The New Year (2014) and Halien reflections

[lovinghaleyr]

Note from Miguel: This thread was split from the Christmas in the Caribbean thread.

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I wish for all the Haliens/Hales world a ¡¡¡HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!! and
I hope a HAPPY HALEY'S NEWS 2014 will come

[riley]

You too Lovinghaleyr and all the other Haliens - Happy New Year and wishing and praying for more Haley news and music....

[Pat5533]

Happy New Year to all my fellow Haliens, those I've met and those I've yet to meet! I hope 2014 brings exciting things for Haley and for all us fans!

[Tusk]

Onwards and Upwards folks, 2014 will hopefully promise more opportunities to see Haley sing, with a new Label, promoting a new album of new songs

[My Alter Ego]

^^^Nicely said Pat & Tusk.

It occurs to me (yet again) that few (if any) of those who have had extraordinary longevity in the business Haley is pursuing (I'm specifically thinking of Tony Bennett, but Paul McCartney, as the most successful of the remaining, living Beatles could fit into this category as well) were not overnight successes. True "overnight successes" are also (usually) "flash in the pan" successes. (Yes, Justin Bieber, who's star may be [hopefully is] fading -- and rightfully should be -- I'm looking straight at you -- and those like you.)

So while many Haliens have moaned and lamented that Haley's lacked the promotion that *we* think she was "entitled to" with her 2012 LU release and the disappointing news at the end of the year, Haley, as usual, "picked herself up, dusted herself off, and started all over again." But she didn't really start "all over" again. She had already gathered a little experience, and over the Year 2013, she had a great deal more opportunity to learn. And travel...

In retrospect, I think 2013 was an incredible growing year for Haley. She may not have seen the popular/financial success that some of you seem to be expecting, but she's been "out there" making her mark in a variety of ways: as an ambassador of the "Idol" brand; song writing camps (I concept I still don't understand), etc. In the long run, what she's learned and the connections she's made in this past transition year will likely be invaluable.

Thus, I raise a glass in toast to Haley and all Haliens for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all!

[NUG]

Happy New Year Haliens!! So, if you follow astrology, 2013 WAS a year of growth (breaking often comes before this happens), building, discovery, setting systems in place for big success. 2014 promises to be a year of reaping for that set-up. This is why a lot of people are thankfully letting go of 2013, and so ready for 2014 to be great, growth isn't painless or easy. If we've done some groundwork (and even if we haven't - the rewards are still in place to arrive) for something new in 2014, it could be a year of peace, of things falling in to place, and success for everyone. I hope this is Haley's year, and every one of ours, too.

[Swansteel]

It's important to remember that Haley has been actively pursuing a musical career for only three years (not thinking about it or going to school for it but actively pursuing it) and that she is still a very young woman. Any artist who is worth anything has worked long and hard as they honed their craft into something that is both durable and worthwhile. I have always believed that instant fame is more a curse than a blessing and is more likely to burn out an unprepared star wannabe than allow them to flourish.

Haley is on a pretty good course so far. She simply needs to continue working and growing and allowing life to shape her as she takes full advantage of whatever opportunities come her way. Every working artist has had to do this. The difference with Haley is that we have been watching her growth process from the beginning and, unfortunately, that is something that cannot be hurried along. It happens when it happens. Most of the great talents we love went through their stages of growth without the gazing eye of the internet on them. That process can remain unknown until maybe a biography is written down the road, and we see in retrospect all that went into a star's ascension (an interesting recent read was Linda Ronstadt's musical autobiography).

Anyway, the future awaits. I'm looking forward to whatever Haley does next, whether big or small. The very uncertainty of her future makes it all the more interesting to follow. Easy wins are never as satisfying as hard fought ones.

[My Alter Ego]

Very well put, Swansteel -- particularly your points regarding Haley's growing pains being so very public (as a result of the internet) and that the hard fought "wins" are more interesting than easy wins. Very well stated, indeed. Haley's like a fine wine -- and it takes a combination of elements for grape juice to develop into a fine wine.

