Sharing thoughts about Taylor Hicks and concert travels and other musical musings!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Finding a Cure for the Taylor Hicks Blues

After an aggressive 2007 spring and summer tour for Taylor Hicks, I can certainly understand his need for down time to not only write and record a new album, but to also recharge his musical batteries. The week-end travel for me certainly took its toll and I’m almost twice Taylor’s age! Youth, that’s the only way anyone would be able to survive a musician’s life-style!
With all the free week-ends of late, I’m starting to feel the need to roam, to take a road trip to nowhere, to find some sort of musical release, to see and hear Taylor Hicks in concert again! Even my physician wants to know when I will be on the road again. (I really think she’s a closet-Taylor Hicks fan and this is how she’s able to find out where Taylor Hicks will be performing!) I must look miserable when I’m in her office and her only advice is to go find a concert or a new CD or new musician! Anything, because not even “two aspirin and a call-me-in-the-morning” do any good! Unfortunately, there is no pill for the Taylor Hicks Blues. Oh please help me find a cure for the Taylor Hicks Blues!



I’ve resorted to cleaning my own house (the housekeeper was just in the way!). My many in-progress scrapbooks are getting caught up. My cats pester me when I’m on my laptop – go away, the keyboard’s warm and cozy. Books have been read. Facebook, Multiply, MySpace, and all the Taylor Hicks boards and blogs are scoured daily. I’m now so organized from boredom, that I’m considering running for Congress to straighten them out! I tell you, these Taylor Hicks Blues are really getting me down!

So what’s a fan to do! Bury my head in my hands? Continue to search and scour daily? Peak into my personal vault of pictures and old blog posts? Daydream a concert scenario? Think every tall, slim gray-haired male is Taylor Hicks? I ask you, I implore you, how can I cure this bad case of the Taylor Hicks Blues!

Well, as that old song says, “I’m just gonna sit right down and write myself a letter….”

Dear RagsQueen:

I hear you are suffering from a really nasty case of the Taylor Hicks Blues. As you’ve no doubt already discovered, there’s just no cure for this rapidly spreading ailment. It’s characterized by twitching side to side throwing back the head and shoulders and yelling out ‘woos’ or ‘wooo hooo’ at the most inappropriate times, such as hearing that familiar voice over a Wal-Mart music system.

Why, I saw a woman just the other day, obviously suffering from the same malady burst into tears, running around grabbing every young gray-haired guy and asking for his autograph and picture. The pain and suffering she was experiencing must have been so awful that she was later seen rearranging the CDs trying to make sure every front slot had a “Taylor Hicks” CD. She was last seen running behind a black SUV with tinted windows screaming……. (I wonder if Fox 6 in Birmingham might have video since this was the store in Hoover, just outside of Birmingham).

So I understand your need to find a cure for the Taylor Hicks Blues. It’s just about to become a national epidemic among the Soul Patrol. We’ve all heard that Taylor is busy writing and gathering music for his next CD. There’s “Whomp at the Warfield”, the long-awaited DVD from the San Francisco stop to be released soon – too bad Comcast doesn’t carry HD-Net.


And what’s this I hear: you’re taking up golf? I knew you took golf in college, but I thought you learned your lesson when it took 25 shots to putt the 2-inch ball into the 4.25 inch hole! But then I did hear you played on your new employer’s team with the head partner before you ever started the job which must have taxed you to your very core! Alas, when Taylor Hicks takes to the charity golf games, at least you will understand what’s going on.

That said, I guess you better just go check out some stuff on the internet that I understand have been know to lessen the Taylor Hicks Blues symptoms.

  • Go straight to the source for your Rx, Taylor Hicks’ own home site for a small membership fee, Taylor Hicks Head Quarters or Taylor Hicks’ personal MySpace for free information

  • I hear The Taylor Hicks Community in conjunction with The Whomp Swamp and Taylor Made Online has quite a collection of media including pictures and video.

  • Taylor’s Angels blog is known for having some great interviews and video as well.

  • If you need a shopping spree, the solders that benefit from the Proud of Our Troops Drive would undoubtedly enjoy some CDs or inspirational books, such as “Heart Full of Soul”.

  • Even The Soul Connection newsletter is doing a campaign to raise funds for a bronze star with Taylor Hicks’ name that would benefit from your extra change.

  • Then there’s always the Blooming Proud blog, Taylor Hicks My Idol, that’s known for its video and stories about Taylor. Check it out. Someone found a temporary cure there.

