Taylor Hicks ~~ The Rear View Mirror

Not my first Jam Cruise.
Taylor Hicks had been on Jam Cruise before as a fan. This past January, he joined Jam Cruise 9 as a performer and sat in with jam bands and bands that jam like Galactic, Robert Randolph, and Mardi Gras. He hosted a floating Gong Show. This was a side of Taylor’s music that some had not seen.

An iconic capture from Jam Cruise by Brad Hodge Photos.

I think I made that dance up.
Making up dances, selling out the house, “soireeing” through the South—Taylor played the Vinyl Theatre in Florida, packed in the beautiful Beau Rivage on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, and spun the gold at Tunica Gold Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. You can check out this link for "Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks" on YouTube for the "dance" he made up.

Intense Taylor and Guitar by NolaMar Images at Vinyl Music Hall.

Unique capture by NolaMar of Taylor Hicks and Donna Hall at Beau Rivage.

"The Fall" from Beau Rivage by NolaMar.

New found “Friday.”
Playing harmonica on his knees prepared Taylor well for his debut on Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night show power sliding into the smash hit parody of Roberta Black’s “Friday” by Steven Cobert, Jimmy Fallen, and the Roots Crew on April 1. This “Friday” instantly went viral, and Friday will never be the same.

Jimmy Fallon, Steven Cobert and Taylor Hicks gettin' down on "Friday."

Professional image from Kirk Stauffer at Snoqualmie, OR.

Rough God Goes Riding.
It didn’t seem like just a new song on the set list. It was bittersweet. While Taylor played three SOLD OUT shows on the West Coast, his home state of Alabama was hammered with killer tornadoes in April—sometimes called the cruelest month.

It was that in 2011.

Taylor rushed home to lend support and a voice to his community. As he had done during the Gulf Coast oil spill, he spoke to media and appealed for help for the victims of the storms.

“Rough God Goes Riding,” which speaks of unfortunate times, quickly became a set list favorite.

Frame by San from video by Gypsee at Musica.

If it’s May, I’m in the twair.
May was a whirlwind of stages and cities from New England to the West Coast—eleven concerts or appearances in four weeks. Four were SOLD OUT. He also got his own wine label--Taylor Hicks’ Cabernet Sauvignon was corked exclusively for his concert at The Winery in New York City with proceeds benefitting the American Red Cross Tornado Recovery efforts.

The Winery's Taylor and Guitar by Mandy~RagsQueen.

“Maybe You Should” video by Gypsee at Musica yielded this Frame.

Stunning "portrait" from Jonathan's by Mandy~RagsQueen.

Music making a difference.
Spring turned into summer with musicians making a difference. Taylor and fellow American Idol, Ruben Studdard spent Sunday in the park with a free concert for the food banks in their hometown. The music community, including Taylor and an A List of music superstars like the legendary group, Alabama, came together for storm recovery in the huge benefit concert, BamaRising in Birmingham June 14. The same week, Taylor welcomed The Today Show to Birmingham with Al Roker, Paula Deen and Today’s Lend A Hand for The Community Kitchens, a longtime charity helping to feed the hungry.

This week said that there’s more to music than notes and more to celebrities than a spotlight.

BamaRising, from taylorhicks.com, courtesy Getty Images.

Who's charming who?

Paula Deen and Taylor at Today Show's Lend A Hand in Birmingham.

The backup’s good too.
The boys in the band were with Taylor all the way. Van Morrison was asked in 1981 if he would ever write and record and not tour. He said touring depended a lot on the band you have. As in 2007 and 2010, in Spring, 2011, Taylor had a “kick ass” band—Brian Less, Jeff Lopez, Sam Gunderson, Brandon Peeples, Leif Bonderinko, and David Keith.

They made it all rock and roll!


Colorful capture of Taylor and the Band at Greenburg by Anothertayfan.

Touring and summer—inseparable like Taylor Hicks and his harmonica.

BamaRising, courtesy of Getty Images via MJSBigBlog

Plan your summer getaway, staycation, or “Hell yes, I’m going to another Taylor Hicks concert” trip!

Check the schedule at the right for NEW California concert!

Happy summer!

~~~
Van Morrison interview source: http://www.vanmorrisonnews.com/

Thanks to all for the photos we share here.

Some photos were edited. Frames were cut and edited by San.

Behind the Soul: "Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks"

Taylor Hicks sits down for lunch with the staff and young people at the Big Oak Ranch where he appeared in a charity concert for the Alabama children’s home.

We see a short snippet of Taylor’s performance of “Gran Torino” for Clint Eastwood at the Museum of Tolerance gala honoring the legendary film maker.

Jam Cruise “Shotguns” place us in the party as Taylor sits in with the jam bands on the all-day-all-night music fest and as he hosts the fun and funny Gong Show.

TaylorHicksTV on YouTube has produced a video series taking along viewers as Taylor appears around the country. With an unknown “sidekick” holding the camera, we are backstage, in the crowd, and on the move with the Season Five American Idol—up close and soulful.

If you haven’t seen “Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks,” click on the links below to all the episodes. New ones are usually posted on Tuesday on http://www.taylorhicks.com/ and @TaylorRHicks on Twitter!

"Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks" by TaylorHicksTV :

Jammin on Jam Cruise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSP_rGENY9Q%22target=%22_blank"

Jam Cruise 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJrn7qmE8Ss&feature=related%22target=%22_blank"

The Gong Show Extended Edition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMv66LzNreo%22target=%22_blank"

Honoring Clint Eastwood at the Tolerance Museum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3bAPezallQ&feature=related%22target=%22_blank"

The Shops at Grand River Tree Lighting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfYgXL63sQQ&feature=related%22target=%22_blank"

Children’s Cancer Benefit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE3am4SUHG8&feature=related%22target=%22_blank"

Talk of Alabama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUvjx3SFbTs&feature=related%22target=%22_blank"

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEb8TQ5ylJk%22target=%22_blank"

The Big Oak Ranch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juBD_qMXSG0&feature=related%22target=%22_blank"

“I’m gonna tear this old place down and I’ll be on my way…”

Stay tuned onTuesdays! And enjoy “Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks”!!!

~~

Photo by Brad Hodge Photography: Taylor Hicks on Jam Cruise 9

"Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks: Jammin on Jam Cruise"

American Idol jammin’ at sea?

It’s not your Simon’s Idol.

Five years, and life after Idol for Taylor Hicks is sailing along just fine.

Taylor Hicks performs with Galactic on Jam Cruise 9; photo by Tom Zinn.

The Season Five winner recently joined in with a rock-star list of jam band musicians on Jam Cruise 9 for a week-long 24/7 floating jamfest. Taylor sat in with legends Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville, Maceo Parker, Galactic, Anders Osborne, Big Sam, JoJo’s Mardi Gras Band, and more. He officially hosted The Gong Show with all due hilarity.

Hosting The Gong Show on Jam Cruise; photo by Paul McLaren.

In “Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks: Jammin on Jam Cruise” –Taylor rocks out with other Jam Cruise artists:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSP_rGENY9Q

The weekly video series on Taylor HicksTV on YouTube captured by Taylor’s unknown “sidekick,” “Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks” takes viewers along on appearances in 2010 including Children’s Cancer Research Benefit, singing “Gran Torino” for Clint Eastwood, Jam Cruise--The Gong Show, DisneyWorld for Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, and more.

Performing "Gran Torino" honoring Clint Eastwood at Museum of Tolerance International Film Festival; photo from MJSBigblog.

For all the latest on Season Five American Idol, platinum-recording artist, Broadway star, recent restaurateur, and touring musician, check out more “Riding Shotgun with Taylor Hicks,” news, and upcoming concerts at:

http://taylorhicks.ning.com/

Taylor Hicks ~~ "Jam Cruise 9 'Future' Night' at Sea..."

Photos and videos continue to surface from the recent jamfest, Jam Cruise 9. Thanks to Butch Worrell and Concert Photos Magazine for sharing this:

JAM CRUISE 9 “Future” night at Sea/Bob Weir’s Scaring The Children and more.

By Butch Worrell

More fun than one person can handle in one night with 3 to 4 acts playing in different venues at the same time. The official theme was “Future night” and how some people dressed was quite…”different”. I managed to catch Marco Benevento on piano in the Grand Atrium, Some Cat from Japan on the Pool Deck stage, then down to deck 6 for the Teatro Carlo Theatre where Bob Weir’s Scaring the Children with Steve Kimock played til past Midnight. A bonus was catching Taylor Hicks of American Idol fame jamming with JoJo’s Mardi Gras Band on the pool deck afterward.

More photos Jam Cruise 9 from Worrell:

http://www.concertphotosmagazine.com/2011/01/jam-cruise-9-future-night-at-seabob.html

Our thanks again to Mr. Worrell and Concert Photos Magazine for sharing these photos!

Taylor Hicks ~ Jam bands--or bands that jam?

Taylor Hicks joined the large and raucous jamband community on board the MSC Poesia sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last week and immersed himself into the floating musical party.

This was not the first Jam Cruise for Taylor. He had been onboard before, as a fan.

An early-on journal entry from jambands.com about the guests, including Mr. Hicks:

“Likewise, the ship’s Pool Deck stage also hosted some intriguing New Orleans jam sessions. Galactic—the only band to appear on every Jam Cruise—played a two hour set that featured appearances by Fred Wesley, Corey Glover, Corey Harris and Mike Dillon, among others. The set came to a powerful close when American Idol star Taylor Hicks, Karl Denson and Will Bernard all emerged for a final jam. Soon after, Widespread Panic keyboardist JoJo Hermann performed with his Mardi Gras band. As its name suggests, JoJo’s Mardi Gras Band pays tribute to the Big Easy, and the group’s show featured appearances by New Orleans heroes George Porter Jr., Ian Neville, Anders Osborne and Big Chief Monk Bourdreaux. A less obvious guest was Hicks who—despite his mainstream fame—considers himself a core part of the jamband community. He even played in a Widespread Panic cover band in college.”

It was a first Jam Cruise (albeit from afar) for this fan, who wasn’t clear about the whole jamband phenomenon.

I had only heard of some of the entertainers. I went looking for that “core” that makes jam band jam bands or a Jam Cruise a jam fest. Are they jam bands, or bands that jam?

From the book, “Jambands ; the complete guide to the players, music & scene,” by Dean Budnick, (owner of Relix Magazine and jambands.com.) and Introduction by Butch Trucks:

Butch states...

“…Semantics. Let us say that what these bands share is: an ability to play and a seriousness about their music that maximizes musicianship and minimizes showmanship.”

This sounded like the Jam Cruise music I had been reading about.

“To me it is all about blurring the lines and blending all genres of music – rock, blues, jazz, gospel, soul, funk, folk, bluegrass, zydeco….Take all the great musical styles and from those innovate, interpret and improvise to produce something new and exciting….”

More of what I had just read about. I was surprised to see some genres on board: bluegrass and acoustic sets? I thought this was all loud and raucous!

According to jambands.com site:

“Though it's been pretty well agreed upon that 1970's era improvisational rock groups like the Graeteful Dead and the Allman Brothers are the forefathers of today's thriving jam band scene, it's tempting to widen the scope. Was Cream a jam band? Was Led Zeppelin? What about the John Coltrane Quartet? And hey, those wicked nineteenth century chamber ensembles - did they start the whole thing with their violins and cellos?"

From jambandmusic.net:

“…jam bands can be multi-genre. A jam band is basically any band that performs live on stage and improvises a lot of their notes. Usually these artists are more noted for their live recordings rather than their studio albums. The term was coined in the early 90s when Phish took over the psychedelic rock scene in place of The Grateful Dead.”

Wikipedia weighs in:

“Jam bands are musical groups whose albums and live performances relate to a fan culture that originated with the 1960s group Grateful Dead and continued in the 1990s with Phish, String Cheese Incident, and Leftover Salmon, among others. The performances of these bands often feature extended musical improvisation ("jams") over rhythmic grooves and chord patterns and long sets of music that cross genre boundaries.

And this definition written by Budnick for the program of the first Jammy Awards in 2000:

“What Is a Jam Band? Please cast aside any preconceptions that this phrase may evoke. The term, as it is commonly used today, references a rich palette of sounds and textures. These groups share a collective penchant for improvisation, a commitment to songcraft and a propensity to cross genre boundaries, drawing from a range of traditions including blues, bluegrass, funk, jazz, rock, psychedelia and even techno.”

So…

“blurring the lines and blending all genres of music – rock, blues, jazz, gospel, soul, funk, folk, bluegrass, zydeco….Take all the great musical styles and from those innovate, interpret and improvise to produce something new and exciting….”

Well, no wonder Taylor Hicks considers himself a core part of the jamband community!

I do know what jamband is all about!

And I know why Taylor Hicks was right at home this week on Jam Cruise 9…

~~

Photos: Pool deck from ship's webcam; stage above by supergoodmusic.com.

For all the Jam Cruise journal recaps and photos, check out our Connections Anthology:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/connections/topic/3659298/3/

Sources:
http://www.jambands.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_band

http://www.jambandmusic.net/