Taylor Hicks Inspired.....

2009-05-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Maybe You Should - Taylor Hicks

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Live At The Roxy!

2009-03-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks performed at the Roxy in L.A. on March 18th. Here is his performance of the song "Nineteen" off his new CD "The Distance". For more information on Taylor's schedule with Grease and other live appearances go to: www.taylorhicks.com

Video courtesy of HeatherlovesClay

La Times Review:

American Idol" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks put on a show at the Roxy Theatre on Wednesday night, performing a long set with energetic charisma, reminiscent of Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who I saw play the same stage nearly seven years ago. With Candance Devine opening, the place was relatively full, despite the bumpy run-up the show had with free tickets being given away on goldstar.com. Hicks was scheduled to start at 10 p.m., and by 10:19 p.m. with no sight of him, fans began chanting "Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!" The curtain rose several minutes later.

He opened with "The Distance," the title track from his latest album, which was released March 10. Dressed in a black shirt, black blazer and jeans, Hicks looked slender and handsome onstage. With his "Soul Patrol" guitar strap, backing band of six and a fellow "Idol" alum, Season 7's Michael Johns, in the crowd supporting him, Hicks was ready to party all night long.

The fans were too. Elba Edelstein came out from Culver City to see her favorite "Idol." She'd previously seen him in an "American Idol" concert, as well as on his 2007 tour, on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas. Edelstein, who had a girlfriend along for the ride, smiled wide and said "I can't wait!" before the show. Another woman I spoke with was seeing him in concert for the ninth time, as well as 10 times on Broadway in Grease -- the 11th night she opted for Chicago. Most female fans were dressed up, some in sequins, had drinks in hand and were eager to see the main event. Men were less visibly thrilled, yet definitely present -- some dragged by wives. A man next to me was performing his duty as photographer with a small digital camera as his mega-fan wife roamed the venue for an ideal view.

Hicks didn't shy away from his signature funky dance moves, but his strong voice held its own against all the instruments involved -- including harmonica and tambourine. He dedicated "Nineteen," the fourth song on "The Distance," to all the troops, calling it a "war hero story." "What's Right Is Right" was the highlight, as on the album, but he left it too near the end of the set, so many missed it. Droves of people filed out soon after 11 p.m. although Hicks kept performing past midnight. The loyal fans who stayed were raucous and enjoyed saying "cheers" to Hicks, who had a Budweiser. It might not have been a sellout, but Taylor Hicks fans got what they came for, a hearty helping of their favorite gray fox -- enough to last until they can catch "Grease."

--Leslie Anne Wiggins L.A. Times

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

The Distance by Taylor Hicks

2009-03-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Available NOW!

A word from Taylor ....

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Distance

Hello,

Well the day is finally here release day of" The Distance". I am writting you all to express how excited I am for everyone to really get a chance to listen to the record!! I also want to send a BIG THANK YOU to all of the fans, friends and family and staff who have worked so hard on this record. I really am in a comfortable place with where I want to be as an entertainer.. I wanted to record songs that can really come to life from a live standpoint as well..There is a wonderful and savy plan in place for working this record for an extended amount of time. We are still holding some exciting things for the second single as well!! I'm also excited about touring with the Broadway show "Grease" because it allows me to really be with new and old fans all across the country again and I get to sing the single every night as well... I will tour this record. I believe that people have to also understand that the buisness of tour production is challenging to say the least. Also I just want to pass along that I will be overhauling the HQ site soon with a brand new look and alot more insight to what's happening out here on the road. If u haven't noticed I'm starting to warm up to those blogs!! Thanks for being fans..This year plans to be a lot of FUN. So enjoy The Distance..I will..Best..Taylor

(from Taylor's Myspace Page)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks... "The Distance" Coming to AOL

2009-02-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

"The Distance" by Taylor Hicks, will be on AOL the week of March 2. Watch for the preview of this highly anticipated album. Aol had a preview earlier this week and the CD is phenominal!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks.... What's Right is Right - THE VIDEO!

2009-02-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

An Interview With Jake Davis - The Director of Taylor Hicks' New Music Video

2009-02-15T18:51:00.000-08:00

Taylor's Angels had the pleasure interviewing Jake Davis,the director of Taylor Hicks' new music video for his single, "What's Right Is Right". This young director is incredibly talented and extremely accomplished.

TA: You are an incredibly talented person. Do your talents extend to art and/or playing musical instruments?

Jake: Thank you so much. I don't play any instruments but I have a great appreciation for all musicians. I also have a great respect for the arts and consider filmmaking in a lot of ways a craft, as well as an artform. So in that regard I consider myself an artist. I guess it depends what day you ask me.

TA: A lot of people view "film" as a hobby since they are not able to make a career out of it. What are your hobbies?

Jake: I really enjoy tennis, photography, and fashion.

TA: How important is it for you to "know" and understand your subjects? What kind of research do you do before beginning a new project?

Jake: Research is an essential part of my creative process. I think the better you understand an artist the better the music video is going to be. Before starting a video the most important part of creating is absorbing yourself in the music. And for me I always get a feeling from the music and start from there.

TA: How did your association with Taylor come about?

Jake: An amazing music video commissioner, Melinda Kelly, who actually got me my first music video sent my awesome rep and executive producer, Kerri Kleiner, "What's Right Is Right" and really wanted me to direct the video. They scheduled a phone date for me and Taylor to talk about the song and the creative vision of the music.

TA: Tell us about the creative process that goes into making a video. Who came up with the idea for this video?

Jake: After listening to the record a ton of times I got a few key iconic visual images in my head. I ran those by Taylor and he told me emotionally where he was coming from with the song. Also lyrically what the song meant to him. We brainstormed some important narrative elements that made sense for both of us. With this video it was a really great collaboration artist to artist.

TA: Compare Taylor with other artists with whom you have worked.

Jake: Working with Taylor was awesome. He put a lot of trust in me and was committed to the video 110%. We talked constantly through out the process and I think it really shows in the video. We were going to make a great video no matter what... Nothing was going to stop us.

TA: Since this is Taylor’s first video, was there any particular advice you offered him?

Jake: Taylor is a natural in front of the camera and has performed forever so on that level there isn't much direction he needed. I made it a point of always keeping him informed of what the scene was about emotionally and he was really amazing at evoking the emotion of the song.

TA: Can you share some stories about the making of the video that the fans would enjoy?

Jake: Something that really impressed me with Taylor was we were coming to the end of the shoot. About hour eighteen of the day and Taylor wasn't satisfied with a take. And I was pretty sure we got the shot but Taylor wanted to do another. Now we were shooting through a blizzard in Chicago with temperatures in the single digits and this was the middle of the night. Now a lot of artists and actors would have stopped shooting and gone back to their trailer to drink some hot cocoa. But Taylor wanted another take and that kind of dedication I really respect from my talent and it ultimately shows in the video.

TA: What are your goals for the field?

Jake: I'd love to make films till the day I can't make films anymore and enjoy the experience with as many amazing people as I can.

TA: What future work will we be seeing from you?

Jake: I just wrapped on a commercial shoot for skate/streetwear brand Supreme. Those spots will be coming out in March. We're lining up more music videos for the coming months and growing the Kleiner Inc. production company. I'm finishing up my short film, Coolhunter, which will lead me into feature films. I also run a style blog where I throw in some of my film work as well. You can keep up with the kid at: http://jakedavis.typepad.com

Jake: Thanks so much for the love and support! I hope you enjoy the video!!! I really have to say the fans have been behind us 110% and that means a lot. So thanks again!!!

Important links:

http://www.kleinerinc.com
http://www.jakedavisfilms.com

Taylor's Angels would like to thank Jake for taking time from his busy schedule to answer these questions. We wish Jake much continued success!

For more questions and answers with Jake Davis visit:
The Taylor Hicks Community !

Watch for the world premiere of Taylor Hicks' music video "What's Right Is Right", on Yahoo Video February 17!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks at Disney's American Idol Experience!

2009-02-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

Can't take the day off and go to Disney today? Don't worry the American Idol Experience Press Event will be streamed live via webcam today! Taylor Hicks and all your favorite Idols will be at the motorcade and blue carpet event from 4:00 to 6:45 pm EST. So make sure to tune in and catch all the fun!

Celebrities Scheduled To Appear:

Paula Abdul
David Archuleta
Fantasia Barrino
Bo Bice
Jason Castro
David Cook
Bucky Covington
Diana DeGarmo
Melinda Doolittle
Simon Fuller (Idol Creator)
Josh Gracin
Justin Guarini
Taylor Hicks
Michael Johns
LaKisha Jones
Kimberley Locke
Sanjaya Malakar
Mandisa
Syesha Mercado
Ryan Seacrest
Chris Sligh
Carly Smithson
Jordin Sparks
Phil Stacey
Ruben Studdard
Carrie Underwood
Brooke White
Ace Young

Click here to watch from the Studios Central Site:

Live Stream From Disney's Hollywood Studios

If you missed the live web event, you can catch all the media and recaps at:

The Taylor Hicks Community

!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks In Baltimore

2009-02-06T07:25:00.001-08:00

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Win A Date With Taylor Hicks! Taylor Calls In To Regis and Kelly!

2009-02-02T07:09:00.001-08:00

Regis and Kelly are hosting a Valentine contest and you can win a date with Taylor Hicks! Taylor called the show this morning and spoke with them.....

Taylor's Angels www.taylorsangels.blogspot.com

For more information log in at : Live With Regis and Kelly

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks.....What's Right Is Right

2009-01-23T11:04:00.001-08:00

The highly anticipated single "What's Right is Right" will be available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes January 27th. A video of the song will follow and Taylor's new CD "The Distance" will be released on March 10th! Taylor will continue to tour with Grease and promote his own music in clubs at each city. For all the latest details, media and upcoming events visit : www.taylorhicks.com.

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks.... The Windy City Stop

2009-01-09T06:15:00.001-08:00

Taylor is in the windy city for the 2 week run of Grease. He stopped by CBS2 studio for an interview and performance of "Hold On To Your Love" from his Early Works CD. Taylor will also perform at Martyrs!

Watch the interview HERE!

Taylor Hicks Media Campaign For The Distance

2009-01-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

Taylor Hicks and his marketing/distribution team of Artist 2 Market and My Rocket Science have released a major media campaign for his upcoming CD The Distance.

For all the latest information visit: www.taylorhicks.com.

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Happy New Year to Taylor Hicks and the Soul Patrol!

2008-12-31T16:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's to Taylor Hicks and the Soul Patrol! We hope you have a blessed and happy 2009! We thought we would bring back this wonderful video, that reminds us of Taylor's accomplishments in 2008. Enjoy! 2009 will bring a new journey for all of us , we look forward to seeing you there!

Trip around the Sun 2008_0001
Uploaded by KarinP

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

With Inspiration from Taylor Hicks, Happy Holidays from Taylor's Angels!

2008-12-20T21:14:00.000-08:00

As we enjoy family and friends during this holiday season, we are reminded of the many blessings we have shared within the Soul Patrol Community. Not even two years ago, we each were separate, not knowing the boundless opportunities and friendships that waited as Taylor Hicks captured his dream. Now, our community is like a tapestry, woven together to support the career and artistry of the phenomenal talent of Taylor Hicks.

