Fangirl Free Zone
Stupid American Idol Fangirl of the Week
Have at it.
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about 9 months ago
Adam Lambert “peed” story. My first thought…
…second thought “Friends”episode w/ the jellyfish. The friends decide whom shall pee on the sting.
about 9 months ago
From DCO, where ignorance truly is bliss:
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – 03:35 lil sparrow:
I had an important numbers-related question to ask.
Over at The Blog That Shall Not Be Named, several posters are claiming that super-discounted Amazon MP3 sales of certain albums are not counted by SoundScan and Billboard, because the album price has to be 50% of what it originally was.
This kind of flies in the face of several weekly reports I’ve read at HDD, which claim that such super-discounts are responsible for propelling an album’s chart position up higher than expected. For example, Third Eye Blind – a band that used to be popular, but has no radio play right now or major exposure – had a deep discount, sold 50K on its opening week, and plunged by 80% the following week. HDD predicted the high debut solely on the Amazon MP3 sale. They also put about 50 albums on sale for $5 about every month, sometimes of very popular titles. I noticed when they put Tori Amos’s latest album on sale for $2.99 she vaulted back into the BB200 for that week before disappearing again.
So can anyone answer this for me? DCTR is on sale there for $5 and is doing very well. It is #58 right now. Would this extra boost help him, or will it not count? I understand that the label can eat the profits for this type of thing (though DCTR has probably sold enough that it’s not a real issue at this point), but to me that’s different from it not being counted at *all*.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – 08:03 kitkat:
Better experts than I have weighed in on this one at said blog (waves to LadyM, QueenJ, FolkFan – I forget which of you it was), Lil Sparrow, and concluded that these sales will most certainly count for all parties. I think someone was applying a rule related to hard copies to a situation related to mp3 copies, if I recall the argument. Apparently in some cases, it isn’t the label swallowing this, but Amazon, in an attempt to win away market share from iTunes. I wonder if there are some cases, though where the label is swallowing at least some of it in their own separate promo to win headlines for an artist’s debut.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – 08:10 kitkat:
DCTR is at #643 this morning on iTunes. Keep in mind that the very Amazon promotion that Lil Sparrow is referencing has caused a shift for a few days where more are buying at Amazon than at iTunes, assuming the promo has been successful. It is an attempt to get market share away from iTunes. MaryG will have numbers for Amazon to see the results. In a strange coincidence, Windy is also #643.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – 08:37 FolkFan:
Yup, that’s right: The document that the person in question at that blog was citing was a soundscan document that gave a list of requirements for sales to count for each of the following: (1) brick & mortar sales, (2) venue sales, (3) internet/mail order sales, and (4) digital downloads (including both singles and albums). In each of the categories (1) to (3), there was a rule listed that said that a CD sold through that means could not be priced at less than 50% of list price. That rule was not listed for digital downloads.
And, like LS, I’ve seen HDD (which relies on Soundscan sales data) mention the Amazon MP3 sales before as part of its sales forecasting, including when U2′s CD was on sale (I forget whether it was for $1.99 or $3.99). Based on my reading of the document, as well as HDD (which would know) citing those sales, I firmly believe that the person in question is wrong.
Uh, HDD most certainly does NOT rely on SoundScan data, you idiot. All of this time devoted to tracking sales and the “brain trust” at DCO hasn’t figured out the difference between HDD & SoundScan?
But never mind, what this is really about:
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – 11:38 Scott:
BTW, DCTR hard copy CDs are also on sale at amazon.com, for $8.99. Which is just over 50% discounted, so that will count too. Perfect holiday shopping price. Hmmm, holiday shopping… is there anyone I know who still doesn’t have a copy but should?
Yes indeed, the power-buying continues at DCO.
about 9 months ago
More from DCO:
Friday, November 27, 2009 – 16:35 karenc3:
I was just going to post that DCTR is on sale for $5 on Amazon today. I’m going to buy it again, it looks like the sales are good. I’m hoping enough people still buy his cd so it could still go double platnum eventually
Hope away, fangirl, but double platinum is simply not going to happen.
Friday, November 27, 2009 – 15:27 lil sparrow:
David is now being advertised at Amazon MP3, in the “Pop” section. The highest I’ve seen the CD go is #40, but it’s sitting at #45 right now and seems to fluctuate in the 40-50 range. No idea how what the numbers actually are but with 600 + albums on sale (they just added more) I’m guessing this is pretty good, especially for an older CD. While re-entering the BB 200 is a stretch, I’m guessing he’ll at least make the digital chart (assuming these deep discounts still count on that chart).
