Taylor Hicks ~~ Biography: The Journey, "Leave Me With the Music"

“As a kid, I knew I was supposed to entertain and perform for folks. When you have that self-belief and inner-determination, you understand there are peaks and valleys in this business, and you just keep working at it. …If you keep working, and you’re good to people, you’ll be blessed.”

In his autobiography, Hicks shares his passion for the music that saved him as a young man:

“Singing from your soul isn’t about how many notes you can hit or how long you can hold them. It’s all about intimacy and honesty. It’s about sharing your story in a song—whether is happens to be a song you wrote or one you decided to make your own.

“The only job I ever really wanted comes down to looking somebody in the eyes and telling them the truth—telling them my truth…”

Author and musician Gene Santoro wrote about Tom Waits, the staunchly unconventional songwriter and musician:

“It’s hard not to be yourself when you are as much who you are as Waits is.”

In the Waits tradition, Taylor Hicks defends being who you are:

“…I don’t think you should ever run away from who you are. Rather, I think you should run toward whomever you want to be. It’s like they say—wherever you go, there you are.”

“If you stay the same person, it doesn’t matter where you go.”

For Taylor Hicks, the final word is always the music:

“For me, you can take it all. But leave me with the music.”

~~

Sources: taylorhicks.com 2006, Heart Full of Soul by Taylor Hicks with David Wild for Random House, MTV.com, Highway 61 by Gene Santoro, broadway.com, Syracuse.com, New York Post, Music Maven, media interviews.

Photo credits: Taylor at Beau Rivage by NolaMar Images; Touring, FoxandFriends; The Distance, Modern Whomp Records; Epcot, Broadway, by San; "Taylor Hicks" Arista Records; New Journey, American Idol Fox; Young Taylor, Steven Jackson.

Compiled and written by San; updated April, 2011. Thank you for not reposting content. “Taylor Hicks Biography ~~ The Journey” is published in its entirety on The Taylor Hicks Community at: http://www.thetaylorhickscommunity.com/journey.html

Thank you for reading "The Journey."

Taylor Hicks -- "West Texas Sky"

“West Texas Sky” was written by Taylor Hicks before he also was…

“… driving away these miles
So far away from your southern home
Takin' your charms and dreams to the Golden State
Make your way, seal your fate"

following those same miles taking his dreams to Hollywood for American Idol in 2006.

This is a bittersweet song that weaves layers of colors and images as beautiful as the West Texas sky. It is laid against the sounds of the Southwest and evokes feelings as lonely as the vast open spaces that stretch for miles.

“West Texas Sky” is about an ending where

“Nobody wins and nobody loses
Just a handful of sorrows
And too many excuses”

and the beginning of someone’s dream

“…to walk beside the ocean,
Oh, and stand beside the sea”

There is something synonymous with dreams and the West. It is a poet’s place that promises hope and a bright shining new life—as Jackson Browne said, where we are, “running into the sun.”

“West Texas Sky”
By Taylor Hicks

So you're driving away these miles
So far away from your southern home
Takin' your charms and dreams to the Golden State
Make your way, seal your fate

That's when you're gone away
Where no one will hear you cry
When you're late
For that west Texas sky

When you left home, I didn't think twice
Oh, I knew, you had to roam
I knew that life was getting you down
You always feel alone when there's no one around

But who gets cut when the knife is dull?
And who gets lost when the map is full
Nobody wins and nobody loses
Just a handful of sorrows
And too many excuses

You wanted to walk beside the ocean
Oh, and stand beside the sea
And now you can't wait until tomorrow
There's so much to do
And so much to see

So you're driving away these miles
So far away from your southern home
Takin' your charms and dreams to the Golden State
Make your way, seal your fate

That's when you're gone away
Where no one will hear you cry
When you're late
For that west Texas sky

When you're late
For that west Texas sky
When you're late
For that west Texas sky

hmmhmm

When you're late
For that west Texas sky

“West Texas Sky” was first recorded by Taylor Hicks on Under the Radar, an indie pre-Idol album, and later released on Early Works in 2008, the first album for his own record company, Modern Whomp Records.

