Taylor Hicks and Elliot Yamin jammin' in Agoura Hills...

The Taylor Hicks soundcheck about 5:30 p.m. on a beautiful California evening at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills gave no hint of the surprises to come. We sat outside listening to a familiar voice through the Club’s open door.

The waiting never gets old.

After dinner, we waited until someone in a baseball cap slipped onto the dimly lit stage carrying equipment and guitar. It was Josh Smith who played guitar in the Taylor Hicks tour band in 2007! He was joining the band tonight! And he was in that old 2007 groove from the start on “Rockin’ Pneumonia” and “The Boogy Woogy Flu” tagging “Hey Pokey Way.”

“The Deal” went down next and then the always beautiful “Maybe You Should.” Next, was my personal “dark horse.” On first listen, I didn’t think I would ever warm up to it, but “I Live on a Battlefield” is hard to beat for shear excitement, energy, and momentum. It makes your heart beat!! I am hooked on it now!

“What’s Right is Right” took off in many directions with tags coming along faster than Nascars on a straightaway—“Mystic Church,” “Waitin’ for the Ya Ya,” “Moonshine Whiskey,” “99 Red Luft Balloons.”

Like the mostly blue stage lighting, the music turned bluesy when the harp came out on “Back to Louisiana.”

Taylor Hicks and his harp--all you have to say!


“Gonna Move” always has the easy, “moving” feel to it. Taylor mixes up the phrasing and timing a little bit, and it’s new again. It’s like hearing an old friend with a twist of lime.

I believe it was somewhere along here that Taylor quickly left the stage and came back in a short sleeved dry shirt. It was warm in the room!

“Hold On To Your Love” took us back to 2007 again when Taylor introduced his drummer from his National Solo Tour that year, Felix Pollard. Felix sat in on drums for the rest of the show and proved why there are drum solos.

Concerts may have encores. This show had a finale and another surprise guest. With a grin on his face, Taylor introduced his “bro” from American Idol Season Five, the “one and only” Elliot Yamin…sing like “yamin it!” Their duet on “Use Me,” with Josh Smith on guitar, Felix Pollard on drums, Brian Less on keyboards, Jeff Lopez on sax, and David Keith who had temporarily given up his drums, was a band of musicians who don’t just love their music…they are passionate about it.

That was this band this night in Agoura Hills—musicians who do it because they have to. It’s who they are, and they were having fun.

It was a pleasure being part of their fun!

“Music that controls musicians is what I live for” was on twitter recently. It seemed like some of these people were on stage in Agoura Hills this week.

~~
Taylor Hicks and Elliot Yamin ~ "Use Me"




Notes and Credits:

Quote from Connie Leinicke was in response to Taylor’s link to his early “Rehearsal’s Hollywood Nights” video to which she responded in part: “Music that controls musicians is what I live for.”

Photos and Video by San: Taylor Hicks and Elliot Yamin, “Use Me.”

Taylor Hicks ~~ Meet the Boys in the Band!

Taylor Hicks and the "kick ass" band rocked out hot and humid on the plaza this morning on Fox and Friends from New York City previewing their upcoming National Tour with “Love the One You’re With!”

This was the first look at the band that will join him for the next few weeks from Maine to California—Brian Less, Brandon Peeples, Jeff Lopez, Sam Gunderson, Leif Bondarenko, and Matt Kimbrell.

Taylor surrounds himself with the very best musicians whether in the recording studio or on stage. From rehearsals last week, he tweeted:

“The band is sounding pretty good.” And “This is some serious music. Yall ready?”

They all love to play music. It shows. This morning they lived up to Taylor’s description of playing some pretty good serious music!

Yall ready? Meet the boys in the band:

Brian Less ~ Musical Director and Keyboards
“Brian Less is from Memphis and since his nickname has always been "Little Memphis," the group came up with the name Little Memphis Blues Orchestra while brainstorming for a new name. Brian plays piano and organ for the group and shares in vocals for the group. Brian also worked on Taylor's Under the Radar CD and was a member of The Taylor Hicks Band pre-American Idol. He is quick witted, sarcastic, and incredibly funny.

Brian started playing at a very early age, taking piano lessons and developing his love of music. We are thrilled that the Original Little Memphis has brought his stellar talent to Taylor's Tour.”

