Taylor Hicks Sings and Heals a Broken Soul

Several years ago, Taylor Hicks gave a small donation to Kid One Transport, an organization in Birmingham, AL. With this donation was the promise that in the future he would do more if able. When his musical dreams were realized, he certainly kept his promise and has currently helped to raise thousands of dollars for this and other charities.

Over the past several months, Taylor’s Angels have come to know others with this same caring and compassionate spirit of giving and have experienced the blessings bestowed upon those who give. When I was initially asked if I would like to help someone in need by purchasing a membership to the Taylor Hicks Headquarters, there was no way I could fathom the impact that this simple deed would have on my life…or “Jane’s”.

I did indeed purchase the membership for “Jane” and we exchanged the necessary correspondence to solidify the transaction. I thought that this would be the end of my interaction with her, but fate had other plans. In a hotel lobby about three weeks after our initial correspondence, I met someone who was also there to see Taylor’s performance in that city. When “Jane” told me her name, I realized it was the same person for whom I had purchased the membership. We hugged as if we had known each other for years. As we began to talk, “Jane” shared the importance of seeing Taylor in concert. You see, just a year earlier, she had been the victim of a violent act and as a result had incurred numerous emotional and physical scars. “Jane” shared with me how Taylor helped her recover the night he sang “You Are So Beautiful” on American Idol. It was, to her, as if Taylor were singing those lyrics for her ears only. She arose, looked at herself in the mirror and realized that she indeed was beautiful, having done nothing to deserve the trauma that had so devastated her. From that moment on, “Jane” slowly began to heal physically and emotionally.

As we talked more that day, it became very clear that “Jane” needed to tell her story to the man who had so dramatically helped in her healing process…and that Taylor Hicks also needed to hear her story. As fate would have it, “Jane” learned that afternoon by email she had received “the golden ticket”- a meet and greet with Taylor! In that moment “Jane” realized she would actually be able to personally thank him for all he had unknowingly done. I coached her all afternoon, held her trembling hand and watched as she walked through the door to meet the man who had convinced her she was once again beautiful. And I was there to watch her emerge from their meeting in tears… tears of joy and relief.

“Jane” emotionally relayed to me her encounter with Taylor. Once she reached the door to be escorted into the meeting room, she began trembling uncontrollably. Taylor saw this and gently told her there was no reason to be nervous and asked security to help escort her to the table where he was seated. Once she reached the table, Taylor took her hand and said, “It’s alright dear, what is your name?". The funny thing is at that moment she could not remember! She began telling him the reason she was so nervous and relayed her story of abuse and how, with one song, he changed her life. Taylor was visibly moved by her story and immediately told her she was indeed beautiful and not to allow anyone to make her feel differently. Taylor’s compassion did not stop there. He asked his handler to take two pictures of them together and told “Jane” the reason he suggested two photos. Taylor said the first picture was to remember where she was a few short months before in her life and in the second picture she was to smile brightly and remember where she was today and how far she had come. They posed for each picture, both flashing brilliant smiles. Then, Taylor autographed several items she had carried into the room and personalized each to her. As “Jane” was about to leave, she remembered the special gift she had purchased for Taylor. She presented him with a stuffed “dancing” Easter bunny. Taylor laughed, smiled and told her that he would keep it on his bus and remember her each time he and the other band members played with it. Jane thanked Taylor once again and left the room knowing in her heart there was indeed life after violence. She was living proof!

It amazes me how a simple act of kindness can change lives. When Taylor Hicks gave his “widow’s mite” to a charitable organization, he could not have known the ripple effects it would have years later. Whether through charitable giving or selfless devotion to fans, Taylor touches lives each and every day. Caring and compassion are attributes that we all want to see reflected throughout our society. Taylor Hicks is the embodiment of those special qualities. Just ask “Jane”.





Written by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)



Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels