Taylor Hicks in Las Vegas ~~ "Twists, Turns, & Tags"

I didn’t know what tags were.

I’d been to concerts of some greats--Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Harry Belefonte, the Righteous Brothers. They sang their songs from start to finish. The music was good, and there may have been back up singers who did their backing up and choreographed dance moves.  That was a show.

Taylor calls them “songs within a song,” and they may be “ab lib” –tags. He is making it up as he goes along? What? On stage without a script? What kind of musician does that?

A very good one, like Taylor Hicks.

Tags take a song on twists and turns you never would have imagined. They are the tool of an artist weaving a unique and fun musical experience…

Songs on steroids!

I was astonished and impressed when I read the long set list with tags from the Las Vegas shows.

One of the tag-infested songs in the Las Vegas show is “What’s Right is Right,” the first single release from Taylor’s current album, The Distance.

What's Right is Right
- Mystic Church
- Tupelo Honey
- Summertime in England
- Nottinghill Gate (Gospel Music with Mahalia Jackson)
- Crazy Love (Van Morrison)
- Grease Is the Word
- No Method No Teacher
- Let's Get It On
- Thank You for Letting Me Be Myself Again
- Sweet Home Alabama (7/19/12)
- Polk Salad Annie (8/12/12)

All of these do not appear with each performance and not necessarily on a regular basis. It’s all up to the Titan of the Tags, Taylor Hicks!

“Seven Mile Breakdown” is another popular tag treasure trove:
- Get Back
- Chicken Pickin' Duel
- Running on Empty
- Grits Ain't Groceries
- Movin’ on Up
- Jo Jo was a man
- Can't Trust Your Neighbor
- Who Are You (The Who)

“In The Ghetto,” the popular Elvis classic, in a not-so-Elvis-classic version, has its share of tags:
- guitar solo (Jamie McLean)
- sax solo (Brian Gallagher)
- Harlem/Cold Baloney (Bill Withers)
- Don't trust your neighbor
- All Right
- Movin on Up
- It's Your Thing

Other tags are tucked into an extensive and impressive set list as Taylor Hicks headlines at Bally’s Indigo Room in Las Vegas. The TTHC Connections’ archive has kept this collection of the songs and songs within the songs:

From Taylor's first Bally’s run starting in June:
Livin' For the City
- On and On
The Deal
In The Ghetto
- Guitar solo (Jamie McLean)
- Sax solo (Brian Gallagher)
- Harlem/Cold Baloney (Bill Withers)
- Don't trust your neighbor
Love the One You're With
- Big Boss Man (Elvis)
That's Life (Frank Sinatra )
- Woodstock
- Fire, Fire, Fire
Maybe You Should
Nineteen
Seven Mile Breakdown
- Get Back
- Chicken Pickin' Duel
- Running on Empty
- Grits Ain't Groceries
- Movin’ on Up
I Live on a Battlefield
- Woody Woodpecker sounds while scatting
Back to Louisiana
Country Livin’ (Jamie McLean)
Takin' It to the Streets
What's Right is Right
- Summertime in England
- Nottinghill Gate (Gospel Music with Mahalia Jackson)
- Crazy Love (Van Morrison )
- Grease Is the Word
- No Method No Teacher
- Let's Get It On
- Tupelo Honey
- Thank You for Letting Me Be Myself Again
- Sweet Home Alabama (7/19/12)
- Polk Salad Annie (8/12/12)
Minute by Minute
- Arc of a Diver
- Can't Trust Your Neighbor
- Quartz Clock
Gonna Move
On and On (either Stephen Bishop or Erykah Badu)
Encore:
Viva Las Vegas

Returning to Bally’s in October, there were old favorites and new gems on the set list:
Doctor My Eyes (Jackson Browne)
Living for the City
The Deal
Back to Louisiana
In the Ghetto
- All Right
- Movin’ on Up
- It's Your Thing
Maybe You Should
Country Livin' (Jamie McLean)
19
That's Life
Don't Let Me Down
What's Right is Right
- Mystic Church
- Tupelo Honey
7 Mile Breakdown
- Running on Empty
- Jo Jo was a man..
- Get Back
- Can't Trust Your Neighbor
- Who Are You (The Who)
Minute by Minute
- Can't Trust Your Neighbor (Freddy King)
Sneaking Sally Through the Alley (Robert Palmer)
Takin' It to the Streets
Encore:
Viva Las Vegas

This should be posted with: “Subject to Change.” Taylor Hicks always “changes up things.” It is what keeps his shows fresh and vibrant. Special guests share the stage like John Popper of Blues Traveler. On a recent Saturday night, Jennifer Lynn, violinist with the Frankie Moreno band, sat in with Taylor for a portion of the show. Be prepared to be surprised with guests or a new twist (or tag) from Taylor Hicks and his amazing Vegas band.

You haven’t seen him if you’ve only seen him once!

Taylor Hicks continues to rock the set list and the tags at Bally’s Indigo Room nightly at 7:00 p.m. through December 16th and into 2013. Future dates TBA.

Catch the twists, turns, and tags of the roadhouse soul of Taylor Hicks at Bally’s Vegas while you can!    

