The highly anticipated single "What's Right is Right" will be available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes January 27th. A video of the song will follow and Taylor's new CD "The Distance" will be released on March 10th! Taylor will continue to tour with Grease and promote his own music in clubs at each city. For all the latest details, media and upcoming events visit : www.taylorhicks.com.
Taylor is in the windy city for the 2 week run of Grease. He stopped by CBS2 studio for an interview and performance of "Hold On To Your Love" from his Early Works CD. Taylor will also perform at Martyrs!
As we enjoy family and friends during this holiday season, we are reminded of the many blessings we have shared within the Soul Patrol Community. Not even two years ago, we each were separate, not knowing the boundless opportunities and friendships that waited as Taylor Hicks captured his dream. Now, our community is like a tapestry, woven together to support the career and artistry of the phenomenal talent of Taylor Hicks.
In celebration of the incredible accomplishments of individuals and groups within the Soul Patrol and to wish Taylor Hicks a joyous holiday season we, with your help, compiled this video that is now on it's way to Taylor himself! Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to each of you who assisted us in making this keepsake 2008 DVD.
For those who participated, a complimentary copy is on the way! Thanks also for your support throughout the year in our efforts to help others in need and to “Tay it Forward”!
And finally to Taylor himself:
Thank you for giving of yourself and making a difference in so many lives. As you have blessed us, it is our prayer that you and your family and friends will have a joyous holiday season and that the New Year be full of blessings!
Merry Christmas and a wonderfully successful 2009! May God continue to bless and guide you!
When people come together with a common goal, anything is possible! That’s been the philosophy of NESP (The New England Soul Patrol) since it’s founding in Portland, Maine in September 2006. This organization started as a regional group supporting the music and artistry of Taylor Hicks. However, the reputation of the NESP has grown beyond the boundaries of the New England states. Taylor Hicks fans from all over the country have now joined in the organization’s unique ways of celebrating the charitable giving inspired by Taylor himself.
Again this holiday season, NESP continues its’ mission of helping children and families in need. Their third annual holiday ornament sale benefits the Home for Little Wanderers, America's oldest (1799) and New England's largest non-profit child and family service agency. The Home provides services to thousands of children and families each year throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Their programs provide mentoring, tutoring and therapeutic assistance, fostering and adoption, residential care, and independent living support for children "aging out" of the foster system.
But beyond the group efforts of NESP, members are spreading their generosity in their own communities. • Mari crochets and donates hats and scarves to keep our needy neighbors warm. • Indigo810 bakes pies for Thanksgiving baskets and participates in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, which provides new clothing and toys for children of needy families. • OBG and Indigo810 participate in Operation Christmas Child, which sends millions of shoeboxes filled with gifts to needy children around the world. • The SegerHicks family donates to the local food pantry and buys gifts for children who have very little. • Amyrebo donates to the Maine Sea Coast Mission. The Mission provides spiritual, health, and youth programs to coastal and island communities. • Tricia and Born17yrs2Late donate coats and sweaters to the Windham Women’s Club Annual Coat drive. Born17yrs2Late also rakes leaves for the elderly and Tricia sponsors a child through Operation Santa Claus. • The Duff family donates to the Vermont Achievement Center, which provides education and support opportunities to children and families in Vermont. • The THawks family walks in Philadelphia for Brian’s Pride and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. • Uhadmeatwoohoo donates musical instruments to a Cape Cod after school program.
Taylor’s Angels salutes NESP for their spirit of giving! As they head into another year, we have no doubt that they will continue to live by the credo, “doing well by doing good.”
And once again, Taylor's Angels would like to remind you to send us your pics, greetings and short videos for Taylor's Christmas DVD! If you contribute to NESP or any of the Soul Patrol charities this Christmas, you will receive a FREE high quality copy! Submit them to: taylors_angels@yahoo.com
Written by Tricia, NESP Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat Taylor Photos by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)
As the holiday season rapidly approaches, we know that many of you would enjoy sending Taylor a special holiday greeting. Many are even involved in holiday projects to help charitable organizations and others in need on Taylor’s behalf. In this spirit of community, Taylor’s Angels will compile a DVD highlighting the efforts of Taylor’s Soul Patrol and also wishing him a joyous 2008 holiday season. The DVD will be given to Taylor as a keepsake of his fan’s efforts during the year. So let’s all get involved and let Taylor know that we are behind him during this special time of the year!
Please submit video greetings no longer than 30 seconds in length, pictures or any other means to highlight yourself or special projects you have been involved with on Taylor’s behalf to taylors_angels@yahoo.com. If you want text added to any picture, you can simply let us know what you want to say in your email and we will do that for you. We will then take each submission and compile the keepsake DVD for Taylor.
