Taylor Hicks My Idol

Taylor Hicks - Seven Mile Breakdown

2009-05-05T03:42:00.001-04:00

"Seven Mile Breakdown", Taylor Hicks' new music video premieres tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6th on AOL music!

"Seven Mile Breakdown" is the second single being released from Taylor Hicks' CD 'The Distance'. To read more about Taylor's newest single, soon to impact Country radio, scroll down to the previous blog entry. You'll also find there, video of Taylor's American Idol appearance last week, when he introduced American to "Seven Mile Breakdown". Fabulous performance, well deserving of the standing O for Mr. Hicks!

We waited, what seems like forever, to have a 'real' Music video showcasing Taylor's talents, and now within months we have two!!

I have been throughly enjoying Taylor's "What's Right Is Right" video from his first single! We are now in for a second musical and visual treat, thank you Taylor and thank goodness for MODERN WHOMP RECORDS!

Taylor Hicks - "It's good to be home on the Idol Stage."

2009-05-01T05:04:00.004-04:00

It was "Rat Pack Week" on American Idol this past week. I was reminded of the Season 5 AI tour and the many times that Taylor along with his AI5 Rat Pack would give an often surprise after-show concert in the city that they were in.

image: American Idol Season 5 Rat Pack
Bucky Covington, Ace Young, Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin

image: American Idol Season 5 Rat Pack
Soul Patrol Bus (image by Allyn)

The mantra from the judges this week was "swagger". Armed with a guitar, harmonica and a new single, "Seven Mile Breakdown", Taylor Hicks brought HIS confident swagger to the stage on Wednesday evening.

video: "Seven Mile Breakdown" American Idol 4-29-09

The audience rewarded him with overwhelming applause and Taylor, himself, seemed genuinely taken aback when he saw all four judges standing after his performance. It must have been a really "sweet" moment for him.

Taylor has not rested on the laurels of the Season 5 Idol crown. He has worked non-stop the past three years building a career in the entertainment industry. The always humble Southern gentleman thanked American Idol and his fans when he was being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on-stage. While Taylor worked for many years as a "working musician", he has always expressed his gratitude for the doors that opened for him after his win.

"Seven Mile Breakdown", is being released to Country radio stations on May 5th. According to Wikpedia, there are over 38 genres of Country music with many sub-genres. There is no doubt in my mind, that this song will find it's place in one of those genres. For me, it is very exciting to see Taylor enter the Country market. He has the genuine desire to sing a song that tells a story, he's got the whiskey-tenor voice to tell the story and he's got his trusted harmonica!

Congratulations, Taylor on a fabulous performance!

Taylor Hicks On American Idol

2009-04-23T02:32:00.012-04:00

From Taylor Hicks' MYSPACE and Taylor Hicks HQ

It's official!!!
Taylor Hicks will be performing his latest single, "Seven Mile Breakdown", on American Idol next Wednesday, April 29!
Tune into Fox at 9/8c to see Taylor Hicks back on the stage where it all began!

We've had some incredible performances of Taylor Hicks' "Seven Mile Breakdown" captured on video to whet the appetite of those of us not yet fortunate to have seen Taylor perform it live.

ENJOY!!!
Taylor Hicks @ Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco
April 14, 2009

video by: Robin Again (thank you!)

Taylor Hicks - Accoustic performance of "Seven Mile Breakdown" on San Francisco's View From The Bay

IT'S GONNA BE A LONG SIX DAYS WAITING TILL TAYLOR HICKS

ONCE AGAIN ELECTRIFIES THE STAGE OF AMERICAN IDOL!

Taylor Hicks ~ New Found Freedom

2009-03-07T03:05:00.006-05:00

Last week, we had the opportunity to have a sneak peek at Taylor Hicks' new CD, The Distance which will be released on March 10, 2009. Many of Taylor's songs have a message and, for me, the title track, "The Distance", has the biggest message for humanity.

In my opinion, there is another song from Taylor Hicks which has a very personal message of self-realization and it is "New Found Freedom". As I watch some of Taylor's most recent interviews, the lyrics to this song definitely fit the man and where he is right now.

The words below, in particular, are clearly evident in the media we have been seeing and hearing lately.

"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."
For those of us who boarded the Taylor Hicks Train at the beginning, we have shared an incredible ride!

We started here:
video: Taylor Hicks - American Idol Audition

We watched every week and saw Taylor evolve as an artist. This was an exciting moment for all of Taylor's supporters:

video: Taylor Hicks - American Idol Season 5 Finale

Listening to one of Taylor's most recent interviews, with Taryn Winter Brill from ABC News Entertainment - "What's the Buzz", gave me a sense of Taylor's "New Found Freedom". Taylor, as an entertainer and a man, has broadened his scope since that "first" day he appeared on our television screens. He does not just "talk the talk" with respect to the lyrics of this song, Taylor Hicks "walks the walk".

We are now here:

screencap caption: Taylor Hicks Goes "The Distance"

screencap caption: American Idol's Taylor Hicks

screencap caption: "Grease" Star Taylor Hicks

screencap caption: Taylor Hicks Singer/Songwriter

To enjoy this fabulous interview from What's The Buzz, click here

Mary Colurso, Birmingham News, has written a wonderful "up close and personal" interview with Taylor Hicks which gives us more insight into Taylor and The Distance.

To read Mary's full interview with Taylor click here

I really enjoyed reading Mary's interview, "Track by Track with Taylor". It gives us more understanding with respect to Taylor's perspective on the songs which have been included on The Distance. It's no secret that I happen to agree with his assessment of "Maybe You Should".

click here for Mary Colurso's "Track By Track With Taylor"

Taylor Hicks now has his own record label, "Modern Whomp Records". He is looking forward to signing other artists to his label in the future. Taylor has worked continuously over the past three years. He has literally spread his "Teen Angel Wings" and with the release of "The Distance", this artist is "gonna fly" with the "Taylor Hicks' Sound"!

Today's cup:

"As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time."
~ Denis Waitley ~

Mark your calendar and tune in!

TV Guide's "IDOL TONIGHT", hosted by Kimberly Caldwell and Justin Guarini, will premiere it's 4th season Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with special guest Taylor Hicks, season five winner of “American Idol”.

blog post and screencaps by KarinP

Taylor Hicks Did Go "The Distance"

2009-02-26T22:53:00.004-05:00

“I think a common theme on a lot of records that you hear today is that all the tracks sound like the first song that you hear on the CD, and the voice of the artist is really kind of secondary in the majority of records,” Hicks said. “I think on this particular record, my voice is a common thread, and my love for different styles of music is really apparent. I think that’s why Climie was such a wonderful producer to work with. He was able to facilitate the music on the record and mold it into the shape of my vision. Working with him was very beneficial to this project.”
~Songwriters Universe Magazine Interview by Jason Blasco~

Bloom and I were very fortunate to catch the KOL Listening Party for 'The Distance' while it was posted online. We are hoping that the preview will once again be available on March 2nd. If you have not yet heard a preview of Taylor Hicks' new CD, please check AOL Music on Monday. Taylor is scheduled to appear on Regis and Kelly on Monday, March 2nd as well. I can't think of a better way to start off the month of March!

Taylor Hicks has accomplished his goal on this CD. No two tracks sound the same which keeps you wondering what is coming next. There is something for everyone on 'The Distance'. Taylor boldly shows his unique versatility by crossing more than one genre of music!

It didn't take me long to come up with some descriptive words for the songs on 'The Distance'.

Taylor Hicks' music displays sensitivity, versatility, emotional vulnerability, compassion for mankind, understanding, empathy and perhaps most importantly, "optimism" with the title track, "The Distance".

His sense of humour is clearly evident on two of the tracks - "Keeping It Real" and "Wedding Day Blues". Taylor teams up with Elliott Yamin on "Woman's Gotta Have It". I hope that we will hear more collaborations from these two artists in the future because they really are a unique combination of talent.

If you have ever experienced "a love gone wrong", (haven't we all at some time in our lives?),"Maybe You Should" will bring you to your knees and tears to your eyes. "Nineteen" is a heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices of our men and women who bravely find themselves abroad.

Everyone will have their own favourites on this CD. There is no need for me to elaborate on each track. It more important for you to make your own assessment. Visit AOL often and enjoy the new music that Taylor has shared with us.

On behalf of Bloom and myself - "Thank you, Taylor!"

Listening to Taylor Hicks' CD makes us FEEL good!

We wish Taylor continued success in the entertainment industry!

Today's cup:

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
~Herman Cain~

"TAYLOR HICKS EXTENDS NATIONAL GREASE TOUR" – A SIGN OF THE TIMES?