At least they have Cook listed under the correct category.
about 9 months ago
Another popular topic at DCO:
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 17:42 likethis:
My yardstick for judging Dave’s fanbase is comparing it to other bands he loves and admires. Their fanbases are substantially both younger and more dominated by guys. I still feel that this first album was the transition album meant to meet the needs of both the AI fans and also to move the dial towards the rock world. I do think his next album will continue in that vein with less accomodation to the AI world and a harder-edged sound allowing him to step more fully into his rocker boots, and the audience will follow those shifts. The concession he made by taking the AI route was to start with a predominantly female fanbase with a greater age span than would have been the case without Idol. The first few albums will slowly adjust that mix to one more naturally fitting his style of music, not by losing many Idol fans, but by building out and broadening the audience.
I think musical festivals like Bonnaroo would be incredible if he can get booked. I also agree that the young teens are not really Dave’s natural audience base. I’m thinking ~18-28 is the range he needs to build up and he’s made a good start on that so far, especially by starting in colleges. Remember that he’s used OLP as an example of a kind of career he wouldn’t mind having.
…except that when Cook started at colleges, many of those concerts were attended by Idol fans rather than students.
about 9 months ago
This is just sad…
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 18:04 Hildy:
Just for information purposes regarding new fans, I enjoyed meeting a lovely woman sitting in front of me in Atlanta. She had been to other concerts but was looking forward to hearing Dave and the band for the first time. She knew his AI history, but not a lot about before AI. I told her about DWOP and how I had learned more about his early music here and how intelligent and witty the posters here are–in order to encourage her to try us out.
If you read this, enthusiastic David fan from the balcony, Hi! (Waves wildly.)
Two teenage guys had seats next to me and seemed surprised that I knew the name of the drummer, when they did not. They were nice and tolerant, but left when they realized (I suspect) that I was going to stand… and sing. I suspect the balcony there was more of a cross section of newer fans than I would have encountered in the GA section. But they were there.
ETA: And just for balance, I will say that I enjoyed GRO even more than the first time I heard them. The Script, talented and charming as they may be, did not do much for me musically. Not that it wasn’t good music, just that it didn’t do much for me. I guess I came to hear rock music, and they fell in a slightly different category to me. So, there you are.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 18:25 coolshades:
You mean they left the balcony area? Or left the venue entirely? Seems odd to me that someone would leave a concert just because the person next to them decides to stand.
I was surrounded by a lot of young people at the Omaha concert, but not teenagers. They were college students, so they were between the ages of 18 and 22. They, like the two guys at Hildy’s show, were shocked that I knew the names of David’s band members. One even assumed that since I knew their names, I must have been following the band during the tour. I found that amusing.
As for reviewers preferring the opening act to David, David strikes me as the type of person who would be delighted to see a glowing review of one of his opening acts. In fact, I envision him reading a comment such as the one by the St. Pete reviewer, showing it to The Script, and saying: “Hey look! This guy liked you guys so much, he thought you were better than we were!” I don’t think it bothers him at all. On the other hand, he might be somewhat upset by the not-so-glowing review of GRO, a band which he clearly likes and considers friends.
I myself, however, can’t quite grasp how someone could prefer The Script over David and The Anthemic. I can’t remember a single note of a single song they did during the AZ State Fair show. They just did nothing for me at all.
about 9 months ago
OK, Nevada, you will need a barf bag handy to read some of these, from mr. little d, the thread is “Chris At People’s 2009 Sexiest Man Alive”. Enjoy…
The following quote is talking about the guy from Twilight, and the Johnny refers to Johnny Depp…
little d trumping Johnny Depp? Bwahahahahahahaha!
And the following is from is from Squishy, she’s still married…
Now, excuse me for a minute, I feel unclean, I need to go wash up now.
about 9 months ago
I love the grammar in some of these…
about 9 months ago
Pitiful, blind, hearing-impaired fauxtry fans…
about 9 months ago
Back to DCO, a rather heated response to a concert review:
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 10:05 jasmine:
Ok, I can forgive that Tampa reporter for using the C word, because he so obviously gets who David is as a musician, and he’s totally on board with it! I really would love to gather all the reporters who constantly refer to women over the age of 25 going to DC concerts as “Cougars”, and sit them down with some of us and have a talk. So am I a cougar if I go to see John Mayer? or Rob Thomas? or GRO? I’m gonna piss some people off here, but women who have Cougar in your screen name or call yourselves Cougars? Do you really know what that means? How many of you truly consider yourself a Cougar? It boggles my mind.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 10:22 YaminaC:
I’m starting to think that male reporters are a little threatened by so many women going out and supporting a rock musician without waiting around for hubbies’ or boyfriends’ stamp of approval. The only way they can process this is putting it into a sexual context.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 10:23 sugarpie:
You tell em Jasmine. I am a little more than tired of reporters’ attitude that if you are over 40-years-old there is something distastefully creepy/stalkery of your fanning on a 26-year-old singer.
