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!

Taylor Hicks ~~Biography: The Journey, Birmingham to Broadway

In summer, 2008, Taylor Hicks celebrated another milestone on a different stage—the Broadway stage. On June 6, he debuted on The Great White Way starring as Teen Angel in the revival production of “Grease.” In an Elvis-style pompadour and a rhinestone-encrusted midnight blue suit reminiscent of the 1950s’ flashy designs by Nudie Cohn, Hicks brought a new blues-inspired Teen Angel to Broadway. He said that he was channeling a little Elvis as he sang a soulful “Beauty School Dropout” to Frenchy. “We’re packing the place out. It’s sold out every night, and I get to play a little harmonica, which is cool.”

In August, Hicks revisited the roots music from years before with the release of Early Works, the first offering on his own label, Modern Whomp Records. Early Works compiled remastered tracks from his two previous independent releases, In Your Time and Under the Radar. In Your Time, featured Hicks originals—“Son of a Carpenter,” “The Fall,” “In Your Time,” and “Somehow.” He covered two classic tunes, “Tighten Up” and “Georgia.”

Under The Radar was exclusively the works of Hicks. Early Works includes his most often performed song and what he has called his personal mantra, “Soul Thing,” about life on the road and getting by. Other tracks are lyrical messages about love and friends: “The Deal,” “Hold on to Your Love,” “Heart and Soul” (originally entitled Blues and Soul), “West Texas Sky” and “My Friend.”

“…these two albums represent who I am and who I am trying to represent as a songwriter.” [They were] “songs that were hitting home with me at the time. …the songwriting was getting better and my direction as an artist was getting clearer,” Hicks wrote in the liner notes for Early Works.

After closing a very successful Broadway run in “Grease” on September 7, Hicks returned to the recording studio to work on a new album. He collaborated with some highly acclaimed musicians, including Nashville songwriters, Tom Hambridge and Gary Nicholson. He describes this work as “…some of the best music I’ve ever written, and from an artistic standpoint, this album, being in my control has allowed me to really breathe as a songwriter. …As an artist, you kind of understand the times and what your surroundings are and write from them. So there’s some political undertones on the album. It’s a serious time for us.”

Tomorrow: "The Distance" - "Before closing in 'Grease,' Taylor Hicks announced a cutting edge deal..."

Taylor Hicks ~~ "Goodbye, Grease"

Looking back with love…

In a matter of hours, with a flourish of the harmonica and a final ascent in the cone, “Grease” is in the books.

Taylor Hicks, Teen Angel in midnight blue glam, stores the one-of-a-kind suit and goes home to soul country.

It was a good run!

Taylor has gone from a nervous opening night of Broadway’s “Grease” at the Brooks Atkinson
Theatre on June 8, 2008, to a spectacular closing at the Palace Theatre in Cleveland today.

I had the pleasure of writing about it all.

It seems like yesterday. I could feel the excitement of Opening Night, and I was a thousand miles away. There had to be gifts to celebrate a new milestone and to share our excitement with the new Broadway star.

And that he was.

It took a bodyguard to get him in and out of the theatre and around New York City. He lived in a high rise overlooking the Hudson.

He worked the rope line at the stage door and the bottom line at the box office.

Taylor Hicks proved worthy of Times Square’s five story billboard any way you looked at it, whether it was for the sheer fun he created on the stage or the increased box office receipts he brought in. He earned his fame and keep on the Great White Way.

He had said: “Entertain or go home.” Taylor entertained.

So well, that he was asked to take it on the road in an economy when there was little discretionary spending. But people came to see “Grease.”

And he earned great reviews—“campy,” “over the top,” “most fun.” The Alabama soul singer who had never acted found his groove and created a new soulful, harmonica- wielding, “taylorized” Teen Angel.

He learned to tweet from the giant ice cream cone. He tweeted about food, airports, and weather. He was mistaken for George Clooney.

He met with countless media in countless cities across the country. He played and sang to a hound dog and a goat. He was a TV sous-chef.

He created memorable Shadow Tour shows for fans all over the country. From Chicago to Sunset Boulevard, he played where he was most at home—the stage he had grown up on. He managed to sit on a stool and sing and added acoustic concerts.

“Grease” AND a Shadow Tour concert in your city was a priceless ticket!

He met the Prime Minister of Canada and visited the White House, again. He saw blizzards, floods and rainbows over the ocean. He sang the National Anthem.

He traveled to all coasts and Canada. He released a new album, The Distance. He made his first music videos, one in a snowy Chicago and the other in sunny California and his first concert DVD, Whomp at the Warfield.

He returned to the beginning and brought down the Idol house with a country rock mix of his new single release, “Seven Mile Breakdown.” It was how you do country on American Idol!

Simon Cowell gave him a long-deserved standing ovation.

Writing about that night will remain one of my all-time personal favorites.

And all the time, he played Teen Angel eight times a week. He got the acting bug. He drank Bud with the wine drinking crowd in The City. He drank wine at dinner overlooking the Nation’s Capital.

He went home to Birmingham and created two unforgettable concert experiences at WorkPlay. He built homes and community for Habitat for Humanity. He stayed true to the music and the ethics that make him Taylor Hicks.

I had the pleasure of writing about it—even being there for some of it.

And I wouldn’t have missed it for all the ice cream flavors of the night!

Teen Angel will be missed. And how do you follow an angel?

With Taylor Hicks, songwriter and touring recording artist.

Teen Angel’s gone country? He’s got a resounding resume to hang on once-closed doors!

~A final reflection

It was early Sunday morning in Tucson, Arizona. We had two more “Grease” shows to see. I am a morning person, especially on Sundays. The peace and silence of Sunday morning compels me to be there. I would never sleep through it.

I was walking around the beautiful theatre and entertainment complex in the perfect spring weather of the Southwest. The sun was shining in the glass of the front windows of the theatre. It caught a perfect frame of Teen Angel. I stared for a long time at the smiling angelic face and moved to see it as shadows crept across the glass.

What were the chances this young man would make it from the raucous bars on Saturday night to this giant Broadway poster shining in the sun on a beautiful Sunday morning?

I remember very vividly in that warm, quiet moment, that everything just felt “right.”

Looking back, “Grease” seemed right for Taylor Hicks on so many levels for so many reasons. It felt right as it was happening—just as it did this Sunday morning in Tucson.

At least it did to me.

This was my “Grease” moment. Somehow, it also seemed significant for the smiling Teen Angel in the window.

