My evil twin is attempting to get me to write about Paula Abdul and her tirade against nail salons, which I'm not saying was undeserved.
And, believe me, as you know by now, I am an individual well aware of the snark potential in that storyline (talk about low-hanging fruit just ripe for the pickin').
Nevertheless, even I draw the line at articles that venture too close to discussions of, well, nail fungus and stuff.
I'll leave that to, say, Bill Nye the Science Guy. Yeah.
No, what I think really needs to be said in relation to American Idol at this moment in time concerns Bo Bice and "Credible Rock Radio."
Specifically, I'm keying on a felicitous---not---quote from a recent Rolling Stone, to wit the comment by a certain KROQ DJ Stryker, who opined:
"Credible rock radio won't go near it" (by which I assume Stryker means American Idol and, therefore, Bo Bice's music, since Bo Bice came up through American Idol).
(KROQ, Los Angeles, is the Credible Rock Radio station at the feet of which all other rock radio stations bow.)
And that morsel of insight was under a Rolling Stone headline that blared: No Dice for Bo Bice? "Idol" runner-up faces an uphill battle to win over rock fans.
Okay, let's take this one pebble at a time.
First, let's consider who has been knocking down Bo Bice's dressing room door lately:
Lynard Skynard, with whom Bo performed before a rollicking crowd in Helena, Alabama.
The Ides of March, who fell all over themselves to praise Bo's rendition of their hit, "Vehicle" (in stores now).
And Badlands, who---even before Bo blew up the AI house with his a cappella version of "In A Dream"---was pegging him as a rock frontman on their website.
Then there's that little matter of Richie Sambora, one of the great rock guitarists of all time, who not only performed---and I do mean performed---on Bo's studio take of "Vehicle," but Richie also is swinging his axe live behind Bo when Bo does Leno ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno") on July 6th.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - SFC Ski
What is this "credible rock radio" that you speak of? I haven't been able to string those three words together for about 10 years now.
2 - Natalie Davis
A-fucking-men, Mr. Sticker. And don't forget Carlos Santana and Trey Anastasio and Galactic and Willie Nelson.
Then again, a little birdie tells me that ClearChannel is eschewing Bo's version of "In Your Heaven" so as not to hurt Carrie Underwood's -- the logic reportedly behind the move is that Carrie won and deserves first dibs on airplay. Problem is, there is confusion over what is Bo's "single" -- "IYH" or the B-side, "Vehicle." Obviously, this will affect Bo's chart standings -- his "IYH" ended up No. 1 on the Pop chart and No. 2 on the Hot 200 singles chart. Not bad at all. Still, may he have done even better if "Vehicle" had been the single outright? And what doofus at AI came up with the lamebrained notion of having Carrie and Bo release the same damn song?
Them's the breaks, I guess. In any case, Bo with Richie Sambora rocked Leno with "Vehicle" last night. We have Bo's LP due in the fall and the promise of hearing him wail on Santana's next offering (I spoke with someone involved in the now-completed recording and this person says it literally sizzles). It's all good.
3 - Becca
In my opinion, Credible Rock Radio needs to shut up and actually listen to Bo before judging him. Sure, they can say all they want about how Bo was on a pop show, his image is stained from it, no one will touch him because he will forever be associated with American Idol, but here's the fact: he didn't win. He doesn't officially have the title, so why are they on his case? It doesn't matter how a person gets discovered, only that they're here. Credible Rock Radio (or so they say) needs to strip away every sterotype that Bo has gotten and look at him as an artist and not a product of a talent show. Listen to his voice. I mean REALLY listen. Think back to the high you got when you were a kid from blasting Lynyrd Skynyrd in your room. Or from cranking up Aerosmith and The Allman Brothers. Just take it all in and then tell me that he doesn't belong with Credible Rock Radio. If you still don't agree, then maybe Credible Rock Radio should take a break and listen to the music. After all, isn't that what the radio plays?
4 - Natalie Davis
Actually, so-called Credible Rock Radio, especially that branded with the ClearChannel or Infinity imprimatur, plays leadins to adverts. Sod 'em... Bo hit No. 1 anyway -- and hitting number one is not his raison d'etre anyway. Never forget, the best music rarely gets the awards and chart rankings anyway.
5 - Kim
TOM JONES? Hmm, I must have missed something when listening to the Biceman. But just sit back and enjoy. Mr. Bice will be around for a long time to come. I don't even think he realizes how big and loyal his fan base is.
6 - Sticker
Becca --
What you said, all the way!
My point exactly: how ironic that it is those who pride themselves so much on exploding stereotypes and establishmentarians who impose those things most strongly on artists "they" didn't help become popular.
