Taylor Hicks and the "kick ass" band rocked out hot and humid on the plaza this morning on Fox and Friends from New York City previewing their upcoming National Tour with “Love the One You’re With!”
This was the first look at the band that will join him for the next few weeks from Maine to California—Brian Less, Brandon Peeples, Jeff Lopez, Sam Gunderson, Leif Bondarenko, and Matt Kimbrell.
Taylor surrounds himself with the very best musicians whether in the recording studio or on stage. From rehearsals last week, he tweeted:
“The band is sounding pretty good.” And “This is some serious music. Yall ready?”
They all love to play music. It shows. This morning they lived up to Taylor’s description of playing some pretty good serious music!
Yall ready? Meet the boys in the band:
Brian Less ~ Musical Director and Keyboards
“Brian Less is from Memphis and since his nickname has always been "Little Memphis," the group came up with the name Little Memphis Blues Orchestra while brainstorming for a new name. Brian plays piano and organ for the group and shares in vocals for the group. Brian also worked on Taylor's Under the Radar CD and was a member of The Taylor Hicks Band pre-American Idol. He is quick witted, sarcastic, and incredibly funny.
Brian started playing at a very early age, taking piano lessons and developing his love of music. We are thrilled that the Original Little Memphis has brought his stellar talent to Taylor's Tour.”
Brian toured with Taylor in 2007 and appeared at most of the Shadow Tour concerts in 2009-2010. He and Taylor are long time friends and musical allies.
Brandon Peeples ~ Bass
Brandon is a 27 year old musician from Birmingham, Alabama. He was a member of the Sweetwater Road Band .
“I have supported Willie Nelson, John Fogarty, The Little River Band, Silverchair, Randall Bramlett, Jimmy Hall, Jeff Carlise, Derek St. Holmes, Taylor Hicks, and many other artists.” He lists eclectic music interests on his MySpace: Jazz, rock, funk, country…
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/brandonpeeples#ixzz0tWJmOCun
Sam Gunderson ~Guitar
Sam Gunderson is a long time member of Taylor’s musical entourage, including the AI Shadow Tour in 2006. He also did very fine vocals with the Little Memphis Blue Orchestra.
“Music is it for me. The older I get, the less apologetic I feel. Now, it’s just about laying whatever I got to give out there. …I have been blessed to work with musicians that have come into my life and changed it forever. They have taught me so much about music and life, within a simple moment of time. In their honor, I've found a new responsibility, one that finally makes sense to me. If music is the universal language, I hope that the way I speak it would make all who has come before me proud; and make my friends and family smile. For these are some of the greatest pleasures in life. As of right now I am happy to be the guitar player and musical director of the Erin Mitchell Band, and just recently produced her self titled CD. I am looking forward to the future and whatever it may bring.” (From Sam’s FaceBook)
That future brings a 2010 road tour with Taylor Hicks!
Jeff Lopez ~ Sax
Jeff Lopez—solo baritone sax performance for the Foo Fighter's My Grammy Moment Contest.
“Jeff grew up in the small town of Gloucester, Virginia. His grandfather, who played sax professionally, was his first inspiration musically. At the age of five, his grandfather taught him how to play organ. By elementary school, Jeff seriously started playing the alto sax, and at 13 had his first professional gig. Jeff toured the nation recently with Taylor Hicks during the promotional run for Taylor’s debut album. He also did a few U.S. and world tours with the legendary Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review. Jeff is currently blowing away audiences with The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (formerly The Taylor Hicks Band), The Erin Mitchell Band, and a variety of other artists in the southeast region of the U.S.” (Jeff’s FaceBook)
Jeff played sax for the memorable performance of Taylor Hicks on Rehearsals’ dot com “Hollywood Nights,” 2007.
Leif Bondarenko ~ Drums
Embracing the Man in Black
A local drummer abandons his instrument to sing Johnny Cash.
By Ed Reynolds June 24, 2010
“As Birmingham's premier drummer and "gun for hire," Leif Bondarenko has played thousands of gigs with dozens of bands in a career that spans four decades.
“Bondarenko first achieved renown 30 years ago as drummer for local legends Jim Bob and the Leisure Suits. By the mid-1980s, he had formed the critically acclaimed Primitons with Leisure Suits bandmate Mats (pronounced "Mots") Roden. He worked regularly with the late blues vocalist Topper Price throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, building a résumé that includes drumming for Wet Willie's Jimmy Hall, Charles Neville, and Rick Danko of The Band. He'll soon be touring with Taylor Hicks.
“While still earning a living playing for a number of local bands, six months ago Bondarenko stepped out from behind the drum kit and strapped on an acoustic guitar to tackle the role of lead singer for his Johnny Cash tribute band, Cash Back. His vocals are eerily close to those of the Man in Black, and the ease with which he fronts the band will surprise those who know Bondarenko only as a drummer…”
http://www.bwcitypaper.com/Articles-i-2010-06-24-236484.113121_Embracing_the_Man_in_Black.html
Matt Kimbrell ~ Percussion
Matt Kimbrell brings 28 years of experience to the drum chair. Matt didn't learn his techniques overnight - his father: pianist, vocalist and arranger, Henry Kimbrell, gave Matt his first paying gig at the age of 12. Matt hasn't left the stage or studio since. He fronted a couple of successful indie-rock bands in the 70s and 80s, Jim Bob and The Leisure Suits and The Ho-Ho Men. The Ho-Ho Men matured into Mambo Combo, a band that enjoyed 10 years of success in and around Birmingham during the late 80s and into the 90s. During that time Matt was a sideman in several new-wave, pop, roots, and party bands. These bands included: Tim Lee, The Sugar La-La's, Bud Green and The Hurlers. Working with these bands, Matt has played in every state in the union and Canada.
Matt has been involved with the band Levee Breaker for about a year and half and proven to be more than a reliable time-keeper for the band. Not only is he said to have the best meter in Birmingham, but he also has a terrific sense of melody and the ability to play great parts. Because Matt listens to great music, Matt plays great music. In a blues context, Matt's strength lies in his ability to lay down a danceable shuffle. Matt versatility as a player allow him to do brush work on the jazzier side of the 'Breakers material and rock solid playing on the R&B side.
Catch them all on the road…wherever you are!
The Taylor Hicks Summer Tour is coming to you…
**Thanks to caryl1 for photo via twitpic from the Plaza at FOXNews!
Summer Tour Schedule:
July 25~Highline Ballroom, New York City, NY, 8:00 p.m.
http://highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1568
July 27~Jonathan’s Ogunquit, Ogunquit, ME, 8:00 p.m.
http://tickets.jonathansrestaurant.com/ordertickets.asp?p=98
July 29~The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, 7:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&q=Taylor+Hicks&search.x=27&search.y=14
July 30~Crocodile Rock Café, Allentown, PA, 7:00 p.m.
https://www.crocodilerockcafe.com/ticket_order.asp?ID=2335
July 31~Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ, 8:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2497655&pl=
August 3~Ram’s Head On Stage w/Javier, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 8:00 p.m.
http://tickets.ramsheadonstage.com/ordertickets.asp?p=1779&backurl=%2Fdefault%2Easp%3FSearchMonth%3D8%2F28%2F2010%26monthsubmit%3Dx%26SearchText%3D%26Go%2Ex%3D%26Go%2Ey%3D%26pg%3D1%23abc
August 6~Fat Fish Blue, Cleveland, OH, 9:00 p.m.
http://public.eventbooking.com/publicity_display.asp?ReturnTo=public_calendar.asp&pwl=3AE.55C39D50&EventSourceID=40807007&Month=8&Year=2010
August 7~Veterans’ Park, Bay City, MI, 7:00 p.m.
