I don't mean to haterate, but this may be a question of talent.

It's all about money plain and simple. If he is niche by being so gay then that isn't going to bring in the dollars. Every artist, no matter what their sexual orientation, gender or race, needs to have cross-over/mainstream potential if a record label is going to take a chance on them. At then end of the day a gay label is not a charity or advocacy group- it's a business like any other record company.

I was going to say the same as Dean. He's cute and gay, but that doesn't make up for talent. I've tried several times to appreciate Ari's music because of the reasons mentioned, but they still don't open a spot on my music palate.

yeah, I have to agree--Gold just isnt that great. Actually, its the tepid pop songs he sings that arent good. Perhaps if he hooked up with some awesome songwriter and producers, we'd see what he could really do.

I am so proud to read the responses to Gold's undeniable drivel. He got to where he is for being cute & white, plain & simple. The music doesn't even justify the use of words like "icon."

When the labels responded to him stating "We don't sign artists simply because their gay" it was a nice way of saying there's a lack of talent, and its not something that would sell. Let's be honest here. If he were straight, the music would be deemed terrible--however since he's cute, gay, he has a hook with the gay press which raise him up to be something he's not, an "icon" or even "the male Ani DiFranco."

I've seen his videos on LoGo, and while he certainly is very handsome the music itself was just not appealing nor was the video. He mentiones he knocked Madonna out of the top spot in the Advocate piece. This feat is easier than what he's making it out to be--the video countdown is by email voting- sure if I had 20 friends voting several times- I could knock someone out of the top spot too.

Unfortunately, I feel that Mr. Gold has read too much of his own gay press-which has been manipulated by his publicist friends and people who are more attracted to his physical attributes than to the music.

I know it sounds so harsh, and I'm sure he's really a lovely person-but its just the reality of what his music is. He comes across in the Advocate piece like a guy who can't understand why all the boys don't want to date him.

Are gay businesses so dis-honest that they do not say what they mean? the first threshold any artist should have to pass would be talent. so if these organizations are rejecting Ari because he is too "gay" we should take them at their word. all of you puffing about the "bottom line" and Ari's talent, are merely demonstrating that you have the courage to offer opinions on things you know nothing about.

PS Dean, Granny says, if you don't mean to Haterate, don't, it makes you sound like you've been lobotomized.

>If he were straight, the music would be deemed terrible...

And IF he were straight, gay lables would be breaking their necks to sign him.

Clearly, what these lables want, is an asexual lapdog; one which will capture the all imporant faghag market. A gay man who makes it clear that he's not too very interested in pussy, won't play well to the "liberal" urban soccer moms and the Emo college girls.

If Mr. Gold was a Rufus Wainwright, or Clay Aiken clone, he'd be signed in a heartbeat.

I've never heard Gold's music, or seen a video and all I know about him are a few articles written about him and now this Advocate article. That said, much like gay porn, the music biz wants to present the "straight" boy who does "gay" things and Gold isn't giving them the queer Steppen Fetchit character they want.

As I've written before, nothing more homophobic than a gay man in the entertainment business.

P.S.

Let's not forget that just because these are gay lables, doesn't mean they are run by gay people. Like "our" television stations, most of these comany execs--the people who sign the cheques--are hets. What you or I would consider a normal display of our sexuality, these hets would consider "shoving it down their throats."

Oh please... It IS about the talent. Scissor Sisters are as gay as it goes, and they are not trying to "appeal" to any soccer moms or Emo college girls, yet they're making it. If an artist makes great music, most fans who are enlightened enough will see past the sexuality. Why should we embrace someone just because they play on our team? Whether it's Ari Gold or Nemisis or whoever, if they don't have the substance to back up the image, it's still just an image at the end.

I have to disagree with the people who are quick to dismiss Ari's letter by the fact he doesn't have "talent", when it's hardly the point of his letter anyway - Through his inside account of what it's like to trying to get signed as a gay artist, his message is this: "The battle has not been won yet. Don't be fooled by the gay-for-pay Hollywood facade, keep speaking, keep being yourselves!"...as he himself says he's willing to do the same and never align, even if it limits his chances of a bigger career.

