Taylor Hicks My Idol: Seven Mile Breakdown

Showing posts with label Seven Mile Breakdown. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Taylor Hicks - Seven Mile Breakdown

"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!

Friday, May 1, 2009

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

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!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Taylor Hicks On American Idol

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
"Early Works"

First and foremost, these two albums represent who I am and who I am trying to represent as a songwriter.
"In Your Time" was a first attempt at recording songs that I had written at the time. Some songs that were really hitting home with me at the time.
"Under the Radar" was a second attempt at a first attempt to try to record an album that resembled the production quality of Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat." The songwriting was getting better and my direction as an artist was getting clearer. Warmth in the production was the main goal; "nostalgic" and "endearing" are the terms that I like to use for these two records.
Thanks for going on the ride!
Taylor Hicks

MTV News

'American Idol' Alum Taylor Hicks Channels Elvis, Liberace For 'Grease' Gig

In 2006, when salt-and-pepper-pelted soul singer Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of "American Idol," he probably never imagined he'd be popping out of an ice-cream cone, singing "Beauty School Dropout."

Now Hicks is doing just that, playing the Teen Angel - a role made famous by Frankie Avalon in the 1978 film version of "Grease" - in the musical's latest Broadway revival. For his first foray into acting, it's not a bad gig, and Hicks is hoping it will open more doors for him down the line.

"It's a really cool part," he said. "The Teen Angel comes down and tells Frenchy she should put down her teasing comb and go back to high school. I've kind of channeled Elvis, a little Graham Parsons and Liberace, all at the same time, for this role. It was just a perfect fit and a way for me to experience the Broadway stage in a small dose, instead of a full role. I come out in the second act. I pop in from an ice-cream cone, in a blue rhinestone suit, and rock it out for a few minutes."
Hicks said his Teen Angel is like none that has graced the stage before him, because he "Taylor-ized it."

To prepare for the role, he claims he "started doing séances to channel Elvis, and he told me that I needed to wear a midnight-blue, rhinestone-studded suit, and that's what happened. Now we're packing the place out. It's sold-out every night, and I get to play a little harmonica, which is cool. I couldn't do that on 'Idol.' That wasn't the year where you could play instruments."

According to Hicks, the "Grease" part wasn't his first offer. Earlier this year, he'd been asked to join the Broadway cast of "Hairspray," a gig he couldn't fit into his schedule. But being part of "Grease" has given him the itch to act again.

"Right now, I'm releasing a new record in the fall - hopefully - so [doing] this allows me to stay in the city, be in front of thousands and thousands of people for the next three months, and it allows me to reinvent myself, as a musician, an entertainer and possibly a Broadway actor," he said. "This is a nice way to get my feet wet in the acting field. Before, I was so entrenched in music - playing clubs and roadhouses when I was a kid - so Broadway was kind of an abstract thought for me. It's not now. It's real, and I enjoyed being directed from a theatrical aspect as opposed to a musical aspect. It's going to be an interesting road for me."

Hicks said that his fans, known as the "Soul Patrol," have been at each performance - so much so that during one of the shows, he looked down and spotted his face tattooed on a woman's body ("It wasn't anywhere revealing," he said).

Hicks' year has been full of ups and downs. It started off on a bad note, as Arista Records revealed they'd dropped Hicks from their roster after just one release. His 2006 self-titled effort has sold 702,000 copies to date, making it the worst-performing of all the "American Idol" champs' albums. But then, Hicks landed the "Grease" gig, and, with a new album to record, he's close to signing with a new label.

"I don't have a name for the album yet, but I do know that it's some of the best music that I've ever written, and from an artistic standpoint, this album, being in my control, has allowed me to really breathe as a songwriter," he said. "As an artist, you kind of understand the times and what your surroundings are and write from them. So there's some political undertones on the album. It's a serious time for us."

Hicks said he's not worried about the future, because he knows he has what it takes to sustain a career in music. "It would be scary if I didn't really believe that I was supposed to do this," he said. "For me, as a kid, I knew I was supposed to entertain and perform for folks. When you have that self-belief and inner-determination, you understand there are peaks and valleys in this business, and you just keep working at it. You show up to work, whether it's 25 people at a Steak & Ale, or Wembley Stadium and there's 500,000 people. If you keep working, and you're good to people, you'll be blessed."