Tickets:
http://www.ballyslasvegas.com/casinos/ballys-las-vegas/casino-entertainment/taylor-hicks-detail.html
~~~
A favorite tag, Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty” was shared by venue host, Bally’s:



*Thanks to all who share their Vegas experience and contribute to our archives of the music and shows. We would be glad to know if you have additions or corrections to our information.

**A special thanks to Cath_tthc who diligently researches, collects, organizes and posts the Taylor Hicks anthology. For more, visit:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/connections/index/

Our first business--being a fan!

My first business here is being a fan of Taylor Hicks.

Sometimes life gets in the way of life. Business gets in the way of business. We blog, post, tweet, PM, DM, and take care of the business of fandom.

Not the business of being a fan…

I love the road. I hit the road early this morning for a professional meeting over three hours away. The road is my time…just me and, yes, my Taylor music! I had not even loaded my new fancy phone with new Taylor music. Besides, I still like the CD in my hand, sliding it in, and hearing those first exciting sounds. I hadn’t heard The Distance for a long time. It quickly reminded me of what this is all about.

Caution: The exciting sounds and pounding beats of music like “The Distance” can make your foot grow heavy. I was cruising through Arizona’s high country just about to sharply descend in to the beautiful Verde Valley when I glanced down at my speed. Yipes! 80 on a winding two-lane! Taylor and I were flyin’ off that mountain!

Perhaps it was that I was running away from the Google Alert that I had read first thing this morning. You know, the usual one with someone lamenting about the unsuccessful career of Taylor Hicks. Well, it seems about the same time Taylor and I were flying off the mountain, Taylor in reality was flying to the West Coast for talks about TV and film matters and then on to Washington State for a Saturday Night concert!

Take that Google!

I reacted like a fan angry that people don’t see the successes that are building a career, creating a loyal fanbase, and never forgetting that it is about the music.

I could recount the successes, but we know about them, and we know how Taylor measures success. Taylor has simply summed up his success like this:

He is a working musician.

Which brings me back to summing up my business here:

I am a fan.

Today, I got back to that. Okay, so, flying off the mountain with Taylor music wasn’t as exciting as walking to his live concert in Laughlin a few weeks ago. But it made me realize that I am first a fan. And I was really in fan heaven today when I realized that the CD I had in my car had the bonus track, “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness,” just about my all time favorite recording by Taylor!

I hope we haven’t forgotten that we were, and are, fans first…before the boards, Facebook, twitter, and blogs! I hope we all take time to be fans and that that is our first business.

And that’s what Taylor needs first…fans who will be there every day staying connected to the music that brought us here and supporting the man AND the music that keeps us here.

Together, we can be that fanbase that gives Taylor what he wants the most—a long career as a working musician.

And that’s the business of a fanbase.

So, take that Google!!!

It was fun being a fan today!!!

Thanks to RagsQueen for the cool fan photo of Taylor in Vermont.

Taylor Hicks ~~ Rockin' on the River!

I was lucky enough to be there!

Taylor Hicks in my own back yard, or at least within driving distance, was too much! I had packed some things in clear plastic bags before I remembered that I wasn’t getting on a plane. My concert clothes could hang!

A half day road trip and I was in Laughlin, NV. Even after years in Arizona, I had never been there. It was smaller than I expected—and hotter. Both my car and my phone were telling me that, but I wasn’t prepared for the 110 degrees when I stepped out.

What Laughlin lacked in size, it made up for in sparkle and entertainment. I know I am in my favorite place when there is a poster with a picture of Taylor Hicks announcing his appearance there! That’s what greeted me just inside the Aquarius, a huge twin-towered place on the Colorado River. The River is the boundary between Arizona and Nevada with the gambling and entertainment on the Nevada side and the real world business of Home Depot and Carl’s Jr. on the Arizona side.

Casinos are born promoters. Taylor’s posters were everywhere—over the slot machines, on the walls and on free standing pedestals. At check in I was given an envelope with two tickets and a nice letter from The Aquarius: Welcome to Taylor Hicks Fans! I don’t believe we have ever received a welcome letter before!

I am very fond of tour bus pictures. I know the bus is a symbol of a dream come true. It also is a symbol that Taylor and the band have arrived safely. I actually saw a member of the band before I saw the tour bus parked close to the second floor Pavilion venue. The trailer was nearby with a Tennessee license plate and a Route 66 sign on the front! Let the music begin!

I like to explore any new area, but it was just too hot. I’m from the cool side of Arizona—Northern. Since I am not a gambler, it was a waiting game. I long ago recognized that Lady Luck was not my friend. But, hey, I was lucky enough to be seeing Taylor Hicks in a few hours—that was the jackpot for me!

I always check out the venue and know where I’m going by concert time. I don’t want any last minute glitches. This is a long awaited event. Nothing will spoil it!

It never gets old. It’s always exciting—walking to the concert.

The setup has become classic—three guitars with the shiny red one a bright splash of color on a dark stage. After the bus pictures, I am fond of the guitar pictures. Of course, they all take a back seat to the Taylor Hicks pictures!

It is amazing the connections you make and keep on the Taylor journey. I was happy to see old friends again and catch up since the last Taylor concert. One I had not seen since Roxy’s, and she hadn’t seen Taylor since then. Her enthusiasm to see him again was infectious. It was going to be fun!

It never gets old. The first notes from the band and the introduction of Taylor Hicks! And we’re rockin’ with the opener, “Love the One You’re With.”

