Taylor Hicks ~~ Three years ago--"why" doesn't matter

Three years ago this week, I began my own road trip with Taylor Hicks and his music in Huntsville, Alabama. I would fly to Birmingham, meet friends, and ride the short distance to Huntsville for my first live Taylor Hicks concert. It is a little surreal to see in person someone you have watched for over a year on TV and in videos. I can only describe it as I have before. I was breathless…and hooked.

In what was called “Birmingham Week” because it would culminate with two concerts in Taylor’s hometown on Saturday and Sunday, I would go to Nashville for an emotional concert in the town where, in the past, no doors would open to Taylor. This time, his own shiny tour bus sat next to the Ryman Auditorium, home of Music City legends. I walked up the hill in front of the Ryman that afternoon and took one of my favorite pictures—the beautiful silver and burgundy swirls of Taylor’s tour bus with the historic Ryman close along side. It was a moment of sweet revenge.
From Nashville, it would be on to Atlanta where it was cold outside and hot inside. It was my first close at the stage encounter with Taylor live in concert. It is still one of the most exciting Taylor concerts ever. I could see and feel the emotion.

Finally, Taylor at home in Birmingham was incomparable to any concert experience. Another favorite picture of mine is “Taylor Hicks” on the marquee of the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. “It’s good to be home” was his mantra for two emotional evenings. There were no dry eyes that night. I would go back to Mississippi and New Orleans for Taylor concerts and to Tempe, AZ, Las Vegas, and again to Mississippi for the close of the 2007 tour at Pearl River. It was a season to fondly remember.

And then there was “Grease.”

There’s nothing like New York and Taylor’s Teen Angel billboard five stories high right on Broadway. It would be my first exciting trip to New York and Broadway and bring the unexpected loss of a dear family member while I was there.

There are people who have seen “Grease” more times than I have. But I’ve seen it a few—besides in New York, Arizona and California, I would go back to Birmingham for “Grease” and the incomparable experience at WorkPlay, which set a high standard for the future.

The past three years were like no others. It wasn’t just new experiences, it was a new mindset. It was a new appreciation for the time and things that I have and have the opportunity to experience—people, music, and travels.

What kept bringing me back?

There’s been a lot written about “why.” Why did we start watching American Idol when we never had before and haven’t since? Why did Taylor Hicks touch a place in our hearts with his music and his life?

You know, sometimes the “why” just doesn’t matter.

Some things don’t need to be explained. They only need to be experienced. And that’s what this time has been—an unparalleled experience.

Taylor Hicks, who has given so much to following his dream, has inspired me to do things that enrich my life and look at others and the world a little bit differently. I think I have better priorities for living each day. He said early on that together we can make a difference and it’s not about how many records you sell, but how many lives you touch.

Perhaps in some small way, to someone, we are all making a difference. It has all made a difference in my life.

Looking back reminds me of how my life has changed in three short years. Looking forward promises many more years of following Taylor and his music. There will be another era—“After ‘Grease.’” There will always be the music. He has said there will be another record and more touring.

The last one started in Huntsville for me, and my life got a whole lot different.

Bring on the next one!

Taylor Hicks knows how to tour; I know how to fly.

Make your own journey. Experience. Don’t ask why!

Taylor at WorkPlay, Birmingham 9.25.09

Photos by San.