The Taylor Hicks Community

The Distance...
new sound of soul

"The album is a great representation of who I am as an artist right now..." Taylor explained in a recent interview about his upcoming album,
The Distance.

Deep backup...
“The Distance” is deep with award winning and highly connected backup. Eric Clapton’s long-time bass man, Nathan East, plays bass. Abe Laborial Jr., Paul McCartney’s drummer is on drums and the Grammy-nominated blues songwriter and musician from Texas, Doyle Bramhall, handles the guitar. It is an impressive array of musicians with influences from rock to blues and Taylor is proud of the result. “I can honestly tell you that it is a great record. I’m really excited about it.”

Football in America and Taylor Hicks...
On a busy Sunday afternoon, football fan, Taylor Hicks, dashed away between performances of Grease in Minneapolis to sing the National Anthem at the NFL playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles! He was lauded by announcers for the "fine job" he did with a strong and emotional rendition of the Anthem. Football fans in Minnesota are celebrating their team's success in near sub-zero weather. As they say in the Northern regions...it is “football weather!” Applause was in order for indoor stadiums as fans enjoyed the comfortable, climate-controlled Herbert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

Football fan, Taylor Hicks...

Taylor Hicks entertained at the Liberty Bowl in 2007. Photo courtesy of gypsee.

Modern whomp after hours...
Taylor Hicks takes his modern whomp downtown and promotes his new album, The Distance, in the cities he visits on tour. After his Grease performance, he plays the real Taylor Hicks in small clubs and venues as he did during the American Idol tour when he met up with his old bandmates for "surprise guest" appearances. Three events are on tap for the Shadow Tour so far. More are expected to be scheduled.

Shadow Tour Schedule:
January 17-Martyr's in Chicago~~January 24-the 20th Century Theatre in Cincinnati~~February 7-Ram’s Head On Stage, Annapolis MD.
For more information visit the TTHC Grease Tour Forum.

Grease has deep, dark roots in Chicago...
"Pop quiz! What high school inspired "Grease," the Broadway musical-turned-film-turned-juggernaut about summer lovin', hot rods and rumbles? Answer: Taft High School in sweet home Chicago.

"Truth be told, playwright Jim Jacobs (Taft '60) flinches at how his do-wop memoir has evolved into a sugary valentine to the 1950s. ("American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks shows up as the Teen Angel in the latest touring production, bopping Jan. 6-18 into the Auditorium Theatre.)

"The original romance between the black-jacketed Danny and nice girl Sandy, which bowed at Kingston Mines here in 1971, was darker, edgier and would be "rated R today," said Jacobs, 66." (molly woulfe,nwitimes.com)



Grease moves to Chicago's thriving theater environment
"Theaters going dark...not in this town..."
"Broadway is in the tank—a slew of New York shows are closing in the coming days... Touring shows are having a rough time all across the country: ticket sales are down in many cities, presenters are cutting back shows...

"But in downtown Chicago, we’re suddenly reaching for a higher gear. There are an amazing number of touring shows headed to Chicago between now and Memorial Day." (chicagotribune.com)

Along side the article with a thumbnail photo of Taylor is:
"GREASE": Taylor Hicks stars in the tour at the Auditorium Theatre."

The magnificent Auditorium Theatre

When Taylor is on tour, TTHC presents tour stops with information and history about the venue and everything you need to know if you go. Visit the Grease Tour forum at:    Grease on Tour

TEEN ANGEL ON TOUR Next stops~~
January 6-18~~Auditorium Theatre~~Chicago, IL
January 20-February 1~~Aronoff Center for the Arts, Cincinnati OH
February 3-15~~Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore MD
Tickets are on sale now at venues, ticketmaster and ~~ taylorhicks.com