Taylor Hicks ~~ The Road to SLO

By PayTheDevil

I’ve traveled the continental United States to see Taylor Hicks perform.

I’ve sat in college gymnasiums, cavernous concert arenas, television studios, and the west terrace of the US Capitol Building while Mr. Hicks entertained. I’ve heard accents and languages that were unfamiliar, and I’ve learned that tea is both sweet and regular. Each new concert venue offered unique experiences. Without fail, the experience would be exciting, memorable, and fun. I would almost forget the grinding frustrations I would sometimes experience in airports, car rental counters, and Shoney’s after the thrill of the show had passed. When I read that Taylor was coming to San Luis Obispo, just a short drive from my current residence and a handful of miles from my parent’s vacation home, I couldn’t believe it.

Taylor was coming to SLO?

SLO. It’s the name that locals (Everyone in a 150 mile radius) have given to San Luis Obispo. Most of the county’s population lives in the quaint beach cities that dot the county’s Pacific coastline. It’s a nice place to live and the fact that 30 years ago the county fathers decided that the area should not be overbuilt, has left SLO and its neighboring cities with a sparse genteel population. There are more cows and livestock near SLO than people. The government is the number one employer in the county, and SLO has a state university on the edge of town. All of my brother’s three ex-wives were alumni of California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. We are fans of the city and the school.

After attending a meeting in Los Angeles, my brother and I took historic Highway 101 as our travel route to San Luis Obispo. While I have driven some pretty countryside in Pennsylvania and Oregon en route to a Taylor show, none can hold a candle to the view enjoyed from the cab of my brother’s Chevy pickup as we cruised past the beaches of Ventura and Santa Barbara.

As the sun was going down over the Pacific, we were on the outskirts of SLO. I was somewhat surprised by the slowing traffic. The Marsh Street exit from the 101 dumps you right in the middle of SLO, and I’ve never waited to exit the freeway. When we finally made it into the city proper we noticed what was holding up the traffic. Yup, Taylor’s big blue bus and attached cargo trailer was halting traffic on Highway 101! The bus’s driver was trying to negotiate the turn into the hotel’s parking lot, while the length of the bus brought all three lanes of traffic to a complete stop on Marsh Street and the adjacent off ramp from Highway 101. I laughed with glee as the driver finally backed the blue orca into the minuscule parking lot.

The club was just a few streets up from where we left Taylor’s now parked bus. My brother and I rolled down our windows and enjoyed the aromas of tri-tip being barbequed on oak wood in downtown SLO. Downtown always smells like grilling meet. The area is famous for the stuff. We called ahead and found out that the Downtown Brewing Co. doesn’t serve food. So, we grabbed a little of the aforementioned BBQ at a little place near the club. I didn’t want to linger too long over our meal. There were already ten people in line in front of the club.

We took our place in line at 7:30 p. m., and the little line more than tripled before the doors were opened at 8:00pm. What’s great about SLO and its proximity to my home is the fact that two cars slowed down on the street in front of the club and yelled, “Hey Heather, we wondered if you were coming over to see Taylor.” That’s what’s great about small towns, everyone knows EVERYONE. I live two hours away, and I still run into people that know I am a Taylor fan. One of my friends (a former co-worker that moved to SLO two years ago) took her children home and returned to the club.

The opening band, The JD Project was great. My friend said they had played at a local outdoor fair the weekend before. Taylor’s crew loaned a few of their instruments to the band to facilitate an easy transition between bands. The JD Project reminded me of the “Bare Naked Ladies” with a lot more soul. The band was solid and their original songs quite good. To be fair, I clapped appropriately and shouted a few “woo hoos,” but everyone there was there for Taylor. The JD Project’s short set was appreciated for its musicianship and brevity.

… Drum Roll….. Brian and crew took the stage. Taylor joined his men and led the charge.

The band sounded great in the small club with exposed brick walls. The intensity in which the band played was matched by the interior temperature of the room. SLO’s 95 degree heat on Tuesday, August 24th shattered all records for the area. You have to go back before 1919 to find another day that was warmer. Hmmm, Taylor’s in town… there’s a heat wave… just sayin’…

I was surprised and delighted to hear songs from the Rolling Stones and The Faces as part of the set list at the Downtown Brewing Co. Before August 22nd, it had been over 14 months since I had seen a show (The Roxy – Los Angeles) and I could see maturity in his performance style. Musically, the performance was stellar. Brian, Sam, Jeff, and crew delivered on every note.

There wasn’t an easy exit off the stage, so Taylor never left before the encore. I was so sad when it came to an end.

My brother purchased a CD and had his photo taken. He commented on all of the college students that had been lingering outside the venue’s open doors. He said a couple of the 20 or more college student types hanging around the front door were bitterly complaining about the price of show tickets. One young man with a very thin Velcro wallet and a $200 skateboard, tried to convince the club’s owner that Taylor would want him inside. He repeatedly said, “Hey, I voted for him,” – to which the club owner replied, “You and 100 million other folks.”

The short drive home was quiet. It was great having Taylor play so close, in such an intimate setting. I know no one would ever get rich playing in small clubs like the Downtown Brewing Co., but it meant a lot to me.

Photos by PayTheDevil.