Ya know, I've been thinking about the impressive list of achievements Taylor has under his belt lately and I can say without hesitancy that he has been the best businessman, the most productive and the most well-rounded entertainer ever to come out of the American Idol franchise. He has total control over his own career, total control over his own music, and ownership of a wide variety of products available to purchase worldwide. By breaking ties and obtaining total independence from Sony BMG and all things American Idol, which I'm sure was a tricky needle to thread, he has been able to now lay claim to being a book author (his memoir "Heart Full of Soul"), executive video producer (Whomp At The Warfield), record label owner (Modern Whomp Records), music publisher (Modern Whomp Music), broadway actor (Grease), platinum selling musician, singer, songwriter and live performer. By February 2009 he will have 3 CDs available, one of which is a compilation of his pre-Idol music - "Early Works" - all this in just a 2 1/2 year timeframe of being in the national spotlight when he took the Season 5 crown.It is truly an unbelievable feat when you think about all the obstacles that were thrown his way after he triumphed in the show's 5th season. Being the true musical maverick he is, and being thrown under the bus by refusing to be handled and puppeteered by the PTB - being sabatoged without radio support or sufficient advertising - he has without a doubt come up smelling like a beautiful rose, about to bloom in his own sunshine in 2009.
What do we have coming up with Taylor? Well, first we have the national tour with Grease starring Taylor Hicks (Dec 2008-May 2009) and then a big US and International tour to support his brand new DVD, "Whomp At The Warfield" which drops February 17, 2009 and his brand new kick-ass music CD, which drops February 10, 2009. The tour will undoubtedly last at least through the end of the year and possibly into 2010. Like my man, President-Elect Barack Obama, Taylor has a spine made of steal and an ambition second to no one. I'm proud to be a fan of both.
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11 comments:
I LOVE that picture of Taylor. He is literally "KICK ASS"!!!
Taylor has so much coming is way starting next month. I look forward to his return to the talk show circuit to promote ALL his new projects.
First "Grease", then promoting the new CD, and the long awaited DVD, "Whomp At The Warfield", as well as his 2009 tour which will be a HOT, HOT ticket!!!
2009 will DEFINITELY be Taylor's year! Spread the word!
I hope Taylor book himself on Oprah. That's the one talk show that he never went on. I think that Oprah could do for him what he did for Obama.
Either way, I want to see Taylor on TV again!!!
I meant "what SHE did for Obama", and I hope Taylor BOOKS himself... (time for bed, I guess).
Fantastic on-point column. Taylor obviously is proven himself to be an unparalled risk-taker who strategically planed his moves and then capitalized on the arrogance in the organization to beat them at their own game. JMHO, of course.
Congratulations to Taylor and I'll be watching and enjoying every move as his thoughtful moves increases the size of his "corporation".
Big difference between Taylor and Obama. Taylor is great within his chosen profession. Obama is a joke.
Very true julie! His ability to see beyond today and into the future requires not only vision but the skill to pull it off - and he's accomplished that and set himself up nicely for things to come.
anonymous, my point was that Oprah can give him GREAT exposure. It would be the right audience for him.
The Soul Patrol will be very busy in the coming year... I can't wait.
Taylor is the only ALL around entertainer to come out of AI.
Bring it on Soul Man!!!!
Oh yeah.. Go Obama
I'm very excited to see what Taylor and Obama *both* will show us in the year to come! And I'm very proud of them both... Great column, Griz! :-)
Great column Griz, one of your best! When Taylor's accomplishments are put to paper (even virtual paper) they are impressive. I love that picture of Taylor also!
Great write-up Griz! Man, it is truely amazing all that Taylor has accomplished when you actually see it written in black and white. This needs to be published so everyone can read it - you eloquently rebut all the negative press that have been written regarding Taylor's career since winning the AI title three years ago.
Great job!
(berney)
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