Why isnt Hayley popular in the US?

[Dave]

Sept 25, 2010 13:59:36 GMT milewalker said:

A stand up and sing performer doesn't have much of a chance in crossover in America regardless of how well they do that. No one will even notice.

Hi Jon,

Charlotte Church? I'm sure there have been others (but I know what you mean).

For those engaged in what could be seen by some as a "US versus the world" debate, which we certainly don't want, I suspect that entertainers of all, shall we say 'types', exist in most countries where there is a major entertainment industry. There have been some who have traded at least in part on a sexy image in the UK music industry in recent years, even in classical crossover.

Let's just face the fact that for whatever reason, it's darned hard for entertainers from overseas to make it big in the US and yes, they usually need an "angle" that catches the media attention in a big way. By April 2004 when Hayley tried, she was probably already too old (17) for the "amazing child star" image to work, as it did with Charlotte.

Dave

[afaninchicago]

I think that for the most part the reason she isn't popular here is that very few people have heard of her. Additionally, many people who listen to classical music are purists, so they would not appreciate the "crossover" part of her music. With that having been said, I think she would be immensely popular if she were just as well known as someone like Josh Groban. I have introduced her to several people, and while they have not become instant fans, she definitely has impressed them. I also think that if/when Hayley makes a tour in the US, she should come to the places that have an established classical music base, like Philadelphia, Boston, New York on the east coast, the Bay Area in California, Chicago for the Midwest. The places that have world renowned music schools and orchestras would be the places to go first. Plus some sort of TV/Movie appearance would definitely help her a lot.

[larryhauck]

Sept 25, 2010 17:39:06 GMT afaninchicago said:

I think that for the most part the reason she isn't popular here is that very few people have heard of her. Additionally, many people who listen to classical music are purists, so they would not appreciate the "crossover" part of her music. With that having been said, I think she would be immensely popular if she were just as well known as someone like Josh Groban. I have introduced her to several people, and while they have not become instant fans, she definitely has impressed them. I also think that if/when Hayley makes a tour in the US, she should come to the places that have an established classical music base, like Philadelphia, Boston, New York on the east coast, the Bay Area in California, Chicago for the Midwest. The places that have world renowned music schools and orchestras would be the places to go first. Plus some sort of TV/Movie appearance would definitely help her a lot.

Hi Chicago Fan,
I'm about three hundred miles south of you. I live in Illinois but we our in the St Louis metro area for all intents and purposes.
I completely agree with your assessment of what would be the proper path for Hayley. We had Sissel at the Sheldon last year and it was a sell out. We have a wonderful Symphony Orchestra in a superb venue. And we have the Fabulos Fox Theater.Plus several universities that would provide Hayley with great venues.
And we know that Chicago has even more.
I think Hayley would do very well on the university circuit.
Larry

[martindn]

Yes, you are right, Taylor certainly does not have that type of image. I suppose that is just one way of gaining attention from the media. And perhaps it is the media who are looking for something shocking or sensational to sell their product. And some artists choose to play the game

But not all as you say.

It isn't that much different over here.

As for me, over flamboyant images tend to prejdudice me against artists who might actually be quite talented performers, perhaps thinking if that have to do that to get noticed they can't be very good. But when you look deeper, some of them actually are talented musicians.

Martin D

[Elliot Kane]

Martin,

The media love shock value because they think it sells more than genuine talent. It's a pretty sad attitude, really, and I'm not sure it's even true. But then, media is a shallow business, so chances are they think shallow is worth more than substance.

In my opinion, the biggest hurdle facing any artist is to simply get their name out there. You only have to look at the immense diversity of music that's out there to realise there's an audience for pretty much everything, if the artist can only gain the attention of people who will like their kind of music.

Do that, and the battle's won. But oh, what a hard battle it can be to win!

[larryhauck]

Sept 27, 2010 0:21:58 GMT Elliot Kane said:

Martin,

The media love shock value because they think it sells more than genuine talent. It's a pretty sad attitude, really, and I'm not sure it's even true. But then, media is a shallow business, so chances are they think shallow is worth more than substance.

In my opinion, the biggest hurdle facing any artist is to simply get their name out there. You only have to look at the immense diversity of music that's out there to realise there's an audience for pretty much everything, if the artist can only gain the attention of people who will like their kind of music.

Do that, and the battle's won. But oh, what a hard battle it can be to win!

An artist such as Hayley is capable of any style of music there is. It's her decision as to what style of music she chooses to attain whatever goals she wants to attain. In my opinion if she wanted to crack the U S market I would think that she could adapt her style to be more like a Streisand or Dion. Neither would necessitate a drastic compromise of her principles.
Perhaps she doesn't want to come to the U S. But if she does I think that with her talent and given the proper management she could succeed here.
Larry

[Elliot Kane]

Larry,

I'm not sure any singer is capable of any style of music. My imagination utterly fails at Hayley doing Heavy Metal, for example. Given the power and range of her voice, she's likely more versatile than most, though.

