Taylor Hicks
The Distance...
The Distance speaks to the human heart...
"Solidly crafted over more than a decade playing tough roadhouses in the Deep South, Hicks’ foundation of musical sensibilities encompasses soul, the blues, jazz, funk, and Southern rock. Into this musical brew, he now stirs a little country, a touch of bluegrass, Latin rhythms, and a soupcon of hip-hop. Alternately upbeat and introspective, the mélange reflects both Hicks’ versatility and his commitment to going “The Distance” in his career as opposed to running a twenty-yard dash. The artist’s voice is the thread of commonality linking and driving each tune. To a human ear, that voice is a powerful, tender-gritty tenor likened by some to Michael McDonald’s pipes. To a human heart, it speaks directly with passion and humor. In the most emotional of the songs on his new collection, Hicks displays incredible control. Instead of taking the obvious, over-the-top route, his approach, at once low-key and wrenching, renders them all the more poignant." (Kathleen Felleca Write On New Jersey)
Celebrate the Fouth with "Red, White and Cruise"...
Taylor Hicks cruises into the huge Red, White and Cruise Celebration in Fontana, California, on July 4th. He entertains on the Main Stage for the day-long family event that highlights motor sports and cruising the road. redwhiteandcruise.com
GET THE DISTANCE WITH "SEVEN MILE BREAKDOWN" AND BONUS TRACKS: "Indiscriminate Act of Kindness" ~ Target
"Hide Nor Hair" ~ Walmart ~~~~~ "Yes We Can" ~ iTunes download
"Seven Miles Breakdown," by Taylor Hicks and Spence Nicholson!
Taylor plays Smith’s, part of the original “Shadow Tour”
Taylor revisits Atlanta’s Smith’s Olde Bar Sunday, August 16 for a late concert. Smith’s was one on the original “Shadow Tour” that started during the American Idol tour when Taylor would meet up with his old band, LIMBO at local venues after the Idol show. The date is during the run of "Grease" in Atlanta.
Shadow Tour gears down for The Magic Bag...
Monday night Taylor shakes up the show with an acoustic performance in Ferndale at The Magic Bag. Old band mate, Brian Less, on keyboards and current Music Director, Josh Smith, on guitar join Taylor on stage.
Hometown Shadow Tour at WorkPlay...
Taylor makes a much-anticipated Shadow Tour appearance at Birmingham's WorkPlay club Friday night, September 25th after his "Grease" appearance. Tickets went on sale June 12 at workplay.com
Country Music’s Biggest Party...
Taylor attended the CMA Musical Festival Fan Fair in Nashville this past week, a gathering of country music artists and media. From Karin of TTHC: “There was one very interesting comment tonight from John Rich who was answering a question about why Country Music is so different and special. He said it is the only genre that sings songs that support the Troops. 'Nineteen' came to my mind at the time.” "Nineteen" is the story of an American hero on his current album, The Distance. Taylor dedicates it to the troops.
"DETROIT is still ROCK city"
"Where has all the music gone? The film industry has made Detroit an annex of Hollywood and we all appreciate the new jobs it brings to our economy, but it also brings a presence back to Detroit. That presence makes Detroit a desirable place to live, work, and play. Well, there is another reason that aura is seeping back into our city, Artist 2 Market distribution. A2M is a new kind of music representation; giving the creative power back to the artist instead of a conglomerate pushing its artists around. A2M is based in Royal Oak and represents such artists as American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, whom is currently starring in “Grease” as Teen Angel. ...A2M’s roster knows no boundaries and represents musicians from a wide range of musical genres. They are all about the artist. They are all about the music! Isn’t that what we as listeners want? A company devoted to the growth of its talent and harvesting their music’s essence." (June 11, 2009 by porwollj
www.justinporwollj.wordpress.com)
The welcome mat rolled off the line in Detroit this week...
Taylor talked to the media in the Motor City.
WRIF...
On the phenomenon of American Idol: “A & R people have told us what we‘ve loved to listen to all our lives basically up to the point of American Idol and Star Search. This actually puts the idea of what people really like in a general sense with the public voting. It’s not an A&R thought process. ...it’s like direct market research. It’s right to the people and what the people want.”
Touring Asia: “I never thought in a million years I’d go into the Jakarta airport and see Soul Patrol."
Frank Beckman, WJR
On the Broadway theatre: “Some of the same thought process that I apply from a creative standpoint musically, now I apply, instead of musically, it is theatrical. ...Lets say, for instance, doing a riff on a guitar off of another guitar player on stage...from a creative aspect. Now it is a hand gesture with an actor or a rolling of the eyes...or some interesting quirk you could draw a comparison to with playing music live. I’m starting to learn that idea of playing off someone not just from a musical standpoint.”
THE DETROIT DISH...
June 9-28 ~~ "Grease" the Fisher Theatre ~~June 22 ~~ Taylor Hicks Acoustic Concert, The Magic Bag, Ferndale ~~June 25 ~~ National Anthem, Detroit Tigers Baseball Tickets to Grease and Shadow Tour Shows
Photo: Taylor Hicks at The Triple Door 5.27.09 courtesy of RagsQueen
Shadow Tour heads south and home...