In celebration of the incredible accomplishments of individuals and groups within the Soul Patrol and to wish Taylor Hicks a joyous holiday season we, with your help, compiled this video that is now on it's way to Taylor himself! Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to each of you who assisted us in making this keepsake 2008 DVD.

Merry Chirstmas, Taylor! from Taylor's Angels on Vimeo

For those who participated, a complimentary copy is on the way! Thanks also for your support throughout the year in our efforts to help others in need and to “Tay it Forward”!

And finally to Taylor himself:

Thank you for giving of yourself and making a difference in so many lives. As you have blessed us, it is our prayer that you and your family and friends will have a joyous holiday season and that the New Year be full of blessings!

Merry Christmas and a wonderfully successful 2009! May God continue to bless and guide you!

~ Leslie, Tina and Teri

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks... On The Road Again!

2008-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Taylor Hicks is on the road again reprising his role as "Teen Angel" in the national touring production of Grease! He has just finished recording a new CD which is due to be released February 10th, along with a new DVD called "Whomp At The Warfield".
Taylor will also start his own national tour later in 2009!
According to Taylor, the fans will get a preview of the single from that CD, during the Grease shows once the single is released.

" Once the album is finished, I will be doing a single off of the record. And then I will be doing a very intimate national club tour alongside the Grease tour, hopefully in each market we perform in. I'm pretty excited that the new music will start to grow legs from a live perspective. I'm actually going into really cool, intimate clubs across the country, performing new material before I go out on tour myself." ~ Taylor Hicks (interview with Sherry Lipton)

Taylor In The Studio

"My idea for this record was to try and find the greatest songs I possibly could. For me, having the time to be able to write and to be able to have those songs around me for an extended amount of time... I wanted to kind of live with the songs for awhile. I feel like my instincts on Idol were very similar to my instincts on this record. I've tried to really put great songs around me. In today's music - if you buy a CD, a whole album of songs - a lot of the songs are often similar in the way that they sound. But for me, there's a lot of different styles that I think are reflective of my artistic expression. I think with this record I've been able to hopefully take the listener on a musical journey into the songs I've written, and a lot of them touch on different styles. But the common thread is my voice. There's a lot of storytelling in the songs. I've been able to hop into different genres and pull out the greatest music that I can." ~ Taylor Hicks ( interview with Sherry Lipton)

For more information on Grease tour dates please visit : www.taylorhicks.com

Taylor's Angels wishes Taylor Hicks all the best on his new journey! See ya on the road!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving, Taylor Hicks Fans Bring Smiles to Children

2008-11-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

Give a smile to a child…

The Official Soul Patrol and The Taylor Hicks Community Birmingham Angel Tree

The bright lights of Christmas may be a little dim this year. We can change that…at least in a few Birmingham homes. This is a year when we really need to give from our hearts and provide a happy Christmas for another group of Birmingham area children this year. The 2008 Angel Tree is up and decorated. Angels are waiting for you to adopt them.

The OfficialSoulPatrol.com and The Taylor Hicks Community have teamed up with the Birmingham Salvation Amy to operate their own online Angel Tree.

Last year, TheOfficialSoulPatrol.com and The Taylor Hicks Community provided a much- needed Christmas to 10 children in Taylor’s home town with over $1,000 in donations and gifts.

The 2008 Angel Tree is like the ones you find in the mall each year. Presents of new toys and clothing are given to children of needy families in the Birmingham area. The Angel Tree will be done completely online, and the gifts you buy will be boxed up and mailed back to the Birmingham Salvation Army. Or, if you prefer, you can make a cash or credit card donation to the Angel Tree project via the link on the 2008 Angel Tree. ANY amount that you can give will be greatly appreciated. All donations will first be used for gifts for children on the Angel Tree. Any leftover funds will be used to adopt additional Angels from one of the other Birmingham Salvation Army’s Angel Trees. A Birmingham area super shopper will buy and deliver the presents to the Salvation Army.

The last day that you can adopt an Angel or make a donation online is November 30, 2008. All gifts must be received by the Birmingham Salvation Army no later than December 5, 2008. Complete information about purchasing and mailing gifts for your Angel will be sent to you with the Angel Card when you adopt an Angel.

Please adopt a Birmingham Angel!

For more information, click here:

http://www.theofficialsoulpatrol.com/Angel_Tree.html

Know the real spirit and joy of the Holidays. As we all celebrate with our family and friends, we can also light up the faces of our Birmingham Angels who will have the fun and excitement of opening presents!

Give generously from your heart!

Happy Thanksgiving from Taylor’s Angels!

At this time of the year, we are always reminded of the bountiful blessings received throughout the year. In our refection of this past year, we count each of you a true blessing and thank you for being a part of our mission- “Taying it Forward”. You have given of yourselves and helped make a difference in the lives of others. Because of you, we can look to the months ahead and know that many more people who would not otherwise have the opportunity will enjoy the phenomenal talents of Taylor Hicks and his music.

As you have blessed us with your generosity, we sincerely hope that you and your family will have a “bountiful harvest” this Thanksgiving!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks' New England Soul Patrol Inspires Others to Give

2008-11-17T14:26:00.000-08:00

When people come together with a common goal, anything is possible! That’s been the philosophy of NESP (The New England Soul Patrol) since it’s founding in Portland, Maine in September 2006. This organization started as a regional group supporting the music and artistry of Taylor Hicks. However, the reputation of the NESP has grown beyond the boundaries of the New England states. Taylor Hicks fans from all over the country have now joined in the organization’s unique ways of celebrating the charitable giving inspired by Taylor himself.

Again this holiday season, NESP continues its’ mission of helping children and families in need. Their third annual holiday ornament sale benefits the Home for Little Wanderers, America's oldest (1799) and New England's largest non-profit child and family service agency. The Home provides services to thousands of children and families each year throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Their programs provide mentoring, tutoring and therapeutic assistance, fostering and adoption, residential care, and independent living support for children "aging out" of the foster system.

But beyond the group efforts of NESP, members are spreading their generosity in their own communities.
• Mari crochets and donates hats and scarves to keep our needy neighbors warm.
• Indigo810 bakes pies for Thanksgiving baskets and participates in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, which provides new clothing and toys for children of needy families.
• OBG and Indigo810 participate in Operation Christmas Child, which sends millions of shoeboxes filled with gifts to needy children around the world.
• The SegerHicks family donates to the local food pantry and buys gifts for children who have very little.
• Amyrebo donates to the Maine Sea Coast Mission. The Mission provides spiritual, health, and youth programs to coastal and island communities.
• Tricia and Born17yrs2Late donate coats and sweaters to the Windham Women’s Club Annual Coat drive. Born17yrs2Late also rakes leaves for the elderly and Tricia sponsors a child through Operation Santa Claus.
• The Duff family donates to the Vermont Achievement Center, which provides education and support opportunities to children and families in Vermont.
• The THawks family walks in Philadelphia for Brian’s Pride and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
• Uhadmeatwoohoo donates musical instruments to a Cape Cod after school program.

Taylor’s Angels salutes NESP for their spirit of giving! As they head into another year, we have no doubt that they will continue to live by the credo, “doing well by doing good.”

If you’d like to learn more about NESP, visit the website at http://www.newenglandsoulpatrol.org/.

And once again, Taylor's Angels would like to remind you to send us your pics, greetings and short videos for Taylor's Christmas DVD! If you contribute to NESP or any of the Soul Patrol charities this Christmas, you will receive a FREE high quality copy! Submit them to: taylors_angels@yahoo.com

Written by Tricia, NESP
Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat
Taylor Photos by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Join Taylor Hicks to Help Support the Children of Alabama

2008-11-10T10:30:00.000-08:00

As part of Taylor’s Angels series highlighting various charities that are accomplishing great things this holiday season as a result of the inspiration of Taylor Hicks, we are proud to feature our first charity, Kid One Patrol of Soul (KOPS). KOPS is a very special group who is sponsoring several incredible and fun events that we are sure you will want to support! Remember that all proceeds go to Kid One Transport, one of Taylor’s favorite charities located in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. And the best part is not only will you be helping countless children receive much needed medical care, you will also be eligible to win some awesome prizes! Taylor’s Angels is proud to feature the KOPS “Booking it for Kid One”, “Jolly Old St. Nick Hicks Picks” and “A Year Full of Heart and Soul” 2009 Taylor Hicks calendar! We hope that everyone will join together with Taylor and support the children of Alabama!

"Bookin' It For Kid One" Holiday Book Drive!

During the 2007 & 2008 holiday seasons, the Soul Patrol generously donated 3080 Beanie Babies for the children of Kid One Transport! The joy each baby brought to these wonderful children was priceless! The joy those of us who participated felt, was overwhelming! The feeling of making a difference in the lives of the children can never be measured.This year, Kid One has asked KOPS to organize a book drive with the Soul Patrol hoping to collect as many Children and Young Teen books as possible for the 2008 Holiday season. The books will be handed out to each of the children traveling to their medical appointments during the month of December.What a wonderful gift for the kids this year! The ages of the children range between 1 and 18, so please look for books older children would enjoy, as well!Visit your dollar stores or book stores and purchase as many books as you would like to donate to the kids this holiday season. Mail the books directly to Kid One and they will do the rest! Book donations need to be delivered to Kid One by November 22, 2008 so the children can receive their books starting December 1st!KOPS would like to thank those who participate in this project by holding a drawing for a wonderful gift package filled with some very unique Taylor Hicks items along with a one of a kind Soul Patrol necklace.

Purchase and mail at least two books to Kid One Transport for your first chance in the drawing. For every book you purchase thereafter, you will receive additional chances in the drawing!

Please mail your books to:
Kid One Transport
12 Office Park Circle, Suite 115
Birmingham, AL 35223
Attention: Tracee

After you have mailed your books, it is important that you email Karen at dkrice@sprintmail.com. Let her know the number of books you donated and your name will be entered in the drawing to be held December 8.

Your donation is tax deductible.

Join KOPS and Kid One and Play Jolly Old Saint Hicks Picks

Old Saint Hicks has a bag of Goodies for the Soul Patrol!
Play, Pick, Win!

Each player will be given the chance to pick one box which will secretly hold either 1, 2 or 3 chances in a dozen drawings with the opportunity to win one of the following:

· Autographed Harmonica
· Autographed Guitar Shaped Music Box
· Custom designed Soul Patrol Necklace
· Custom Ceramic Plate Painted by Taylor Hicks
· Autographed Alabama Beanie Baby
· Autographed Photo Collage of Taylor Hicks
· Autographed Copy of Heart Full of Soul (2 copies available)
· Autographed Taylor Hicks Bookmark (2 available)
· Framed Photo of Taylor Hicks – The Early Years
· Exclusive Demo Single Recorded by Taylor Hicks

Jolly Old St. Hicks knows his fans have been good this year and wants everyone to win something special. Everyone who chooses to support Kid One by playing will win something from his bag of Goodies, 12 lucky players will win top prizes! The more you play, the better your chances to win!

Let’s Get Started!

