Taylor Hicks spread his wings and flew…
It was a musical journey from a prophecy made when he was 18 years old in 1994 to the new found freedom of success and stardom in 2009.
It was Taylor Hicks live in concert at WorkPlay in Birmingham last Friday and Saturday nights!
On Friday night, after a funky dancing entry, he said hello to the hometown crowd with visitors from all over the country and as far away as England. Then Taylor admitted that he was speechless.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s always good to be home.”
Words were not coming easily. So he said he would just sing.
He took us back to the beginning when about half way through the concert, Taylor introduced renowned blues guitarist, Billy Earl McClelland, and the two “got down” –way down—with blues that you will never hear from a recording studio. It was music that could only happen live on stage charged with electrifying energy from a frenzied crowd.
The music pounded on your chest. It was musicians and people oblivious to all else but the music and the moment!
Taylor Hicks was in his element with the musician who perhaps started it all.
In a hat and with a broad smile, Mr. McClelland told the story that when Taylor was 18 years old, Mr. Hicks brought Taylor to him and asked him if Taylor was good enough to “make it.” Mr. McClelland said that he replied, “Well, I hate to tell you this, but, yes he is!” Taylor appeared speechless again.
At that young age, Taylor hired McClelland to teach him the ropes and he told Taylor to just “be yourself.”
Just “being yourself” got him to Birmingham last week starring as Teen Angel in the Broadway Across America production of “Grease” and to sold out concerts at WorkPlay, where he had performed as a struggling young musician.
It must have been an emotional two nights for Taylor as he surrounded himself with those who have been helped shape his path. Ona Watson, musician and popular owner of Ona’s, where Taylor has appeared throughout the years, shared the stage on Saturday night for a bluesy duet of “Woman’s Got To Have It.” Band members, Brian Less, and Jeff Lopez were part of the Taylor Hicks Band.
It was a 15-year journey from the prophetic words of Billy Earl McClelland to WorkPlay, 2009, on Saturday night when Taylor and the UAB Gospel Choir raised spirits and the roof with the gospel sounds of “New Found Freedom,” from Taylor’s latest album, The Distance.
“When I walk
I walk with confidence
I hold my head up high
When I talk
I’ve got a positive sense
Of who I am inside.
New found freedom
Let the light be my life
New found freedom
I’m gonna spread my wings and fly.”
A special commemorative black t-shirt marked the occasion in Birmingham with dates and “Grease’s” Teen Angel wings on the back.
The wings say it all. Taylor has spread his wings.
Billy Earl McClelland was right.
Taylor Hicks has “made it.”
And two nights at WorkPlay told us that Taylor Hicks can outdo Taylor Hicks.
I think we haven’t seen anything yet.
Media from WorkPlay is available on our board in a special forum, “Live From Birmingham.”
http://taylorconnections.com/index/
~More “Birmingham Blogs” will try to capture the magic of Taylor at home and all of the incredible Birmingham experience.
Photo credit: RajRae, via twitter.
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2 comments:
Whether Taylor's "NEW FOUND FREEDOM" is secular or religious; the freedom of expression and musicality that Taylor showed while performing at Workplay was inspirational.
WOW
cath
Taylor is forever taking us 'to church' and Workplay was no different! What a surprise to see the UAB Gospel Choir take the stage for "New Found Freedom"! The entire week-end was wonderful, and as you say, Taylor Hicks topped Taylor Hicks!
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