Time In A Bottle

If I had a box for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were all answered by you

It's unbelievable that it is already the 2nd of December, where has this year gone?
I'm wondering how much time must pass before something can be considered nostalgia?
My memories of this past year with Taylor aren't bittersweet, they are sweet ... so would they still be considered nostalgia??

It has been a wonderful year for Taylor and for those of us in his travelling circus.

Oh, The Places We Have Been!

You just have to take a look at Taylor's Timeline over at the Whomp Swamp ...

or watch his 'Trip Around The Sun' video up in my sidebar ...

and all those sweet memories come flooding in!

For today's blog though, I'd like to take you just a bit further back.
Do you remember our first audio blog from Taylor at graycharles?




How about this excerpt from Taylor's interview with MTV News

"There is a sound that I've kinda thought about and it's called 'modern wamp'.
It's like swamp meets boogie meets jazz meets hip-hop.

It's cool.
I've been excited about recording it, but I think touring is going to be the funnest thing for me.
I'm such a live dude, I've been doing it for so long.
I'm going to put some horns on the road with me and have this killer soul band."

Remember this answer from Taylor's interview with Mary Colurso when she asked him to name his top five moments in his

"you know you're famous if" category?

Answer #5
"Really feeling the energy of all the people who are fans.
I've always wanted to perform for crowds of people.
The more people I perform to, the more energy they give me to give back to them.
It's easier to reciprocate that energy.
I walk into some of these theaters, and it's standing room only.
I've created an audience for myself as an entertainer.
When it happens, it's the greatest gift God can give you.
I did an outdoor event for 22,000 people at Universal Studios.
It was a tour stop.
There's a Mardi Gras parade that goes through the park and everybody plays.
They closed Universal Studios down to see me perform.
That was great."

Yes Indeed!!

And today's journey continues with a Taylorized poem by Mandy set to
'Twas The Night Before Christmas'.
She thought it would be fun to take that famous poem and rewrite it as if she were attending a great Taylor Hicks' concert!
So as you read the lines, do so with the original poem in mind.

A Concert With Taylor
by Mandy
‘Twas the night of the big concert, and music filled the house,
Everyone was listening, including the concert hall mouse!
The chairs were all filled with fans and newbies alike,
As Taylor came on stage and grabbed for his mike!
The Soul Patrol was ready to give lots of shouts,
As the band started playing so that there were no pouts!
We were dancing and waving and singing along
‘Cause we knew all the words to each and every song!
“Gonna Move” started the set and was followed by more
While Taylor’s sweat was coming out of every possible pore!
“The Right Place” and “The Deal” and “Hell of a Day”
Were terrific and energetic and perfect in every way.
We listened and danced as the concert went on
While the cell cert host kept watch on her phone!
“Heaven Knows” and “The Maze” and “Soul Thing” too
Kept us dancing and screaming for more “Medicated Goo”!
Now cameras were taping and pictures were taken
For us to post on the boards for everyone’s takin’!
Then all of a sudden security did appear
Which put us with cameras in panic and fear
Then they turned away quickly and looked no more
So we kept on filming and snapping pictures galore!
Now Brian was on keyboards and Mitch was on bass
And Zippy on the drums was making his case!
Sam on the guitar and Jeff with the sax and flute
Taylor had to play harmonica just to follow suit!
Time for “The Runaround” and “Hey Pokey Way”
‘Cause we wanted Taylor and LMBO together to stay!
“Wherever I Lay My Hat” and “Give Me Tonight”
With Taylor dancing, oh my, what a sight!
Taylor was wearing a white shirt with his jeans
New Balance sneakers that give him the means
To dance and jump and shake his great buns
In a way that would make us all glad we’re not nuns!
“Just to Feel That Way” and the spunky “My Friend”
Is enough to make our backs and knees bend!
With a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face
We couldn’t help but wonder how he kept up his pace!
Now he tags lots of songs with out missing a beat
Which keeps us all standing rather than having a seat!
Then “Badge” was followed by Rod Stewart's “Young Turks”
To complete a Taylor concert full of great song perks!
The band was real tight as Taylor gave each the spotlight
To showcase their talent while they played with all their might!
Brian’s fingers across the keyboards, how fast they could fly
While Jeff played the sax and the flute together, oh my! my!
Zippy on drums kept pace with Sam and Mitch
As Taylor sang his songs in perfect note pitch!
The main set had ended and the encore started when
We finally got to hear all “The Places I’ve Been”!
When the concert was ended Taylor yelled “see you real soon”
Then he dashed off the stage to miss our collective swoon!
Out by the buses he signed autographs and chatted
As we waited to see if we’d get our hearts patted!
Then he got on the bus but before they drove out of sight,
He yelled “SOUL PATROL” and “Thanks for a great night!”
Happy Holidays Everyone!
(Thank you Mandy for sharing, please visit Mandy's blog in my sidebar for more of her wonderful concert recaps)