Brian toured with Taylor in 2007 and appeared at most of the Shadow Tour concerts in 2009-2010. He and Taylor are long time friends and musical allies.

Brandon Peeples ~ Bass
Brandon is a 27 year old musician from Birmingham, Alabama. He was a member of the Sweetwater Road Band .

“I have supported Willie Nelson, John Fogarty, The Little River Band, Silverchair, Randall Bramlett, Jimmy Hall, Jeff Carlise, Derek St. Holmes, Taylor Hicks, and many other artists.” He lists eclectic music interests on his MySpace: Jazz, rock, funk, country…

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/brandonpeeples#ixzz0tWJmOCun

Sam Gunderson ~Guitar
Sam Gunderson is a long time member of Taylor’s musical entourage, including the AI Shadow Tour in 2006. He also did very fine vocals with the Little Memphis Blue Orchestra.

“Music is it for me. The older I get, the less apologetic I feel. Now, it’s just about laying whatever I got to give out there. …I have been blessed to work with musicians that have come into my life and changed it forever. They have taught me so much about music and life, within a simple moment of time. In their honor, I've found a new responsibility, one that finally makes sense to me. If music is the universal language, I hope that the way I speak it would make all who has come before me proud; and make my friends and family smile. For these are some of the greatest pleasures in life. As of right now I am happy to be the guitar player and musical director of the Erin Mitchell Band, and just recently produced her self titled CD. I am looking forward to the future and whatever it may bring.” (From Sam’s FaceBook)

That future brings a 2010 road tour with Taylor Hicks!

Jeff Lopez ~ Sax
Jeff Lopez—solo baritone sax performance for the Foo Fighter's My Grammy Moment Contest.

“Jeff grew up in the small town of Gloucester, Virginia. His grandfather, who played sax professionally, was his first inspiration musically. At the age of five, his grandfather taught him how to play organ. By elementary school, Jeff seriously started playing the alto sax, and at 13 had his first professional gig. Jeff toured the nation recently with Taylor Hicks during the promotional run for Taylor’s debut album. He also did a few U.S. and world tours with the legendary Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review. Jeff is currently blowing away audiences with The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (formerly The Taylor Hicks Band), The Erin Mitchell Band, and a variety of other artists in the southeast region of the U.S.” (Jeff’s FaceBook)

Jeff played sax for the memorable performance of Taylor Hicks on Rehearsals’ dot com “Hollywood Nights,” 2007.

Leif Bondarenko ~ Drums
Embracing the Man in Black
A local drummer abandons his instrument to sing Johnny Cash.
By Ed Reynolds June 24, 2010

“As Birmingham's premier drummer and "gun for hire," Leif Bondarenko has played thousands of gigs with dozens of bands in a career that spans four decades.

“Bondarenko first achieved renown 30 years ago as drummer for local legends Jim Bob and the Leisure Suits. By the mid-1980s, he had formed the critically acclaimed Primitons with Leisure Suits bandmate Mats (pronounced "Mots") Roden. He worked regularly with the late blues vocalist Topper Price throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, building a résumé that includes drumming for Wet Willie's Jimmy Hall, Charles Neville, and Rick Danko of The Band. He'll soon be touring with Taylor Hicks.

“While still earning a living playing for a number of local bands, six months ago Bondarenko stepped out from behind the drum kit and strapped on an acoustic guitar to tackle the role of lead singer for his Johnny Cash tribute band, Cash Back. His vocals are eerily close to those of the Man in Black, and the ease with which he fronts the band will surprise those who know Bondarenko only as a drummer…”

http://www.bwcitypaper.com/Articles-i-2010-06-24-236484.113121_Embracing_the_Man_in_Black.html


Matt Kimbrell ~ Percussion
Matt Kimbrell brings 28 years of experience to the drum chair. Matt didn't learn his techniques overnight - his father: pianist, vocalist and arranger, Henry Kimbrell, gave Matt his first paying gig at the age of 12. Matt hasn't left the stage or studio since. He fronted a couple of successful indie-rock bands in the 70s and 80s, Jim Bob and The Leisure Suits and The Ho-Ho Men. The Ho-Ho Men matured into Mambo Combo, a band that enjoyed 10 years of success in and around Birmingham during the late 80s and into the 90s. During that time Matt was a sideman in several new-wave, pop, roots, and party bands. These bands included: Tim Lee, The Sugar La-La's, Bud Green and The Hurlers. Working with these bands, Matt has played in every state in the union and Canada.