2009-02-24T02:28:00.004-05:00

A few days ago, I was surprised to read that Taylor Hicks had extended his contract with the National Grease Tour until 2010.

When I discussed this with a friend, she told me that she was not at all surprised. When “times” are difficult, she said, people feel the need to be distracted from the everyday challenges of life. Taylor intends to continue the “shadow tour” with his music which, in the end, turns out to be a “win/win” situation for him and his growing fan base.

My friend’s analogy to the desperate times of the Great Depression really did hit home with me when I watched the Oscars on television. It wasn’t an obvious choice for me to watch this show but since my favourite programs were not scheduled, I decided to take in the celebrations of the evening.

The multi-talented Hugh Jackman was an impressive host for the Oscars. I thoroughly enjoyed his musical and dance performances with Anne Hathaway and Beyoncé. In several interviews over the past few months, Taylor has made references to his goal of being a well-rounded entertainer. After watching Hugh Jackman, Taylor's rationale of "honing his craft" is understandable especially in today’s environment.

On a non-musical note, I thought it was wonderful that the acting nominees received individual recognition by one of their peers before that “envelope” was opened. All too often in previous shows, the names are read far too quickly without any personal mention of the accomplishments of the nominees. This was another “feel good” moment in my opinion.

As I watched the performances which included dancers and top hats, I was reminded of a time many years ago when there were afternoon movies on television that always had a great story, lots of music and dancing. You walked away from the television feeling good!

It seemed to me that the dominance of a musical theme throughout the show reinforced my friend’s conclusions that when the road is full of potholes, as it has been over the past several months, we all look to the entertainment industry to distract us from the hardships and the ongoing uncertainty that we are faced with on a daily basis.

During one of the elaborate musical performances, there was a tribute to Grease which obviously made me smile. I had always been a fan of the original movie and its music. Hugh Jackman shouted out “good music is coming back”! Yes, I thought, bring back some really good music. I want to feel good.

Music continued to be in the limelight during the Oscars when Queen Latifah performed “I’ll Be Seeing You” as pictures of those who have “moved on” were flashed across the screen. At the end of the show, we saw clips from upcoming 2009 movies accompanied, yet again, by music.

All of the emphasis on “music” that I saw on the Oscars tells me that Taylor Hicks has made a good decision to stay with the Grease Tour. Musicals are coming back which was clearly evident in the very popular movie “Mamma Mia"! When times are the darkest, we seem to yearn for nostalgia and we want to tap our feet to the beat of the uplifting songs.

Taylor Hicks' new video produced by Jake Davis for his newly released single, “What’s Right is Right” gives us this feeling of nostalgia with the lighting effects; the scenes of a dimly lit bar and an old-style restaurant. The song gives us hope that life will get better and that love from those around us can see us through the troubled days we face as citizens of this world.

Taylor’s new CD, “The Distance” which is being released on March 10th will, I am sure, give us more “feel good” music!

Today's cup:

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn.
~ Author Unknown ~

Taylor Hicks Tells It Like It Is

2009-02-16T22:13:00.004-05:00

American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks Talks About His New Album The Distance, And His Songwriting
By Jason Blasco

Taylor Hicks quickly discovered the instant fame that comes from being named the 2006American Idol winner. Hicks has refused to buckle under the blazing spotlight of the entertainment industry, and has thrived on eclipsing expectations since his national television debut when Simon Cowell vehemently stated, “The American Idol audience would not put him in the final group, and he should be singing as a background singer.”

Hicks proved Cowell wrong by becoming American Idol’s Cinderella story and champion. Hicks rode the wave of success with his 2006 debut album, Taylor Hicks, that was certified platinum less than a month after it’s December release. But despite the early success of his debut album, he was dropped by both Arista Records and J Records in early 2008 after disappointing overall sales.

Like he has throughout his entire career, Hicks took being the lowest-selling artist in American Idol history in stride, and continued to move forward with his next project. Hick’s new album, The Distance, which will be released in March and contains the single “What’s Right is Right,” encompasses Hicks’ love for blues, pop, R&B and country. The album also features more of Hicks’ own compositions than on his previous album. Hicks is releasing The Distance on his own Modern Whomp Records label, which is distributed via a partnership with independent artist services company, Artist To Market. Hicks has also secured a deal with Vanguard/Welk Records to release some of his pre-American Idol material.

“Well, for me, I wanted to first of all understand the record, and what the model for owning and operating my own label was going to be,” Hicks said. “I felt like owning my own label would be the best way to go, because the distribution and the music has changed significantly. I felt like it was in my best interest to own a label because it’s a hybrid, up-to-the-minute record deal, if you will, and I felt like distribution was the way to go as opposed to the actual classic music business models.”

For Hicks, releasing The Distance under his own label changed the dynamics, and it allowed him the flexibility of more creative expression as a songwriter than he had with Arista Records. “Well, with the first record, I was unable to have the time and creative freedom to collaborate with who I wanted to write with,” Hicks said. “I think that is one dynamic that really sticks on this record. I wanted to showcase the songwriting side of me that I did on my first two records, prior to Idol. I think having the time, being able to pick the writers that I wanted to write with, and thinking about what I created is more apparent on this record.”

Article continued @ Song Writers Universe click here

YAHOO!!!!

YAHOO Music Video Premiere -click HERE!
2/17/09
"What's Right Is Right" - Taylor Hicks

Video still by music video and film director Jake Davis

Today's cup:

"I'm a firm believer in telling the truth, even when the truth hurts. Think of it this way - in the end, telling the truth is easier than keeping up with a bunch of lies. It's also good karma."
~ Taylor Hicks ~

Taylor Hicks Plays The Dating Game

2009-02-13T22:20:00.007-05:00

Dating With The Stars
From: Live With Regis and Kelly

The votes have been tabulated and three lovely young ladies have won the chance to vie for a date with Taylor Hicks on Live With Regis and Kelly - Dating With The Stars.

"Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
Make me a match,
Find me a find,
Catch me a catch"

Tune in Monday, February 16th to meet the winning bachelorrettes chosen for Taylor pictured below!
Who will be the lucky young lady???
Find out on Thursday, February 19th when Taylor Hicks plays The Dating Game!

Good luck girls and have fun!

Julie Courtney, 31
San Francisco, CA
Real Estate Consultant

Stephanie Hlad, 27
Brandon, FL
Office Manager

Emily Stivers, 27
Washington, DC
Online Campaign Coordinator

Watch all week starting Monday, February 16th as Regis and Kelly play matchmakers to two adorable, charming bachelors - Food Network Chef Danny Boome and American Idol winner and musician Taylor Hicks.

Video credits: Live With Regis and Kelly

Meet the Bachelors - Taylor Hicks and Danny Boome

Taylor Hicks will be appearing again on Live With Regis and Kelly Monday, March 2, 2009 to perform his newly released single, "What's Right is Right" currently available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.com.

Today's cup:

"Well, somebody has to arrange the matches,
Young people can't decide these things themselves."
~ Hodel - Fiddler On The Roof ~

Disney's American Idol Experience Gala

2009-02-12T23:59:00.005-05:00

Taylor Hicks, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia Barrino, Kelly Clarkson, Mickey Mouse, Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard

Disney's American Idol Blue Carpet

Taylor Hicks smiles for the cameras on the blue carpet.

Minnie Mouse and Taylor Hicks on the blue carpet.

Taylor Hicks riding in the Disney American Idol Experience motorcade

Taylor Hicks exits Motorcade at the Disney Hollywood Studios American Idol Experience Press Event on February 12, 2009.
video capture: auburnsummer (Thank You)

'Idols' Unite at the Disney 'American Idol Experience'
Former "Idol" contender and special ET correspondent Kimberley Locke was front-and-center at the parade to get the dish on this incredible day.
video credit: ETONLINE

Taylor talks with Orlando Metromix

Taylor talks with with 96.3 WDVD

Taylor Hicks at Disney's American Idol Experience Gala holding
a special microphone-shaped statuette created by Simon Fuller and presented to each of the Idol winners.

All seven winners of “American Idol” gathered for the first time ever at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the grand opening of The American Idol Experience attraction. Pictured, (L-R): Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, David Cook, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks — hold silver microphone awards presented to them at the event by Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of “American Idol.”

American Idol Celebrities
Cast: Simon Fuller, Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest.

Former Idol Winners: Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Kelly Clarkston.

