The Taylor Hicks Page

Video of Taylor playing in the celebrity basketball game...

2008-03-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

Taylor on Megan Mullally show tomorrow

2006-12-13T21:17:00.000-08:00

Don't miss Taylor on the Megan Mullally tomorrow 12/14. This show is syndicated so check local listings. I think it's on sometime in the afternoon where I'm at. I can't say that I've watched more than about 2 minutes of it, but I'll be sure to check it out tomorrow.

Also if you don't know...Wal-Mart has an exclusive bonus track on Taylor's new album - "Hell of a Day."

Taylor article in Seattle Times

2006-12-05T21:16:00.000-08:00

Read full article here.

Excerpts:

Hicks may soon play a theater or big nightclub (but not a sports arena) near you. His first national solo tour kicks off in late February and Seattle's Paramount Theatre will be a likely stop.

His new album expresses his own musical personality, he stressed, not the bidding of the "American Idol" combine (to which he is still contracted). "I've been involved in every single aspect of the record ... song selections, dealing with arrangements, the mixing, the whole thing."

Updates! New album info and Taylor on TV tonight!

2006-11-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

You can find the track listing for Taylor's new album on Wikipedia. Looks like "Soul Thing" and "The Deal" from Under the Radar will be on there. He's also doing a cover of Paul Pena's "Gonna Move," which is one of my favorites.

You can listen to 3 of the tracks at Taylor Hicks.com. So far my favorite is "The Right Place," which was written by Bryan Adams.

Taylor is appearing on Christmas in Rockefeller Center on NBC tonight at 8 PM.

He is scheduled for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday 12/1.

Regis and Kelly 12/6.

Christmas in Washington 12/10. I haven't figured out the time or channel for this yet.

The View 12/11.

Taylor and Bryan Adams

2006-11-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

Taylor records a song penned by Bryan Adams for his new album.

Excerpt:

"There have been some great songs that have been given to me, a Bryan Adams [track] being one of them," Hicks told AOL Music. "He sent me a song that's just so killer, man. Ray Charles taught me it doesn't matter who wrote it -- as long as you can sing it, feel it and perform it, you'll know."

Taylor Hicks.com!

2006-10-29T15:08:00.000-08:00

I've been a little out of it lately, but I do want to let anyone know who doesn't, that TaylorHicks.com is now up and running.

On the website you can pre-order Taylor's new album (scheduled for release on 12/5/06) for $9.99.

Gray Charles is apparently the official blogger for the site. If you click "blog" at the top of the page it takes you to the Gray Charles website.

Now that there seems to be a little more going on, you can expect to see more news on this site.

See exclusive rehearsal footage of Taylor!

2006-10-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061019005382&newsLang=en

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CenterStaging Corp. (OTCBB:CNSC)-American Idol winner Taylor Hicks provides a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of his working methods exclusively on rehearsals.com, CenterStaging’s online digital portal powered by MLB.com. Starting on October 20th, fans can stream footage of Taylor as he rehearses both “What’s Going On” and his original track “Hell of a Day” in preparation for a benefit appearance.

Taylor gets funky in the studio

2006-10-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

From AOL Music Blog.

Excerpt:

Soul Patrol members will rejoice with news that 'American Idol' season 5 winner Taylor Hicks has just hit the studio to record his major label debut. The Alabama-bred 'Gray Charles,' as he's affectionately known, told AOL Music he's already spent a week in Southern California laying down tracks for the record, which he hopes to release by Christmas.

2006-10-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!

A little something about Elliott Yamin

2006-10-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

According to the article Elliott is performing with LMBO at the Virginia State Fair this Sunday.

Taylor to perform at Spirit of Life Awards

2006-10-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

From MTV News.

Pre-order LMBO Workplay CD and DVD

2006-09-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

LMBO has website almost ready to launch! They do have an online store already, and they have their Workplay concert CD and DVD available for pre-order.

Online Store

New articles

2006-09-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

LMBO afterparty article from The Citizens Voice.

Official Soul Patrol hosting benefit for Kid One transport - featuring LMBO.

The "It's a Soul Thing" event takes place from 6 p.m. to midnight at the BlueGill Restaurant, 3775 Battleship Parkway. Funds raised at the event go to Kid One Transport, an Alabama-based nonprofit organization whose mission is transporting children and expectant mothers who otherwise have no means of getting to necessary medical service providers.

Johnny Depp a Taylor Hicks fan

2006-09-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

From the National Ledger.

Song of the Week: "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney

2006-09-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

My favorite love song of all time.

"Maybe I'm Amazed" first appeared on McCartney's self-titled 1970 solo album.

The version you're more likely to hear on the radio is the live Wings Over America version from 1976.

I don't think anybody does this song as good as McCartney, but a lot of people think Rod Stewart gave him a run for his money.

New reviews

2006-09-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

From the Syracuse Post-Standard. "Idols' put on a winning show."

Taylor Hicks certainly flashed the charisma and individuality that made him this year's top choice of America's call-in voters. He entered the arena from the back, and was handed a yellow bouquet as he sang Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" on his way to the big stage.

From ReadingEagle.com - "Idol worship rocks the arena."

Hicks is the whole package. He has stage presence, a strong voice and he loves to entertain. He sang the only original song of the night “Do I Make You Proud” which reached No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Idols talk about life on the road

2006-09-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

From Herlad-Dispatch.com.

Quote from Taylor:

"I have just been trying to set an example," Hicks said. "Everybody has to be cordial because everybody really is in this together. It really has to be a family unit. It's like the mentality that we are all going to Wallyworld. It's a very aggressive tour, but it can be fun."

New Taylor article

2006-09-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Article from ReadingEagle.com.

Excerpt:

Nevertheless the native of Birmingham, Ala., is indeed the latest American Idol, with a first single, “Do I Make You Proud,” which shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with first-week sales of nearly 130,000 copies. And Hicks thinks the fact that he has a bit more life experience than some of his predecessors makes him even more ready to take on the role.

“I think it has a lot to do with it,” said Hicks, who will turn 30 on Oct. 7. “I think you need experiences to connect with the audience, because the audience is going to have been through their experiences, and anything you can draw comparisons to or relate to and be on the same page, the better off you're going to be.”

Review of Austin show

2006-09-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Review of the Austin show from The Daily Texan online.

This is not the most postive review, but I found it to be fairly honest and not mean spirited like many other negative reviews.

For those who haven't gone to a show and are wondering why almost every review points out that Chris gets the biggest applause and cheers, here's an explanation.

Chris is a good live performer.

Chris comes on after a really long and boring intermission, the main purpose of which is to show commercials rather than give the band a break.

The applause for Taylor is subdued because of his non-stage entrance. Taylor comes in from one of the aisles singing "Jailhouse Rock." The music starts and the audience hears Taylor's voice but 90% of the audience can't see him and it's really hard to figure out which aisle he is coming down. So instead of applauding and cheering everyone is trying to figure out where he is. Then he makes his way to the stage surrounded by about 20 security guards, so it's not until he finally takes the main stage that he gets the most reaction.

Personally I didn't really like the side aisle entrance. The song was almost over before I figured out where he was, and I felt like I almost missed a whole song. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think a regular stage entrance is more exciting, and then moving out into the audience later on. That's just me though. Anyone agree or disagree?

Nice LMBO article

2006-09-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

LMBO article from The Citizens Voice.

Song of the Week: "Feelin' Alright"

2006-09-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

"Feelin' Alright" was written by Dave Mason, but my favorite version is by Joe Cocker.

I love the piano and Cocker's vocal performance. I think it's just a fun song to listen to.

Tons of people have recorded this song:

Isaac Hayes

Badfinger (live)

Grand Funk Railroad

Jackson 5

Three Dog Night

Traffic - Dave Mason was a member of Traffic and this is the original version.

The Supremes

Rare Earth

And who can forget Joe Cocker perfroming the song with John Belushi on Saturday Night Live

Here's a live version of Bo Bice performing the song:

And The Black Crowes performing it on Letterman in 1994

Tacoma Dome concert recap

2006-09-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay, but this recap has been harder to write than I imagined. I preface my review by saying the AI show is the first non-rock concert I have been to. Well, I'll take that back somewhat - I have seen Ray Charles and James Brown, who are not rock, but have similar performing qualities - if you know what I mean.