As far as his talent goes; I would beg to differ as well and say that Ari is possibly the single most powerful male artist I have discovered in the last year. - I just don't know many male popstars out there who have his courage nor his flair for phrasing the true essence of who they are in their music (free of the macho ego & "straight-acting" pose bullshit our culture elevates as only models), and do it as effortlessly.

That's what makes Ari's work so compelling to me.. When you listen to a song like "Intimate" and hear a handsome guy such as him sing that in the arms of his lover he knows he can break down and cry, it doesn't get anymore real than that. It's true, it's beautiful, it's art..

Well if you want to read more why I think his music is some of the most powerful out there, listen to sample songs, and other confessions about my 'fanitude' click below :)

"Why It's Easy Being A Gay Fan of Ari Gold"

Everyone is going to have their tastes and you don't have to like his music, but you can't question that the dude has talent as a singer and songwriter. Anyway, As if only people with great talent make it big and we all know thats just not true! And yes, labels are about money and bottom lines, but speaking for those who do love his music--it is very commercial and hooky, yet deep and heartfelt and he has a sexy, masculine yet sensitive image to go with the it. If thats not something that is marketable for a label to cross over to the mainstream and make money with than there must be something else going on as he points out in his article. The success he has already only proves his potential to reach people with his music--yeah he's cute but I wouldnt pay him a second look if he didnt have the talent to back it up. I applaud his honesty and he truly is "keepin it real." I think those big labels are just mad because they can't be the ones to say that they discovered him cause he made it without them. And he's got us all talking, you gotta give him that at least!

I love how people say that don't mean to haterate and then they go and do just that! If you dont like Ari's music, why waste your time writing about it? Just keep listening to all the crap the big corporations are feeding you while I sit back and enjoy some great music by an innovative artist who's not afraid to be who is is. I am not mad at all that he is damn sexy too! Its nice to have a gay guy out there whos not afraid of his sexuality and whether straight people will think its "too in your face." Go on Ari and keep tellin the kids the turth whether they hate on you or not!

Go Ari Gold! Wow, it's artists like Ari who really inspire me. We need this in our community. I have seen Ari a number of times performing and he is AWESOME....so exciting that he speaks his mind with a no holds barred frame of mind. I am psyched to hear that his new album is coming out this summer!!!!

When I was coming out, Ari Gold is one artist I listened to to get me through difficult times. To see someone so strong, talented and REAL just completely moves me. For someone like Ari to go on the record with his story and the obstacles he faces just proves to me the kind of heart he has and truth this guy stands for....I love seeing Ari on LOGO and caught him once live once on his last tour. Ari, rock on!!! Not only political, real and a great songwriter but has this energy on stage and these chops to back it up....and he's gorgeous! Thanks Ari for speaking your mind and being who you are!!!!

Just picked up a copy of the Advocate yesterday. I love Ari Gold!!! Reading through these comments, seems like people hating on Gold haven't seen him live!!!! Ari totally rocks, what a talent. Very curious about his album Transport Systems cause he always has something to say.....so excited!!! He better be touring Pride fests this year again cause I am much overdue for another Ari concert!!

OK, I am one of Ari's New producers. I am a newly out gay producer and songwriter. I am a grammy and Emmy Award winning producer. I can only tell you that Ari is one of the best all around artists I have worked with. For the hateraters, saying that Ari doesnt have the talent, compare whats on the Pop charts right now. I mean look at Justin Timberlake. Sexy Back? Where is the talent in that. yeah its fun production, but I could make anyone sound like that. Dont get me wrong Justin is one talented Guy! Also, wait until you hear where we are going with Ari's new project. To quote "Mad TV" We are taking Ari to a WHOLE NOTHA LEVEL! I am working with Nemesis, Jason and Demarco, Esera Tuaolo and many more. Ari was trying to make a statement. HE has and always will strive to make a statement. He has never sold out or watered down his music to make it more comfortable for straight audiences. From day one he has been honest through his music. Just wait and see what happens in 2007. Thats all I got to say! JOE

Let's see... My original comment was #10; and there were seven more comments after me, all supporting Mr. Gold. Not surprisingly, four out of those seven comments mentioned how gorgeous/handsome/sexy Mr. Gold is. I wonder if these fans will still have the same kind of reaction to Gold's music if he were to look like (with no offense to), say, Jack Black (who is actually a talented musician and singer)?