1. Visit http://www.kidonepatrolofsoul.com/ and click on Jolly Old St. Hicks photo at the top of the page.
2. Choose one of the three Gift Boxes – Click your box.
3. You will be taken to the KOPS Pay Pal page where you will make your payment of $5 for Kid One Transport.
4. After the payment process has been completed, you will be redirected to a Thank you page where you will learn how many times your name has been entered into the drawing.
5. Play as often as you like – each pick is only $5 and it all goes to help Kid One this Christmas. Each time you play, you will have the chance to win up to 3 tries for the top prizes.

Please email dkrice@sprintmail.com with any questions.

"A Year Full of Heart and Soul" 2009 Taylor Hicks Calendar

The 2006 American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks introduced his fans, the Soul Patrol, to the important service Kid One Transport provides for the children and expectant mothers of Alabama. The Soul Patrol gladly took on the cause to support Kid One and helped to create this wonderful calendar.This full color wall calendar opens to a perfectly sized 11" x 14" and is filled with photos of Taylor Hicks while at concerts, events and appearances. Soul Patrol members added their own touches with pictures of Meet and Greets with Taylor as well as Soul Patrol Buddy shots and birthdays to remember and celebrate.Order your calendars now. Quantities are limited and they will sell out fast!The cost is $20.00 per calendar plus a $2.50 shipping and handling fee per order. To order just click on the link and follow the instructions!

http://z11.invisionfree.com/KOPS/index.php

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING KID ONE TRANSPORT!

And please do not forget that by contributing to ANY of these wonderful charities we will be highlighting, you will receive a free copy of the DVD we are putting together for Taylor! If you have not sent in your Christmas greeting for Taylor, you still have time! The deadline is December 1st. Email your pictures, 30 second videos and greetings to : taylors_angels@yahoo.com.

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Happy Halloween Soul Patrol! No Tricks Here, Just Taylor Hicks Treats!

2008-10-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween ! We thought it would be fun to take a look back at the Ford commercials during American Idol Season 5! Taylor Hicks and the rest of that wonderful bunch did a fantastic job ! A Halloween Treat for all!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor's Angels Highlights The Soul Patrol's Spirit of Giving

2008-10-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Help make a holiday DVD for Taylor Hicks!

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, we know that many of you would enjoy sending Taylor a special holiday greeting. Many are even involved in holiday projects to help charitable organizations and others in need on Taylor’s behalf. In this spirit of community, Taylor’s Angels will compile a DVD highlighting the efforts of Taylor’s Soul Patrol and also wishing him a joyous 2008 holiday season. The DVD will be given to Taylor as a keepsake of his fan’s efforts during the year. So let’s all get involved and let Taylor know that we are behind him during this special time of the year!

Please submit video greetings no longer than 30 seconds in length, pictures or any other means to highlight yourself or special projects you have been involved with on Taylor’s behalf to taylors_angels@yahoo.com. If you want text added to any picture, you can simply let us know what you want to say in your email and we will do that for you. We will then take each submission and compile the keepsake DVD for Taylor.

Now, here is the special bonus! We would also like to extend the DVD offer to each of you who makes a donation to your board’s designated charity/charities. After confirmation with the board owners, we will send each member who makes a charitable donation on the board’s behalf a free DVD!

In order to compile the DVD, the deadline for submission of video, picture or other media is December 1, 2008. If you have any questions, please email us at taylors_angels@yahoo.com.

Let’s all join together to show Taylor our support and to wish him a very special holiday!

Written by: DNET

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor's Angels Set To Help Those In Need See Grease!

2008-10-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

Now that Taylor Hicks is touring nationally with Grease, Taylor’s Angels would like to be instrumental in providing tickets to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience a Taylor Hicks performance! We hope to send current fans as well as charitable organizations to his concerts across the country. If you are in need of financial help in obtaining a Grease ticket, know of someone who needs assistance, or can simply recommend a worthy charity in any of the cities in which Grease will play, please email names and contact information to: taylors_angels@yahoo.com. Also let us know the city and date for which you want the ticket provided. We will do our best to meet your need!

If you would like to be a part of “TAYING IT FORWARD” by GIFTING a ticket to either a fan or a charity, you may also email us at: taylors_angels@yahoo.com and let us know that you are on board and ready to help by purchasing a ticket. We want as many as possible to experience a live performance by Taylor and will need the wonderful support of Taylor’s Soul Patrol to make dreams come true for those in need.

In the spirit of Taylor Hicks and his inspiration to us all, we are excited that Taylor is once again touring nationally and that many will be able to experience his wonderful performances!

Click the link below to check out Grease performance dates and venues!

Taylor Hicks

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Visits Good Day Alabama!

2008-10-09T07:26:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks was on Fox's Good Day Alabama this morning with news about his upcoming CD, the Grease tour and more!

"The national tour of “Grease” will offer a unique hybrid for Hicks, he says.

“We’re going to cross-promote this record with the `Grease’ tour,” he says. “I’ll be allowed to perform my single in the show on tour.”

Most importantly, it offers fans a chance to experience Hicks live, which he says is crucial to his success."

THE EXPANDED PERFORMANCE IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR AT ALL "GREASE" SHOWS, NOT JUST WHEN THE CD DROPS. SO ALL TOUR THEATER GOERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS GREAT ADDITION TO THE PLAY!

Click here to watch the interview !

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks.. Have A Happy Birthday!

2008-10-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR!!!! On behalf of all of your fans, Taylor's Angels would like to wish you a fabulous birthday and we hope all of your dreams come true! Enjoy your day, Taylor! You deserve it!

In honor of Taylor, we would like to not only celebrate by remembering the mid-70's, including 1976, the year of Taylor's birth. Please click on Taylor's picture below for a fun and funky celebration of the mid-70's.

Birthdays are also for looking back, right? So, we thought we'd revive some favorite fan-made videos from the past couple of years. Enjoy!!

An American Idol Season 5 recap to Living for the City by MyRidesHere:

Dancing Tribute to My Boogie Shoes by rugratnat14

Alabama State of Mind by twitterpated

Heaven Knows by KarinP

OldieButGoodie has made a special Happy Birthday video from the Montgomery Soul Patrol!

And to add the collection we have Karin P.'s "Trip Around the Sun" for 2007-2008.
A wonderful look at Taylor's accomplishments this year!!

Trip around the Sun 2008_0001
Uploaded by KarinP

Click on Taylor's picture to get Funky at the Retro Blog!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Grease's Kirsten Wyatt Discusses Broadway, Taylor Hicks and American Idol

2008-09-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

Kirsten Wyatt has been performing on Broadway along side of Taylor Hicks this summer. In the role of Frenchy, Kirsten has watched the ice cream cone descend many times and has listened to the teen angel’s plea to go back to high school. Kirsten has graciously granted Taylor’s Angels an insight into her background, her career and her thoughts on Taylor and American Idol. We thank Kirsten for this fantastic interview and wish her continued success in her career!

TA: Tell us about Kirsten. Where did you grow up and how did you get involved in the theater?

Kirsten: I did most of my growing up in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Both of my parents are music teachers/musicians so there was always music in my home. When I was around 10 years old my mom asked me if I wanted to try out for our community theater's production of "The Wizard of Oz." I remember people laughing while I was auditioning on the stage and I was hooked. After my raging success as the Farmer Munchkin I stayed involved in the community theater and was lucky enough to go to a public high school with a very active theater program.

TA: We have read that you studied music in Cincinnati-- besides voice, did you study any other instruments?

Kirsten: I was very fortunate to go to college at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where I majored in Musical Theater. It is one of the most respected musical theater programs in the country and their specialty is turning out "triple threats." A triple threat is a performer who can sing, dance and act equally well. So while I was there my days were filled with acting and dance classes and I didn't have the chance to study any instruments besides voice. Although in high school I played both piano and French horn.

TA: Have you done any television/movies or did you go directly into theater?

Kirsten: My career has pretty much been exclusively theater although I would love to get a few more TV shows and films on my resume. I did do an episode of "All My Children" many years ago where I was embarrassingly bad. Please don't look for it.

TA: How many auditions would you say you went on before landing your first Broadway role? Were you already living in NY or did you move to NY in order to accept that role?

Kirsten: My first Broadway role was standing by for the roles of Sally and Lucy in the Broadway revival of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." (FYI- A standby is an actor who is off stage and goes on when the person usually playing the role is not able to do the show.) I have no idea how many auditions I had been on but I had moved to NYC right after I graduated from college the year before so it couldn't have been too many. I was pretty lucky.

Kirsten and DiDi Cohn( Frenchy from the Grease Film)

TA: You were part of a national touring company for a Broadway production-- what challenges did you face "on the road"? How long did that last? What are the advantages/disadvantages to being part of a touring company?

Kirsten: I have toured twice in my career. The first time was the national tour of "Urinetown the Musical" and I was on the road for 4 months. The second tour was a production of "The Boy Friend" that was directed by Julie Andrews. That tour was 9 months in total, although we were in Connecticut at the Goodspeed Opera House for the first three months so we weren't too far from home. The most challenging aspect of touring or being out of town for any job is having to be away from my husband. He is a jazz musician (tenor saxophone is his instrument) so he understands that touring is part of my business. It's part of his business as well and he spends a good amount of time on the road. We are both very passionate about what we do and we know sometimes you have to be away from home to do it. Technology has certainly made it easier - when Sean was in China last year we were able to use a program called Skype on our computers and it allowed us to video chat almost nightly. We also had a three week rule that we tried to stick to when I was touring the country - he would come out to visit or I would come home for my day off every three weeks. That, obviously, got pretty expensive - but worth every penny. Speaking of days off the other challenging thing about touring is that you don't really get them. All of your days off are spent traveling to the next city. That's when it is really beneficial to love the people you are touring with because there really is no one else around. I was lucky both times to tour with a great group of people. We were like one big happy, crazy family. And I am so grateful to still call a lot of those people I toured with my closest friends. Being on the road can be a blast. It can be hard to be away from home but you get to see the country, make a little money and you always have a TON of hilarious stories to tell.

TA: Tell us about the other plays you have performed in. Which one has been your favorite?

Kirsten: I have a few favorites. When I was in college I did a show called "Das Barbecu" which is a parody of Wagner's "Ring Cycle" done Country Western style. It was hilarious. There were only six of us in the cast and each of us played at least ten different roles. So whenever you were offstage you were frantically changing costumes to make your next entrance. Exhausting but really fun. I also really enjoyed playing Peter in "Peter Pan." That was a magical show. I had so much fun fighting pirates, being the leader of the Lost Boys and, of course, flying. But I will say it took sooooooo much energy. I had to live like a nun - not much talking, a lot of gym time and no booze. I think I can say I suffered for my art. My other favorite was a show called "High Fidelity." It was a very short lived show on Broadway (10 performances after we opened) but I really did have the time of my life. It was my first time creating a role and that was such a fantastic and unique opportunity. I learned so much during the process. And the cast and creative team were spectacular. We all really gave our hearts and souls to the project. Maybe financially it was a flop, but for me, artistically and spiritually it was a resounding success.

TA: Who are your heroes and how do they inspire you?

Kirsten: I have been blessed to be surrounded by brilliant women my whole life. My mom, my sister and my mother-in-law are all amazing women who are able to maintain their individuality and take care of everyone around them at the same time. They are always kind and gracious but with strength. My Grammy Appolonia (my mom's mother) is full of light. She just glows. I think it's because she always tends toward the positive and always tries to see the best in people. Oh... and she also walks 3 miles every day. My Grandma Wyatt was a leader in both our family and our community where she served on the Board of Education. She taught me to always be true to myself no matter what. She passed away when I was 16, but her time with me was such a gift because she was such an amazing woman to look up to – she showed me it was possible to do it all.