Despite the poor sales, Hicks said he's still proud of his debut album. "As many songs as were thrown at me in the 10 minutes I had to choose them, I kept a good guard up, because I knew my artistic guard would allow people to say that I really took the integrity to keep my art," he said. "I've been working 15 years to make it in this business. I didn't want to not make it anymore. I'm proud of that record. I just wish we would have had more time to record it, but I'm proud of it. That's key."
MTV News (click MTV for video)
By Chris Harris, with reporting by Jim Cantiello

PEOPLE.COM - TAYLOR HICKS ADMITS ...

Taylor Hicks is used to being the object of adoring fans – but when the Jonas Brothers made a TV appearance in New York, the American Idol swapped roles.

Hicks, who is currently starring in Grease on Broadway, couldn't resist partaking in Jonas Brothers mania with thousands of other fans outside of the Live With Regis & Kelly studios in New York City Thursday morning, he told PEOPLE.

"Once I arrived and saw all the Jonas Brothers fans, I got in on the screaming.
We were all having a great time out there," said Hicks, who grabbed a sign from a fan and proudly held it up when the band arrived for the show.

"We were all just being fans and that's a cool thing."
Asked if he's really a true fan, he told PEOPLE "I am!"
"What they do is awesome because it gets kids into music," said Hicks who was at the ABC studio to tape a performance of "Beauty School Dropout" for the show's Broadway Week celebration, to air on Friday.

"They are a classy act," he added, noting that Nick is his favorite Jonas Brother because "he's the leader of the band."
Sadly, Hicks didn't get to bond with the guys.
"I just saw them in passing. They’ve got some pretty heavy security."

In addition to starring on Broadway, Hicks is busy recording his second album, which he hopes to release in the fall.
"I love New York.
I'm working on Broadway and it’s a great way for me to get my feet wet in acting and a great way to season yourself as a performer," he said.

"I've been able to breathe more as a songwriter, having the time and being able to find the right songs."

A Soulful Night On The Farm

Boot, Blues, and BBQ with Taylor Hicks
a Benefit for Hannah Home Shelby
(A Ministry of The King’s Ranch and Hannah Homes)
Saturday, May 10th
Presented by Governor and Mrs. Riley

Hannah Homes provide long term shelters for women, and women with children, who are fleeing domestic violence.

This Christ-centered home provides free housing, food, clothing, transportation, counseling, parenting classes, dometic violence classes and a host of other services to aid residents on their journeys toward healing and wholeness.

"We've probably all called Hannah Home to come get some stuff from us at one point in time," says Taylor Hicks - musical guest for the fundraising event.

"It's a great cause ... and I'm wearing the old boots, and got some blues, and I just had some barbecue."

Taylor Hicks escorted Alabama's first lady Patsy Riley, as the Governor was on crutches and unable to attend.

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Taylor Hicks Donates Autographed Harmonica for 23rd Annual Event
TALLADEGA, AL

April 25th @ the International Motorsports Hall of Fame SPEED Channel Dome at the Talladega Superspeedway.

Alabama’s own soulful singer/songwriter and 2006 American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks, is supporting the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind by donating an autographed harmonica for the upcoming live auction at this year’s Race Fever.

Autographed during the 2008 Alabama Music Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Award Show where Hicks received the 2008 America’s Music Award, this “Taylor-made” item is sure to “Make You Proud” when you “Take it to the Streets”.

Opportunity

You never know when it will knock.
My big opportunity came during an audition in Birmingham, Alabama.
I walked through that door and when I came out, I had the opportunity of a lifetime.

We probably walk through a million doorways in our lives – some more important than others.
Some of those doors lead to opportunities that are beyond our imagination.

I believe your home should represent your outlook on life. The front door to your house leaves a strong impression on guests.
My front door is a symbol and it says when you enter my home, you are entering a place that is very special.

I’ve teamed up with Harmony Doors to create a series of distinctive doors designs inspired by the same influences that have shaped my music.

The Taylor Hicks Orleans Collection

Taylor Hicks My Idol

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Taylor Hicks - Seven Mile Breakdown

Friday, May 1, 2009

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

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Taylor Hicks On American Idol

TO TAYLOR HICKS MY IDOL

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