Taylor Hicks~~going home, "Free Bird" and legacies...

Taylor Hicks goes home to Birmingham again in September. He went home during the American Idol competition in 2006 still chasing an elusive dream. He went home in 2007 on his dream ride—a new shiny tour bus and played sold out concerts at the historic Alabama Theatre. He goes home in 2009 as a Broadway star with musical theatre clearly on his resume.

Returning home as the Broadway star of “Grease” is only half the playbill. He headlines in the hometown venue where he played with The Taylor Hicks Band before all of this happened. Taylor plays two Shadow Tour concerts at WorkPlay on Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th.

WorkPlay, a premiere entertainment complex in the Southeast, opened in autumn, 2001. The Taylor Hicks Band was playing the chitlin’ circuit throughout the Southeast and at WorkPlay when they could get the gig.

They were also playing City Stages—a Birmingham venue that will be silent this year.

While WorkPlay has seemingly thrived, City Stages has not. It was announced last week that the nonprofit organization that has run the Birmingham cultural icon for 21 years is going out of business, and the future of the Homegrown Stage is uncertain.

City Stages, in the very heart of the city, was more than brick and mortar. President and founder, George McMillan impacted the lives of young musicians like Taylor Hicks, who spoke about the hometown stage that gave him confidence and a chance to hone his craft.

Birmingham entertainment reporter, Mary Coloruso, captured the spirit of City Stages when she recently wrote:

“Still, for musicians such as Taylor Hicks, City Stages' legacy lies not in money, but in personal inspiration. Hicks, who struggled on Birmingham's nightclub scene before catapulting to public attention on ‘American Idol,’ says McMillan always encouraged his career.

“‘He was one of those people who liked my music at the very beginning and gave me an opportunity to perform,’ Hicks says. ‘I'd always submit CDs, call George and ask him to consider me.’

“Playing even a short set on the festival's Homegrown Stage, which catered to local acts, was a coup for an unknown performer, he says. ‘It gave me some self-confidence and an exposure factor back then.’

“That's partly why Hicks returned to the festival in 2006, shortly after he won the ‘Idol’ crown, playing the Homegrown Stage for free in an effort to boost ticket sales and help to fill City Stages' coffers.

“Also, Hicks says, he remembered seeing two of his own idols, Ray Charles and Randy Newman, draw large crowds and evoke civic pride with their sets at City Stages.

“‘Ray was one of my musical heroes, and seeing him there made me proud of my hometown,’ Hicks says. ‘Hearing Randy Newman play 'Birmingham' with the moon rising and the city as a backdrop ... well, it was like seeing Van Gogh paint 'Starry Night' or something.’"

The Homegrown Stage was a place for the well known and for those still struggling to have their voices heard. Taylor Hicks appeared there as both.

The final song performed at City Stages was Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.”

It is unfortunate when we lose those people and places that have inspired and encouraged us. Then it remains for others to continue the legacy of giving a hand to those coming along.

There was a stunning performance this week on America’s Got Talent by a young unemployed farmer from Mayfield, Kentucky—a town just a few miles from where I grew up. Kevin Skinner is just starting out with a dream like Taylor Hicks once did.

Taylor has said that he hoped someday to sign new young artists to his recording label, Modern Whomp Records. Although music will always be his passion, perhaps Taylor will continue the legacy in Birmingham of giving a leg up to young musicians just as George McMillan and City Stages once did for him.

It is a legacy to be proud of and one worth pursuing.

Passing along to others the opportunity to realize a dream really makes all of this a long train running…

And a little like…

Dreaming it forward….


Sources: Mary Coloruso, http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2009/06/city_stages_demise_after_21_ye.html

Photo courtesy of Gypsee: Taylor Hicks at The Magic Bag, Ferndale, Michigan, 6.22.09

Taylor Hicks~~an American voice...

Three years ago today…

In the bright summer sun of Salt Lake City, Taylor Hicks stood waiting to go on stage and step into the glare of fame. His sunglasses reflected the cheering crowd waving small American flags and celebrating the birthday of our country. The huge Stadium of Fire celebration on July 1, 2006, was the first major appearance for the newly crowned Season Five American Idol.

It began this Idol’s “American” journey.

In his first post-Idol stage appearance, Taylor Hicks remembered our troops. When he sang “Do I Make You Proud” that day, he began the tradition of dedicating it to our troops. And he continued the dedications throughout the American Idol Tour in 2006. His followers, inspired by his recognition and thanks to the brave men and women in our Armed Forces, sent copies of the recording and subsequent albums to our troops.