7 - Sticker
Kim--
Okay, I was goofing on ya a little with the bit about Tom Jones (although I stand by my observation that they both have big, lush baritones).
The point in this context is that any good singer can take his voice in a variety of directions.
Tom Jones didn't become a true crooner until he found out that worked for him. Then he rode that into stardom that lasts even 'til today.
I have every confidence that Bo is going to be huge, with or without the help of--ahem---Credible Rock Radio.
8 - Sticker
SFC Ski --
Yep, you're right.
And that's the point: these guys call *themselves* "credible rock radio."
What a hoot!
9 - Sticker
Natalie Davis--
Bo's pressers call his single "double-A sided," meaning they are claiming to be pushing each side equally.
Bo's version of IYH smashes Carrie's to smithereens. They truly don't even seem like the same song!
So the chuckleheads who decided to have Bo and Carrie release the same song actually just set up a direct comparison that Carrie could not win.
Not saying Carrie won't be bringing it and have a great career. She will. But Bo turned IYH into a rock ballad and that was quite an accomplishment.
10 - Natalie Davis
I know it was called "double-sided," but my own copy (bought in a brick-and-mortar store, not a digital version) clearly lists "IYH" as the single and "Vehicle" as B-side. There is word of many confused fans who bought digital copies via Itunes or whatever and bought "Vehicle" alone, not realizing that it didn't help Bo's chart standings. In the first week, "IYH" -- the officially accepted "single," whatever the industry decided to label it -- sold 106,000 copies, according to SoundScan. How many more would have sold without the confusion? We'll never know.
But yeah, Bo's version was far superior to Carrie's IMO; he absolutely made it his own. And you are so right about the chuckleheads...
I, for one, though am tired of the Bo vs. Carrie thing. The show is over. Done. Bo and Carrie are pals -- she even sang backup on "Vehicle." For me, Carrie Underwood -- nice kid and talented and all, but not my cuppa -- is a nonissue. Wouldn't it be cool if we didn't have to deal with some stupid competition that doesn't exist anymore? Won't get that wish... Some Claymates are still resentful against Ruben Studdard, which baffles me. Perhaps if I were an AI fan it would be understandable to me, but I am not.
Man, just reread my comment above: Can I say "anyway" some more?
11 - Sticker
Or you could be like me and never re-read . . . lol
Yeah, the competition will always fascinate some and it can't help but be part of the pic for someone making observations on AI-related stuff.
I always say the music universe is big enough for many stars.
12 - Natalie Davis
Except I am an editor by trade. Damn, this is embarrassing, lol...
Yeah, lots of stars. True talents, though, they are a rarity. Both Carrie and Bo have talent. Let's hope it serves both of them -- and listeners -- well.
13 - Laurie
I wonder how "credible" rock musicians would do in a competition like AI. Most of them wouldn't dare, and not just because they think it's silly. I think it would be incredibly difficult to go out there on their own, outside the comfort zone of their own bands and perform like all AI contestants have to do. It might seem easy, but it's grueling.
Bo Bice introduced America to rock music in a completely fresh and new way. He improved old standards. He covered bands that had not gotten a great deal of attention lately. I for one had all but given up listening to it. The "credible" rock world should thank him for the extra attention (read $$) they're getting!
I can't wait for his album to come out! In the meantime, reruns, downloads and his "Recipe for Flavor" CD will have to suffice! He's great!
14 - Vickie
I have heard it said that some artists today admit they never could have gone through the constant critique that the Idol contestants have to go through.
Becca:
So much of what you say could apply to Clay. If people would stop tagging these people with the AI label, quit trying to pigeonhole them and just LISTEN, they might be pleasantly surprised.
I am, first and foremost, a Claymate(and I am one of those that does NOT resent Ruben. IMO, I believe it turned out exactly the way God meant it to.) But, I love Bo. I was rooting for him, and I love his music and his style. I am proud that so many talented people are wanting to work with him. I believe he will do well.
15 - Natalie Davis
Seriously. Personally, I find AI cheesy and most of the music hideous, but super props to Bo and Constantine for having the guts to try a different route and make it work for them. Heh, the real competition will be to see which *band* benefits more, Sugar Money or Pray for the Soul of Betty... (I suspect it will be the divine S$, but Betty ain't bad at all.)
Indeedy do on the $$$: It was interesting during the competition when artists Bo covered -- Gavid DeGraw, Skynyrd, Los Lonely Boys, Ides of March, Edwin McCain -- saw boosts in their own record sales after he sang their songs. And let's not forget "Vehicle" songwriter Jim Peterik, who is enjoying royalties from the song he wrote more than 30 years ago.