Our journey back in time today closes with this beautifully put together video by paythedevil from last December.
Thank you, this is truly a treasured gift!

I must warn you though, it leaves me in tears.



If I had a box for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were all answered by you

I think I hear that whistle blowing

Thanks for taking another trip down memory lane with me today.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit here and enjoyed revisting some of The Places We've Been.
Your comments are welcome,
Bloom

Is Country The Answer?

The A.I Taylor Hicks hooked us, but it was the acoustical Taylor who reeled most of us in permanently.

As we sit and listen we are spellbound, this is when the magic of Taylor Hicks' artistry really shines.

We long for the moments of just Taylor and his stool, and when it happens the excitement level just skyrockets.

The same phenomenon happens when he begins to play his harp, we are on the edge of our seats straining not to miss a moment of the magic taking place.

Taylor made us sit up and take notice from the moment he appeared on our television screens.

Here was a young man who had the ability to not only sing his heart out, but to entertain us at the same time.

He made the music come alive!

He asked for his voice to be heard and to give him a chance.

We voted to give him that chance, but the PTB and the radio industry have discounted our votes and have not embraced Taylor.

Which brings me back to the title of this topic ... is Country the answer for Taylor Hicks?

The following is an excerpt from an article that appeared in 2001.

The only part I am not in agreement with is the reference to "payola".

I am totally convinced that though it is illegal, it is still taking place.

You just have to look at who has dominated the AC charts since the beginning of this year, to have no doubts about what is happening.

.....

"Most new songs cannot become popular without the medium we know as radio. After all, people won't usually buy CDs without hearing at least one song first, and the place they hear it is usually on the air.
So who is it that decides what is played on the radio and how?
The Radio Industry
During most of the last century, many independent radio stations had DJs who chose the music they played on the air. Many developed legions of hard-core fans who tuned into their shows regularly. Listeners depended on their favorite DJs to introduce them to new songs. Good DJs knew their audiences and could predict which songs would become hits.
These days, large corporations own most of the radio stations. They are in business to make money and play the music they think will lure audiences and sell advertising. (The exception is non-commercial, or public, stations that don't play ads and depend on listeners and corporations to send in donations.)
Some people say that large corporations are less willing than individual DJs to take a risk on new or innovative music, and therefore don't offer listeners as much variety.
One thing commercial stations can't do is accept money from record companies or musicians in return for playing their music. That's illegal, and known in the business as "payola."
"Since the early days of Rock and Roll on the radio there have been numerous rumors of payola in the radio industry, but very few have ever gone to court, and only a few of those have ever led to convictions," said Reed Bunzel, editor-in-chief of the radio industry Web site Gavin.com.
At commercial stations, DJs play songs from a pre-selected playlist put together by the station management based on what they think listeners want to hear. The DJ's job is mostly to entertain listeners with talk between songs and introduce the music. He or she has little choice or input for song selection at most stations.
There are about 10,000 commercial stations in the U.S. and about 2,500 non-commercial stations. The most popular format in the U.S. is Country Music. That means Country Music dominates the airwaves, but not the record stores. "

Acoustical Taylor fits quite nicely into the Country Music genre.

A perfect example, 'The Fall' written by Taylor Hicks

from his 1999 CD 'In Your Time'

This video is from his concert appearance in Waukegon, IL

July 12, 2007

video by samz

Would the Country Music Industry embrace Taylor now, and give him the recognition he deserves?

Obviously it will be up to Taylor whether he chooses that direction, and with the promise of more acoustical music from him ... is it a possibility?

Your comments are welcome.