Taylor vs. Kelly: Does Swift deserve diss for Grammy performance?

Sounds like there may be some teardrops on someone's guitar.

In an interview with a Nashville newspaper, Scott Borchetta, president of the label (Big Machine) that releases Taylor Swift's records, lashed out at critics this week for ripping her live performance on the Grammy Awards on Sunday. Then Kelly Clarkson, feeling slighted by Borchetta's comments that included a shot at "American Idol," blasted back on her blog on Thursday.

The whole music world is a-twitter over Taylor.

He said:

Speaking to the Tenneessean, Borchetta said: "Maybe she's not the best technical singer, but she's probably the best emotional singer because everybody else who gets up there and is technically perfect, people don't seem to want more of it. She is the voice of this generation. She speaks directly to (her fans), and they speak directly back to her.

"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. …

"The critics are missing the bigger picture. This is what always happens and is the unfortunate part of the American dream, that we build these people up to watch the critics tear them down. Well, you better have more than what you've got now if you think you're going to get in the ring and fight with us. So, get in the ring."

She said:

On her blog, Clarkson fired back:

"I understand defending your artist obviously because I have done the same in the past for artists I like, including Taylor, so you might see why its upsetting to read you attacking 'American Idol' for producing simply vocalists that hit 'the high notes.' ...you forgot to mention we generally hit the 'right' notes as well."

Then she offered some advice: "Every artist has a bad performance or two and that is understandable, but throwing blame will not make the situation at hand any better. I have been criticized left and right for having shaky performances before (and they were shaky) and what my manager or label executives say to me and the public is 'I'll kick butt next time' or 'every performance isn't going to be perfect' ...

"I bring this up because you should take a lesson from these people and instead of lashing out at other artists, you should simply take a breath and realize that sometimes things won't go according to plan or work out and that's OK."

I say:

Scott Borchetta is right: Taylor Swift is the voice of her generation and, I think, she has made an indelible connection with her fan base because she writes and sings about the teen experience with more authenticity and authority than just about any performer in the rock era.

As Bette Midler once told me, "You've got to know when your own [poop, not her exact word] stinks."

Develop a thick skin, accept the criticism and move on.