Now, here is the special bonus! We would also like to extend the DVD offer to each of you who makes a donation to your board’s designated charity/charities. After confirmation with the board owners, we will send each member who makes a charitable donation on the board’s behalf a free DVD!
In order to compile the DVD, the deadline for submission of video, picture or other media is December 1, 2008. If you have any questions, please email us at taylors_angels@yahoo.com.
Let’s all join together to show Taylor our support and to wish him a very special holiday!
Today, August 16, 2008, marks the 31st anniversary of the death of Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock 'n Roll.
Born January 8, 1935 in a small, two room shack in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis eventually moved to Memphis, Tennessee. There, he purchased for his home the Graceland mansion, a 13.8 acre site that is now used as Elvis' museum. Graceland has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and is the second most visited private residence in the United States, second only to the Whitehouse.
Every year, thousands of fans come to Memphis, Tennessee and pay tribute to Elvis during his death week. A week long celebration culminates with a candlelight vigil, which is usually attended by tens of thousands of people. The vigil does not end until the last person passes by the Meditation Gardens on the grounds of Graceland where Elvis and his parents are buried.
Many attempts have been made in the past couple of years to compare Taylor Hicks with Elvis. Some may be a "stretch" and some border on eerie. Whether or not Taylor is or has "channeled" Elvis in any of his performances, the fact remains that Taylor did give tribute to The King in two of his performances during his American Idol competition. Taylor's Angels thought it would be fun to look at these two performances by both men as we take a moment to remember Elvis and appreciate him for the impact that he had on modern music.
Elvis performing "In the Ghetto"
Taylor performing "In the Ghetto"
Elvis performing "Jailhouse Rock"
Taylor performing "Jailhouse Rock"
Taylor and Limbo performing "Call Me the Breeze" at the Elvis Festival in Tupelo, Mississippi -2007
In a recent interview for a New York television station, Taylor Hicks was asked a seemingly routine question about life in the Big Apple. His answer was simple, yet perhaps poignant. Taylor answered, “I came from Alabama with a banjo on my knee” indicating that the life he led in Alabama prior to winning American Idol was far different and slower paced than his present.
(video credit: Barhart1)
Of course over the past two years, much has been written and even Taylor himself has discussed how dramatically his life was altered by "fate". When reading the words of the Stephen Foster song, “Oh Susanna”, to which Taylor was referring in his comment, one can’t help but wonder if Taylor has ever before linked the lyrics to the irony of his life. The words of the song go like this:
I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee;
I'm goin' to Lou'siana my true love for to see.
It rained all night the day I left,
the weather it was dry;
The sun so hot I froze to death,
Susanna don't you cry.
Oh! Susanna, don't you cry for me;
I come from Alabama,
with my banjo on my knee.
Taylor Hicks did indeed come from Alabama to New Orleans, Louisiana during the midst of one of the greatest tragedies of this century, Hurricane Katrina. Yes, it rained all night the day he left in one of the last taxis leaving from the city, yet his own personal weather gauge was dry. Metaphorically, he had fallen on hard times musically and the world had yet to discover the depths of his talents. The sun was so hot he froze to death, again a metaphor relating to the despair of his situation. Yet, no one cries for him, because he turned that tragedy into triumph.
Taylor Hicks can now casually say, two years later, that he came from Alabama with a banjo on his knee, but we all know he left for Las Vegas and ultimately Hollywood with more than that. He left with the drive, determination, focus and plan that would ultimately allow the world to hear his voice….that same voice that resonated virtually unnoticed in the bars and clubs in Birmingham, Alabama and across the southeast for so many years. Jay Leno asked Taylor if he thought his winning American Idol was coincidence or fate, to which Taylor answered that he did not believe in coincidence so it had to be fate.
The odds of this man from Birmingham, Alabama winning the most prized reality show in America are staggering. Was it fate? Was it coincidence? Did America want something different musically? We would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! But first, we thought that you would enjoy reliving Taylor’s journey from his unknown early years on the “chitlin' circuit” to his triumphant return at the end of his solo tour to his beloved Florabama in September 2007 as a mega star!
(video by Samz999999)
Here is a sample of Taylor's schedule from 2005, just prior to American Idol. Well, what a difference a few months make!
And now take a look at Taylor Hicks' triumphant return to his beloved Florabama on Labor Day weekend of 2007, which was the one of the last gigs of his solo tour of that year. He had indeed come full circle!
“One of the most important things that my interest in the career of Taylor Hicks has brought me is a renewed interest in spirituality. He is a well rounded musician and human being. He not only focuses on his craft, but he often displays his understanding and empathy to those who are “victims of circumstance”. Whether it has been a hurricane, the Gulf War or a very “special” child in need of his attention, Taylor is not afraid to show his compassion and generosity. He has inspired many within his fan base to follow his example and I think that he can be very proud of the many good things that they do for others.”
