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And oversee, he did. Taiko was extremely particular about his performances - because for him, they weren't just that. They were a celebration of movement and sound, the entire purpose of his creation, and even one thing being off or wrong would tell a different tale than he was anticipating. Of course, the stallion hadn't made it this far by allowing anything to slip by as any less than perfect, and if it meant he was a bit hard on the staff...so be it.

He heard someone make a comment about arrivals already, making him frown. It was no where near time for the show! Turning, he didn't see anyone initially - and then his eyes found the small babben, gazing at the stage and going-on's with all the wonder of witnessing a falling star.

Taiko whuffled. Usually he would have had them go on their way, but...maybe it was his meeting with Rising Sign, or maybe it was because he was a grandphony now, but he hesitated, and then sighed. "You're early," he informed the babben, his voice carrying and rumbling like low thunder. "You might as well come up here and see us finish up."

The colt...had no tail. Taiko had seen many walks of life out of Phonyland, being one of the first and all, but this little tyke was quite new to him. The strange dapple pattern, just-so coif of hair and lack of tail struck the older Phony as unusual - not in a bad way, just different in the way an old codger couldn't quite keep up with the new fads. "Mm," was all he replied with initially, neither admitting the kid messed him up nor forgiving him if he had. He listened to the introduction with no movement, save for the flick of his ears, and when the other was done, he dipped his head to be 'closer' to the other.

"Fame, is it?" There was a sort of drawl there, like he'd said it before and likely would say it again before his years to pasture came. Whuffling softly again, he lifted his head and retained his mostly serious expression. "I don't know what exactly it is you're looking for, young Baking News, but if it's just fame, I can't help you." Taiko furrowed his brows, remembering the upturned faces of his grandphonies and the eagerness in the other he'd met, and almost ground his teeth with how annoyed he was at himself. What was this? Was he getting soft? Poppycock!

"There's a difference between being known for what you love, and aiming for the limelight. Which is it, kid?" Despite the brisk words, he held an air of...patience, even if limited, and consideration. He'd at least listen to what the bab had to say.

The stallion sighed, shaking his head with an almost grave sort of solemnity. "No. Fame isn't just attention, Baking News. Fame is hard work. Extremely hard work." Taiko turned and took heavy steps along the stage, tilting his head towards the empty audience. "If you want their adoration - the autographs, the articles - it's hard work. You have to earn their love and respect."

His head then tilted the opposite way, towards his drum set up. "This is where you have to decide what you're doing, and why. For me, this is my Purpose -- my passion. I love this art, and my joy is in sharing it with those who appreciate it." He turned full circle, coming back towards the foal. "But if you stand on this stage only for the reward, you'll end up resenting what you do. You want a quick fix, and what you want in return can take years - if not a lifetime to achieve."

Taiko knew his response was heavy and not well watered down for a child, but the foal asked him. He wasn't exactly known for sugar coating or playing by conventional rules of fame. If Baking News wanted the fame that Taiko had, this was the kindest way he knew how to set him on the right path. "So you have a decision to make: do you do what you must for the attention, or do you share what you love and build your legacy, irregardless of where the reward may be?" In his heart or in his star-studded eyes, Taiko wasn't sure which way the babben would go.

The stallion sighed deeply. "You cannot be famous merely by wishing it. You cannot stand in the spotlight without working to get there." A swish of his tail, and Taiko was moving back to the center of the stage, checking on his drums.

But the kid was still speaking - he'd thought they were done. Looking over his withers, Taiko shrugged. "It depends on you, and what you put out there. Fame is business, Baking News. How you handle it decides on the fame you cultivate."

Silence followed, watching the babben retreat. He saw the brief discouragement on his face, and then the sharp positivity that quickly replaced it. Baking News seemed to have the attitude to make it...but it would be the follow through, in the end.

Taiko nodded. When the other was out of earshot, he murmured, "I suspect I'll see your name in lights some day, Baking News," and resumed tending to his own schedule. There was work to be done.