The New Year (2014) and Halien reflections

[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!