Taylor was in a fun and chatty mood. When someone yelled out “How about some “soul patrol,” he ran to the microphone and very quickly and jokingly said an “uninspired” “soul patrol”! He asked if there were any big winners or any big losers? He was as animated as his “Teen Angel” with side glances and playful expressions to the audience. He was having fun, and it showed. So was the large crowd probably approaching 800-1,000. It was a mix of young and old, Taylor fans and casino visitors.

We were all rewarded with one of the best concerts ever. This was my first 2010 concert, but others who have attended this new National Tour quickly said it was one of the best.

I know that it was different, intense and inspired by new music and energy. It made me wonder how Taylor Hicks continues to mix it up, make it better, and obviously love what he’s doing even more than he did last year!

That’s why we keep flying, driving and going.

The crowd showed its appreciation afterwards by joining a very long line to buy his CD, "The Distance," and his merchandise. They stayed to meet Taylor and have him sign his CD and have pictures made with him. There was no rush here. Taylor had changed from his black button up shirt to the simple black t-shirt and was as relaxed and friendly as he could be. We stood in line for a long time and there was still a long line behind us.

As I watched him, I marveled at his genuine demeanor with everyone. He took the time to make lasting impressions on those who had come to see him. He said once that he wanted to “hand deliver” his CDs because people would remember it. I think a lot of people from Saturday night will remember how they got “The Distance.”

It never gets old—the music!

He changes it and makes it better. There is no doubt whatsoever that the highlight of the concert for me was seeing the live performance of “Bulletproof!”

The music is another story that I’m going to save.

Laughlin was a great re-connecting with Taylor live on stage. There is nothing like it. It is why we do what we do!

Thanks, Taylor, for coming West! Continued success like Laughlin!

Have a safe and fun tour!

Photo by San: Taylor Hicks at The Aquarius, Laughlin, NV 8.21.10

Taylor Hicks ~~ "The Long Haul"

It had a familiar ring to it.

I had heard this many times from Taylor Hicks, who has said he is in the music business for the long haul. This is a marathon not a sprint.

And seeing the sender’s name, Bob Lefsetz, in my emails I knew I would be reading more about the music industry and longevity.

Reading this music blogger’s informative take on the business, I often think, Taylor is doing that or Taylor has done that or that is true of Taylor Hicks.

The best, but by no means all, of “The Long Haul:”

1. Focus on the music. Get it to the point where the audience only needs to hear it once to get it.

5. You must work live. It's the best way to connect with people. You've got to be so good, you close the audience. Performing is a different skill than playing in a studio. Start honing your chops now. Play anywhere and everywhere you can. Not focused on the money, but the development of stage skills.

8. Experience counts. Everybody gets better the longer they do something.

We're never going back to the sales figures of yore. Not because of theft, but because no one can get that kind of mindshare.

But you can get some traction. If you're willing to work really hard, continuously, always leading with your music.

Then this morning in my emails from Blogger Lefsetz. “Personality Counts,” which sounds like Part Two:

1. Are you willing to work?

5. Be nice to your fans.

8. Money isn't everything.

11. Passion is everything.

In your music. In your team. In your fans.

People can't manufacture passion. And human beings can sense hype and fake interest and belief a mile away. … We know when someone is testifying for real


Lefsetz references an article we saw earlier this week from Billboard that showed Taylor Hicks would be way into the top 2.1 percent of album sales with his 100,000 units of The Distance in 2009.

I could analyze, reiterate and say much about all of this, and perhaps I will another time. For now, this all speaks very well for itself.

I’ve said it before. If you want to know about music and the music industry, read this blog.

Even if you don’t subscribe, PLEASE read both of these blogs if you care about any artist wanting to “make it” and stay around for the long haul.

Lefsetz often touts the importance of the fans as he does again in these two blogs.

Are you in for the long haul?


Sources and references:
http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/

http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i4ad94ea6265fac02d4c813c0b6a93ca2
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_24/b4182092762328.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories

Note: At this publishing, the second blog, “Personality Counts” is not yet archived on Mr. Lefsetz’s site. You can read the entire text of both blogs on our message board at:

http://taylorconnections.com/topic/3418479/1/#new

Photo: Courtesy of NikkiNelson: Taylor Hicks on the Red Carpet at Season Nine American Idol Finale 5.26.10

Taylor Hicks ~~ A year of blogs...what's next?

A year ago today, Evancol posted our first blog content, “Beginnings,” appropriately about music:

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Beginnings

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life
- Auerbach

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
- Victor Hugo

Music is an outburst of the soul.
- Delius

Its language is a language which the soul alone understands, but which the soul can never translate.
-Arnold Bennett

Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.
-Edward George Bulwer-Lytton
Posted by evancol at 2:19 AM

I first signed on two days later with “We’ve Come So Far” about the many changes that had taken place, not only in Taylor’s life, but in our own lives in the previous two years.

It ended with a look to the future:

October 30, 2008:

What’s next? We went to Broadway to see Taylor as he invited us to do. Now, he is bringing Broadway to many of our hometowns! Spring will bring us new Taylor music. We see exciting prospects for the journey ahead. We’ve said it before…we will be there.

We know one thing for sure…our way will be inspired by Taylor Hicks. His quest for something more in his life has made our lives richer. Someone has said that it is not the destination but the journey that matters.

We’ve come so far. We still have far to go. Taylor recently wrote with the release of Early Works, “Thanks for coming on the ride.”

Thanks, Taylor, for taking us!
~~~~

