From Tucson to Seattle, the West Coast run for Taylor Hicks was memorable. But just like the iconic pop show where it all started on the West Coast, it’s ending soon—at least for this season.
Taylor makes his last Shadow Tour appearance on the West Coast at Seattle’s Triple Door on May 27th and "Grease’s " run in Seattle ends May 30th. Then “Grease” packs the lockers, the cone, and a lot of memories and makes the long haul back to the Midwest for its opening in Appleton, Wisconsin, on June 2.
For West Coasters, it is a sad realization that Taylor’s not a short flight or a day’s drive away. But our memories are vivid and sweet.
In late February, a warm and sunny Tucson welcomed Taylor and the “Grease” cast from the cold wintry climes of the Midwest. “What’s Right is Right” was out, and Taylor brought out his “Arizona shoes”—snakeskin boots to honor the appreciative Southwestern fans that packed Music Hall. Tucson was his second visit to Arizona. He brought his Modern Whomp Solo Tour to Tempe in 2007.
The first West Cost Shadow Tour performance was in San Diego. One of the songs he did was “Nineteen,” the emotional story of a war hero, from his album, The Distance. It was well received by the many Navy men and women attending the Belly Up show. Taylor dedicated it to our troops, a tradition he began with “Do I Make You Proud.”
In the glitzy LA/West Hollywood circles, Taylor rocked with the beautiful people as “Grease” played at the historic Pantages Theatre just down the street from the Kodak Theatre where he won the American Idol title in 2006. It had to bring back memories.
In March, Taylor joined in a day of purpose at the Los Angeles County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, in its 13th year to raise awareness, fund research and provide breast cancer screening and treatment to the citizens of Los Angeles County.
The long-anticipated release of The Distance on Taylor’s own label, Modern Whomp Records, hit the streets on March 10th. On March 18th at Roxy’s on the renowned Sunset Strip, the stage was set for the first performance of all the new music from The Distance done Taylor’s way—live on stage! It was a night to remember for West Coasters and visitors from everywhere! The Soul Patrol was there from many Western states and as far away as Tennessee.
As if the warm Western sun were fermenting the creative juices, the phone in the cone was born. Taylor became a "tweeter" at twitter.com/TaylorRHicks and pretty good at standup zingers from the cone, such as the latest one liner from a few hours ago: “The Cone Ranger rides again.”
Why make a video about the wrong side of Mississippi in Mississippi? Why not make it in California when you are Taylor Hicks and Spence Nicholson? So, Seven Mile Breakdown, the video, was shot in Ojai, California, with Taylor performing for the first time (I think) on a grassy hillside. It debuted on AOL Music’s Popeater.com on April 27th. It took West Coast fun to a new high. And the video has well over 84,000 views on muvids.com!
The real high in the West had to be when Taylor returned to the American Idol stage to perform his newly released country rock single, “Seven Mile Breakdown” just over a week ago. He brought down the house, brought Simon to his feet, and brought tears to the fans who remembered why they had started this journey.
Looking back, it was a pretty darn good West Coast run! A new album, over 100 performances in “Grease,” four Shadow Tours, a cone phone, a video, the National Anthem on Opening Day at the ballpark, more media appearances than anyone can count, and an Idol appearance that redefined Taylor Hicks, American Idol—not bad for a harmonica player from “back there.” Dare I say, he best return more often? Okay, that’s just wishful thinking.
Thank you, Taylor, for giving the Left Side great memories! You did okay out here! We will miss you, but we’re packing our bags.
It’ll just be a little longer flight next time… and a little more humid!
Safe travels to you and the Grease cast as you continue on tour. And come west again…soon!
~~
Important note: If you are reading this from the West Coast and you haven’t seen Taylor Hicks in "Grease" or in his own Shadow Tour concerts, don’t miss this opportunity to see an amazing performer. Blogcritic Another Chad recently called Taylor the greatest talent to come out of American Idol. Grab a ticket for Seattle and enjoy some West Coast fun!
Screencap by san from AI/FOX capture by Gypsee. Please do not repost.
Taylor makes his last Shadow Tour appearance on the West Coast at Seattle’s Triple Door on May 27th and "Grease’s " run in Seattle ends May 30th. Then “Grease” packs the lockers, the cone, and a lot of memories and makes the long haul back to the Midwest for its opening in Appleton, Wisconsin, on June 2.
