“Seven Mile Breakdown” hits the airwaves in the country genre May 5, as Taylor Hicks releases his second single from, The Distance, out now on Modern Whomp Records. The rowdy, bluesy country rock sound is set in the Mississippi delta country and was written by Taylor and friend and former band mate, Wynn Christian. It was an immediate track favorite by many Taylor fans.

The images conjured up from the Mississippi delta country in Seven Mile lights up Taylor's second music video, directed by Portland, OR videographer, Spence Nicholson. The film director has tweeted that preparations are in full swing for the shoot scheduled for Monday, April 27. This is expected to be quite a distance from the Chicago chic of Taylor’s first music video, "What's Right is Right."

The American Idol stage is a long way from the wrong side of Mississippi, but the two meet as Taylor performs “Seven Mile Breakdown” on American Idol’s results show on Wednesday, April 29. Taylor returns to the stage where he won the American Idol title in Season Five of the pop culture phenomenon. Taylor tweeted last week from his smart phone in the cone that he is excited about returning to Idol. For more tweets from the cone, follow Taylor at TaylorRHicks@twitter.com

MAY 27~~Shadow tour in the Northwest~~Taylor opens at the Triple Door in Seattle on Wednesday, May 27, at 8:00 p.m.

~~~TICKETS TO GREASE and SHADOW TOUR SHOWS

The word from Portland...
“…Hicks plays Teen Angel, who has less than five minutes of stage time in Grease. Luckily, when you’re make your entrance from the inside of a giant, floating ice cream cone, time stops. The crooner seems to be having a ball as he vamps through his single song, “Beauty School Dropout,” even tossing in a hip shake and a eyelash flutter for good effect. His voice is a knockout—as is his suit, adorned with silver-spangled angel wings.” (Kelly Clarke blogs.wweek.com/news)

A stage is a stage...
Taylor talked last week about transitioning from concert stage to Broadway stage: “...Hicks said the Broadway stage has been an easy transition for him. ‘I've been a performer and live entertainer since about 17, so I've had some years of experience on the stage. It's been a great role for me to learn what the Broadway stage is like.’" (www.kxl.com)

"Practice and follow your heart..."
Taylor was interviewed in Portland by a charismatic young thespian, Sophie Hamilton, and was asked what advice he would give to young people aspiring to be performers. He thoughtfully replied, "Practice and follow your heart and perform as much as you can...the most important thing is to smile, have fun, laugh." Sophie will star as "Sandy" in her high school production of "Grease." (KINK Radio and Fox 12 Oregon)

"Grease" returns to Southern California for a two-week stay in Costa Mesa, California, April 28 – May 10. Grease Tour Schedule

Taylor tees off in hometown tournament...
Sports Illustrated has named it the Number One Event on the Champions Tour. Taylor calls it home growing up on the greens. Where he was once a caddy, he is now a celebrity player as the 2009 Regions Golf Classic tees off at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bride Resort and Spa in Hoover, Al on May 13 - May 17, 2009. Tour players are joined by celebrities including Nick Saban, Bart Starr, Jeff Fisher, Taylor Hicks, Phil Niekro and Vince Gill.

THIS WEEK'S MUST SEE VIDEO...
Taylor visits the morning show at 105theBUZZ and brings his harmonica. He is impressive! When the tech responds with "That's awesome," Taylor gives him some good-natured attitude! See up close and personal harp at: Taylor on 105theBuzz
~~photo by san_tthc: Taylor at Roxy's_please do not repost.