Taylor Hicks ~~ Biography: The Journey, Touring in the Blood

After closing night in Cleveland, Hicks went back to what he had done for a long time—touring and performing with a full band. He put together what he dubbed a “kick ass” band and took off on a "Kick Ass" Summer Tour in 2010, which kicked off July 25th with a sold out opening at the Highline Ballroom on New York City’s trendy Westside. On his third tour bus, Hicks and a band from down home played in over 25 cities from New England to California to Florida for the next three months. He hand delivered more copies of The Distance, signing the album and posing for pictures with fans waiting in long lines after each concert.

Hicks proved his talent once again for putting together top musicians who meld to give an energetic and eclectic performance: Brandon Peeples on bass guitar, Leif Bondarenko, on drums, Jeff Lopez on saxophone, Sam Gunderson on guitar, Matt Kimbrel on percussions, and Brian Less, longtime band mate and his Musical Director, on keyboards. The 2010 band has continued to appear with Hicks into 2011 except for Matt Kimbrell, whose untimely death shortly after the Epcot Center shows in October, 2010, shocked and saddened Hicks and his fellow band mates.

August, 2010, brought a special solo appearance by Hicks to honor movie legend, Clint Eastwood, at the Museum of Tolerance International Film Festival in Los Angeles. At the request made personally by Mr. Eastwood, Hicks performed “Gran Torino,” the title song from the classic 1970’s film that Eastwood produced and starred in set in a troubled Detroit. Before a house of film dignitaries, Hicks performed the song that Eastwood also wrote. The performance has only been seen outside the event in a snippet of one of his "Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks" episodes.

Jam Cruise 9, a floating musical extravaganza with jamband artists extraordinaire, rang in 2011. Hicks sat in with and received high acclaim for his performances on vocals and the harmonica with Galactic, Robert Randolph, Funky Big Sam, Mardi Gras Band, Anders Osborne, and many others. He also hosted the Jam Cruise version of The Gong Show. It was not his first foray into the jamband scene. He had sailed years before as a guest and young musician schooled in the music that celebrates funk and improvisation. He had headed a jamband cover band in college.

The musician/actor also ventured into TV appearing last fall on "Don’t Forget the Lyrics," and related his own haunting tale on "Celebrity Ghost Stories" on Biography Channel. Most recently, power sliding onto the stage, he made a surprise appearance on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, singing a musical parody with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and the legendary Roots of young Rebecca Black’s "Friday." It was an instant internet sensation going viral and global, scoring almost a million and a half views on YouTube in a few hours after the show. Most frequently described as "EPIC" and "hilarious," it was touted as the new classic Friday/weekend/partyin’ song. It continues to grow global popularity as a viral phenomenon on internet sites.

Hicks added "restaurateur" to his plate in 2011 opening Ore Bar and Grill, a neighborhood restaurant in the Crestline area of Birmingham. He and investors purchased The Open Door, an historic place where he appeared as a young musician. Ore is named after Birmingham’s past strongly connected to iron ore.

The songwriter and platinum recording artist has headed back to the recording studio with an undisclosed producer for a new album expected out in late fall, 2011. He has described it as "country soul."

"I came from the roadhouse...that’s the kind of feeling I’m giving to my next album."

Hicks continues to tour with concerts and charity appearances scheduled from New England to the Northwest. Touring, song writing and recording remain the roots and core of this American Idol, Broadway star, platinum recording artist, songwriter, restaurateur, and working musician.

He sums it up colloquially in his Twitter profile as:

"Ice Cream Pimp-Artist-Hippie-Author-Restaurateur-Genuine Smart Ass"

And tweets, again colloquially, about his life after filming the Fallon "Friday" experience:

"The shit that I enjoy doing everyday. Wow...what a life. Thanks everyone."

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Tomorrow: The final chapter: “Leave Me With the Music.” The final word is always about the music…and a photo finish that says it all.