I’m a thousand miles away again. With all that Taylor has accomplished in the past two years on the “Grease” stage, today feels much more like another opening than a closing—another beginning, another exciting adventure for Taylor and for us.


CONGRATULATIONS, TAYLOR! YOU MADE THE NEON LIGHTS ON BROADWAY SHINE BRIGHTER.

MAY THE NEXT RUN BE JUST AS SPECTACULAR AND JUST AS RIGHT!

God speed home and to wherever your heart and music take you…

We will be there….

Taylor Hicks ~ "No stoppin' that train..."

Not then. Not now.

Taylor Hicks doing Jailhouse Rock on Elvis Week on American Idol Season Five was a foregone conclusion—at least to Taylor Hicks.

Nevermind that it was not well received by all the judges. Looking back on Idol Rewind recently, Taylor said that in his mind he would do Jailhouse Rock and have some fun. And then he added:

“There was no stoppin’ that train!” and he laughed.

He knew where he was headed that night. He went all the way to the other end of the spectrum that was the talent of Elvis by singing a heart wrenching “In the Ghetto” for his second song.

Now Taylor owns that song.

Those were the comments THIS year when it was performed on Idol. Taylor Hicks from Season Five owns that song. It has been called the highpoint of Taylor’s successful run on Idol and Simon finally gave Taylor his due:

“Young man, you have just sung your way into the semi-finals.”

Carrying more than raucous rock and quirky dancing, there was no stoppin’ that train.

Not then. Not now.

It’s not slowin’ down and it’s making a difference.

Taylor announced recently his first full concert after "Grease" will benefit SOS Children’s Village to kick off their worldwide campaign on June 17 at Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.

“SOS Children's Villages was founded in 1949 to provide families and homes for orphaned and abandoned children. There are over 456 villages in 132 countries around the world. Please join us as we travel Around the World to raise funds for this important mission with a concert featuring Taylor Hicks and Matt Cusson.”

http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=3814


Other events already on Taylor’s summer and fall calendar take him from golf in one of the most beautiful places in the world to music in one of the most magical places and even a Simonesque role as a judge in a singing contest.

May 21, 2010 ~ Wind Creek Casino, Atmore, AL ~ “Sing Your Way to $100,000” ~ Taylor judges finals and performs throughout finale.

June 13, 2010 ~ Syracuse Balloon Fest, Syracuse, NY ~ Final evening performance for this popular New England summer event.

June 17, 2010 ~ This show is the official "Around the World Kickoff Concert for SOS Children's Villages" (an organization that Taylor is proud to represent). Matt Cusson will be opening for the show.

July 18, 2010 ~ 21st annual American Century Championship Golf Tournament at Edgewood Tahoe. Tournament week begins Tuesday, July 13th with the Lake Tahoe Celeb-Am and runs through Sunday, July 18th, 2010

October 9 – 10, 2010 ~ Epcot's "Eat to the Beat Concert Series" Orlando, FL ~ Taylor returns to the popular Concert Series at the 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, will be at the America Gardens Theatre stage. Performances will be nightly at 5:15p.m. 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

The last performance of “Grease” next week in Cleveland is not a closing but a transition. You have to believe that Taylor always knows where he’s headed, just like he did during Elvis Week on American Idol.

Relive the magic! Watch the final two weeks of Season Five on Idol Rewind on FOX and on TVGN channels. It’s really fun to watch when you know the ending!

And get ready to follow more tracks of Taylor Hicks as he says goodbye to “Grease” and hello to new destinations and ventures with that same determination and fire that rocked the Idol stage four years ago.

In true Elvis tradition and a perfect Southern drawl, Taylor can say, "Goodbye, Grease. Thank you very much!"


Next: “Goodbye, Grease!” Lookin’ back with Love.


For more information on all the Taylor Hicks happenings, visit out message board:

http://taylorconnections.com/index/

Photos courtesy of FOX and Freemantle Entertainment; screencaps from a capture by Connections member, OBG.

Taylor Hicks ~~ Three years ago--"why" doesn't matter

Three years ago this week, I began my own road trip with Taylor Hicks and his music in Huntsville, Alabama. I would fly to Birmingham, meet friends, and ride the short distance to Huntsville for my first live Taylor Hicks concert. It is a little surreal to see in person someone you have watched for over a year on TV and in videos. I can only describe it as I have before. I was breathless…and hooked.

In what was called “Birmingham Week” because it would culminate with two concerts in Taylor’s hometown on Saturday and Sunday, I would go to Nashville for an emotional concert in the town where, in the past, no doors would open to Taylor. This time, his own shiny tour bus sat next to the Ryman Auditorium, home of Music City legends. I walked up the hill in front of the Ryman that afternoon and took one of my favorite pictures—the beautiful silver and burgundy swirls of Taylor’s tour bus with the historic Ryman close along side. It was a moment of sweet revenge.
From Nashville, it would be on to Atlanta where it was cold outside and hot inside. It was my first close at the stage encounter with Taylor live in concert. It is still one of the most exciting Taylor concerts ever. I could see and feel the emotion.

Finally, Taylor at home in Birmingham was incomparable to any concert experience. Another favorite picture of mine is “Taylor Hicks” on the marquee of the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. “It’s good to be home” was his mantra for two emotional evenings. There were no dry eyes that night. I would go back to Mississippi and New Orleans for Taylor concerts and to Tempe, AZ, Las Vegas, and again to Mississippi for the close of the 2007 tour at Pearl River. It was a season to fondly remember.

And then there was “Grease.”

There’s nothing like New York and Taylor’s Teen Angel billboard five stories high right on Broadway. It would be my first exciting trip to New York and Broadway and bring the unexpected loss of a dear family member while I was there.

There are people who have seen “Grease” more times than I have. But I’ve seen it a few—besides in New York, Arizona and California, I would go back to Birmingham for “Grease” and the incomparable experience at WorkPlay, which set a high standard for the future.

The past three years were like no others. It wasn’t just new experiences, it was a new mindset. It was a new appreciation for the time and things that I have and have the opportunity to experience—people, music, and travels.

What kept bringing me back?

There’s been a lot written about “why.” Why did we start watching American Idol when we never had before and haven’t since? Why did Taylor Hicks touch a place in our hearts with his music and his life?

You know, sometimes the “why” just doesn’t matter.

Some things don’t need to be explained. They only need to be experienced. And that’s what this time has been—an unparalleled experience.