My teenage years were spent seeing bands like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, The Scorpians and a few other similar type bands that I'm a little too embarrassed to mention. In my adult years I have seen Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, The Who and Bob Dylan, so rock shows are what I have always been used to.

Why am I saying all this? Because the AI show is not really a rock concert. It's kind of like attending a live version of the show without the judges and with the "contestants" getting to spend a minute or two longer on their songs.

I guess that was my biggest surprise. Each performer was forced to breeze through their songs at a pace that didn't give much time for audience connection.

For the first half of the show I have to admit I was kind of wondering what I was doing there. The audience was comprised mostly of pre-teens and their parents or people my own parents age, who were either Taylor fans or just fans of American Idol in general. I felt a little out of place.

So how do I judge the show? I will start by saying that I respect each of the contestants. It must be hard to go out and tour stadiums at such an early point in their careers, and then be forced to do only other people's songs. It can't be easy.

Who do I think is the most ready for putting on a stadium style show?

Taylor - we knew from the show he knows what do on stage and it was great to see him in person, though it was way too brief. Taylor came out from the side doing "Jailhouse Rock" and then launched into Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights," once he got on stage. For "Hollywood Nights" Taylor plays guitar which was nice to see. His voice sounded really good, and he was full of energy.

He then did "Livin' For The City" and " Do I Make You Proud" before saying "good night." It seriously felt like he had only been performing for about 5 minutes (I guess it was actually about 20, but it felt short). Luckily he came back for an encore of "Takin' it to the Streets," where he did an awesome harmonica solo and the end.

After that Taylor left the stage and the bottom 8 came out to do a group performance of "We Are The Champions." It was ok, but a weird one for Taylor to not sing on. Taylor and Kat then came out to finish up with the group on "Living In America." It was a fun performance, but maybe just a tad bit like something you would see in Las Vegas.

To my surprise my second favorite performer of the night was Chris. He opened his set with Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," which sounded really good. Lyrically it crosses the line of family friendly, but I guess no one has been complaining. He also does "Wanted Dead or Alive" (I never thought I would see someone do that song again) and "Renegade." Both were good. Chris closes his set with a duet of "Savin' Me" with Elliott. It was ok, but not really the style of music I like.

Another surprise for me was Lisa Tucker. She plays piano and sings Elton John's "Your Song" and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight." Both were excellent. She turned them into her own style and they sounded good. Next to Taylor and Chris, she seemed the most like a real musician.

I also liked Bucky. He was exactly like he was on the show. He kind of has a Lynard Skynardish southern 70's rock quality that I like.

I was kind of mixed on Elliott. He sounded great on "Trouble," but I have to say that I don't care that much for "Moody's Mood For Love." He does a great job singing it, but I just don't like the song that much, and it doesn't translate that well to a stadium show. He also did a soul ballad I didn't recognize and didn't really like.

Everyone else:

Mandisa - sounded good, but I wasn't into the songs.

Ace - Couldn't get into either. I've never really liked "Father Figure," and his rocking out on a Maroon 5 song didn't work for me. I think he still needs to work on finding his own style.

Paris - another disappointment. She's a great singer, and she should spend more time on that and less on dancing.

Kellie - I think she was having some vocal problems. Sometimes it was hard to hear her. She was ok, but not a standout.

Kat - She has added one more song to her set - "Think." Her three songs are all from the show, but she didn't really get a chance to rehearse anything else. She sounded fine, I'm not really that into her.

So that's it. I didn't name all the songs, because the tour is near the end and I don't think the setlist has changed since the beginning of the tour (except Taylor dropping a few songs).

Idols pleasing larger and larger crowds

2006-09-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

From WFAA.com.

Excerpt:

Then, finally, the man of the hour. Taylor Hicks entered from a side door singing "Jailhouse Rock," which conjured easy comparisons to Elvis. Like the King, he's not at all self-conscious onstage; he'll happily sweat, grimace and dance like he has ants in his pants if the music moves him. With every song, from "Do I Make You Proud" to "Takin' It to the Streets," he poured his heart into his performance. We like that in an Idol.

EW Interview

2006-09-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

From EW.Com.

Excerpt:

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So you're on the Idol tour right now, but what's going on with your new album?

TAYLOR HICKS: I'm collecting and writing music. I'm starting to put ideas together for the record to have a similar thread, and I'm using one producer as opposed to 50. It's going to be soulful, very old-school-R&B-flavored, but it's also going to have a new-wave edge to it. I'm trying to fuse both of those sounds.

Reader response to Seattle Times articles

2006-09-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

Readers liked the articles on Taylor and the AI concert from the Seattle Times!

Read some of the response here.

Editor's note on article:

Editor's note: Say something nice about Taylor Hicks and what do you get? In response to Misha Berson's article "Sweet on Taylor Hicks" (on Friday) and Judy Chia Hui Hsu's Monday review of this weekend's "American Idol" show in Tacoma, we received in excess of 100 e-mails from fans of the gray-haired soul singer.
Those writing hailed from across the U.S. (and beyond); the majority were women.

Seattle Times review

2006-09-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Nice review from the Seattle Times.

Excerpt:

Hicks, in jeans, a black blazer and black shirt, showed off a versatility
missing from his peers' performances. He opened strong, with a booming rendition
of The King's "Jailhouse Rock," and never missed a word as he wound his way
through the crowd.

I hope to have my own recap up soon - I was on a little vacation over the past few days, so I haven't had a chance to do it.

Also - Song of the Week will return next weekend - also didn't get a chance to do that this week. We all need a little break sometimes.

Support real music

2006-09-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

There is a pretty cool new site that has been set up to support Bo Bice in being able to make the kind of music he wants to make.

Join The Petition to Hear More Bo Bice

The provides a lot of info about Bo and his music. It's well worth checking out.

Seattle Times article on Taylor

2006-09-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Something from my local paper!

"Sweet on Taylor Hicks" by Seattle Times arts critic Misha Berson

Excerpt:

I detest how overhyped and redundant the mainstream pop music scene has become, and I barely know one preening new pop diva from another these days.

And sure, on the cheese-o-meter, "American Idol" is a big ol' slab of Velveeta. But a funny thing happened to me last spring. I started taping "American Idol." I even cared who won.

Why?

Two words: Taylor Hicks.

I think many of us can relate to Misha on this.

The AI tour finally hits Seattle tomorrow, so after a very long wait I'll get to see Taylor live!

Taylor "keeps it real" in San Jose Club

2006-08-31T22:14:00.000-07:00

Pretty good article from The Mercury News, but it inexplicably gets a little negative toward the end.

Settlement gives Taylor control over the Nashville masters

2006-08-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

From E! Online.

Settlement gives Taylor control over the Nashville recordings of "In Your Time," "The Fall," and "Son of a Carpenter." The request for $75,000 in damages has been dropped.

This seemed to work out pretty well. Taylor having control over the songs was what I was ultimately hoping for. Hopefully we are now done with Will Smith and Tyler Music Group.

Taylor settles dispute with Tyler Music producer

2006-08-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

According to this article from The Birmingham Business Journal Taylor has settled his suit with music producer Will Smith.

The specific details have not been disclosed.

Get to know the AI finalists

2006-08-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

From Mercury News.

This is more about the other finalists since Taylor and Kat have been in the news so much.

Taylor at the Viper Room article

2006-08-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

From TMZ.com.

Song of the Week: "Days" by The Kinks

2006-08-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Song #3 on my alphabetical top 10 songs list brings us to my first foray into the British invasion. "Days", which was recorded in 1967, is a bit of a lost classic. "Days" was supposed to appear on the classic Village Green Preservation Society album, but was only released as a single instead.

You can now find it as a bonus track on newer CD versions of Village Green.

The song is about dealing with loss. It is sad and uplifting at the same time. Instead of anger the words are appreciating the time spent with a loved one.

My favorite cover version of the song comes from Elvis Costello and was on the Until The End of the World movie soundtrack.

