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

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Taylor Hicks - 2008 - A Year in Review

As the day winds down and 2008 comes to a close, I look back over the year to see what has happened. From political elections to economical woes this year has been full of surprises and struggle. But one person stands out in the entire year, and that’s Taylor Hicks with the twists and turns his career has taken this year. And as Taylor himself would say, ‘it’s all good!’ Yes, indeed!

January found Taylor Hicks in Charlotte at Palm Night where he sang to a charitable crowd raising funds for The Family Center, an organization formed to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. With Taylor’s seeming love and warmth towards children, it seems quite natural for Taylor to share his talents to help much needed funds.

But like all of us, sometime pleasure needs to be mixed with fun, and that’s what Taylor Hicks did when he participated in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in beautiful Palm Desert and La Quinta, CA! I even read where he enjoyed a big stogie after one of the matches he played while he was there!

February had to be a very special month for Taylor Hicks! The Alabama Music Hall of Fame located in Tuscumbia, AL, opened their display honoring three young Alabama men who had made their name a household word on the stage of American Idol: Ruben Studdard, Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks. Later that same night, in Montgomery, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame awarded Taylor the America’s Music Award for upcoming and outstanding new musicians from Alabama. Taylor Hicks was able to play with the likes of Tommy Shaw, Clarence Carter, Percy Sledge and other famous musicians from Alabama.

March would find Taylor Hicks again celebrating children when he performed on the Orlando stage for the Children’s Miracle Network. Taylor would later perform for the Green Hills School Gala in Addison, TX, at the school’s annual fundraising gala.

NASCAR and Talladega in April would be the place to find Taylor Hicks. He started the race out right when he performed “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Hopefully Taylor was able to stick around to see whether his favorite driver won the race or not!

Kentucky in May is the place to be for the famous Kentucky Derby. Taylor Hicks was an honored guest as he attended the Derby and Grand Gala VIP Reception the first week-end in May. Taylor was found sporting a beautiful white suit that would later be the focus of a wonderful career opportunity!

Before May was over, Taylor Hicks supported another Alabama charity, Hannah Homes Shelby where he was the featured artist for the Boots, Blues and BBQ fundraiser. This event, hosted by Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley, drew attendees from all around the country. The highlight, besides Taylor’s performance, was the chance to win dinner for twelve of your closest friends with the Governor and his wife. I tried to win a gorgeous pair of diamonds earrings but lost out when someone topped by bid before the third count!

Ah June! The white suit returns to grace the skyline of New York City as the Brooks Atkinson Theatre announces that Taylor Hicks will be making his Broadway debut as the Teen Angel in “Grease” for the summer! The Soul Patrol and New York City theatre goers loved Taylor Hicks in this role as evidenced by lots of positive publicity, including calling 2008 the Year of the Teen Angel as portrayed by Taylor Hicks! That gray hair in a combed back pompadour and the blue sequined suit with the sequined wings on back were perfect for our guy as he descended to the stage in the Ice Cream Cone from Malt Shoppe heaven!

And as with other golfing opportunities, Taylor Hicks was able to participate in the Autism Speaks Golf Event in Mamaroneck, NY outside New York City. Since the golf event was on a Monday when the theatre would be dark, it was the perfect time for Taylor to pick up his clubs and swing for a worthwhile charitable venture.

Celebrating our Nation’s July 4th birthday in Washington, DC would find Taylor Hicks performing on the stage with Jerry Lee Lewis and Huey Lewis and the News as thousands of people braved the city and rain while thousands of others sat at home as PBS televised the festivities and show. I was one of those souls who decided the televised version was for me!

While performing on Broadway, Taylor Hicks released his “Early Works”, a compilation of songs from his two CDs prior to winning American Idol, “In Your Time” and “Under the Radar”. The CD was released in August as a Target exclusive. We would later learn that Taylor had signed with Artist 2 Market to release his next CD.

After Taylor’s stint on Broadway in early September, Taylor returned home to write music and prepare to record his next record, “The Distance” which is due out March 10, 2009. When he had some down time, Taylor Hicks was found performing with Rick Carter and friends at the War Eagle Supper Club after an Auburn game or Marty’s in Birmingham with other musical cohorts.

By December, with the new CD almost finished, Taylor Hicks joined the “Grease” National Tour where he would reprise his role as Teen Angel. Beginning in January 2009, Taylor will begin incorporating his new single into the show as well as after shows in clubs where the tour will stop. Hopefully, the Traveling Circus will be able to make a stop along the way as well!

For 2008, not everything involving Taylor Hicks was about music or golf. Taylor generously donated autographed items to the Grammy Foundation, LIFEbeat for the Bid2Beat Aids campaign, KOPS for their Holiday charity fundraiser, and Pawz4Music to raise money to buy harmonicas for children. Items won in these ventures, I’m sure, will be treasured keepsakes for those lucky enough to win items. I know the items I won will certainly be!

So as 2009 quickly slips in, we can look forward to Taylor Hicks appearing in “Grease” on the road through the end of May, some concerts after the show in various cities along the way, a new CD in March, and finally the release of the long awaited “Whomp at the Warfield”. Maybe the year will end with another solo tour, but my crystal ball is out for service so I can’t make any prediction with certainty. But whatever Taylor Hicks has in store for us, you can be sure that the Traveling Circus will be along for the ride and enjoying every minute!

