Taylor Hicks ~~ On the road again--the way west...

On the road for real, the Taylor Hicks National Tour leaves Kansas City today and ventures into the wide open spaces on its way west.

It stops in the stark vastness of Western Colorado in Grand Junction, at the Mesa Theatre on Thursday, August 19, for an 8:00 p.m. concert.

I have one vivid memory from many years ago of entering Grand Junction near the end of the day with the setting sun glaring in my eyes. I was amazed to recently find a great description just as I remembered it by the music blogger, Bob Lefsetz, visiting Telluride via Grand Junction:

“We left the megalopolis of Vail just before noon. The Vail Valley is one big advertisement for planning/zoning. But once you're past Eagle, you're in Colorado wilderness, following the river through the canyon to Glenwood Springs. Truly beautiful.

"And when you pass through the old town with its hot springs (very crowded today), and you don't go up the Roaring Fork Valley to Aspen, you slowly descend into Grand Junction. With bluffs on each side. Hillsides carved by rushing waters or rocks or who knows what millennia ago to reveal sheer cliffs banded in red and white and vertical structures akin to mushrooms that tower in the air like a sci-fi movie.”

Slow the bus down, boys, and enjoy the incredible vistas of this Western country!

August 19~Mesa Theatre, Grand Junction, CO 8:00 p.m.
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2805305

From the Colorado mountains to the Colorado River, Taylor, the band, and the bus with air conditioning (the lifeblood of the deserts in August), travel through some of the most stunning scenery in the West in Utah and on to the riverside Nevada gambling mecca of Dan Laughlin.

Even on the river, it is hot in August.

Laughlin is the laid-back stepchild of Las Vegas, only a short drive away. It is infused, though, with the chi-ching and lure of Lady Luck. The Aquarius Casino and Resort is a twin-towered jewel beside the river with the indoor Aquarius Pavilion venue where Taylor will perform and the Outdoor Amphitheatre, not often used in August.

In 2005, just down the road in Las Vegas, a virtually unknown Taylor Hicks auditioned for American Idol. Now he is back in the area with his National Tour on a very large tour bus!

August 21~Aquarius Pavilion, Laughlin, NV, 8:00 p.m.
http://www.aquariuscasinoresort.com/special-offers#TaylorHicks

“The Distance” has new meaning out here in the West.

Thanks, Taylor and band, for making the long trek! And thanks to your bus driver for safe travels.

Stock the bus with plenty of water and enjoy those “West Texas skies” wherever you are. We will enjoy having you all.

See you in Laughlin!!!

~~~

If you are anywhere in the West, don’t miss this time to see Taylor Hicks. He may not come this way again soon!

“Takin’ his dreams to the Golden State”~~The tour whomps the West Coast in San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, and Coarsegold, CA!

It’s our turn!!!



Taylor Hicks National Tour 2010 ~ NEW BOOKING!
Ticket links

August 19~Mesa Theatre, Grand Junction, CO 8:00 p.m.
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2805305

August 21~Aquarius Pavilion, Laughlin, NV, 8:00 p.m.
http://www.aquariuscasinoresort.com/special-offers#TaylorHicks

August 22~Anthology Supper Club, San Diego, CA 7:30 p.m.
http://www.anthologysd.com/tickets.html?date=2010/08/22&showname=Taylor%20Hicks&Show=1&time=7:30PM

August 24~Downtown Brewing Company, San Luis Obispo, CA 7:00
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2639105

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

August 26~Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, Coarsegold, CA
http://www.chukchansigold.com/PromotionsEvents/Concerts/

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

September 15~Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk, CT, 8:00 p.m.
http://www.infinityhall.com/events/taylor-hicks

September 16~Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY 8:00 p.m. NEW BOOKING-Unconfirmed at taylorhicks.com Tickets on sale 8/20/10
http://tickets.tarrytownmusichall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=1020&c=39&pg

September 18~Paramount Theatre, Rutland, VT, 8:00 p.m.
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 ~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/


~~~
Quote: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2010/08/09/telluride/

Photo credit to L.H. via TaylorHicksNews on twitpic: Taylor Hicks and Sam Gunderson at Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO, August 14.

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