Notable contestants: David Archuleta, Bo Bice, Jason Castro, Bucky Covington, Diana DeGarmo, Melinda Doolittle, Josh Gracin, Justin Guarini, Michael Johns, LaKisha Jones, Kimberley Locke, Sanjaya Malakar, Mandisa, Syesha Mercado, Chris Sligh, Carly Smithson, Phil Stacey, Brooke White, and Ace Young.

Inside Disney's American Idol Experience

Today's cup:

"To all that come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."
~ Walt Disney ~

Be My Valentine

2009-02-03T00:24:00.008-05:00

After winning over the hearts of all of America, Taylor Hicks is ready to win over the heart of one special lady.

From: LIVE With Regis And Kelly ~ Dating With The Stars

Born and raised in Alabama, he is a true Southern gentleman who has spent a lot of time in NY lately starring in Broadway's "Grease"... and is now touring the country in the show.
Besides music, Taylor loves golf, scuba diving, skiing and watching college basketball. He would love to meet a free spirited career-minded gal who can be serious during the week but can cut loose on the weekends.
If your heart is ready for a little Soul Patrol … Taylor is your guy.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, but even if you don't have a special someone to celebrate with, it's not too late to find love. In fact, Regis and Kelly are going to play matchmaker! We have two adorable, charming and more importantly single men that we are giving our viewers a chance to go on a date with, which may include a trip to New York City to be on our show.
Click here to read more!

Valentine's Day Fun Facts
About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged in the US each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.

Women purchase 85% of all valentines.

Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are the biggest holidays for giving flowers.

Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year.

California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America.

Men buy most of the millions of boxes of candy and bouquets of flowers given on Valentine's Day.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day.

Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentines Day candy box in the late 1800s.

To be awoken by a kiss on Valentine's Day is considered lucky.

Valentine's Day Superstitions
On Valentine's Day, the first guy's name you read in the paper or hear on the TV or radio will be the name of the man you will marry.

If you see a squirrel on Valentine's Day, you will marry a cheapskate who will hoard all your money.

If you see a goldfinch on Valentine's Day, you will marry a millionaire.

If you see a robin on Valentine's Day, you will marry a crime fighter - maybe they mean Batman!

If you see a flock of doves on Valentine's Day, you will have a happy, peaceful marriage.

If you find a glove on the road on Valentine's Day, your future beloved will have the other missing glove.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with all the love your heart can hold!
~Bloom~

Today's cup:

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."
~Aristotle~

Pillow Talk - What's Right Is Right - Is So Right

2009-01-27T03:55:00.003-05:00

"What's Right Is Right"

From his upcoming album,'The Distance', Taylor Hicks' first single to be released, "What's Right Is Right", is available (MP3 download) as of today, January 27, 2009, at AMAZON.COM and iTunes.

I've long been a listener of Alan Almond's Pillowtalk radio program. I'm a romantic at heart and Pillowtalk is all about romance. Taylor Hicks' "What's Right Is Right" is a perfect tune for lovers - it is full of passion and romance and emotion. It's a baby making song, and I honestly am unable to listen without tears in my eyes.

When I first shared this song with my daughter, I told her, listen to the words and emotion in this song, this is the kind of love I have always wished for you and I do believe that you have found it. She was as profoundly affected as I am and agreed - it's a great song! She was moved by how beautifully Taylor delivered the song, she knows good music when she hears it!
Like Mother - Like Daughter :-)

'The Distance' due to arrive on March 10th is available for pre-order at AMAZON.COM

"Wedding Day Blues,"
"Seven Mile Breakdown,"
"What's Right is Right,"
"Hide Nor Hair,"
"Woman Gotta Have It,"
"New Found Freedom,"
"The Distance,"
"Nineteen,"
"I Live on a Battlefield,"
"Yes We Can,"
"Maybe You Should,"
"Once Upon a Lover of Mine,"
"Keepin It Real"
"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness."

PLEASE visit TAYLORHICKS.COM to view additional stills of his upcoming video release of "What's Right Is Right", and for a current listing of his scheduled performances!

Taylor Hicks LIVE - My 3 favorite words
:-)
Bloom

Looking in the Rear-View Mirror

2009-01-12T12:48:00.002-05:00

They say that "hindsight is 20/20" ...
I agree with that particular statement. So often, when we glance in our personal "rear-view mirror", we see so much more than we did when we initially experienced all of those life lessons along the "Road of Life". When we look back, we often see how a situation could have been handled in a much different way than it was at the time. Due to our inexperience or immaturity, we handled it the best way that we could at the time. In some cases, people simply do what they have to do in order to survive in this very complex world of ours.

I happen to believe that everything we have seen and heard in our lives, whether it be positive or negative, leaves a lasting imprint on our psyche. It is very fascinating to me that no two people have travelled the same "road". Each of us perceives words, actions and reactions differently when they directly affect us.

It is with great hope that through our travels, we will emerge with personalities, hearts and souls that are influenced by the good things in our lives. Every action/reaction makes us what and who we are today. As we mature, we hopefully will gain a greater understanding of the whys of our "calendar of life events" and we will continue strive to be the very best that we can be. I like to think that the majority of us try to overcome our shortcomings. I guess this could be a good description of "Karma" if you subscribe to that theory which I personally do.

I have always been amazed with the people in this world who, as young children, just "know" what they are going to do with their lives. They seem to arrive here with a very clear destination in their minds and they possess the determination to get where they are supposed to go.

Sometimes, they are blessed with a support network that helps them to achieve their goals and sometimes, they just "do it" through their trials and tribulations. Often, doors will unexpectedly open and they find themselves connected to the right people and friends at the right time who help to guide them to the end zone.

I am often in awe when I think about those individuals who are outstanding political and very influential world figures in various arenas. The "shining stars" in this world often have faced many struggles to fulfill their hopes and dreams.

Since I seem be very analytical in my way of thinking, I always want to understand the "how, what, when, where, and why" of many situations and people in general. What makes them tick? While I will never know the answers to many of those questions because I do not "know" these people, it is always fun to wonder about these things.

This never-ending curiosity of mine, along with the enjoyment of the music from Taylor Hicks, has encouraged me to try to learn more about where Taylor has been. We all know that he became a household word when he appeared on American Idol. His unique combination of charisma and talent was intriguing.

When Taylor Hicks released his 'Early Works' CD in late 2008, his self-penned lyrics demonstrated the raw emotion of youth and his interpretation of the impact of real life experiences.

There have been various thoughts as to the meaning of his songs. His lyrics, to me, are somewhat cryptic at times but then again, I think that feelings expressed in words will only ever be completely understood by the writer of the words especially if they are based on a personal experience. Everyone is entitled to their privacy and songwriters should be given the same consideration with respect to privacy.

I believe that if a song leaves you wondering "why" then it is cleverly written because you have taken the time to actually listen to the lyrics and the impact of the "raw emotion" has really touched you in some way.

One of my favourite songs, and there are many that are, on 'Early Works' is "West Texas Sky". You may agree or disagree with my interpretation but I hope that you will enjoy the video montage which tells a story based on my understanding of this song. Without the amazing graphics by Allyn, I am not sure that this story would have been told.

video: Taylor Hicks - "West Texas Sky"
Through the songs on 'Early Works', we have been given the privilege to look in Taylor's "rear-view mirror". When we read Taylor's autobiography, "Heart Full of Soul", we learned a great deal about his early years. If you know or have a general idea of where someone has been, then, you will understand more clearly where they are going.

Taylor has consistently displayed determination in reaching his goals. His horizons have broadened since American Idol and he has the sequins to prove it!

From all of the media reports as well as the various fan reports, Taylor's performances of portraying Teen Angel in 'Grease' have not gone unnoticed. He has received much well deserved praise and applause. Taylor has grown as an artist, songwriter and a performer since he first graced our television screens and, in my opinion, the sky is the limit for Taylor!

Taylor Hicks' much anticipated new single, "What's Right Is Right", which is scheduled to be released on January 20th will, once again, give us more insight into the "Man behind the Harmonica". I am confident that when his new CD, 'The Distance', is released in March, we will gain much more insight to this very talented artist!

Blog post by KarinP

Today's cup:

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.”
~George Sheehan~

Chicago Welcomes Taylor Hicks

2009-01-06T18:54:00.009-05:00

It's opening night in Chicago!
Taylor Hicks is currently on tour with the musical 'Grease' playing the part of Teen Angel. 'Grease' opens tonight at the Chicago Theater and plays through January 18, 2009.

Taylor is also performing at Martyrs in Chicago Saturday, Jan 17 @ 10pm (Tickets available through TicketMaster)

video: Taylor Hicks joined WGN TV in Chicago today on their Morning News program to perform "The Fall", a self-penned tune from his 'Early Works' album.

For full interview, exclusive WGN videos and additional photos - please visit WGN TV Chicago

Taylor Hicks ~ What's Right Is Right

2009-01-05T18:22:00.016-05:00

Full steam ahead - the Taylor Hicks train is fueled and ready to go!

ROCKETSCIENE.COM announced today - the name of Taylor Hicks' first single, "What's Right Is Right", from his soon to be released new album ,'The Distance'.

The impact date for AC radio, along with a full digital campaign to be launched - is January 27th!

FROM: MYROCKETSCIENCE.COM

(click to enlarge image above)

I didn't see anything about whether "What's Right Is Right" is still scheduled to be available on itunes tomorrow - but the wealth of information RocketScience imparted was fabulous to read!

Click here for a preview of "What's Right Is Right"

Updated January 21st, 2009
Click here to listen to Taylor Hicks' new single,
"What's Right Is Right"

Hear the train?

In The Spotlight ~ Taylor Hicks' ~ The Distance

2009-01-03T18:54:00.006-05:00

LJWorld.COM
“For me, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
The longevity aspect to me is the most important.
Doing Broadway theater and looking at movie roles and writing music and putting out CDs — you have to be well-rounded if you want longevity in a career.”
~ Taylor Hicks ~

The Providence Journal
After 10 years playing in clubs in and around his native Alabama, winning American Idol in 2006 was a blessing.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity that it gave me to continue to keep exploring my artistic expression,” he says, and it gave him the chance to learn the ins and out of recording.

At the same time, Hicks was “a working musician — that’s who I am, and that’s who I’ll always be” — before the TV show came along, and the pop-chart game is a different deal.

“It definitely has its positives and negatives.
It’s very short-lived, it seems, along that side.
For me, the key is that you always have to stay in front of people and work,” says Hicks, who adds that he did 282 shows in 2006, the year his self-titled post-Idol album came out.
“That’s something that I’ll always hang my hat on.”

Touring is also where the money is, because it’s something that can’t be taken away from you, and because you can always sell your records at a show.
“If you’re a working musician, you’re always going to have a chance to sell your records.”

Hicks has some serious backing players — guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, bassist Nathan East and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. — on his forthcoming record, and says that “I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised about me as a songwriter."

“I think this record is going to allow me to touch on a lot of different styles, not just from a songwriting aspect but from a musical aspect as well.” The record will come out on his own label, and Hicks has signed a distribution deal with A2M.
He says that going his own way was the way to go.

“I must admit, having your own label is being out on the edge in your art.
You don’t get the cushion, but I like that. … “I think this release is going to define who I am as a singer-songwriter. And I want to put myself on the edge that way, because I feel like that’s where I can create my best work … without people telling me what songwriters I need to work with, or what I should do.”

The scheduled release of Taylor Hicks' first single from his new album "The Distance" is January 6th!
Taylor Hicks @itunes
Mark your calendars!

"The Distance" is scheduled to be released March 10th, 2009!!

Today's cup:

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~

Recipe for a Happy New Year

2009-01-01T23:59:00.011-05:00

To leave the old with a burst of song,
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the thing that binds you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that's past;
To have the strength to let go your hold
Of the not worthwhile of the days grown old,
To dare to go forth with a purpose true,
To the unknown task of the year that's new;
To help your brother along the road
To lend your shoulder to ease his load;
To add your gift to the world's good cheer,
Is to have and to give a Happy New Year.

To start the New Year off on the right foot, I'm attempting to get back to blogging and to updating this site with all of the wonderful things going on in the artistic career of MY Idol Taylor Hicks.

Perhaps the best way to do that would be to let you hear from Taylor Hicks himself what he has been up to and what we can look forward to in the coming months.

Video: by willgilbert1969
Taylor Hicks drops by the 92 PRO-FM studios in Providence, RI

Video: by WBNS
Taylor Hicks on the Mix Morning Show ~ WBNS
Part 1 ~ Interview

Video: by WBNS
Taylor Hicks on the Mix Morning Show ~ WBNS
Part 2 ~ Interview

Taylor Hicks is the main ingredigent for MY Happy New Year recipe. My 2009 calendar is already filling and I expect it to be a VERY GOOD YEAR!

I hope that you have taken the time to browse around here at 'The Pond' and enjoy all of the sites and sounds of 2008!

For anything that I might have missed, I urge you to visit any of the listings below!

In no particular order, I prepared some time ago, a mind boggling array of online sites devoted to supporting the musical and artistic career of Taylor Hicks. I'm sure I've even missed some as new ones pop up constantly. My apologies to those I may have missed and to any sites whose addy might now be incorrect.

Official Sites
TAYLORHICKS.COM
Taylor Hicks MySpace
Taylor Hicks Headquarters HQ
The Taylor Hicks Store

Forums
The Official Soul Patrol
The Boogie Board
Taylor Hicks Connections
Season of the Soul
New England Soul Patrol
SRQ Soul Patrol
Taylor Hicks Fan Forum
Taylors Legs
The Real Deal
The Whomp Swamp
Taylor Hicks Fansite
TaylorMade Online
American Idol Worship

Blogs
Taylor's Angels
It's A Soul Thing
Taylor Hicks My Idol
Idol Blues
RagsQueen and The Traveling Circus
TaylorMadeOnline Blog
Season of the Soul
RightHicksSave
Taylor's Poetic Heart
The Real Deal
mj's bigblog

MySpace
TaylorMadeOnline
Taylor Hicks Fansite
Taylor's Angels
New England Soul Patrol
Taylor Is The Boogie
Taylor Hicks Times
The Official Soul Patrol
Little Buddy Radio

Yahoo Groups
Praying For Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks Family
Taylor Hicks AI5
TaylorsWay
NE Soul Patrol
The Sounds Of Taylor Hicks
Soul Patrol

Taylor Hicks My Idol Scrapbook Tribute
Taylorography
Tay-online
Kid One Patrol of Soul

Happy New Year everyone,
hope to see you 'here' and on the road!
~Bloom~

Cute As A Bug

2008-10-31T14:36:00.002-04:00

BOO!
Miss Olive, otherwise known as Princess Olive Cupcake, all decked out and ready to wish you a Boo-tiful Halloween!

You've heard the expresssion, cute as a bug in a rug?
How about cute as a bug on a rug?

LOL, just couldn't resist sharing this adorable pic!

Since Taylor Hicks is currently in France for preproduction of his upcoming CD, I thought we could take a look at how Halloween is celebrated in France.
Bonnes vacances Taylor!!

But first, in case you missed it, here is Taylor's audio blog from France!
Enjoy!!

Update:
Friday, October 31, 2008
New Taylor Blog!
Hello Soul Patrol,

I just returned from France having complete pre production on the new record. I cannot wait for y'all to hear it...it is truly my best work.
Have a great Halloween and be on the lookout for some more studio updates.
~Taylor~

From ASK.COM
Halloween in France is usually celebrated by costumed people of all ages going to parties at friends' homes, restaurants, bars, or clubs. The costumes themselves tend to be traditionally "scary" - mummies, ghosts, goblins, witches, and vampires - rather than the cute costumes like princesses, superheroes, and the cartoon character of the day which are popular in the US. Some recreation centers encourage kids to make their own costumes.

Trick-or-treating is getting to be more common. It started out store-to-store, rather than house-to-house, but the latter is picking up. However, Halloween occurs during the mid-season school break, which slows it down a bit.

Stores, malls, restaurants, offices, and homes decorate their windows; pastry and candy shops make up special desserts and candies; and many different kinds of companies use Halloween in their ads. Supermarkets sell pumpkins for jack-o'-lanterns and candy companies are now marketing candy in the traditional Halloween format: one big bag filled with lots of little packages, which may encourage trick-or-treating.

The growing demand for jack-o'-lanterns during Halloween has been a boon for pumpkin growers. There is even a pumpkin patch at a farm outside of Paris where people can pick their own.

Halloween in France is rather controversial, due to the perception of corporate and cultural influence, as well as the fact that it is not a typical French holiday and some people still don't understand what is being celebrated. Because Halloween is seen as an American celebration, some French people refuse to enjoy it, having decided to include it in their anti-American boycott. It's too early to tell whether Halloween will develop into a long-term tradition; once the novelty wears off, it may turn out to be just a fad. And yet, interestingly, the French have been celebrating the ideas at the very heart of Halloween (respect for the dead) for centuries. 31 October to 2 November have traditionally been spent, especially by older generations, visiting cemeteries, honoring saints, and attending religious services.

Limoges — The city in France that has most embraced Halloween is Limoges, where every year since 1996, the town has put on a Halloween parade on October 31. About 30,000 people show up for a parade of ghosts, goblins and ghouls carrying candlelit pumpkins. There are also lots of people who dress up in costume and tour the local bars, cafes and restaurants, many of which hold special Halloween parties. If you are looking for a real Halloween celebration in France, heading to Limoges is definitely the way to go.

Today's cup:

The witches fly Across the sky,
The owls go, "Who? Who? Who?"
The black cats yowl
And green ghosts howl,
"Scary Halloween to you!"

The Frost Is On The Pumpkin

2008-10-22T11:13:00.004-04:00

Well the frost was on the pumpkins this morning, burr!

The fall colors have been spectacular and the weather up to now has been simply beautiful. Autumn is my favorite time of year, even though it is the harbinger of Winter.

Thankfully the sun is now shining brightly, and the frost has disappeared, so to celebrate I have a few more sweet treats to fill your Halloween goodie bag!

Of course there is a special Taylor treat! A treat that Karin created for us back when we were all awaiting Taylor Hicks' 2006 self-titled CD to drop. (Coincidentally we are all now eagerly awaiting his new Cd that will be released in February of 2009!)

Karin's treat should have been shared in September, but Karin and I didn't get much blogging done that month, so I'm taking the opportunity to share it today, unbeknownst to Karin :-)

But first here is a little something for your goodie bag, a cute poem about Halloween trick or treaters for you to share:

Frost is on the pumpkin
Chill is in the air
Leaves are gently falling
Swirling here and there.

Many different faces
Costumes in the night
Gremlins, ghouls and goblins
Causing quite a fright.

Vampires in the darkness
Hobos in the street
Ghosts are ringing doorbells
Time for trick-or-treat.

Candles in the window
Faces all aglow
Painted little munchkins
Put on quite a show.

Full of tricks and sorcery
Warlocks in the night
Lamps are shining brightly
Makes for quite a site.

Lots of spells and magic
Witches do appear
Riding on their broomsticks
Halloween is here.

Now we'll go to the moon and back, back to September that is, for your Taylor Treat! Come a little bit closer now, you're in for a real treat!

video: "Harvest Moon" a Taylor Hicks Montage by KarinP

Taylor Hicks

A little Harvest Moon trivia:

"When the moon is full, mankind is one!"

In China and throughout many Asian countries people celebrate the Harvest Moon on the 15th day of the eighth month of their lunar calendar. The date in the Western calendar changes yearly. This year, it fell on September 14, 2008.

The Harvest Moon or Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie) is a day of family reunions much like a Western Thanksgiving. Chinese people believe that on that day, the moon is the roundest and brightest signaling a time of completeness and abundance. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, children are delighted to stay up past midnight, parading multi-colored lanterns into the wee hours as families take to the streets to moon-gaze.

It is also a romantic night for lovers, who sit holding hands on hilltops, riverbanks and park benches, captivated by the brightest moon of the year!

September's full moon, known in folklore as the Harvest Moon, rises over the DC skyline.
photo credit: philliefan99

Today's cup:

"Everyone is a moon and has a dark side, which he never shows to anybody."
~ Mark Twain ~

This Candy IS Dandy!

2008-10-19T16:53:00.008-04:00

Taylor Hicks Is The Candy Man!
Sweet Sugar

I thought I'd do a special blog for Halloween centered around my favorite part - treats!
I'm giving out virtual candy treats this year!

The first treat is the delicious canvas of Taylor Hicks, portrayed as the candy man, that I created for the beginning of the blog - click on it for the full effect!

The second treat is this fabulous video that was created almost a year ago and I just found the other day. Don't know how I missed it, but it is titled simply Taylor Hicks. I had no idea when I clicked on it what a wonderful treat I had in store.

video: by ELVISEXPERT2006
(Thank you Kaicee!)

I just simply sat at my computer with a big smile on my face, and I'd like to give a big thank you to the young lady who created this video, because she made my day!

Is there is a big smile on your face too, are you singing "I want candy"?

Now that we are all on a sugar high, we won't need any Karma coffee to get our motor's running, Taylor took care of that! So today I'll finish with a few fun-filled facts about some of the most popular Halloween goodies!

Yum, it's that great of time of year where bags, sacks, buckets and bowls of yummy candy are seemingly everywhere. I am a chocoholic and my favorite treat is M&M Peanuts. My statistics prove they are totally nutritious and there's no tell-tale messy evidence, well except for all of the empty bags :-)

Halloween Candy Fun Facts
By Jeanne Benedict

Are you a Snickers bar fan or do you crave M&M’s? One quarter of all the candy sold annually is for Halloween night. Here are some fun facts to make the holiday even sweeter!

Candy Corn
Candy corn was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Wunderlee Candy and is produced today by the Jelly Belly Candy Company.
October 30th is National Candy Corn Day.
An estimated 35 million pounds of candy corn, that’s 9 billion pieces, will be produced this year.

M&M’s
M&M’s were introduced to American GIs during WWII in 1941.
M&M’s were originally sold in a tube and then packaged in their famed little brown bag in 1948.
In 1950, the first “M” was imprinted in black on the candy giving the morsels their signature style.

Snickers and Favorite Candy Bars
Snickers bars have topped the charts for years as the #1 Halloween candy bar.
Parents favorite treats to sneak from their kids’ trick-or-treat bags are snack-size chocolate bars (70% sneak these)!
Other favorite candy bars to look for in trick-or-treat bags are Nestlé Crunch, Milky Way, Three Musketeers, and Almond Joy.

HERSHEY’S KISSES
HERSHEY'S KISSES hit the scene in 1907 and have been on candy shelves ever since with a brief interruption from 1942 to 1949 due to the rationing of silver foil during WWII.
A popular belief is that the “KISS” got its name from the sound or motion that the machine makes while producing them.
76% percent of households will include bite-size chocolate candies in their Halloween activities and 26% percent will go for full-size candy (chocolate and non-chocolate).

We have to give a shout out to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Tootsie Rolls & Pops, Smarties, and Charms Blow Pops, which will also fill the bags of the 93% of children who will go trick-or-treating this year.

A special thanks to the National Confectioners Association for some of the facts in the article! Check them out at CandyUSA

Have a safe and fun-filled Halloween!
Bloom

Hooked on a Feeling

2008-10-15T02:24:00.001-04:00

You know that 'feeling' I'm talking about!
The euphoria you experience when listening to Taylor Hicks' music.

Then there's the high intensity excitement that enfolds you when seeing Taylor Hicks in concert.
Anticipation, wonderment, tears and smiles.
You feel so good you are down right giddy.

video: Taylor Hicks @ Millersville University, Millersville, PA

Well I searched for most of this past summer for something to give me a taste of that special 'feeling'. I knew a trip to see Taylor in 'Grease' on Broadway wasn't in the cards, so I wasn't going to get a Taylor fix any time soon.

To the rescue came my friend Froggie with news that Ray LaMontagne and Marc Broussard were both performing concerts in our area. My soul was about to receive some much needed soothing and I eagerly agreed to her purchasing tickets for both performances.

It seems our souls were not the only ones in need of soothing. Both concerts were highly attended, in fact they were packed with varying ages, but the predominant age was college students. And believe me they were as into and appreciative of the music as we both were.

Can you imagine our excitement upon hearing Ray sing "Trouble" and Marc singing "You Send Me" and "Let's Get It On". It was as if the spirit of Taylor Hicks was right there with us!

Both Marc and Ray gave fabulous performances, but for me there is only one person whose performances fullfill that special 'feeling'. Taylor is the man ...
hook, line and sinker.

video: Taylor Hicks @ House of Blues, Cleveland

We caught Ray's concert at the Royal Oak Theater, but this video from his Chicago concert is a better capture of his new song.

video: "Winter Birds" by Ray LaMontagne @ The Chicago Theater

And here is a small sampling from Marc's almost 2 1/2 hour concert.

video: Marc Broussard @ The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, MI

Thanks Froggie for looking out for me! Without you as my travel buddy I would have missed so many wonderful concerts.

Next adventure booked is East Lansing in December to see Taylor in 'Grease'.
What a fab birthday present for me!

What's Going On and On!

2008-10-10T02:05:00.006-04:00

photo caption: From OK Magazine
Taylor Hicks article
(click to enlarge)

In a nut shell here's what's going on:
I took a little hiatus from blogging, after cutting the umbilical cord attaching me to my computer first :-) Ouch!
My apologies for not being up to date with what's going on in Taylor Hicks' career, especially with so many fabulous things happening.