As for popularity in America - I agree with you. I think the only thing really holding her back is that most Americans don't know who she is and have never heard her sing. If that changes, I can certainly see her doing well.

[martindn]

The thing you have to remember is that Hayley likes to do her own thing. She performs music that she happens to like. It is always quality stuff, and I like it too, and I'm sure many others would if they knew about it.

I would vastly prefer it is she continued to be true to herself in that way, ad didn't try to do something that "isn't her" to pander to a market that is probably already catered for by American artists. I just don't think that would work.

The thing is, she doesn't need to copy anyone else. Larry, Streisansd and Dion are great singers, and each has her own unique style. So is and does Hayley. That is her strength,and she shouldn't try to be something she isn't. What she is is wonderful anyway in my book. I don't think the problem is with who Hayley is as an artist, it is getting publicity and convincing a media establishment that has fixed (and quite probably wrong) ideas about what people want.

Martin D

[larryhauck]

Sept 27, 2010 22:41:13 GMT martindn said:

The thing you have to remember is that Hayley likes to do her own thing. She performs music that she happens to like. It is always quality stuff, and I like it too, and I'm sure many others would if they knew about it.

I would vastly prefer it is she continued to be true to herself in that way, ad didn't try to do something that "isn't her" to pander to a market that is probably already catered for by American artists. I just don't think that would work.

The thing is, she doesn't need to copy anyone else. Larry, Streisansd and Dion are great singers, and each has her own unique style. So is and does Hayley. That is her strength,and she shouldn't try to be something she isn't. What she is is wonderful anyway in my book. I don't think the problem is with who Hayley is as an artist, it is getting publicity and convincing a media establishment that has fixed (and quite probably wrong) ideas about what people want.

Martin D

Martind
I didn't say that Hayley should copy either of their styles. I was using them as examples to illustrate two things. One is that a performer doesn't have to be tarty to succeed in the U S. Two is that they appeal to people of all ages.
What I meant was she could adapt to their style of performances.
How on earth did you get the idea that I said she should copy their styles?
Pleases don't put words in my mouth.
I am perfectly literate enough to say what I mean!

Larry

[stevemacdonald]

No offense to anyone, but this topic has more than run its course.

So Hayley isn't popular (yet) in the States. Can't we just accept it and move on?

[milewalker]

Sept 28, 2010 18:07:31 GMT stevemacdonald said:

No offense to anyone, but this topic has more than run its course.

So Hayley isn't popular (yet) in the States. Can't we just accept it and move on?

Hi Steve,

I have zero interest in Hayley's earrings, only the slightest interest in her dresses or her hair. I dont care for photography, and get in trouble when I post about other singers. I find the concert threads depressing more often than not.

I am an American Hayley fan subject to the above limitations. I am primarily here to talk about Hayley. Even in the other music thread I am at least in part trying to compare and contrast. Hayley is the standard. If it wasnt for these kinds of speculative threads which resurrect from time to time, what reason is there for me to be here?

[stevemacdonald]

Hi Jon,
I share your attitude for the most part. I was just getting fatigued with the redundancy and tone. After all, much of this was covered ad nauseam in my original "Sure-fire ways for Hayley to succeed in the US" thread. There's only so much anyone can do at this point. At the end of the day, when you do the math, it is what it is.
Steve

[Natasha]

Hayley should do a guest spot on Glee Given it's immense popularity in the US right now that would give her some exposure. Of course getting said guest spot is easier said than done.

[Joe]

Hayley could do what that Gareth Malone did on BBC2's 'The Choir', a TV reality show. Hayley could go into a school or community center and assemble a choir. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Inspired by Martin D's YouTube stats, I just looked at our forum stats for yesterday...57% of visitors were from America (16% from California alone) and only 15% were from the UK. Hong Kong was third at 9%. Note that the figures may be including search engine bots.

[milewalker]

Part of the explanation for that lies in the fact that Hayley has virtually no profile within the US. Anyone seeking information about her has to go through channels - we sure arent likely to hear anythng about her on American media. As it happens, HWI is one of the primary channels.

Perhaps more importantly, there is also some direct vaidity to those numbers, but they dont really help much. I believe we have speculated before that Hayley probably has as many fans in terms of sheer numbers in the US as she does anywhere in the world. The problem lies in the fact that they are spread out over a country 40 times as large as the UK. She could have twice the numbers in the US vs elsewhere and it still wouldnt help a lot unless and until that number reaches "critical mass".