For West Coasters, it is a sad realization that Taylor’s not a short flight or a day’s drive away. But our memories are vivid and sweet.
In late February, a warm and sunny Tucson welcomed Taylor and the “Grease” cast from the cold wintry climes of the Midwest. “What’s Right is Right” was out, and Taylor brought out his “Arizona shoes”—snakeskin boots to honor the appreciative Southwestern fans that packed Music Hall. Tucson was his second visit to Arizona. He brought his Modern Whomp Solo Tour to Tempe in 2007.
The first West Cost Shadow Tour performance was in San Diego. One of the songs he did was “Nineteen,” the emotional story of a war hero, from his album, The Distance. It was well received by the many Navy men and women attending the Belly Up show. Taylor dedicated it to our troops, a tradition he began with “Do I Make You Proud.”
In the glitzy LA/West Hollywood circles, Taylor rocked with the beautiful people as “Grease” played at the historic Pantages Theatre just down the street from the Kodak Theatre where he won the American Idol title in 2006. It had to bring back memories.
In March, Taylor joined in a day of purpose at the Los Angeles County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, in its 13th year to raise awareness, fund research and provide breast cancer screening and treatment to the citizens of Los Angeles County.
The long-anticipated release of The Distance on Taylor’s own label, Modern Whomp Records, hit the streets on March 10th. On March 18th at Roxy’s on the renowned Sunset Strip, the stage was set for the first performance of all the new music from The Distance done Taylor’s way—live on stage! It was a night to remember for West Coasters and visitors from everywhere! The Soul Patrol was there from many Western states and as far away as Tennessee.
As if the warm Western sun were fermenting the creative juices, the phone in the cone was born. Taylor became a "tweeter" at twitter.com/TaylorRHicks and pretty good at standup zingers from the cone, such as the latest one liner from a few hours ago: “The Cone Ranger rides again.”
Why make a video about the wrong side of Mississippi in Mississippi? Why not make it in California when you are Taylor Hicks and Spence Nicholson? So, Seven Mile Breakdown, the video, was shot in Ojai, California, with Taylor performing for the first time (I think) on a grassy hillside. It debuted on AOL Music’s Popeater.com on April 27th. It took West Coast fun to a new high. And the video has well over 84,000 views on muvids.com!
The real high in the West had to be when Taylor returned to the American Idol stage to perform his newly released country rock single, “Seven Mile Breakdown” just over a week ago. He brought down the house, brought Simon to his feet, and brought tears to the fans who remembered why they had started this journey.
Looking back, it was a pretty darn good West Coast run! A new album, over 100 performances in “Grease,” four Shadow Tours, a cone phone, a video, the National Anthem on Opening Day at the ballpark, more media appearances than anyone can count, and an Idol appearance that redefined Taylor Hicks, American Idol—not bad for a harmonica player from “back there.” Dare I say, he best return more often? Okay, that’s just wishful thinking.
Thank you, Taylor, for giving the Left Side great memories! You did okay out here! We will miss you, but we’re packing our bags.
It’ll just be a little longer flight next time… and a little more humid!
Safe travels to you and the Grease cast as you continue on tour. And come west again…soon!
~~
Important note: If you are reading this from the West Coast and you haven’t seen Taylor Hicks in "Grease" or in his own Shadow Tour concerts, don’t miss this opportunity to see an amazing performer. Blogcritic Another Chad recently called Taylor the greatest talent to come out of American Idol. Grab a ticket for Seattle and enjoy some West Coast fun!
Screencap by san from AI/FOX capture by Gypsee. Please do not repost.
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2 comments:
When I read your blog, I realized that Taylor has been extremely busy. There have been alot of "firsts" which is kind of cool!
Now it is time for the rest of the fans to enjoy his performances but I am sure it was a great West Coast run that you will remember well.
Thanks for the recap of the past few months. It is really quite amazing. I have to wonder when Taylor gets to rest!
Great recap, he did have a good run on the West coast. Alot of positve reviews and interviews, what a great first half of the year for him. The East coast awaits his arrival thats for sure. I am certain he will have success here also!!!
JI
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