When Taylor’s latest album, The Distance, was released in March 2009, the tracks included “Nineteen” –what Taylor calls the story of an American hero. “This one’s for the troops.” There is a hushed reaction to it when he sings it simply and emotionally on the concert stage. It reminds us of the high cost of freedom. “Nineteen” is played on the Armed Forces Network.

In American Idol tradition, Taylor has sung the National Anthem several times. It is a proud presentation of our country’s song with the strong and remarkable vocals of the Alabama native. He has sung The Star Spangled Banner at Nascar events, baseball games, and the NBA finals. Perhaps the most memorable and flawless rendition was for the Los Angeles County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Pasadena in March, 2009. It not only represented his affinity for the Anthem, it spoke for his compassion and support for causes that matter. His performance at this event supported another one of our finest American traditions—reaching out to others.

In 2008, Taylor joined the country’s largest birthday celebration for A Capitol Fourth in Washington, D. C. He sang for millions on the Capitol Mall and around the world on television. This year Taylor performs for the fun and family friendly celebration in Fontana, California, “Red, White, and Cruise” showcasing another American “idol,” the automobile!

This Fourth of July holiday is a time to remember and appreciate our American values and traditions. Taylor lends a face and a voice to our celebration!

Remember our troops.

Fly the flag this Fourth of July!


Photo: Taylor Hicks sings the National Anthem for the San Francisco Giants, April, 2009

Taylor Hicks~~leave me with the music...

It always comes down to the music. There is nothing more central to Taylor Hicks—it IS his heart and soul. There was just Taylor and the music last week at The Magic Bag in a rare acoustic performance.

“For me, you can take it all. But leave me with the music.” Taylor Hicks

There was no Eric Clapton band or dancing among the cords and equipment. There might have even been a partially dry shirt at the end of this show. Yet, from the reviews and comments of those who attended, it was “the best.” It stood the “unplugged” test…no frills, fancy production, or plugged in band instrumentation. The layers between the artist and the music were torn away and the audience was taken away by the pure voice of Taylor Hicks and his music.

The varied set list did not disappoint. It included music not seen on the concert stage before—“Maybe You Should” and “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness,” both with lyrics of intense emotion. “Nineteen” –the story of an American hero that Taylor dedicates to our troops—always gets a hushed reaction.

There were delightful surprises like the tag of “Sugaree” and James Taylor’s “Copperline.” Shades of American Idol Tour, there was “Don’t Let Me Down,” a big time favorite from the start of this journey. It is still near the top of my favorites list. And I understand from an SOS board member who was on the front row, that the most fun song to SEE was “Wedding Day Blues.” It only takes a little imagination to visualize this one!

Taylor and the music:
The Distance
I Live on a Battlefield
The Runaround
What's Right is Right
~Copperline-James Taylor
Don't Let Me Down-Beatles
The Deal
Wedding Day Blues
Once Upon a Lover
Nineteen
Gonna Move-Paul Pena
~Soul Serenade-King Curtis
~Sugaree-Grateful Dead
Indiscriminate Act of Kindness
Maybe You Should

Encores~
My Sweet Lord-George Harrison
Seven Mile Breakdown
Feeling Alright-Joe Cocker

And Taylor Hicks always gives more. His striking vocals were complemented by outstanding hometown musicians Brian Less on keyboards, formerly of The Taylor Hicks Band, John Kulinich on guitar, from Rollin in the Hay, and Jason Parker on bass, from The Wayne Mills Band.

There is no doubt of the connection between Taylor and his music. It is evident to all who hear him. This blogger praises it in her review of “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness.”

“…Taylor Hicks owns this song by virtue of his articulation. The sparsity of instrumentation balances the singer’s remarkably tender yet deeply profound delivery.” (Kathleen Felleca, writeonnewjersey)

What started when he was five years old remains his passion, his life.

It all comes down to the music, and it played in a stunning reveal, front and center at the Magic Bag!

Shadow tour performances are coming to Atlanta and Birmingham.

Give yourself a gift, and go!

Photo courtesy of Wonder, 6.22.09 The Magic Bag, Ferndale, Michigan

Taylor Hicks ~~ "Seven Mile Breakdown" ~~ No. 1 video on MuVids.com Top 200 List...

A lot of people think that “Seven Mile Breakdown,” the video by Taylor Hicks, is worth watching—actually almost 120,000.

