A Close Encounter

Fresh off his American Idol 2006 tour, Taylor Hicks had another
close encounter where fate was on his side!

Our exhausted Soul Man had decided to take a little vacation with his friends for some fun and sun, only to find himself wondering if he was going to be instead plunging into the Gulf, and not for a leisurely swim.

Not a big fan of flying to begin with, you can imagine what he was thinking when midflight the pilot announced he was going to have to work on some maneuvers over the Gulf.



"It began looking like my buddies and I should have taken the Love Boat.
I turned my head and there was Charo fingering her rosary.
Watching her, I wondered if I should be getting ready to kiss my own sweet *-* goodbye.

I also remember thinking it was a real bitch that I was going to plunge into the Gulf without getting to make my album first."

With no flaps on the plane and the pilot having to land it on one of the shortest runways in the world ... the next words coming from the cockpit were "Whoa Nelly" as the pilot slammed on the brakes.

"Those are not words you ever want to hear coming from the cockpit.
In the end, however, that wild flight wasn't my big Lynryd Skynrd-like stage exit - only a memorable bumpy ride, which at that point I'd gotten pretty used to."

Now I don't ever remember hearing this story until Taylor revealed it in 'Heart Full Of Soul', and I've since wondered if Taylor became acquainted with Charo during that harrowing flight.

He does tell us that prior to that day he wasn't familiar with her until his buddies pointed out she was the lady from Love Boat.

To most of us Charo is a household name.
She is instantly recognizable for her witty humor, loveable accent and mastery of the flamenco guitar along with her trademark statement, "Cuchi-Cuchi" which has become synonymous with fun and excitement around the world.



Envisioning an encounter between Taylor and Charo brings to mind another close encounter ... Taylor and Miss Tony Braxton, comparing the photo above and the photos below I'm sure you understand why
:-)



Getting back to Charo .... quite by coincidence today I ran across an interview she did last month and I'd like to share the part that jumped right out at me ...

“I love to travel, although I pray a lot when I fly.
I don't like having nothing under me,” Charo said.
“I hate to stay home.
Then it's ‘la cucaracha' and clean the kitchen time.”

Now what were the chances that I would happen across this particular article.
Especially since it was only last week that I was discussing this very topic with Karin.

Now here is something even more interesting ... I googled Charo to see if she is currently performing anywhere.
She is, and it's tonight at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas!
Coincidence??
Well it certainly inspired me to tell this story here today!

I'm actually beginning to hear that do-do-do-do sound in my head, because here is another quote from Charo's interview, which is again going to remind you of Miss Braxton!

“Cuchi cuchi is my way to go to the bank.
I make money with it, but it is really an expression of freedom, victory, triumph - it means I'm happy and on top of the world."

Miss Braxton told 'People Magazine',
"I gave Taylor a Tiffany money clip.
"I told him "Taylor you're gonna make a whole lot of money."

Would that make Taylor Hicks' Soul Patrol! his expression of freedom, victory and triumph?


While I'll leave you today to ponder that question, here's a fun little video from Charo singing "Dance A Little Bit Closer".



Todays cup
"When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor, it's to enjoy each step along the way."