Yaminions

Someone To Talk About

As "American Idol" premiered its sixth season this week and reclaimed it's juggernaut status in the ratings, there appeared to be a notable absence during its endless promotions and run-ups to that premiere. A viewer might think that the Top 3 of Season 5 only consisted of Taylor, Katharine, and Chris. Nary was there a mention of Elliott.

Our own musicmovesme has her own perception of Elliott:

I always thought most of the Elliott voters were people who didn't vote or watch the show other than to snark at it. He AND his fans were not like the others.

He was different because he didn't fit the perception of what an AI should look like (you know, beautiful, perfectly poised, excessively perky) nor did he show the cocky infallibility of most modern entertainment "stars". Instead he was real, kindhearted, humble, good natured. Yet it was he who had the killer voice and possessed every weapon in the vocal arsenal.

No one else can sing quite like Elliott--no one--not in every style he can successfully sing. It took an extraordinary vocal ability to come from out of nowhere, cause people to fall in love with songs most never heard before, outlast most of the hyped favorites, change grown people's opinions over styles of music, impress serious musicians enough to vote like crazy for a reality show contestant, cause beautiful women to fall in love with an unlikely Romeo, steadily build a huge fanbase, come from behind to nearly win it all, heartbreakingly not to win or get the guaranteed contract, yet to gain instead the love and respect of all those watching AI around the world.

Someone Human

In keeping with yesterday's theme, our own parsimmon had an insightful perspective on Elliott:

"They say stars shouldn't be role models, and they aren't..yet they do have the ability to influence us negatively or positively.

Elliott was such a positive influence. He affected so many with his refreshing ingenuity. He wasn't phony, or fake. His emotions, his reactions, all of it..was genuine and pure as if he were still 4 years old. The world sees this so rarely, because of the criticial nature of humanity..we have our guard up. We don't risk being ourselves...to such a degree.

Elliott shared with all of us what it is to be human. And he made all of us more human in doing so...the other contestants..., the judges, Ryan, the audience...all shared in revealing more intimate details of their guarded feelings.

I know I'm philosophizing..but that's what it was that hooked me on AI. Maybe AI has always been this way...and if so, no wonder it is a success.

For me, Elliott has such courage ...and gives me courage..to cry, laugh, risk, take a chance, be criticized, be praised...but TO BE and to take chances."

Someone Remarkable

When I volunteered to take over maintenance of the Blog here, Laclos and I were trying to come up with some ideas for a running theme or series for articles. One idea was to discuss Elliott's influences on others. I always wondered: Aside from the initial attraction of his stunning voice, what was it that made us follow him during the course of his journey on "American Idol", and afterwards?

As we await word of news and new music from Elliott, and as new 'Idol' hopefuls take the stage for the new season, I thought we could take some time and reflect.

From my own perspective, and a commonality I gleaned from interactions with various Yaminions over the last several months, Elliott's presence on the show was somewhat of a healing factor.

For Elliott's hometown in particular, I learned that Richmond, Virginia began 2006 on a terrible note. A local singer/songwriter and musician named Bryan Harvey, along with his wife and two daughters, were found brutally murdered in their Richmond home. Elliott's continued advancement on AI was seen as a boost to Richmond's psyche in the wake of that tragedy.

Our own ithad2bu, who was a friend of Bryan Harvey, offers a heart-felt take on what Elliott meant to her and to Richmond:

"I loved all the raw, honest emotion that Elliott shared so openly with all of us. Didn't try to hide the tears, his love for his mom, etc. When he got criticism, it hurt me to see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes, but he NEVER tried to blame it on something-somebody else. Just took it in maturely, tried to learn from what was being said and then apply those lessons to the next performance. I love it when people take responsibility for things - unfortunately, we don't see that too much anymore.

That smile of his lit up the whole stage, the whole city!

Dear constant readers,

I was getting on a plane a couple of weeks ago and overheard a man saying to a young girl, "Life is about choices. Your entire life can turn based on one choice you make." I thought about this and the one choice that I've made this last year that changed my life was deciding spontaneously at midnight one day to put together a little website devoted to discussing a young upstart singer, who also made a fateful choice to audition for a television show. And look where all of this has led.

It has been almost a full year since Yaminions was born as a website. It quickly grew into a fanbase and evolved drastically into a community. None of this was planned; it was organic and amazing. During this time, we've shared some laughs and some despair, some sincerity and some snark. We encouraged each other through the hard times as fans and through personal challenges we shared with each other. It really wasn't long before we went from being a place to talk about someone we shared an interest in to a place to share our interests with so many we grew to care about. We went from a forum about Elliott Yamin to a forum about ourselves. I can't count how many times I've read in the posts here the expression "I came for Elliott, I stayed for the Yaminions." I share this sentiment. It's because of the great people who gather here day after day, long after they would have drifted away from a fan site normally, and who make me laugh and make me think, that I'm still here.

Slowly, we've metamorphosized. We talk about Elliott a great deal, but the Elliott thread moves at a far slower pace than the adjacent thread where we talk about music and nonsense. In the private forums, the topics have drifted off more often than not. There are people still hanging out here who have completely lost interest in Elliott altogether. We've become more a culture than a fansite. And I'd like to acknowledge that by evolving the website right along with you.

So it is with a little twinge of regret but a lot of excitement too that I announce that the time of Yaminions is coming to a close. As we've outgrown our original premise, I'd like for the site to encompass a larger variety of topics and encourage people to join who might just want to hang out and talk music or sports or gossip. Everyone is welcome to follow us if you'd like to continue meeting with friends you've made. The new site name will be www.royalmisfits.com - thanks to the wonderful ajviolet for the suggestion. It's not active quite yet, and I'll announce when the move date is finalized. I hope you will be proud to be a misfit along with me.

I'll always be grateful to Elliott for bringing together this disparate group of amazing people who I never would have encountered in any other circumstance. I look forward to another year of good times.

One More 'Double Meaning' For The Road

Our own alab, a huge part of the history of Yaminions, and a prior contributor to the Blog, is here to bid adieu:

A Prelude to Movin On’

I write this in keeping with the old Yaminion tradition of double meanings and subtexts. That Elliott Yamin, I give him credit for this tradition. Back in the old days (which would be the AI season 5 days), didn’t we Yaminions truly feel him speaking to us with his songs? Let me refresh your memories. Take a load of these lines, only a few of many more he sang to us week after week in the show:

Did you say I’ve got a lot to learn? Well don’t think that I’m trying not to learn… Teach me tonight. (Teach Me Tonight)

I don’t wanna be anything other than what I’ve been trying to be lately… I don’t wanna be anything other than me. (I Don’t Wanna Be)

I’ve acted out my life in stages, with ten thousand people watching… We’re alone now, and I’m singing this song to you. (A Song for You)

May be surrounded by a million people I still feel all alone, just wanna go home… (Home)

As long as a man has the strength to dream he can redeem his soul and fly, he can fly… While I can dream, please let my dream come true, right now. (If I Can Dream)

I’m evil, my middle name is misery. I said I’m evil, so don’t you mess around with me. (Trouble)

And of course the controversial:

One of these days and it won’t be long, you’re gonna look for me and I’ll be gone… Well you know my name, my name is Elliott Yamin. I believe you’re trying to make a fool out of me… I believe it to my soul. (I Believe To My Soul)

It doesn’t matter now whether IBTMS in particular was a kiss-off song meant for the producers. Some of us choose to believe it, some don’t care.

Elliott Interviewed in the Latest Diabetes Health Magazine

The latest issue of Diabetes Health Magazine contains an interview with Elliott. Here is an excerpt:

You have already worked with the JDRF and American Diabetes Association. What advice do you give to other people living with diabetes? Especially to teenagers who might be going through a similar kind of rebellion as you did?

I tell them to stay positive. Make time for your diabetes and be aware of your body. Remember how going high can affect your health in the long run. I think it’s really hard for young people to see the big picture of how what they’re doing today affects their long-term health. You just have to carry yourself as if there will be no cure, even though we are all hoping for one . . . as long as you don’t let your diabetes control you. Anyone with diabetes can have a normal life. It makes me so happy that I’m showing kids and teenagers that they should absolutely go for their dreams.

Elliott Yamin is currently recording a solo album and is also touring.

You can read the full interview here.

Kudos to Elliott for helping to bring attention to this disease. Hopefully a cure will be found!

Thanks to parsimmon for the link!

Yaminions: A Year in Review

When I started Yaminions last March, I never anticipated that anyone would take an interest in it. I started it mainly just to make sure that googling the name Elliott Yamin wouldn't return without hitting at least one web site devoted to Elliott. I just wanted this kid to know that there were people out there who cared enough about him to be creating sites and writing articles and posting on forums about him. I expected it to sit here idly and perhaps at best be a place for me to experiment with software.

When I put the forum up, I knew exactly what I wanted it to be - a place free of thought police where people could feel free to post honestly and critically or honestly and fanpersonly about Elliott Yamin. I did worry though that in making it as moderation-free and as poster-driven as possible, I ran a risk of being overrun by rainbows and bunnies and ungrammatical, one word posts. I sat back and watched and waited to see what would happen. I also gave my experiment a nudge by posting links to the forum over at Television Without Pity and was aided by the moderator, Jacob, who was on a bannishment tear. I was more than a little pleased to see the ranks of the userlist populated more and more by eloquent, snarky, articulate, interesting posters. It tickled me no end when we started to develop an identity and to feel strong and proud to be called Yaminions. I was really proud to be associated with all of you. If I were a musician, I would want you for my fans. You all are discerning, caring, opinionated and loyal. I feel humbled to know you all.

Elliott Recording in New York and Doing a Shoot for T.V. Guide Channel

TimesDispatch.com has a new article that critiques some upcoming/new albums of the Idols. The article begins by mentioning Elliott and what he is up to this week.

Here is an excerpt:

Breathe in, breathe out, Elliott Yamin fans. Despite rumors to the contrary, E is not quite ready to make an announcement about a record deal, but his management confirms they are indeed working on one.

He's actually in New York this week doing some recording with producer Mike Mangini...

Here is another TimesDispatch.com link that mentions a possible Feb. 13 release date for a CD...of course, only time will tell as release dates change all the time. Elliott is mentioned 4th.

Thanks to parsimmon for both links!

Genworth Classic being broadcast on local Richmond channel

According to redorbit.com, WRLH's MyTV Richmond (Comcast digital Channel 209) will broadcast the Genworth Classic. They mention the fact that Elliott sang the National Anthem. Not sure if they will show it, but it would be worth it to watch! No word on if they will air the other 2 songs he performed. You can read more here. The mention is halfway down the page. It will be re-broadcast at other times next week and in January.

Pics of Elliott at Genworth Classic

The Richmond Times Dispatch has pictures on their website of Elliott singing at the Genworth Classic.

Thanks to parsimmon for the link and the information.