Two Years and Still Going--The Distance!

On this day in 2009, Taylor Hicks released The Distance, on his own Modern Whomp Records label, with stellar collaborations of songwriters and producer, Simon Climie. Stellar, too, were the back up musicians—from Eric Clapton’s band!

One record, so much music!

“What’s Right is Right” was the first pre-release single with the beautiful retro-chic Chicago-on-a-snowy-night music video by New York filmmaker, Jake Davis.

As The Distance hit the streets, fans were packed for Roxy’s where in just a few days, we would experience the real music of The Distance—Taylor’s first live concert after its release. He bounded onto the stage that night to the striking notes of the title song.

Taylor Hicks at Roxy's March 18, 2009, after release of The Distance (photo by San)

The eclectic music of The Distance would come to many stages in so many places as it went along on the National Broadway Tour of “Grease.” Taylor sang “What’s Right is Right” and later, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” as an encore on the “Grease” stage after every performance. It was the “cutting edge” for releasing a new album onto the music scene.

I took an initial look at the tracks in “The Distance…first impressions” the day following its release:

http://thetaylorhickscommunity.blogspot.com/2009/03/taylor-hicksthe-distancefirst.html

And reaction to the music grew and evolved.

“I Live on a Battlefield” was not a favorite at first. “Talk about a dark horse coming on strong.” It has become the most pounding, energetic track on the album. In concert, it is unparalleled for getting the heart pumping.

“Maybe You Should” was the heartthrob song with pure Taylor voice. There isn’t anything not to like about the beautiful lament of lost love. Taylor has said on several occasions that “Maybe You Should” is on hold for a major country singer.

“Nineteen” took us out of ourselves and gave us all the opportunity to honor our heroes, and Taylor began an effort to always thank our troops whenever we see them. The poignant story and Jeff Lopez’s “Dixie” flute line at the end took us out of the music and made it something much more.

“Seven Mile Breakdown,” the second single release, was raucous delta rock with country down laid on top! And a music video from Oregon film maker, Spence Nicholson, was miles and miles from the first snowy Chicago one. Delta country went to the California hills and the two married very well in a fun music outing that was No. 1 on the AOL and MuVids music video charts for months.

And “Seven Mile Breakdown” took Taylor Hicks back to the American Idol stage that year for one delta-rocks-with-attitude evening! Delta down was up that night. Way up. Taylor Hicks brought it!

Taylor Hicks rocks American Idol, 2009, performing "Seven Mile Breakdown" (screencap by Gypsee)

The Distance has seen glorious days and rocked out stages in two short years.

A good run—but it’s not over.

Taylor Hicks always mixes it up. With his unique performances and infusion of new covers, The Distance concert that first played at Roxy’s in 2009 is as new and vibrant today as it was then.

There is still an opportunity to enjoy The Distance music on tour before it is, at least slightly, eclipsed by a new and exciting album from Taylor Hicks slated for “late fall,” that he describes as country soul.

Taylor has said that you have to live with the music you record for a long time.

Fair enough. We can live with the music on The Distance for a long time!

Check out our TTHC Discography for music from The Distance.

