Lots of discussion about what Adam should do to be successful lately. I think he should just keep doing what he is doing. Define success on his own terms.
What Adam has done in his career gives us an idea how he defines success:
- He chose to do a headline tour in smaller venues rather than open or co-tour in arenas. Tells me he wants and knows how important it is to be a headliner.
- It was his show and he was proud of it. He made the decisions and he decided what the theme and direction would be.
- He chose to be a solo artist, not the frontman of a band like Daughtry. He has a touring band like Madonna. Once again he chose to be the star, not a main character.
- He has maintained perspective even though the media in 2009 and some fans even now have not. He is not the biggest or most famous artist on the planet. And, although he is a great vocalist, if you go back and read interviews with him from the tour, he talks about learning what to sing and how to best use his voice.
- What asked about success -- the most common word Adam uses is longevity. He has worked to build and expand a global fanbase. I have no doubt that Adam has more fans today than he had in May 2009. And I no doubt the he will have more fans in Fall 2011.
- Adam's fans are intensely loyal and passionate -- all over the world. You see this kind of passion with pre-teens and teens, but rarely for an artist with such a broad fanbase. This level of loyalty is what is needed for sustained success. (You find this with other artists -- Fish, Grateful Dead in the 70's and 80's, the core Gaga fans -- and it always is part of the success of Icons -- MJ, Beatles, Madonna.)
I am not attempting to read Adam's mind but he is clearly building his personal brand as a solo artist with a distinctive style, a great vocalist and performer, and the master of his own show.
Adam did not make choices to be successful at any cost. He decided to be honest about being gay and to live his life. (And I am sure he know that there was a risk US radio would not play his music -- that is why his initial push by RCA was on video and TV as a visual artist.)
He didn't collaborate to get a tour, I doubt he will collaborate just to get more radio airplay.
If he collaborates on a single, my hope is that it is because it is a great creative effort and not an opportunistic marketing scheme. JMHO YMMV.