L.A. Times article

2006-08-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Nice article from the L.A. Times.

New Taylor article

2006-08-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

Taylor interview from The Wave.

Excerpt:

TW: It’s all about the music, right?

TH: Yeah, and you know, this album that I’m doing – I had a snobbish approach about [not wanting] somebody sending me music – and you know, that barrier has been completely broken by some of the great songwriters who have sent me music in the last couple of weeks.

Taylor files suit against Tyler Music Group

2006-08-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

Check out the article from The Smoking Gun.

The complaint is also on the site.

New review and some You Tube video

2006-08-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

A review from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune. The review is from the perspective of an American Idol hopeful.

"The way Taylor is onstage is the reason so many people want to win this," Allen said after the concert. "He's having fun. He's so genuine. It's not scripted. He's well-rounded, playing several different instruments. I want his energy."

The Idols perform "Living In America" from Grand Rapids 8/15/06

Taylor has some down time

Taylor signs autographs

Song of the Week: Bell Bottom Blues by Derek and the Dominos

2006-08-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago some friends and myself put together a list of our top 10 favorite songs. Rather than actually rank the songs we listed them in alphabetical order. The first song on my list was my song pick of the week 2 weeks ago: "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers.

I thought it might be fun to keep going with my list of top 10 favorite songs, so on to #2, which is Derek and the Dominos' "Bell Bottom Blues."

--One note I want to make is that there are no Beatles songs on my top 10 list. The Beatles are my all time favorite band so I made a separate list of my 10 favorite Beatles songs.

--Also my criteria for my top 10 favorite list was that I couldn't repeat an artist.

"Bell Bottom Blues" comes from the 1970 Derek and the Dominos album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (which happens to be my third favorite album of all time).

Of course Derek is a thinly disguised pseudonym for Eric Clapton and the Dominos are comprised of Duane Allman (taking a very short break from The Allman Brothers), Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon and Carl Radle. The supergroup only recorded one album, which is probably for the best, because it doesn't get much better than Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is an ode to Eric Clapton's future wife, Patty Boyd. Patty Boyd happened to be the current wife of George Harrison, who happened to be Clapton's best friend.

While the real life situation must have been heartwrenching for all involved, the situation provided inspiration for one of the greatest albums about unrequited love ever recorded.

What I love about "Bell Bottom Blues" is the total desperation of the song. You probably won't find a better vocal performance from Clapton, and of course the lyrics and musicianship are outstanding.

So You Want to be an Idol...

2006-08-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

...Taylor Hicks Tells You How. From the Birmingham News.

With a trusty harmonica close at hand, the Birmingham musician says he felt a little more confident waiting in line in Las Vegas, along with thousands of other hopefuls...

Articles

2006-08-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

From the Tennessean.com.

Article on In Your Time and Under The Radar from Asscociated Content.

Article from The Birmingham News on Taylor's favorite restaurant.

Taylor recalls his AI audience experience from The Birmingham News.

Excerpt:

The second cut: "They bring five people up and sit them against a wall. You go in and two British guys are sitting there in chairs. That was Nigel Lythgoe and Ken arwick. There are huge lights and big TVs. They asked me, `What's your story?' I said, `I'm broke.' I sang `Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing' by Marvin Gaye. I wanted to sell them the lyrics to a good song. Then I did `A Change is Gonna Come' by Sam Cooke."

The reaction to his singing style: "They said, `We don't want to hear Joe Cocker, Taylor. We want to see Taylor Hicks.' They said, `The judges are going to chew you up and spit you out.' But they put me through."

New Taylor interview

2006-08-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

Taylor interview from the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

Taylor's advice to American Idol auditioners:

Talking on your cell phone too much will lead to your voice going out. Seriously — be careful about how much you talk on the cell phone, because you want your voice for the audition.

Another nice review

2006-08-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a short but positive review of the 8/15 Idols show from The Grand Rapids Press. Looks like the midwest is a lot more kind than the northeast was.

The biggest cheers? Rocker Chris Daughtry brought down the house with his solo set, as did "Idol" winner Hicks.

On anther note - I am aware of Justin Timberlake's comments about Taylor. I don't think there's much to say other than, who cares what Justin Timberlake thinks?

Nice review of Milwaukee show

2006-08-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

A rare postive review of the Idols 8/12 Milwaukee show from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.

An excerpt:

Even if you weren't part of his "Soul Patrol" of fans, "Idol" winner Taylor Hicks' showmanship was a perfect climax to the show with his take on Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights."

He was trying hard to please, even launching the show's encore by donning Brett Favre's green-and-gold No. 4 to show he knew exactly where he was performing on this multi-city tour.

Song of the Week: Gonna Move by Paul Pena

2006-08-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I first discovered Gonna Move only a few months ago when I came across some live recordings of pre-Idol Taylor Hicks.

It's now become a favorite song of mine.

The song was recorded in 1973, for the album New Train, but the album was never released. According the the All Music Guide the album got caught up in corporate red tape and remained unreleased until 2000.

Though you may not have heard of Paul Pena you are probably familiar with Jet Airliner, which he wrote, but was made famous by Steve Miller.

Aside from Taylor's and the original my favorite version of Gonna Move is by Susan Tedeschi.

Taylor performing Gonna Move with LMBO at The Workplay 8/7/06.

Workplay and Nashville video from You Tube

2006-08-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Taylor and Elliott on "Whipping Post" at the Workplay party in Birmingham 8/7/06 (sound is not that good). I wish I could see this in person.

"Don't Let Me Down" back! this is from the Nashville, TN show on 8/10/06. Sounds Good!

Birmingham concert recap

2006-08-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

Lady Ravensnark has posted a nice recap of the Birmingham show at the Bo Bice Underground.

Excerpt:

Our seats were at the very end of the aisle and I had convinced myself that Taylor was going to come in from the other side of the arena, so my attention was focused to my left. Suddenly a wave of energy swept through the crowd on my right and he was coming straight at me!!!!!! I was literally about 6 inches away from him and he looked fabulous in the infamous purple jacket. Not matinee idol handsome, but attractive and extremely magnetic. The screams were so loud that the song was not recognizable, but we all knew it was Jail House Rock. It was pandemonium. He sang, he danced he played harmonica. I really can't remember because I was so excited and the crowd energy was so infectious. I do remember that he strapped on a guitar and twirled around as he played. He came back for two encores. Everyone stood for the entire performance and more than a few of us were completely hoarse.

Video of Taylor singing "Gonna Move" at the Oasis

2006-08-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

Gonna Move one of my favorite songs he does! (Link takes you to Go Fish)

Also -

Taylor article from The Huntsville Times.

New video

2006-08-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

Project Heart and Soul presentation to Taylor (link goes to Go Fish). Video also has a clip of Taylor performing "The Breeze" with his band, I'm assuming it's from the Workplay show.

Interview with Taylor at the BJCC arena in Birmingham - also some footage of the Workplay show - very brief clip of Elliott singing "Whipping Post."

Taylor coverage from My Fox Birmingham.

Workplay photos

2006-08-08T05:45:00.000-07:00

Ash's site has a link to Workplay photos of Taylor along with Elliott, Bucky and Ace. Photos by Gray Charles.

MJ's blog has some details of the show.

Jewels R. has an entertaining article referring to Taylor, Elliott, Bucky and Ace as the new Rat Pack.

Taylor back in Birmingham

2006-08-07T22:01:00.000-07:00

Tonight's the night of the Pre-Concert party at the Workplay in Birmingham. Tomorrow night the Idols take the stage at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham.

My Fox Birmingham has a preview of Taylor's homecoming. See it here.

More tomorrow.

Birmingham News article on Taylor

2006-08-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best articles on Taylor I've seen in a while.

A couple highlights:

Taylor says Nov 14th probably is not the release date of his album. I'm thinking he's not worried about whose album comes out first, he just wants his to be good.

Hicks is most forthcoming when the conversation turns to his next CD, which Arista has announced for release on Nov. 14.

"No. That's wrong," he says. "It's going to be hard to get it all done, just six weeks after the tour is over with. For me, quality wise, it's tough to push for an album so soon after this aggressive, 50-city tour."