And NUG, your comment about astrology was interesting, as well. I was not aware that 2013 was, in general, a year of growth, but Haley's year would seem to have been the embodiment of it. And she has, through Twitter, let us know that there is something good will be announced when she is at liberty to do so.

As the old saying states: good things take time.

[rmd1064]

[quote='Swansteel' pid='34553' dateline='1388638007']
It's important to remember that Haley has been actively pursuing a musical career for only three years (not thinking about it or going to school for it but actively pursuing it) and that she is still a very young woman. Any artist who is worth anything has worked long and hard as they honed their craft into something that is both durable and worthwhile. I have always believed that instant fame is more a curse than a blessing and is more likely to burn out an unprepared star wannabe than allow them to flourish.

SwanSteel—excellent points! I think all of this kind of leads to the question---what do we want as success for Haley? (Sorry for this long post…its like opening up a vein!)

Four years ago, she was playing in garage bands –literally in garages! Since then, and you all know the story--- finishing 3rd in the biggest talent show on TV, the sold out American Idol tour, critically acclaimed and charting “Listen Up”, Lollapalooza, Carnegie Hall, plus travel all over the world from Greece to Singapore. She is also one of the most downloaded artists in Idol history. Sounds like success to me.

I guess, like most of you, I wanted “Listen Up” to blow up and be huge. The CD was so different and extraordinary in this age of mindless crap and auto tuning by twerking, obnoxious pop stars. I wanted several hit singles from LU all over the radio, more videos, platinum status, a big tour. ….But as we know, that did not happen.

But on the other hand, I am kind of glad that Haley did not have huge booming overnight success. Sometimes that is the worst thing to happen to people, as they are always compared to their first CD, single, etc. And, as we have seen, sometimes artists do not survive sudden fame (Cobain, Winehouse, Belushi, Farley, Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison, River Phoenix…), although I think Haley has such a solid and stable foundation that she would not have suffered such dire consequences.

Meanwhile, as SwanSteel noted, most artist careers are years and years in the making (without the Internet hovering all around) before they hit it big. There are too many to mention, but one that comes to mind is Peter Frampton who released three records in the early 70s with low sales and little airplay before “Frampton” finally charted, then of course, historic release: “Frampton Comes Alive”. (Although this ain’t the 70s anymore! I doubt someone could release three or more records these days without hits..)

My hope is that Haley continues to grow as an artist, as a writer, performer, and continues to make more and more industry contacts. Of course, I want her to get signed to a label (Hollywood Records—home of ZZ Ward!) and have a new CD this year, but she also needs to get on the road and tour. Even if she does not sign to a new label, she could still release new music via the Internet, Itunes, Amazon, etc. Most bands survive on touring and there are hundreds of bands that fill up 500-1000 seat halls around the country, but they sell out because they tour and tour and tour behind their releases and build a legion of fans over many years.

I want Haley to have a long career, along the lines of people like Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega, KT Tunstall, Vanessa Carlton, Neko Case, etc. Continue to stay active in the music business, release a CD every few years, then tour behind it. And, with Haley’s extraordinary vocal talents, she could also be one of those artists that moves from genre to genre, like Elvis Costello, Lyle Lovett, Joe Jackson and others. Her next CD may be the blues-soaked rocker that I want, but the one after that could be the jazz/standards CD that a lot of others really want. Hell, I could see her doing a country CD, or at least one with country and blues/soul. A Christmas CD. She could do a covers CD at some point, which many artists do at times in their careers. (see John Lennon, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Tori Amos, Johnny Cash, Shawn Colvin, Susannah Hoffs/Matthew Sweet).

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but as noted, I think we have to be patient and let things develop as they will develop for Haley. Haley (to me) has given us a timeless album that more and more people continue to discover to this day as a lost gem. And her performances continue to be amazing. Here is hoping that 2014 is another stepping stone to more success, but if 2014 isn’t a home run year for her for whatever reason, I will be typing this same note in January 2015 and the years to follow…. Halien For Life! Happy New Year!

[Swansteel]

^Great post, rmd1064. And I completely agree with you!