These are the inspirational words penned by one of Taylor Hicks’ biggest supporters. Each month, Taylor’s Angels receives nominations for the Hero of the Month award from Taylor Hicks’ Soul Patrol community. Oftentimes, the selection process if very difficult because of the wonderful support that Taylor’s fans are forever giving to the fan base and to the community. This month, the selection was not difficult in the least, but did take us on a journey to her world in Canada!
The recipient of this month’s beautiful eternity Angel bracelet is most deserving. She is an inspiration to all and truly has a “heart full of soul”. If you read her posts on the fan sites, you can see that much thought goes into every word. She does not simply reply in a thread, her words are insightful and oftentimes inspirational. She is a friend to many and always portrays Taylor Hicks and his fans in a positive and respectful manner. One of her main goals on fan sites is to promote a sense of unity.
First and foremost, this month’s recipient is a dedicated supporter of Taylor Hicks and simply wants to do anything to help keep Taylor's name and music in the forefront. One way she has done this is through her skillfully crafted videos, which are superb! In fact, her take on Taylor’s single, “Just to Feel That Way”, is consistently climbing the “charts” at YouTube and is the highest viewed JTFTW video with over 11,000 hits. In the past year, it has been seen in 105 countries! She has put together many, many more wonderful videos of Taylor Hicks, and some of her favorites are highlighted in this blog.
We congratulate KarinP on her selection as Taylor’s Angels Hero of the Month and urge you to read more about this wonderfully uplifting and loyal Taylor Hicks fan!
Taylor's Angels: Tell us about yourself.
Karin: I am the mother of two adult daughters – an “empty nester”, I suppose you could call me. Life, fortunately for me, is rather uncomplicated most of the time and with five young grandchildren, life can be very busy at times. As Joe Walsh used to sing, “Life’s Been Good to Me” despite the many twists and turns along the way.
Taylor's Angels: Besides Taylor, what are your hobbies and interests?
Karin:In the Spring and Summer, you will often find me in the garden. I enjoy going for walks along the lake as well. I am very interested in music and today as I was reflecting on past memories in my life, I was reminded of the many times that music was a safe haven for me during very difficult times.
I volunteer 50-60 hours a month in my community which can be very rewarding and, at the same time, I see very sad and tragic circumstances that others find themselves in. It keeps me grounded in the real world and it reminds me how fragile life really is. My “hot” button, as some of you know, is domestic violence and child abuse. While physical abuse is deplorable, broken bones and bruises heal but the emotional abuse scars a child for life and in my opinion, it is the most difficult wound to heal.
Since my induction into the world of Taylor Hicks, I spend a great deal of time on the computer and I enjoy trying to learn new programs and unleashing the creativity that I didn’t even know existed in me.
Taylor's Angels: How did you become interested in Taylor's music and what is it about Taylor Hicks that caught your attention?
Karin: I watched American Idol for the first time in January 2006. Taylor intrigued me right from the beginning at the Las Vegas auditions. I saw a young man with gray hair who had a somewhat boyish charm and I listened to his story about starting to turn gray when he was 15 years old. He was genuine when he said “I am just who I am”. My first impression was that I loved his speaking voice and I was anxious to hear what he was going to sing. Needless to say, I was hooked.
I became an even more avid supporter after Simon told Taylor that it wasn’t “just” about the voice and then said, “They will not put you in the final group to be judged by the public” – words that later would come back to haunt Simon.
On Hollywood Bound week, Taylor’s answered a question from Ryan by saying: “It’s music, man. If music is in your heart, you feel it, you play it, you sing it, you perform it, you bust your buns doing it and that is what it is all about.”. He really impressed me when he said those words and I was determined to follow his career.
Taylor's Angels: How have the Canadians received Taylor's music?
Karin: I must confess that there were some in my circle who supported Daughtry but after Chris left the show, they all became Taylor Hicks fans. Since AI, most people I know and whom I meet, went back to their lives and didn’t end up where I found myself. Through many conversations, they soon found out that I was a walking encyclopedia about all things Taylor. Taylor’s CD has not received any radio play in Canada, much to my dismay. Many wondered what had happened to Taylor and I was more than eager to let them know all of the things that Taylor was doing. Most were unaware of his ability to really play the harp or even a guitar. The people that I have talked to about Taylor have nothing but admiration for his talent as seen on AI and I am always sending them to YouTube so that they can see the many concert videos that are available there.
Taylor's Angels: You have made some awesome videos. What is your inspiration for making your videos?