On his book deal:

The Gray-Haired Guy also hints that he's been working on a book based on his personal journal and tour memorabilia.

"I've been keeping memories, making notes, taking photographs," he says. "People can take that and run with it."

On why his set is a little shorter:

"I feel like less is more on this tour," he says. "This show is not about me; it's about us. We're all offering a taste of what we can do. That's the mentality I have. People are not there to see me; they're there to have the experience we had on the (TV) how."

While I wish he was still doing Don't Let Me Down, I do admire his attitude about the tour, American Idol and the other contestants.

And last but not least - Did you know NY Yankee Bernie Williams is a musician and has released a jazz album? I didn't, but Taylor does and he might work with him.

Take Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams, for example. Although best known for his prowess on the baseball field, Williams has earned respectful acclaim as a guitarist and composer. His 2003 jazz album for the GRP label, "The Journey Within," included collaborations with Bela Fleck, Ruben Blades and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

"Bernie Williams is one of my favorite baseball players," Hicks says. "I could be sitting in with him soon, possibly."

Song of the Week: Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers

2006-08-06T00:35:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to pick songs of the week that have some sort of Taylor connection, and this one does if you count the 3 seconds we saw him singing it during the Hollywood week. I really wish they would release footage of his entire performance of this one.

Ain't No Sunshine is one of my favorite songs of all time, I don't think soul music gets much better.

The song first appeared on Bill Withers 1971 Album Just As I Am, and won a grammy that year for Best R&B Song.

Some notable covers:

From Paul McCartney's MTV Unplugged performance, it's actually not Paul singing lead, it's his guitarist Hamish Stewart.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

The Jackson 5

Al Jarreau

Lyn Collins

News

2006-08-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

More on Taylor's book deal from People.

Article from ContactMusic.com about the Charlotte aftershow.

Review of Columbia, SC show from The State.com.

Project Heart and Soul article.

Video of Charlotte afterparty

2006-08-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you've been wanting a duet between Taylor and Elliott Yamin, this is it!

From Go Fish submitted by EYforever

Taylor and Elliott on Use Me with LMBO

Also Taylor with LMBO on Gonna Move submitted to Go Fish by Pacomarj.

Website update and Taylor signs a book deal...

2006-08-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

This is according to MJ's big blog ---

Taylor's website is set to debut in December. He has hired a web design company called Music Today to design the site. They have worked with Dave Mathews and The Rolling Stones. He plans on the site being very interactive.

And the other big news is Taylor has signed a book deal to write an inspirational book on the lessons he has learned on his path to success.

Here's the release from MJ's site:

Recent American Idol winner Taylor Hicks' HEART FULL OF SOUL, an inspirational book presenting lessons from his decades-long path to success, striving against long odds, to Rick Horgan at Crown, for publication in early 2007, in co-ordination with Hicks' album release, by Alan Nevins of The Firm (world).

The Invaluable Publishers Marketplace reported on Friday that recent American Idol winner Taylor Hicks signed a book deal. The project was described as “an inspirational book presenting lessons from his decades-long path to success, striving against long odds.” The book is scheduled for publication in early 2007 to coincide with the release of Hicks’ album. Rick Horgan at Crown bought the book for 500,000 or higher. Alan Nevins of The Firm served as agent in the deal.

A book deal. That's an unexpected but interesting idea.

Please note - I haven't been able to verify if the book deal is real for sure yet.

Quick News...

2006-08-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Waffle House patrons get surprise visit from Idols. - From The Charlotte Observer - Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin and Ace Young surprised some diners at a Charlotte, NC Waffle House when they stopped in for something to eat. Read article here. Here's some video footage.

Here's an interesting article about some the the contractual obligations the Idols have, from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Caught in the Act - from People, Taylor eating at NewYork City's steakhouse The Strip House. Not really worth writing about, but I'll put it anyway.

Here's a positive review of the Charlotte, NC show from the Charlotte Observer.

Who knows better the fans or the producers?

2006-08-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

I had a post a couple days ago about a petition for Bo Bice to be allowed more creative control over his next album. While it's debateable whether an online petition will help or not, it's important to know that his fans are speaking out for what kind of music they want to hear.

This applies to Taylor as well. There's a reason Bo was popular on American Idol, and there was a reason Taylor was popular. It's really up to the fans.

This article from AntiMusic Network (weird name, I know) talks a little about the Bo Bice petition.

Excerpt (they are responding to a letter from a reader and a Rolling Stone article which criticized the petition):

What RS and Clive obviously missed was why Bo Bice was actually popular on American Idol in the first place; he was different from all of the "pop" singers on that show. His fans voted for him because they liked his "rock" style and they voted again once they heard Clive's "pop" make-over by not buying his CD.

The Taylor Hicks Experience

2006-07-31T08:32:00.000-07:00

I found this article from Associated Content.

The writer decided to go straight to concert goers to get their opinion of Taylor. It's an interesting read.

It's a a lengthy article, here's a little exerpt from it:

Q: 3) Is there anything about the concert that really stands out in your
memory if so what?

Lynne Anne - I think it was when he did the Beatles song, I knew he was great! The first night, he got so into it, I thought I was watching an old soul singer! I mean an old timer! I was speechless!!

Marlene - I would have to say his opening with Jailhouse Rock. When he entered through the crowd, we could all hear the music and we knew he was somewhere in the arena. It was such an adrenaline rush. And when I noticed that he was coming right passed my aisle, I was ecstatic. I will never forget that moment. Also, seeing Taylor play guitar on Hollywood Nights and Don't Let Me Down was a whole new experience. I loved it.

Project: Heart and Soul

2006-07-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following story on Project: Heart and Soul for Blog Critics.

Taylor Hicks inspired a lot of people to pick up their phones and make him the next American Idol, but that is not all he inspired them to do. He also inspired five people from four different states to join together and form Project: Heart and Soul, and event to raise money for the non-profit organization Studio By The Tracks. The team has put in over 1200 hours over the past five weeks for their endeavor.

Studio By The Tracks, based in Irondale, Alabama, is a non-profit organization formed in 1989, which provides free art classes to "special needs adults and emotionally conflicted children." Over 1000 young people have participated in the program and many credit the program as the catalyst for their success after leaving the program.

Studio By The Tracks also provides classes for adults and teenagers with autism. Many of the students have been able to sell the artwork they make in the program. The program assists them "their determination for creative growth and self-sufficiency."

Cathy, the creator and project manager for Project Heart and Soul says Studio By The Tracks was chosen because it was a hometown charity Taylor had mentioned supporting. There was also an autism and art connection to two of the projects team members.

"We wanted to do something for him to give back for the gift he gave us through his music," Cathy says. Cathy knew there was something special about Taylor from the moment he walked into his audition. As soon as he began to sing Sam Cooke’s "A Change is Going to Come," Cathy told her husband Hicks would be the next American Idol. She said it was his smile, attitude and genuineness that made her first take notice, and then she heard his voice. "The voice is special," she says. "Following the his AI journey has really brought me a lot of respect for the young man and his music. I love his spirit, his gentleness and kindness, his drive and determination. He has really given us the music we have longed to hear again."

Cathy was inspired to start the project after an episode of American Idol where Katharine McPhee mentioned fans filling her dressing room with roses. Interested in doing something for Taylor, Cathy posed the question on the Official Soul Patrol message boards, at first suggesting fans fill his room with purple roses. Soon other suggestions of material items came in, until Cathy hit upon the idea of sending a donation to one of Taylor’s hometown charities.

It didn’t take long to get all the team members on board. Stacy, the project designer from Ocean Springs, MS was first. Soon came Marcia from Monroe, Oh, who is in charge of national public relations, and Chris from Taylor’s hometown of Hoover is in charge of local public relations. Last, but certainly not least, is Charlie from Birmingham, AL who enthusiastically does a little of everything. Cathy, the project manager, is based out of Knoxville, TN.

In addition to taking donations online, the project has received a lot of support from local businesses who have become participating donation locations and have provided a place for several Project: Heart and Soul rallies.

The project has several events including a show with Taylor’s band Little Memphis Blues Orchestra at the Flora-Bama in Pensacola, which took place on July 16th. There are several rallies leading up to the culmination of the project on August 8th. The biggest is the sold out pre-concert party with Little Memphis Blues Orchestra and some special guests at The Workplay in Birmingham on August 7th. The party is a fundraiser and celebration of Taylor’s homecoming when the American Idol tour hits Birmingham on August 8th.

As well as raising money for Studio By The Tracks, Project: Heart and Soul is putting together a gift basket for Taylor, made up of items sent in from around the world by his fans. They are also creating a video montage made up of photos of Soul Patrollers, to be given to Taylor.

Project: Heart and Soul plans to present the check to Studio By The Tracks when Taylor, who has given his stamp of approval on the project, is in town on August 8th.

You can't start a fire, without a spark

2006-07-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Song of the week: : Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen.

Sure Dancing in the Dark may have been a #2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1984 (did you know My Hometown was the only #1 off the smash Born in the USA album), and you may still hear it on the radio from time to time, but unfortunately it's been somewhat dismissed as a classic Springteen song.

Maybe it's the obvious 80's production, but I rarely hear people talking about what a great song it actually is. They may say they like it, or that it's fun to listen to, but "it's not one of Springsteen's best."

I disagree. The songs introspective and self-reflective lyrics are what truly make this one of Springsteen's greatest. While it may have been squirm inducing to watch Clive Davis read the lyrics to Taylor, and then have him say later in an interview that the song is about sex, he was right about how powerful the words are. Who can't relate to wondering if their life if going in the right direction, or wanting to change everything because they are stuck in rut?

Musically, so what if sounds like the 80's? There are much worse offenders out there. I think this one still sounds good, and it's much more hooky than a lot of Springsteen's songs.

While I thought it was a surprising choice for Taylor to sing, I thought he did a great job with it. It left me wanting to hear more. The song suited Taylor's voice perfectly and it was unlike anythig else I had heard him sing. To me it was more proof of just how good a singer Taylor is.

There are a couple lines in the song that I have always found inspiring -

"You can't start a fire, sittin' around crying with a broken heart," and "you can't start a fire, worried about your little world falling apart." These are lines that are the catalyst to change, and I just like them.

I came across this nice cover version(just a sample) by Pete Yorn a few years ago. It's a nice acoustic version of the song.

Springsteen

Taylor

Review from the Richmond Virginia show

2006-07-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

This is Elliott's hometown, so this review, from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, reasonably centers around him. Despite the reviewer's sarcastic tone the review is pretty postive.

Here's some of what they say about Taylor.

Live, Hicks brings a strong charisma with that soul, and his dizzying spins during "Livin' For the City" and jiggling feet throughout 'Takin' It to the Streets" showed how he doesn't merely sing a song -- he infects it.

He still is the unlikeliest Idol -- and he's already the old pro among these upstarts -- but the fact that he's a genuine musician gives slight hope that the machine has been set in a new gear.

Here's a pre-concert article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Washington DC concert video from MJ's

2006-07-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

MJ has some videos on You Tube from last night's show in DC. You can get the links from MJ's site. There is also a review of the show. Taylor - Bring Back Don't Let Me Down! - At least for the Tacoma, WA show. ; )

For those wondering about Taylor's health MJ says he seems to be in good shape, not sick at all. Speaking of that I found this article, where Taylor talks about taking care of himself on the road.

Here's one of MJ's videos - Livin For The City

My American Idol Blog Critics article

2006-07-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

In case you don't know, I sometimes write for Blog Critics. I sometimes write reviews for movies, and my article on TV on DVD was an "editor's pick" a couple weeks ago. One of my first aticles was about Taylor overcoming the AI stigma. A few days ago I wrote an article about the impact of signing the #4 and #6 runner ups to an American Idol related label.

I was reluctant to put it here after it received some very negative reaction on the American Idol boards by people who somehow thought the article was anti-Taylor. After reading over the article a couple more times and getting some feedback from the Boogie Boards and one of my readers here, I feel confident the article does not sound like it is against Taylor and just presents some ideas about American Idol.

So here it is for this site too -

Is There A Reason to Watch Season 6 of American Idol?

Season six of ratings juggernaut American Idol is just around the corner – an exciting prospect, considering the success of Season five.

Season Five had a diverse and talented group, with everything from rockers, like Chris Daughtry, to great soul crooners, like Elliott Yamin. Winner Taylor Hicks, whose soulful voice and engaging personality, created one of the most loyal and strongest fan bases ever.

Taylor Hicks was also the most unconventional idol the show has produced, and I’m not just talking about his gray hair. Musicians who spend ten years toiling away in bars aren’t usually what people think of when it comes to American Idol, but Taylor may have changed everyone’s perception about the show. But is that what they want?

Soon after Chris Daughtry was voted off American Idol, some of his fans started the mantra that #4 was the new #1. And while I don’t think anything can usurp Taylor Hicks’ popularity, they may be more right than they thought. While it may not be #1, #4 and #6 can almost be called the new #2. Consider it a three-way tie, with only one being picked by the voting audience.On July 13th, it was announced that fourth place Chris Daughtry had signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/RCA Records, which is owned by Clive Davis. On July 17th, it was announced that sixth place Kellie Pickler signed with RCA group 19 Recordings/BNA Records.

19 Recordings was founded by American Idol creator Simon Fuller. No matter how you break down the companies, they all go back to 19 Recordings. So with two more contestants being signed to companies associated with the show, does it matter who wins? Not as much.

Yes, Taylor Hicks is getting more press, more marketing, and hopefully a bigger budget for his album, but certainly Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler are winners too, and they didn’t even have to finish the competition.

Why did Daughtry and Pickler get signed to the same record company as the winners before Taylor’s album even has even been recorded? In the beginning, there had been a lot of questioning about Taylor’s potential for marketability. With his faithful legion of fans, his first album is bound to be a pretty big seller. None of us can see the future, but Taylor has talent and drive and there is little doubt he can have a successful recording career. But being the mostly unlikely American Idol to date could make some of the powers that be nervous.

Katharine McPhee’s single, which was changed to Somewhere Over the Rainbow after her performance of My Destiny impressed no one, didn’t do all that well. It debuted out of the top ten, at #12, and is out of the top 40 after only three weeks. Perhaps American Idol and RCA executives were losing confidence in their runner up. It doesn’t help that she has missed nearly the first three weeks of the tour so far, due to of a case of laryngitis and bronchitis.

Perhaps those same executives still don’t believe in Taylor’s potential for success. Maybe they did really want Chris and Kellie all along. So if they don’t believe in the people’s choice for the winner, why should we believe in them? What’s the point in spending time watching the show and voting for hours on end if they’re going to pick the winner(s) they want after it’s all over anyway?

I say there’s a strong chance for voter and viewer apathy next season.

Quick news - Idols meet with President update.

2006-07-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

Go here for a photo of the Idols with President Bush. Elliott is not in the photo because he overslept and was late - according to this article from People online. The article also says they presented the President with a Soul Patrol t-shirt, an American Idol harmonica and an Ace Young style beanie hat.

From Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Idols Connect With Fans. Also from the Post Gazette a review of last nights show. The reviewer doesn't mention Taylor singing "Do I Make You Proud," but I can't imagine it's been dropped. He also didn't mention "Don't Let Me Down," which I hope hasn't been dropped.

An interview with Elliott from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Apparently Katharine didn't join the tour last night as planned. I read on MJ's blog that her flight out of New York was delayed.

The Idols head to the White House to meet with the President today. Taylor's dad on Taylor meeting the president from My Fox Birmingham. MSNBC has a video segment - not of the actual meeting, just about them meeting the president.

Taylor gets an injunction against Tyler Music Group

2006-07-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

From MTV Quick News - Taylor has gotten a 10 day injunction to keep Nashville based Tyler Music Group from releasing his pre-American Idol song "The Fall."

I have never mentioned Tyler Music Group on this site, but I have been keep tabs on the sitation over the last few months. Mostly I've been waiting to hear something from Taylor, or his representative, before saying anything about it. The injunction confirms my suspicions that Taylor does not endorse what Tyler Music Group has been trying to do.

Basically they are a studio in Nashville where, in 2001, Taylor recorded three demos to shop around to record companies. The demos are all re-recorded versions of songs from his 1997 album In Your Time, making the songs nearly ten years old. Tyler Music Group has the masters and has been selling burned copies from their webiste and charging only "shipping and handling." Their claim has been that they don't want to make any money and that they are "doing it for Taylor." They say "The Fall" is better than "Do I Make You Proud," and that it would make a better single. They have even made claims that Taylor agrees with all this.

They decided a launch a grass roots effort to release "The Fall" as a single to radio stations themselves. Through a very strange email campaign they enlisted people who bought the demo CD to help them.

It was pretty obvious Taylor had nothing to do with them, despite their claims, so I'm glad this ruling has finally come. I hope ten days is enough to stop them in their tracks.

By the way the songs they have are great, but that has nothing to do with Tyler Music Group. Taylor should have the say over what happens with his past work, not some group looking to make a buck off of his name.

Nice AI tour review

2006-07-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

Review of the July 15th Long Island show from PR.com.

Here's an excerpt -

The concert at Nassau Coliseum may have been in Uniondale, New York, but during Taylor Hicks' set, the arena felt like it was in another Long Island town - Hicksville. With a voice to rival that of Michael McDonald and enough energy and personality to get away with his original funky dance moves, 2006's American Idol was easily the most entertaining to watch. After watching him perform, it was abundantly clear that Taylor Hicks doesn't go on stage to mug for the cameras or for the girls in the audience; he goes on stage because he truly enjoys performing. He is even able to make his first single "Do I Make You Proud," the usual inspirational drivel given to all American Idol winners, heartfelt and listenable thanks to the nuances he puts into it to make it uniquely, Taylor. His last solo performance, "Taking It to the Streets" was
another highlight of the evening, even featuring some spirited harmonica playing from the American Idol champ himself.

Support for Bo Bice

2006-07-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Check out The Bo Bice Underground for information on Bo's petition to RCA and Clive Davis. Bo is asking that his fans support him in getting to make the kind of music he wants to make.

This is what we also want for Taylor, and what we want for Bo or any other musician who has had to comporomise their style to supposedly increase record sales. As consumers it is our responsibility to let the record companies know what we want from our favorite artists, and that is for them to make the kind of recored they want to make. We like Taylor and Bo, and anyone else for a reason, and the people in charge need to know that.

Click the link above for info on the petiton or go directly to the petition.

"American Idol Grants Sick Woman's Wish"

2006-07-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

I found this awesome story on 13 WHAM in Rochester NY.

Evan Dawson (Rochester, N.Y.) – If you listen to the medical facts, Maryanne Hanley should not be alive today. In June 2005, the Rochester native was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Doctors told her, at best, she would live until March.

But she’s still fighting, and this past weekend, her twin sister helped deliver a wish Maryanne never dreamed was possible. Maryanne and Joanne Hanley were born together and figured they would grow old together. Now they live together, and a tumor will some day take Maryanne away from her family.

"I have a small fear of dying, but I know everyone goes through it one day or another,” Maryanne said. It’s harder for Joanne, nursing her twin, trying to stay positive long past the day when doctors said Maryanne would be gone.

“It's gotten more difficult, but I have to put that in the back of my mind and cherish every moment I have with her right now,’ said Joanne.

Maryanne’s wish was to remind others to have a colonoscopy at 50. She waited too long. “Maybe if they would've caught my cancer earlier, I would have had a better chance. So I urge people to take their health seriously,” Maryanne said.

Her other wish was to meet her idol – American Idol Taylor
Hicks.

“He puts on a fantastic show when he sings. He moves around and it makes you feel like you want to get up and dance with him. And he's not bad looking, either,” Maryanne said.

Last week, after contacting the Dream Foundation, Joanne helped make her twin’s wish come true. Friday morning, a limousine picked up the twins and took them to meet Hicks, who was in town for the American Idol tour.

“If I take everything at a slow pace and don't get too excited, I think I can pull it off today,” Maryanne said. "I told her she can enjoy the show. Just listen, and I'll do all the dancing around and shouting for both of us,” said Joanne.

All of the cast met with Maryanne and she spent time chatting with Hicks, who offered prayers and tears.

It turned out, Maryanne inspired them.

Michael McDonald has kind words for Taylor...

2006-07-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

Found this article, in the online edition of Brooks Bulletin, about Michael McDonald who is currently touring with Steely Dan.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The soulful songs, the floppy mop of premature grey, the bluesy baritone: American Idol winner Taylor Hicks can hardly avoid comparisons to former Doobie Brothers singer Michael McDonald.Not that he's tried. Hicks sang the Doobie's Takin' It To the Streets on the show and recorded it for the B-side of his first single, Do I Make You Proud.

McDonald, who once epitomized the blue-eyed soul that Hicks has introduced
to a new generation, is flattered by the comparisons.

"I think he's fantastic, I really do," McDonald said in a recent phone call from South Carolina. "He seems to have that basic, well-developed talent that comes form playing a lot of nightclubs and paying your dues."

7/23/06 Atlantic City, NJ video

2006-07-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

This the first footage I've seen of Taylor coming through the audience for Jailhouse Rock. Video is parts of his set edited together - Jailhouse Rock, Hollywood Nights and Takin' it to the Streets.

Video posted on You Tube by HarpNSoul.

Another Hell of a Day video, and some Rochester performances

2006-07-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

I know I put Hell of Day up yesterday, but if you'd like a close up, here you go.

Posted on You Tube by SecretlyLovesClay -

Posted on You Tube by TaylorFanMarlene -

Takin' it to the Streets - Rochester, NY 7/21/06

Do I Make You Proud from Rochester

Entire performance of Hell of a Day from GMA performance! Also Takin' it to the Streets

2006-07-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

Posted on You Tube by Idolwatcher33

Song of week: Into The Mystic

2006-07-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

I'm almost emabarrassed to say where I first heard Van Morrison's Into the Mystic, but I guess I shouldn't be, because I was only 15. It was on the soundtrack to the very forgettable teen movie, Dream a little Dream. What wasn't forgettable to me, however, was the soundtrack.

After hearing Into the Mystic in the movie I wanted to hear it again. Of course I could have bought the Van Morrison album it was on - Moondance - but I didn't. Instead I went for the movie's soundtrack album.

There is one good thing about that --- the soundtrack also had Otis Redding's I've Got Dreams to Remember. So not only was I introduced to my first Van Morrison song outside of Brown Eyed Girl, but I discovered my first Otis Redding outside of (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay.

Some good versions by other poeople include:

Ben E. King
Johnny Rivers

Joe Cocker and The Allman Brothers have live versions, but I don't have good samples.

When I was doing some research on this - I happened to find this tribute to Taylor using Into The Mystic. I'm not sure who's singing.

Taylor concert videos

2006-07-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

Videos from Go Fish -

Posted by Meannie from 7/14 Meadowlands, NJ show

Finale (partial)

Takin' It To The Streets (partial)

Do I Make You Proud

28 seconds of Taylor playing guitar on Don't Let Me Down

Taylor's Harmonica Solo on Takin' It To The Streets

Minute and a half of Living in America

From Annniee on Go Fish from Hershey, PA 7/12/06

1 and a half minutes of Sweet Soul Music (but it's actually almost the whole song, he packs a lot into a minute and a half)

Nice review from Rochester

2006-07-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Concert review from the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

This one is nice not only because they have good things to say about Taylor, but because the reviewer questions why the tour has been getting a lot of negative reviews.

Here's what they say about Taylor:

Runner-up Katharine McPhee we don't know about, as she's missed the entire tour so far with a case of laryngitis. But champion Taylor Hicks seems to have some style, and the voice that launched a thousand Michael McDonald records. Hicks finally made his entrance deep into the second half of the show, appearing from an exit halfway down the arena, singing and high-fiving his way through the crowd (yeah, but "Jailhouse Rock"?). Most interestingly, the unlikely looking Hicks carries himself with dignity; that legendary goofiness looks more like honest fun, unlike so many of the hyper newcomers of the day.

I have heard Katharine will be back next week.

Good Morning America video

2006-07-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to download a WMV file of the Good Morning America performance.

Taylor on GMA Summer Concert Series July 21st. Link takes you to Sendspace.

Thanks Jane!

Idols to meet President

2006-07-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

The top 10 are scheduled for a tour of The White House and a meeting with President Bush next week, when the tour hits Washington DC on July 28th.

USA Today article.

Some Taylor video...

2006-07-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

The Good Morning America website has a video of Taylor performing Do I Make You Proud. There is also an article about a deaf fan who is inspired by Taylor.

I'm hoping for some audience footage of the Good Morning America performance, since they didn't show everything he did.

Here's Taylor at the Yankees/Mariners Game the other night. Very Brief.

Here's a video of Do I Make You Proud from Cleveland 7/19.

Taylor on Good Morning America Tomorrow, and some other news

2006-07-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that Taylor is performing in Good Morning America's Summer Concert series tomorrow. Show starts at 7:00 AM, not sure when Taylor will be on.

Juggler from The Bo Bice Underground has a great review of last night's concert up.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has an article on last night's show. It's a better article than the last one I featured from The Plain Dealer.

Here's an article from The Mercury News on the first Wilkes-Barre show.

Billboard - DIMYP hangs on to the Top 40 on the Hot 100 at #39. SOTR goes to #50.

DIMYP #16 on the Adult Contemporary Charts.

DIMYP/TI2TS remains at #1 on the Hot Singles Sales Charts. SOTR is still #2.

Idol Fans Support Charity to Honor Hicks' Homecoming

2006-07-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Some Soul Patrollers have formed a charity group in honor of Taylor. Project Heart and Soul was formed to benefit Studio By The Tracks, located in Birmingham, is a small non-profit organization that offers free art classes to special needs children and adults, particularly those with autism.

The group plans to present the donation to Studio by the Tracks on August 8th, the day of the AI show in Birmingham.

For more information visit their website - Project Heart and Soul.

This info came from this press release.

Taylor, Katharine and Kellie to release albums on same day?

2006-07-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

This is according to Variety. You have to subscribe to get the entire article from Variety but someone has been kind enough to post it at MJ's Big Blog.

I'm not sure if I believe they will be doing it this way. I guess we'll see in November.

I think American Idol may be shooting itself in the foot by signing 2 of the other finalists so quickly. They should have waited for Taylor and Katharine to release their albums. They are the winners. Taylor's should come first and then Katharine's.

The reason? It's not that I think Taylor won't be able to compete. As the article points out they are all different genres.

It's that it makes the show almost pointless. Does it matter who wins anymore?

And what about Elliott? He was third. He beat Chris and Kellie. This makes it seem like the producers don't actually believe in what the audience wants. They are always saying America voted and America decided, but that's apparently not really the case.

Will there be voter apathy next season?

Photos from Hartford part 2

2006-07-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

Photos by Shari L from CT

What was Taylor doing last night....

2006-07-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

He was doing what I was avoiding, which is watching the Seattle Mariners lose their 3rd straight game.

Taylor was spotted at Yankee Stadium for yesterday's game.

Fresh off a sweep of the reigning world champion White Sox, the Yankees made sure their 29th sellout crowd, which included former mayor Rudy Giuliani and American Idol Taylor Hicks, did the right thing in forgoing air conditioning.

More photos! These are from the Hartford shows - part 1

2006-07-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

Here are a few - I have more and will post them tomorrow.

Photos by Shari L in CT

Review from Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

2006-07-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

They are not specific about which show, but probably Long Island. Full article here.

This is actually pretty positive about Taylor. It basically says the Idols lack originality, which is a bit unfair considering the show is entirely covers. They also say the songs are too familiar, but I don't think the reaction would be all that great if they went out there doing obscurities. That's not really the kind of show an American Idol concert is.

They say Taylor is able to bring some distinctiveness to his set.

Winner Hicks began his set with "Jailhouse Rock" while strolling through the crowd flanked by bodyguards. He, at least, has a distinctive voice and some daring to his style. While his versions of such songs as "What's Going On" and "Don't Let Me Down" weren't exactly revelatory, they at least sounded different from the originals. His dance moves, however, leave something to be desired.

Review from Long Island - it's positive

2006-07-17T05:46:00.000-07:00

Finally a positive review. This comes from Newsday.com for Long Island.

While "Jailhouse Rock" was essentially a victory tour around Nassau Coliseum, his "Living for the City" got down to the business of crowd-pleasing, winding up his soul-tinged voice and weird dancing for maximum effect. Even when Hicks faltered - as he did in Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights," which, for some reason, sounded like it was in the wrong key for him - he still tried hard to make it work.

On his jazz-funk take on The Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down," he threw in everything from a Chuck Berry duckwalk to Mick Jaggerish hands-on-hips preening to get the crowd going. And to push his single "Do I Make You Proud," he dedicated it to "the troops overseas and abroad fighting

So the only negative thing was they said he sounded a little off key for one song. I can't say if that's true, but that kind of thing happens to everyone anyway. It also could be the acoustics of the theater, so it's really not that bad. Overall - positive.

Earlier in the article it says a double dose of Hicks filling in for Katharine. I kind of hope it's not literally double. Will his set be cut in half when she returns? I'm hoping he's only doing one or two extra songs.

Can't they just make the show a little longer when she returns? Taylor fans will be disappointed if they get too much of a reduced set.

Quick news ....

2006-07-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

The current issue of Entertainment Weekly has a little article about Taylor. It talks about his 2 independent albums, Under The Radar and In Your Time. And Brian from Taylor Hicks Fan is quoted! Congrats Brian!

Also Randy Jackson's Hit List has some info about the tour and Randy gives Taylor some advice on his love life.

Pop Tarts has some behind the scenes videos of the tour. To see the videos you need to get a code from the inside of a box of Pop Tarts. I haven't done this yet, because it's been many years since I've eaten Pop Tarts.

If you go to the website you can see a clip of the Idols, including Taylor, promoting the tour and the exclusive videos. I like Taylor's T-shirt - it says "I miss The Beatles."

Added:

These may be one of the most bizarre tour articles I have found. It is a preview of the tour from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Idols hit Cleveland next Wednesday.

The title of the article is "Idol singers are far from home, far from talented, Simon says."

The article then proceeds to list each of the Top 10 and quotes something negative Simon said about one of their performances on the show.

It seems pretty clear the writer wanted to slam the Idols, but why is trying to put it on Simon? I would think Simon would be mad about this article.

Yes Simon had negative things to say at times, but that is part of his job. He also had plenty of good things to say. I don't love Simon, but I know he doesn't think of the idols and being "far from talented." He wouldn't do American Idol if he had that kind of attitude.

Weird article.

Song of the Week - Take It Easy

2006-07-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Remeber way way at the beginning of American Idol Season 5, the contestants did a group version of The Eagles' Take It Easy?

I think it may have been the first week, which means all 24 finalists were in there somewhere. I do remember Bucky Convington being a standout on this one; the song is well suited for his voice.

I was never a huge fan of this song, though I do really like the line "we may loose and we may win, but we will never be here again." Incidentally that's the line Taylor sang during his part of the performance, which made me happy at the time.

So am I picking my song of the week because I like one line? The answer is no.

Not coincidentally, the next day my local classic rock station had a trivia question about that song. Who wrote it?

I didn't know at the time, but it turns out Jackson Browne wrote it with Glenn Frey. Then they played the Jackson Browne version, which appeared on his 1973 For Everyman album.

His version gave me a completely different perspective on the song. It's much more wistful and and heartfelt sounding than the Eagles version (I'm not saying the Eagles version is bad, I just like this better). I wish I could find a complete version to share with you, but I haven't. To get a sample click the link above.

I did find a live version of the Eagles performing it in 1973, so enjoy.

Photos from 7-13-06 American Idol concert

2006-07-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

inside program

photos - taken by Jeanmarie

7-13-06 Photo preview

2006-07-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jeanmarie who attended the East Rutherford, NJ show last night!