TA: What would you say to inspire a young person wanting to become an actor?

Kirsten: I have a few things to say on the subject. The first is to learn everything that you can. Study anything and everything because you never know when it will come in handy. The best actors I know are smart and curious. The second thing I would say is to never try to be someone else. When I was first starting out I spent a lot of my time trying to be more like other people when I performed – Kristin Chenoweth or Sandy Duncan or whoever I thought people wanted me to be. As I got older I realized that the best place to start was myself. It feels a lot more rewarding to perform that way. The other thing I have to say may sound a little harsh but I want to be truthful. This business can be full of rejection and frustration. If you are not completely passionate about being an actor then don’t do it. Although, I think the same should be said for anything you do. I’m always dumbfounded by people who say to me “It must be great to do what you love.” I always think to myself “It does feel great. Why don’t you do what you love?”

TA: How does it feel to have Taylor Hicks sing to you every night? Tell us about your "Teen Angel" and these past few months with him. What has this whole experience been like?

Kirsten: Taylor has been so awesome to work with every night. I feel like we work well together and I think we’ve been pretty successful in creating our own unique version of “Beauty School Dropout.” We’ve had a blast making up all our little bits which have kind of evolved over time. He has been great for our show and we are so thankful that he chose to spend some of his time with us at “Grease.”

TA: It was just announced that another American Idol finalist, Ace Young, will be joining the cast of Grease. What are your thoughts on the additions of cast members who have not studied and trained as you have? What do you think of the “draw” that American Idol has had on Broadway?

Kirsten: We are all really excited to have Ace on board. He sounds fantastic and has been nothing but sweet and professional in rehearsals. Plus, he’s super cute. :) I think the trend of having “American Idol” contestants or people who are box office draws but who may not be as experienced is a good thing overall. The bottom line is it gets people to the theater. My hope is that after that experience people will say, “What a great Broadway show. Let’s go see another one. And another one. And another one…” And eventually theater will be a steady source of entertainment for them – whether it’s on Broadway or in their hometown.

TA: Are you living your dream? What are your future goals?

Kirsten: I am, without a doubt, living my dream. I have a beautiful and amazing husband. I have a loving and supportive family. I have a ton of friends who I consider family. I have a great apartment. And I have a fabulous job where I perform for 1100 people every night doing exactly what I love to do. Of course I have other dreams and aspirations - be on a TV show, own a home, travel the world. But I am so grateful from the tips of my toes to the top of my head for all the opportunities I’ve received. “Grease” has been such a fantastic experience for me. At some point during every show I look out and remember being a little girl sitting in the audience saying to myself, “I want to do THAT!” And here I am… it’s pretty freaking awesome.

Media: Cydter
Editing: DidNotExpectThat

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

The Retro Taylor Hicks

2008-08-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

(click to enter!)

Taylor's Angels was talking about the various covers that Taylor Hicks played on his tours last year, and it occured to us that most of them were from the 70's and 80's. We thought it would be fun to go back and take a look at the original artist side by side with Taylor's version.
We got a little crazy, and before we knew it, we had gone way back into the beginning of the 70's decade. Click on the above Love poster and take a trip back in time and get a little funky with us! Enjoy!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks' Fans remember the King of Rock 'n Roll

2008-08-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

Today, August 16, 2008, marks the 31st anniversary of the death of Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock 'n Roll.

Born January 8, 1935 in a small, two room shack in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis eventually moved to Memphis, Tennessee. There, he purchased for his home the Graceland mansion, a 13.8 acre site that is now used as Elvis' museum. Graceland has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and is the second most visited private residence in the United States, second only to the Whitehouse.

Every year, thousands of fans come to Memphis, Tennessee and pay tribute to Elvis during his death week. A week long celebration culminates with a candlelight vigil, which is usually attended by tens of thousands of people. The vigil does not end until the last person passes by the Meditation Gardens on the grounds of Graceland where Elvis and his parents are buried.

Many attempts have been made in the past couple of years to compare Taylor Hicks with Elvis. Some may be a "stretch" and some border on eerie. Whether or not Taylor is or has "channeled" Elvis in any of his performances, the fact remains that Taylor did give tribute to The King in two of his performances during his American Idol competition. Taylor's Angels thought it would be fun to look at these two performances by both men as we take a moment to remember Elvis and appreciate him for the impact that he had on modern music.

Elvis performing "In the Ghetto"

Taylor performing "In the Ghetto"

Elvis performing "Jailhouse Rock"

Taylor performing "Jailhouse Rock"

Taylor and Limbo performing "Call Me the Breeze" at the Elvis Festival in Tupelo, Mississippi -2007

1962

1964

1968

1973

Elvis' Last Concert 1977

Written by: LMO

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks - Early Works CD Available Now!

2008-08-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks remasters his pre-idol albums, "Under The Radar" and "In Your Time" in this wonderful compilation. A special bonus for his fans and a treat for the new fan!

Available at Target and at Amazon Uk for the International Fans. As always, if someone is unable to obtain this CD and would like one, please email us at:
taylors_angels@yahoo.com.

This Taylor Hicks fan goes back to her roots for an amazing evening with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

2008-07-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Long before there was even the idea of American Idol, I began spending hours listening to the music of Robert Plant. From his days with Led Zepplin, marking him as the iconic rock star, to his involvement with The Honeydrippers and for the next twenty-plus years, the tall cool one has given me hours of music pleasure. I’ve had four chances to see him live in concert in the past two decades, and for reasons I won’t bore you with, the first three fell through. Finally, my dream to see Plant in concert came true last week at the Mud Island Amphitheater in Memphis, Tennessee. No—my dream didn’t come true—it was surpassed. What happened on the banks of the Mississippi River that night was pure magic.

Killing the Blues from Leslie Mozingo on Vimeo.

This spring, Plant began a US/European tour showcasing his latest album, Raising Sand, with Alison Krauss. Although those two are billed as the headliners, they share the stage with five equally amazing musicians. I suppose I expected the concert to focus on the two of them, but I was surprised to find that this wasn’t about Plant or Krauss—this was a concert that celebrated the talents of each of the seven musicians, including the legendary T-Bone Burnett.

Whatever egos there might be, they were checked at the stage door and the seemingly humbled headliners invited us into their lives for two hours of perfect harmony and melody. Plant and Krauss traded solos as well as back-up for each other, and, at times, one of them would even completely leave the stage and let the other shine. For most of the show, Burnett sat in the background, playing guitar, until he wowed the crowd with his one solo Bon Temps Rouler.

T-Bone Burnett from Leslie Mozingo on Vimeo.

Atop Plant’s trademark rug-covered stage, Rock, Soul, Gospel, Creole, Americana blended beautifully and resonated off the banks of the Mighty Mississippi—not far from Historic Beale Street.

Alison Krauss from Leslie Mozingo on Vimeo.

The violin seemed to become an extension of Krauss herself and her voice was nothing less than haunting when singing Trampled Rose. The near sellout crowd of five thousand people didn’t budge or whisper during this number—we were completely mesmerized by her voice. That same crowd came to its feet during a much bluesier version of Plant’s In The Mood.

Please Read the Letter from Leslie Mozingo on Vimeo.

I suppose if I had to miss three other shows in exchange for this one evening and suffer over and again the disappointment of just being able to hold a concert ticket in my hand, then it was a price well paid. This night will stay with me for years to come. Yes, Robert Plant—I did see you swing the world by its tail. Thank you for this amazing evening.

Robert Plant montage from Leslie Mozingo on Vimeo.

Written and published by Leslie Mozingo
Videos, Pictures and Montage by Leslie Mozingo

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Laura Osnes....Living Her Dream

2008-07-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

Taylor's Angels had the pleasure of interviewing the beautiful Laura Osnes, who plays Sandy in the Broadway production of Grease. You will be surprised to see how much this young actress has accomplished in her career and how she is living out her dream.

TA: Tell us about Laura ! Where are you from? When did you become a triple threat?

Laura: I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I started taking dance lessons when I was five and did my first show in second grade. I was a Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz! My parents encouraged me to follow my dreams and I quickly discovered that theater was my passion. I started taking voice lessons at 12 and continued to do shows professionally in Minneapolis until I graduated high school. I knew performing was what I wanted to do, so I went on to study musical theater at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point for a year. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be a famous Broadway actress, when I grew up. It's such a blessing to be living my dream! I never guessed it would happen so soon in my life and through a tv reality show.

TA: If you weren't singing, dancing and acting what would you be doing?

Laura: Hmmm.... Like I said, this is what I've always wanted to do. But if I wasn't performing, I'd probably be writing children's books or running a dance studio.

TA: We have read that your aunt made sure you auditioned for the Grease reality show. How was that whole experience for you? What was the best/worst part of being on a reality show?

Laura: I was playing the role of Sandy in a regional production of Grease and first heard about NBC's " Grease- You're The One That I Want" in the newspaper. My aunt found out audition information on the Internet and I soon found myself in LA for the cattle-call audition. Doing the reality show was such a crazy experience. I feel like I learned and grew so much, both as a person and as a performer. The best parts were getting to work with so many professionals and sing on national television! Also, the contestants got along surprisingly well and I still keep in touch with almost everyone from the show. All of us will forever have this special bond of going through the reality show experience together. The hardest part, besides the stress of such a competitive atmosphere, was being in a long distance relationship. At the time, my fiance was back home in MN during the taping in LA, so we were apart for three months.

TA: How did your experience on this reality show prepare you for Broadway?

Laura: The reality show was much more stressful than the Broadway experience. I grew up doing theater, so for me, performing on Broadway has a sense of familiarity to it. However, having to sing for millions of people, on tv, being judged on my personality and my talent, learning how to "work the camera" and trying to be a class-act on television all at the same time was a juggling act , to say the least! I challenged myself to be the best I could be when I competed on the reality show. I feel like my confidence, my endurance and my talent developed. That definitely helped prepare me for the 8 show weeks and critic's reviews of Broadway.

TA: What other acting roles have you had? What have been your favorites? Did you ever dream YOU would be on Broadway?

Laura: My favorite roles: Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz", Peter Pan in "Peter Pan", Sandy in "Grease", Chava in "Fiddler on the Roof", Zaneeta Shinn in the "Music Man", Princess Jasmine in Disney's "Aladdin". And YES, I always dreamed I would someday be on Broadway!

TA: You are living your dream. How has your rise to fame affected you on a daily basis? What is it like having a "fan-base"?

Laura: It's crazy knowing I have fans across the country and I'm so thankful for them!! They really did help my dream come true by watching and voting for me week after week. I've met so many people at the stage door who have come to New York just to see Grease because they voted for me on TV! Luckily, I am still able to have a private life and rarely get recognized on the street. It's a good balance because I know I have so many supporters who will continue to follow my career, but it's not like I get followed by paparazzi.

(photo by: paythedevil)

TA: How long did it take to put this productions together? What is your favorite scene from the play? How many costumes changes does Sandy have?