What do you see on the road ahead?
Posted by san at 11:55 PM
~~~~

The road this past year did bring us new music from Taylor and took us many places—coast to coast and back to Birmingham.

And back to American Idol.

If I had to choose my own favorite blogs from this year, they would be those in April and May around the release of “Seven Mile Breakdown” and Taylor’s appearance on American Idol performing his country rock single. That was an exciting time and fun writing!

I can’t tell you how much joy I have gotten the past year from writing about Taylor Hicks, his music, and my experiences. A blog was something I bugged Evancol about since the day TTHC went online!

As we have shared our thoughts, I hope that our dialogue has reflected our respect and affection for Taylor Hicks and our support for good music. I hope it has opened new doors in our minds and in our hearts.

Thanks, Taylor, for taking me along to some amazing places in the past year. The journey continues.

Thanks, Evancol, for giving me a place to share the experience. I owe you a lot!

Thanks to everyone for reading and leaving your thoughts. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Here we go for two! What’s next?

Fun travels to all!

Photo by raj6, "Taylor at WorkPlay."

The Distance Between Us Will Fade

Last Friday and Saturday night, I watched Taylor Hicks give two of the best performances I have seen him give in all the time I have followed him. These nights were made much more special because I had the privilege of joining forces with SOS, NFF and TOSP to bring Workplay to our members who couldn’t be there via a new type of cellcert. We pulled it off, albeit with a couple of false starts and some glitches along the way … we will do it better next time, but for less than a week of coordination, we did ok.

It isn’t the cellcert I am proud of, although I am really glad we didn’t flop! It is the admin/owners from the 4 boards, boards with different members, different philosophies and definitely different opinions, putting all that aside to bring fans together to celebrate Taylor. It is the members of the four boards who embraced the idea and supported it from the word go. It is the SPIRIT I saw in everyone who participated. There wasn’t concern over what board would get credit for anything, efforts were made to share media with everyone at the cellcert as it came in, and the members interacted with people from other boards as if they were old friends. It was all the right things a fan base can be.

I got a lot of feedback from people about how great they thought it was that the boards were working together and that it was TIME. I think it’s past time, and I hope we can keep that spirit alive going into 2010.

I want to thank everyone who participated in the cellcerts, the people who expressed encouragement and offered kind words, and especially the admin teams from the other boards, as well as my own. I am proud to have been a small part of such a dedicated and enthusiastic group. I think we were all reminded how much fun it is to share the magic that is Taylor Hicks…. And Taylor was right, the distance between us DID fade away.

That Legendary Music Icon ... Ellen ???

If you are a seasoned old timer like me, you long ago realized that AI is less about a "singing competition" and more about making some 19 and Sony/BMG folks richer.

It's about the ratings, stupid !!

AI could not have said it clearer than when they recently announced the addition of Ellen Degeneres to the judging panel. I'm sure Ellen loves music, probably owns some CD's, and certainly has the power to promote anyone she chooses. What I'm not sure about is what exactly qualifies her to judge musical acumen. She doesn't sing, doesn't produce, doesn't write or do any of the things that would give her musical opinion any credibility.

What Ellen does do is bring star power. She comes on the tail of a long time, highly rated talk show with lots of viewers. And there is the rub ... drawing new viewers and saving the ratings that have begun to slide since Season 5. She has shown her ability (a la Clive Davis) to tell America they got it wrong.

Be sure to check out this great blog piece for a deeper look into what Ellen brings to AI:

Idolizing Ellen
http://www.writeonnewjersey.com/2009/09/idolizing-ellen/

By the way, if you don't know, Rewind of Season 5 is just starting to air. Watch Taylor's victory again, even sweeter now that you have followed him and know his story.

Taylor Hicks ~~ New Found Freedom

Taylor Hicks spread his wings and flew…

It was a musical journey from a prophecy made when he was 18 years old in 1994 to the new found freedom of success and stardom in 2009.

It was Taylor Hicks live in concert at WorkPlay in Birmingham last Friday and Saturday nights!

On Friday night, after a funky dancing entry, he said hello to the hometown crowd with visitors from all over the country and as far away as England. Then Taylor admitted that he was speechless.

“I don’t know what to say. It’s always good to be home.”

Words were not coming easily. So he said he would just sing.

He took us back to the beginning when about half way through the concert, Taylor introduced renowned blues guitarist, Billy Earl McClelland, and the two “got down” –way down—with blues that you will never hear from a recording studio. It was music that could only happen live on stage charged with electrifying energy from a frenzied crowd.

The music pounded on your chest. It was musicians and people oblivious to all else but the music and the moment!

Taylor Hicks was in his element with the musician who perhaps started it all.

In a hat and with a broad smile, Mr. McClelland told the story that when Taylor was 18 years old, Mr. Hicks brought Taylor to him and asked him if Taylor was good enough to “make it.” Mr. McClelland said that he replied, “Well, I hate to tell you this, but, yes he is!” Taylor appeared speechless again.

At that young age, Taylor hired McClelland to teach him the ropes and he told Taylor to just “be yourself.”

Just “being yourself” got him to Birmingham last week starring as Teen Angel in the Broadway Across America production of “Grease” and to sold out concerts at WorkPlay, where he had performed as a struggling young musician.

It must have been an emotional two nights for Taylor as he surrounded himself with those who have been helped shape his path. Ona Watson, musician and popular owner of Ona’s, where Taylor has appeared throughout the years, shared the stage on Saturday night for a bluesy duet of “Woman’s Got To Have It.” Band members, Brian Less, and Jeff Lopez were part of the Taylor Hicks Band.

It was a 15-year journey from the prophetic words of Billy Earl McClelland to WorkPlay, 2009, on Saturday night when Taylor and the UAB Gospel Choir raised spirits and the roof with the gospel sounds of “New Found Freedom,” from Taylor’s latest album, The Distance.

