Saturday, July 3, 2010

Article: American Idol Tour in Trouble?

With tepid sales and a decided lack of buzz, it looks like the 51-city tour may be in for an overhaul. This is not surprising. Ratings for the show were down this year and reviewers have questioned the dynamism and star power of the contestants.  There was something fundamentally wrong with the premise of American Idol -- the judges rip the contestants to shreds week after week, then the producers ask you to fork up money to go see them live.

But after just two nights of shows, it is clear that there is talent on the stage. The real problem is that the titular headliners are not exciting enough to draw in the crowds. Crystal is very talented but her style is best suited for more intimate venues. Other, more established singers in her genre are also not packing them in.

Lee is fairly indistinguishable from other Nickleback/Creed gravely voiced singers and has zero presence on stage. His performances thus far have been entertaining karaoke, but not electric. He may impress his existing fans, but there's nothing there to bring in new ones.

That brings me to what AI should do fix the show. Three words -- more Casey James. He has what it takes to get a crowd going. To excite people to come to a show, to put on such a sizzling performance that word of mouth quickly spreads.

They should ignore their own mandate that the number of songs be tied to how you place and instead tweak the show to spotlight the strongest performer. Let Casey do what he does -- get people excited about music.
Let him take his rightful place as the star of the show. He's already been stealing it, let's make it official.

14 comments:

  1. In my opinion Casey SHOULD have been the headliner! While I have nothing against this group, most of them just don't do it for me. They all seem like wonderful people,but I'm only going to see Casey (a bunch of us from work are only going because of him...no other reason, plain and simple.) While I find Crystal to have a terrific voice, I have to admit, I won't be buying anything she puts out. Lee? Please, I have to chuckle a bit. He seems like a terrific guy, but music-wise, I KNOW I won't be buying his music. I do wish them both luck, but I won't be supporting either in their careers. Now, Casey James...WOO HOO!! I'm ready to buy, buy, buy, anything and everything he puts out! I'm so hoping for a blues/country mish-mash of tunes! Can't Wait!! Out of all the vids I've watched, Casey has been the most dynamic...even my hubby was pleasantly surprised with him (he constantly teases me about my love affair with Casey since the show began. Ha! Ha!) Also, my 75 year old dad was into the Casey performances, as well. He thinks Casey rocked!

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  2. I totally couldn't agree with you more Shari!! AI Exects. need to listen to 'the people' for once!! They thought the winner was gonna bring in the people, but I truly believe Casey is gonna be the one people are coming to see and will buy everything he puts out! Thanks for this piece, I appreciate the truth being told! :)

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  3. It's obvious from these videos that Casey needs the feedback and interplay of performin with other musicians on the stage...he infuses them with energy and vice versa.....he has talked about his himself...the relationship and camaraderie between musicians on stage or in a club and how it translates into such an awesome performance...the joy he feels at playin with and off the other guys is right there on his face and it travels right down his arms into those magic fingers of his and makes that guitar he's shreddin BEG and PLEAD for mercy!!!!!!!

    Casey IS the show...there's no other way to say it.

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  4. Casey James IS indeed the show! And what a show he puts on...if you need proof, just watch the vids of his set...ALL were amazing ! I said that when Lee won, AI backed the wrong guy, and after watching all the vids from the show, I see I was right-on. I think ALOT of people going to the shows are going to become fans of Casey in a big way!

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  5. When I was in the Detroit AI concert, I wished there were more Caseys'. It was too short, maybe 15 mins... I thought Aaron and Crystal was good but I didn't really care Lee's. He was just screaming all the way and too boring. I witnessed Casey was THE Star! I wish they add more Casey for their sake.

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  6. @CJFan_Audrey (Twitter)July 3, 2010 at 5:12 PM

    By the end of every season I watch, I end up getting so frustrated with the obvious conspiracy for the judges/show to sway the final vote. It really sickens me. However, I've come to realize that American Idol is really primarily in the business of "entertainment" not "music." Although frustrating, it can be a great vehicle for true talents like Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, etc. to become known to the 'public' in a way that would be virtually impossible had they not joined the show. For that I am grateful to the show.

    I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels these frustrations. Coupled with the turnover in the judges panel (Paula being the heart of the show and Simon being the most entertaining judge of them all), I am not surprised that the ratings for American Idol are going down, and consequently the tour tickets sales too.

    I found out that shows in Hamilton & Toronto (both of which I am going to) have low ticket sales. I have to admit, I was disheartened at the prospect of one of my shows being cancelled or the idols performing to such a small group of people in my cities. Whatever the case, I will be so grateful to see Casey James at least once live and hope to see him again once he launches his own music career!

    I really do think that Casey is better off not having won as the winner is automatically locked into a 2 year contract with 19. Hopefully, he will have more options in terms of who to sign with and the direction of his career.

    @CJFan_Audrey

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  7. I heard they canceled the Cleveland show:( They so better not cancel my September one...I need to see Casey and it's bad enough I have to wait so long...

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  8. Every review I have read about the Idol Tour 2010 has spotlighted Casey's performance as a highlight. Lee may get more screams, but Casey earns the praise of critics and reporters. Crystal does well, but is better suited to a smaller, more intimate venue.

    If the tour organizers want to attract crowds, they should reduce the number of songs by some of the Idols who are not electrifying the audience (Siobhan, Mike, Tim and/or Lee) and add additional songs to Casey's set.

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  9. @ Anonymous 11:35, you're right about the praise of the critics and reporters. Every critique I've read about Casey has been glowing. In one, they called him the Texas Tornado hurtling full-steam ahead. I've also read that when Casey is introduced people are jumping out of their seats and he is getting more then his fair share of screams. After he finishes "Don't" it is even louder then when he is first introduced on stage.
    I also agree about adding songs to Casey's set and getting rid of the ones who aren't causing any buzz at all...Didi,Andrew,Mike...Why does Mike seem to have so many songs, anyway?

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  10. Casey James IS the headliner. AI needs to highlight HIM on the Good Morning America show and that will get FINGERS in WALLETS for the shows. AI tours could also GET more PRESS and attendance by announcing Casey signing his contract and hype his upcoming album. He is amazingly talented and KNOWS how to turn the crowd WILD...

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  11. Please post the links for good reviews about Casey. I'm a huge fan but havent been able to find such reviews. I am so happy and excited for him. Thanks.

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  12. Casey should definitely be the headliner of this tour. Not that I wish for any other performer to have their time cut because I am sure this means just as much to them as it does Casey (well maybe not AS MUCH)but in order for AI to sell the tickets that I am sure they are desiring. If they showcased Casey more, I believe the venues would be packed. He is so diverse and is singing songs to almost every genre in his time allotted. Casey has the whole package. I wish that he would add Too Sweet or one of the other songs that he played at the Keys Lounge or maybe replace the duet with one of those. I love the song but would much rather hear more of just Casey. I can't wait until he has his own tour. That is what I am waiting for. Can't even begin to imagine what that would be like. I am not a teen nor am I a cougar; I am just someone that appreciates the talent of Casey James.

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  13. I wish Casey would add "Satisfied", the acoustic version to his set. That is powerful stuff!


    Rachel:)

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  14. need more casey james. i agree with the others. that's what's missing from the idol tour. when he came out on the stage the whole energy of the show was raised to a nth degree higher level! i am going again, JUST TO HEAR CASEY LIVE one more time. and if i can make it a third time, i will. i hope someone decent signs casey so he can rock out his music. if he comes to michigan or anyplace else i can get to , i will be there!! :)

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