Laura: We had four weeks of rehearsal in the studio space and two weeks of tech rehearsal on our stage at the Brooks Atkinson Theater, which is a typical rehearsal process for a Broadway show. In addition, we had a month of preview performances, where the show was still being changed and altered before our official opening night. My favorite scene is "You're The One That I Want" because I get to let go and be someone completely different and sexy! We have the most fun in that number. I have 10 costumes, actually, all of which were made specifically for me. I have a dresser who steams all of my costumes before each show, helps me get in and out of everything, and makes sure I look just right before I go on stage.

TA: We have learned that you and Max Crumm (Danny Zucko) will be leaving the show soon. What is next for Laura?

Laura: Max and I leave the show July 20th because our contracts are up. It will be sad to say goodbye to Grease because it's been a huge part of my life for the past 2 years. I plan to stay in New York and keep doing theater, maybe branching into tv/film at some point. But it will be nice to have a little break too, and take some time to relax in August.

TA: How has Taylor Hicks changed the part of " Teen Angel" from others who have played the part before?

Laura: Having Taylor in the show is so fun. He's really down-to-earth and has made the role his own. In fact, they designed a completely new costume for him when he joined our show. The music director changed the number so Taylor could play the harmonica during the song. He riffs the number into a blues piece and the crowd always goes wild for him.

TA: You and Taylor Hicks were both on reality shows. Have you had a chance to compare notes with him on this?

Laura: We have talked a little bit about our reality show experiences. He told me he wishes he would have done American Idol earlier to jump start his career. He's excited for Max and Me since we got "our break" at such a young age. We both believe that God has opened these doors for us for a reason and it's awesome to be doing what we love. Neither of us would have guessed it would happen, especially through reality tv shows.

Taylor's Angels wishes to thank Laura for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish her the best in her future endevours and hope to see her career continue to grow!

Written by: Taylor's Angels
Pictures: Laura Osnes

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks The Capitol Fourth Rehearsal!

2008-07-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

Taylor on CNN

Special thanks to PaytheDevil who provided us with video from the rehearsals!!!

This Land is Your Land and Soul Thing

Taylor Hicks at the Capitol 4th Rehearsal from cydter on Vimeo.

Dancing In the Dark

Capitol Fourth Rehearsal - Dancing in the Dark from Leslie Mozingo on Vimeo.

Some Screen Caps from PTD's fabulous videos!!!

DOWNLOADS OF ALL THE VIDEOS AND MORE ARE AVAILABLE AT:
THE TAYLOR HICKS COMMUNITY

Screecaps: LMO
Video editing: LMO/Cydter
Video: PaytheDevil

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks...Fireworks and Funk!

2008-07-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Taylor's Angels wishes everyone a very happy and safe 4th of July! As you take the time to enjoy your families on this holiday, please remember our troops who fight for our freedom so we can enjoy this great country.

The Taylor Hicks Proud of Our Troops Drive is sponsoring a Taylor Hicks' "Heart Full Of Soul" book drive for soldiers at the Walter Reed Hospital, please visit jewelrysprout.com for more information.

On July 4th, 2008, A Capitol Fourth Celebrates Independence Day in Washington, D.C. with Spectacular Fireworks over the Washington Monument

Live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

Friday, July 4th, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm ET
(check local listings)

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning film, theater and television actor Jimmy Smits hosts the 28th annual broadcast of America’s biggest and best-loved 4th of July concert on PBS, featuring unrivaled musical performances from some of the country’s best known and award-winning artists, as well as a spectacular fireworks display on the National Mall over the Washington Monument.

Grammy winners Huey Lewis and the News, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, classical superstar Hayley Westenra and soprano Harolyn Blackwell will perform a selection of patriotic and celebratory music with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel.

The event will also feature a special salute to our Olympic athletes with figure skater and Gold medal winner Scott Hamilton. The July 4th concert finale includes Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" – an audience favorite and now A Capitol Fourth tradition – featuring the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery. The Choral Arts Society of Washington, under the direction of Norman Scribner, returns to the show. The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard of the Military District of Washington will also be featured on this as well as the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER

America's National Anthem

Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to
"The Star Spangled Banner"
on the back of an envelope!
It was the only piece of paper handy
when he was struck with inspiration.

STAY TUNED TO TAYLOR'S ANGELS STARTING JULY 3RD FOR COVERAGE OF THE CAPITOL 4TH EVENT FROM PAYTHEDEVIL!

Written by: Cydter
Video production: Cydter
video clips and pics: ragsqueen, taybug

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks says, "I Came From Alabama With A Banjo On My Knee"!

2008-06-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

In a recent interview for a New York television station, Taylor Hicks was asked a seemingly routine question about life in the Big Apple. His answer was simple, yet perhaps poignant. Taylor answered, “I came from Alabama with a banjo on my knee” indicating that the life he led in Alabama prior to winning American Idol was far different and slower paced than his present.

(video credit: Barhart1)

Of course over the past two years, much has been written and even Taylor himself has discussed how dramatically his life was altered by "fate". When reading the words of the Stephen Foster song, “Oh Susanna”, to which Taylor was referring in his comment, one can’t help but wonder if Taylor has ever before linked the lyrics to the irony of his life. The words of the song go like this:

I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee;
I'm goin' to Lou'siana my true love for to see.
It rained all night the day I left,
the weather it was dry;
The sun so hot I froze to death,
Susanna don't you cry.
Oh! Susanna, don't you cry for me;
I come from Alabama,
with my banjo on my knee.

Taylor Hicks did indeed come from Alabama to New Orleans, Louisiana during the midst of one of the greatest tragedies of this century, Hurricane Katrina. Yes, it rained all night the day he left in one of the last taxis leaving from the city, yet his own personal weather gauge was dry. Metaphorically, he had fallen on hard times musically and the world had yet to discover the depths of his talents. The sun was so hot he froze to death, again a metaphor relating to the despair of his situation. Yet, no one cries for him, because he turned that tragedy into triumph.

Taylor Hicks can now casually say, two years later, that he came from Alabama with a banjo on his knee, but we all know he left for Las Vegas and ultimately Hollywood with more than that. He left with the drive, determination, focus and plan that would ultimately allow the world to hear his voice….that same voice that resonated virtually unnoticed in the bars and clubs in Birmingham, Alabama and across the southeast for so many years. Jay Leno asked Taylor if he thought his winning American Idol was coincidence or fate, to which Taylor answered that he did not believe in coincidence so it had to be fate.

The odds of this man from Birmingham, Alabama winning the most prized reality show in America are staggering. Was it fate? Was it coincidence? Did America want something different musically? We would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! But first, we thought that you would enjoy reliving Taylor’s journey from his unknown early years on the “chitlin' circuit” to his triumphant return at the end of his solo tour to his beloved Florabama in September 2007 as a mega star!

(video by Samz999999)

Here is a sample of Taylor's schedule from 2005, just prior to American Idol. Well, what a difference a few months make!

http://web.archive.org/web/20050912222625/www.taylorhicks.com/index.htm

And now take a look at Taylor Hicks' triumphant return to his beloved Florabama on Labor Day weekend of 2007, which was the one of the last gigs of his solo tour of that year. He had indeed come full circle!

(picture credit: Ragsqueen)

Taylor at the Flora-Bama from Azee on Vimeo.

Written by DidNotExpectThat

Media by Cydter

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylors Hicks ...A Declaration of Independant Soul

2008-06-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks will be releasing a CD of his early works in August. The CD will be produced on his own label Modern Whomp Records and distributed by Vanguard Records. Vanguard Records has a rich history in jazz and blues artists, proving to be a perfect match for Taylor.

In 1953, under the direction of John Hammond, the company began the 'Jazz Showcase' series that concentrated on the mainstream jazz idiom, producing about two dozen recordings before it was wound down about 1958.[1] Recordings made at the Spirituals to Swing concerts in 1938 and 1939 were finally released by Vanguard in 1959. The company only intermittently pursued recording Jazz and Blues thereafter.

Vanguard diversified in the mid-1950s by challenging the blacklist and signing blacklisted performers Paul Robeson and The Weavers. The company continued to issue folk music with newly-signed artists Joan Baez, Hedy West, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Country Joe and the Fish, Ian and Sylvia, Mimi and Richard Fariña.

In the summer of 1965 Maynard Solomon hired Samuel Charters to edit the tapes of the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. Following that project, the company sent Charters to Chicago to capture the broad range of blues musicians there. Those sessions resulted in the classic 1966 three album series titled Chicago/The Blues/Today!, which introduced a new generation to the blues. The albums included sets by Junior Wells with Buddy Guy, Muddy Water's bandmates Otis Spann and James Cotton, Otis Rush, Homesick James, Johnny Shines, Big Walter Horton, and Charlie Musselwhite.

Vanguard released a number of important classical recordings, both domestically-produced and imported. Many of the latter came from the United Kingdom's Pye Records label, featuring performances by the Halle Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. The recordings were so exceptional in their stereo sound and overall quality that many classical radio stations programmed them. Vanguard even released some quadraphonic classical recordings in the early 1970s, including a performance of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony with the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The label also released many performances by the Utah Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maurice Abravanel, as well as the earlier P.D.Q. Bach recordings, from 1965 to 1983. Vanguard was the first American label to release the complete 1944 high fidelity recordings of composer Richard Strauss conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in most of his tone poems; the recordings were made on the Magnetophon tape recording equipment in the Vienna Opera House.

By the early 1970s, Vanguard released albums by Michigan-based rock groups such as Dick Wagner and The Frost and was inspired by an off the wall novelty hit they released, "Shaving Cream" by Benny Bell, to release albums of humorous music inspired by Dr. Demento. Tom Paxton recorded two albums, New Songs from the Briarpatch and Heroes, on Vanguard Records near the end of the 1970s.

The label stayed dormant for most of the mid- to late-seventies, re-emerged briefly with some disco releases in the eighties, and was finally sold to the Welk Music Group in 1985. The Welk Group sold the classical music catalog back to Seymour Solomon. Welk Music Group revitalized the label, reissuing much of its extensive folk and popular music back catalogue (a good deal of which had been out of print for several years) on CD, as well as signing a number of new artists (such as Mindy Smith), along with established musicians (such as Edwin McCain, Hootie & the Blowfish, Blues Traveler, Shawn Mullins and more).

Vanguard Classics was sold after Seymour Solomon's death to Artemis Records which reactivated the company with new releases by Leon Fleisher and Gil Shaham. When Artemis folded in 2004 the Vanguard Classics catalogue was sold to Sheridan Square Entertainment which is licensing the Vanguard Classics material with no apparent plans to relaunch or reactivate the label. ~ Wikipedia

Current artist : Blues Traveler, Carbon Leaf, Deana Carter, Edwin McCain, Greg Laswell, Hootie and the Blowfish, Indigenous, Joan Osborne, The Boxmasters, The Robert Cray Band, Shawn Mullins, Patty Larkin, The Watson Twins and more.

Taylor's earlier releases:
Released in 1997

Released in 2005

Here is a sample of some of his earlier music.

Taylor will also be releasing a new CD and DVD this fall. We can also look forward to seeing him on tour again !

published by: Cydter and Taylor's Angels
photo: DNET

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks is the Word!

