Achey-Breaky Baby

Yowzas! Kids love Miley Cirus - breaking news right? I chow on media, but am sans kids, so the tween trends are on the fringe. I dove into the High School Musical mania a few months back for a project my agency did with Ashely Tisdale (check it out...it's super cute), and I was a teenager during the NKOTB insanity, so I'm well aware of the younger set's tendency to latch on to things and scream loudly. Usually, the appeal is limited and kids move on, and the pattern repeats. Well, the teen queen crown has been passed from Gibson to Spears, and now...to Cirus.

Seeing her perform live on the Today Show today (to an extraordinary number of kids - they even had to close down 48th street) was impressive. I'm a pop cynic, and figure most "musicians" are produced pretty heavily. She actually sounded excellent live, given that many acts have difficulty on the Today stage (ugh...remember Debbie Harry last year). And her stage presence was really admirable.

But, will she make it past the screaming? She absolutely has the talent and training by Disney. Cirus has the tools, and even was smart enough to rock a decent stage name - if you didn't know, her real name is Destiny (who knew Billy Ray was a hippy). She's doing well now, and with smart management she should rocket through to at least 2010 (Hannah Montana the movie drops in 09). Then, she'll be a little overexposed to the non-tweeners. Then what? Drugs, suggestive pictures? Yes, she'll be in her late teens, it's inevitable, but she should keep it recreational, and not get caught!

Miley needs to look to her fellow Disney alum Christina Aguilera. No, she doesn't have the same powerhouse voice, but she can have a powerhouse career. Take your pan off the stove once it gets hot! Sit back, focus on the important thing - making good music. Xtina did some weird stuff, then took 4 years in between releases to collect herself. What happened? She set herself up for a lasting career with another new sound. Miley is already evolving her sound past the "school is so lame" songs - See You Again has even made it into my workout mix (and I'm a complete music snob). As long as she follows the patterns of those who've successfully become adults not just stars (yeah Spears, I'm talkin' 'bout you) I might just buy her next CD...and I won't be alone.

Oh...and that means keeping her shirt on for pics until she's at least 21.