  • Don’t forget Alan at The Official Soul Patrol, affectionately known as TOSP, has agreed to put up a picture of himself if the next year’s operating funds are raised

  • You can always Keep the Boogie Alive with the Boogie Board

  • Perhaps help out the mothers of the Kid One kids with Mother’s Day cards through KOPS, or Kid One Patrol of Soul

  • Your New England sisters can surely use a dose of something to help ease their symptoms as well

  • And don’t forget those ladies of the soul, Taylor Made Soul, they can use some of this remedy as well

  • A couple of new spots for pictures have sprung up where you just ‘right, click & save’ or for some new takes on old media, there’s Taylor Hicks Fan Video

  • Plus a couple of new forums for those times when you feel the need to commiserate on those terrible Taylor Hicks Blues symptoms like SQR Soul Patrol Forum or The Real Deal

  • If all else fails, you might consider updating “RagsQueen & the Traveling Circus” or at least go back and review your old musings for a trip down memory lane.


So you see, my dear self, there may be no cure for the Taylor Hicks Blues, but there certainly is a lot of stuff out there to help you take your mind off of the symptoms, much like shot of whiskey for those awful cramps. Try it and see if that doesn’t help you – the sources of relief above, not the whiskey!

Dedicated to Finding a Cure for the Taylor Hicks Blues,
RagsQueen


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20 comments:

tishlp said...

Very clever blog, Mandy. I even found a web site I wasn't aware of and I didn't think that was possible.

Anonymous said...

Awesome blog entry, Mandy! Also, thank you for mentioning the troop drive! I appreciate it very much! Two words to get over the Taylor Hicks blues. ROAD TRIP!!! I say we go to the beach!
Jean

Anonymous said...

Mandy - Loved the blog. I know I've got the 'Taylor Hicks Blues'.

Anonymous said...

Great ideas for the Taylor Hicks Blues, Rags!

I have also found it helpful to:

Pack my car with Taylor CDs...I've listened to Heart Full of Soul four times and Taylor Hicks the album so many time that I bought a new one just in case holes showed up in the old one.

I have yet to organize all my Taylor Hicks memorabilia from concerts...that's on my list before the new tour starts.

I have organized Taylor videos into folders...a slow task since I frequently have to stop and watch..

In the end, I think there is no cure except a new Taylor Hicks album and concert. But with all the Taylor stuff available that you mentioned, the suffering isn't too bad!

Thanks for alleviating our suffering!

San

Anonymous said...

I do indeed have the Taylor Hicks Blues, thanks Mandy


KEB

Allyn said...

Great Blog entry Rags. I think all of Taylor's fans have been suffering from the blues. That seems clear from the comments posted before this one. You certainly understand what we all need for the cure...the new CD and the concerts to follow.
Look forward to seeing you and other friends again on the concert trail.

Anonymous said...

Totally understand the Wally World thing. I work there . When Tay comes on I try to stop what I'm doing and sing along, some have even caught me dancing behind the Jewerlry counter. I can be heard every Friday morning from 8-10, requesting one of his songs. Can't wait till I have more songs to request.

Anonymous said...

Awesome Blog !!! Loved the sense of community you encouraged by metioning all the fun things that are going on with the sites!!!
The traveling circus is always a cure for me - those pics keep me going!!!!!

~ cydter

KarinP said...

Mandy, you have temporarily cured my blues with laughter! This is a fabulous blog and you definitely picked a topic that many have in common.

We are all sitting on the edge of our seats waiting to hear new news about future concerts and CD release dates. International dates are of particular interest to me too - Canada is waiting!

Thanks for the many smiles you brought to my face as I read your blog, Mandy. Now that you are so organized in your life, you are ready to hit the road and we are anxious to hear about your adventures with Madge!

Bloom said...

Mandy girl, like Karin, who was kind enough to alert me to your blog post, I chuckled my way through.
I kept saying saying to myself ... oh I hear ya ... lol.

There really isn't a known cure available right now, but there are temporary measures you can take to chase those blues away, I highly recommend videos!

Thanks for your fun blog, thanks for the mention .... hope to see you on the road SOON!

Anonymous said...

Mandy,
This is so funny and b/c it's true, it's so sad. But, all is not lost! We have our memories to hold us over. At the boogie, we're recapping the shows on their anniversary date. Some really great stuff there to cure what ails ya'. And, it's a way to save money for next year's tour!
Love your comments. Thanks for the new meds.

juliegr said...