2008-06-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks has taken New York by storm! Opening week of his role as "Teen Angel" on the Broadway play Grease has been incredible. Here are some of the exciting highlights!!

Opening Night

Live With Regis and Kelly!

Bravo Taylor!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Published by: Taylor's Angels

The Soul Patrol Welcomes Taylor Hicks to Broadway!

2008-06-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks began a three month run on Broadway's production of Grease and the Soul Patrol couldn't be more proud of him!

Beginning tonight, June 6th, Taylor will be playing Teen Angel, a role he has promised to "Taylorize" for us. You may catch Taylor on Broadway at the historic Brooks Atkinson Theater until September 7th.

In honor of this great opportunity, the Soul Patrol would like to send to Taylor individual messages of support, encouragement, and congratulations!!! We have put these well-wishes together for you and Taylor to enjoy in this video!

Break a leg, Taylor!! We love you!!

Here is the download link:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/46fujp

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Destiny....An Interview With Freddie Long

2008-05-27T18:54:00.001-07:00

“Destiny itself is like a wonderful wide tapestry in which every thread is guided by an unspeakably tender hand, placed beside another thread and held and carried by a hundred others.” Ranier Maria Rilke

Anyone who has ever dared to dream does so in the hopes of using their vehicle of creativity to make their mark on the world in some small way. Taylor Hicks had that dream and we saw his destiny revealed in 2006. I had the rare experience of witnessing that kind of destiny again later that same year at the Kipona festival in Harrisburg, PA. Strains of music from a performance tent drew me forward with its own gravitational pull. The keyboard player held me spellbound as he sang Tiny Dancer. I knew without a doubt that there was a reason I stood there mesmerized. In striking up a conversation with a friend of the band, I learned more about the aptly named “The Freddie Long Band” from Maryland. When I met him, Freddie greeted me with a warm smile and humble gratitude. After listening to the sample CD that he gave me, I emailed him and thus began a friendship that continues to be a true inspiration.

Fast forward to Taylor’s Loudon County, VA show in July 2007 where I had the opportunity to meet promoter Bruce Torres, also from Maryland. He hadn’t heard of Freddie at that point, but as he gave me his contact information to forward to the band, I sensed a circle of completion that started the day I heard Freddie’s amazing voice. A few short months later, not only was Bruce as blown away by the band as I knew he’d be, but he believed in Freddie so strongly that he became the band’s manager.

In the words of Bruce Torres, “I was honored when Freddie approached me about becoming the manager for the Freddie Long Band. When I first heard him perform, it was reminiscent of the first time I saw Taylor Hicks live; I knew I was watching destiny in the making!! When I saw The Freddie Long Band on stage opening for Jo Dee Messina and watching and listening to the audience respond to them, I knew they were finally where they belonged. Freddie's music and lyrics take us to places where we have all been. Some of those are places we hope to return to, and some are places we have thankfully left behind. Music taken from a gamut of emotion, sometimes delivered playfully, and other times passionately.

My immediate plan for the Freddie Long Band is to get them booked as a support act for a major touring artist on a national tour. I can think of one such artist in particular, but there are several with whom The Freddie Long Band would compliment very well. That will be a tall order considering I am just a small town guy that no one knows. I would hand him over in a heartbeat to a well recognized management company that could help this amazing artist fulfill his dream. I hope he gets his chance. Good things should happen to good people.
Thank You, Taylor's Angels, for bringing Freddie Long to the attention of so many incredible fans!!”

Just like Taylor, Freddie’s dream is palpable and passionate. Music runs through his veins and he bleeds it out in warm splendor. His writing ability springs from the depths of a deeply philosophical and insightful soul far beyond his years. Evident is his musicianship are the influences of many woven with his own unique style. His intriguing lyrics are coupled with tenderness and energy that can either rivet you to the floor or set your feet tapping with unabashed joy.

I believe in this very talented man and the group of artists he has assembled. I also believe that people come into each other’s lives for a reason. That I was able to be one tiny thread in the tapestry of his journey humbles me. That my own life has been touched immeasurably by his spirit warms my heart. Read his words. Listen to his music and enjoy.

TA: Tell us about Freddie Long

Let’s see, where to begin…talking about myself is always a dicey proposition…

For starters I’m 24-years-old and from a little town called Ijamsville, MD (pronounced ‘Iams-ville’, not ‘I-jams-ville’--the ‘j’ is silent). I was born, raised, and have lived here all of my life in Ijamsville. I have two infinitely loving and supportive parents and a brother who is my best friend and 13 months younger. Family has always been incredibly important to me and I have been very lucky to have such a great family situation all of my life. They have supported me since day one.

I am a complete night owl and when I am not doing something music-related (which is a lot of the time), I like to read, watch movies, and head out on the town. I have a blue ‘88 Firebird with t-tops that my folks bought for me when I was 15 and I absolutely love that old girl.

TA: Tell us your musical background.
Music has been at the forefront of my life for a long time. When I was in middle school I started piano lessons (at my own choosing), joined my first rock band, and wrote some of my first songs. That’s when I really started to think that music was going to be my life’s passion. Kind of strangely ambitious for a young middle school kid.

Throughout high school I made the transition from mediocre year-round athlete (aka ‘benchwarmer’) to focusing more on music and the arts. I joined the choir and jazz band, took a bunch of music classes, performed in several groups, and had 15 minutes of small-town fame when a piano/vocal song I wrote and recorded for my graduation received some local radio airplay for a couple of weeks. I went on to study Music Recording Technology and minor in Physics at a small school in PA called Lebanon Valley College. It was during college when I started performing regularly, both solo and with my good friend Chris Babb who played drums. Bars, coffeehouses, festivals, private events, you name it. When school would let out for the year, playing music was my ‘summer job’, which was great.

I graduated from LVC in 2005 after a great, albeit somewhat hazy, 4 years of study. Once I had my degree, I worked in radio part time for a short period while forming The Freddie Long Band in August of 2005. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to call music my full time gig ever since

TA: What instruments do you play?

Mainly voice, piano/keyboards, and acoustic guitar. I also dabble some on bass guitar, harmonica and (don‘t laugh) the bagpipes--much to my neighbor’s chagrin.

TA:Tell us about the band and how you all came together.

After college graduation, I wanted to get more serious about playing music and form a full band arrangement to perform with. There’s a little bit of a funny story behind this: I was working part time at a couple of radio stations and one of my bosses needed a band for a main stage slot at a sizable upcoming festival in Frederick, MD. She knew I played and asked if ‘my band’ was interested in performing at the festival. I didn’t have a band yet at that time, but of course I said, ‘yes, my band would love to play the gig!’ So, the heat was on and I had about a month or two to get a band together for the show. (The person who gave me the gig now works with The FLB and I’ve told her the ‘real’ story :))

I put a few internet ads on Craigslist and a few local music store websites looking for a bassist, drummer, and a lead guitarist. With the locked-in festival gig as my selling point, I received quite a few responses and held auditions at my house. Bassist Randy Mazzi was the first guy I welcomed aboard. Randy is from Cabin John, MD, and lived in Frederick at the time. He now lives in Hagerstown, MD, and when he’s not playing with The FLB he works at a nursing home in Northern Virginia.

Drummer Ken Deater, who lived in Greencastle, PA, was the next to follow. Ken grew up in Johnstown, PA, and had toured regionally with numerous groups throughout Pennsylvania. I was having trouble finding a suitable lead guitarist, so Ken recommended a friend and former band mate of his, Chris Bell. Chris grew up in Queens, playing in several metal bands during the 80s. His experience in the biz was significant--Chris has played with numerous nationally and internationally known acts and was even a finalist on DC rock station DC101’s guitar contest with Alter Bridge (featuring former members of Creed).

Randy, Ken, Chris, and I all got together one evening at my house to give things a shot. The vibe seemed to lock right away and the rest was history. We became a band of brothers. That lineup played together for a little over two years and released The FLB‘s debut album, 'Strangers and Friends'. Then Ken left the band (amicably) in the fall of 2007 when he moved out of the area. It was then that the remaining three of us started a search for a new drummer and the addition of a sax player.

After more internet ads and more auditions, we found a great new drummer named Mike Ball, also coincidentally from Greencastle, PA. Mike graduated from Berklee School of Music a few years back and when he’s not playing with us, he teaches drum lessons and works the night shift at his father’s Sheetz.

After Mike, we added saxophone player Eric Brooks, originally from Idaho but now residing in Cabin John, MD. Eric has lived and performed all over this great country, and when he’s not playing music he works as a puppeteer for a renowned children’s theater in the DC area.

The five of us have been playing together since December of 2007 and are currently working on the follow-up to 'Strangers and Friends'.

TA: What has been your most memorable moment in the music business?

There are a couple of moments that come to my mind. One was when The FLB was given the chance to open for national country superstar Jo Dee Messina this past November at Hagerstown’s Maryland Theatre. That show was truly the big time, a huge stage show with a huge artist, and the whole day I just couldn’t stop asking myself “How did I get here?” I was still that middle school kid plinking away at his keyboard in his bedroom. My biggest fans--my family--were right in the front box and it was all a very unreal and special experience for me. I was a little nervous, naturally, but once we lit into the first song I remember grinning and thinking, “Wow, we’ve done it.”

One of my other most memorable moments in the music business involved some work I did with a charity organization called Songs of Love. Songs of Love is a non-profit that has brought to life one man’s brilliant idea of writing personalized songs for chronically and terminally ill children in an attempt to dispense the ‘medicine of music.’ Songwriters involved are given a profile of a sick child that is filled out by a parent or guardian and lists information such as family members, friends, and interests. A songwriter then takes that information and uses it to craft and record a personalized song for the child, which the organization then forwards to the family--all at no cost to the family.

I have written a few songs for the organization, and I will never forget the first one. It was for a 6 and a half year old little boy with recurrent tumors who had a fascinating diversity of interests for someone of his age, including the natural sciences and environmental conservation! At 6 and a half! Later on after I had turned the song in, the organization forwarded to me in the mail a thank you note from the boy’s mother. It included a picture of this bald-headed and smiling little boy with his mom, and I just sat there and bawled my eyes out.

By the way, Songs of Love is always looking for donations and more folks to get involved (musically and otherwise), so if you are interested in learning more I encourage you to visit: songsoflove.org.

TA: Describe your type of music to us?

We like to say that we’re a t-shirt and jeans cross-blend of pop, rock, soul, and honesty, with maybe a dash of country here and there. To throw some names around using comparisons critics and fans have made, I’d say we’re kind of like Hootie and Blowfish on stage with Bruce Hornsby opening for the Black Crowes and special guest Elton John.

TA: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I just feel lucky if I see myself in the mirror when I wake up. Life is so unpredictable that it’s hard to see 5 years down the road, but I guess if I had my druthers I would love to be in a position where I’m writing, recording, and touring on a national, even international level of some kind.

A little more financial stability would be nice, too. It’d be great to never again have to come up with an answer to the question of “Do I fix my car now or pay my health insurance this month?”

TA: Who is your new manager? What do you hope to accomplish together?

I am very excited to be able to say that The Freddie Long Band’s newest family member is manager Bruce Torres. I know Bruce is no stranger to Taylor’s Angels having offered his generous hand on several occasions, and I am really glad to have him aboard with The FLB.