After more than a year of this ageism and lots of discussion here and other boards, it is clear to me that this is chauvinism and just plain laziness on the part of reporters who have minimal imagination and can’t think of a new “theme” for their articles.
It was a little surprising that this particular journalist combined a pretty good understanding of David’s high-quality musicianship and hot performances but still added in that krap!
Nicely mixed message there, fangirl.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 10:31 ladybirdSF:
Yeah, I think it`s only a good thing David has grown-up fans, we are much more dedicated and have also resources to support him in so many ways. Besides that it speaks a lot of David himself as a person to have fans from all age groups, those writers should understand that. I`m really annoyed that everywhere everything that counts is youth and beauty. Why not age and wisdom!
Btw, that Tampa review was one of the best, IMO. He really got what David is about and what kind of musician he is.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 10:37 jasmine:
Sugarpie and Yak It is just the men, isn’t it? I didn’t sense any malice from this guy, and I think his article focused on all the right stuff, like the music. I think they use that word more for describing the intensity of David’s fans…the sceaming, singing, “shimmying”, and the multiple concerts for many. But it is a terrible misnomer, IMO. David is so grounded and so sure of who he is that it won’t hurt him in the long run. But it has been such a silly distraction of many reporters over the last year and a half. Sorry, just venting.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 10:47 YaminaC:
Are fans of Archie’s who are over 40 called cougars? Just curious.
ETA: Point being – the cougar references may reflect a little Alpha Male threatening to the reporter.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 10:53 rubytuesday:
Oh and just to join in. I am well past cougar and definitely am smart enough at my age to appreciate talent of any age. It takes more than looks to get my attention. I haven’t got time for glitz I want the real deal. That’s David Cook.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 11:19 bobs.mom:
The article in question was very good regarding the music, but the cougar reference did diminsh the journalistic integrity of the piece. It’s so 2008. Get with the program reporters. David Cook and the Anthemic are an upcoming musical force to be reckoned with no matter the age of his fans. I maybe ass talking here, which is as per usual with me, but it seems that a fanbase that is diverse in age/gender/race/nationality (all the things that make us special) is more likely to have longevity in their careers.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 11:25 DCfanfromMO:
Does it bother some people that a woman of a certain age can get on line ( or where ever) buy a ticket, get on a plane, rent a car, stay in a hotel, go to a concert alone or get in a car and drive several hundred miles alone, stay in a hotel, attend a concert solo-sometimes more than just once-and make friends along the way? I’m guessing it does-just sayin’.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 11:39 rubytuesday:
As to the current discussion. I’ve said before men put women of a certain age in a box and if we step out of it (wife, mother) they can’t deal. From what I’ve read here some husbands are like that too. I find it interesting that men think their hobbies (sports, toys for the boys) are earned. Whereas women who contribute equally (and I would say in most cases more) to family life require approval to be allowed to develop their own interests. Oh I don’t think they mind if we knit but heaven forfend if we develop an interest in a rock star or even find friends who are separate from the coupledom. It’s an interesting cultural phenom that women in this day and age are changing and men haven’t cottoned on yet. Go women.
Psst, fangirl! Maybe if Cook was actually a rock star, you’d have a stronger argument.
Uh oh, here comes the head cheerleader…
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 11:43 Scott:
I’m gonna jump in… first by saying I, too, am sick of the cougar and age thing in the reporting. However (and don’t throw things at me – because this is not how I feel, it’s how I feel the perception is)….
I just went to Crash Kings who opened for Rooney last night. Rooney has a YOUNG demo and there were lots of teens. You get bracelets for the bar if you’re over 21… lots of non-bracelet wearing youngens there, plus lots of 20-somethings. In September I went to Collective Soul with Ryan Star at HOB. Average age: 35-40, and 50-50 men-women. I go to smaller venues such as Hotel Cafe & The Mint to see various local and regional bands. Average age: 25-30, 50-50 men and women. I have to say, while David’s audience is more diverse than ever and growing more diverse by the day, it is still startling for “the average white guy” who’s not a diehard fan to walk into a David Cook concert and see the high number of women in general, and women over 40. I don’t think they’re reporting that it’s bad, but I think the “human” in them (yes, journalists are human and biased – especially nowadays) reacts. David’s concerts, especially as ROCK concerts, are just not typical in terms of audience demo. It’s getting there, but not yet.
This is very much akin to complaints I and others in the gay community have of Pride Parade coverage – which has vastly improved over the years. Even in smaller markets. But for years the first shot, and often the focus of the news reports, was the outrageous. The dykes on bikes, the scantily clad muscle boys, the drag queens… when in reality, for nearly 2 decades the big gay parades have been dominated by “normal” looking lawyers, teachers, families, friends… average Joes & Janes in t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. As a person who works in TV news, I have always understood that if you put an outrageous picture (see Adam Lambert) or at least an unusual image out there, the photogs and reporters are going to gravitate towards it and use it to spice up their report. I don’t take it as an offense. I try to reach out to reporters and explain why they should go beyond the trite.