Love your blog (and the cool cats), Mandy! Bet they'll be said when your trips to see Taylor start again! Cats are like that. :-))

Your list included a number of things I still have to do -- like organizing my video files. Thanks for the giggle.

juliegr

Anonymous said...

*chuckles* Yes, even my six - year - old is like, "Mom, when will you go see Taylor agan?"
As usual, thanks for the smiles and I can't wait to meet you. That's the cure - we all get together and Whoo as one...then people won't look at you funny for whoo-ing alone. Not much, anyway.
~tyg

Anonymous said...

I think we are all suffering from a lack af Taylor in the flesh. I love this Blog! I have met and seen you a few times during the 2007 Tour, and you have always been very sweet :)

Dont forget about my site Taylorslegs.com! We share in the Taylove too :)

Anonymous said...

Well, Mandy, I don't know exacty how I'm going to handle my TH "blues" - but it occurred to me that you're probably just the person to tackle the giant that is Oprah Winfrey! LOL!

Let me explain. With all the hype around "The Big Give" finale, (which BTW evidently had JTFTW playing in the background during a segment at the Shriners' Hospital) - I think now would be a very opportune time for the people who book her guests - to be made aware of all that Taylor has done and has inspired his fans to do for so many charities since he became the American Idol.
I know that many of us have e-mailed the show requesting Taylor as a guest, and have had no success. We've seen, however, that many people connected with Idol have been asked to share her couch! (I don't think Taylor's name has ever even been mentioned on the show.) But with the constant buzz about her other show, "The Big Give," I think now would be the time to get Taylor noticed. After all, he's inspired his fans from all over this country, and beyond, to help thousands of needy kids and families.

Someone, like yourself would know how to go about finding the statistics and data on all the charities that Taylor has been involved in supporting, and which the Soul Patrol went on to help, in his name.

This "task" needs someone like you, who is not only internet savvy, (so that pictures and videos might be included with any correspondence) - but who is articulate and intelligent - and who IMO could write a "killer" letter to Oprah's "people."

I'll never understand why Oprah has never had Taylor "on her radar." The Ray Charles connection, in and of itself, would seem to me to be a very strong "hook" for him to have been considered for the show. I think her staff needs a real push in Taylor's direction, and it has to be fast, in order to capitalize on the momentum from "The Big Give."

I was thinking of my own donations last year, and realized that I supported more organizations and causes outside of my home state and region, than I ever have - and it was all because of Taylor. (Here I am in Massachusetts, supporting charities in Alabama!)

Taylor truly has been, and continues to be, a role model and an inspiration to so many people. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see him get just a little bit of recognition for his sincere involvement with these organizations?

Idol got so much publicity for their IGB program - and at the same time - they gave many past contestants and winners air time and publicity. Why not Taylor? I'd be willing to guess that he's done far more to help needy causes over the past year than many who appeared on that show, and who reaped the benefits of the IGB exposure.

So, Ms. Mandy, what do you think? Would you be up to the task of taking on Harpo Productions? Would that help you pass some time until your next road trip? LOL!

And as always, thank you for all you do within the SP.

Anonymous said...

Well, well, well, Ms. Mandy. I think Azure might be on to something. So, inquiring minds want to know...Are you up for this particular challenge?

B :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your comments Mandy, you are spot on!!

I was watching Oprah's Big Give on Sunday and heard the intro to Just To Feel That Way. My heart started pounding and I focused on the music and have NO idea what was happening with the show.

Oprah has given $10,000 to Kid One Transport through the Big Give, it made me wonder if she was going to feature Taylor, how cool would that have been? We can only hope.

I had one of the Blues channel on my cable provider playing as I cleaned house last weekend, I'm not sure what the song was, but it displayed a picture of Taylor as a follower of the style of music. It was nice to see there are some that appreciate what he's given to the music industry, I know I do!!

Something odd to say, but I'm glad I have the Taylor Hicks Blues. Kind of "Better to have loved and lost..." I'm glad I've had the chance to feel the thrill of listening and watching him perform. It will happen again, I have faith!

Mandy, Thanks for mentioning the Mother's Day drive for Kid One. You're a peach and a beautiful soul!

Karen

Anonymous said...

While I wait for the new DVD and possibly a new cd from our man Taylor, I went shopping and bought his Under The Radar cd. It has kept me going so far but nothing can compare to the real thing. So, still, I sit waiting.

Anonymous said...

Great read Mandy, and loved how you mentioned all the different sites!!

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