Music taste IS subjective; however, Ari Gold is doing pop, which means POPULAR. Whether it takes talent to be popular is also debatable; but you have to get a lot of people to like your work to be popular. I don't think Mr. Gold's honesty and integrity should be in question -- I definitely believe in his sincerity. And throwing around the word "talent" or the lack of may have been a bit heavy-handed. But is it not true that he has yet to make music that has mass appeal? Making music that crosses markets or even genres is not watering down or selling out -- that's like saying the general public just doesn't know any better -- it's elitist and insulting.

I have no ill will toward Mr. Gold; I do hope he (and queer artists like him) will flourish and become even more successful (and yes, popular). Maybe his new materials will prove me wrong; I'd be more than happy to change my opinion then.

BTW, LOGO is big, but not THAT big-- like Candid said, bumping Madonna off the top spot on the LOGO chart is not that difficult; bumping off Madge on the Billboard chart, now THAT'd be huge!

Spiffy, I agree with you that just because music is popular on a mass level doesn't mean its necessarily selling out. Music that the masses like could definitely be great music. But what Ari's article in the advocate was trying to say was that the record labels were not giving him the opportunity to sell to a larger market because most often than not in order for an artist to reach the masses he or she needs a big company behind him--especially if the music is POP. I think his point was that these music industry professionals were the ones that were insulting to the masses cause they werent giving them the benefit of the doubt that they would buy music by an artist who wasn't going to compromise his sexuality. Instead, the labels were afraid that the masses would think Ari was "too gay" or something. When white people started buying hip-hop they werent concerned that the music was "too black."

And BTW, I cant wait to see Ari or any openly gay pop artist bump Madge off the Billboard charts--but hey, at least a gay artist bumped her off on the gay network--thats still cool! One step at a time, people!

I cannot wait for Ari to bump Madge off the Billboard Charts either!!!!!

lol @ the comments on Madonna. I enjoy her, but she's had her time!

And spiffy I think Ari's music has mass appeal, enough to warrant him getting signed to a record label at least. There are lots of artists who secure contracts with smaller niche markets injazz, experimental, instrumental etc..

If I'm honest: I'd say that I would have loved for Ari to get signed to a record label whatever it took cause I want him to get huge, but he doesn't want to compromise and I can respect that...Plus record companies don't take any chances anyway, they'll wrap up promotion on an album if a first single isn't successful enough and boom you're done! So staying independant might be the safer route for what he's trying to accomplish.

What he needs though is an agressive team around him who can do massive promotion online and off..and also build a street team, cause the fans can make a tremendous difference in spreading the word.

Joe Hogue thanks for posting that! I love Nemesis and Jason & DeMarco as well :)

I just thaought I'd pitch this in here: I read this story, followed the jump to the Advocate piece and then jumped to Ari's home page. After listening to his music and reading more about him, I did something I have never done before... I wrote a famous person an e-mial, with no expectation that it would ever get to Ari Gold and certainly no expectation that he would wrtie me back. Of course, the point of this post is that he did write me back on New Year's Eve. This guy is the real deal folks! He has earned our love and support. It is past time for "the family" to support our own with our bucks!

I could be mistaken, but I think I saw Ari perform at a bar in West Hollywood a few years ago (Fubar, maybe?) and I have to say that it was one of the most embarrassing moments of a lot of people's lives.

LOL! Do u have the guts to get up in front of people and sing? I didnt catch that performance you are talking about Andy, but I give it up to Ari for performing at a small gay bar like Fubar with no stage or sound system for live shows--thats a real performer for you! No smoke and mirrors...you can't judge a performer on a song he sings at a little gay bar...he's just gettin out there and performing for his cummunity. I've seen the best of the best perform with the best sound system, lights and stage and they can still have a bad show too...don't forget that. So you are mistaken, my friend.

I was at that Fubar show and Ari turned it out on a go go box that looked like it would topple over if he moved an inch! And he still gave it his all, sounded great, smiled and made eye contact with every person there...if you or your friends were embaressed thats clearly your issue!