpions,BonJOvi,Cinderella etc).
Seeing Clay Aiken in concert has been the best I have ever seen. It is the first time in my life that when the concert ended, I wanted it to start all over again. His stage presence, and warmth transcends to all of his audience.
Radio??? What is that?? Clay is making the sales,and fans, despite radio!!

Yeah, silly me I always thought that American Idol was nothing more the a giant infomercial.

thanks to all for the kind words -

Nicolette -

You put a very apt image on my point. Thanks!

Aaman,

It's not so much that the music industry, per se, has/will change, but that AI has provided a forum for the artist who can reach an audience with a broad background in music, spanning many years.

hey, mir--

thanks for checking in! yeah, see you after the game tonight.

Carrie,

You are exactly the music consumer I am talking about in this article.

You are why it pretty much frosts me when Mr. Jackson calls Aiken's fan base the "Manilow" phenomenon. He vastly underestimates the breadth of music that overlaps Mr. Aiken in the pop music Venn diagram.

Shirley, Pat, GAPEACH, Marti et al.

Isn't it funny how the industry seems to act as if Clive Davis is genetically superior because, at 67 years old, he (supposedly) still has an ear for pop music?

Today the world is FULL of "older" people who have many decades of experience with pop music. I talk to them and am amazed often.

As a multi-generational show, AI happened to tap into the groove. Artists who "get it" will do well, though maybe not in the "snail mail" way of the old-time "record business."

i would rather have a root canal without novacaine than listen to clay aiken's so-called music, which i rate right up there with broadway show tunes in the "what truly sucks about american culture" catagory. furthermore,it gives me the creeps that i am even cummunicating by blog with someone who listens to what is oxymoronically called christian rock. gag me with britney's used tampon!

Well written, insightful article. American Idol is one of the few places that we, the public, have some input. Radio totally ignores us, and plays what they are paid to.

Jarboy - your misuse of the English language (vulgarity) leads even less credence to your comment.

why miss scartlet, whatever are you talking about? i didn't use one vulgar word. you cn read the word "tampon" in any newspaper or magazine. but anyone who is a gay aiken fan is just too lame to even be talking to me. so bite me.

oh, now i see what you mean. vulgar = britney. couldn't agree more. forgive me, princess, for mentioning something so disgusting. i, myself, just want to wretch at the mention of her name, and do, in fact, vomit at the sound of her voice or the sight of her face. but then again, i have the same reaction to gay aiken.

Sticker said:
"It's not so much that the music industry, per se, has/will change, but that AI has provided a forum for the artist who can reach an audience with a broad background in music, spanning many years."

I agree totally, plus new generations are being exposed to some of the most
wonderful music of all time.

Great article, Sticker! Kudos!

thanks, NJ.

It's nice to see the young 'uns being introduced to our musical lexicon.

Wow, Sticker, what a pleasant surprise is this article! What a great, open mind you have! I love seeing someone defending ClayNation, not of ClayNation!!
Jimi Hendrix in SF, The Doors, Donovan in Carnigie Hall; The Cream at The Filmore East; The Grateful Dead in Boston, James Taylor at Martha's Vinyard. That is what I grew up on. And now I go to see Clay at sold out shows in NY, Boston and LA because he too is talented, entertaining and really different.. just like they were before. Who needs the radio? Thanks for the respect you've shown!!

Timetraveler,

Thanks for your kind words.

I meet music fans like you all the time. People who are still gravitating to new, different, good, diverse music---even though the industry thinks they are too "old" to be interested or knowledgable about pop music.

You have an impressive concert bio. People today do tend to forget how different and beautiful all that music was in its time (and still today, in many cases).

thanks, again, timetraveler.

I'm a cheerleader, a homecoming queen and just chosen to model in a jeans ad.
I love American Idol. I love Clay Aiken. I love everything about American Idol. We the people select who we want to listen to. Not some pre fab, can't sing, daddy's my manager star but real singers.
I wish I could yell it to the skies. I love Clay Aikens voice. I love his big ballad voice. I love his rock star voice and I love his pop star voice. I don't tell my friends because RADIO has turned them off from Clay. They have no idea who Clay or what Clay is about. It seems like Radio has a vendetta against him. They always bring up him and then they missrepresent him. I'm hoping RADIO loses a lot of money for not playing or supporting a talent like Clay. I have Clay on my Ipod. Who is gonna need radio in a few years? Not ME!