http://www.thetaylorhickscommunity.com/distance.html


Check out the Taylor Hicks 2011 Concert schedule for The Distance music LIVE…the best way to go… The Distance!

~~~

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~~"Seven Mile Breakdown" filmmaker talks to TTHC...

“I just love making music videos in general. I love music of all kinds, and I love film making, so to me I have the best job in the world.” Spence Nicholson

With the enthusiasm for music and filmmaking of Spence Nicholson and the camera friendly smiles and vocals of Taylor Hicks, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” hit the music video screen and shot up Top Video lists everywhere.

They made magic and the viewers came.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” has been the No. 1 music video on MuVids.com Top 200 List for five weeks with over 200,000 views and No. 1 in MuVids country genre’s Top Ten List. It reached the top of Yahoo Music List and No. 2 on AOL list of Most Viewed music videos.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” is the country rock single release by Taylor Hicks from his current album, The Distance, out on his own label, Modern Whomp Records.

Spence Nicholson, award winning filmmaker from Portland, Oregon, talked to TTHC about the one-day video shoot in Ojai, California, that he called the smoothest video shoot he has ever done.

If you haven’t seen “Seven Mile Breakdown,” give yourself a treat and watch our embed. Then read Spence Nicholson's entire interview including the memorable moments, issues of shooting video in a car, and Taylor’s specific wishes about the car.

http://taylorconnections.com/topic/1965619/1/#new



Photo above courtesy of Gabe Ulloa and Spence Nicholson Productions.

Taylor Hicks ~~ "Seven Mile Breakdown" ~~ No. 1 video on MuVids.com Top 200 List...

A lot of people think that “Seven Mile Breakdown,” the video by Taylor Hicks, is worth watching—actually almost 120,000.

*UPDATE 6.27.09: a very impressive 163,788 and still No. 1!

The country rock romp that captures a new side of Taylor Hicks and brings a California hilltop to life has grabbed the Number One spot on MuVids Top 200 List of videos! MuVids.com is touted as the home of the “latest and hottest music videos online.”

Although “Seven Mile Breakdown” was added to the country genre on MuVids.com, it has reached the top place in the site’s Top 200 List. It beat out the pop favorites Pussy Cat Dolls, The Black Eyed Peas and Lady GaGa. And it is the only video from the country music genre in the Top Ten.

It is also the Number One music video on the site’s Country Music Top Ten List ranking above some very impressive country music stars.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” premiered on the MuVids website in May, 2009, when it was released as the second single by Taylor from his current album, The Distance, out on his own recording label, Modern Whomp Records.

The song is making its mark also. With impressive back up from members of Eric Clapton’s band, the delta- blues- gone- Nashville- rock tune, sits comfortably on the Country Music Chart at No. 30.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” takes country rock to the West Coast where the video was shot in Ojai, California, and created by Portland, Oregon, film maker, Spence Nicholson. Taylor arrives on scene in the classic of classic cars, a red and white Corvette and gives a free-spirited performance of “Seven Mile Breakdown” for a select group of music lovers. It’s a long way from the Mississippi delta where the song was written years ago by Taylor and fellow musician, Wynn Christian.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” is the second music video by Taylor Hicks. His first single release, “What’s Right is Right,” from The Distance was created for screen by New York videographer, Jake Davis.

This is a fun video with the charm of pretty girls, the outstanding vocals of Taylor Hicks, and a California dreaming location. How could it NOT be Number One!

It IS a must see. So, put the top down and get on out there.

http://www.muvids.com/videos/top/

Photo “Taylor Hicks” by Gabe Ulloa and Spence Nicholson Productions from “Seven Mile Breakdown.”

Taylor Hicks~~"Seven Mile Breakdown"...another surprise!

The classic of all classic cars…Taylor in denim…the winding open road…beautiful girls in a field…country rock on the hillside…more priceless smiles and expressions from Taylor…a setting sun in the West!

Words won’t match the images and vibes of this beautiful and fun video~~ “Seven Mile Breakdown,” from Taylor Hicks and Spence Nicholson.

Put the top down and cruise on over to AOL Popeater for a musical soiree just as “the sun is setting” out on the hills!

You would never know it was filmed in Ojai, California.

You caught the magic vibes, Taylor and Spence!


http://www.popeater.com/music/article/taylor-hicks-talks-new-album-grease-tour/465406

“Seven Mile Breakdown,” showcases the second single release of Taylor Hicks from his album, The Distance. Portland film director, Spence Nicholson, created the video that was shot just two weeks ago in Ojai, California. The Distance is out on Taylor’s own recording label, Modern Whomp Records, and is available at Target, Walmart, Bestbuy, Amazon and iTunes.