Unique to Season Five, we saw five contestants score record deals. A brilliant move for the show's marketing team, and a godsend for the new recording artists, a win-win for all concerned, you might think. Flipping the other side of this shiny coin, while as a viewer you may revel in the success stories of these fortunate few, it dampens the effect and glamour of winning this show.
Compile this factor with the focus on Simon Cowell and his obvious delight in fostering the feel of continued competition, aspiring contestants should think long and hard about the personal costs. Now six years into the show, it feels like American Idol is much more Survivor or Big Brother than Star Search.
Of course the music industry is rife with competition, top of the charts is where it's at - the common conceptual image of prestige and success. That said, the pressure and emphasis levied on the American Idol success stories seem amplified, magnified, and a more oppressive force than found for artists who find their way to stardom outside the show.
The contestants on American Idol are locked into a perpetuating cycle revolving around comparisons against one another. Is American Idol on its way to shooting itself in the foot by the very concept it is founded upon - competition? It looks, as the seasons pass, that the contestants are contracted into an infinite circling competition, thrust into a rivalrous miasma 
trapping them inside that pulsing blue virtual hamster wheel of contention against their fellow contestants. Profiteers to this situation include the producers, 19E and of course, Simon Cowell.
In this recent article from People Magazine titled, "Simon Trashes Jennifer Hudson and Taylor Hicks", Simon says, "As for Taylor Hicks, who won season 5's competition, they (Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson) loved him. I couldn't stand him. I didn't get it," Cowell snapped, adding that "at the end of the day you have to find a bona fide recording artist. Just because you win the show doesn't mean you will sell a lot of records. Chris (Daughtry) is the one who sold the albums, not Taylor."
This man digs his barbs into the meat of the most profitable area of Idol. Controversy. By Mr. Cowell's very contentious nature he creates buzz for the show and that creates viewers. He is an intelligent, savvy man who innately knows how to butter his bread. Commentary about Taylor Hicks, whether positive or negative, gains immense attention which is Mr. Cowell's main role on the show.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Nice article....
The components of Idol politics seems somewhat interesting but to say that any of those contestants had a shot outside of the show, to me, seems alittle ridiculous. We all know that record sales equals a trend and isn't necessarily a benchmark of talent or self accomplishment.
It's not like the winner of that show always goes on to be the best choice. What happened to Taylor also happened to Ruben Studdard.
Oh well, that's just my opinion... But, if you really wanna hear some real talent outside that Cookie Cutter then check out:Von Lee Smith
2 - robertsmyth
Thank you for your insigtful comments. Finally somebody who isn't afraid to tell it like it is!
3 - Jewels
Thanks Brian, for the link to Von Lee Smith. Talk about some blue-eyed soul, wow! BIG, BIG, BIG voice. Interesting young man to be sure.
True, there's many options regarding finding good new musicians and music, but A.I. sucked me in that first year. It's intriguing to watch how the show is morphing and changing from its beginning.
Regarding Ruben, I really liked the Big Man that year, mistake made that first year out of Idol was to trust folks who didn't deserve it.
4 - musicworld
You raise good points. Sadly for Hicks, if his fans are indeed boycotting his record in favor of 'the natural musician' they are doing him a lot of harm. Constant media reports of Taylor's rapidly diminishing sales are harming his potential career terribly - and so much negatvie press might ultmately ruin his concert career.
I would advise his fans to purchase the CD, or several as in the case of the fans of a certain rocking idol. Why not support Taylor in the best way that we can now, thereby keeping him afloat - and ensuring that he will be around for us to support and enjoy in the years to come?
5 - Josie
Jewell...Very well written!
I saw this on tv, I have been searching to see if I could find a video; much ado was made about Hasselhoff crying, I think Chris might need to do a little more researching. That statement alone turned me off to even wanting to hear Sligh(he is not as sly as he thinks he is/ nor funny) I cannot remember exactly which late night show, but David told what brought him to tears was a statement by the guy who was with him. I want go into more details for I cannot remember the exact words. Heaven Knows more incorrect information needs to be spread over the internet.
6 - julie
If Simon had been at Taylor's concert in Knoxville last night, he would have had $$ signs in his eyeballs. Chris has nothing on Taylor Hicks and his band. Taylor knows how to connect with the fans and his band knows how to rock. As for Chris..when he sings does he have any eyeballs???