http://www.ticketfusion.com/store/one/index.html?store_id=3173&page_type=sched
August 9~Reggie’s Rock Club, Chicago, IL, 9:00 p.m.
http://www.reggieslive.com/rockclub/index.shtml#x20100809210000
August 10~Sangamon Auditorium, Springfield, IL, 7:30 p.m.
http://www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium/onstage/TaylorHicks.htm
August 11~Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN, 7:00 p.m.
http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest;jsessionid=59317AAC37B38F17484A60BB66CE233D?eventId=302125&presenter=DAKOTA&venue=&event=
August 12~The Annex, Madison, WI 8:00 p.m.
http://www.intheannex.com/shows/
August 14~Knuckleheads Saloon, Kansas City, MO , 8:00 p.m.
https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale?action=selectPerformance&displayType=list&cobrand=knuckleheadskc&performance_id=1288100
August 16~The Grove, Lincoln NE 7:00 p.m.
http://www.grovelincoln.com/
August 19~Mesa Theatre, Grand Junction, CO 8:00 p.m.
http://www.mesatheater.com/events.php?ID=532 Tickets on sale July 23rd.
August 21~Aquarius Pavilion, Laughlin, NV, 8:00 p.m.
http://www.theaquarius.com/ENTERTAINMENT_TaylorHicks.asp
August 22~Anthology Supper Club, San Diego, CA,
http://www.anthologysd.com/index.html
August 24~Downtown Brewing Company, San Luis Obispo, CA 7:00 – Unconfirmed
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2639105&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeed&crosssite=TM_US:1092763:337533
August 25~The Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, CA, 7:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2489715&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeed&crosssite=TM_US:1092763:341720
August 26~Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, Coarsegold, CA
http://www.chukchansigold.com/PromotionsEvents/Concerts/ Tickets not yet available.
August 28~ Armed Forces Appreciation Day, American Idols for our American Heroes, “Bull Rigdon” Fairgrounds, Fort Walton, FL
Contact information: 850-244-8191.
September 18~Paramount Theatre, Rutland, VT, 8:00 p.m. – Unconfirmed
http://www.paramountvt.org/shows_details.php?show_id=80
September 26~SOS Children’s Villages Concert w/Matt Cusson, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA, 8:00 p.m.
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=3814
October 9 – 10 ~CONFIRMED ~Epcot Center “Eat to the Beat Concert Series, Orlando, FL, 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 p.m.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/04/eat-to-the-beat-concert-series-lineup-at-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/
Resources and research by Mouser on Connections and Facebook. For more information on the Summer Tour Band visit: http://taylorconnections.com/topic/3552118/1/#new
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6 comments:
Awesome job, San! Thanks!
pc
Fantastic! Thanks for all the info on the Band....and Tour!!!
susiefortay
Thank you so much! I'm just heading into New York for tonight's show at Highline Ballroom. Now I'll know all the band members by name. Appreciate it!
What fabulous performances Taylor & the band put on this morning! Needless to say, I was late leaving the house. I sorta 'shoved' myself out the door.
To all who are going to one of the concerts, I envy you. Taylor should definately grab some more fans from this tour. NYC will be on fire tonight!
Thanx San♥
Hi there outstanding website! Does running a blog such as this take a large
amount of work? I have no expertise in computer programming however I had been hoping to start
my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off subject but I simply needed to ask. Appreciate
it!
My website - bing search ads
Hello, Bing Search Ads... Thanks! I did not create the blog site originally, but I believe that google leads you through set up. It is easy to maintain and I have learned as I go along. The most work is writing original content if you are going to publish that. I'm not a computer professional and mostly a "weekender" here. I'm not very technical and definitely not a computer programmer, although I have learned a lot maintaining our home site, www.thetaylorhickscommunity.com the "old fashioned way" with html coding. I didn't create that either, but maintain it. I'd say just take it a step at a time. There are also many tutorials online. Good luck! Check out Taylor Hicks at Bally's if you are in or near Las Vegas!
San
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