Monday, December 29, 2008

New Year's Resolutions - Taylor Hicks Style

As 2008 quickly comes to its close, it’s time to make my resolutions for 2009! And what resolutions I have made! It was impossible to rank them because for me, these all take top priority to have a great year. I’m sure you’ll agree with me, and you might even be able to help me add to the list!


My New Year’s Resolutions for 2009

  • See Taylor Hicks as ‘Teen Angel’ at least one week-end as he makes his way across the US in the “Grease” National Tour
  • Spend lots of week-ends enjoying my granddaughters and have them spend the week-ends with me when possible!

  • Finally put together my scrapbook of all the Taylor Hicks concerts that I attended in 2007

  • Walk a little more and eat a little less, which includes more cooking at home and less eating out

  • Watch Taylor Hicks in as many concerts or after-shows as possible, given the current state of the economy

  • Make sure that everything I do is both purposeful and fun!

  • Make sure I get at least two copies of “The Distance” when it’s released in early spring – one for the car and one for the house!

  • Give thanks for all blessings that I receive during the year, and remember the source from which those blessing come

  • Support those that need it with my time and resources, whether it’s a contribution to Kid One Transport or sending Taylor Hicks’ CDs to our troops

  • Watch “Whomp at the Warfield” at least 10 times and enjoy it more each time!

  • Live each day to its fullest and say “thank you” at the end of each day

  • Travel with friends and family whenever the opportunity arises, especially if a Taylor Hicks performance is part of the activities!

  • Live well, love much and laugh often – because these are the secrets to a happy life!

Happy New Year Everyone!

May 2009 be the best year ever!



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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

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The Traveling Circus wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May all your dreams come true as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new. Let's remember the reason for this season and give thanks for both what we have received and what we didn't.

To good friends, good times, good memories and much more Taylor Hicks!

With love,
Mandy aka RagsQueen


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Sunday, December 21, 2008

12 Days of Christmas - Taylor Hicks Style


One of my favorite Christmas songs is “The Twelve Days of Christmas” so I thought I’d have a little fun with it and make it about Taylor Hicks! Hope you enjoy! And also have yourself a Merry Little Christmas too!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 Taylor Hicks concert tickets
11 airline vouchers
10 restaurant gift cards
9 hotel room keys
8 tickets to see “Grease”
7 digital camera cards
6 tickets for Taylor’s after shows
5 different Taylor Hicks’ CDs
4 new outfits to wear
3 new Taylor Hicks’ tee shirts
2 meet & greet passes
And 1 special Taylor Hicks’ autograph!











Merry Christmas!








Pictures & Video Courtesy of TNT & blondi0001

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Taylor Hicks "The Distance" - Coming Febuary 10, 2009!

Taylor Hicks has gone the distance from ten years on the bar circuit to winning American Idol to a national solo tour to Broadway to a national Broadway tour. Now Taylor is putting that distance into his latest project, his second album! With music and lyrics written by Taylor and other collabatours, the new album will be release on Taylor's own label, Modern Whomp Records and distributed by Artist 2 Market. Taylor Hicks has certainly gone the distance, and now "The Distance" will be released February 10, 2009! Taylor says the style is going to be a little bit blues, little bit country, and a little bit gospel!

Check out the video below from PRO 92-FM in Providence, RI and pictures from Taylor Hicks' MySpace photobucket

THE DISTANCE

coming February 10, 2009

from Taylor Hicks!

In the Studio - Taylor Hicks' MySpace Photos


Interview credit: PRO 92 FM, Providence, RI & willgilbert1969

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Taylor Hicks, "Grease" and Providence (RI, that is!)

As the sky darkens to indicate night is covering the ground, I realize that I am missing the opening night of the "Grease"National Tour, staring Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel, which starts tonight in Providence, RI, at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Instead, I'm having to remember those times I watched Taylor Hicks slide across the Broadway stage in an ice cream cone in New York City! It's not quite the same as being there, I know, but it will have to do for right now.

In just minutes the Rhode Island crowd will be witnessing Taylor Hicks open the doors of that ice cream cone suspended twenty feet or more in the air. They will watch him as the elevator lift descends to the floor where Taylor will croon "Beauty School Dropout" to Frenchy, trying to convince her to go back to high school to earn her degree. And the audience will be mesmerized by the glittering blue suit adorned with sequins to form the angel wings on the back of the jacket.

And by the time I get through dinner tonight that same audience will have watched the finale and curtain call where Taylor Hicks once again gets to perform a solo part and do some hand-jive as he dances his way to the end of the show. They may even get a special treat of a new song from Taylor that will be on his latest CD to be released in February 2009! Taylor Hicks has said in a number of recent interviews that he will be performing a new song from the CD at the end of each show. Sort of like a Taylor Hicks mini-concert coupled with a musical - a way to experience Taylor as an actor, singer and musician!

Yes, I'm wishing I could be there. But I'll wait for the reviews from fellow Soul Patrollers who are going to be there to cheer Taylor Hicks and applaud his performance. I hope they receive the treat of new music that is going to be incorporated as part of the show. No one knows for sure when those extra performances are to start, but I sure hope Providence is the starting point! Maybe as the name implies, providence will take over in Providence. A Soul Patroller can only hope!

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Some of My Favorite Pictures


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