Not then. Not now.
Taylor Hicks doing Jailhouse Rock on Elvis Week on American Idol Season Five was a foregone conclusion—at least to Taylor Hicks.
Taylor Hicks doing Jailhouse Rock on Elvis Week on American Idol Season Five was a foregone conclusion—at least to Taylor Hicks.
Nevermind that it was not well received by all the judges. Looking back on Idol Rewind recently, Taylor said that in his mind he would do Jailhouse Rock and have some fun. And then he added:
“There was no stoppin’ that train!” and he laughed.
He knew where he was headed that night. He went all the way to the other end of the spectrum that was the talent of Elvis by singing a heart wrenching “In the Ghetto” for his second song.
Now Taylor owns that song.
Those were the comments THIS year when it was performed on Idol. Taylor Hicks from Season Five owns that song. It has been called the highpoint of Taylor’s successful run on Idol and Simon finally gave Taylor his due:
“Young man, you have just sung your way into the semi-finals.”
Carrying more than raucous rock and quirky dancing, there was no stoppin’ that train.
Not then. Not now.
It’s not slowin’ down and it’s making a difference.
Taylor announced recently his first full concert after "Grease" will benefit SOS Children’s Village to kick off their worldwide campaign on June 17 at Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
“SOS Children's Villages was founded in 1949 to provide families and homes for orphaned and abandoned children. There are over 456 villages in 132 countries around the world. Please join us as we travel Around the World to raise funds for this important mission with a concert featuring Taylor Hicks and Matt Cusson.”
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=3814
Other events already on Taylor’s summer and fall calendar take him from golf in one of the most beautiful places in the world to music in one of the most magical places and even a Simonesque role as a judge in a singing contest.
May 21, 2010 ~ Wind Creek Casino, Atmore, AL ~ “Sing Your Way to $100,000” ~ Taylor judges finals and performs throughout finale.
June 13, 2010 ~ Syracuse Balloon Fest, Syracuse, NY ~ Final evening performance for this popular New England summer event.
June 17, 2010 ~ This show is the official "Around the World Kickoff Concert for SOS Children's Villages" (an organization that Taylor is proud to represent). Matt Cusson will be opening for the show.
July 18, 2010 ~ 21st annual American Century Championship Golf Tournament at Edgewood Tahoe. Tournament week begins Tuesday, July 13th with the Lake Tahoe Celeb-Am and runs through Sunday, July 18th, 2010
October 9 – 10, 2010 ~ Epcot's "Eat to the Beat Concert Series" Orlando, FL ~ Taylor returns to the popular Concert Series at the 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, will be at the America Gardens Theatre stage. Performances will be nightly at 5:15p.m. 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
The last performance of “Grease” next week in Cleveland is not a closing but a transition. You have to believe that Taylor always knows where he’s headed, just like he did during Elvis Week on American Idol.
Relive the magic! Watch the final two weeks of Season Five on Idol Rewind on FOX and on TVGN channels. It’s really fun to watch when you know the ending!
And get ready to follow more tracks of Taylor Hicks as he says goodbye to “Grease” and hello to new destinations and ventures with that same determination and fire that rocked the Idol stage four years ago.
In true Elvis tradition and a perfect Southern drawl, Taylor can say, "Goodbye, Grease. Thank you very much!"
Next: “Goodbye, Grease!” Lookin’ back with Love.
For more information on all the Taylor Hicks happenings, visit out message board:
http://taylorconnections.com/index/
Photos courtesy of FOX and Freemantle Entertainment; screencaps from a capture by Connections member, OBG.
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5 comments:
Another excellent commentary on our favorite artist!
Grease has been a mutually beneficial effort for Taylor Hicks and the producers/underwriters of the play. As you say, Taylor always has a plan -- it might not be understood by his fans but he knows what he is doing and what he wants.
Thanks.
Thanks, Julie. I loved that comment on Idol Rewind. It sounded like a mantra for him! There is no stopping him. I really believe that, and I think he does too!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
San
American Idol was the vehicle that introduced Taylor to the world .
Taylor may be travelin' on da train to da heights, but he will be stopping off at many cities along the way .
He takes his own advise and "takes all the gigs he can get" , honing his skills and spreading his unique style of music while garnering new fans along the way.
Chug chug, choo choo off he goes !!!!
cath
As I watched last week's Idol, I remembered watchng the evolution of Taylor during Season 5. One of the thoughts that crossed my mind is that this year, in my opinion, no one is having as much fun as Taylor had on Season 5. I have not seen the "growth" that I witnessed in the Top 10 from AI5.
As Taylor moves on to new experiences after the last curtain call of Grease, I have no doubt that he will keep us entertained.
It is heartwarming for me to see that Taylor will be performing to benefit the SOS Children's Village. After all of the miles he has travelled over the past few years, it is wonderful to see that his heart is still in the right place. Taylor cares about others and their difficult circumstances which is clearly evident in his recent "tweets" as you previously blogged about.
Looking forward to see where this train is going to take us.
Great blog, San.
Thanks, Karin. His concert for Children's Villages reminds us that, although his passion is his music, there is more to this fine young man. He shares his life and music to help others.
I also look forward to what's around the next...
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