Sticker said "He vastly underestimates the breadth of music that overlaps Mr. Aiken in the pop music Venn diagram."

That's as great a description as I've seen of the misunderstanding of the demographic of Clay's fans.

I grew up on everything from Led Zeppelin, the Ramones, the Clash, the Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd... and then the New Wave of the 80s, and then the alt-rock of the 90s with Dave Matthews, Live, Sheryl Crow, etc.

What's on my Ipod now? CLAY AIKEN. And Rob Thomas, and Coldplay, and U2 and Howie Day, and Green Day, and Linkin Park. Etc. Surely not elevator music.

The music business is missing out with the over-35 crowd. No wonder it is a financial mess.

Thank you for your article.

I enjoyed the article it had some great points, of course the Jerry Springer crowd had to show up and show how low class they are. What else is new.

I love Clay Aiken and i am the only one at my school That Like Clay and i think if the play Clay's music here in North Carolina (his home state) i would listen to it i just tured 13 today and i listen to alot of differnt music styles like pop country soft rock and christan it is up to my moods but all ways a little clay aiken wouldn't hurt

Congrats for an inciteful article,Sticker.

I've read a lot of articles lately about radio and their panicky knee-jerk reaction to their declining listenership. The response is to re-format rock and alternative stations to more and more Urban formats. This is sheer stupidity. They lose more listeners every day.

What's missing on the radio is music. We don't need more "sampling" overlaid with vulgar angry images from so-called urban poets. We need music with lyrics that convey emotion. Tunes that you can't help bouncing in your seat while driving your car. Songs that make you sing along and bust a grin while pounding the steering wheel and wailing along.

The gayboy comments above parrot the morning radio jocks. The AI contract specifically states that a contestants image can be presented in any manner they choose, including lies and mis-information. Clay is still living with it.

Corey Clark was not lying about AI pulling every dirty trick they can think of to manipulate the outcome of the show. It continues after the show by putting out mis-information and turning down opportunities for the contestants who were not the chosen winners. Clay was branded Broadway and the gay image was perpetuated to keep Clay from being more successful than Ruben or Kelly by making him un-cool for young males to identify with. jarboy is a perfect example.

Bravo, My Dear Sticker.

Great article, Sticker! It totally pisses me off when people are put into categories when it comes to the kind of music we listen to. I'm 50, look 40, and act 30 and listen to music that the 20 years olds listen to.

I cut my teeth on The Beatles, Stones, ELP, Zappa, Tull, Yes, Journey, Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Radiohead, and I continue to listen to the newer artists today.

One thing I never understood, in this so-called niche market...When we turn a certain age, are we supposed to lose all intelligence on what makes good music? How can we be so cutting-edge when it came to discovering, liking, and supporting all these icons of music and all of a sudden be considered idiots and old fogeys? Does.Not.Compute.

And to hear someone like Randy Jackson, who's almost as old as me, consider ME middle-aged when he's firmly there, too, well, it boggles the mind.

Sticker,
You really got to the essence of the issue here. Bravo!!

I am a born and bred rocker of the 70's, took MANY years off for family and child-rearing, and now, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, am again interested in music (but not necessarily RADIO) mostly because of American Idol.

Pop music does not equal bad music. There is plenty of room for all tastes and styles. I like jazz, R&B , pop & rock and the classics (i.e., opera).

Besides being old enough that to know what music I like, the same is true in clothes, books, etc. That is what I buy, not what the corporations (or my friends, or children) think I should.

My advice to record labels...Want to make money? Pay attention to those who have the money and inclination to spend it... and try not to insult them about what they like.