Taylor Hicks, who has given so much to following his dream, has inspired me to do things that enrich my life and look at others and the world a little bit differently. I think I have better priorities for living each day. He said early on that together we can make a difference and it’s not about how many records you sell, but how many lives you touch.

Perhaps in some small way, to someone, we are all making a difference. It has all made a difference in my life.

Looking back reminds me of how my life has changed in three short years. Looking forward promises many more years of following Taylor and his music. There will be another era—“After ‘Grease.’” There will always be the music. He has said there will be another record and more touring.

The last one started in Huntsville for me, and my life got a whole lot different.

Bring on the next one!

Taylor Hicks knows how to tour; I know how to fly.

Make your own journey. Experience. Don’t ask why!

Taylor at WorkPlay, Birmingham 9.25.09

Photos by San.

Taylor Hicks ~~ On my musical radar--Who? and What?

Who knew what would show up on my musical radar this week?

Classic rock legends, The Who, rocked the world as they entertained at halftime for the Super Bowl. I was with them heart and soul when I heard the familiar sounds of a harmonica. I excitedly asked the twitter community, “When was the last time you heard a harmonica at Super Bowl halftime?”

A fellow tweeter, Taylorsezine, who knows a thing or two about music, tweeted back the harmonica stats and said “…the ghost of The Who past LIVES!!!”

The blogging community review was immediate and widely mixed with its reaction to the performance of the rock superstars. The Lefsetz Letter instantly judged that “The Who just killed classic rock.” Others said “Great.” The debate went on. Even one reviewer suggested all that was needed was to add the question mark.

The Who?

Then a very unexpected bleep flew onto my radar. I was introduced to hard core metal this week when a young college student wrote an essay about his favorite music genre—one not in the mainstream. No kidding.

Of course, I thought he was talking about some kind of new “heavy metal,” which I had actually heard of. No, this was definitely not the heavy metal of the late 20th century.

In the ensuing discussion after I had read his composition, other students eagerly joined in, one calling it “screamo” music since the musicians scream. I asked if there were actually lyrics, and they said yes, if you could understand them, or wanted to. They seemed to mumble something about bad language. Okay, that’s not new in music.

He explained also that hardcore metal concerts featured hardcore dancing where attendees take fake swings at each other in aggressive “dance” moves that often ended up in fights and brawls.

What?

If someone accidentally gets hit, well, it’s what you expect. One popular dance move is throwing your arms out and if someone is in the way…well, it’s the dance. “It’s fun. We meet lots of people and make friends.”

Everyone at the concert rushes the stage. I said that I had stood at the stage and had to stand my ground. It was painfully evident that they were not impressed and that I had been no where near a stage like theirs and “standing my ground” was no where near hardcore metal’s “standing your ground.”

Since most young students today learn by laptop, I asked for him to show me hardcore metal on his laptop…in a few seconds we were on YouTube and I was listening to, yes, “screamo” music. “There is a beat,” I lamely commented. And there was.

These were not young people with lots of body piercings and green hair.

Punk rock is so totally passé.

These were intelligent young people working on their education.

Where have I been?

Then I received an email with the link to a promotion with the picture of Taylor Hicks on the cover of a “Hot Metal” Hohner harmonica for sale.

Now we are talking “ metal.”

Taylor Hicks playing a screaming harmonica is hardcore metal that I can embrace! I have been there at the stage and heard that kind of metal…

Now, I know that I should have some kind of lofty and worthwhile point to all of this. I don’t.

It was just an interesting week of extremes on my musical radar…from classic to not so.

Speaking of radar…there was still a lot of snow on the radar.

Just ask Taylor Hicks.


Taylor and Hohner have been friends for years:
http://www.hohnerusa.com/index.php?1663

The Taylor Hicks “Hot Metal” Hohner harmonica is available here:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/look_inside/18739157

Photo credit: Hohnerusa.com

Taylor Hicks transcends the miles...

From a cold Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday night, Taylor Hicks transcended the miles and touched hearts.

The streets were still snow packed and icy. The crowd at the High Noon Saloon had braved the weather to be there for Taylor’s Shadow Tour concert after his performance as Teen Angel in “Grease.”

Miles, and even a vast ocean away, fans gathered to listen to Taylor’s music on a chatcert. From New Zealand, Canada, Washington, Arizona, Florida, New England and many places in between, the faithful stayed up late and was rewarded with a stellar performance by a relaxed and joking Taylor.

He might have phoned in the media from his hotel this week, but he never phones in his music!

It was phoned in for fans gathered from three countries. It traveled through two phones and a little computer mic to home computers and a chat room where the Soul Patrol talked of many things. As they listened, they shared their thoughts about Taylor, our brave troops and their families, and the joy his music brings to them. It felt like a good place and time for the Soul Patrol. I was happy to be there.

Besides sharing thoughts with others, I was especially touched by two songs. “Maybe You Should” is always a favorite. I heard it live in Birmingham. Last night it was just as emotional and hauntingly beautiful as it was in Birmingham.

I have never experienced the heartfelt emotion in his voice as I did with the stunning performance of “19.” The chat turned serious as people shared their connections to the military. Some in the room had been there. It was as if Taylor was singing just for them and his heartfelt comments were sincerely thanking them for the sacrifice they make. I could feel his emotion, and I was deeply touched.

Someone in the room reminded us: This is what he means when he says it is not how many records you sell. It is about touching lives. That connection was strong last night.

How could I be so emotionally connected through all these electronics?

There are two ways to enjoy a concert. Be there and be part of the event—exciting, emotional, and fun! Over the top!

Then there is listening to just the audio. Someone shared with me the audio from one of the Shadow Tour concerts. As I listened, it was all about the music and the sounds of Taylor Hicks. And that is what he is all about…the music.

Both Taylor live or an undiluted audio are incredible experiences.

Last night just seemed to be special in an almost indefinable way. There was something in his voice…

It was a Friday night well spent for many reasons, not the least of which was the music.

“I’ve got to be honest. You can take it all, but leave me with the music.”

The music—the heart and the soul of Taylor Hicks—was alive and well in Madison last night.

Although I’ve never thought that listening at home could be as good as being there, last night sure came close!

Thanks, Taylor, for another meaningful stop on this journey! Thanks for taking us to Madison. No matter the place (or the weather) you do it right every time!

We owe you so much! Add last night to the tab!

Everyone traveling from Madison, stay warm and safe!

Outside my window, the snow is falling!

Photo courtesy of Katjusa Cisar, writer and photographer for the Capital Times in Madison, WI. Ms. Cisar also writes a spectacular and interesting review of the concert and Taylor Hicks:

http://taylorconnections.com/topic/2631075/2/#new

Part Two: The concert and some surprises! Stay tuned.

For media and recaps from Madison, visit your favorite board today!

Taylor Hicks ~~ A Year In the Cone!

Last week Taylor Hicks and the cast celebrated one year on the road with the Broadway Across America National Touring Company of “Grease!”

When “Grease” opened in Providence, RI , December 2, 2008, our economy was sliding quickly downhill. Speculation said it was not a good time for entertainment. People would not spend frivolously to go to the theatre.

Taylor and the cast of “Grease” proved the naysayers wrong. People took “staycations” and spent money close to home—their hometown venues. In the past year, “Grease” has played to packed houses from coast to coast and in Canada.

In the communities where he visited, Taylor became a part of the local scene. He performed on TV, even in the kitchen, and mingled with the locals, from a heart-healthy basset hound in Texas to the Prime Minister and his teenage charges in Canada. He joined sports fans at ball games as he sang the National Anthem in San Francisco and Detroit. He will sing the Anthem tomorrow for the Carolina Panther and Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL game in Charlotte, NC.

It was an American Idol seeing America. Everywhere he went, lobbies were full of people waiting to meet him and have him sign his CD. I was pleased to be in those crowds in Tucson, Hollywood, Birmingham and Phoenix.

Outside the hometown audiences in Birmingham, I think the most enthusiastic crowds that I saw were in Tucson. This old Southwestern pueblo is Spanish land grant territory, beautiful desert cattle country and a Mexican border neighbor. Not Broadway theatre country you might think.

You’d be wrong. The crowds in Tucson loved Taylor and “Grease.” A lady at the stage door was there to thank them for coming to Tucson. She said many shows don’t. They all go to Phoenix. In the four performances I saw there, the crowds packed the beautiful entertainment venue, and it was probably the most pleasant theatre experience of my travels.

Perhaps this past year we decided that we wouldn’t give up all that makes us happy, no matter what the economy was doing. Perhaps it was that we needed our smiles do deal with all that we must.

“Grease” and Taylor Hicks has certainly brought a year of smiles to America!

Taylor has said that it is all about the lives you touch. From the stages to the lobbies, Taylor and the fun and talented cast of “Grease” have touched lives.

Congratulations to Taylor Hicks and all the cast on a very successful year of “Grease” on the road!

I was happy to be along for a little part of the ride!

Photo credit: Nederlander Productions

Taylor Hicks ~ The Birmingham Blogs ~ Soul Patrol's Woodstock

I was at WorkPlay!

As I sat on a plane coming home, I thought about what I would say about WorkPlay. The memories were vivid and the music was still playing in my head…and my heart.

I made notes about what I wanted to say about “Grease,” my visit to see Vulcan, and the very beautiful town of Birmingham.

From WorkPlay, I could still feel the music pounding in my heart and the excitement made my head spin. Yet, I couldn’t find the words for what I had experienced. I could describe who was in the band, who joined Taylor on stage, what songs Taylor sang, how he looked and what he wore, how the crowd reacted—but that was superficial in the real schema of WorkPlay. That was only a snapshot of the moment.

WorkPlay was so much more.

Taylor had fun at WorkPlay, and he took us along on the gig!

Friday night brought us a speechless-at-first Taylor at home doing what he loves. We got a very healthy dose of everything Taylor Hicks, from the AI tour favorite, The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” which Taylor teasingly delivered with a sly grin and lifted eyebrow, to the newest sensation, “Maybe You Should,” when I reached for the Kleenex.

Much of Taylor’s live concerts are about the instruments.

We saw his deep bow to the bluesy jazz guitar of Billy Earl McClelland and his own wailing harmonica starring on “Dust My Broom,” which went on for a musical eternity, but ended too soon.

Brian Less brought his keyboards front and center with lightning fast fingers that rocked the stage as Taylor happily looked on, proving that there was much more to this show than his own stunning, raspy vocals.

The mournful flute of Jeff Lopez playing “Dixie” leading us off in “Nineteen” said what no voice could.

And we were reminded that we were, in fact, in the heart of Dixie.

On Saturday night Taylor created a SHOW that expanded the scope and depth of even Friday night’s happening. It was a rich extravaganza of people and music of which he could be proud, giving generous attention to those who shared the stage with him. He again surrounded himself with musicians of incredible talent, whom he prominently showcased like Ona Watson, Birmingham club owner who often gave Taylor a stage in his struggling years. Taylor returned the favor in the way he knew best—sharing his stage now and recognizing one of the hometown people who had been there when…

Taking a page from the rich gospel music heritage of his hometown, Taylor featured the UAB Gospel Choir on the inspiring encores, "New Found Freedom" and "My Sweet Lord."

It was the feel good sounds from my childhood when I spent every Sunday morning in church…and it WAS Sunday morning by that time!

There were also smiles for the banter and outright shenanigans of Taylor and his musicians!

When Taylor introduced his guitarist and musical director, Josh Smith from Ft. Lauderdale, Josh corrected him. Josh said that he had waited three years to tell Taylor he was from Jacksonville, not Ft. Lauderdale. And then, with a devilish grin to the crowd, Taylor asked Josh if he had paid him enough during those three years to make it “close enough?” Josh good naturedly agreed that Ft. Lauderdale was “close enough!”

There were so many layers of music and entertainment creating the WorkPlay experience. We were not just entertained; we were touched and taken along. We were given a glimpse of what this time meant to Taylor. We shared what it meant for many of us—being together and spending time with Taylor performing live.

This was Taylor and his people together again in Birmingham!

I think that WorkPlay will be a reference point—a milestone—that Taylor and his fans will look back to for a long time.

Like the Soul Patrol’s Woodstock.

Now, I was never a hippie and knew little about Woodstock at the time, but it became an icon of our generation. It was also an icon for the music and those who performed there.

As Woodstock was a coming together of people and music of an era in its own unique way, WorkPlay was a real connection between Taylor Hicks, the music and the people who came to share it. Taylor stood in the center of a mega melding of superb artists sharing their music with an over the top enthusiastic crowd in the moment and loving it—a fast fusion of hearts and souls through music.

Just like there will never be another Woodstock, there will never be another WorkPlay!

Yet, it is easy to believe that there will be other Taylor Hicks concerts where we will look back and say,

"There will never be another..."

