Taylor Hicks~~Biography: The Journey, The Distance

Before closing on Broadway in “Grease,” Taylor Hicks announced a cutting edge deal where he would join the Broadway Across America National Tour of “Grease” continuing the signature role of Teen Angel. He would also perform a song from his album at the end of the stage show. “Grease,” with Hicks performing “Beauty School Dropout” in the show-stopping cameo appearance, opened in Providence, RI on December 2, 2008, for an 18-month swing around the country.

In the recording studio of renowned producer, Simon Climie, in France, the final production was completed on Hicks’ third post-Idol album. The Distance was released on his own recording label, Modern Whomp Records, March 10, 2009, as Hicks toured the West Coast in “Grease.” Again, Hicks had put together an outstanding group of musicians including Paul McCartney’s drummer, Abe Laborial, Jr., Eric Clapton’s bass man, Nathan East, and Grammy nominated guitarist, Doyle Bramhill, bringing a swamp rock sound.

The Distance captured an eclectic mix of soul, pop, and country rock. The first single released in January, 2009, “What’s Right if Right,” was a soulful jazz sound and lyrics vowing lasting love. In his first music video, Hicks walked the snowy streets of Chicago stopping in a retro fitted diner to sing “What’s Right is Right” in the slick, iconic film produced by highly acclaimed New York videographer, Jake Davis.

The second release from The Distance, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” infused delta blues vibes with country overlay that rocked with undeniable Southern roots. Oregon filmmaker, Spence Nicholson, produced the music video in which Hicks jumped into the sporty classic red and white Steinray convertible and cruised the California hills for a raucous “Seven Mile Breakdown.” It took the music video charts by storm at AOL and MuVids and stayed on top for months.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” brought an invitation back to the American Idol stage in 2010 where Hicks brought a new Idol persona with swagger, guitar, and harmonica in hand. A show-stopping performance brought a standing ovation from a new Idol audience and all the judges, including the reluctant, Simon Cowell. Hicks acknowledged the standing Cowell with a broad smile and commented to Ryan Seacrest after the bow:

“Look…the standing O.”

Hicks continued the national tour with “Grease” including a show in Ottawa, Canada, where Prime Minister Steven Harper and his young daughter attended the show and met with the Teen Angel afterwards. The tour also stopped in Washington, D.C. at the historic National Theatre just down the street from the White House. Hicks and entourage of friends and “Grease” cast mates made a Sunday morning tour of the Nation’s House as the city was blanketed in one of the worst snow storms of the century.

Besides playing Teen Angel and singing an encore on the “Grease” stage, Hicks brought The Distance music to his own after-show Shadow Concerts in many cities. He introduced a well-received acoustic concert at High Noon Tavern in Madison, Wisconsin, in December, 2009. His music stood the test of bare bones, stripped away production in the “unplugged” tradition. Acoustic performances, which previously were mostly limited to the encore, became a well-attended concert experience.

The “Grease” tour traveled to almost 50 cities for almost 500 shows in its 18 months on the road. Hicks became the face of “Grease” meeting with local media and promoting Broadway theatre as the “road show” played to many sold out houses in an uncertain economy. Hicks also “hand delivered” copies of The Distance after every show signing the album and posing with theatre goers for pictures. His take on his Broadway theatre experience always started with,

“Never in a million years…”

The “Grease” tour ended in Cleveland, OH in May, 2010, only weeks before the June debut two years before when he had first stepped onto the Broadway stage as the harp wielding Teen Angel wearing rhinestones. He was credited in an article by the New York Post with a significant impact on the box office—a $150,000 increase a week in the house receipts while appearing in the Tony nominated musical at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Broadway.

“Hello…is this thing on?”

During his run with "Grease" Hicks embraced new social media outlets joining the Twitter community and chatting with fans live on UStream. He continues to interact with fans, other musicians and players in the business on twitter @TaylorRHicks and other social media sites at Facebook and MySpace. His own interactive website at http://www.taylorhicks.com/ offers all the latest on appearances and happenings.

“Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks”—Taylor Hicks TV on YouTube connected with followers for a glimpse behind the scenes shot by an unknown “sidekick” of the travels and offstage life of this working musician who frequently tweets: “In the twair.” The weekly episodes continue to engage followers in the ride-along adventures.

Hicks has always been involved in the community and stepped up in 2010 for his home state when the catastrophic Gulf Coast oil spill threatened to destroy Alabama’s tourism industry. He offered immediately to do whatever he could to help alleviate the impact of the disaster on his state and the Gulf Coast. He filmed a PSA for the Alabama Department of Tourism and appeared in a free concert at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum for Gulf Coast aid and awareness. He spoke out on MSNBC with Chris Jensen and wrote on Larry King’s Blog calling for continued media coverage until a resolution was reached. With family living there and playing gigs along the Coast, Hicks called this a cause "close to my heart."

Giving back to the community has always been on Hicks’ radar. In 2010 alone, he performed ten concerts for good causes. They included performances for Children’s Cancer Research Foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Dream Foundation Gala in Laguna Nigel, CA, for charities such as Wounded Warriors and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. More recently, in April, 2011, he appeared in San Marcos, TX, for the Ride2Recovery event for recovering soldiers.

Hicks has long honored and recognized the country's service men and women beginning at his debut American Idol appearance at Salt Lake City in 2006 dedicating "Do I Make You Proud" to the troops. He continued that in The Distance album when he recorded “19,” the story of a fallen American hero. It is always on his concert setlist and he thanks the troops for what they do and suggests that everyone thank our brave military men and women whenever they see them. It is an emotional touchstone of every concert and always receives a standing ovation.

Tomorrow: “Taylor Hicks ~ Biography: The Journey -Touring in the Blood” Touring, jamming, and powersliding!