I think that Clay is a very talented singer, however, many of his fans are people with too much "Idle" time on their hands. My husband refers to them as "the walking wounded". I have been to numerous sites and cringe at some of the talk that goes on there. Clay would cringe if he heard some of it and I certainly hope that his family don't waste their time checking out sites suchs as claytonaiken.com Many people call at that site call themselves "Christians"....and profess to pray for each other, but they don't even know what the word Christian means. They love the values which Clay possesses, yet they are very judgemental...more like Clay's birth father than Clay. Clay seems to be trying to distance himself from Idol, as he should as time passes, but he should also take a close look at his fan base. People wonder why he sneaks onto the bus after concerts...? I think I know why. I am sure there are a lot of nice fans out there, but the one's who seem to speak the loudest scare me the most. I think Clive Davis deserves to be recognized for all of the talent he has produced. The music industry is a funny business though. Whitney was his golden girl and she has succumbed to drugs. He loved Ruben and Fantasia and I don't see or hear much from them. Clay, the only person to speak up to Clive Davis about the content of the song and title of his CD, "Measure of A Man" proved that you don't have to dirty up the lyrics to go triple platinum. CLIVE....maybe you should start taking some advice from CLAY.

Thanks for the honest article! I'm over 40, and although I cringe at some of the lyrics on top 40 radio, I can get into the beat of a lot of it with my 20 year old daughter. Whatever music moves me - moves me; I don't put it in categories. I've been moved by music from the 70's to now. I love lots of early Elvis - and that was "before my time". My daughter and I have gone to several Clay concerts. They are electrifying -he is electrifying. It doesn't matter if he is caressing the sweet strains of James Taylor, or getting in touch with his inner funk while covering Prince - he isn't just performing, he is communicating. And the audience gets it. That is why most people in the Clay Nation have lots of bootleg concert videos on their hard drives. You want to revisit the experience just a little.

This is the first article I've ever read that actually begins to get a glimpse of the complexity of Clay's fans. Oh sure, they may say he has fans from 3 to 93 or something like that, but nobody has actually spelled out the fact that his fans do have very discerning and wide-ranging musical tastes.

So thank you for this article... I would love to see it picked up by wire services!

Randy Jackson really doesn't have a clue either.

I agree wholeheartedly with huskerfalcon! Sticker, I do hope that your blog gets picked up by the wire services....because Clay deserves to be recognized in a positive way. He is an extremely talented singer who has gotten a bad rap from the people at American Idol and from legions of overly zealous fans. Clays fans are VERY COMPLEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately for Clay, he has to take the bad with the good. By the way Sticker, you may also want to look into all of the good works that Clay has done, using the platform he has gained from the American Idol Show. The people at AI don't seem to want to acknowledge that someone emerged from their show to do something beyond music to benefit mankind. He is actually making a DIFFERENCE in this world...and aside from just singing...that is all he really wanted to do from the very beginning.

I've never watched American Idol. My 17 yr. old niece draged me to a Clay Aiken concert. I thought I would be the only adult there. To my surprise the crowd was all ages.

AND the concert WOW! This is one strangly charasmatic confident guy! Funny storys, quick/smart humor. and he can SANG!

So I'm reading hear that radio does not play his songs? Why is that?

I bought the CD Measure of a MAN. The voice GAH!

Mike,

Thank you.

You may be interested in my further thoughts on the same subject of how AI fans are looking for something different than what the music industry suits try to forcefeed the entire music public: here

Linda what you said bears repeating:

One thing I never understood, in this so-called niche market...When we turn a certain age, are we supposed to lose all intelligence on what makes good music? How can we be so cutting-edge when it came to discovering, liking, and supporting all these icons of music and all of a sudden be considered idiots and old fogeys? Does.Not.Compute.

And to hear someone like Randy Jackson, who's almost as old as me, consider ME middle-aged when he's firmly there, too, well, it boggles the mind.

I guess they think they are genetically superior in the music department. That everybody else goes through a brain flush at a certain age and can no longer remember what music came before or relate to what music comes next.

But not them: they get it, right? lol

TailorTrue,

Bravo to you! Especially, My advice to record labels...Want to make money? Pay attention to those who have the money and inclination to spend it... and try not to insult them about what they like.

It's that last part that they especially get hung up on.

back in his gluttonous phase, I believe Randy accidentally snacked on his own brain at some point

shurhope --

Similarly, many 20-somethings today are rediscovering Frank Sinatra and that era.