7 - Shelly Baby
Nice article, but the only reason Taylor Hicks won is because Bear Bryant died. For many years people from Alabama had only the Crimson Tide to be proud of. Now that those days are gone forever, you have a state that rabidly needs something, anything, to be proud of and lay claim to.
It was a huge factor in Reuben's win and possible the biggest factor in Taylor's win.
Reuben however could sing.
All those people that will pick up the phone and dial in for the homeboy do not translate into people who will go out and buy the album. Hence the low sales for Taylor and Reuben.
8 - Carol
Excellent article. Much of what I have been thinking but could never have put into words. I don't know enough about the music business to even begin. Taylors shows are fantastic and hes going to be just fine, his way in his time. Chris I'm not so sure about, I don't think he is as grounded as Taylor, but time will tell.
9 - Betty
Thank you for telling the real story. Apples and oranges indeed!
Taylor's talent and charisma will carry him forward for a long, long time. Taylor is going to be just fine.
Chris is going to lose his voice sooner rather than later. And he needs to learn how to smile. And maybe do away with those chains.
10 - stephenj
Who on earth is Bear Bryant? I'd like to think that people all over America voted for Taylor, and not just from Alabama.... I don't think one state could sway the votes that much.
And Taylor has a fine voice.
11 - Connie in Alabama
Nice article, but the only reason Taylor Hicks won is because Bear Bryant died. For many years people from Alabama had only the Crimson Tide to be proud of. Now that those days are gone forever, you have a state that rabidly needs something, anything, to be proud of and lay claim to.
Wow, I didn't know that a state as small as Alabama was so powerful. Especially since it was almost impossible to vote from Alabama because the lines were so jammed.
Taylor has fans all over the world. He was given a shirt from those fans which represented over 30 countries. His CD is awesome and his fans are not letting him down. His concerts are sold out and most of us have bought more than one copy of his CD.
If he had had one of his songs on the finale of a popular TV show like 24 just like Chris and was given some radio time he would be showing different numbers. But gold and platninum for a first CD is nothing to complain about.
12 - Sugar&Spice
Say, are those Kellie Pickler's Red High Heels in the upper right hand corner of this blog? Oh, my bad, they are Dorothy's ruby, red slippers.
13 - MJC
#4....
Believe me, Taylor's fans are NOT boycotting his CD, that almost makes me laugh. IF there is negative press, it's coming from AI, Clive Davis. Simon Fuller and Simon Cowal, whose at his worst when Taylor is at his best. They are behind the negative, if there is any, because they can't control Taylor, fine by me.
We have bought Taylor's CD. The fact of the matter IS TPTB, they are with us, they are the very dark side, not getting their way makes them trouble to deal with.
Taylor's concert tour, which I call THE TOUR is very successful, the reviews and interviews on TV, Newspapers and online have been sterling and positive. While THE TOUR has just begin, I've not seen anything that says his fans are not out in force and also those who've not experienced seeing Taylor on a stage, live and in person.
At the tour, I have seen the reaction of the crowd. Nothing could be better than this and Taylor gives a fantastic, moving performance. This will be a long sold out tour, with much to be gained.
The radio stations whose lines are fired up by requests from Taylor's fans, myself included, are difficult. I mention the evidence of play lists which are highly suspect, force feeding the public to hear crap from people like Chris Daughtry, the wonder boy lacky of Clive Davis. Oh that was rich, Davis description of HOME, the exit song for AI, HA. Davis said that he loved the song, because you see, no other IDOL had EVER written his own music TILL DAUGHTRY???? That was surely a JOKE! Totally NOT true. Taylor has been writing music for years and wrote four of his songs for the CD. This sabotage is the type of thing we as Taylor Hicks fans have to put up with and so does Taylor.
I personally am sick of all the comparisons, there is NONE. There was ONLY ONE winner of American Idol, TAYLOR HICKS. He deserves respect and we give it to him, TPTB do not. Their loss and our gain.
No, there is nothing negative coming from the SP, if anything we are more than excited and passionate about these concerts. They will be a very postive part of Taylor's career and he has no intention of stopping now.
14 - Jewels
Manipulate Much? Davis said that he loved the song, because you see, no other IDOL had EVER written his own music TILL DAUGHTRY???? Clive puts out this false statement to simply push his guy, Chris Daughtry, into a more favored light.
That said, what about this year's show winner? Included on Taylor Hicks' post-Idol CD, "Soul Thing", "The Deal" and on the special disc, "Hell of a Day". Just pure false spin coming out of Davis' mouth.
Let's look too at how this man treated Bo Bice; Bo had written some of his own music too, music more well received on the dual disc than the tunes pushed on him by Davis. Speaking of Bo, he is in the process currently of doing some touring in intimate venues to present his latest songs he's written in collaboration with Gary Nichols and Chris Tomkins, they are really good. Check out the Bonafide Bice for complete info and videos. I have a few on my site at A Bo Bice Story for more if you are interested.
Regarding the CD, I don't think the Soul Patrol is boycotting it by any means nor do I think this is the case. Really with the CD on its way to Platinum, it is not the failure being painted. The SP is only so big though, and to reach outside listeners, the product needs to be marketed. Too, no matter how Taylor enjoyed working with Serletic, many of the tunes have an over produced feel to them. Plus the type of songs are verging on mainstream Classic Rock compositions which only will translate so far in the current music marketplace.
The folks "behind the curtain" have not made much effort to promote him, look at the release of the single - taking so long to get it out - look at how now, on this year's show, nobody mentions his name except in a negative way. He wasn't their choice but he was the voter's choice. He made some A.I. history with that win.
Encouraging too, the sold out concerts on his tour schedule. Of course, no one associated with Idol is mentioning this achievement for Taylor either.
Regarding the Crimson Tide references and Alabama that's a load of crock, but made me laugh. Speaking of which, my daughter attends the University of Alabama although we live in Texas. She's a pre-med student and the University has been providing her a great college experience.
So... ROLL TIDE!
15 - Pedro
So let me see the SP's are tired of the comparison between Daughtry and Hicks, but they can't resist the temptation of mentioning Daughtry in anything they say. Get over it! You can't pull the wool over everybody's eyes. Nobody is forcing anyone to listen to Daughtry, his CD speaks for itself and it's a darn good one. Now stop making comparisons and try to help Hicks sell his CD without disparaging Chris Daughtry. This is pathetic.
16 - MaryS-NJ
I think this is a really great op ed.
At the end of the day, American Idol is a reality TV show that makes millions in advertising revenue. It does that extremely well. But the pursuit of the almighty Dollar trumps art and distorts what matters in music, IMO.
Last season I got sucked into the American Idol vortex seredipitously because I heard some guy was singing "Change is Gonna Come" on the TV in another room and liked his voice enough to go see who it was. There was this shaggy, gray haired guy who looked nothing like what I imagined was the standard American Idol contestant, having never really watched the show before. When he busted loose with some Ray Charles, I could see a musician who knew how to connect emotionally with a song and was pleased and pleasantly surprised that he got a chance to move on to Hollywood.
I was curious enough about this Taylor Hicks fellow to Google his name and music. From there I found an NPR station website that had three of his songs streaming. I liked them as they showed a lot of potential as a songwriter as well as a good voice, bought the CD "Under the Radar" and became a fan of Taylor Hicks before he put through to the Top 24. Had it ended for Taylor in that chair, that would probably have been the end of my interest in American Idol. Whatever the reality in terms of record sales, Taylor Hicks was a big part of what made last season so engaging and they chose him well, even if they didn't get exactly the reaction they expected.
As it turned out, Taylor was not the only engaging and talented person that season. Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin and Bucky Covington along with Taylor, offered a great variety of voices and talents different from one another but all good. That Taylor won made me extemely happy for him and he earned it, but the success of all those talented guys (and gals) makes me happy for them as well. The competition should be over at this point, shouldn't it?
The downside to all of this does seem to be that the competition never seems to end. To compare blue-eyed soul/classic rock to angst rock to country to r&b is indeed like comparing apples and oranges and bananas and kiwis. There seems to be one Idol "formula" with a one-size-fits-all approach to making records.
I know at the end of the day its all about the UNITS to the Powers that Be, which I think is a cynical way to view something as personal as musical preferences, but it seems that art and music have become commodities - like pork bellies.