Matt has been involved with the band Levee Breaker for about a year and half and proven to be more than a reliable time-keeper for the band. Not only is he said to have the best meter in Birmingham, but he also has a terrific sense of melody and the ability to play great parts. Because Matt listens to great music, Matt plays great music. In a blues context, Matt's strength lies in his ability to lay down a danceable shuffle. Matt versatility as a player allow him to do brush work on the jazzier side of the 'Breakers material and rock solid playing on the R&B side.

Catch them all on the road…wherever you are!

The Taylor Hicks Summer Tour is coming to you…


**Thanks to caryl1 for photo via twitpic from the Plaza at FOXNews!

Summer Tour Schedule:
July 25~Highline Ballroom, New York City, NY, 8:00 p.m.
http://highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1568

July 27~Jonathan’s Ogunquit, Ogunquit, ME, 8:00 p.m.
http://tickets.jonathansrestaurant.com/ordertickets.asp?p=98

July 29~The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, 7:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&q=Taylor+Hicks&search.x=27&search.y=14

July 30~Crocodile Rock Café, Allentown, PA, 7:00 p.m.
https://www.crocodilerockcafe.com/ticket_order.asp?ID=2335

July 31~Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ, 8:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2497655&pl=

August 3~Ram’s Head On Stage w/Javier, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 8:00 p.m.
http://tickets.ramsheadonstage.com/ordertickets.asp?p=1779&backurl=%2Fdefault%2Easp%3FSearchMonth%3D8%2F28%2F2010%26monthsubmit%3Dx%26SearchText%3D%26Go%2Ex%3D%26Go%2Ey%3D%26pg%3D1%23abc

August 6~Fat Fish Blue, Cleveland, OH, 9:00 p.m.
http://public.eventbooking.com/publicity_display.asp?ReturnTo=public_calendar.asp&pwl=3AE.55C39D50&EventSourceID=40807007&Month=8&Year=2010

August 7~Veterans’ Park, Bay City, MI, 7:00 p.m.
http://www.ticketfusion.com/store/one/index.html?store_id=3173&page_type=sched

August 9~Reggie’s Rock Club, Chicago, IL, 9:00 p.m.
http://www.reggieslive.com/rockclub/index.shtml#x20100809210000

August 10~Sangamon Auditorium, Springfield, IL, 7:30 p.m.
http://www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium/onstage/TaylorHicks.htm

August 11~Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN, 7:00 p.m.
http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest;jsessionid=59317AAC37B38F17484A60BB66CE233D?eventId=302125&presenter=DAKOTA&venue=&event=

August 12~The Annex, Madison, WI 8:00 p.m.
http://www.intheannex.com/shows/

August 14~Knuckleheads Saloon, Kansas City, MO , 8:00 p.m.
https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale?action=selectPerformance&displayType=list&cobrand=knuckleheadskc&performance_id=1288100

August 16~The Grove, Lincoln NE 7:00 p.m.
http://www.grovelincoln.com/

August 19~Mesa Theatre, Grand Junction, CO 8:00 p.m.
http://www.mesatheater.com/events.php?ID=532 Tickets on sale July 23rd.

August 21~Aquarius Pavilion, Laughlin, NV, 8:00 p.m.
http://www.theaquarius.com/ENTERTAINMENT_TaylorHicks.asp

August 22~Anthology Supper Club, San Diego, CA,
http://www.anthologysd.com/index.html

August 24~Downtown Brewing Company, San Luis Obispo, CA 7:00 – Unconfirmed
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2639105&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeed&crosssite=TM_US:1092763:337533

August 25~The Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, CA, 7:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2489715&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeed&crosssite=TM_US:1092763:341720

August 26~Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, Coarsegold, CA
http://www.chukchansigold.com/PromotionsEvents/Concerts/ Tickets not yet available.

August 28~ Armed Forces Appreciation Day, American Idols for our American Heroes, “Bull Rigdon” Fairgrounds, Fort Walton, FL
Contact information: 850-244-8191.