The beautiful backdrop and images of “West Texas Sky” were interpreted in video two years ago by KarinP and Allyn. With Taylor Hicks in Texas this weekend for the Ride 2 Recovery Benefit Concert, it is the perfect opportunity to feature “West Texas Sky” and their stunning video:

Many thanks to KarinP (MagnoliaBreezes) and Allyn (WhisperingPines) for their beautiful interpretation of “West Texas Sky” and for permission to share it here. (Don't ask where Taylor is singing; Allyn can put him anywhere in her graphics.)

Taylor Hicks ~~ Whomp train running

Try to understand the music industry and the major changes happening today and be confused and perplexed. It is in flux, to say the least. According to widely-read bloggers, the major labels are dead, fans are fed up paying high prices for tickets for bad seats, Madonna is not singing live on stage, and the biggest music stars in the world can’t sell out stadiums or arenas. Music is shared for free all other the internet and available to purchase by the track. How to sell an album?

What are artists to do?

Stick to the music. Make good the live performance. Carve their niche. Connect with the fans.

In January of this year, Taylor Hicks released the long awaited DVD, “Whomp at the Warfield,” captured at the historic Warfield Theatre in San Francisco near the end of the first leg of his 2007 National Modern Whomp Solo Tour. The second leg of the exhausting tour continued until November 1, ending in Philadelphia, Mississippi, at Pearl River Resort.

The killer schedule paid off, and the American Idol alum set course on a road to long term success.

This long term success of the reality music show alumni was the subject of a recent blog.

As American Idol prepared to launch Season Nine, Jayelle Hartley, a blogger at open.salon.com/blog looked “beyond the 15 minutes of Idol fame.” Taylor Hicks was on her list of 15. Her focus for his longevity was his “touring mindset.”

“So what will it take to keep their careers going into the future? Diversification is key to extending a run on the show into a lasting career. …Touring is providing the Lion's Share of income, while Broadway is cherry picking the stage proven performers. Film and TV offers are also in the works for many. Diversification is key and these alums must work hard to maintain momentum.

“Which idol alum are most likely to achieve long-term success in the entertainment industry? Here is an alphabetical list of 15 idols who may have the best chance for extended careers in entertainment.

“Taylor Hicks (2006 Season Five, Winner)
Hicks utilized his decade of experience as a professional singer-songwriter/musician /performer to sail to Idol victory. His joyful, uninhibited performances and soulful voice mobilized an enthusiastic fanbase dubbed the 'Soul Patrol'. Post-Idol, He debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his single 'Do I Make You Proud'. The album 'Taylor Hicks' debuted at #2 and was certified platinum, but sales soon flatlined due to the music industry's lack of interest in promoting the 30 year old's hybrid rock/soul/blues sound.

“Touring proved his strength when he became the first alum to come directly off the show as a successful solo concert headlining act, a status he maintains to this day.

“After a mutual split from Arista, Hicks went indie, formed his own music company and produced 2009's 'The Distance' and the 2010 concert DVD 'Whomp At The Warfield'. In summer 2008, Hicks surprised many with his Broadway debut as 'Teen Angel' in Grease. The part went over so well that he was subsequently offered a lucrative deal as their marquee star on the national tour. His box office draw has the charismatic Clooney look-alike fielding future Broadway, TV and film offers. Hicks emphasis on business and artistic control as well as a tireless touring mindset has him in the game for the long term.”

That touring mindset has served him well.

The 2007 snapshot taken in “Whomp at the Warfield” showcases mindset turned magic that made his Modern Whomp Solo Tour the …

27th highest grossing tour of 2007!

That’s pretty amazing considering how many long-established artists toured that year!

As Ms. Hartey points out:

“…he became the first alum to come directly off the show as a successful solo concert headlining act, a status he maintains to this day.”

In a cover article in the Birmingham Magazine in July, 2009, Michael Douglas of Taylor’s management team, recounted the tour’s success and said that it gave the necessary jumpstart for Taylor to pursue business ventures like forming his own recording company, Modern Whomp Records, as well as a touring and merchandising company.

With Taylor’s unwavering devotion to his music, business acumen, and tireless work ethic…

He looks headed for way beyond 15 minutes of fame.

He has said over and over that this is a marathon, not a sprint.

From Warfield to WorkPlay…

Taylor Hicks is on a long train running…

And it’s on track.


Photo by Natalie Goik: Taylor at WorkPlay, September, 2009.