Simon's latest comments about Taylor really emphasize that he measures talent in terms of who he thinks would be a "viable recording artist" as in selling multi millions of cds. Silly me, I thought American Idol was about picking the performer who I liked the best. I didn't vote on the basis of who would line 19's pockets.
The truth is, there are many great musicians who never get Top 40 play, never sell 500k Units but manage to inspire and touch people through their music and have sustaining careers making music even if they don't get written about in People Magazine.
I wonder - if Ashlee Simpson sells more albums that Corinne Bailey Rae does that mean Ashlee is more worthy of respect from Simon as an artist?
I'd personally rather listen to Keb' Mo' than Justin Timberlake, I'd rather listen to Susan Tedeschi than Gwen Stefani, and I rather listen to Taylor Hicks than Daughtry. But that's just me.
American Idol has lost it's luster for me, and while I love Melinda and some of the others this season are growing on me, I have no desire to vote. I'm blissfully uninvested. It won't matter if I vote anyway, because they already know who they want and who they don't want.
17 - cbcinvestigations
The sh*t is about to hit the fan once again regarding CD and illegal wrongdoings. For those of you who aren't aware, D has long been known for his slimy work ethics.
After a government investigation of the record industry, he was at one time fired as president of CBS Records amid charges of financial irregularities and using company expenses for personal use. Amid government investigations of financial irregularities in the record industry, CBS, nervous about losing its licenses, fired D and his Director of Artist Relations, David Wynshaw, amid charges that they had used company money for personal expenses. In 1976 he was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced the maximum fine of $10,000. The government dropped five other counts against him.
Last year this came to light: a two-year-long payola investigation by the New York attorney general turned to the nation's nine largest radio conglomerates.
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said evidence he has gathered clearly shows some of the radio conglomeates have participated in the illegal practice of accepting payments from record companies and middlemen for guaranteed airplay for certain songs.
"The behavior has been unethical, improper, illegal and a sanction of some severity clearly should be imposed," Spitzer said.
Spitzer and music industry officials told ABC's Primetime that millions of dollars in payments, gifts and trips are exchanged each year to get music stations to add songs to their weekly playlists.
Spitzer said record company documents obtained in the investigation of Sony BMG and Warner, both of which have settled with the attorney general, revealed payments for songs that became major hits.
Artists whose songs are named in the documents Spitzer has obtained include Jessica Simpson, Celine Dion, Maroon 5, Good Charlotte, Franz Ferdinand, Switchfoot, Michelle Branch and R.E.M.
Maroon 5 is under the umbrella of Davis and his cronies. CD will stop at nothing to do business 'his way'.
Recently it has come to our attention through industry radio connections that huge paybacks and manipulation are being used to promote certain artists represented by D. There is also a distinct possibility of inflated Soundscan numbers. I'm not at liberty to go into more detail, but suffice it to say that charges will be laid and heads will roll.
I have a lot more that I could say here, but I won't. Suffice it to say that Mr Hicks is aware of the wrongdoings and has wisely distanced himself from the situation. Unfortunately, these wrongdoings have and will continue to affect his career - at least on the short term.
Unfortunately, the ultimate loser in this case might wind up being the artist whose career is being wrongfully manipulated.
18 - Jewels
CD will stop at nothing to do business 'his way'. That is a given. Great input and information, to share with those who have not read about his past and current dealings.
Found this today about Mr. Hicks on Grey Eagle Review, apparently performing a big sold out show isn't enough, he's got to get out and moonlight for free. THAT is a show I'd have loved to see. Hicks gave an semi-acoustic 45 minute set after his show last night for free in this small venue.
19 - Kath
Taylor Hicks is unique and a very gifted musician and singer. I was so glad he won, just to be able to rub it in Simon's face.
Simon's cracks about Taylor this year have been rude and uncalled for. He's just upset that someone he thought didn't have "it" actually went on to win. Funny....he did the same thing to Clay Aiken in Season 2.
Taylor is one of those singers that you need to see live, because CD's just don't capture the true essence of the performer. Fantasia is that way too. I wasn't too thrilled with her CD, but her live performances are mesmerizing. You cannot take your eyes off of her - she is a natural talent.
Same with Taylor. Personally, I love his CD but it wasn't as good as it could have been. I wish I could see Taylor in concert when he comes to San Francisco, but it's 2.5 hours away from me and 2 days before my daughter's college graduation. Darn!
