Taylor Swift - Wireimage
Taylor Swift‘s shaky performance at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards is being defended by the CEO of her record label home, Big Machine Records.
“She is the voice of this generation. She speaks directly to [her fans], and they speak directly back to her,” Scott Borchetta said in an interview with the Associated Press. “This is not `American Idol.’ This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It’s not about that technically perfect performance.”
Swift has been slammed by critics and fans alike for her Grammy-night medley, that included an off-key duet with the legendary Stevie Nicks. Borchetta feels the criticism has become “over the top” and is just “that classic thing that critics do of building something up and then wanting to tear it down.”
He also blamed a technical issue on Swift’s rocky performance. “We had a volume problem in the ear. So, she was concerned that she wasn’t able to hear everything in the mix,” he said. “Unfortunately, on one of the biggest stages, we did have a technical issue. She couldn’t hear herself like she had in rehearsal.”
There was no shortage of backlash against the 20-year-old country star, who won Album of the Year, right here at Neon Limelight. “You realize how weak of a singer Taylor Swift is when put side by side with Stevie,” one commenter wrote. “If you thought her singing was good, maybe you need to remove the earplugs,” another harsh comment read.
Other comments didn’t bash just this one performance, but trashed Swift as a live performer based on past performances as well. Commenter Anthony noted: “Taylor’s been doing this for four years now and still has yet to improve her singing…she sounds just as bad as she always has.” A fan by the name “TaylorFan” writes: “I love Taylor Swift, but she cannot sing live… The studio productions of her songs are wonderful and fun. The live performances are always lacking in basic pitch and tonal qualities.”
Borchetta disagrees, and thinks anyone who doubts Taylor’s abilities should see her on tour. “You’re welcome to come out as my guest to a Taylor Swift show and experience the whole thing, because it’s amazing. You can see her in her element. There’s a reason tickets are selling like they are.”
Have you read Kelly Clarkson’s response to Scott Borchetta?
http://iamkelly.wordpress.com/
I love Kelly.
Love her! And couldn’t agree more!
I love Kelly too…………..and I love country music…………taylor swift is awful……….always not just at the grammys……………..she cant hold a light to any Idol winner,…..especially Carrie…………
I’ve never gotten all the HYPE w/ taylor, and actually am tired of hearing her/ seeing her everywhere, and BTW borchetta b/f you slam AI alum check out Jordan and David Archuleta two posts down singing no air!!!! AMAZING!!!!!
Taylor is pitiful…………..Teens relate to her songwriting about boys and silly mess like that…………She cannot carry a tune……….this was not the first time…..she was awful on the country music awards………..she cannot sing……….its embarrassing……….she must have had lots of money to get where she is……Daivd Letterman is bashing her now……It’s not just me………..I don’t know anyone who thinks she can sing………and I’m not saything this was a talent show……..she should have been way past that to be on the stage she was on……..Simon Cowell would not have put her thru the first interview………..she’s terrible…….I turn the radio everythimg shes on it………so many people can beat her………please give us a break……………..and no thanks, i dont want any concert tickets…………..