Quotes from:
Jan. 8, 2010 4:06PM
Beyond 15 minutes of American Idol Fame
http://open.salon.com/blog/jayelle_hartley/2010/01/08/beyond_15_minutes_of_american_idol_fame

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 ~~ "Maybe You Should"

What’s not to like about “Maybe You Should.” It is the pure, rich voice of Taylor Hicks singing a powerful song from the heart.

The heart rending lyrics of “Maybe You Should” have the feel of resignation. When all the words have been spoken and silence is broken only by tears, there is nothing left. Painful words recall the way love once was. Yet, in spite of the resolve and promises, all that remains is to give in to the inevitable.

“If you can leave here tonight,
Baby, maybe you should.”

We hold on to love, fight for it, live for it. Sometimes, we finally give up on it. “Maybe You Should” is a last acquiescence, a death knell in “this room” now filled only with memories.

The acoustic simplicity of “Maybe You Should” leaves a blank canvass for the emotional lyrics and rich vocals. Taylor’s simple delivery is straightforward, a sigh of resignation, even as plaintive words make a last attempt to rekindle those “tender years.”

“Baby, I just keep on seeing all that moonlight shining down
The way our love could light up this little Alabama town.
I keep holding on to hope still finding reasons to believe...”

If there is a trace of underlying anger it is in realizing “there’s a lot that I misunderstood” –an anguished moment when neither words, nor music, can change life.

“If you can tear down everything we built,
Deny everything we felt,
I guess there’s a lot that I misunderstood.
If you can leave here tonight,
Baby, maybe you should."

An austere, but rich piano track moves hand in hand with expressive lyrics. Bass, guitar, drums, organ and pedal steel are so finely interwoven that they are almost indistinguishable. Their blending is such a smooth musical backdrop that the mood of “this room” is all we hear.

Vocals fade at the end like someone walking out of the room. A final “maybe you should” is a whisper in an empty room sung only for the singer. Like the door closing or the final curtain falling and the lights coming up, the last musical notes take us to another inevitable—life goes on.

“Maybe You Should” is a hauntingly beautiful, bittersweet song that finds a place in each of us where love did not last forever. It plays in that deep, hidden spot in our hearts that we cover and deny that the pain is still there. But in remembering lost love, we also remember the bright spots when love could “light up this little Alabama town.”

And so for that, we go on gambling, leaning on love, and, sometimes, walking away.

Stunning lyrics are the fire in this song. They contrive to place us in the past, the present and the probable future. Words and phrasing are creatively unpredictable—not the usual “ losing you” lyrics. They are matched by beautiful melodies that carry us through a story that comes together for the kind of musical experience that we will listen to for a lifetime.

Smokey Robinson told Taylor that the songs you record, you have to live with for a long time.

“Maybe You Should” is a song that Taylor Hicks can live with for a long time!

And so can I.


“Maybe You Should,” written by Taylor Hicks/Gary Nicholson/Michael Reid is from the album, The Distance, by Taylor Hicks on Modern Whomp Records.

Photo courtesy of RagsQueen, The Magic Bag, 6.22.09

“Maybe You Should” video capture by RagsQueen at Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta, 8.16.09




Listen to an MP3 sample of “Maybe You Should” from The Distance at TTHC Discography:

http://thetaylorhickscommunity.com/discography.html

Taylor Hicks~~tonight on American Idol..."What'd you expect?"

The harmonica was Taylor’s first instrument—the first one purchased at an outdoor sale for $2 when he was fifteen. He later disclosed in his autobiography that it was his wisest $2 purchase although the girls were not impressed with a harmonica-wielding teenager.

Taylor Hicks and his screaming harmonica has become a signature. On the stage, it can take him to his knees. He is very good. He even took it to Broadway!

When he appeared on a radio show last week in Portland, he wielded the harmonica, not to a familiar tune, but to the station’s theme song. It couldn’t have been something that Taylor had practiced or performed many times. In the background, the radio tech listened attentively, then smiled, and then smiled broadly. At the end, grinning from ear to ear, he said, “That was awesome!”

Taylor smiled and joked, “What’d you expect?”

It was just a little bit of good-natured attitude by someone who has paid his dues—traveled the wrong side of Mississippi, performed in empty clubs, sold CDs from his car trunk, and never given up on his dream. He has practiced, performed, and perfected his craft into “awesome” musical artistry.

