Showing posts with label The Official Soul Patrol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Official Soul Patrol. Show all posts

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Taylor Hicks ~~ Showdown at High Noon!


Taylor Hicks always brings it!

From a cold Florida last week to a colder Wisconsin next week, he would do well to bring the heavy velvet jacket and add a cashmere scarf!

What we know he will bring is extraordinary talent to the acoustic stage at High Noon Saloon.

In late 2007, Taylor promised a string of acoustic concerts. Historically, the acoustic stage featured music raw and bare—just the singer and his music without wires and little or no backup. Performers like Elvis, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Jon Bon Jovi and many others presented new versions of their hits without trappings or large production elements. It was the backlash to the big metallic techo sounds of the 1980s that had become band staples.

The concept was brought front and center when MTV launched “Unplugged” performances by rock singers, primarily known for playing electric amplified instruments . Fans wanted to see if rock entertainers could stand up to a stripped away version of their hits. The first ones to perform on the series were Jethro Tull, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Samborie.

Eric Clapton recorded an Unplugged performance in 1992 that was both widely praised and criticized for heavily reworking many of his famous songs so they would work in an acoustic context, some to the point of almost unrecognizability. Clapton's Unplugged album went on to become the bestselling unplugged album in the U.S., with sales of 10 million. He won a grammy for Song of the Year with “Tears in Heaven” from this album.

MTV Unplugged website describes the re-emergence of the concept with today’s most successful stars who are, “…taking the stage and peeling away the trappings of their music to reveal the essence at its core. From established heavy-hitters like Korn to rising stars like R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and the sexy, soulful Joss Stone, Unplugged remains the hallmark of intimate, exclusive concert performances that can't be seen anywhere else.”

We had a glimpse of Taylor on the acoustic stage during his 2007 Solo Tour when he would occassionally sit on a stool with only a guitar and sing an encore, such as “My Home’s in Alabama,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and “Louisiana.”

The “acoustic” Taylor music should not be confused with sleepy, slow tunes. Taylor is as intense in this kind of show as when he is moving all other the stage with a full band all plugged in for a show like WorkPlay. He has two or three other musicians for backup, and he really does sit on a stool. It is the “intimate, exclusive concert performances that can’t be seen anywhere else.”

At a time when music industry bloggers are saying the biggest stars are doing “autotuned” concerts—lip syncing on stage with perfect tracks of their music going out to fans who think they are seeing their stars real on stage—it is transparently true that Taylor Hicks is real in concert and doesn’t need any “fixing.” It is real music with its flaws, but rich with heart and soul.

Taylor Hicks brings real music, and that is enough.

He brings it to The High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI, Friday, December 11, at 8:00 p.m.

For more information visit: http://www.taylorhicks.com/

We’re bringing the PalTalk chatcert team to share the music showdown! Join New Found Freedom, Season of the Soul, The Official Soul Patrol and The Taylor Hicks Community for Taylor at The High Noon Saloon. Visit these boards for more information on how you can enjoy the acoustic concert from Madison on your computer. It’s the new wave of cellcerts! Don’t miss Taylor at The High Noon, wherever you are!

Sources: http://www.mtvunplugged.com/ Portions of this blog were written for and first published in Taylorsezine, The Soul Connection.


Photo courtesty of Gypsee from the acoustic concert at The Magic Bag in Detroit, MI.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Taylor Hicks ~~ Fading the Distances


Are we on to something?

I did a rather light-hearted blog here when we all had our fingers clicking to the bone for a not-so-little North American Mr. Twitter Contest and THEN the expected Worldwide Mr. Twitter Contest. We were seriously engaged in supporting our favorite twitterer, Taylor Hicks.

Remember that?

Did that somewhat seemingly frivolous battle open the door to a not-so-frivolous campaign?

During The Great Twitter Battle, I said here in an August blog, “Victories”:

“Funny about victories. They can’t always be seen in the final tally. In whatever ranking Taylor finishes, perhaps the greatest victory is in The Soul Patrol’s coming together for a common purpose.”

In late September, WorkPlay was the center of the universe for the Soul Patrol. From as far away as England, fans came to Birmingham in a gathering of the faithful. Through the magic of electronics (Yeh, I know it wasn’t “magic”) fans were at home listening, chatting online and sharing the magic (Yeh, I know it was pure talent) of Taylor Hicks live on stage.

After WorkPlay in her blog here, “The Distance Between Us Will Fade,” Evancol shared her thoughts.

In part, she said:

“It isn’t the cellcert I am proud of, although I am really glad we didn’t flop! It is the admin/owners from the 4 boards, boards with different members, different philosophies and definitely different opinions, putting all that aside to bring fans together to celebrate Taylor. It is the members of the four boards who embraced the idea and supported it from the word go. It is the SPIRIT I saw in everyone who participated. … It was all the right things a fan base can be.

“I got a lot of feedback from people about how great they thought it was that the boards were working together and that it was TIME. I think it’s past time, and I hope we can keep that spirit alive going into 2010.”

“… I am proud to have been a small part of such a dedicated and enthusiastic group. I think we were all reminded how much fun it is to share the magic that is Taylor Hicks…. And Taylor was right, the distance between us DID fade away.”

http://thetaylorhickscommunity.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html

Last week on http://www.taylorhicks.com/, in a true outpouring of love and caring for our veterans and our troops, we shared stories of our loved ones who have served and continue today to bravely serve our country. As we proudly remembered our family and friends, Taylor showed his appreciation by giving away a download of his patriotic song “19” on various humanitarian and military websites. It was a truly inspiring day of coming together for a common cause that we could all support.

Could we be on to something? I mean this common ground thing…

Is Taylor right? The distance between us will fade...


Well, get out your mittens…the universe collides next in frigid Wisconsin. Oh wait, I’ll be sitting right here in my nice warm home. But the wonderful world of electronics will be there! Yeh, we’re connecting the universe again at Madison, WI for Taylor’s High Noon Shadow Tour on December 11th.

While I embrace the electronics that I so long avoided (Yeh, I know…)

Common ground moves to the High Noon Saloon!

For more information on the chatcert from Madison, WI on December 11th, visit Taylor Hicks fansites—New Found Freedom, Season of the Soul, The Official Soul Patrol, or The Taylor Hicks Community.

And Taylor is giving away 10 free tickets! Visit
www.taylorhicks.com for details!


Thanks to RagsQueen for the photo of a smiling Taylor from Epcot Center!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

That Legendary Music Icon ... Ellen ???

If you are a seasoned old timer like me, you long ago realized that AI is less about a "singing competition" and more about making some 19 and Sony/BMG folks richer.

It's about the ratings, stupid !!

AI could not have said it clearer than when they recently announced the addition of Ellen Degeneres to the judging panel. I'm sure Ellen loves music, probably owns some CD's, and certainly has the power to promote anyone she chooses. What I'm not sure about is what exactly qualifies her to judge musical acumen. She doesn't sing, doesn't produce, doesn't write or do any of the things that would give her musical opinion any credibility.

What Ellen does do is bring star power. She comes on the tail of a long time, highly rated talk show with lots of viewers. And there is the rub ... drawing new viewers and saving the ratings that have begun to slide since Season 5. She has shown her ability (a la Clive Davis) to tell America they got it wrong.

Be sure to check out this great blog piece for a deeper look into what Ellen brings to AI:

Idolizing Ellen
http://www.writeonnewjersey.com/2009/09/idolizing-ellen/

By the way, if you don't know, Rewind of Season 5 is just starting to air. Watch Taylor's victory again, even sweeter now that you have followed him and know his story.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Coming together for the children...


The 2008 Birmingham Angel Tree

When Taylor Hicks was still a struggling young musician, he gave a small donation to a Birmingham charity and said that someday he hoped he could give more. He has given much more and has inspired us all to do the same. Taylor has challenged us: “Together, we really can make a difference.”


This year especially we need to come together to make a difference. This could be a very dismal Christmas for families who have lost their jobs and homes, or are struggling just to feed their family. A bright Christmas is a dim hope. Parents must be preparing their children now for a Christmas without presents. What are they saying to them? What would WE say to our children?


More people every day are being forced to live without so many things that we take for granted—a way to get to work or the doctor, a warm home, or food for their family. If all that went away for us, what would WE do?


We know in this fast-failing economy that many resources are going away for good people with families and pets. What will THEY do?


The Taylor Hicks fan community is coming together to bring smiles to children on Christmas morning. It is the best way to celebrate the true spirit of this holiday season and show our own children the joy of sharing with others.


The Official Soul Patrol and The Taylor Hicks Community are teaming up with the Birmingham Salvation Army to sponsor an online Angel Tree. It works like the Angel Trees you see in the malls, but it is online. You may adopt an Angel and send gifts of new toys and clothing for that child to the Salvation Army in Birmingham. Or you may make a cash or credit card donation in ANY amount online to the Angel Tree project. Gifts will be purchased and delivered to the Salvation Army for our Angels.

The last day that you can adopt an Angel or make a donation is November 30.


Make this a Christmas to remember with presents for children who otherwise will not have them. We CAN make a difference and bring a happy Christmas morning to children in Taylor’s hometown. Adopt an Angel or make a donation to the 2008 Angel Tree!


For more information visit:

http://thetaylorhickscommunity.com/angeltree

And please give generously from your heart!

Coming together for the man, the music and, most importantly, the children!