Bruce and I originally got connected through a mutual friend and started corresponding with each other over the internet sometime this past summer. Bruce came to one of our shows near the end of the summer and afterwards expressed interest in getting us involved in one of his Cabana Cove Concerts (Bruce’s concert company) productions. Not too long after, I got a phone call from him saying we were going to be opening for Jo Dee Messina in November. Just like that. It was all kind of crazy how it came about.

Bruce has always treated the band like royalty and really seems to believe in what we’re trying to do (more so than even me sometimes!). After the Jo Dee show, Bruce and I stayed in contact and talked quite a bit about the future of The FLB. I had been handling the band’s business affairs since the beginning, and it had gotten to the point where it seemed like the right time to pass a lot of those matters on to someone who could handle them more efficiently. Who better than a successful music businessman that is a passionate believer in what we do, not to mention one hell of a nice guy?

Given the personal nature of music, it’s hard for a creator to try to sell himself and his work. It’s something I’ve never really been very good at. Bruce has many talents in that area and a plethora of knowledge that is going to allow me to focus less on business and more on creating music. I was at a meeting with him and some other folks a few weeks ago where he was able to accomplish more than I probably could have in a year. The man knows how to get things done when it's business time and I feel like we’re going to be a great compliment to each other.

Bruce always says that there is no box when it comes to his thinking and ideas, so he has a lot of grandiose visions and goals for where he’d like to see things go, which is great. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing a lot of big things happen, but I suppose the most important thing I’d like to accomplish is to just find a larger audience for our music. Music is about being a part of something and I just want to get as many folks on board as possible. As a wise man once said, "In the game of life, he who touches the most lives wins."

TA: We see you have quite a following . Do your fans call themselves FLB's?

Hmmm…I’m not sure they really call themselves anything in particular. I guess when I first started playing the couple of fans I had called themselves “my parents”. I’m just incredibly grateful for and appreciative of anyone who calls themselves a fan of our music.

TA: Tell us who you have shared the stage with and which one was your favorite.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to share the stage with many great acts. A few of the more well-known national acts include Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, Blue Oyster Cult (with THE cowbell), and Jo Dee Messina.

Every show is a unique experience, so it’s hard to pick favorites, but I will say that I’m incredibly excited to be opening a show this summer for one of my musical heroes, Edwin McCain. His music was my college soundtrack and I’ve seen him live several times, even met him a few times. Listening to his music is like holding a part of that guy’s soul in your hand. Now I get to share a stage with him?! That’s like something you daydream about during your 8 a.m. history class that you wished you would’ve skipped. It’s going to be an incredibly surreal experience.

TA: Who are you influenced and inspired by musically?

Everyone. In the words of Sir Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I grew up listening to my parents’ oldies stations and then the popular music of the 90s. Near the end of high school I found an appreciation for jazz and a love for blues, and now I listen to just about anything. The songs that have really resonated with me over the years, whether upbeat and fun or more low-key and introspective, have come from a deep, pure and honest place, from some kind of enlightenment or even from something someone just had to purge before it killed them.

From a creative standpoint, inspiration for me can come from anywhere. I write about things that for some reason or another resonate with my particular sliver of existence, experience, and perception, and I just hope that other folks can connect and relate.

TA: Have you listened to Taylor's music?

I’ll openly admit it: I don’t watch American Idol at all. Even so, it was easy to hear from the very first listen why Taylor’s fans call themselves the ‘Soul Patrol’. What really impressed me about his music right off the bat---and I swear I’m not just saying this because you’re going to be posting it on one of Taylor’s websites--was the amount of heart and soul in his voice. When I first listened to ‘The Right Place‘ on Taylor‘s MySpace site, I must‘ve played it 10 times over. My friend Wanda later sent me a link to a video of Taylor and his sax player trading solos on ‘The Right Place’ during a show in Millersville, and it absolutely stood my hair on end.

For more information on The Freddie Long Band visit: www.freddielong.com

Taylor’s Angels would like to thank Freddie Long for this remarkable view into his music and his world and we are sure he will see much success in the future.We would also like to thank Laurensilk for introducing us to Freddie Long and for writing this wonderful blog!

Written by: Laurensilk
Interview by: Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks’ Day Inspires Two Wonderful Stories from the Soul Patrol

2008-05-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

We asked the Soul Patrol last week to submit their stories of how their lives have been enriched by having Taylor Hicks in it. We received several stories and we’d like to share with you two of them. We want to thank everyone who submitted their story to us!!!

Photo and video editing cydter

From Tygrlillie:
Many years ago, I was in a very bad way. I was broke, pregnant, destitute, and alone - and hurting with an anguish that can't even be expressed properly in words. I don't think that this story is too different than anyone else's who has experienced heartache. I just pulled myself up by my bootstraps, and well, kept on keeping on. The difference for me was along the way, I had lost what remained of my shredded heart. Just put it in ice where nothing could get to it any more.

For five long years, my heart lived in its snowy home while I worked on myself, getting back into college, learning how to drive, raising my baby daughter as best I could. Problem was, I couldn't feel any more. At first, I didn't want to. It really hurt like fire to try, but slowly the things that meant so much to me...well, they didn't matter either. My mainstays - reading, writing, music, plays - they all faded into nothingness. I lost who I was. Then...along came this somewhat dorky guy with a sweet, gentle heart, a very attractive outward appearance, and a voice made for pure sin. That guy was Taylor Hicks.

I had never watched American Idol. Just never caught my attention. I think it was because during the five years it was on, I was iced up, but it just might be that with school and my kid - I didn't much care. But my professor offered extra credit if we watched either Idol or Nashville Star and wrote about who we thought would win. As I spent practically all my free time with an Idol addict, my choice to watch with her was essentially a no-brainer.

I picked Tay out from his audition. Clinially, at first - he has the chops to pull this rabbit out of his hat, and was just different from the rest of the competition to stand out, but then - this amazing thing began to happen. I began to cheer him on every week, looking forward to what he'd do next. I began to enjoy some of the others as well, and began to write again.

During the Birthday week, I laughed so much tears fell from my eyes, the first tears I had shed in five, long years. It was then that I knew this man had made an enormous impact in my life, though he never would know. Even now, two years later, Taylor has inspired me to not only exist through life, but to actually live it. I started small - travelling to Nashville - an hour's drive away - to see him during the Idol tour, got on the boards made some truly amazing friends I can't imagine life without now, and met his band from back home, LiMBO (and if there was any ice remaining at that point, those five sweet men sure melted that in a hurry, making me feel loved probably for the first time in my life), devoured stories about him and as I learned about one Taylor Hicks, I learned even more about myself. I learned about being brave, to fight for what I want and need in my life even if everybody around me thinks that it's crazy or asinine...to breathe real air and to live real life, on my terms.

You know, five years before that January Tay strutted into my life, I thought I would never be free of the hell I had seen. I was returning to a world where I knew I wouldn't be loved or appreciated, coming from an abusive place where I was hurt so bad, I didn't care about my future or what it held for me. Now, I am about two semesters away from having my college degree - something I was told I could never do I don't know how many times. I am still in environmental hell, but know that in a relatively short amount of time, I will be living my American Dream, in a home of my own, in a job I love, with my kid who is a joy like nothing else, in a place I can call home - somewhere near Birmingham, Alabama where I felt like I was home the second I set foot there last March and again in July and can get regular doses of LiMBO to keep my heart pounding and regular intervals of Taylor wherever I have to travel to see him. And you know what? It feels so good......

It's simply amazing to me, how one man I'll never meet could impact my life so strongly. If I was ever afforded the opportunity and wasn't terrified to meet him, because I don't want to be forgotten by him (and I so would, lol), I'd want to say thanks. For making me feel stronger, better, happier, more...just more than I ever dreamed I could, more than I deserve, surely.

Thanks, Tay. For gifting me back to myself. For teaching me that despite what people tell me every day, I am not worthless and I can make a change in the world, even if it is only my small corner of it. You help make me feel like a true princess, honey. Something everybody ought to feel at least once in their lives, and you and LiMBO make me feel as if I am something special and I am capable and I don't know how I survived so long without your music - your voice - as my companion. Just thank you - for every bit of it, Tay. My world is infinitely richer for having you and all your wonderful fans and friends and family in it.

The amazing thing, if I might again add to the conversation, is that I have been inspired to help others feel the same way. Most of the Patrol knows that while I am rich in spirit, in hope, heart and - thank God - health and I have a heart and soul so full, my pockets are indeed too often to let.

I'm just more involved - with everything. I want to help others succeed. I want to help my friends who have even less than I do, and believe me - that's precious little. I've been so honoured to call myself Soul Patrol, because I believe in it - in what it stands for. For me, it's not about accumulating items that proclaim me a Tay fan - though I have and cherish those items dearly. It's about giving of yourself, your soul, your entity - reaching out to shelter those lost in the storm where you were a short time ago. It's about listening to the stories of those who were there before you, teaching your story to those following behind. It's about dreaming big, not just for you, but those around you. It's about love - a love so pure, so real that a person can never deny it' genuineness. It's about finding a kindred spirit so like your own, from so far away. It's like being a part - small but important - of a real family, when chances are good you've never had that before. It's being able to breathe freely, love totally without fear of reprisal, and getting rid of the pain that haunts you for an hour or two and getting lost in the music. It might have started with Taylor, and thank God it did, but...it's not even all about Tay anymore. It's not about his music entirely any more. It's about the fostering of spirit, the sharing of souls, the tears shed to build a foundation of giving and receiving, love, affection, and joy unlike anything I've ever known. It's about being who you are and damn the consequences of that. It's about keeping it real and really keeping it - faith, hope, love, trust, joy, laughter, and more - for all time. I'm proud to call myself Soul Patrol because I know what we are capable of - I see our potential - and our hearts were forever changed by one man who is doing the best he can to emulate these qualities for me. How can I truly do anything less than that?

~
Next, we’d like to share PoetCindy’s story with you:

Taylor has inspired me in many different things. But mostly in writing. I have always enjoyed writing, however I had gotten to a point in my life where I was just writing articles about things that would make me a few dollars. The fun of writing was not there any more. Then I discovered Taylor. I started writing articles about Taylor. Then I started interviewing fans and writing articles about their Taylor experiences in attending concerts and/or meeting the Soul man. Writing for the fun of it was back again. I so loved sharing with people any information I could find about Taylor.

Because I had written so many pieces about Taylor the site I was submitting them to, wrote and asked me if I would like to interview Taylor himself. I remember reading that email over and over again convinced I was not reading and understanding it correctly. I mean to write and ask if I wanted to Interview Taylor over the phone. I just could not believe this was actually going to happen. Up until the day the phone rang and I heard Taylor’s voice I still felt this was a joke and it would never in a million years happen.

I can still remember the nervousness, joy and excitement I felt that day. After the interview was done and I let it settle in that I had actually talked to Taylor Hicks and was now going to publish this interview online for everyone to read, I realized how much I enjoyed talking with him about his music and future plans. A few days later the people who had set up the interview with Taylor emailed about interviewing Kat McPhee and then Kellie Pickler.

I knew there were several other musicians I would love to interview but wasn’t sure how to go about getting interviews with them I remembered Taylor saying that if you have a dream you have to go after it and work hard and that dreams do come true. So I started emailing various musicians always letting them know about my previous interviews, definitely Taylor and requesting interviews with them. I have since interviewed several musicians and even got a second interview with Taylor.