Karin: Thank you for your kind words. As I watched the videos on YouTube, the montages, I became really interested in learning how to make them. It started out as a personal challenge for me and then it became a hobby. With help from fellow posters on TOSP, I was able to master the program and now I am “hooked” on making them when the spirit moves me. In the beginning, it was the pictures and then when Taylor released his CD, some of the songs really touched me and I felt the need to tell a story or convey a message. The availability of the videos and photographs that have been so generously shared on many of the fan boards have made it possible for me to do continue doing this. I hope that they are a positive contribution in some small way. I am always hopeful that they will draw new fans and promote Taylor’s music.
There was one video in particular that was driven by a personal crisis last year, “Have We Told You Lately”. (Unfortunately, I was politely asked by YouTube to remove it because I was using a Van Morrison song.) A very good friend of mine suddenly passed away. I was in shock and found it difficult to function normally. I didn’t know how to pull myself out of my despair and then, I decided to watch some of the many videos on YouTube of Taylor and I realized that I began to feel better after watching them. Through following Taylor’s music and his career, I realized that perhaps, for some karmic reason, this was something I needed to do and Taylor, unknowingly, helped pull me out of a very dark and sad place. If only one of the videos can do that for one person, then to me, it is a worthwhile investment of my time.
Taylor's Angels: We know that the current Canadian Idol is from your hometown. What has that been like and how is Canadian Idol different from American Idol?
Karin: The first difference that comes to mind is that we don’t have Simon as a judge here. (I’m kidding, of course…hmmm.) I could be wrong about this, but I am not so sure that there is the same type of deliberate influence from the judges as seen on the American Idol. It was a very proud moment for my city and while I did not go downtown where they were viewing the final show, I saw the excitement in the streets on YouTube and it was very evident that everyone was thrilled that Brian won. His life was changed so dramatically that night. It is an incredible opportunity for aspiring musicians to have their ultimate dreams come true.
Taylor's Angels: Have you attended any Taylor concerts? Tell us about your experience.
Karin: I have been able to attend two of Taylor’s concerts. The first one was in Royal Oak, Michigan and it was an incredible experience. I met many people there and it was an opportunity for me to meet some people who I had become “cyber-friends” with. The second concert I attended was in Niagara Falls, New York and once again, it provided me with an opportunity to meet more people. Needless to say, I was able to once again enjoy Taylor’s music in person which was fantastic for me. I am looking forward to having Taylor come to Canada.
Taylor's Angels: How has Taylor Hicks affected your life?
Karin: I am reminded of something that happened in the summer of 2006. A woman sits beside me at the computer as we had done on many evenings. I introduced her to the “Soul Man” via the Internet. She seemed to really understand the magnetism that Taylor possesses.
She was weary, heartbroken and lost. She has lived through so much abuse during her lifetime. A “broken” soul is what she was. She finally had gained the courage after 11 years to walk away from the most recent abuser. She didn’t walk; she ran with the clothes on her back and had to leave her children behind in a relatively safe place in another city.
We sit and we watch the videos of Taylor Hicks. We watch his triumphant winning moment on American Idol and listen to Taylor sing “Do I Make You Proud”. The woman sits and she listens. Finally, she speaks and expresses one of her thoughts about Taylor. Tears welled in her eyes as she uttered that the reason she had become a supporter of Taylor was because he made her believe that realizing your dream is possible. He persisted in his dream and through sheer determination and belief in his gift, he had realized his life-long dream. His voice was heard by millions of people.
We listened to the song again, neither of us speaking. Each and every time she listened to this song, the tears flowed easily. It reached her deep inside and touched her very soul. Then, I heard my sister say, “I always think of you when I hear this song and I wonder if “you” are proud of me?”. “Yes”, I tell her, “I am very PROUD of you.” It has been a long and difficult road for her to travel and she has succeeded.
A “Taylor” moment between sisters and we both wondered if Taylor Hicks would ever know how much he has touched the lives of others. This is the magic of Taylor Hicks at its very best.
One of the most important things that my interest in Taylor’s career has brought me is a renewed interest in spirituality. He is a well rounded musician and human being. He not only focuses on his craft, but he often displays his understanding and empathy to those who are “victims of circumstance”. Whether it has been a hurricane, the Gulf War or a very “special” child in need of his attention, Taylor is not afraid to show his compassion and generosity. He has inspired many within his fan base to follow his example and I think that he can be very proud of the many good things that they do for others.
As he continues to travel new horizons, I hope that life brings Taylor Hicks the joy that he continues to give to countless others.
Taylor’s Angels once again congratulates Karin on being selected as our Hero of the Month and invite you to leave a congratulatory comment for her, which may inspire her to make more awesome videos to share!
Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)
Videos by KarinP
Happy New Year, Soul Patrol!!! In the spirit of the holiday season, you have all joined us as we reminisced 2007. On behalf of all Taylor's Angels, I want to thank each of you for enjoying our thoughts, our guests' thoughts, and for supporting us in our cause to Tay-It-Forward.
