Taylor Dayne has had 17 top 10 songs on the Billboard Charts in her singing career. After interviewing Dayne years ago for Windy City Radio, it was time to catch up!
Windy City Times: Hi, Taylor.
Taylor Dayne: Hi, Jer, long time no hear!
WCT: I know! You were my first celebrity interview five years ago.
TD: I think that is very cool. And you have gone on to such auspicious things.
WCT: How have you been?
TD: Pretty good, everything's great, no complaints. I have been dropping off checks, doing my thing, being creative, making music. I have been handling it, working within the system.
WCT: What's your opinion of the music business today?
TD: Well, the music business is the television business. Unless you have some sort of exposure on television then it is very difficult. It is very rare for a breakout artist to come out virally through their own means, whether it is through their own network and marketing attempts, as you have seen with Justin Bieber. If someone else doesn't latch onto it then it just doesn't exist. The tried-and-true corporate world of music has imploded.
WCT: It has.
TD: It is a singles market, not really an album market. There you have it.
WCT: You did the reality show Gone Country. Would you do more, such as Dancing with the Stars?
TD: Listen, I think Dancing with the Stars has proven to be a good launching for more hosting. We will see what happens with Nicole [ Scherzinger, the most recent winner ] and her Pussycat Dolls but it has made her shine through the pack. You can't dismiss those ratings and that kind of an audience exposure week after week. People will fall in love with you or vote for you. I would be a fool to say no.
WCT: That makes sense.
TD: I am in the middle, cutting and editing my sizzle reel and pilot for a reality-television now. This summer I am part of RuPaul's Drag U. He has a new series that's launching, and I did the two-hour finale with him as a celebrity judge.
WCT: I can't wait to see that.
TD: I also shot with Showtime because my producing partner is part of The Real L Word. We will see what airs there and what is on the editing floor but we shot a lot of footage. They were very involved with me so it's good. Reality television is a big component for sure.
WCT: Great. You are currently re-mastering your greatest hits?
TD: Absolutely. Well, more than that, I have completed it. Now what we are doing is making it an exciting package. I am writing and co-writing to get material on top of that. I am putting it on top of the classics, such as "Tell It to My Heart" and "Prove Your Love." I did them identically. I re-recorded my greatest hits. We will offer some of the hottest remixes on those classics. It is vital to have new music attached to that. It is going to be off the chain. It is just a matter of what three songs to put on there. We are in the middle of it. I wrote in Sweden and I have stuff coming in from the U.K. I am collaborating still just to make it good.
WCT: You are going on tour with Wilson Phillips?
TD: We had a couple of dates at the performing-arts centers in May. We were going to do something together in July but there has been so much going on that it is off the books. I am doing a bunch of Pride shows this month. I am singing the anthem for the Gay Games this year. I will perform it at the opening ceremonies on July 31 in Cologne [ Germany ] . It is pretty fabulous.
WCT: What is the name of the song?
TD: It is called "Facing a Miracle." That will launch within the next week. I just saw the single. It looks beautiful.
WCT: You seem so energized now.
TD: Yeah? Well, it is a different climate now. If I get the opportunities to really combine what I am passionate about which is more on the production end, being the artist and being in front of the camera. Those three components are the triple threat. That's the joy of it. Being creative and ownership, which is part of reclaiming your masters, if you will. There is nothing better than performing live. I love being on television, the hosting aspect and judging. There are some great shows out there. People want to be entertained again, whether it's Vegas or on the road. There are a lot of opportunities. You just have to find your way.
WCT: You will be finding your way to Pride Fest soon.
TD: Yes, Chicago-style. It will be a lot of fun.
WCT: You just did Albany, where you had 50,000 people. So we have to beat that number. Your Chicago fans will always love you.
TD: Fantastic! See you soon.
Taylor tells it to your heart at Pride Fest at 2:30 p.m. Juen 26 at the North Stage by Addison and Halsted. ( Other scheduled acts at Pride Fest include Frenchie Davis, Tiffany and Amber. ) The Real L Word just premiered on Showtime and RuPaul's Drag U debuts July 19 on Logo. Visit taylordayne.com for future events.