*cough*
about 9 months ago
More in-depth analysis:
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 11:53 rubytuesday:
Hi Scott Yes I see where you are coming from.
I think the real story reporters should be latching on to is why David Cook has attracted this fan group. What is it that he has that has rekindled the rock roots of the baby boomer gen and others. From what we all discuss about our journeys to Cookland the interesting phenom is how we all once rocked but it took a talent like David to help us rediscover our love of music. But I guess in a time of quick soundbites that kind of in depth reporting has been lost. Maybe you should do a documentary.
“Our Journeys to Cookland” would make an excellent title for a documentary.
about 9 months ago
If it’s not one thing, it’s another:
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 12:05 LostMySnark:
Here is another Tampa review. Not so good. But it does show you can review the show without reviewing the audience. No C word at all. He just doesn’t like the music, middle of the road, unmemorable songs. Funny enough this guy thinks Cooks songs are not rough enough. So really you can have totally two different viewpoints. He thinks The Script was the best thing about the show. Although he goes on to diss the lead singer and call them a Marron 5 sound alike. So???
And the head cheerleader shows up again to spin:
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 12:13 Scott:
LMS thanks for bringing that over. Really not a bad review, just not glowing. I’m ok with it. Music is very subjective and David is just not going to be everyone’s cuppa. He loves the band and recognized their talent. Perhaps he felt DCTR’s music is too generic and this concert is a reflection fo that, no matter how much they change it up. He may go for out there bands like Vampire Weekend. He really disliked GRO. It’s good to read different view points. I myself hope David takes more risks on the next album. Not everything has to be all puppy dogs and rainbows… I’m cool with that review. The guy was neither random nor mean. It’s a matter of taste.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 12:52 sky….:
I took my twenty something sons to see David and what they came away with was a respect for him and his band. Are they fans? NO but they are interested in what he will put out next. My son and I went to see Them Crooked Vultures and the crowd was mostly male with a wide age range. But the thing is if that band reminded me of any band live it was Davids. My son was confused as to why David would have The Crash Kings open for him because he is “pop”. He is not pop as we all know. I think the male demographic will come but David will have to work to get it. But his band is a rock band and David is a rock singer there is no doubt about that.
Clearly, there is doubt.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 13:03 LostMySnark:
I think it is cool that David has fans from across the spectrum of ages. And I would never want to marginalize or degrade anyone and you don’t have to. But if David wants to sustain a career he will need more male fans and younger fans at that. And I don’t think this discussion is new and I think most people know it’s true. If David wants to be played on AAA or Active Rock he needs male fans. If he wants sustainable long term success he needs young fans. And that is not a diss on older fans, it is just a fact. No artist can exist on a large scale with the same fans or the same core group. To attain the success that I assume David wants, the success he speaks about regarding playing arenas and Red Rocks cannot be achieved with his current fanbase. The fanbase now could be called a foundation, but it’s like a pyramid that needs to be built upon.
To expand he may need to go play different events were his desired group is already there. You know the old saying, If the Mountain won’t go to Mohammad…… I saw another blog that was talking about Kris Allen and how he can grow a following by playing music fests like Boonaroo or Austin City Music Festival. I actually think that is a good idea for DC and TA. Sometimes it feels like some fans want to keep DCTA to themselves. And I personally don’t understand that. He’s a great artist that deserves wider recognition and not just by one demographic of fans. I want him to go as far and as high as he wants to go. If that means I won’t get to see him up close and personal than I say good. Then I know he has made it.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 13:11 coolshades:
I’ll give my parents’ two cents on the issue of the concert demographic. After the AZ state fair show, they commented that they “didn’t understand” why women over a certain age would be interested in “following around” a musician that is “half their age.” It just seemed odd to them that older women would be *that* crazy about someone who could be their son (or even grandson, I suppose). They honestly felt that young people should be the ones following musicians around. Older people had their time to do that when *they* were young, and now those days are over for them. Their opinion, not mine….
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 13:17 jasmine:
I think the demographics of David’s initial fanbase was entirely a factor of him coming from AI. He has done all the right things to reach a broader audience, and although it is fair to say that the singles released don’t best reflect who he is as an artist, I don’t think you can say that RCA or his management failed him. He’s gained multitudes of new fans over the last year, and wil gain many more with the launch of the next record. Onward and upward.
Well, she’s half-right.
But this fangirl is absolutely on target, although I had to correct a capitalization issue for her:
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 13:29 Nono:
I have read reviews of daughtry’s concerts and the same comments about older women are made. He has had rock airplay, he has done things that one may consider to be targetted to an younger audience. It’s been more than 3 years, and it hasn’t changed. Idols come with an older demo, and it won’t change.