*UPDATE 6.27.09: a very impressive 163,788 and still No. 1!

The country rock romp that captures a new side of Taylor Hicks and brings a California hilltop to life has grabbed the Number One spot on MuVids Top 200 List of videos! MuVids.com is touted as the home of the “latest and hottest music videos online.”

Although “Seven Mile Breakdown” was added to the country genre on MuVids.com, it has reached the top place in the site’s Top 200 List. It beat out the pop favorites Pussy Cat Dolls, The Black Eyed Peas and Lady GaGa. And it is the only video from the country music genre in the Top Ten.

It is also the Number One music video on the site’s Country Music Top Ten List ranking above some very impressive country music stars.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” premiered on the MuVids website in May, 2009, when it was released as the second single by Taylor from his current album, The Distance, out on his own recording label, Modern Whomp Records.

The song is making its mark also. With impressive back up from members of Eric Clapton’s band, the delta- blues- gone- Nashville- rock tune, sits comfortably on the Country Music Chart at No. 30.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” takes country rock to the West Coast where the video was shot in Ojai, California, and created by Portland, Oregon, film maker, Spence Nicholson. Taylor arrives on scene in the classic of classic cars, a red and white Corvette and gives a free-spirited performance of “Seven Mile Breakdown” for a select group of music lovers. It’s a long way from the Mississippi delta where the song was written years ago by Taylor and fellow musician, Wynn Christian.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” is the second music video by Taylor Hicks. His first single release, “What’s Right is Right,” from The Distance was created for screen by New York videographer, Jake Davis.

This is a fun video with the charm of pretty girls, the outstanding vocals of Taylor Hicks, and a California dreaming location. How could it NOT be Number One!

It IS a must see. So, put the top down and get on out there.

http://www.muvids.com/videos/top/

Photo “Taylor Hicks” by Gabe Ulloa and Spence Nicholson Productions from “Seven Mile Breakdown.”

Taylor Hicks~~on the acoustic stage...hold on to your heart!

It is another surprise from Taylor Hicks when we are no longer caught off guard by surprises.

Taylor Hicks disconnects the cords, turns down the amps, and strips away the gloss when he performs an acoustic concert at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Michigan, June 22nd. Joining him will be old band mate, Brian Less, on keyboards and current Music Director of the Shadow Tour concerts, Josh Smith on guitar. With Taylor on guitar and harmonica, that’s a formidable band on any stage.

Acoustic shows gained popularity in the 90s when MTV Unplugged featured artists performing their music without the high production values and amplified instruments. It was often not new music, but their hits presented in a bare bones rendition. Fans wanted to know if the music of singers like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton would stand up without all of the electronic frills. For many of music’s legends, it did. Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album in 1992 sold 10 million and he won a grammy for “Tears in Heaven” from that album.

We’ve seen an unplugged Taylor Hicks before. The first I was privileged to enjoy was in 2007 in Birmingham where he came back for the encore and sang the heart-rending “Birmingham” and “My Home’s in Alabama.” Another stirring moment was in New Orleans that year when he sang “Louisiana.” At Millersville he sat on the stool and sang “Here Comes the Sun.” These are rare times for the Taylor motion machine that wears a soaked jacket after the third or fourth song. Yet, the man and his guitar on a dark stage with the sound of pure Taylor voice are no less captivating. You are taken away by music in its purest sense.

Ferndale has a memorable evening coming. Taylor has said that he may sing “Maybe You Should” –a moment for which many of us have waited. Could we also hear “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness,” or completely new music on the set list? Has Taylor been planning this all along? Saving these acoustic gems for a change up in the intimate club shows that he says he prefers. He has always said, “The best is yet to come.” And it just keeps coming…and changing!

Is The Magic Bag a “magic bag of tricks” for Taylor—a new vibe for a show that already packs the house and brings it down. On this night in Ferndale, you can expect that Taylor Hicks will have that house in the palm of his hand.

If you go to this one, take your heart in hand. You will need to hold on to it.

Thanks to RagsQueen for the photo from The Triple Door, Seattle. Used with permission. Please do not repost.

Taylor Hicks ~~ and the traveling show...

When “Grease” took to the road in December, 2008, there was apprehension about whether a traveling show would do well. Could people afford to go to the theatre? In the aftermath of so many shows closing on Broadway, including “Grease” in January, 2009, the future of live theatre seemed to be in limbo.

Not to fret. From its opening in Providence, Rhode Island, to its current stay in Appleton, Wisconsin, and many stops in between, “Grease” has shown that this is, in fact, a very good time for the touring theatre company. People are doing things close to home and taking “moviecations” and “statecations.” Movie attendance is up. For some, it is a return to the simpler pleasures of family get-togethers and movie nights…and going to the theatre.

I overheard a conversation at “Grease” in Tucson. A lovely lady was waiting at the stage door hoping to see Taylor and the cast. She said how happy she was to have “Grease” come to Tucson. She said most of the shows go to the larger cities like Phoenix and they have to travel to see them. She wanted to thank Taylor and the cast for coming. And as the cast came out and stopped to sign her program, she did just that.

In this age of amazing technology where the entire world can watch Susan Boyle perform live in England, hometown entertainment venues remain a stalwart juxtaposition. Technologically, we have made the distances fade away and are entertained, literally, from around the world. Yet, the theatre down the road is what touches our daily lives and lends some of the enduring character to our community. Theatre goers can wait at the stage door and meet and thank the performers for coming to their town. It is holding on to the conventional when we are being bombarded and saturated with all that is new and distant. It is something that keeps us grounded and reminds us of the treasure we have in our own backyard. I think it best that we hang on to it for a while longer!

And we seem to be doing just that. “Grease” performances this past week in Appleton were sold out. Taylor Hicks just played sold out shows in Seattle. Theatres along the West Coast were packed to see “Grease” and his Shadow Tour concerts. At the Saturday matinee in Tucson, there were entire dance troupes in the audience and many groups of young people. A young generation may have their iPods in tow, but they are showing up at the theatre. The local music halls, beautiful new entertainment venues, and stunning historic palaces are passing along a rich heritage of live theatre. It is one of our greatest American gifts to future generations. And it is not being lost in hard economic times.

If there is a silver lining in this difficult economy, it is our rediscovering what was right within our reach all along. Broadway Across America and other touring theatre companies are bringing good entertainment to our towns. And it may put a smile on a worried face, if only for a short time. For that, it deserves a resounding shout out.

Embrace a stay close summer and support professional touring companies and your local community theatre!

“Grease” starring Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel tours the country this summer and into next year bringing fun, smiles, and happy traditions to our towns. It’s a road trip that matters!

Happy summer! Happy theatre!

Go see “Grease”…


Photo: “Taylor Hicks” by Gabe Ulloa and Spence Nicholson Productions from Taylor Hicks video for “Seven Mile Breakdown” shot in Ojai, California.

Taylor Hicks ~~ says goodbye in "Sold Out" Seattle!

Taylor Hicks again takes the “Sold Out” stage as he and the cast of “Grease” play to a packed house in their final performance tonight at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle.

Wednesday night’s “Sold Out” Shadow Tour party at The Triple Door was an all-out last hurrah for the West Coast according to reports and videos. It was jamming on a week night as Taylor showed up in style with guitar and harmonica tuned to hot and an A-list of Saturday night musicians behind him turning up the heat. Seattle got a full energized dose of Taylor Hicks live on stage!

If the meter measured fun, The Triple Door audience scored big! The whole West Coast scored big as Taylor spent the last three months living and working in the neighborhood where it all started on American Idol. In a grueling schedule of eight shows a week starring as Teen Angel in “Grease,” four solo Shadow Tour shows and endless media appearances and performances in every city, Taylor was on the move. He also released his new album, The Distance, on his own label, Modern Whomp Records and shot a music video for the second single, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” without skipping a beat in “Beauty School Dropout.” Frenchy is still going back to high school. And Taylor even learned to “tweet” on the Left Coast!

The fun is about to wind down in the West. After closing in Seattle tonight, Taylor travels with “Grease” to Appleton, Wisconsin, opening on June 2nd and continues appearing in the East and South into next year.

Get ready Deeeetroit! Taylor’s next Shadow Tour appearance is at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Michigan, on June 22th. Motown is going to know that Taylor Hicks is in town!


From Seattle, “Sold out” is a nice way to go!

Safe travels to all…


Note: From here, it seems like the best of times and the worst of times…it doesn’t get any better for a stage entertainer than “Sold Out.” How very cool that Taylor Hicks can leave the West Coast this way!

But leave he must. It’s been an amazing three months out here. Of course, he will be jetting back and forth—often, we hope. And we’ll be doing a little jetting ourselves. It’s been amazing to have him in our corner of the world.

Thanks, Taylor, for coming and hanging out for a while!

~~Photo courtesy of RagsQueen at The Triple Door 5.27.09