It's been a busy month for me, but it's been an even busier month for news from Taylor. The following article from Alec Harvey and the two videos below are a quick recap of what's been going on and what's coming!

Hicks Is The Word
By Alec Harvey
Birmingham News
AL.com

With a new record deal and an upcoming tour of 'Grease', the Alabama Idol's career is in high gear

Taylor Hicks says he's living out of suitcases for the time being.
Taylor Hicks is rarely at a loss for words.
But he's had to contain himself this year, hearing and reading that his 800,000-unit-selling self-titled CD was a one-shot deal. That he wouldn't sign another record deal. That the 2006 "American Idol" was through.

"It's about driven me crazy to hold my tongue," Hicks says. "I've wanted to talk about this for three months, but I've been patient and trying to be smart about choosing my battles."

The battle, it seems, is over.

Hicks, who turned 32 on Tuesday, announced on his birthday that he had signed a deal to release his new CD in February 2009. It'll be on his own Modern Whomp Records label through Artist to Market (A2M), which gives the Birmingham native control over his recording destiny.

"I was offered a plethora of record deals, some traditional record deals and some non-traditional record deals," Hicks says. "It's been very hard not to just hop on the first one that was offered, but during that time when there was a lot more speculation that I might never sign one again, it couldn't have been further from the truth."

He calls the A2M deal "very cutting edge."

"In today's marketplace, having the control as the artist is key," Hicks says. "I'm in control of where I spend my marketing dollars, who I want to record with, and in control of the companies I hire out. It allows me a really focused release. Basically, I am my own record label."

What that means for the upcoming CD is that the bulk of it will be written or co-written by Hicks, who cut his musical teeth in bars in and around Birmingham.

"I've always been a singer-songwriter, and that's going to be able to surface a lot more than it did on the last record," he says. "On the last one, things had to move at such a quick pace that the actual art of songwriting couldn't really be seen on the last record."

Hicks is in pre-production of the CD now, working with producer Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Faith Hill) in the studio.

"I don't have a title for it, yet," Hicks says. "I'm kind of waiting for it to hit me."

Announcement of the new record deal comes just after Hicks' stint in the Broadway production of "Grease" comes to an end, and just before he hits the road as that show's Teen Angel for the national tour beginning Dec. 1.

Taylor Hicks earned positive notices when he played Teen Angel in "Grease" on Broadway. "It was such a success and such a great way for me to learn a new craft," Hicks says of his Broadway debut. "I feel like if I'm going to have longevity in the entertainment industry, I've got to cover all aspects. I have to reinvent myself."
The national tour of "Grease" will offer a unique hybrid for Hicks, he says.

"We're going to cross-promote this record with the 'Grease' tour," he says. "I'll be allowed to perform my single in the show on tour."

Most importantly, it offers fans a chance to experience Hicks live, which he says is crucial to his success.

"There's such a live aspect to me," he says. "You put me on the radio, and you can't see me, you can't feel me, you can't touch me, so it's easy to count me out in that regard. On the road, that's where you really make your mark and have your longevity."

So don't count Hicks out just yet. He's only getting started, he says, and he doesn't pay attention to the naysayers.

photo caption:
"I hear those things, but I'm not into the talk, I'm into the walk," Taylor Hicks says.

video: Taylor Hicks interview, MY FOX, Birmingam
October 9,2008

To recap Taylor's last year, Karin has done another "Trip Around the Sun" video in celebration of Taylor Hicks' most recent trip around the sun which he completed on October 7th.

Happy 32nd birthday Taylor!

Uploaded by KarinP

video: Taylor Hicks' Trip Around The Sun 2007-2008

And finally a slew of karma coffee with a slight twist, lots of caffeine and sarcasm here, just too cute not to share:

The Zen of Sarcasm

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone.

2 . It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

3. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

4. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

5. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

6. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

7. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes

8. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.

9. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

10. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.

11. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

12. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

13. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

14. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

15. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

16. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

17. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

18. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

19. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

20. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

The Many Talents of Bryan Adams

2008-09-09T12:08:00.000-04:00

This past week, Bryan Adams was a guest mentor on Canadian Idol and it is a privilege for me to share some information about this well known Canadian superstar with those of you who are reading this blog.

Bryan Guy Adams was born in Kingston, Ontario on November 5, 1959.
He is a multi-talented Canadian legend.
He is not only a singer-songwriter but he is also a well known photographer.
His performance attributes include vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, piano and harmonica.
Bryan has sold in excess of 65 million records during his career.

Prior to the release of his self-titled debut album, 'Bryan Adams', which was released in February 1980, he had a chance meeting with Jim Vallance in a Vancouver music store. Since that time, Bryan and Jim have had a songwriting partnership that has generated many hit songs and movie soundtracks.

The voice of Bryan Adams is always recognizable when you hear his music on radio, television or on a movie soundtrack. Only one of his #1 hits, "Heaven", was not written for a motion picture.

Bryan Adams has been awarded many Juno Awards; Grammy Awards and he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award (which wasn't his only nomination for a Golden Globe) in 2007 for songwriting on the film "Bobby". "Bobby" also earned him a Grammy Award in 2008. His incredible movie work has earned him three nominations for Academy Awards.

One would think that being a singer/songwriter would keep him very busy, but Bryan Adams is a recognized photographer. His work has been published in many well known magazines.

Bryan released a photo book in Canada in December 1999 and then a subsequent book called 'Haven' in 2000. In June 2005, Bryan published his first book of photos in United States with Calvin Klein which is called 'American Women'. The proceeds of this book go to breast cancer research for programs at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Clinic in New York City. All of his books are dedicated to his friend, Donna, who, sadly, did not survive her battle with Breast Cancer.

Bryan Adams is a well known social activist. His dedication to many causes demonstrates his character and desire to "give back". He is the official photographer for "Hear the World" in which he hopes to raise awareness about the issue of hearing loss. He has photographed many of his peers for this cause. Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall are the latest celebrities to be photographed by Bryan. Among those photographed by Bryan, are Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, Annie Lennox, Joss Stone and many others.

Bryan photographed each one with a hand behind their ear to convey a message that they were attempting to hear.

“I’m interested in the goals that Hear the World is trying to achieve,” Adams said. “As a musician, I’m naturally sympathetic to a cause dedicated to help people appreciate and preserve an individual’s sense of sound.”

Bryan Adams has established the Bryan Adams Foundation. Following his concert in July 2008 in New Orleans, Bryan decided to support the redevelopment of this city due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. The Foundation made a grant to "Make It Right" - a project dedicated to re-building homes in the Lower Ninth Ward.

Bryan Adams is a treasured Canadian entertainer and humanitarian who not only shares his talent with the world but also his generosity. He has deservedly earned the respect and support of millions of fans around the world.

I think it would be fair to say that the majority of Taylor Hicks' music fans know the story behind the song, "The Right Place". For many of us, this was a song that touched us whether we saw it performed in concert or on television.
For those who do not know the history behind this song, in the words of Jim Vallance, himself, who co-wrote the song with Bryan Adams, below is a shortened version of the story behind this fabulous song. Jim Vallance followed Taylor's journey on American Idol which explains why both he and Bryan thought this was a song meant for Taylor.

Source: http://www.jimvallance.com/01-music-folder/songs-folder-may-27/pg-song-hicks-right-place.html

"In March 1989 Bryan Adams and I wrote a song for Joe Cocker, called "The Right Place". Joe asked us for "something that sounds like Ray Charles" ... and that's exactly what we wrote. But Joe decided "The Right Place" was the "wrong song", and he didn't record it.

So we sent the song to Ray Charles himself, but Ray didn't record it either (I was never able to confirm if Joe and Ray actually heard the song, or if it was rejected by their "handlers" before it reached their ears).

After that, we gave up, and "The Right Place" collected dust on my shelf for nearly 20 years.

Meanwhile, back at the "American Idol" auditions ... despite Simon's scathing comments, Taylor received a resounding "Yes" from Paula and Randy. As Taylor headed for the door, grinning from ear to ear, Randy yelled after him, "Bring all the Cocker, all the Ray Charles. C'mon man!"

Joe Cocker. Ray Charles. That stuck with me.

A year later, in September 2006, when I heard that Taylor was recording an album, I remembered what Randy had said, and it made me think of "The Right Place". I knew the song wasn't a "hit" in the traditional sense, but I thought it might be a perfect vehicle for Taylor to channel his "inner Joe and Ray".

