Hey everyone. Happy Mon-Tay right back at you. Still sorting through the Gray interview. Can I share 2 items that really stood out for me - really blew me away?
First, they start in with the "American Idol is Evil" theme. And I'm thinking - come on Taylor, talented as you are, you NEED to be grateful. Not only is he, he goes on to sum up my own exact feelings about the show:
Still, its clear that Taylor has grown to respect American Idol for many aspects of the multi-faceted Beelzebub. If it wasnt for American Idol opening up their cameras I wouldnt be talking to you. The show is powerful, it is dancing with the devil but it can also create positive reinforcements for society. The show features real music, music that can be appreciated across generations, music that mothers and daughters can agree on. It showcases music and performers that can bring families together. Its a music lesson, wildly popular and wildly positive.
Its amazing that you can entertain a six or seven year old kid and open them up to artists like Sam Cooke and songs like You Send Me. The show can be the greatest music lesson in 30 years if people approach it correctly. Part of the reason American Idol is so popular is that it helps replace things that for whatever reason are missing in todays culture. It has the capability of being a shared music lesson among families.
AI has been exactly that for my DS and I - a shared music lesson. We are still discussing the contestants, song choices, guest artists. We've also had in-depth conversations of the business of it all. And he's only 10! What a great bonding experience for he and I. Y'all know about our day in NYC at the Today show and now we're designing our homemade t-shirts for the concert.
Second, I was touched by his hat-tip to Barry Manilow. I'm a big Barry fan from waaaaay back. I'm not surprised that Barry's not a fave of Taylor's or Gray's, but it was big of them to acknowelege that B has a real knack for music. It's been no coincidence whatsoever that "Barry Night" on this season as well as season 3 was the best in the run.
I ask if there were any exceptions to that rule and Taylor says, One Barry Manilow. We talk for a bit about how Barry Manilow was never within 100 feet of either his playlist or mine but surprisingly he seemed to care about the contestants and shared his knowledge of musical structure and arrangement.
For all of you rolling your eyes, know that everything we love about Taylor is precisely everything Barry fans love about B. That deep feeling that emerges on stage, the singing from the heart and really meaning it. Soul is not a music style - it's heartfelt emotion manifesting in song, through a singer.
Love this interview - and am so happy for Gray. What a great send-off.
Let me know if you need help with that if you're interested! 
Actually I'm sitting here with BLACK DYE on my head because I'm probably becoming more gray than Taylor as we speak.... and somehow it doesn't match the dimples!
Good for you!!! 
