Doing Tyra Twice in a Year?! (By guest blogger Josh Klipp)

If someone told me a year ago that I was going to be on the Tyra Banks Show not once but twice in 2007, I would've thought they were talking CRAZY!!

But...it happened!

Hey, I had alot of goals for myself in 2007.  And as an independent openly LGBT musician, shoot, I had (and have) my work cut out for me.  Let's be honest.  The world's becoming more open.  But it's NEVER been easy to make it as a musician.  Then you add that LGBT layer on, and everyone wants to pigeon hole you, classify you, or tell you to go play in the gay bar up the street.  (Which BTW, gay bars rock more anyway - so fuck 'em).

But anyhow, as a queer artist trying to get myself out there, ain't no one gonna do it but me. And baby, it's all about networking, and hustle, and more networking and more hustling.   (Not THAT kind of hustling.  Geez guys, get your brains off the casting couch ;)

So ANYHOW, when my roommate was invited on the Tyra Show and said, "Hey I want to bring on my buddy, Josh", I was so  excited!  Sigh.  Only to be let down...That whole scenario never worked out (in the entertainment industry, nothing works out the first time unless you're Rihanna or a porn star).  But not to be deterred, I kept the producer's email address and regularly posted her on all the developments in my blossoming artist career.

Then one day out of the blue, the producer emailed me and invited me on the show.  Nope,  she didn't invite me on because she thought I was a hot artist.  I wish.  She wanted me to talk about being a transguy in a relationship.  My first reaction?  Ugh.  My second reaction...Ok well, I said I was willing to do it, but only if they talked about my music, too.  Hey I like educating the world and making it a better place.  But I'm a artist first, and putting that out there (and making the world better through my art) is foremost.

To my surprise, they agreed.  And about a week later, I was in Los Angeles, sitting on a couch next to my partner on the set of the Tyra Banks Show, in front of a live studio audience, answering all kinds of questions about my personal life that most people probably don't discuss with their best friends.  After the bombardment was over, we got to the good stuff.  They flash a music vid clip with me walking out of the ocean in a soaking wet wife beater and Tyra says I'm hot...uhm...ok I could pretty much just die fulfilled right there.  But it got a little better...a plug on iTunes!  Hot hot hot. I walked off the set on a cloud.

BTW...I know what you want to ask me (b/c everyone does).  What's Tyra like?  Is she really that hot in person?  Is she nice?  Does she wear panties? and what is going on behind the scenes at the show? 

Oh boys boys boys.  Heh Heh...wouldn't you like to know! Perhaps that can be the subject of another blog ;)  And if you can't wait that long, then just email me and ask.  Don't be shy!

ANYHOW!~  Despite the salacious, sensationalized nature of the show (Springer much?!) Tyra's got some amazingly educated, savvy, progressive producers.  So I stayed in touch after the show moved to New York.  This past fall I was out there and met up with the producer for lunch.  We got on the subject of everything that went down after the last show (which was OVERWHELMINGLY positive).  The producer LOVED my stories and next thing I know I'm back on the show for a follow up!

The second taping was way better than the first.  It was positive, not nearly as sensational.  We talked tons about my music.  Got my PlanetOut Underwear photo flashed onscreen and Tyra flipped out.  She made them put it up again!  Hot.  Oh yeah and they brought on Margaret Cho to talk about the music video she and I did together!  It was incredible.  I felt like the luckiest guy in the universe.   I am.  Man.  What a year!

So...getting back to that thing about being an independent, queer artist, managing myself, doing my own promo, hustle and networking and all that...you know what? I think I did ok in 2007 :) Yeah, Tyra Banks may not be my target audience.  And maybe it didn't cause my album to go platinum (let's be honest...not even close!).  BUT...I got so many emails from so many people around the country and around the world.  I was able to touch people's lives with my music and my life story.  In 2007, maybe I didn't make a living off my music, but I made a difference.  And that is such a privilege.

So for all that I have partly Tyra to thank.  Thank you Tyra - a BIG thank you Brooke (her producer) - and thank you PlanetOut for believing in me and bringing me along for the ride :)  While I'm at it, I want to thank ALL the incredibly supportive LGBT media out there...YOU GUYS ROCK!!!  I LOVE YOU!!  All you radio stations...cable TV shows...weekly mags and papers...Without you, we'd be begging mainstream media for a slice of press where we have to fight to be treated as people and not sexual/gender deviants...but you - you make us feel welcome and valued.  Thank you!!  And a HUGE shout out to David Byrne and Windy City Times who made my dance track, L1FE, their song of the year!  MWAH!

Now...I get to start 2008 with the second Tyra airing!  Check here for local listings and tune in on Wed.  Jan 2.  I'll watch it for the first time with you.  Then hit me up and let me know what you think!  and hey everyone...HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 

All my love, josh klipp ;)

ps - visit me online at www.myspace.com/cutelittlewhiteguy 

Tyra Banks image courtesy Getty