Taylor Hicks has earned the right to a little attitude! He has the talent to back it up.

Yet, that rare bit of “attitude” is balanced by a remarkable and humble spirit that is reflected when the modest Taylor Hicks says over and over how blessed he is to have had opportunities like American Idol and “Grease” on Broadway.

Taylor returns to American Idol tonight to perform “Seven Mile Breakdown,” the new single release from The Distance, his new album on his own label, Modern Whomp Records.

We wish him the very best…

“Wield that harmonica tonight, Taylor!

And giv’em a little attitude!

You’ve got it coming!”

Taylor Hicks ~ The Distance...Birmingham to Beijing

“We can rise up toward each other
We can build a bridge brother to brother
Take the steps we need to take
To get us to a better place
Where the distance between us fades away
They’ll be no distance between us one of these days
One of these days.” ~The Distance

A Sunday morning is time to catch up on reading about what’s happening with Taylor Hicks. His "Grease" tour was heading up the West Coast with the first stop in San Diego. The Southern California crowds showed up and loved Taylor’s Teen Angel just as the Southwest people had in Tucson last week.

Thursday night, an eclectic crowd came out to Belly Up Tavern in Solano Beach for Taylor live in concert with a new setlist that included “My Sweet Lord” and music from his new album. It was Taylor’s loud and clear callout of “Welcome to whomp on the West Coast.”

It had been a good week for the beaming Taylor who greeted fans after Grease at Civic Theatre in San Diego Saturday night.

The week coming up is very special. It is one of those milestone times that mark the life of an artist who lives by his music connecting with people.

This is Street Week for The Distance, coming out Tuesday from Modern Whomp Records. Taylor Hicks will be everywhere showcasing what he and a few very talented artists have created. Empty out your DVRs. There will be new recordings, new articles and a new journey starting with Taylor Hicks.

Through the magic of this place, the internet, the journey has already reached to the other side of the planet. In the Sunday morning updates and googles there was one from China! There were the beautiful and unreadable Chinese language characters everywhere and Taylor Hicks on the cover of The Distance. There was Taylor walking on a snowy street in Chicago and singing “What’s Right is Right.” I wondered if someone watching this in China and not understanding the English lyrics would understand the story. Music and images are universal and this one told a story very well. I believe they will know the story.

Seeing and hearing Taylor from China was an appropriate beginning to this new journey on which we all embark this week. The moment was so reflective of the title song from the album, The Distance. Music is reaching around the world to places and cultures we can only meet online. We have the technology. Do we have the heart and the will?

It’s a long way from Birmingham to Beijing in more ways than one. Perhaps this new journey may take us to places that are not on maps. Taylor’s music is reaching out to others “where the distance between us fades away.”

A Sunday wish for us all:
“They’ll be no distance between us one of these days.”

A Street Week wish for Taylor Hicks:
“May this new journey with The Distance be happy and successful and take you further along the road of your American dream. Congratulations on an exciting new collection of really good music.”

Like the many other journeys of the past couple of years with Taylor Hicks, we will be there….even to the other side of the planet!

We will…go the distance.

THE DISTANCE, by Taylor Hicks on Modern Whomp Records, is out Tuesday, March 10.

The Distance ~~ Taylor Hicks

Streaming on …KOL.com

Taylor Hicks promised a musical journey, and it is on the road and rolling through genres and emotions.

AOL posted its Listening Party for The Distance on KOL.com last night. You can hear all the new songs from Taylor Hicks, create your own playlist and be part of the buzz on AOL that is so important to getting new music out there.

Taylor said the music would cross genres, and it does. The journey goes through Delta country, painful goodbyes, and hopeful pleas that “…there’ll be no distance between us one of these days.” There is fun and humor in up-tempo tracks. And The Distance tells a poignant story of the American dream cut short--one that is too often repeated.

One has to believe that this is the music of Taylor Hicks that we are suppose to know!

Listen to The Distance on KOL… It really feels like a journey!

http://kids.aol.com/KOL/2/Music/Article/taylor-hicks-the-distance

Taylor Hicks~~and the house is packed! UPDATE...

The perfect frame from Jake Davis.

"Sold Out" matters...

Please read my update!