A few years ago I happened to go on a WWII-related tour and in the bus the guide played war era music. I heard the Andrews Sisters for the first time and totally freaked out!

So they went into my rotation, too.

Clive is a mush-mouthed shrivel-sack and does not belong on the show

Marjorie,

I also wonder why the music industry suits don't look at the range in the crowd at a Clay Aiken concert and get dollar signs in the eyes.

I mean, who is going to the nostalgia tour for, say, Motley Crue? I haven't been, but I bet it's mostly 40's people who listened to their music when 20 years ago.

I doubt they are bringing in many younger fans.

So what does it say when an artist has fans in all demographics? What is his career arc likely to be, hmm?

hhhmmm...I can't remember what movie I saw it in, but one of the characters asked "pop music? what is that?..."

Ooo! Ooo! Oooo! Ask me, Douglas! It was Beavis & Butthead!! Right?

so now you drink rum and coca cola, eh, Sticker?

What the heck was Robert Duvall doing sitting with judges last night?

eric-

yeah, and "When I come home late at night, I eat my favorite dish . . . FISH!"

(from "Hold Tight (Seafood Mama)", one of the greatest songs of all time)

Eric, I do not disagree about Clive Davis, and my thoughts were underscored by many of his insipid offerings last night. What is it that irks you about the music potentate?

And Mr. Sticker, great job!

Whoops, Eric -- reread that (preview, preview!) and saw my error: I DO agree with you about Clive Davis, I do I do I do agree.

Who is this Clive Davis everyone's talking about? I thought Robert Duvall did a fine job, but he would have looked better with an ascott!

all i know is that i did NOT need to hear that freaking Air Supply song again.

Seriously. SU ran around the house exclaiming, "Air Supply? Freaking AIR SUPPLY? Now we know Bo isn't the only one smoking something."

and he was so PROUD to be associated with it

Sticker, I've been meaning for a while to tell you much I enjoy your insights into this crazy AMERICAN IDOL phenomenon. You're a great writer!

It took me a while, but I had to admit that I slowly was becoming & now am a Clay Aiken fan. I actually went to his last solo tour with my girlfriend & was pretty much what you could call "blown away." I'm a 29-yr-old male, btw. My CD collection consists mostly of classic rock from the '60s when music really meant something & tried to change the world, as well as more alternative stuff from the last couple of decades, like the Violent Femmes & the Hives. I also like more mainstream rock - U2, REM (but I was into them way back when they were leading the alt-rock movement), Nirvana, etc.

Why do I like Aiken? Besides the fact that every woman in my life has been pushing him on me - galpal, sisters, nieces, mom, aunts, even grandma! When my dad started with it as well - "he's the new Sinatra" - I had to take a closer look. I also happen to like standards singers from the '40s & '50s & can appreciate a unique voice. Aiken measures up with those legends, as far as I'm concerned.

Those who continually diss him without actually HEARING him - just lamebrain, stubborn, biased assholes like the jerk above, I guess. How you can pass judgement on something you claim to never listen to, I don't know. Just proves how close-minded you are.

I wasn't interested in the least in Clay Aiken. Until I actually LISTENED. And I heard a completely unique, unforgettable voice. The concert clinched it. He was confident, witty, exciting, had a clear connection with his audience & obviously was overjoyed to be there. You can't ask for much more than that in an entertainer. Oh, did I forget that he sang the shit out of every genre he tackled? That's #1 with me.

I've got to disagree with the comment that he sneaks into his bus after the show. He's very well known for going out of his way to greet the fans waiting out by the buses each & every night. Venue security staff are always commenting that NO STAR does that, according to my girl. Aiken is one of a kind, that's for sure.

Thanks, David, I'm glad you enjoy reading my stuff.

I hear what you are saying about Clay Aiken. I'm continually amazed at how completely the music industry TPTB have misread his audience.

I've seen the crowds at his concerts and I can't think of one act that wouldn't kill to have that range of fans at their feet.

It will be interesting to see what he comes up with for his next disc.

My humble thanks to David the previous post for recognozing amazing talent of Clay Aiken. I think most males who diss Clay have never bothered to really listen to his extraordinay voice, or they are jealous of his legions of female fans of ALL ages. I
believe his future is very bright with
no way to go but up. That is with his
music career. He excells in so many other ways with his foundation and his
humanitarian deeds.