Bo Bice is a great talent too, but I think he was ripped off by Clive Davis. Davis shoved him into a "pop-rock" genre with his CD and it was not the true Bo Bice. And forcing him to record "Inside Your Heaven" was criminal. That song was not his style and he never sings it live. I think his health problems have hurt his career but I think he will jump back with another CD that is more country/rock. I love Bo Bice!!!
And Chris Daughtry? He should be thanking his lucky stars that "Idol" gave him the exposure he needed to get his career going. Shame on him for dissing it. Never forget your roots and where you came from. It was millions of fans texting and voting each week that kept him on AI. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Taylor's CD will be back in the top 10 once his tour is in full swing. It will go platinum and you watch - he will go far. So far all his concert gigs are sold out. You can't beat that!!!
SOUL PATROL!!!!!!!!
20 - Jewels
Kath is completely right in her assessments of Taylor and Fantasia. Regarding the CD's not capturing the essence of the performers no need look further than the man who put them behind the recording machine.
Bo Bice's biggest fault and one that Tay is doing his best to sidestep is allowing C. Davis to run his career. Man, Bo is just one of the easiest going and sweetest men to walk the planet, and to keep it real, he and Tay are not the same type of guys.
Taylor has been making the Idol franchise uncomfortable for a while with his wandering to local watering holes and getting down and performing at these impromptu performances. He did it on the Idol tour and he continues. I love this trait of his, he's like this renegade Mustang and can't be tamed. I picked up on this about him from the beginning last season; made it the the main reason I picked up the phone and dialed for him last year. Simon told Pickler she was 'ballsy' one night during the season 5 contest, when in truth, Hicks always held the real definition of 'ballsy'.
21 - Shelly Baby
All of you Hicks lemmings need to explain why his performance on Dr. Phil was so very bad.
22 - bocrazy
I love this blog and all the comments on here about how CD and the manipulation that goes on with AI and the recording industry. I love Bo Bice, too, and agree that he did what they asked him to do because he trusted them - he was seriously conflicted over it, and did his best to make what they gave him work. He recorded 34 songs in 45 days for Clive Davis only 6 weeks after major intestinal surgery. That's asking a lot of someone, in my opinion. They must have told him he "had" to do it that way...but look at all the late releases this season...I think they've learned a lot from the way they treated Bo...and yet, I love The Real Thing, even though it isn't Bo Bice as I know him and as the rest of the world will know him very soon!! Be on the lookout for him and a new song entitled "American Blood" and you will find out how Bo's is The Real Thing...Good for Taylor - I hope he fights them all the way down this road...More power to the real musical talents! We have a "pet" name for Daughtry - The Bald Ego!
23 - Duke De Mondo
Excellent article Jewels. Whilst it is fair enough to assume that Mr Cowell et al are all too concerned about ensuring the winner of idol is someone marketable and especially radio-friendly (i dare say he learned plenty from Michelle McManus' winning of Pop Idol a few years back in the UK, and the swift demise of her singing career shortly afterwards. Who the viewers love on the show is not neccesarily the person they'll be most likely to support in the old CD buying game) but really, whoever wins, Simon and co stil stand to win, since even if the "winner" doesn't do so well, at least SOME of the finalists will. it's probably better for the folks involved NOT to win the damn thing, since they're still pretty much guaranteed a record deal of some sort once they hit the final 12, and there's a lot more chance of gaining some sort of "credibility" the sooner you leave the show, since the public tend to forget very quickly who the hell was there in the first place, bar the winner. It's very like Big Brother in that regard. make your mark and get the hell out whilst you still have SOME credibility, but for god's sakes don't WIN the damn thing.
24 - Jewely
Taylor does NOT have "low sales". Considering the genre, he's done very well. Taylor's fans also tend to like music, period. They bought albums across the board.
As for Hasselhof, I thought he was Kat's neighbor and crying because she DIDN'T win??? Yes, I thought Chris Sligh was stinkin' hilarious when he said that. Smart kid who learned from Taylor. Released his album just after the show started. Thinks the pop genre is "crap music". You gotta like him.
25 - Jewels
"Jewely"... Duane is that you? ... Chris Sligh strikes me as in his for top five exposure and record deal, not to actually win this musical game show, but hey, I don't know him personally.