[Harp-L] Re: Taylor Hicks (response to Bobbie)

["Jonathan Metts" <jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Another contestant this season, Lisa Tucker, was shown playing a Jimi 
Hendrix song on guitar.  I haven't seen much of the previous seasons, but I 
would guess that other people have also been shown playing various 
instruments.  It's a natural thing to show when the producers want to want 
to showcase some elements of a contestant's personal life.  Taylor (who also 
plays guitar, by the way) has never been allowed to play harp during one of 
the actual show performances.  He chose one of the few times, early in the 
season, when he would have the camera to himself for a few seconds and yet 
not be on stage.  It was a risk -- the judges might have looked down upon 
his act, or some people at home might not like the sound of his playing or 
the blues at all.  But I think it turned out to be a very smart move that 
the producers will now have to ban in subsequent seasons to prevent 
copycats.

By the way, thanks a LOT to Ken for that video link.  That's from a 
Birmingham morning show that I have watched on and off for ten years.  The 
other guy playing harp is Mickey Ferguson, the meteorologist!  And he 
sounded pretty good, though not as good as Taylor (who really plays well in 
this song -- it's a great harp video even if you don't care about the show).

Jonathan Metts