"On July 17, 2007 Taylor performed "The Right Place" on the popular morning television show, "The View". It was "back to basics", with Taylor on vocals and harmonica and Loren Gold on piano, similar to the way the song had originally been written and demo'd.

It was apparent that Taylor had developed an affinity for the song in the ten months since he'd recorded it. On "The View", his vocal performance digs even deeper than it did on the recorded studio version, and Loren provides solid support on the piano.

For anyone who ever doubted the legitimacy of his American Idol success, this performance proves, beyond a doubt, that Taylor Hicks is the "real deal"."

Yes, I agree with Jim Vallance - Taylor Hicks is the real deal but I must admit that Bryan Adams is the "real deal" too! We are so fortunate to have such caring and dedicated musicians in this world!

Once again, it must be said that without the songwriters, including the dynamic duo of Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, there would be no music for anyone to hear. Saying "thank you" to all of those who make the music seems so inadequate because without their talent, our world would be a very dark and quiet place.

Canada's Walk of Fame, Toronto, Ontario is a walk of fame that acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians. It consists of a series of stars imbedded in 13 designated blocks worth of sidewalks in Toronto, located in front of Roy Thomson Hall, The Princess of Wales Theatre, and The Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street as well as Simcoe Street.

The first group of members was inducted in 1998, and it has since expanded to include a young filmmakers competition and there are plans for a permanent museum. Inductees on the walk of fame, include athletes; coaches; actors, directors, writers and producers of movies, television and stage; singers, songwriters and musicians; playwrights; authors; comedians; cartoonists and supermodels.

Bryan Adams was inducted this year and the ceremony which was held at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts was televised on Sunday, September 7, 2008.

Bryan Adams opened the festivities with this song, "Can't Stop This Thing We Started".

Linda Evangelista, a long time friend of Bryan's, inducted Bryan Adams into Canada's Walk of Fame.

To learn more about Bryan Adams, visit his website at:
http://www.bryanadams.com/

"I always knew I'd be in music in some sort of capacity. I didn't know if I'd be successful at it, but I knew I'd be doing something in it. Maybe get a job in a record store. Maybe even play in a band.
I never got into this to be a star."
~ Bryan Adams ~

Today's cup:

"Life is a symphony, and the action of every person in this life is the playing of his particular part in the music."
~ Hazrat Inayat Khan ~

New York Post Says It's Taylor Made For Taylor Hicks

2008-09-04T01:37:00.006-04:00

TAYLOR MADE
MIDTOWN RENTAL IS FIT FOR AN 'AMERICAN IDOL'
By MICKI SIEGEL
NEW YORK POST
Normally I do not share anything here that I feel invades Taylor Hicks' personal space, but as he has voluntarily shared his current 'space' with both the NEW YORK POST and OK Magazine (in this week's issue), I thought I'd pass along this great article!

Plus I'm thrilled to learn that Taylor is a lover of green things too!
I was pretty sure he had a green thumb just from several things he has said in the past, but this article confirms it!

HICKS, OUT OF THE STICKS:
Taylor Hicks has lived, written music and often cooked in this one-bedroom apartment while starring in the Broadway production of "Grease."
"This apartment has been perfect for me and what I wanted to achieve," Taylor Hicks says of his Midtown rental. "I wanted to write some music, have friends over, be comfortable and be close to Broadway."

But his stay is now coming to an end. The season five winner of "American Idol" is winding down his first role in a Broadway musical as a soulful, Elvis Presley-ish Teen Angel in "Grease." His last performance will be Sept. 7. (Not to worry, "Idol" fans: On Sept. 9, another season five contestant, Ace Young, will join "Grease" as Kenickie.) For the past two months of his run, Hicks, 31, has been living in the posh Atelier condominium on 42nd Street. This sort of "Hollywood on the Hudson" building, a half-block from the river, has residents including Lindsay Lohan and Nick Lachey. The building features a roof deck, swimming pool, fitness center and basketball court.

Hicks' two-bedroom, one-bath corner unit, which rents for $4,600 a month, includes floor-to-ceiling windows that offer river views as well as city views to the north and south.

"It's a wonderful apartment," says Hicks, who likes the convenient location. "I run in the Hudson River Park, I swim in the pool and I practice my golf swings at Chelsea Piers. It's close to the theater, and I really enjoy being near the water. It's just the best of both worlds."The apartment came furnished, but, Hicks "spruced it up a bit."

Together with decorator Marne Cahn, he bought new pieces that are both handsome and practical.

"This is my first time of having new things," the gray-haired, Alabama-born singer says. "Everything I've always had in my apartment have been my grandmother's hand-me-downs. This is the first time I've actually been able to go out on my own and buy a piece of furniture that hasn't been handed down over generations in my family."

One of his new pieces is a soft avocado suede couch daybed in the second bedroom. It can open out into a queen-size bed for friends who stay over.

"This room is kind of my sitting room," he says of the second bedroom. "I write music in here, I talk on the phone. And the view - it's just about a 180-degree view of whatever you want to see in New York. At night, with the city lights, it's absolutely stunning." The living room is outfitted with a deep brown, almost black leather sofa, which "is really comfortable," Hicks says. "Some mornings I wake up and realize I slept the entire night on the couch. That's how comfortable it is."

It's also the room where he has a wall of guitars.

"I keep the two guitars I like to write with hanging on hooks on the wall," he says. "They're handy, so, if the muse hits me, I can corral her before she gets away." In addition to playing guitar and singing, Hicks has many other talents that he didn't get a chance to display on "American Idol." Like his green thumb - almost every window is filled with thriving plants.

"Because there's so much light in this apartment, there's an equal opportunity for lots of plants to grow," he says.

That extends to the coffee table, which has a glass top with plants and peat moss inside it.

"I just thought it would be real cool to have some greenery within the table," he says.

Hicks is also quite the cook. The open kitchen has seen him whipping up dishes for guests. His specialties are lasagna and chicken piccata.

"A few days ago a fan sent me five slabs of barbecued ribs," Hicks says. "They were already pre-cooked, so I just put them in the oven to warm them and brought them to the theater so we could all eat them. Needless to say, we danced a little slow that night."

Now that he's leaving the show, Hicks is about to record his next album. There's no title or release date yet (he's hoping for early next year), but he's quite excited about it.

"I had time to really create and write the songs," he says. "It's going to be very creative."

And ending this run in "Grease" doesn't mean he's saying goodbye to Broadway. He's hoping for another musical in the not-too-distant future.

"I've had a wonderful time," Hicks says. "I'll be back here again. I'll be putting all my new furniture right back in a place somewhere around here.

I'm really thankful that I was able to come here and experience New York and help spice up the place a little bit. It's definitely country come to town."

Taylor Hicks'
FAVORITE THINGS
* A painting of his band playing at the House of Blues in New Orleans

* A T-shirt he got when, at 18, he worked in a roadhouse called the Flora-Bama Lounge

* His TaylorMade golf clubs

* His collection of old music magazines: "I learn from the singers I read about. They helped me create my own style."

* His case of 12 harmonicas, all in different keys

* His book "Heart Full of Soul"

* The plants all over his apartment

Today's cup:
“A heathy garden is a reflection of a healthy soul.”

To rate this article at the NEW YORK POST Website
AND to give it a buzz up please visit this link

Do You Like Good Music?

2008-08-31T18:38:00.005-04:00

When Arthur Conley shouts "Do you like good music?" on "Sweet Soul Music", the resounding response is "Yeah! Yeah!"

"Soul music is gospel music for everyone - black or white, sinner or saint and it lifted me up like nothing before or since.
Soul music didn't just touch my soul; I think it awakened it for the very first time."
~ Taylor Hicks ~

video: "Sweet Soul Music" performed by Taylor Hicks
American Idol Concert on 7-7-06 Manchester, New Hampshire

The majority of major label releases, or music that you hear on the radio today, is not actually music. It is a product engineered by people in suits who sit around and discuss the best way to get money out of our pockets and into theirs. They don’t give half a hoot about the musical integrity of the “art” they commission.

When they find a trend that sticks, they milk it until there isn’t a cent left in it.
Why does every wannabe teen celebrity princess come out with an album?
Don’t you feel patronized by this?
Major labels think we are stupid and will buy what they sell because of the advertising campaign and overlook the actual music.
You are being sold a culture that you have absolutely no input in creating.
By supporting mainstream music, you are a tool in the system of the rich.
by Jemayel Khawaja

"Good people know good music when they hear it"
~ Taylor Hicks ~

"Good people" was the way in which the crowd was addressed at the Renaissance Festival I recently attended. To borrow from that era and from Taylor's quote,
"Good people I give you ... good music"

Ipod playlist:
Taylor Hicks ~ "Georgia"
Freddie Scott ~ "Hey Girl"
Ray Charles and Michael McDonald ~ "Hey Girl"
Billy Joel ~ "Hey Girl"
Billy Paul ~ "Me and Mrs. Jones"
Taylor Hicks ~ "You Are So Beautiful"

"Hey Girl" has long been a favorite of mine in case you can't tell from the number of times it appears above in my IPOD player. I'm hoping that the next great artist that records this tune will be Taylor Hicks. He has the voice, he has the passion and he definitely has the soul! You have only to listen to his renditions of "Georgia" or "You Are So Beautiful" to imagine how Taylor would make this song his own. I often wonder if Taylor knows that this was one of Ray Charles favorite songs too?

While you are kicking back and enjoying the music - here is an excerpt from an article that I think you'll find quite interesting:

Music Rediscovers Its Vintage Soul
Soul music's origins can be traced to the mid-'50s, when artists such as Ray Charles began fusing gospel and R&B. It enjoyed mainstream popularity through most of the '70s, before the rise of disco and then hip-hop. The genre faded in the '80s as R&B reflected rap's influence, being slickly produced with less live instrumentation. At the same time, major labels catered to the vast youth market, which favored a more contemporary sound.

But in recent years, several factors have helped put vintage soul back on the cultural radar: Europe's ongoing love affair with American music, the re-emergence of older stars such as Solomon Burke, Irma Thomas and Al Green, and fans looking for something they couldn't find in the mainstream.

"I thought that once the music disappeared in the '80s, it wouldn't ever come back again," Charles Walker says. "Today, it's an underground thing. It's one of those things that club DJs and college kids are really into, and they're what's making it happening."

"Whenever you have these (economic) downturns, people turn to music that is uplifting," says Panos Panay, founder of Sonicbids, an online company that connects bands with concert promoters.
"This music resonates with people. Fans are won over by the music's authenticity. People long for the human touch that's lacking in a lot of other popular music. Soul has a familiarity to it, but it's something that hasn't been exploited a lot in recent years."

It's a struggle for soul performers to get airplay when more commercial acts fill that niche, says Sean Ross, vice president of music and programming for Edison Media Research. "If you look at the urban AC chart, there are songs with a retro feel — Noel Gourdin's The River or Alicia Keys' Teenage Love Affair," Ross says. "They have some contemporary element to go with the classic feel.
Sharon Jones and Ryan Shaw take it a step further, and they're harder for radio to relate to."

But Panay points out that the definition of what's mainstream is changing. Airplay and MTV are no longer the only measures of success.
He says nearly 10% of the 160,000 bands registered with Sonicbids are soul and R&B bands. That's 20 times more than he saw a year ago. The Internet, with its multitude of bloggers and music services, and specialty retailers such as Starbucks also are driving consumption. "The curators of music today are very different from who they were just 10 years ago," Panay says. "People are discovering music in all different ways."

And not all the ways are new. At Daptone Records — home to Jones and other soul acts — recordings are made using analog equipment, and they've got a strong market for vinyl LPs and 45s. "When people get a Daptone record, they know it's going to be raw and soulful," says label co-founder and Dap-Kings bassist Gabriel Roth.

It's difficult to predict whether soul will continue growing in popularity, Charles McEnerney, producer and host of the podcast Well-Rounded Radio, says - but there's potential for greater breakthroughs.
"It wouldn't take much for any of those bands to have a fluke hit on commercial radio and interest a major label," he says. "But the desire to be on a major label now is about 'Will it get me into Wal-Mart or Target?' And the trade-off is having someone telling you how to do your music."

The bands find their best strategy is connecting directly with fans.
Playing at rock venues, "we get a lot of kids in their 20s," says Eli Reed. Sharon Jones says she has been surprised at times by the wide range of acceptance. "I was totally shocked when they had us at (Telluride) Bluegrass Festival," Jones says. "These people were a bunch of hippies into blues and rock. But once people hear us, they are into it."
excerpt from USA TODAY
By Steve Jones

Lots of info to ponder - follow the underlined links to read more and to discover or rediscover some great artists!

Today's cup:
"I don't think you could tag a certain year as the date that soul music appeared, because it didn't happen that way. It evolved over a period of time. Even today, you could ask five different people what it was and how it got started and get five different answers....

Originally, soul music had a strong element of the church, of spiritual music. It had a gospel music feeling, and then it incorporated the sound of blues music. That's soul's makeup: the fusion of gospel and blues, all mixed up together. It's the crossover of those forms of music that makes soul unique....

At first I got some criticism for playing soul music. Women sent me letters, accused me of being sacrilegious because they could pick out that gospel music was being incorporated into something that went beyond the sound they heard in church every week. They didn't realize at first how spiritual soul music could be....

And there were people who objected to soul being played on the radio because of the depth of feeling in the music. Some people thought it was too suggestive, and some thought it was just plain vulgar. But the feeling that comes through in the music --that's the essence of soul -- the word itself tells you that.
~ Ray Charles ~

Taylor and The Beatles

2008-08-23T12:09:00.005-04:00

This past week, Canadian Idol honoured the music of The Beatles for the first time on their show. No, this is not a blog about Canadian Idol and yes, I am still watching it because I want to know how it ends. It is rather strange sometimes how one thought leads to another thought and when you finally stop, you wonder how did I get here from there?

In a previous blog about Taylor Hicks' self-penned song, "Somehow", I mentioned that songwriters should be recognized as well as appreciated for their unique talent in putting words, thoughts and music together. Hopefully the end result is a song that is meaningful to others and a Top Ten Hit. The Beatles are definitely no exception when it comes to "creating memories" with their everlasting legacy to the world of music.

Whether you are a baby boomer or you are a child of a baby boomer, you have listened to the incredible music of The Beatles. Surely, everyone has heard about their North American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show back in the '60s.

video: Canadian Idol's Tribute to The Beatles

From Wikpedia:

"The Beatles are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music, selling over a billion records internationally. In the United Kingdom, The Beatles released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one, earning more number one albums than any other group in UK chart history. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries; their record company, EMI, estimated that by 1985 they had sold over one billion records worldwide.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, The Beatles have sold more albums in the United States than any other band. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Beatles number one on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. According to that same magazine, The Beatles' innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s, and their influence on pop culture is still evident today."

"For accessibility and quality,
it remains impossible to beat The Beatles."
~ Taylor Hicks - 'Heart Full of Soul' ~

Moving from one thought to the next, I remembered that Taylor has also performed music by The Beatles. The first stop down "Memory Lane" is the fabulous performance by Taylor of "Something" which captured many hearts and more importantly, many well deserved votes. We were also introduced to the colour "purple" with this song - a colour that for some reason seems to be often associated with Taylor.

Video: Taylor Hicks "Something"

Thanks, AliceinTaylorland!
On the subsequent AI Tour in 2006, when Taylor brought out the red guitar, the crowds went wild. The audience knew that they were going to hear Taylor's rendition of "Don't Let Me Down". I do enjoy the music of The Beatles but when I watched this performance, it was as if I was hearing the song for the very first time. Taylor gave us a "WOW" moment with this one!

video: Taylor Hicks "Don't Let Me Down"
Thanks, mmmeverclear!
A year later on his solo tour, Taylor Hicks continued to sing his way into the hearts of audiences with his version of "Here Comes The Sun".

video: Taylor Hicks "Here Comes The Sun"

Thanks, elaine1154!

As my feet gently touch the cobblestone of 2008 along this pathway of thoughts, I am reminded of the excitement that was generated in April of this year when it was announced that Taylor would be appearing in "A Tribute to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" at the Wolf Trap Centre, Washington, D.C. One can only surmise that since Taylor has always enjoyed and admired the genius of The Beatles' music that he would definitely have wanted this page in his book of memories.

This weekend in Washington was a date that many had circled on their calendars. Unfortunately, schedules change and Taylor was not able to participate in this "Tribute" due to his commitment to Grease on Broadway. While many were disappointed, I suspect that many others were elated that Bo Bice stepped into Taylor's role at Wolf Trap.

In the spirit of the significance of this weekend's previously anticipated performance, finally we come to my last thought. A salute to Sgt. Pepper with a sprinkle of Taylor Hicks!

video: American Idol's Tribute to St. Pepper -
Season 6 Grand Finale

Thanks, VeGaS1004!

Today's Cup:

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons.
You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes~