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American Idol Thoughts


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It's 9:13 EST and I'll tell you why I think Katherine is going to win. If I were the head of a label (like Simon) or a record producer, I want the next American Idol to sell 20 million records and have a long, long career. I like Taylor. He's quirky and kind of cool, in an offbeat sort of way, but he's not going to do those kinds of things. He's going to appeal to a certain niche audience, not unlike Michael McDonald and Joe Cocker. Those guys are both real talents who sell records, but we're not talking superstar like Whitney and Mariah and Shania.

Katherine is beautiful, has a terrific voice, can act and can dance. She's 22 years old and she's really good right now. What she doesn't have yet is her own style. That can be developed. After "Idol" was over last night, I switched over to the CMA's just in time to see Carrie Underwood. She absolutely radiated STAR! She looked stunning and sounded great. She was so polished and poised she made most of the country "stars" look like half-baked amateurs. Give Katherine a year and she'll be just as good. She could have a HUGE career with the proper guidance.

Last night, when Simon said that Taylor had just won the competition, he was really trying to rally Katherine's fans to get on the phone. I think Katherine is the one he wants on his label. By saying what he did, he made Taylor's fans think he had it wrapped up, and Katherine's fans think she was trailing. What better way to get Kat's fans to light up the phone lines.

I think Katherine is the next American Idol. ec ;)

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Speaking of the CMA's, did anyone else catch "Female Vocalist Of The Year" Sara Evans absolutely BUTCHER the song she sang last night. It was so bad I literally screamed! She was a full half step flat for the entire song. Every note was just horrible (and there were a LOT of notes). Then she won the award. Go figure. Politics as usual. Sara Evans couldn't like the grime from the bottom of Martina McBride's boots.Oh, that's show biz. ec

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I thought the same thing about Simon's "prediction." Sneaky fellow, isn't he?

Of course, when it gets down to 1 and 2, it almost doesn't matter, right? Win or lose, they'll both get record deals, I would bet.

You're right, Eric---Katherine makes a lot more sense in that she's a more "moldable" star-in-the-making, so yeah, she'll be a good project for Simon (or whoever signs her). And I agree, too, that a Taylor Hicks career might not have legs, but the short-term outlook would be good, considering the show's reach.

I still like the Richmond fella, Elliott Yamin, better....

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I'm sure both contestants have record deals. My prediction: A smidgen in sales for each when released. The two are better than your 'average' singer for sure, but their level of talent does not bring them to 'star level' in my view (not that one needs a whole helluva lot of talent to be a 'star' in this country!). As someone opined here earlier re: a Taylor win possibility: What would they do with him if he actually won? Nice guy. 15 minutes just about up.

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Highlights for me...

Prince performing - One of the outstanding talents of the last 25+ years! I also loved that Prince didn't wait to talk to Ryan (I love myself a lot) Seacrest!

Tickets for the AI Live show in Milwaukee start at $37.50 - I'm almost tempted to check it out. I will only go if they will be selling beer though. ;)

Tim

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I'm with Bob Allen, its all glorified karaoke to me. I think Ive seen more talent in the karaoke I've witnessed in Tokyo with a bunch of drunk Japinese busioessmen. I suppose time will tell if these AI singers actually have anything to offer as individuals artistically. Agree totally Tim, Prince made some tremendous pop albums and some great lyrics at times too.

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Back in the early seventies, I played a show at the Cow Town Ballroom in Kansas City. Linda Ronstadt walked onstage in a pair of tiny cut-off jean shorts and a little tube top. She seemed very shy until she started to sing. Then she opened her mouth and belted out "You're No Good." Her cute, onstage demeanor offset the sexy little outfit. There wasn't a guy in the room who could even move after she finished. It was a no nonsense, no frills kind of performance. She knocked 'em dead. I think that's what Kat should be doing. Instead of Mariah and Whitney, she should be thinking Faith Hill. Faith uses her sex appeal but she doesn't make it obvious. That would be a great approach for Katherine. ec

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Congrats to both Kat and Taylor. I commend both "kids" for their ability, their drive, their guts,etc.. As I get older, I grow more respectful of people who "lay it on the line", sometimes against great odds, to even come close to their dream. So many folks I deal with on a daily basis took the "safe" route, college, grad school, etc.. that a show like AIdol is, in many ways, quite refreshing and eye opening to me. I think the music world, with an apparent dearth of quality music now, has room for both Taylor and Kat. I think a true test as to their longevity might be their ability to write / create their own music. Like Eric Carmen herein, etc... and my personal favorite, Brian Wilson. Enjoy the day. Marc

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I agree with you on that EC, but I think that she would then need to work herself into the Country side of things. I'm not sure "unblatant" sexuality would be too useful on the pop/rock side of things as there is so much "blatant" to choose from... To be compared to Faith Hill (or last years AI winner even) she needs to be in the same market and on CMT, not MTV...

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I think Kat can sing but lacks stage presence (and at times song/wardrobe selection) which I assume is from nervousness. Since the contest was over, she seemed as relaxed and commanded the stage last night better than I've seen before. To me, she should have switched Tuesday and Wednesdays performances and it would have been closer.

I don't know how the contracts work, but if finishing second, is less restrictive under the American Idol contract stranglehold, she may do quite well. As soon as Kelly Clarkston was free of AI contractual, she replaced everyone, and has done quite well.

Hey Clay out sold Idol Reuben so who knows. I think they both will do well for a while, and Kat with the right handlers, has the potential to last for awhile in this town of "desperate fools".

I would dial her in just one notch closer to pop than country on the meter than Faith, more Shania.

She needs a Mutt Lange in the studio...

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Eric...bad boy for comparing Clay Aiken with Bobby Sherman! Bobby Sherman is still hot! I do like Clay's voice though. I predicted Taylor because he had the personality NOW to get in all the votes in Alabama.

Was it just me that noticed? but you guys didn't talk about the following:

1) Why would they pair Al Jarreau with paris when he obviously didn't have a strong voice?

2) Why was Meatloaf shaking his head and hand to fake a vibrato? Did his voice drop an octave?

3) Why did Taylor flinch BIG time when Toni Braxton tried to shake it with Taylor (the camera turned away REAL fast but she still made a face like 'that boy has no sense')?

Kat definitely had what I would call the Idol package: beautiful girl, spectacular voice. And I agree: she can learn poise, stage presence and relaxation. She will go far....

Eric... after seeing Tommy Mottola, Burt Baracharach, Barry Manilow and David Foster arranging music for the contestants and giving vocal training, you would be the perfect man for the job. Your own catalogue to coach from and a nice little performance on the results show...yep, we see it now!

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Missed most of the AI finale. Wife made me work on getting house ready for weekend guests. And I only recorded the "Lost" finale for future viewing. frown

Was the show really done well filling up 2 hours for a 5 minute result? Or was it a cheesy time-filling finale?

One of these days I'll have to choose between my TV and my wife...Boy, that's a tough one :angry:

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Tony, let's face it, pop music died circa early 90s.

I keep searcing for the 'holy grail' and I found it (Nov. 26, 2004) :( .

I will never give up my quest, but AI is NOT where it's at - which, by the way, is the title of a GREAT pop song by Del Amitri.

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Toni Braxton's whole performance gave me the heebie-jeebie's. Her singing sounded more like burping and her way-over-the-top sex- kitten routine was totally inappropriate for the song. It's kind of weird how a girl could be that cute and that repulsive at the same time.

Poor Meatloaf was so flat it must have been hard for Katherine to find her pitch. What an absolutely horrible pairing that was. They should have sung "Beauty And The Beast." ec

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I've watched AI once in my life. That episode was were Simon told some guy he couldn't sing and the guy threw his drink at him. Anyway, I went to the AI website tonight to see what all the hubbub was about and they have a video of the winner's final performance closing the show. He sang flat most of the way through the song! And he was the winner? I'm confused. Isn't singing in pitch a requirement anymore? :blink:

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I'm beginning to think I'm glad I had a school concert that night and missed it. My kids played fabulously, not an out of tune note in the whole evening. And two students played the first movement of the Vivaldi Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor! They phrased beautifully and played expressively, and they are only 9 and 10 years old. They finished up with "In Dreams" from The Lord of the Rings. And my other three schools did just as beautifully.

Ahhh, my kids. They're *my* American Idols!

:) --Darlene

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