“When I walk
I walk with confidence
I hold my head up high
When I talk
I’ve got a positive sense
Of who I am inside.

New found freedom
Let the light be my life
New found freedom
I’m gonna spread my wings and fly.”

A special commemorative black t-shirt marked the occasion in Birmingham with dates and “Grease’s” Teen Angel wings on the back.

The wings say it all. Taylor has spread his wings.

Billy Earl McClelland was right.

Taylor Hicks has “made it.”

And two nights at WorkPlay told us that Taylor Hicks can outdo Taylor Hicks.

I think we haven’t seen anything yet.


Media from WorkPlay is available on our board in a special forum, “Live From Birmingham.”
http://taylorconnections.com/index/

~More “Birmingham Blogs” will try to capture the magic of Taylor at home and all of the incredible Birmingham experience.

Photo credit: RajRae, via twitter.

Taylor Hicks ~~ the chant in the stadium

Taylor Hicks makes the music, we make the chant.

The world talks on twitter. It’s a place for Who’s Who in the World and for Who’s Who down the street from you.

Social networking on twitter is a global community and a world forum. Bob Lefsetz, a widely read writer and blogger about the music industry, recently wrote about the relevancy of social networking:

“The power of social networking sites are in the PEOPLE that comprise it. From a marketing standpoint, twitter is best viewed as the ultimate in word-of-mouth amplifiers.”

He posted this “Email of the Day” in which Chris Schetter described the power in social networking like a chant.

“Twitter, in this sense, can be condensed to a stadium full of people. Most everyone's yelling something, and as a whole it's an incomprehensible wash of noise. Every once in a while, someone will start a chant...others pick it up and it grows...maybe to the point where it's audible over the rest of the noise to a good portion of the stadium, causing other people to take notice of something they otherwise might have missed.”

Lefsetz also has advice for the artist:

“Don’t lose touch…If you're a musician, focus on music. Sure, make it available, get your fans excited about it, but no matter how much you talk about it, it's not as powerful as actually listening to it. Don't forget, Led Zeppelin got lousy reviews. But the public spread the word, the public loved Led Zeppelin. If you release music the public loves, the public will spread the word, you don't even have to.”

Taylor Hicks is staying in touch. He was in touch Sunday night at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta in an intense performance of music from his latest album, The Distance. Every time he visits a local club, sits in with a band, or jams with the best, he is staying in touch with his music. He listens to it, he makes it. It is that powerful focus from which he doesn’t stray.

This is where the fans come in.

The Taylor Hicks Team is starting the chant in the stadium. We want the rest of the stadium and the world to know about Taylor Hicks and his music.

We start it, others pick it up, and it grows.

Follow The Taylor Hicks Team on twitter---takin’ it to the Tweets!

Taylor Hicks will make the music, we will make the chant!

Join the chant…

http://twitter.com/TaylorHicksTeam

Quotes: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/

Taylor Hicks ~~ "Seven Mile Breakdown" ~~ No. 1 video on MuVids.com Top 200 List...

A lot of people think that “Seven Mile Breakdown,” the video by Taylor Hicks, is worth watching—actually almost 120,000.

*UPDATE 6.27.09: a very impressive 163,788 and still No. 1!

The country rock romp that captures a new side of Taylor Hicks and brings a California hilltop to life has grabbed the Number One spot on MuVids Top 200 List of videos! MuVids.com is touted as the home of the “latest and hottest music videos online.”

Although “Seven Mile Breakdown” was added to the country genre on MuVids.com, it has reached the top place in the site’s Top 200 List. It beat out the pop favorites Pussy Cat Dolls, The Black Eyed Peas and Lady GaGa. And it is the only video from the country music genre in the Top Ten.

It is also the Number One music video on the site’s Country Music Top Ten List ranking above some very impressive country music stars.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” premiered on the MuVids website in May, 2009, when it was released as the second single by Taylor from his current album, The Distance, out on his own recording label, Modern Whomp Records.

The song is making its mark also. With impressive back up from members of Eric Clapton’s band, the delta- blues- gone- Nashville- rock tune, sits comfortably on the Country Music Chart at No. 30.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” takes country rock to the West Coast where the video was shot in Ojai, California, and created by Portland, Oregon, film maker, Spence Nicholson. Taylor arrives on scene in the classic of classic cars, a red and white Corvette and gives a free-spirited performance of “Seven Mile Breakdown” for a select group of music lovers. It’s a long way from the Mississippi delta where the song was written years ago by Taylor and fellow musician, Wynn Christian.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” is the second music video by Taylor Hicks. His first single release, “What’s Right is Right,” from The Distance was created for screen by New York videographer, Jake Davis.

This is a fun video with the charm of pretty girls, the outstanding vocals of Taylor Hicks, and a California dreaming location. How could it NOT be Number One!

It IS a must see. So, put the top down and get on out there.

http://www.muvids.com/videos/top/

Photo “Taylor Hicks” by Gabe Ulloa and Spence Nicholson Productions from “Seven Mile Breakdown.”

Taylor Hicks ~~ says goodbye in "Sold Out" Seattle!

Taylor Hicks again takes the “Sold Out” stage as he and the cast of “Grease” play to a packed house in their final performance tonight at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle.

Wednesday night’s “Sold Out” Shadow Tour party at The Triple Door was an all-out last hurrah for the West Coast according to reports and videos. It was jamming on a week night as Taylor showed up in style with guitar and harmonica tuned to hot and an A-list of Saturday night musicians behind him turning up the heat. Seattle got a full energized dose of Taylor Hicks live on stage!

