Those of you who haven’t see Taylor in concert–

Find a way. Any way. Just find a way.

The Sign Story

So G. and I got in to Provo Friday night. We decided to drive to the stadium and work out where we would park, etc.

After figuring things out, we drove a couple blocks past the stadium to turn around. We were sitting at a stop sign when I spotted a big ole Stadium of Fire Promo poster with Taylor on it.

Well, my eyes glazed over and G. said “No way are you stealing that poster.” (He knows me too well. I wish I had a picture of the looks on both of our faces–my eyes spinning and his rolling.)

I swear I really was gonna yank that bad boy right out of the ground. G. was like “No you aren’t I don’t want to get arrested and if we do, good luck getting to the concert.”

Then G. said, “Hey, What’s that on the ground?”

The wind gods were smiling on me, because it was another poster, in cherry condition, just sitting there for me. MINE.

I put it in the truck and laughed about how that wind just blew that poster right to me.

Awesome souvenir. Now all I need to do is get Taylor to sign it.

Hey LT – You’re welcome, I had a blast writing. What an interesting question re: $! I didn’t even think about it – so I just now added it up: $350. – ticket, gas, my half of motel and food. Welllll, ok, I spent another $100 at the park service book store at Cedar Breaks the next day, but that has nothing to do with Taylor. (I’m a book freak. I don’t do drugs, I just do books. Sigh. Guess now I have to start saying, I don’t do drugs, I just do Taylor Hicks.) I think the show folks put the yellow bracelet on the lady who met Taylor – their version of a backstage pass.

EJ Says: “… it’s hard to resist the urge to join the hysteria. Kind of a hard-wired, animal instinct to run with the pack and chase after something you want …the most inane things came out of my mouth (wee love yooo Taylor- giggle)… Gush, chase, gush.”

Oh EJ, I so totally get that. I too screamed I LOVE YOUUUUU TAYLOR during the show, and dammit, I SWORE to myself and my sister I wouldn’t do that kind of stuff. Came out anyway! And for goodness sakes, he made me CRY. NO BODY, especially not some guy that I don’t even know, makes me CRY. I have a terrible feeling, that if the day came that I were to actually meet our Mr. Hicks I would be like those people who got carried out on stretchers at his homecoming. And that my SP friends, is very – very – embarrassing! Yes, gush indeed.

Thanks for the info on the local scene. I’m very much interested in hearing about any local news coverage of the Idol tour. In fact, if anyone can record it on VHS I can make vids from it.

What an exciting night!

http://cbs4boston.com/video/?id=21898@wbz.dayport.com

I have to say, though, having been inside a seething mass of fans when Taylor comes close by, it’s hard to resist the urge to join the hysteria. Kind of a hard-wired, animal instinct to run with the pack and chase after something you want

In my infinite maturity, I was able to stop myself from actually trampling another human being, but the most inane things came out of my mouth (wee love yooo Taylor- giggle) and everyone else’s mouth although we had seriously discussed asking him serious questions like “do you read the message boards?” or “are you going to re-record any of your songs from UTR on your upcoming album?” All that went by the wayside in that moment where you have about 2 seconds to catch his attention as he goes down the line of fans shaking hands or whatever. Gush, chase, gush. I promise to do better and be more mature next time. I do I do I do.

If they were staying in Manchester, that city always has fireworks on the 3rd. There was a minor league ball game in town at a lovely new park, maybe they had a nice box to watch. Someone told me they thought most celebrities playing in Manchester stay in Boston cause there are really no first class hotels in Manch Vegas. In that case, they may have caught Steve Tyler, Joe Perry, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for the big show there. But talk about mob scenes, I think maybe not..

Margaux, who will be leaving for Manchester in a few hours herself.

Mojavedesertgirl… thanks ever so for the recap. Felt indeed like we were there with you. VERY grateful for your time! (you must have spent a LOT of money going out there!) Glad it was worth it. About the yellow bracelet the lady had on at the gas station.. did he give it to her? I think you posted she said it meant she met him.

I watched Walk the Line for the first time yesterday. Cash’s popularity with the ladies, and shyness reminded me a tiny bit of Mr Hicks. We really have no idea what those mob scenes can do to a person though.. and everybody wants a piece of him. I hope the fanatics will chill a bit as he goes forward. Buy HIS merchandise and music.. thats the best way to help him. Make sure he is the one profiting off the stuff you buy!

This fame phenomena is not a new thing and Taylor is not the first nor the most rabidly loved “idol” (of any kind). However, many folks today have not seen this kind of adulation for a star from his fan base, as well as pretty much everyone he comes in contact with.

There was Elvis and many of us remember more the older Elvis than the younger, hotter Elvis (except in the lame-o movies) and after that, The Beatles — but that really was a group and not one person. Since that late ’60’s, there hasn’t been an artist who has caused such a cross-generational stir. Add to that, the proliferation of the internet and the ability to share video, audio and information in near “real-time” (think Marc on performance nights), and you have serious “fan girly”.

Taylor appeals on many levels across the spectrum. For some, it’s the American Dream factor — toils in mediocre jobs for years, being rebuffed at every turn but continues to work through it, takes a chance, big win, etc. — story of heartache and then redemption.

For others, it’s the musical appreciation and talent, simplicity of the song — SOUL. The belief and commitment to his talent without compromise (save maybe AI, briefly), standing up to TPTB via PTFMWB, etc., is very compelling to many.

And for others, still, it’s that he’s different, talented, sexy and alot of fun. For many, it’s a combination. Point being, because he has various levels of appeal, it’s not likely to go away any time soon. I do think that he is more popular with more people than any other previous American Idol (even Clay and Bo) and most recent recording artists. Most of those with “rabid” fan bases have been in the business for decades (think Springsteen, Stones, etc.).

Consider this: Taylor has only scratched the surface. He has yet to begin to explore his possible popularity in Canada and overseas. I could be mistaken, but I don’t think any other idols have had such an “international” reaction. He certainly has expanded AI to audiences that haven’t previously been watchers, mainly to see Taylor.

This relatively sudden fame is a powerful thing and can be overwhelming. This is why it is so important for Taylor to surround himself with people who keep his feet on the ground. He HAS to keep it real or it will get away from him….too much precedence for ’star implosion’.

However, I keep going back to the fact that Taylor has had a VERY long, hard time to think about exactly what he would do and how he would do it. I believe that if anyone can “keep it real”, it’s Taylor. The next year will be a very interesting ride for him, and will set the stage for his real music career.

Taylor will sing something by a male singer who he mentioned as being a “favorite” quite a few times.
Not Ray Charles or Sam Cooke.

Elvisbabe, thanks for the video, I had signed up to watch on Pentagon but the times they were showing it I had to be at work – figures, doesn’t it?

Ash, love your collage, love this place. Thanks again for having a place for us all to share this great adventure!

(and while I was typing this they showed a commercial clip promoting the GMA summer concert series… “coming up July 21st Taylor Hicks”… WOOOOO!!!!)