A multi-page feature in Time Magazine…….that is a pretty amazing feat for any person, but especially for a young person who was thrust into the limelight only months before. And the rumor running around the internet was that Clay Aiken almost made the cover of the magazine.
The Clay Aiken feature in Time Magazine ran in the October 5, 2003 issue and caused much talk and discussion with not only Clay’s fans, but also the music world. It said a lot, not only about Clay Aiken, but about the music business in general.
While reading the article again, after almost twelve years, a few things stood out to me.
- The author assumes the superiority of music industry tastes to those of the music-buying public.
- Clive Davis of RCA concedes that music labels pander to radio and MTV.
- Artists that market themselves as sex objects are not better musicians.
- It was a mistake for the record company to characterize Clay’s fans as ones that demand “blandness.”
- Music industry executives are out of touch with what interests the public.
Of course, when you read this article over again, you will probably see other things that catch your eye. If so, please let us know through your comments. I bet we could have a great discussion about this article.
Josh Tyrangiel was the editor who wrote this article about Clay Aiken. The following information on Josh was found on the website, Digital Hollywood.
Josh Tyrangiel, Managing Editor, TIME.com: As managing editor of TIME.com, Josh Tyrangiel oversees TIME’s daily news site, which draws more than 5 million unique visitors a month and in February 2007 was named “Website of the Year” by the Magazine Publishers of America. Tyrangiel joined TIME in 1999 as a staff writer and music critic, and was named managing editor of TIME.com and assistant managing editor of TIME in September 2006. He continues to write about the music industry. Tyrangiel has written cover stories on Bono, Kanye West, the Dixie Chicks and Bruce Springsteen, as well as articles about politics, international relations, food, academia and sports. He has interviewed and profiled former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, and Oscar winners Sean Penn, Nicole Kidman and George Clooney. Tyrangiel has also twice served on the panel of judges for the influential Shortlist Music Prize. Prior to his arrival at TIME, Tyrangiel was a producer at MTV News. He also wrote for Rolling Stone and Vibe. Tyrangiel received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.A. in American Studies at Yale.
In November 2013, Tyrangiel was called on to help shape television content for Bloomberg Television. In August 2014, Tyrangiel was promoted to oversee all content on Bloomberg’s media platforms.
To read the article, click on the link below. I hope you enjoy reading the article.
Has your opinion of this article changed after so many years?
Before Clay, I have not bought any CD's. His beautiful voice changed that. I have all of them, his book, and his Tried and True video. From the beginning, I have always believed in OMC!
Looking back we can see he battles he had to fight.
It never changed. Love OMC.
Looking at article made me earliest that things never change. Clay had a battle right from the start.
Love OMC
Who knows, I never saw the article the first time and can't see it well enough to read it now. Nice pics tho.
That was the first time I've read that article and it was apparent from the start that Clay has stuck with his principles and fought hard for what he believes in. Just goes to show that he is truly a one of a kind artist who won't sacrifice his identity and beliefs in exchange for fame and fortune. That's OMC!!! 🙂
Thanks CANN!!!
There is no doubt that Clay is a superior singer of many genres and that he has fielded an exceptional music career as well as co-founding The National Inclusion Project, appearing in magnificent stage plays and an array of television programs and special events, giving back via UNICEF, making an astounding run for Congress, and becoming a household name. I love that he has stood his ground with respect to others who fought to change him and his music. But I absolutely hate that there was so much ridicule and such an onslaught of producers who fought to handle Clay’s career as well as control how he dressed, what he sang and how he sang it. In my opinion, there was a colossal amount of bungling among the powers that be on the “American Idol” scene. This became especially evident when “A Thousand Different Ways” was not only severely delayed but also changed to a collection of non-original songs. Despite it all, Clay remains steadfast, a man who is gifted with intelligence and wisdom who can stand on his own two feet with perseverance, integrity, honesty, and compassion. I am exceedingly proud of Clay for continuing to exemplify the “Measure of a Man”!