From the Hippodrome Theatre to Ram’s Head Tavern, Taylor Hicks will perform in sold out venues this weekend. Baltimore’s Grease performances for Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8 are sold out. Taylor’s shadow tour concert in nearby Annapolis at Ram’s Head on Stage Tavern has been sold out for some time.

As Taylor introduces more new music from his upcoming album, The Distance, the crowds are showing up to experience modern whomp music live. And Taylor Hicks owns the live stage! He has said that the live performance is where it’s at and that the interaction with the audience and musicians is his source of high-voltage energy. When you see him in concert, it is evident that he feeds off that connection.

The Distance will hit the streets March 10. Taylor has performed the single release “What’s Right is Right” in Chicago at Martyr’s and 20th Century Theatre in Oakley, Ohio. He has also rolled out the upbeat “Hide nor Hair” and Bobby Womack’s “Woman’s Gotta Have It” from the eclectic track list of the independent release on his own label, Modern Whomp Records. Ram’s Head Saturday night promises more new music from the album which he has described as a “musical journey”.

Taylor talked to blogcritic Sherry Lippman about his musical style: “There's a lot of different styles that I think are reflective of my artistic expression. I think with this record I've been able to hopefully take the listener on a musical journey into the songs I've written, and a lot of them touch on different styles. But the common thread is my voice. There's a lot of storytelling in the songs. I've been able to hop into different genres and pull out the greatest music that I can.”

After the Baltimore run and a short hiatus, Taylor takes Grease and his new soul music to the Southwest for a week in Tucson, AZ, and then on a swing up the West Coast. He will make shadow tour appearances at Roxy’s in West Hollywood and Market Street’s Café Du Nord in San Francisco.

Happy weekend! It is Taylor Hicks live on stage and at his best! He will bring down those packed houses!

------------

***Update, February 8--

I was pleased to talk with someone this afternoon who was at Ram's Head last night. I was told that Taylor said from the stage:

"Thanks for coming. It means a lot to an artist to see those words, Sold Out!"

Here's to many, many more "Sold Outs!"

-----------------
“What’s Right is Right” is available for download at all digital retailers.

Thanks to the Jake Davis blog for the Perfect Frame.


For a complete schedule of Taylor’s appearances, visit:
http://www.thetaylorhickscommunity.com/

Sources: Quote from Blogcritic Sherry Lippman

Taylor Hicks--across four Januaries...

January 17 has been a good day for Taylor Hicks.

January 17, 2006~~American Idol Season 5 premiered with a two hour special. Unknown to the rest of the world at the time, Taylor Hicks, struggling to make his voice heard, had in his hand the golden ticket to Hollywood and the competition that would change his life forever. It was a year that would change many of our lives.

January 17, 2007~~“Taylor Hicks,” his first post-Idol album, was certified platinum by RIAA. With a grueling American Idol tour behind him, “Taylor Hicks” on the street, and his first Modern Whomp Solo Tour ahead, this platinum-certified artist and his fans prepared for travel, travel and more travel. This year was headed out on tour with Taylor Hicks, who set a new standard for touring musicians that said never phone it in, and you can still sing your heart out when you are sick. It was a year that few of us will ever forget!

January 17, 2008~~ A relaxed and smiling, Taylor Hicks played a respectable game of golf in the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs. The beautiful day in Southern California was the calm before the storm. Broadway was waiting! This year was going to sparkle on the Broadway stage. 2008 was indeed another memorable year!

Today, January 17, 2009, Taylor will do what he loves most…entertaining people with his music. After his Grease performances, Taylor will take the stage at Martyr’s in Chicago where it is presumed that he will perform for the first time his new single release, “What’s Right is Right.” If anyone can warm up a cold Chicago, it is Taylor!

As Taylor proudly brings to Martyr’s his new music, this year promises a new journey paved with Taylor’s own incredible music, more travel, and more amazing memories.

Not bad for four Januaries!

Congratulations, Taylor! You’ve come a long way in three short years. Revel in this day at Martyr’s with a new song for another exciting journey!

It’s a good day!

“What’s Right is Right” impacts radio play on Tuesday, January 20. “The Distance” released on Taylor’s own record label, Modern Whomp Records, will hit music stands on March 10. Taylor Hicks—still making his voice heard!