I may have missed Woodstock, but I can look back and say…

I was at WorkPlay!


~~The legacy of WorkPlay is not the performance of Taylor Hicks. The legacy of WorkPlay is the music.

“I gotta be honest. For me, you can take it all, but leave me with the music.” Taylor Hicks

It is always about the music.

Next, The Birmingham Blogs ~~ “Leave me with the music,” my final thoughts about WorkPlay and the Birmingham experience.

Photo by San, Taylor at WorkPlay, 9.25.09.

An extensive collection of all the media from WorkPlay is available on our message board, Connections.

Taylor Hicks ~ The Birmingham Blogs ~ On any stage...

On any stage, Taylor Hicks will give his all.

The Birmingham stage would get it all and then some. And Birmingham loved Teen Angel and Frenchy!

While fans came from all over to see Taylor live at WorkPlay, they also joined locals to see Broadway Across America’s touring production of “Grease” at BJCC, a beautiful entertainment complex in Birmingham.

I expected everything to be special in Birmingham and “Grease” was no exception. I have seen it a “few” times in cities from New York to LA. I thought I had seen it all. I know now that “seen it all” never applies to anything that Taylor Hicks does.

When Taylor made his lofty entrance, the crowd went wild. They knew Taylor, and he knew them. He played the hometown crowd!

His gestures were exaggerated, eyes wider and more playful, and the smile bigger.

The couple next to me had come to see Taylor. They commented that he only had one song. They were happy when I said that he would do his own song, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” at the end.

The “Grease” showstopper is always the interaction between Taylor and Frenchy when she cuddles up to him and says in cooing voice, “I voted for you!”

In Birmingham, Frenchy’s line was literally a showstopper.

Frenchy went over the top with it, not cuddling up to him, but standing back and grandly announcing that, “I VOTED FOR YOU!” and then ran her finger down his chest.

As the crowd exploded, Taylor could only turn to the audience with a smile that had to be seen and acknowledge Frenchy’s performance with hands outstretched and fingers “asking for more” applause. And then Frenchy looked at her Teen Angel standing on his hometown stage and began applauding!

It was a priceless moment of performers connecting with the people who put them on the stage.

It was Taylor Hicks reveling in the love from Birmingham.

My first night in Birmingham had been smashing! I knew it would only get better.

I was about the meet the biggest star in Birmingham, and it wasn’t Taylor Hicks!

Next, The Birmingham Blogs~~The Iron City

Photo by san, Taylor and Billy Earl McClelland at WorkPlay, 9.25.09

Taylor Hicks ~~ New Found Freedom

Taylor Hicks spread his wings and flew…

It was a musical journey from a prophecy made when he was 18 years old in 1994 to the new found freedom of success and stardom in 2009.

It was Taylor Hicks live in concert at WorkPlay in Birmingham last Friday and Saturday nights!

On Friday night, after a funky dancing entry, he said hello to the hometown crowd with visitors from all over the country and as far away as England. Then Taylor admitted that he was speechless.

“I don’t know what to say. It’s always good to be home.”

Words were not coming easily. So he said he would just sing.

He took us back to the beginning when about half way through the concert, Taylor introduced renowned blues guitarist, Billy Earl McClelland, and the two “got down” –way down—with blues that you will never hear from a recording studio. It was music that could only happen live on stage charged with electrifying energy from a frenzied crowd.

The music pounded on your chest. It was musicians and people oblivious to all else but the music and the moment!

Taylor Hicks was in his element with the musician who perhaps started it all.

In a hat and with a broad smile, Mr. McClelland told the story that when Taylor was 18 years old, Mr. Hicks brought Taylor to him and asked him if Taylor was good enough to “make it.” Mr. McClelland said that he replied, “Well, I hate to tell you this, but, yes he is!” Taylor appeared speechless again.

At that young age, Taylor hired McClelland to teach him the ropes and he told Taylor to just “be yourself.”

Just “being yourself” got him to Birmingham last week starring as Teen Angel in the Broadway Across America production of “Grease” and to sold out concerts at WorkPlay, where he had performed as a struggling young musician.

It must have been an emotional two nights for Taylor as he surrounded himself with those who have been helped shape his path. Ona Watson, musician and popular owner of Ona’s, where Taylor has appeared throughout the years, shared the stage on Saturday night for a bluesy duet of “Woman’s Got To Have It.” Band members, Brian Less, and Jeff Lopez were part of the Taylor Hicks Band.

It was a 15-year journey from the prophetic words of Billy Earl McClelland to WorkPlay, 2009, on Saturday night when Taylor and the UAB Gospel Choir raised spirits and the roof with the gospel sounds of “New Found Freedom,” from Taylor’s latest album, The Distance.

“When I walk
I walk with confidence
I hold my head up high
When I talk
I’ve got a positive sense
Of who I am inside.

New found freedom
Let the light be my life
New found freedom
I’m gonna spread my wings and fly.”

A special commemorative black t-shirt marked the occasion in Birmingham with dates and “Grease’s” Teen Angel wings on the back.

The wings say it all. Taylor has spread his wings.

Billy Earl McClelland was right.

Taylor Hicks has “made it.”

And two nights at WorkPlay told us that Taylor Hicks can outdo Taylor Hicks.

I think we haven’t seen anything yet.


Media from WorkPlay is available on our board in a special forum, “Live From Birmingham.”
http://taylorconnections.com/index/

~More “Birmingham Blogs” will try to capture the magic of Taylor at home and all of the incredible Birmingham experience.

Photo credit: RajRae, via twitter.

Taylor Hicks ~ Birmingham week!

Taylor Hicks has been to Asia. He’s been to Broadway, to Canada and California, and to hundreds of places in between.

This week he goes home to Birmingham.

At age 15, Taylor stepped onto the stage to entertain at Corey’s Sports Bar, a biker’s joint in downtown Birmingham. There were only a few more than his age in the audience. Taylor’s first “gig” was almost 20 years ago!

The next ten years took him all over the South—the Chitlin’ Circuit—bars, roadhouses and clubs from Nashville to the Gulf Coast. He said in his autobiography, “Heart Full of Soul,” that he could always count on coming home to Birmingham for a few gigs—City Stages, WorkPlay, Marty’s, Open Door.

In May, 2006, Taylor came home as a finalist in the biggest show on the planet, American Idol. He received a huge welcome—a parade and a meeting with Governor Riley who declared a “Taylor Hicks Day.”