If the meter measured fun, The Triple Door audience scored big! The whole West Coast scored big as Taylor spent the last three months living and working in the neighborhood where it all started on American Idol. In a grueling schedule of eight shows a week starring as Teen Angel in “Grease,” four solo Shadow Tour shows and endless media appearances and performances in every city, Taylor was on the move. He also released his new album, The Distance, on his own label, Modern Whomp Records and shot a music video for the second single, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” without skipping a beat in “Beauty School Dropout.” Frenchy is still going back to high school. And Taylor even learned to “tweet” on the Left Coast!

The fun is about to wind down in the West. After closing in Seattle tonight, Taylor travels with “Grease” to Appleton, Wisconsin, opening on June 2nd and continues appearing in the East and South into next year.

Get ready Deeeetroit! Taylor’s next Shadow Tour appearance is at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Michigan, on June 22th. Motown is going to know that Taylor Hicks is in town!


From Seattle, “Sold out” is a nice way to go!

Safe travels to all…


Note: From here, it seems like the best of times and the worst of times…it doesn’t get any better for a stage entertainer than “Sold Out.” How very cool that Taylor Hicks can leave the West Coast this way!

But leave he must. It’s been an amazing three months out here. Of course, he will be jetting back and forth—often, we hope. And we’ll be doing a little jetting ourselves. It’s been amazing to have him in our corner of the world.

Thanks, Taylor, for coming and hanging out for a while!

~~Photo courtesy of RagsQueen at The Triple Door 5.27.09

"Nineteen" ~~story of an American hero...

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”
~Maya Angelou

“Nineteen”

Nineteen, the number on his back, voted captain of his
High school football team
Took us all the way to state, got a scholarship to play
Down in Tennessee
He could catch, he could throw, he could run, he could go
Like you've never seen
Nineteen

But on the day those twin towers came down
His whole world turned around
He told ‘em all, I can't play ball
There's a war on now
So he marched right in with a few good men,
And joined the Marines
At Nineteen

He's the boy next door,
He might have carried your bags at the grocery store
Now he's somebody's son in a hole with a gun
In a foreign land trying to hold on
To his American dream
At nineteen

There's a sniper out there in the dark somewhere,
And a soldier’s down
We need someone who can duck and run
To get him out some how
Won’t one good man raise his hand,
And take one for the team
How ‘bout you Nineteen

He's the boy next door,
He might have carried your bags at the grocery store
Now he's somebody's son in a hole with a gun
In a foreign land trying to hold on
To his American dream
At nineteen

Brought him home today with a big parade
Down on main street
Got a purple heart and a silver star,
A soldier gave a speech
Said he could catch, he could throw, he could run,
He's the one who rescued me
He could have played for Tennessee
He was Nineteen
He was only Nineteen.

“That’s for our troops.” ~Taylor Hicks

Join us in remembering and honoring our American heroes this Memorial Day weekend. Their sacrifice and devotion to duty is the most precious gift of all to us and to our country.

“I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.” ~William Shakespeare

"Nineteen" performed by Taylor Hicks at Roxy's 3.18.2009

Video courtesy of PayTheDevil

“Nineteen,” was written by Jeffrey Steel, Gary Nicholson, and Tom Hambridge and recorded by Taylor Hicks on The Distance. Image is courtesy of www.democracycellproject.net.

Taylor Hicks~~and a guitar in a 'vette...

Does a guitar fit in a Corvette?

Taylor Hicks cruising a hillside in California and singing “Seven Mile Breakdown” didn’t look like he’d ever been down on the wrong side of Mississippi.

We can’t go on without a second, and closer, look at “Seven Mile Breakdown” by Taylor Hicks and Spence Nicholson.

First, I had to do the research.

I don’t mean research Ojai where the video was shot. (I’ve been there, and it is surrounded by some of the most beautiful country in the world, in my opinion. And the Mississippi delta country is beautiful and intriguing even when it shakes its finger at you.)

I don’t mean research the history and mystique of the Corvette with the fuzzy dashboard cover. (I had a date in one of those once without the fuzzy dashboard. It was also red and white, and I did get the call back, but I passed on that one, even the car. I’m not that into cars, anyway.)

And I don’t mean research the flora and fauna of the fields through which the three young pretties ran. (Someone told me it was wheat, and I said that I didn’t think they grew wheat in Ojai, but I hadn’t been there for a long time. I said I thought it was dry grass, but I’m also not into grass.)

What I really needed to research were those close-ups of Taylor with crows feet and lip sincing his own music. (Is it wrong if you lip sinc your own music?

So, for my research, I had to watch the video over and over. (I know…it’s rough, but someone is smart enough to do it.)

Did you know that crow’s feet could be so delightfully charming and expressive! The side view…just like I was riding in the passenger’s (dreamer’s) seat, was enchanting! When he has the kind of crow’s feet that the rest of us have, he won’t suffer.

The same someone who said the girls were running through wheat, said the views of Taylor in the rearview mirror were the best in the video. (She also said she was watching this through her rear view mirror. Dreamer!) They were great shots—a Taylor singing along with “how do you like me now” attitude!

The pretty young thing who wakes up like we wish we did, (but never did), has The Distance on her bureau, a green rubber ducky, makes lemonade the old-fashioned way, and gets mail from a real mailbox. (And will never have crow’s feet.)

Was that Destiny driving by the mailbox? This “head turning glance going by” is the reason for making convertibles. That didn’t take much research. (And this is my favorite shot in the video. Taylor really should watch the road, though. Maybe he’s gotten too used to having drivers.)

More fun things I saw in my extensive research:

Taylor got to drive! Didn’t he say he wanted to? (There’s something about a man and his Corvette.)

There’s a new “glory note,” or “one to watch for note”: “lose” my mind. Can someone tell me what that is called with the voice? (Whatever it is, it’s fun and puts the country in country rock.)

Seismic energy can come from a country rock singer and his guitar. (There’s something about a man and his guitar. But he’s got too many. The harmonicas would fit in the ‘vette.)

Singing in a field brings out the country in all of us. (The same wheat, rear view mirror Dreamer said there’s nothing more country than singing in a field. Okay…she was right this time.)

So, I won’t regret that I once decided to pass on a car like that.

