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 ~~ and the traveling show...

When “Grease” took to the road in December, 2008, there was apprehension about whether a traveling show would do well. Could people afford to go to the theatre? In the aftermath of so many shows closing on Broadway, including “Grease” in January, 2009, the future of live theatre seemed to be in limbo.

Not to fret. From its opening in Providence, Rhode Island, to its current stay in Appleton, Wisconsin, and many stops in between, “Grease” has shown that this is, in fact, a very good time for the touring theatre company. People are doing things close to home and taking “moviecations” and “statecations.” Movie attendance is up. For some, it is a return to the simpler pleasures of family get-togethers and movie nights…and going to the theatre.

I overheard a conversation at “Grease” in Tucson. A lovely lady was waiting at the stage door hoping to see Taylor and the cast. She said how happy she was to have “Grease” come to Tucson. She said most of the shows go to the larger cities like Phoenix and they have to travel to see them. She wanted to thank Taylor and the cast for coming. And as the cast came out and stopped to sign her program, she did just that.

In this age of amazing technology where the entire world can watch Susan Boyle perform live in England, hometown entertainment venues remain a stalwart juxtaposition. Technologically, we have made the distances fade away and are entertained, literally, from around the world. Yet, the theatre down the road is what touches our daily lives and lends some of the enduring character to our community. Theatre goers can wait at the stage door and meet and thank the performers for coming to their town. It is holding on to the conventional when we are being bombarded and saturated with all that is new and distant. It is something that keeps us grounded and reminds us of the treasure we have in our own backyard. I think it best that we hang on to it for a while longer!

And we seem to be doing just that. “Grease” performances this past week in Appleton were sold out. Taylor Hicks just played sold out shows in Seattle. Theatres along the West Coast were packed to see “Grease” and his Shadow Tour concerts. At the Saturday matinee in Tucson, there were entire dance troupes in the audience and many groups of young people. A young generation may have their iPods in tow, but they are showing up at the theatre. The local music halls, beautiful new entertainment venues, and stunning historic palaces are passing along a rich heritage of live theatre. It is one of our greatest American gifts to future generations. And it is not being lost in hard economic times.

If there is a silver lining in this difficult economy, it is our rediscovering what was right within our reach all along. Broadway Across America and other touring theatre companies are bringing good entertainment to our towns. And it may put a smile on a worried face, if only for a short time. For that, it deserves a resounding shout out.

Embrace a stay close summer and support professional touring companies and your local community theatre!

“Grease” starring Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel tours the country this summer and into next year bringing fun, smiles, and happy traditions to our towns. It’s a road trip that matters!

Happy summer! Happy theatre!

Go see “Grease”…


Photo: “Taylor Hicks” by Gabe Ulloa and Spence Nicholson Productions from Taylor Hicks video for “Seven Mile Breakdown” shot in Ojai, California.

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.