A few months later, he returned to Birmingham as Season Five American Idol. In the famous purple jacket with a rock star entrance and Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock, he entertained the hometown crowd on the American Idol Tour.

Taylor was home again in March, 2007, on his own beautiful tour bus with full road band and entourage in tow. He performed at the historic Alabama Theatre in downtown Birmingham as fans came from all over the country to see Taylor in his hometown.

This week Taylor is back in Birmingham on yet another stage and another rung on the American Dream ladder. He stars as Teen Angel in the Broadway Across America production of “Grease.” He also entertains in his own concerts at WorkPlay with music from his new album, The Distance, out on his own label, Modern Whomp Records.

It’s Birmingham Week again!

September 22 ~ 27 “Grease” at BJCC starring Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. Opening Night Cast Party at Rogue’s Tavern benefits Black Warrior Riverkeepers.

September 25 ~ WorkPlay concert SOLD OUT with Buffalo Black opening. Taylor appears after “Grease”

September 26 ~ WorkPlay concert with Bonnie Bishop opening. Taylor appears after “Grease.” Tickets are going fast!

Join Taylor and fans for the Birmingham experience!

It’s all special in B’ham!

Ticket for WorkPlay Saturday night:


http://www.workplay.com/workplay.asp?Page=http://www.ticketbiscuit.com/WorkPlay/BuyTickets.aspx?EID=38569&

Photos by san ~ Alabama Theatre marqee and Taylor in Atlanta, March, 2007. (No pictures were allowed inside the Alabama Theatre.)

Taylor Hicks meets the "toughest crowd" in Texas

I doubt that Taylor Hicks checked the list of co-stars as he appeared on Good Day Dallas on Fox 4 last week.

I doubt that he expected to meet his “toughest crowd” in a Dallas TV studio when he appeared on the same stage as Burt, the basset hound.

Burt, a paunchy, mostly white basset hound mix, stars in a CPR program in Dallas and appeared in a segment on Good Day Dallas when Taylor was there to promote “Grease” and sing “Seven Mile Breakdown.”

As the show wrapped up, the laid back Burt lounged on the floor, and Taylor accepted the challenge to entertain the relaxed pooch. Neither harp, poking, nor “Hound Dog” serenade in true Elvis style could rouse Burt, the perfect example of the resting heartbeat.

Taylor joked, “What a tough crowd!”

Nothing keeps us grounded like our animals. They don’t care that we are Season Five American Idol Winner, a platinum certified recording artist, or Teen Angel starring in “Grease.” None of that impressed Burt who could not be won over.

What if we could accept and know people without their titles?

Before the titles, who was Taylor Hicks? He was a singer, songwriter and entertainer. I think he would be happy to be accepted just that way. In Dallas, even that didn’t make it with Burt!

Taylor performed a rousing “Seven Mile Breakdown” with harp and a stunning black guitar.

It is assumed that Burt slept through the performance.

I don’t know why we love the unexpected so much. Perhaps it is because life sometimes becomes predictable. Animals remind us that life is not and that they are who they are, no matter what.

And then there was also the goat!

Taylor took the bull by the horns (or was that a different day?) and tweeted a good-natured review of the events shortly after the appearance:

“Goat Milker, Dog Whisperer, and Cattle Driver..John Henry move over...”

It was just a day in the life of the singer, songwriter, goat milker, dog whisperer…

It made us smile…and appreciate the unexpected!

(Photos courtesy of Good Day Dallas FOX4. Thanks for the smiles!)

"Grease" DJ is living the dream...

Taylor Hicks is living the dream. So is Dominic Fortuna who plays Vince Fontaine in “Grease.”

Dominic answered questions for TTHC about his career, living the dream, and Taylor Hicks.

The Michigan native who also played along side Taylor in “Grease” on Broadway, was asked what would be his “dream role” in theatre.

“This might sound funny, but it really is Vince Fontaine! And doing the warm-up and everything. I can't imagine anything fitting me so well! I'm living the dream! :)”

Dominic is the welcoming face and voice of “Grease” as the charismatic DJ who warms up the theatre crowds and then steps into the role of DJ for the Rydell High School prom. With a strong, dramatic voice mimicking the recording artists of the era, he brightens up the theatre before the lights go down. You would swear you were in the back seat listening to the Top Twenty! Even his instructions to turn off all listening devices are entertaining!

Dominic is friendly and personable off stage, and is so much the character that he plays, it is hard not to call him “Vince.” He attended Taylor’s show at Roxy’s and told fans afterwards that it was “great.”

Read more about Dominic’s other musical ventures, his entertainment idols, how he relaxes, and what it’s like to work with Taylor Hicks.

What is his review of Taylor’s music outside of “Grease”?

Check out the interview with Dominic on our TTHC discussion board:

http://taylorconnections.com/topic/2098274/1/

Photo courtesy of broadwayworld.com

Taylor Hicks ~~ good things will come...and they DO!

UPDATE: Good things will come....and they DO!

"Seven Mile Breakdown" is once again NO. 1 on AOL's "Most Viewed" video list!!
(July 30, 2009)

-------

I love it when things come together.

It just seemed like things came together last week for Taylor Hicks. The first hint was a twitter from Taylor that the Prime Minister wanted to see him “pimping ice cream.” i.e. The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, was coming to see “Grease” and Taylor would meet him afterwards. The prestigious Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail carried the story with pictures. It even made the political page.

Opening Night sold out in Ottawa! We know how all entertainers love the words “Sold out.” Taylor has even told us that. All the shows were packed. The Teen Angel was flying high north of the border. The rains didn’t dampen anything.

Then “Seven Mile Breakdown” video hit No. 1 on AOL Music Videos. It had been hanging out in the Top 11 for five weeks. And now, it was trumping some very impressive competition. For an artist who cannot seem to get radio play for the song, here was the same song on video topping the chart! He even talked about it himself saying it was “BIG.” It’s sits at No. 2 at this writing.

There are over 21,000 videos currently on AOL accounting for hundreds of thousands of “views.”

Taylor Hicks was the “most viewed.”

“Seven Mile Breakdown” had already been in the Top Ten on MuVids.com for six weeks!

Perhaps not quite as significant, but nevertheless “interesting,” was that Taylor reached the Top Twenty in the monthly Mr. Twitter USA contest on Tweeterwall.com. If he stays there this week, he will be permanently enshrined on the wall. Finishing No. 1 would bring even more accolades!

Taylor NOW sits in the TOP TEN in Mr. Twitter USA! Amazing, if you think about how many tweeters are out there!