There are several good points in your article and most of your readers provede great comments. Americans have a more broad range of musical tastes now than ever before. I've noticed this for quite some time now.

I'm 27 and am not a big fan of Clay Aiken. I have very diverse musical tastes that span 40+ years though. Most of my friends, have similarly diverse tastes. I frequently trade songs with my parents. Most of my friends do as well.

Americans of all ages are becomming enamored with good music (regardless of when it was written) and are rediscovering great old tunes. Why do you think so many reproductions become hits again? Answer -- Good music doesn't die!

I have a 23 year old friend who loves 60s rock, a 28 year old fried who loves big band blues and jazz, a 30 year old fried who loves 70s and 80s guitar anthems, etc.

Me -- I love good music from all eras. I believe that this phenomenon has arisen from three major developments:

1. The world has already explored and shared the limits of musical genre. Anyone alive today has experienced most genres. This is very different from the 40s, 50s, and 60s when new genres were being invented regularly (Rock, R&B, Soul, etc.). This makes people of all generations more receptive to all eras of modern music.

2. New digital equipment has made it easier for people to share their music with others in a format that doesn't degrade with time. As individuals, people probably possess more music now than ever before (whether illegally or legally). This gives us the ability to share it with one another and gain exposure to different ages, genres, etc. more frequently.

3. As people are becomming exposed to more music, they're becomming interested in and seeking out the music that they enjoy. This has been especially true with me. I have been seeking out and collecting 70s rock, old Blues, 40s & 50s big band music, and Classical compositions from the late 1800s and early 1900s (Rachmoninov & Gershwin being my favorite) for a long time now. Why? -- Because I love it! It's timeless, phenomenal music!

Most of my friends have similar stories to tell within their own favorite genres and ages. The world is changing for the better. Hopefully, the success of Clay Aiken and similar artists will help the studios understand that the consumer's tastes are changing as well.

Thanks Sticker for another great, insightful article.

I feel the one thing missing from radio is variety, the set play lists of 30 songs is stifling and it all comes back to the almighty payola $$'s.

You make great points in your article about the diverse musical tastes of listeners and CD buyers, regardless of age.

I love Clay Aiken as does my daughter who is in her 20's. Her music tastes run the gammut from Disney to Country to Rap and I have and do listen right along with her.

Great article! So wonderful to see someone who gets it. Not just about Clay, but about music in general.
I'm in my late 30s. I also have a wide range of musical tastes: Elvis, Beatles, 70s and 80s(from ABBA and Bread to ZZ Top); jazz; country; contemporary Christian; pop; rock. One of the things that makes Clay so unique is, as someone pointed out, his ability to handle a WIDE range of genres with equal ease and skill. I have heard him do pop, country, rock, slow R&B, Broadway, sultry jazz, ballads, gospel, contemporary Christian. He is the most diverse artist I have ever seen.
I have a friend who is my age. She has been to over 100 concerts in her life, and she says he has never seen anything like Clay!
He promised his next cd would be much more upbeat and uptempo(he said he can't keep oozing heartbreak forever...lol.) Rumors of comments made by those who have heard demos for it describe it as ' hot, rockin', and growly-voiced. ' Anyone who has ever heard his growl knows what that means!

samuel maxey--

Thanks to you for sharing your insights and musical bio. You guys are proving my point big-time.

We do all share experience with the diverse streams of music now.

Yet the industry just marches on with the same approach, some concept of marketing, same view of its consumer as it's had for the past three decades.

I truly love hearing the stories of people who love so much good music.

Thank you.

Vicki,

Thank you for your comments and sharing your music bio.

If Clay Aiken does indeed come out with something "hot, rockin' and growly," I believe I will soon be writing about another tectonic shift in music history.

That is just the disc that could crack this truth we've been talking about here wide open.

Once the suits DO get a clue about the breadth of today's music audience, they will be scrambling to try to capitalize on it.

They will be trying to clone Clay Aikens so fast, they'll be tripping over themselves.