Less than a year ago we formed only because we were fans of Taylor Hicks and we wanted to help one person join his official website. To say that that one act of kindness mushroomed into something none of us ever imagined would be an understatement. With your help, and ONLY with your help, we all sent over 400 people who could not afford to go to Taylor's concerts, we have given back to our troops, we have discovered and supported new charities, and, most recently, we all came together to help out one of our favorite promoters of Taylor's show when he and his family lost everything. When I look back on 2007, the profound generosity of so many people who I only know through my computer just floors me. And when I remember that all of this came about for one reason: because we all share respect, admiration, and love for the music of Taylor Hicks.
Because of our belief in his music, we have each been inspired to come together and to do so much good work. We have been inspired to travel places we might not have otherwise visited and to become friends with people on the other side of your state, your country, our globe.
This very day one year ago, I didn't know the significance that 2007 would have for me. I had no idea there would be a second Birmingham show, much less that it would be the show that made 2500 people cry during Taylor's encore song and that it would be the last one of a week of Taylor shows that I'd share with a wonderful woman from Canada who I had never met until then. I also had no inkling that I would be flying next to and staring in awe at the magnificent Mt. Hood as my plane was descending into Portland; or that I would visit the beautiful venue formerly known as Woodstock in the breathtaking range of the Catskills; hadn't dreamed I'd learn how to play video poker in Vicksburg or that I would even visit the battleground there alone with a fabulous woman I had just met the night before, and I certainly didn't think that I would be able to hug for the first time someone I was about to grow close to over the internet and the phone; didn't have a clue some awesome chick from California would rope me into a killer game of "Name That Tune" somewhere and everywhere between Biloxi and New Orleans; I had never heard of a "HOB" but I was in for a real treat at the one in New Orleans. And Taylor's Angels wasn't even a twinkle in anyone's eyes. Not only did I have no idea what was in store for me, but, every bit of it was inspired and driven by an appreciation of man and his music. Slowly but certainly, going to a new location became more than just catching Taylor in concert, it has become a chance to see a different part of our big and wonderful world, and, most importantly, a time to reconnect with my new friends and to embrace even newer ones. That is the true spirit I take with me when I go to a new city to see one of Taylor's shows. The concert is the icing on the cake.
So, what do I resolve to do (or not do) in 2008? I don't know. I wish I could have 2007 again. That much I do know. But, as the saying goes, I will not cry because it is over, but I will smile because it happened.
With so many surprises that last year held for me, I hesitate to even try to make any New Year's resolutions for 2008. I don't want to be so rigid that I don't have room for more surprises. None of us knows what 2008 holds for us, but my wish to each of you is that your year is as full of the gifts, happy times, and new friendships as mine was last year. My committment to each of you and to myself is to continue helping all of you spread the goodwill that we all accomplished in 2007.
So, instead of coming up with a list of resolutions, I will make a committment. A committment to the Soul Patrol, on behalf of the man who inspired me in so many ways. And I can't think of a better way to begin that commitment than with some words from Taylor himself. So, in appreciation to each of you for the good work that you did last year through Taylor's Angels, we would like to help you start the year off right and re-committing yourself to the Soul Patrol by bringing to each of you an interview we had with Taylor Hicks, the man and the reason we have all been inspired in so many ways. We would also like to share with you some exclusive and never-before seen pictures of Taylor taken by our own Tina-- I think you'll find them as fabulous as we do. Enjoy the interview and pictures and have a fabulous New Year!!! I hope to see each of you in 2008-- I just don't know where yet!
TA: Who is your hero living or dead? What is it about his person that makes them your hero?
Taylor Hicks: I have many heros. Ray Charles is the first that comes to mind. He was definitely my biggest musical inspiration growing up. Ray Charles defined rhythm & blues, soul, and authentic rock 'n' roll. I respected the genius.
TA: What else about him aside from his music, has been an inspiration and motivated you to keep on with your ultimate life goal.
Taylor Hicks: His drive. With so many hardships in his life it would have been easy to give up but instead he pushed himself to do more and achieved greatness!
TA: Taylor , what do you consider to be your greatest strength, and what is the source of the strength of your character?
Taylor Hicks: Perseverance and Self Confidence. You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. Confidence comes with proper preparation; everything else is beyond your control. I once heard that a successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her. I definitely apply that to my own life and use every experience as a learning opportunity.
TA: It is perhaps three important attributes personified in you that have endeared you to your fans. In your book, Heart Full of Soul, you elaborate in detail on two of these including your passion for music and your perseverance against all odds. However, the third attribute that you consistently display is one of a caring and compassionate spirit combined with humility. Can you elaborate on these qualities and the experiences in your life that have helped shape your views and actions, which in turn has touched so many, particularly children and those less fortunate, in immeasurable ways.
