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On my nervous meter it was the same as singing the National Anthem ten times without stopping. American Idol is the biggest show in the world! And the world’s toughest critic would be sitting front row center.
Taylor Hicks was coming “back home” to American Idol to perform “Seven Mile Breakdown,” his new single release going to radio play in the country genre on May 5th.
During a surprisingly quiet introduction, Taylor and guitar swaggered in from the shadows. Then he hit the spotlight singing and nothing was quiet after that! One reviewer called it “American music,” and it was as American as the fiddler who played along at side stage conjuring up images of deals with the devil. On the slide guitar was Jay Leach adding to the ambiance wearing classic black and cool white.
Taylor did the country look with impeccable style! In some circles, it might have been a gingerly step into country garb, but it worked. The chic black vest and black shirt, dark jeans and boots said designer inspired—the new man in black and very cool! The look suggested a country boy who had seen the city!
Forget that this was LA or the stage of pop culture’s icon! This was a party seven miles from anywhere! Seven Mile Breakdown is fun! Taylor Hicks was having the most fun! His smile was volcanic from somewhere deep inside that lit up the stage brighter than the hot lights that made his eyes sparkle! Was it smiles from the soul because he was back here where it had all begun? And he knew that he was on top of his game!
It was ironic that Taylor Hicks would rock the Idol stage with country music. In Season Five’s competition, country theme night was not Taylor’s best performance by his own admission. Now, here he was flaunting it, working it, and making it his own! Was there a desire to say, “Hey, I can do country!” If so, he sure proved it! He can do country!
But this was not your mother’s country! It was Taylor’s in your face country rock…with a daredevil attitude of “It’ll be how I sing it!” In other words, he “taylorized” it!
The end was sweet. Taylor turned around with an engaging nod to the drummer ending with a final, frenzied flourish. Then Taylor Hicks turned back to face the wildly cheering audience on its feet at the biggest show in the world.
And the toughest critic in the world was standing, applauding, and smiling… front row center!
Note: I couldn’t quell the idea that Taylor’s performance on American Idol deserved one more blog! Now, I will try to move on. Taylor’s performance on American Idol Wednesday night will be added to my “When Life’s Not Boring” list! This one is near the top.
Moving on…
“Seven Mile Breakdown” goes to the country airwaves on Tuesday.
Stay tuned…here and to your favorite country stations. If you don’t have one, saunter on over and make friends!
Taylor Hicks was coming “back home” to American Idol to perform “Seven Mile Breakdown,” his new single release going to radio play in the country genre on May 5th.
During a surprisingly quiet introduction, Taylor and guitar swaggered in from the shadows. Then he hit the spotlight singing and nothing was quiet after that! One reviewer called it “American music,” and it was as American as the fiddler who played along at side stage conjuring up images of deals with the devil. On the slide guitar was Jay Leach adding to the ambiance wearing classic black and cool white.
Taylor did the country look with impeccable style! In some circles, it might have been a gingerly step into country garb, but it worked. The chic black vest and black shirt, dark jeans and boots said designer inspired—the new man in black and very cool! The look suggested a country boy who had seen the city!
Forget that this was LA or the stage of pop culture’s icon! This was a party seven miles from anywhere! Seven Mile Breakdown is fun! Taylor Hicks was having the most fun! His smile was volcanic from somewhere deep inside that lit up the stage brighter than the hot lights that made his eyes sparkle! Was it smiles from the soul because he was back here where it had all begun? And he knew that he was on top of his game!
It was ironic that Taylor Hicks would rock the Idol stage with country music. In Season Five’s competition, country theme night was not Taylor’s best performance by his own admission. Now, here he was flaunting it, working it, and making it his own! Was there a desire to say, “Hey, I can do country!” If so, he sure proved it! He can do country!
But this was not your mother’s country! It was Taylor’s in your face country rock…with a daredevil attitude of “It’ll be how I sing it!” In other words, he “taylorized” it!
The end was sweet. Taylor turned around with an engaging nod to the drummer ending with a final, frenzied flourish. Then Taylor Hicks turned back to face the wildly cheering audience on its feet at the biggest show in the world.
And the toughest critic in the world was standing, applauding, and smiling… front row center!
Note: I couldn’t quell the idea that Taylor’s performance on American Idol deserved one more blog! Now, I will try to move on. Taylor’s performance on American Idol Wednesday night will be added to my “When Life’s Not Boring” list! This one is near the top.
Moving on…
“Seven Mile Breakdown” goes to the country airwaves on Tuesday.
Stay tuned…here and to your favorite country stations. If you don’t have one, saunter on over and make friends!
Thanks to Gypsee for AI capture...screencap by san.
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5 comments:
Taylor took a little detour down the hard fought road to success, stopping in on American Idol , where "Country Road" ,intially, proved a little bumpy. He certainly didn't breakdown this time as Seven Mile Breakdown was as much a representation of Taylor Hicks music as other genres he has tackled.
If given the chance , Taylor can do anything ( classical opera excluded as a friend of mine adamently affirmed ), but it will always be done with his own flair , style and interpretation.
I think Country can do it for Taylor Hicks.
cath
Nice write up. Taylor had the style and sound that I believe will be his breakout hit of the CD. He performed to perfection, his smile was contagious that night, I think all of America was thrilled to see him grace the Idol stage again with class and integrity. The standing "O" from the judges really was like a homerun for Taylor a well deserved run at that!!!
JI
Taylor was smiling so big that I got the impression he couldn't help himself. Don't worry, you're not dragging this topic on too long, I think we're all still on a high and need to talk about it some more. It feels good to have something to share that we all agree about.
I think this was an evening that we can all talk about for a long time! It's one of those times that I will always look back on and think "That was a defining moment for Taylor!" And it sure was fun to watch!!
Thanks, Everyone, for reading and sharing your thoughts. I'm glad we can! I'm even starting to like this whole "techno" world!
Here it is a whole week later & I'm still on a high from Taylor's AI appearance. Wasn't he fabulous! I'm certain you all noticed the difference between when he first stepped onto the stage; compared to when his performance was finished. Those walls had to have been vibrating from the response he received! And ~ the standing ovation! I was so hyped ~ ok ~ still am! I don't believe Anyone could have removed that smile from his face. He was one happy man! The stage was HIS!
(OK~take a breath!)
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