I grew up appreciating many different kinds of music. Much of what used to be exclusively labled R & B and Soul, is now pop,easy listening, or adult contemporary in stores where I live. Since the musical arts have continuously become more melded over the years,I find it curious that such hub bub goes on about the songs that have been sung on the AI show. So what if the songs are older! Two generations later it's the same song, just, in some cases, revamped. If the great songs are performed by someone old, older, or young it doesn't mean there's a niche.
Beautiful music stands on its own.
I wonder if "niche talking people" feel the distinction, and reason for such surprising love for pop songs is because the "jungle music" as the music was termed in the not-too-long-ago,are pretty nearly the same now? More or less "old Music." I think not. Songs that are not menacing or angry, and have meaning encased in a good or strong melody, are perpetual.
How dare TPTB be so astounded by music's molification! That fact is what has been instrumental in closing the musical gap between generations. How can that be bad? Maybe it's jealousy because Clay could sense it, so he blatantly opened the doors while they stood back waiting for certain decimation.
Just as the public's taste for music is becoming more enlightened, so has the music itself in its evolution. The sooner the Dr.s of music understand that, the sooner they can write music prescriptions for ailing music patients that cure. Younger people who have no great responsibilities are great consumers, but send out something that's appealing to adults and adolescents together? It becomes the fattest "Golden Goose" ever.

Cezanne,

Great observations! Especially:

Songs that are not menacing or angry, and have meaning encased in a good or strong melody, are perpetual.

send out something that's appealing to adults and adolescents together? It becomes the fattest "Golden Goose" ever.

Amen!

I would like to highlight and comment on another point samuel maxey made:

that is, about technology and the ease with which we can get all kinds of music today.

That definitely has exponentially aided the melding of the streams of popular music, both across genres and across generations.

A few posts ago I talked about having been turned on to the Andrews Sisters by pure happenstance.

I had heard Bette Midler's version of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," but when I heard the original by TAS---man, they made Bette look like a yellow-livered piker! No kidding!

And that's not easy to do.

In years past it would have been pretty hard for me to check out TAS stuff. But as it was, I fired up the pooter and in minutes had their backstory, their discography, samples, on and on.

Was I going to find their tunes at most of my local disc shops? Nope. But in a few days I had 'em in my player. And it could have been a few minutes if I'd downloaded them.

So the internet has done for music what it does for other "information"---takes away the traditional gatekeepers and makes it available in mass and speed that erases all artificial barriers to consumption.

BTW, for all of you who have been on a wide-ranging musical journey, do check out the Andrews Sisters. Really listen. You will hear the deep roots of rock n roll, ska, unbelievable harmonies, etc. Sure, some novelty songs, but what's a music collection without novelty songs? (One of their songs was so novel at the time, it actually was banned from radio!)

I especially recommend "Beat Me, Daddy, Eight to the Bar" and "Hold Tight (Seafood Mama)." Let me know what you think!

It is always a thrill to read an article containing references to Clay Aiken where there is no "sneer-factor".
I read your article with dawning delight and plan to save a copy so I may re-read it again. THANKS! :-)

thanks for stopping by, Sandie!

A friend of mine sent me this article and I am glad that she did. I really enjoyed it. I to am a fan of Clay's but not as big a fan as most of his fans. The only concerts I have ever been to really are Clay's. I went to some with him and Kelly and also just a few solo ones. I didn't make it to any of the Christmas ones and doesn't look like I will make it to any this summer either. I just live in an area that Clay doesn't make it too often. I live in Texas and usually when he comes here it is to Dallas or Houston and I don't drive in big cities. My best friend did take me to the one in Grand Prarie with him and Kelly last year. That was my first concert to see him and I have seen him 6 more times after that. I to listen too all knds of music and only listen to the radio in my car in town from going back and forth to college or the grocery store or whatever other than that I listen to CDs or tapes. I have CDs ranging from the country of Leann Rhimes, Jo Dee Mesina, Rascal Flats, Brad Pasiley, and many more, and basically that's all I listen to on radio is country. I use to listen to Christian but I can't find a station here for it. I also have CDs like all of Clay's, Ben Jelen, Josh Groban, Vanessa Williams, Amy Grant, Toni Braxton, Robert Downey Jr, Harry Conick Jr, Michael Jackson, Prince, Bon Jovi, Guns-N-Roses, Poison, Limp Bizket, Bens Fold Five, then I have tapes like Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Meatloaf, R. Kelly, Mariah Carey, Sarah Maclacklin, Boyz II Men, then I have my CDs that have mixtures of things on them. I love all kinds of music and have taken many classes on music and I don't think anyone can truly apperciate any form of it until you have listened to all of it with an open mind and understanding. I even have Mozart on CD. There have been things in class that we have listened to that I have never heard before from 100s of years ago. I may not really like it but it is interesting to listen to it and get a feel for what music was like in that time period. And I am only 26.

Thanks, Tishy, for making your way back here to let me hear from you. I appreciate it.

Thanks, too, for sharing your music bio. You are really on your way! I'm always thrilled when I run in to people who are really open-minded about music.

Music is really too great to approach it with your mind already made up about what's cool and what's not and what you're going to like or not like.

(And what does "cool" have to do with it anyway? That's like saying I'll only eat foods that are considered "cool." It doesn't make sense to let fashion dictate your meals!)

You and Mozart---I went through a period where I was hooked on Renaisance
dances (not the dancing, the dance music)! So you just never know.

Thanks again for checking in, Tishy.

Rock music critics & certain segments of the young have always sneered at music considered to be "Pop" (just read the Village Voice). Brad Pitt once said in an interview (I can't believe I'm quoting Brad Pitt...)that growing older has in many ways been a relief because it has released him from the driving need to always be relevant. You know--cutting edge...always into the latest, "hippest" thing....I, for one, have always been a Pop animal. This started with my love affair with the Partridge Family back in the 70's & went on from there. The "serious" critics like Lester Bangs would've had a cow over my record collection. But I never paid him nor any of the supposed "experts" any mind. Meanwhile, "lesser" artists like the Carpenters & Barry Manilow laughed all the way to the bank. And I laughed along with them 'cuz even back then I knew there were only TWO kinds of music: good & bad. I trusted my instincts to show me the way to the former--though I realize that beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.

I don't find the Aiken/Manilow comparison offensive at all. Nor is it off-the-mark. They're similar. Surely, Barry had an influence on Clay just as Barry was influenced by artists before him. Despite snotty critics, there was a HUGE market for Manilow in the 70's just as there is now for Aiken. The diff, of course, is that Barry wrote his own stuff--prolific & talented composer that he is.

That's the beauty of music & all art: to each his own. No one's right or wrong here. I just hope that AI will continue to push out its boundaries to include more & more different kinds of singers. They've done so by recognizing Bo Bice & giving him a chance.

One of the many joy's of growing up in the 70's was that there was so much room on radio for diversity. It was a thrill to listen to Earth Wind & Fire, Olivia Newton John, James Taylor, The Carpenters, The Eagles, Linda Rondstadt, The Doobies, The Emotions, Fleetwood Mac, & Ohio Player all on the same station! FM radio in the 70's was a rare & all-inclusive phenomenon. Things dramatically started changing in the 80's with the emergence of MTV & corporate America having more control over the airwaves. By the 90's everything was neatly formatted & it's only gotten worse since then.

The book, Hit Men (displayed at the top of your article), goes through the history of the music biz (through the 80's) & shows why. It is such an eye-opener & I highly recommend it for anyone who loves music. Have you read it, Sticker?

I came to New York City to pursue my dream of being a singer/songwriter back in 1989. A wise songwriter that I worked with back then recommended I read Hit Men so that I know who I was dealing with when it came time to start sending around my demo, &, believe me, it came in handy!......out of all the books I've read about The Biz since then, Hit Men is, by far, the best! It's an educational & sobering look at the music industry...& it reads like a thriller! I especially recommend it to singers/musicians pursuing a music career. You won't be able to put it down.

I will close with this reiteration: I hope that A.I. fosters growth & expansion in the music industry instead of further contraction by being just another way to formulate, homogenize, & control artists & music. Up until this season, I truly thought it was the latter---another corporate demon bent more on making Bling than music & shutting down people's options & instincts in the process.

Narisha--

I don't have time right not to engage all your points as I would like to, but thank you for making them.