Taylor Hicks: Being humble is so important. It is so easy to loose sight of the things that got you to where you are. I strive on staying grounded and not get “blinded by the light”. You also have to be selfless in your actions. I believe that actions speak louder than words. Give and you shall receive.
TA: If you had children, what would be the most important things you would want to instill in them?
Taylor Hicks: I would tell them to always be giving, loving, kind, and most importantly respectful. And always say yes when their parents ask them to do something!
TA: Do you have a favorite or daily mantra? If so, what is it, when did you adopt it and what does it mean to you?
Taylor Hicks: I don’t have a mantra, however, every morning I start my day with breakfast. To me, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it provides the energy I need to start my day off right!
Written and Published by Leslie Mozingo All photos taken by Tina Shaddix
In response to Taylor’s Angel’s request to highlight various fan sites of Taylor Hicks, we received the following submission from the Sarasota Soul Patrol! It is one of their favorite posts of the year and was written by “soulthinggirl”. It is with her permission that we share this wonderfully funny recap of one of the best performances by Taylor Hicks of his 2007 tour. We hope that you enjoy reliving this memorable night!
It's 3:30 in the morning and I feel as though I died and went to Heaven tonight… or last night, or whenever it was. I don't know what's up, down or sideways right now. By the way, who am I? I'm barely vertical as I sit here with my head leaning ever so closely to the keyboard. If you see the same letter being typed over and over and over again, it's because I fell over and smacked the keyboard! I can't believe I'm sitting here typing right now. But I can't help myself. My head is on overload from everything I took in tonight. I can't shut it off. I'm trying. Help!! MOMMY!
Tonight, I went to the Chicago House of Blues in Chicago and watched a revival at its finest, followed quickly by mass murder. Taylor's evil twin once again emerged and one by one picked his victims out of the crowd and killed them. Then, he cremated them. And all this was before he even parted the waters. Okay, am I getting a little carried away here? No, no, I don't think I am!
Now, let’s take this from the beginning. I leave work at noon and start the drive by myself to the House of Blues. An hour after I started the trip, I get off on Lake Shore Drive, make a couple of turns, and merge onto Dearborn Street. May I humbly add that I am quite proud of myself (is that an oxymoron or just moron?) that I managed my way around the one way, wrong way, get outta my way, you must be from the suburbs, OMG that bus almost hit me, turn back idiot, that cab's on my rear, don't turn here unless you want to die, it's all over, typical street pattern of Chicago! But then, there it is! Right in front of me is a bee-yu-ti-ful big sign looming overhead at the corner....
Now that I made the first hurdle and found the venue, I have to figure out the parking. I knew the House Of Blues has valet parking and being by myself in the big bad city, I wanted a parking garage as close to the place as possible. I look directly up as I approach the HOB and see what looks like a giant sized, cemented over, corkscrew shape piece of macaroni jutting up into the sky with giant sized stationary matchbox cars that looked like they had been squeezed inside of it. I think to myself, “Do I have to drive my way up into that monstrosity in this little tiny Hyundai with the putt-putt engine?". Help!! MOMMY!!! I'm hoping to myself that this could be where the valet comes in as the “pasta garage” is directly across from the side of the House of Blues, separated only by a small street that is clearly used for the cars to come in and out of the garage onto Dearborn Street.
I pull my car up and around and a very nice man comes over and confirms with me that it's the HOB valet parking garage and he will park the car. Joy! Rapture! I wanted to give him a great big hug but, wisely, I just gave him the keys and left him with the car.
After waiting in line for 4 hours, finally, about 6:00 the doors flew open and insanity ensued. After a mad scramble to stake our place, my friends that I had met in line and I ended up about four people deep on the right side of the stage. At this point it really starts to hit me… I'm really here and this is about to happen. I must've done something right somehow, somewhere, sometime in my life to be here now. This is some gift!
As we waited for Michael Warren to make his opening act appearance, the crowd got bigger and squishier and closer as the people poured in. By the end of the evening I could have sworn I married the Elvis look-alike next to me. Help!! MOMMY!!! Yes, I actually had an Elvis look-alike next to me. I have to give the guy credit for his attempt to impersonate the King with his 6'3" big-boned and stocky frame, complete with ducktail hair and bushy sideburns. I didn't ask him if he was an impersonator. I wanted to, but I was too “skeered”. Actually, I was afraid he might say he was Elvis, he was alive and he was coming out of hiding to see his heir apparent- Mr. Taylor Hicks! This guy was hilarious during the concert! He kept raising his beer-filled plastic glass up to Taylor in a salute when he came to our side. With the guy towering over the crowd, I knew Taylor saw him, and a couple of times Taylor looked at me as if he wanted to say, "Are you actually with this guy?"! It was all I could do to keep myself from yelling, "No, Taylor! I swear, I never saw this guy before in my life!”
Yes, I digressed! But remember it is 3:30 in the morning…
When Michael Warren’s set was over, the band strolled onto the stage, sat down, strapped on and got down as Soulfinger began! And right on cue, Taylor appeared! The screams from the crowd were deafening. He was in fine fashion, overflowing with the music as it poured out of him. He had his wonderful "Soul Patrol" guitar strap over his shoulder with that beautiful guitar hooked to it. Taylor did a short tease of Want Ads in between Rough God Goes Riding and Let's Get it On. He introduced The Maze, but the music for Give Me Tonight started playing! Taylor turned around to the band and gave a slight laugh. I don't know if he was trying to confuse the band since he had already sung The Maze previously or if he had gotten confused and realized his mistake and laughed. Either way, it was funny! I loved Give Me Tonight live because he made it bluesy sounding, added a rock 'n roll touch to it, and turned it quite funky. It really rocked! During Dance to the Music, Taylor tagged onto it a couple of lines of Ride Sally Ride. Also, starting out Dance to the Music, he yelled out the infamous beginning of it, "All The Squares Can Go Home!” In the middle of Dance to the Music he sang to the tune of the song, "I thought you might like to hear my organ" and sat down at Brian's organ and played. That was awesome!
Taylor then went into a wonderful version of Just to Feel That Way. He was very emotional with the song, and his eyes were closed as if to channel the muses. On the song Compared to What Taylor went nuts on the cowbell, banging the stick at warp speed. During The Right Place, Taylor played with one line slightly and changed it up to sing it as, "That old country back door is open". It was just beautiful. Taylor sure knows how to wail out a plea.
During The Runaround, Taylor went over to a table on stage with all his harmonicas on it and got busy looking them over, eyes darting back and forth briskly as if he was at the deli trying to figure out what to bring home for dinner. He quickly found the one he wanted and came back to the front of the stage and went into his bad self on the blues harp. The harp screamed and Taylor brought home his point. Of course he did his spin cycle, top twirling, make it go round in circles dance, which we all couldn't get enough of.
Taylor left the stage to screams, cheers and applause, drenched and happy. Yet, he wasn’t finished. The kill had taken place at this point but not the cremation. That was saved for last. To the crowd screaming for an encore, Taylor came back out and completed the evil deed. As soon as the notes sounded for Sweet Home Chicago, people went crazy. I could actually feel the floor bounce slightly below me. Even the floor was under the influence of “the woo”. I cheered, my new friends screamed, the crowd cried, the balcony swayed, and “Mr. Swivel Hips Wannabe” next to me raised his cup high in salute as Taylor grinned out at us and ripped into Sweet Home Chicago. He tore the place apart and slammed us all into the furnace. Off stage, Taylor is a pussycat, but on stage a tiger. Don’t ya just love him for it?
Just when you thought the concert had reached its peak, who joins Taylor and the band on Sweet Home Chicago but one of Taylor's idols, Keb Mo! Taylor introduced him as a mentor who had helped him as a struggling musician in Alabama. Keb Mo promptly played the guitar and not just anybody's guitar - he had Taylor's strapped on complete with the "Soul Patrol" strap tightly draped over his shoulder. Talk about an "I'm making a wreath with Martha" moment! With Taylor doing blues harp and Keb Mo playing off of him with the guitar, Chicago was sweet home all the way. On Thursday night at 329 N. Dearborn Street, for just a little while, all was right with the world!
Like a speeding train, the concert went by way too fast and Taylor, Keb Mo and the band took their bows and then took their leave. It was now time for the crowd to exit. Still floating on cloud nine, we all were quickly brought back down to reality as we started being herded out. Now I know how cows feel when it's time to be herded off the farm and to their fates. Every cow for itself and then some! My friends and I somehow got separated during the cattle call. Already under the influence of the “woo”, I wandered around aimlessly inside and outside, by the parking pasta noodle, down the sidewalk, and past the tour buses. Fortunately, I had given my new friends my cell phone number earlier, because my phone rang and on the other end they were excitedly yelling into the phone, "We're at a bar called Buddy Guy's!! Taylor's gonna be here! Get in a cab and get over here!". I have to laugh now thinking of what I must have looked like between my zombie walk and then my cell phone wakeup call. Here I am in the middle of Chicago somewhere, 10:30 at night, hopping into a cab by myself, not even knowing where Buddy Guy's is and doing all this based on info handed over to me by people I had known less than a day! But it was all good. I got to Buddy Guy's, walked in, paid the cover charge and spotted my new friends sitting at a table. There was an empty chair sitting beside them with my name written all over it! Well, sure enough, Taylor showed up about a half hour later, slyly walking in with his obligatory toboggan slapped on his head to cover that tell-tale hair. He was accompanied by a crowd of friends who were all seated at a long table in a chained off seating area (doh!) straight across from the side of the stage. They spent the remainder of the evening reveling, absorbing, witnessing and sometimes partaking in one of the greatest jam concerts I have ever seen. I still can't believe what I saw.