16 - Sticker
Laurie,
I have heard/seen several established, popular and mega-wealthy from their singing singers let it slip that they wouldn't have lasted a week on AI.
The one that really sticks in my mind is one of the guys in N*SYNC---the dude who was in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," I think.
The wag around the business is that P. Diddy, for example, needs three weeks notice before he could go on stage and sing "Old MacDonald Had A Farm."
IOW, there's a reason someone invented computerized tuners and lip-synching. Stuff you can't get away with on AI proper.
17 - Sticker
I think Sugar Money wins that round.
18 - Laurie
The funny thing is that when Bo got panned for doing "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin, that was what I thought was really brave! After that I went online to learn more about him. He just keeps getting more interesting! Really unique! I read that he just put his finger on the list and picked it randomly. I have a hard time believing that because the lyrics fit in with the other songs he picked, and plus he seems so meticulous about arranging his music. Randy was right, he can sing anything (in his own great way, of course!) Not many "stars" would be willing to put themselves on the line like that.
19 - Natalie Davis
And with such good humor and grace. "Corner of the Sky" was a perfect choice for him -- Bo is an individual traveling to his own beat, whatever anyone has to say about it.
20 - Sticker
And Bo has said that his debut disc is going to include some tracks he wrote--so that has potential to be even more interesting.
I read he wrote a song for a friend who lost a young son. It sounded very poignant.
21 - Natalie Davis
Bo's a fine songwriter, which those who have heard Recipe for Flavor and/or his tune "Changing for the Better" already know. I really am looking forward to the disc's release.
22 - Soapyjeans
Now you are finally catching on. TPTB are treating Bo Bice exactly the same way they treated Clay, and for the same reasons. They didn't find him, he was on a TV show therefore he's not credible. Balderdash!
What really makes this interesting is that TPTB will probably still spout this rubbish as their stations fall by the wayside due to dare I say, fewer and fewer listeners? People have caught on to the establishments superficial stars, their pre-packaged fluffs that lip synch and they are showing their distaste for radios insistence to pick and choose who they deem to be the years "current flavor". Look at your tour sales, why would I pay big bucks to watch someone lip synch from the balcony when I could watch them on my tv and at least see them dance, because frankly it's all about their moves.
The masses have discovered "real" entertainment, ie stars who can really sing at a drop of a hat and have a personality. If you've ever seen Clay Aiken in concert you'd immediately understand why once you've been entertained you can never go back to those lip synchers, phonies.
Bo Bice is now in Clay Aikens Club, and I suspect like Clay the lack or airplay won't affect his sales or career. Because people know what they want, they know radio is nothing but play for pay.
Radio will soon see it's demise because of their arrogance. Ipod, internet and satellite radio are gaining momentum. Radio dj's and other so called "artists" who dispel Bo or Clay are just cutting their own throats.
Radio, who needs it?
23 - Laurie
I think radio dj's would gladly play what people request. Management picks the "approved" tunes nowadays. Rock radio is not as much about what people want to hear as it is about musical politics.
24 - Sticker
Well said, soapyjeans!
I also believe that music radio is in for a radical overhaul over the next years.
It will be going to more and more custom content via podcasting, sat radio, net stations etc.
Not to mention peeps creating their own archives and never having to venture out of their iPods, only adding stuff to it as they come across music that does it for them.
yes, Clay got this treatment also (I challenge anyone to come up with a clear---audible (as in based on the tracks)---reason why Aiken's music didn't fit Big Radio's playlists.
In fact, the same thing happened to Creed. Radio hated that band b/c it became huge WITHOUT RADIO. At one point, Creed was selling 5,000 discs a gig out of the back of their van. This took POWER away from Radio, and Radio didn't like it.
But I find it extra ironic when this occurs in the context of rock music, which supposedly is about music bubbling up from outside The Establishment. ha!
25 - Sticker
Laurie---
The lack of ability to influence air play was one of the major shocks suffered by a whole demographic of music lovers who, after being out of the game for a while, came back to music (and cd buying) because of American Idol.
They thought it was the old days when fans could actually help launch a star.
They organized and made serious efforts to get airplay. What happened? Nothing.
Even Justin Guarini fans were highly committed to getting him airplay. Thousands and thousands of calls and emails later, nothing.
And we don't even need to mention the efforts of Clay fans to get their man on the air. Not only did most of their requests for play fall on deaf ears, these fans often were subjected to ridicule. And they are the radio "customer"!
So the whole thing is quite a scene.