Just look where I am now…looking at a car like that cruising the California hills driven by a blue-eyed, soulful country rock star! (I know his eyes are brown. I researched that too.)

Sometimes you just know you made the right decision!

But I still have a lot of research to do…

Thanks to Cath for some of the inspiration for this piece. Thanks to Taylor Hicks and Spence Nicholson for the rest of the inspiration!

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.

"Seven Mile Breakdown" spins on country radio!

Taylor Hicks sends his country rock hit, "Seven Mile Breakdown," from his album, The Distance, to radio today!

“The sun is sinkin’ down on the delta
Seven Miles is the only sign that lights our way
I hope someone is there to care about me
I’m gonna tear this old place down
And I’ll be on my way.”

The rowdy, bluesy country rock sound was written by Taylor and friend and former band mate, Wynn Christian. Backup includes some fine slide guitar work by Doyle Bramhall II. "Seven Mile Breakdown” is the second single released by Taylor from The Distance, out now on his own record label, Modern Whomp Records. "What's Right is Right" was released in January.

The gritty delta country tune plays out on video Wednesday on AOL.

Tune in for country rock with Taylor Hicks!

Get “Seven Mile Breakdown” on The Distance at music retailers Target, Walmart, Bestbuy, Amazon and iTunes.

Graphic by san from capture by Gypsee~American Idol_FOX. Please do not repost.

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 on American Idol~~I did it my way...

The Rat Pack meets Delta blues, and the real Taylor Hicks brings it to the American Idol stage this week.

Idol’s theme for the week’s competition is the Rat Pack standards, and I found the Taylor connection when I looked at the leader of this illustrious group, Frank Sinatra. He always said, “I did it my way.”

Taylor Hicks recently told an interviewer, “I’ve remained true to myself, and I’m still in the game!”

Taylor returns to American Idol Wednesday night with his game and his music—“Seven Mile Breakdown.” The new single release from his current album, The Distance, out on his own label, Modern Whomp Records is a true Taylor song from “the wrong side of Mississippi”—bluesy, Southern, and fun with swamp rock vibes from Doyle Bramhall II on slide guitar. Taylor says he has been on the wrong side of Mississippi in the hot summer.

“You know you hate being down before you ever love being up.”

Taylor can return to American Idol and love being up! No judges, no voting, and no bottom three. Of course, he never did have to endure the bottom three. On the stage Wednesday night will be the real Taylor Hicks—the Broadway star, platinum recording artist, concert performer, working musician—making a guest appearance with a new single release from his new album and “doing it his way.”

When Taylor competed in Season Five of American Idol in 2006, competitors were not permitted to play instruments. It was a singing competition, and America voted for Taylor Hicks. There was no wailing harmonica, rocking guitar, or amped up road band. Then the many dimensions of Taylor Hicks were seen on other stages. America got a lot more than it voted for!

The quintessential entertainer returns to the game where it all took off. It must be sweet! It must be a time to stand tall and say, “I’m a long way from the wrong side of Mississippi.”

“I did it my way.”

It would be interesting to see how America would vote for this Taylor Hicks.

I’m betting that America would get it right again!

Photo "Taylor at Roxy's" by san_tthc. Please do not repost without permission.

Taylor Hicks~~"Seven Mile Breakdown"...is new single release!

From the land of swamp rock and delta blues, “Seven Mile Breakdown” claims the raucous side of both and gets ready to roll out as the new single release and music video from Taylor Hicks!

And it's coming to American Idol! Taylor returns to the American Idol stage on April 29, to perform “Seven Mile Breakdown,” from his current album, The Distance!

“Seven Mile Breakdown,” goes to video according to an update on twitter.com by the videographer, Spence Nicholson. The Portland film maker, who studied at the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography and was mentored by the legendary Wayne Isham, will direct the endeavor that promises to be a fun ride! Shooting is scheduled for April 27th.

“Seven Mile Breakdown” was written by Taylor and friend and fellow musician, Wynn Christian. It’s a rowdy song about struggling with the road on the wrong side of Mississippi— Taylor has said that he’s been there. Now, he can look back and love being up!

“You know you hate being down before you ever love being up. Come on Mississippi, don’t point your finger at me. Just put me on your straight and narrow just as far as my eyes can see.”

Taylor talked to hometown reporter, Mary Coloruso, about this track when his album, The Distance, was released:

Seven Mile Breakdown: "Traveling to the west side of Mississippi in a conversion van with no air-conditioning in the middle of summer. That was the inspiration, and I have first-hand experience. Doyle (Bramhall II) plays a great slide guitar part in it."

With swampy rock sounds of sliding steel and relentless rhythms of the road, Seven Miles is a fun musical trip. Taylor’s voice slides, bends and growls with the mossy blues sounds of a Mississippi road house. It is a band and vocal party with each getting wrapped up in the other—a concert favorite from the first performance.

Images from “Seven Mile” flood the mind. This is a land where, in many ways, time stands still. People still live along side the two lane. There is an exquisite musical journey through this country called “Deep Blues,” a movie project that captured the music of these people who still gather on the porch and in ancient road houses to play timeless blues songs. This could be the home of Taylor’s “modern whomp.”

“The sun is sinking down on the delta. Seven Miles is the only sign that lights our way. I hope someone is there to care about me. I’m gonna tear this old place down, and I’ll be on my way.”

This is a good-natured song for the hardscrabble life in all of us, and it may just look and feel like a trip “back home.”

“Seven Mile Breakdown” will be as much anticipated as the first beautiful video, “What’s Right is Right,” from a snowy Chicago. But it may be more than just miles away from the cold, dark streets of the city.

Will he go from city chic to delta down? That’s the many sides of Taylor Hicks!

Get ready for the down and gritty Taylor Hicks!

Photo by san~"Taylor at Roxy's." Please do not repost.

Taylor Hicks~~An Indiscriminate Act of Kindness

I have been waiting for “An Indiscriminate Act of Kindness” from Taylor Hicks.