It seems as though every time I snuck a peek at Taylor, he had this big ol' giddy school boy grin on his face, at times a look of pure joy, just a regular Joe, in his element, hangin' out with his buddies, just chillin' and taking in the incredible sweet soul blues music pouring from the stage. He was in the zone. One time I caught a glimpse of him while one of the guest musicians was going to town on a blues harp, making him one with it. Taylor's head was leaned over almost to his shoulder, his face tightened in deep concentration, but yet softly taut as he just seemed to study this man and his music. I actually turned away because I felt I was intruding into an area so private, so sacred, it was none of my business. But the coolest part was the fact that Buddy Guy himself was there as well as Keb Mo! They all jammed and fed off each other’s energy. Taylor was so into the scene that, he held that guitar like he was married to it, closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and just went to town on it. It was an amazing site for sure. He let us in to his world so deeply that we felt like he had invited us over to his house and then gave us the most precious of all surprise gifts… his soul. If the House of Blues was the cremation, Buddy Guy's blew our remains away. To call it a treat would be grossly understating the matter. To call it a sacred ceremony would be much closer to the truth but still doesn't do it justice. A baptism in music is just about there but to be honest, there are no proper words to describe what took place that night. The rest of the world outside faded away as we all partied down with Taylor, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo and the gang inside our little happy bubble called Buddy Guy's Legends.
The good times continued until past 1:00 A.M. Buddy Guy sang a few more times before the evening came to its inevitable conclusion and we all danced in the clouds and reveled in the magic of the dream to which we were privileged. I have many images of Taylor that will be with me forever. But one image of Taylor at Buddy Guy's sticks in my mind. Buddy ended his last song with the place happily drowning with him in the blues and when the final note of the song sounded, we all applauded and cheered and showed our appreciation for Buddy sharing his soul with us. Taylor however took it one step further. At this point, alone at his table, he shot out of his chair like a bullet, stood and yelled, whistled, cheered, stretched his arms out and applauded wildly for his idol and new friend, Buddy Guy. Standing alone slightly silhouetted in shadow but yet standing out and shining bright like a beacon, Taylor knew darn well the whole place noticed and was staring at him but it wasn't going to hold him back. Taylor was reveling in the world of Buddy Guy and he wanted to show - and share - his pure joy and appreciation. It didn't take long for the rest of us to jump up and join him in a standing ovation for Buddy. You see, when Taylor Hicks stands, it's no longer an option but a demand. His respect for Buddy was overwhelming and wonderful. As I drove back home with the crisp waters of Lake Michigan outside my window glistening in the moonlight like waves of aluminum with the harbor lights reflecting and bouncing off them, giving one the impression that somewhere out there a grand waltz of invisible angels was taking place, I thought about the prior events of the evening and what an incredible gift I had been given- to be allowed to be a part of something so special and so glorious that it would be a unthinkable to chalk it up to just another event and cast it aside to simple history. I thought about how all of us at Legends were treated to great music by so many incredible artists, how we had been taken into a different realm, a different time, a different place. I thought about how discovering the true roots of music had not just changed my life for the better musically but personally, how I've made new friends, how it's made me reconnect with myself. I only wish more people could experience what a happy place the blues can take you to. I have been baptized by the blues, the river is warm and the current is fine. I dove in and I'm never looking back. Come on in everybody, the water's fine. Hallelujah!
Taylor’s Angels thanks the Sarasota Soul Patrol for sharing one of their finest posts! If you would like more information on this group, you may go to their site at http://srqsoulpatrol.proboards104.com/
Taylor's Angels was formed in January 2007 to help Soul Patrol fans who could not afford to become members of Taylor Hicks Official Headquarters or buy tickets to his concerts. We also promote Taylor Hicks within the communities in which he is performing by donating concert tickets to charitable organizations and the military. In the spirit of Taylor Hicks and his inspiration to us all, we would like to continue to help those who are in need. If you have a need or know of someone that would benefit from this, or you would like to be an angel donor, please feel free to contact us by email: http://taylors_angels@yahoo.com/
America, The Beautiful 1991 Live at McCallum Theater
Eleanor Rigby - Live In Concert
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We are not affiliated with Taylor Hicks, Taylor Hicks Headquarters, the Taylor Hicks name,CAA or American Idol. We are merely devoted fans who want to make a positive difference in people’s lives. We do not accept cash, checks, or money orders. All transactions are made between the donor and recipient once we match them and are kept confidential. Any publishing of a gift can be made only by the recipient.