September 18~Paramount Theatre, Rutland, VT, 8:00 p.m. – Unconfirmed
http://www.paramountvt.org/shows_details.php?show_id=80

September 26~SOS Children’s Villages Concert w/Matt Cusson, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA, 8:00 p.m.
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=3814

October 9 – 10 ~CONFIRMED ~Epcot Center “Eat to the Beat Concert Series, Orlando, FL, 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 p.m.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/04/eat-to-the-beat-concert-series-lineup-at-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

Resources and research by Mouser on Connections and Facebook. For more information on the Summer Tour Band visit: http://taylorconnections.com/topic/3552118/1/#new

Brian Less on Habitat for Humanity work day...

These Alabama boys gave back to their community a couple of weeks ago as they joined Habitat for Humanity for a work day building a home in the Wylam Oaks neighborhood in Birmingham. Taylor Hicks and his musical director and long-time friend, Brian Less, came to work and they both grabbed a hammer.

Brian shared his thoughts with The Taylor Hicks Community about the day and Taylor’s involvement in this worthwhile organization’s efforts to build homes and communities.

“If he could have, we would have stayed all day, but he had meetings. He loves to be giving and helping, and likes to make people happy. If he can do something to help someone, he always will…You don't think about it, you just do it. Taylor is definitely like that, too. We all are.”

Read our interview with Brian, who is now a card carrying Habitat for Humanity worker himself!

http://taylorconnections.com/topic/3125004/1/#new

Also, see our blogs below with media and pictures from Habitat for Humanity, March 18, 2010.

Taylor Hicks ~~ Building community...

Taylor Hicks came home and went to work on building homes and community. In an interview with MyFoxAl.com, he was told that it was fitting that he was there on a day when the churches were building.

“I think that’s important—being able to come back for Habitat for Humanity and see these subdivisions and how quickly they get built and also how quickly the fellowship and community of this neighborhood gets built. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come back and give back to the community.”

Then he said it was time to go to work. Along with long-time friend and musician, Brian Less, Taylor picked up a hammer and started to work.


Photos from gallery at Road Runner:

http://www.rr.com/home/topicdl/photogallery/dlt/039L2kba9oe8D

For more media from Taylor's day with Habitat for Humanity, visit the TTHC media board:

http://z15.invisionfree.com/TaylorMade/index.php?showtopic=6341&st=0&#entry9157587

Taylor Hicks~~on the acoustic stage...hold on to your heart!

It is another surprise from Taylor Hicks when we are no longer caught off guard by surprises.

Taylor Hicks disconnects the cords, turns down the amps, and strips away the gloss when he performs an acoustic concert at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Michigan, June 22nd. Joining him will be old band mate, Brian Less, on keyboards and current Music Director of the Shadow Tour concerts, Josh Smith on guitar. With Taylor on guitar and harmonica, that’s a formidable band on any stage.

Acoustic shows gained popularity in the 90s when MTV Unplugged featured artists performing their music without the high production values and amplified instruments. It was often not new music, but their hits presented in a bare bones rendition. Fans wanted to know if the music of singers like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton would stand up without all of the electronic frills. For many of music’s legends, it did. Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album in 1992 sold 10 million and he won a grammy for “Tears in Heaven” from that album.

We’ve seen an unplugged Taylor Hicks before. The first I was privileged to enjoy was in 2007 in Birmingham where he came back for the encore and sang the heart-rending “Birmingham” and “My Home’s in Alabama.” Another stirring moment was in New Orleans that year when he sang “Louisiana.” At Millersville he sat on the stool and sang “Here Comes the Sun.” These are rare times for the Taylor motion machine that wears a soaked jacket after the third or fourth song. Yet, the man and his guitar on a dark stage with the sound of pure Taylor voice are no less captivating. You are taken away by music in its purest sense.

Ferndale has a memorable evening coming. Taylor has said that he may sing “Maybe You Should” –a moment for which many of us have waited. Could we also hear “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness,” or completely new music on the set list? Has Taylor been planning this all along? Saving these acoustic gems for a change up in the intimate club shows that he says he prefers. He has always said, “The best is yet to come.” And it just keeps coming…and changing!

Is The Magic Bag a “magic bag of tricks” for Taylor—a new vibe for a show that already packs the house and brings it down. On this night in Ferndale, you can expect that Taylor Hicks will have that house in the palm of his hand.

If you go to this one, take your heart in hand. You will need to hold on to it.

Thanks to RagsQueen for the photo from The Triple Door, Seattle. Used with permission. Please do not repost.