Before I ever heard the track, someone said that it would “blow me away.” It was more like it completed the many sides of Taylor Hicks, the entertainer and singer. It is the other end of the soul-rock-blues- spectrum—the storyteller with a raspy, expressive voice who gently touches notes and holds tones just for the moment and weaves them into a memorable narrative. It made me realize that I had wanted to hear Taylor “back off” the music with only the sound of his incredible voice and little more.

If “Badge” gave us Taylor rocking out the house, “An Indiscriminate Act of Kindness” gives us Taylor holding the house in the palm of his hand and telling a story that needs nothing but simplicity. From the first uncomplicated instrumental sounds, to the whisper of notes, to the emotional lines of “consider it an indiscriminate act of kindness, consider it an indiscriminate act of kindness,” you are drawn into the brief journey of these two people. There is an intense emotional depth to some lines and a quiet tenderness to others—“how can you be so kind...” It is a story made compelling by the voice of Taylor Hicks.

Taylor has brought an incredible voice to many songs—The Fall, Maybe You Should, Places I’ve Been, and Do I Make You Proud. An Indiscriminate Act of Kindness goes a little beyond all those to an almost indescribable place. Perhaps it is the social conscience of the story, the raw emotion, and the voice that all combine to produce music that truly touches the soul. Perhaps it is that nothing gets in the way of your seeing and hearing this story unfold. You feel like you are there in the room, and Taylor is simply sitting beside you telling a story that he is caught up in. If lyrics paint the picture, Taylor’s voice brings the picture to life.

This is a captivating track and a remarkable performance by the entertainer who gave us “Medicated Goo” and more recently, “I Live on a Battlefield”—performances that I also love!

I don’t know what the future of this song will be. For me, it is a milestone in Taylor’s recordings because of what it is not. It is an exquisite example of “less is more.” His voice does amazing things—a little bit in the same vein as “Georgia on my Mind” from his album Early Works. While “Georgia” is not one of my favorite songs, (I much prefer some other Georgia songs like Midnight Train to Georgia, or Rainy Night in Georgia), I recognized the unique qualities of Taylor’s voice on that recording.

When The Distance dropped and I headed to my Target on March 10, I was disappointed that they did not have the album in yet. I knew this was the song that I especially wanted to hear Taylor sing. I waited and was content to listen to 11 other great tracks. It took some doing the hear An Indiscriminate Act of Kindness for the first time.

I knew from the very first listen that it was exactly what I had been waiting for…pure Taylor voice. It unlocked that little corner of Taylor Hicks that I had yet to hear. In many ways, it is the most stunning performance yet by Taylor.

Get The Distance with “An Indiscriminate Act of Kindness” bonus track at Target stores!

Photo "Taylor at Roxy's" by San_TTHC. Please do not repost.

Taylor Hicks~~in his own words...

Grease, acting, fans, touring, and performing…

When you thought Taylor Hicks couldn't do anything more, there he was in a media blitz that kept him busier than the week before. He phoned radio stations and talked; he was interviewed and he talked more. And, oh yes, he performed in “Grease.”

I thought you might like to read in one place some of the words that struck me as relevant and insightful about this extremely busy songwriter and performer. Here is Taylor Hicks in his own words.

Taylor revealed his dilemma as he traveled from Lower Alabama to New York City to star in the Broadway production of “Grease”: “What the hell am I going to wear?” So, he designed the Nudie inspired Teen Angel suit with 13,000 encrusted rhinestones! (KFOG Radio)

“Keep great musicians around you. I still keep that mentality.” He talked about the back up band on The Distance that includes members of Eric Clapton’s touring band. (KFOG)

“I’ve stayed true to myself and I’m still in the game.” (99SanFrancisco)

“The music on the record is timeless. I’m very pleased about it.” (WRVR Memphis)

He described one of the “coolest moments” since American Idol: “Going into the White House and meeting the President. My ninth grade English teacher was Laura Bush’s press secretary.” (94.7 Austin)

In a discussion about lip syncing, Taylor gave an instance where it is totally unacceptable. “I can’t stand someone who lip syncs the National Anthem. I think that should be from the heart. I think it should be sung live every time.” Taylor will do just that at the San Francisco Giants’ season opener game Tuesday, April 7th. (94.7 Austin)

Taylor was asked about the enduring support of his fanbase, the Soul Patrol. “I think the main thing is touring. If you look at any great body of work by any great entertainer, you’ll always see that taking their show to the people and being on the road is the common thread in all of them. So for me, touring extensively is where you can come to a particular city and you’re going to have fans.” (CBS5 Sue Kwon Bay Sunday)

He spoke of being blessed to perform in “Grease.” “It’s the perfect fit. The more that I perform on that stage, the more that I think that being in a live theatre, and a live audience itself, fits me. It’s who I am as an entertainer.” (Bay Sunday)

In a somewhat surprising reveal, Taylor was asked what is next, and he talked about acting. His interviewer asked, “Is that something you’ll try? You have such a great presence.” “For right now, I need to stick to music. Music should be the common thread. I think sooner or later, yes. Learning the role [in “Grease”] is kind of an introduction to understanding theatre and acting." (Bay Sunday)

Taylor explained off camera to Sue Kwon on Bay Sunday that when the ice cream opens he can see the people. She asked him what it was like to see the audience. “I’m blessed to be able to have the opportunity to perform and be a working entertainer. I know what it’s like to not work as an entertainer. So that’s a key for being a performer…understanding what’s it like when you’re not able to.” (Bay Sunday)

Taylor talked about getting through the extremely busy schedule for American Idol participants and drawing strength from within. “You have to love performing and you have to love performing for nobody…to be able to perform for somebody.” (myFOX.la)


There is always the temptation to expound on Taylor’s words, but I am not going to. He speaks very well for himself… especially when he sings!


Get The Distance at Amazon.com or with bonus tracks at music retailers: Target~”Indiscriminate Act of Kindness,” Walmart~”Hide Nor Hair,” iTunes download~”Yes We Can.”

Photo: " Taylor at Roxy's" by San/TTHC~~please do not repost without permission.