I'm putting a couple up now and I will have more tomorrow.

front of program

Entertainment Weekly review of last night's show

2006-07-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

Entertainment Weekly has a review of last night's show in East Rutherford, NJ. Read it here.

Here's what he had to say about Taylor - he said everyone was most something (except Bucky who he barely mentioned):

Most puzzling: No doubt, Taylor Hicks has a fine voice. And no doubt, he's going to sell boatloads of records. (Hatas take note: The 40-year-old mom in the seat next to me screamed way harder for Taylor than her preteen daughter did for her favorites, Chris and Ace). Still, this year's champ offered up a set that was just slightly underwhelming. Perhaps he's a little burned out from taking the lion's share of tour publicity, but after opening strong on "Jailhouse Rock" and Bob Seeger's "Hollywood Nights," he seemed oddly detached on "Sweet Soul Music" and "Don't Let Me Down." And one final note: "What's Goin' On" is not a light party jam.

Read the comments for this review, they show a lot of support for Taylor. I think people are puzzled by the backlash against Taylor by the media, but really who cares? Taylor is the American Idol. Taylor will have a career, and Taylor has a huge amount of fan support. Nothing anyone says is going to change that.

Personally I think a lot of reviewers don't think it's cool to support the American Idol winner. Since Chris ended up in fourth place he became the underdog for having a successful career.

Link to E!'s "lost interview" footage.

2006-07-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

Last night E! News showed some footage of Taylor at the audition we hadn't seen before.

Thanks to Aub4Taylor for posting it to Go Fish. Here it is.

Ryan Seacrest narrates and for some reason he says Taylor was known at Karaoke bars across Alabama.

I'm a little disappointed Ryan!

Billboard

2006-07-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to keep doing the Billboard updates, but I found a couple interesting things, so how about it for one more week.

You can now get Taylor's chart history and biography.

Do I Make You Proud is at #27 on the Hot 100 this week, and #29 on the Pop 100, his 4th week on the charts.

Katharine's Somewhere Over The Rainbow is at #23 on the Hot 100 and #24 on the Pop 100.

Do I Make You Proud moved up 1 spot on the Adult Contemporary Charts to #14.

Do I Make You Proud/Takin' It To The Streets remains at #1 on the Hot Singles Sales charts.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow is #2 on the Hot singles sales.

Got some sales totals info from MJ's Big Blog.

Taylor Hicks
Week 4
Physical CDs - 32,427
Digital - 10,562
Total - 42,989

Total
Physical CDs - 360,106
Digital - 97,135
Total - 457,241

Katharine McPhee
Week 2

Physical CDs - 27,933
"Over the Rainbow"Digital - 20,677
"My Destiny" Digital - 14,487

Total
Physical CDs - 75,382
"Over the Rainbow" Digital - 48,791
"My Destiny" Digital - 36, 282
Total for "Over the Rainbow - 124,173

Katharine's Physical CD totals are the lowest of any Idol runner-up so far. However, combined with her Digital sales, the total puts her ahead of the next lowest, Diana Degarmo (this is also from MJ's).

News and reviews

2006-07-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

A fairly positive review of the Hershey, PA show from Penn Live.com. The reviewer liked Chris better, but they did think Taylor was good. They didn't think Taylor ever reached Chris' engery level, but I think that all might be a matter of taste.

They did like Taylor's harmonica playing.

Here's an article about Taylor from The Asbury Park Press. The article talks about his chances of making it as a "pop" star.

Producer Deveo Harris doesn't see Taylor making it big as a pop star because he doesn't see him "sounding right over hard drums or bright production, which I think are prevalent in pop music."

Ok. I'm not sure what "bright" production is, I'm sure Taylor's music will have the kind of production that fits it. Hard drums? I don't know, I guess some of Taylor's music could have hard drums.

Another producers said he didn't like Taylor's clothes, and that nobody else does either.

Personally I don't really care about Taylor's clothes. I also think their thoughts on his music career are too narrow. We don't have to think of American Idol as simply producing a "pop" star anymore. Really AI's first winner, Kelly Clarkson, is the only true pop star.

Ruben Studdard is not a pop star, but he has sold quite a few albums and has earned some grammy nominations. Carrie Underwood is a country star. Bo Bice is still finding his own sound, but he seems more rock to me. None of the other winners are on the radar right now.

Review of Albany show from Gray Charles

2006-07-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

No the Gray Charles site is not back. GC was a guest of Taylor's at the Albany show last night and he posted his review over at Ash's site.

He also went to the meet and greet and... I'll let him finish the story.

Congratulations Gray!

LMBO interview

2006-07-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks Fan has a 23 minute audio interview with Brian Less the keyboardist for LMBO - formerly known as The Taylor Hicks Band.

Albany Times Union July 11th concert review....

2006-07-12T05:42:00.000-07:00

If you're tired of the negative reviews you can skip this one from the Times Union.

What I really hate is the reviewer blames the American Idol packaging machine for stripping the originality from the contestants and then says Taylor is just a showman with no originality.

And who does this reviewer think is the only one that's original? Chris Daughtry.

I think Chris is marketable. I'm not into that style of music, but I think he has a good rock voice and he knows his image. But he's not the only one.

Is this just revenge from all the people who were mad Chris gotted voted off where he did?

This guy also called Taylor a wedding singer, so I think he's the one lacking originality.

Also -- I guess I didn't put this negative one from the Hartford Courant the other day. The reviewer pretty much hated everyone.

Today the Courant has a ton of letters from people unhappy with the review. Here's their article on that with some of the letters. Response to The Courant.

The Taylor Hicks Page

Video of Taylor playing in the celebrity basketball game...

Taylor on Megan Mullally show tomorrow

Taylor article in Seattle Times

Updates! New album info and Taylor on TV tonight!

Taylor and Bryan Adams

Taylor Hicks.com!

See exclusive rehearsal footage of Taylor!

Taylor gets funky in the studio

A little something about Elliott Yamin

Taylor to perform at Spirit of Life Awards

Pre-order LMBO Workplay CD and DVD

New articles

Johnny Depp a Taylor Hicks fan

Song of the Week: "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney

New reviews

Idols talk about life on the road

New Taylor article

Review of Austin show

Nice LMBO article

Song of the Week: "Feelin' Alright"

Tacoma Dome concert recap

Idols pleasing larger and larger crowds

EW Interview

Reader response to Seattle Times articles

Seattle Times review

Support real music

Seattle Times article on Taylor

Taylor "keeps it real" in San Jose Club

Settlement gives Taylor control over the Nashville masters

Taylor settles dispute with Tyler Music producer

Get to know the AI finalists

Taylor at the Viper Room article

Song of the Week: "Days" by The Kinks

L.A. Times article

New Taylor article

Taylor files suit against Tyler Music Group

New review and some You Tube video

Song of the Week: Bell Bottom Blues by Derek and the Dominos

So You Want to be an Idol...

Articles

New Taylor interview

Another nice review

Nice review of Milwaukee show

Song of the Week: Gonna Move by Paul Pena

Workplay and Nashville video from You Tube

Birmingham concert recap

Video of Taylor singing "Gonna Move" at the Oasis

New video

Workplay photos

Taylor back in Birmingham

Birmingham News article on Taylor

Song of the Week: Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers

More Taylor video

News

Video of Charlotte afterparty

Website update and Taylor signs a book deal...

Quick News...

Who knows better the fans or the producers?

The Taylor Hicks Experience

Project: Heart and Soul

You can't start a fire, without a spark

Review from the Richmond Virginia show

Washington DC concert video from MJ's

My American Idol Blog Critics article

Quick news - Idols meet with President update.

Taylor gets an injunction against Tyler Music Group

Nice AI tour review

Support for Bo Bice

"American Idol Grants Sick Woman's Wish"

Michael McDonald has kind words for Taylor...

7/23/06 Atlantic City, NJ video

Another Hell of a Day video, and some Rochester performances

Entire performance of Hell of a Day from GMA performance! Also Takin' it to the Streets

Song of week: Into The Mystic

Taylor concert videos

Nice review from Rochester

Good Morning America video

Idols to meet President

Some Taylor video...