All of this made me wonder how one young soul singer gets from the wrong side of Mississippi to greeting foreign Heads of State and making a music video that is the “most viewed” on the internet giant, AOL. What are the chances?

The answer that comes to mind is, “He never gave up.” Taylor Hicks never stopped doing what he loved.

Good things come to those who wait. No! Good things come to those who work their heads off to get what they want.

It’s coming together for Taylor Hicks. His years of hard work and dreaming are paying off.

Makes you want to get a dream and get to work!

Taylor came home this week and headed south to Ft. Lauderdale.

More work, and more good things to come.

Why don’t we do a little bit of the work? He deserves the help…

Keep “Seven Mile Breakdown” on top at AOL –MySpace it. FaceBook it! Twitter (or is it TWEET?) it! WATCH it! (Now, that ain’t work!)

http://music.aol.com/video/seven-mile-breakdown/taylor-hicks/bc:22321014001

Vote for Mr. Twitter USA. Hey, who knows what accolades and recognition it may bring?!

http://tweeterwall.mallplace.com/tw/usa/mr-twitter

Go see “Grease” in Ft. Lauderdale this week or when it comes to your town. Now that, for sure, is NOT work!

Let’s keep the good things coming…

I’ve got some “work” to do...

Taylor Hicks ~~ Thanks, Canada!

Canada welcomed Taylor Hicks and the cast of “Grease” to Ottawa on a grand scale. The opening night show was sold out and Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, was there.

When you are living the dream as Taylor is, what makes his list of lasting memories?

I think his stay in Canada will.

“Grease” is playing to packed houses at the National Arts Centre through Sunday. Canada’s Head of State escorted his young daughter and her friend to see “Grease” and met Taylor and the cast after the show.

The highly regarded and nationally distributed Canadian newspaper, the Globe and Mail, captured the event:

“Prime Minister Stephen Harper, his daughter Rachel and her friend Sheetza McGarry pose for a photo with Taylor Hicks after a performance of Grease at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on July 23, 2009.

“Hot: Stephen Harper. The Prime Minister took his daughter, Rachel, and her pal, Sheetza McGarry, to the National Arts Centre's Thursday-night performance of Grease. Taylor Hicks, the 2006 American Idol winner, plays the Teen Angel role. During one of his songs he did a little shout-out to the PM, telling the audience to behave because the Prime Minister was among them. The crowd applauded.”

This is Taylor’s first trip to Canada since his appearance at the Niagara Wine Festival during his 2007 solo tour. He has had many fans north of the border since the beginning of this journey. I think he added a few more this week.

One Canadian fan told me that she was sorry they couldn’t give Taylor the usually beautiful Canadian summer weather. Still, he was out and about the city viewing the beautiful and impressive Parliament buildings. He has become quite the tourist and has said many times he likes being in a city for a week so he can get to “know” it. He is even shopping locally. He was wearing a new safari jacket in media appearances this week that he bought in Philly, his last stop.

Thank you, Canada, for welcoming Taylor Hicks and “Grease!”

Canada rocks!

And lest we forget...

Halifax Airport, a safe haven for U. S. planes, September 11, 2001.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Taylor Hicks photo courtesy of http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Halifax Airport photo courtesy of www.alts.net

Taylor Hicks ~~ and the traveling show...

When “Grease” took to the road in December, 2008, there was apprehension about whether a traveling show would do well. Could people afford to go to the theatre? In the aftermath of so many shows closing on Broadway, including “Grease” in January, 2009, the future of live theatre seemed to be in limbo.

Not to fret. From its opening in Providence, Rhode Island, to its current stay in Appleton, Wisconsin, and many stops in between, “Grease” has shown that this is, in fact, a very good time for the touring theatre company. People are doing things close to home and taking “moviecations” and “statecations.” Movie attendance is up. For some, it is a return to the simpler pleasures of family get-togethers and movie nights…and going to the theatre.

I overheard a conversation at “Grease” in Tucson. A lovely lady was waiting at the stage door hoping to see Taylor and the cast. She said how happy she was to have “Grease” come to Tucson. She said most of the shows go to the larger cities like Phoenix and they have to travel to see them. She wanted to thank Taylor and the cast for coming. And as the cast came out and stopped to sign her program, she did just that.

In this age of amazing technology where the entire world can watch Susan Boyle perform live in England, hometown entertainment venues remain a stalwart juxtaposition. Technologically, we have made the distances fade away and are entertained, literally, from around the world. Yet, the theatre down the road is what touches our daily lives and lends some of the enduring character to our community. Theatre goers can wait at the stage door and meet and thank the performers for coming to their town. It is holding on to the conventional when we are being bombarded and saturated with all that is new and distant. It is something that keeps us grounded and reminds us of the treasure we have in our own backyard. I think it best that we hang on to it for a while longer!

And we seem to be doing just that. “Grease” performances this past week in Appleton were sold out. Taylor Hicks just played sold out shows in Seattle. Theatres along the West Coast were packed to see “Grease” and his Shadow Tour concerts. At the Saturday matinee in Tucson, there were entire dance troupes in the audience and many groups of young people. A young generation may have their iPods in tow, but they are showing up at the theatre. The local music halls, beautiful new entertainment venues, and stunning historic palaces are passing along a rich heritage of live theatre. It is one of our greatest American gifts to future generations. And it is not being lost in hard economic times.

If there is a silver lining in this difficult economy, it is our rediscovering what was right within our reach all along. Broadway Across America and other touring theatre companies are bringing good entertainment to our towns. And it may put a smile on a worried face, if only for a short time. For that, it deserves a resounding shout out.

Embrace a stay close summer and support professional touring companies and your local community theatre!

“Grease” starring Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel tours the country this summer and into next year bringing fun, smiles, and happy traditions to our towns. It’s a road trip that matters!

Happy summer! Happy theatre!

Go see “Grease”…


Photo: “Taylor Hicks” by Gabe Ulloa and Spence Nicholson Productions from Taylor Hicks video for “Seven Mile Breakdown” shot in Ojai, California.

Taylor Hicks ~~ says goodbye in "Sold Out" Seattle!

Taylor Hicks again takes the “Sold Out” stage as he and the cast of “Grease” play to a packed house in their final performance tonight at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle.

Wednesday night’s “Sold Out” Shadow Tour party at The Triple Door was an all-out last hurrah for the West Coast according to reports and videos. It was jamming on a week night as Taylor showed up in style with guitar and harmonica tuned to hot and an A-list of Saturday night musicians behind him turning up the heat. Seattle got a full energized dose of Taylor Hicks live on stage!