There's a lot to chew on here.

I've dabbled in song writing---STRICTLY as a hobby---so props and more props to you for making it your craft.

more later

the answer to the question at the top of the page: mine

DAVID WOW WOW SPOT ON GREAT Letter. I live in Cape Town S. Africa, and have also said. How can anyone judge something they havnt even listened to. Sticker Great article, Thanks as well.

I am a huge Clay fan and have loved music my whole life, from the Beatles to many others, Clay just has the most amazing voice. Cant wait for his next album. He is not well known here in S. Africa,

hi, Maylon,

Welcome from Cape Town! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.

Believe it or not, some people "judge" music based on whether others think it's cool or not, like a pair of jeans or shoes. They don't need to listen to it--they just make a decision as to whether it's "in" or not.

Thanks, Sticker...

NEVER qualify your songwriting because it's "only" a hobby. Props to you for writing at all! I know some incredibly talented songwriters who do it mostly for their own enjoyment.

I'm getting excited about the big finale tomorrow night. C'mon, Bo!

Thanks for referring us to this article, Sticker! You can find the same diversity in Bo's audience. I'm a huge Bo fan who hangs out on the sites where Bo is loved, lusted after, and worshipped - by MANY middle-aged women like me .We ARE the people who can't be dismissed as a niche market. There are more boomers than younger people ANYWAY! Loved your description of today's grandmother, BTW. I don't have kids, but otherwise that could be me!
Bo appeals to a very loyal fanbase of ALL ages, and we're going to make him a HUGE star (I hope!) Although I think Idol is a cheesy show and might possibly be rigged, I'm still grateful it exists because it brought us Bo. How else could he have gotten the exposure he needs? And now people all over the world are being moved by the wonderful music of a guy who was going to quit the music business if he didn't make it by the time he was 30. A year ago, Bo was managing a guitar store in Hoover, AL. Then he auditioned for Idol. The rest is history - a history that is only beginning to be made!

See clay aiken is going to be around forever. Hes going to be bigger than the rolling stones were or MAYBE even ELVIS!!! If it was up to me to vote for anyone any singer (to decide who would win the ultimate music award) at all id vote for clay aiken no doubt about it.He is the best singer i have heard in a long time.And trust me ive been around for a long time. Go clay KEEP IT UP!! DONT let hollywood decide wht your gonna do with your career you do what you want either way stay in the businesess and be unique thats what we all love!!

So I am about I year late but love the acticle. As for Clive, well it is obvious that HE deos not get it. THe over promotion of Daughtry and the absolute dismil of AI5 winner Taylor Hicks proves that Clive does not get it. I never realized that I could began to hate a great song. HOME. simply b/c it is played 8-10 times per day. I never realized that my fandom of Hicks would make me a niche to be insulted by others. I quess Clive does not underatand that ppl like a varity of music.

Taylor has his own management, the Firm. You know, they handle his promotion schedule. He got all cocky and told 19 to fuck off in the first place. So go bitch somewhere else. NO ONE CARES.

WhataRetard,

There are two types of promotion one is the booking of appearances on tv, tours, private gigs, etc that is handled by the management. The Firm has done a great job for Taylor, Kelly and Clay. The record label on the other hand handles the promotion of the albums and singles in marketing them to the radio stations and retailers.

As far as personal management goes, perhaps Taylor, Clay and Kelly didn't want to fork over nearly half of all of their earnings to 19M. I see that things haven't really changed from 2005 when this article was first written.

AI had the potential of reshaping pop music but it appears the old suits don't want to allow the public to choose what they want to hear by how they manipulated the show for this past season. This was the worst season ever.

The RIAA is whining about the free fall in music sales and they don't understand why. They have this great marketing experience where they are getting millions of people's input on what they like yet the suits don't want to use that information and give the public what they want to hear. Since the suits won't listen people are spending their money elsewhere.

As far as Clive, Kelly got dissed in front of the world because she wanted to sing her music not some Lindsay Lohan recycled crap. I've read where Clay was not allowed to record what he wanted but was forced to record an album of covers only. Clive's speech this year showed the world his true colors. People don't like what he did to get his way.