If the meter measured fun, The Triple Door audience scored big! The whole West Coast scored big as Taylor spent the last three months living and working in the neighborhood where it all started on American Idol. In a grueling schedule of eight shows a week starring as Teen Angel in “Grease,” four solo Shadow Tour shows and endless media appearances and performances in every city, Taylor was on the move. He also released his new album, The Distance, on his own label, Modern Whomp Records and shot a music video for the second single, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” without skipping a beat in “Beauty School Dropout.” Frenchy is still going back to high school. And Taylor even learned to “tweet” on the Left Coast!

The fun is about to wind down in the West. After closing in Seattle tonight, Taylor travels with “Grease” to Appleton, Wisconsin, opening on June 2nd and continues appearing in the East and South into next year.

Get ready Deeeetroit! Taylor’s next Shadow Tour appearance is at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Michigan, on June 22th. Motown is going to know that Taylor Hicks is in town!


From Seattle, “Sold out” is a nice way to go!

Safe travels to all…


Note: From here, it seems like the best of times and the worst of times…it doesn’t get any better for a stage entertainer than “Sold Out.” How very cool that Taylor Hicks can leave the West Coast this way!

But leave he must. It’s been an amazing three months out here. Of course, he will be jetting back and forth—often, we hope. And we’ll be doing a little jetting ourselves. It’s been amazing to have him in our corner of the world.

Thanks, Taylor, for coming and hanging out for a while!

~~Photo courtesy of RagsQueen at The Triple Door 5.27.09

Taylor Hicks~~ "Sold Out" in Seattle!

Sweet words for any entertainer—“Sold Out!”

Taylor Hicks has said that it means a lot to a performer to see the words, “Sold Out.” He will know the feeling tonight as he steps onto the stage at The Triple Door in downtown Seattle for the show that has been sold out for days. “Grease” performances are sold out also.

It’s a nice way to leave as he presents the last Shadow Tour show on the West Coast and returns to the Midwest and beyond for the continuing Broadway Across America National tour of “Grease.” In true Taylor fashion, we can be sure that he will return the favor to the packed house with an energy-packed performance of music worthy of goodbyes.

Seattle is set for something special…

Screencap by san from capture of AI by Gypsee, courtesy of American Idol.

Taylor Hicks ~~ the West Coast finale...

From Tucson to Seattle, the West Coast run for Taylor Hicks was memorable. But just like the iconic pop show where it all started on the West Coast, it’s ending soon—at least for this season.

Taylor makes his last Shadow Tour appearance on the West Coast at Seattle’s Triple Door on May 27th and "Grease’s " run in Seattle ends May 30th. Then “Grease” packs the lockers, the cone, and a lot of memories and makes the long haul back to the Midwest for its opening in Appleton, Wisconsin, on June 2.

For West Coasters, it is a sad realization that Taylor’s not a short flight or a day’s drive away. But our memories are vivid and sweet.

In late February, a warm and sunny Tucson welcomed Taylor and the “Grease” cast from the cold wintry climes of the Midwest. “What’s Right is Right” was out, and Taylor brought out his “Arizona shoes”—snakeskin boots to honor the appreciative Southwestern fans that packed Music Hall. Tucson was his second visit to Arizona. He brought his Modern Whomp Solo Tour to Tempe in 2007.

The first West Cost Shadow Tour performance was in San Diego. One of the songs he did was “Nineteen,” the emotional story of a war hero, from his album, The Distance. It was well received by the many Navy men and women attending the Belly Up show. Taylor dedicated it to our troops, a tradition he began with “Do I Make You Proud.”

In the glitzy LA/West Hollywood circles, Taylor rocked with the beautiful people as “Grease” played at the historic Pantages Theatre just down the street from the Kodak Theatre where he won the American Idol title in 2006. It had to bring back memories.

In March, Taylor joined in a day of purpose at the Los Angeles County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, in its 13th year to raise awareness, fund research and provide breast cancer screening and treatment to the citizens of Los Angeles County.

The long-anticipated release of The Distance on Taylor’s own label, Modern Whomp Records, hit the streets on March 10th. On March 18th at Roxy’s on the renowned Sunset Strip, the stage was set for the first performance of all the new music from The Distance done Taylor’s way—live on stage! It was a night to remember for West Coasters and visitors from everywhere! The Soul Patrol was there from many Western states and as far away as Tennessee.

As if the warm Western sun were fermenting the creative juices, the phone in the cone was born. Taylor became a "tweeter" at twitter.com/TaylorRHicks and pretty good at standup zingers from the cone, such as the latest one liner from a few hours ago: “The Cone Ranger rides again.”

Why make a video about the wrong side of Mississippi in Mississippi? Why not make it in California when you are Taylor Hicks and Spence Nicholson? So, Seven Mile Breakdown, the video, was shot in Ojai, California, with Taylor performing for the first time (I think) on a grassy hillside. It debuted on AOL Music’s Popeater.com on April 27th. It took West Coast fun to a new high. And the video has well over 84,000 views on muvids.com!

The real high in the West had to be when Taylor returned to the American Idol stage to perform his newly released country rock single, “Seven Mile Breakdown” just over a week ago. He brought down the house, brought Simon to his feet, and brought tears to the fans who remembered why they had started this journey.

Looking back, it was a pretty darn good West Coast run! A new album, over 100 performances in “Grease,” four Shadow Tours, a cone phone, a video, the National Anthem on Opening Day at the ballpark, more media appearances than anyone can count, and an Idol appearance that redefined Taylor Hicks, American Idol—not bad for a harmonica player from “back there.” Dare I say, he best return more often? Okay, that’s just wishful thinking.

Thank you, Taylor, for giving the Left Side great memories! You did okay out here! We will miss you, but we’re packing our bags.

It’ll just be a little longer flight next time… and a little more humid!

Safe travels to you and the Grease cast as you continue on tour. And come west again…soon!

~~
Important note: If you are reading this from the West Coast and you haven’t seen Taylor Hicks in "Grease" or in his own Shadow Tour concerts, don’t miss this opportunity to see an amazing performer. Blogcritic Another Chad recently called Taylor the greatest talent to come out of American Idol. Grab a ticket for Seattle and enjoy some West Coast fun!

Screencap by san from AI/FOX capture by Gypsee. Please do not repost.