I tell everyone it is all due to discovering Taylor and enjoying his music so much. That first interview with Taylor gave me a chance to get other interviews and it just grew from there. Taylor inspired me to go after my dreams and work hard to make them happen. There is no doubt in my mind that being a fan of Taylor is the reason I moved on to the field of interviewing musicians. It doesn’t pay great that is for sure, sometimes nothing, but I am having a blast and loving every minute of it. Some things in life mean much more than any amount of money.

My kids love to tell their friends and teachers who I have interviewed. They are so proud that they can say their Mom has talked to so and so. My daughter has already let me know that she wants the taped recordings of the interviews left to her so when she has kids and grandkids she can share them with them.

Taylor put the love of music and writing back into my heart.

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

The Official "Taylor Hicks Day" Inspires Stories from the Soul Patrol

2008-05-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

For over a year now, Taylor's Angels has brought you many stories of inspiration and hope that have been linked to Taylor Hicks in some way. Heartwarming stories about how Taylor has positively impacted the quality of life for many of us are abundant. Some share that they are enjoying a greater appreciation for music, but many run deeper and are more profound in their effects on the lives of others. Still other stories have highlighted Taylor's involvement in charitable giving and how those efforts have impacted communities across the country.

We thought it would be great to hear from the you, Taylor's dedicated fans, as to how Taylor has positively impacted your life, so we are sponsoring a contest and the winner will ultimately be decided by Taylor's fan base, the Soul Patrol!

In what areas have you received the most inspiration from Taylor and how has that inspiration affected your daily life? What have you seen or heard Taylor do that has affected you in a positive way? Have you been inspired to give back to your community as Taylor is doing by supporting charities across the country? Have you heard a heartwarming story from the Soul Patrol?

We encourage you to answer any of the questions above or simply share your special story with the rest of the Soul Patrol and become an inspiration to others, just as Taylor has been to us all. Please post your story in the comment section by Wednesday, May 21. After that time the comments will be cut off and we will post a poll where the Soul Patrol can vote for their favorite story. The person whose story gets the most votes wins a set of 5 Taylor Hicks inspired notecards. There are less than 10 sets in existence LaurenSilk gave one of the sets to Taylor in Myrtle Beach last year! As a bonus, one of the cards in this set is signed by Taylor!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us at taylors_angels@yahoo.com.

We encourage everyone to share their special story get the message out to everyone that one voice can change lives!
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Grease is the word!

Taylor Hicks on the Today Show!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylors Hicks.... Boots, Blues and Barbeque!

2008-05-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hannah Home Shelby Fundraiser
by Sam Griswold

"We've probably all called Hannah Home to come get some stuff from us at one point in time," says Taylor Hicks - musical guest for the fundraising event."

Hicks even came prepared for the "Boots, Blues, & Barbecue" fundraiser: "It's a great cause...and I'm wearing the old boots, and got some blues, and I just had some barbecue."

Alongside Taylor Hicks was Alabama's first lady Patsy Riley, who was originally supposed to be there with the governor who was unable to attend. Mrs. Riley says she understands the value of what missions like Hannah Home do: "Many mothers have to leave a dangerous situation because they're not only fearful for themselves with domestic abuse, but they're very fearful for their children."

Tammy Black is a mother who's been at Hannah Home Shelby for three years.

"Being able to go through all those programs that the Hannah Home helps provide for the women there.. It's really helped me out a lot: which, it also, about a year later or so... it helped me get my son back. I mean, I almost lost custody of him," says Black.

Tammy Black is also thankful for those who care enough to support a mission like Hannah Home.

"We wouldn't have this if it hadn't been for caring people and most of all if it hadn't been for the Lord."

In addition to long-term housing for up to 50 women and children, Hannah Home of Shelby County provides food, clothing, counseling and a number of classes and programs to help the women get back on their feet.

Pictures by: DNET(Thanks for taking one for the team)

For more pictures, video downloads and mp3's of the event visit: www.thetaylorhickscommunity.com

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks at the Kentucky Derby

2008-05-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Enjoy some pictures and video of Taylor Hicks at the Kentucky Derby!

Video Montage by: Cydter

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Inspires Soul and Spirituality in Canada

2008-04-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

“One of the most important things that my interest in the career of Taylor Hicks has brought me is a renewed interest in spirituality. He is a well rounded musician and human being. He not only focuses on his craft, but he often displays his understanding and empathy to those who are “victims of circumstance”. Whether it has been a hurricane, the Gulf War or a very “special” child in need of his attention, Taylor is not afraid to show his compassion and generosity. He has inspired many within his fan base to follow his example and I think that he can be very proud of the many good things that they do for others.”

These are the inspirational words penned by one of Taylor Hicks’ biggest supporters. Each month, Taylor’s Angels receives nominations for the Hero of the Month award from Taylor Hicks’ Soul Patrol community. Oftentimes, the selection process if very difficult because of the wonderful support that Taylor’s fans are forever giving to the fan base and to the community. This month, the selection was not difficult in the least, but did take us on a journey to her world in Canada!

The recipient of this month’s beautiful eternity Angel bracelet is most deserving. She is an inspiration to all and truly has a “heart full of soul”. If you read her posts on the fan sites, you can see that much thought goes into every word. She does not simply reply in a thread, her words are insightful and oftentimes inspirational. She is a friend to many and always portrays Taylor Hicks and his fans in a positive and respectful manner. One of her main goals on fan sites is to promote a sense of unity.

First and foremost, this month’s recipient is a dedicated supporter of Taylor Hicks and simply wants to do anything to help keep Taylor's name and music in the forefront. One way she has done this is through her skillfully crafted videos, which are superb! In fact, her take on Taylor’s single, “Just to Feel That Way”, is consistently climbing the “charts” at YouTube and is the highest viewed JTFTW video with over 11,000 hits. In the past year, it has been seen in 105 countries! She has put together many, many more wonderful videos of Taylor Hicks, and some of her favorites are highlighted in this blog.

We congratulate KarinP on her selection as Taylor’s Angels Hero of the Month and urge you to read more about this wonderfully uplifting and loyal Taylor Hicks fan!

Taylor's Angels: Tell us about yourself.

Karin: I am the mother of two adult daughters – an “empty nester”, I suppose you could call me. Life, fortunately for me, is rather uncomplicated most of the time and with five young grandchildren, life can be very busy at times. As Joe Walsh used to sing, “Life’s Been Good to Me” despite the many twists and turns along the way.

Taylor's Angels: Besides Taylor, what are your hobbies and interests?

Karin: In the Spring and Summer, you will often find me in the garden. I enjoy going for walks along the lake as well. I am very interested in music and today as I was reflecting on past memories in my life, I was reminded of the many times that music was a safe haven for me during very difficult times.

I volunteer 50-60 hours a month in my community which can be very rewarding and, at the same time, I see very sad and tragic circumstances that others find themselves in. It keeps me grounded in the real world and it reminds me how fragile life really is. My “hot” button, as some of you know, is domestic violence and child abuse. While physical abuse is deplorable, broken bones and bruises heal but the emotional abuse scars a child for life and in my opinion, it is the most difficult wound to heal.

Since my induction into the world of Taylor Hicks, I spend a great deal of time on the computer and I enjoy trying to learn new programs and unleashing the creativity that I didn’t even know existed in me.

Taylor's Angels: How did you become interested in Taylor's music and what is it about Taylor Hicks that caught your attention?

Karin: I watched American Idol for the first time in January 2006. Taylor intrigued me right from the beginning at the Las Vegas auditions. I saw a young man with gray hair who had a somewhat boyish charm and I listened to his story about starting to turn gray when he was 15 years old. He was genuine when he said “I am just who I am”. My first impression was that I loved his speaking voice and I was anxious to hear what he was going to sing. Needless to say, I was hooked.

I became an even more avid supporter after Simon told Taylor that it wasn’t “just” about the voice and then said, “They will not put you in the final group to be judged by the public” – words that later would come back to haunt Simon.

On Hollywood Bound week, Taylor’s answered a question from Ryan by saying: “It’s music, man. If music is in your heart, you feel it, you play it, you sing it, you perform it, you bust your buns doing it and that is what it is all about.”. He really impressed me when he said those words and I was determined to follow his career.

Taylor's Angels: How have the Canadians received Taylor's music?

Karin: I must confess that there were some in my circle who supported Daughtry but after Chris left the show, they all became Taylor Hicks fans. Since AI, most people I know and whom I meet, went back to their lives and didn’t end up where I found myself. Through many conversations, they soon found out that I was a walking encyclopedia about all things Taylor. Taylor’s CD has not received any radio play in Canada, much to my dismay. Many wondered what had happened to Taylor and I was more than eager to let them know all of the things that Taylor was doing. Most were unaware of his ability to really play the harp or even a guitar. The people that I have talked to about Taylor have nothing but admiration for his talent as seen on AI and I am always sending them to YouTube so that they can see the many concert videos that are available there.

Taylor's Angels: You have made some awesome videos. What is your inspiration for making your videos?

Karin: Thank you for your kind words. As I watched the videos on YouTube, the montages, I became really interested in learning how to make them. It started out as a personal challenge for me and then it became a hobby. With help from fellow posters on TOSP, I was able to master the program and now I am “hooked” on making them when the spirit moves me. In the beginning, it was the pictures and then when Taylor released his CD, some of the songs really touched me and I felt the need to tell a story or convey a message. The availability of the videos and photographs that have been so generously shared on many of the fan boards have made it possible for me to do continue doing this. I hope that they are a positive contribution in some small way. I am always hopeful that they will draw new fans and promote Taylor’s music.

There was one video in particular that was driven by a personal crisis last year, “Have We Told You Lately”. (Unfortunately, I was politely asked by YouTube to remove it because I was using a Van Morrison song.) A very good friend of mine suddenly passed away. I was in shock and found it difficult to function normally. I didn’t know how to pull myself out of my despair and then, I decided to watch some of the many videos on YouTube of Taylor and I realized that I began to feel better after watching them. Through following Taylor’s music and his career, I realized that perhaps, for some karmic reason, this was something I needed to do and Taylor, unknowingly, helped pull me out of a very dark and sad place. If only one of the videos can do that for one person, then to me, it is a worthwhile investment of my time.

Taylor's Angels: We know that the current Canadian Idol is from your hometown. What has that been like and how is Canadian Idol different from American Idol?

Karin: The first difference that comes to mind is that we don’t have Simon as a judge here. (I’m kidding, of course…hmmm.) I could be wrong about this, but I am not so sure that there is the same type of deliberate influence from the judges as seen on the American Idol. It was a very proud moment for my city and while I did not go downtown where they were viewing the final show, I saw the excitement in the streets on YouTube and it was very evident that everyone was thrilled that Brian won. His life was changed so dramatically that night. It is an incredible opportunity for aspiring musicians to have their ultimate dreams come true.

Taylor's Angels: Have you attended any Taylor concerts? Tell us about your experience.

Karin: I have been able to attend two of Taylor’s concerts. The first one was in Royal Oak, Michigan and it was an incredible experience. I met many people there and it was an opportunity for me to meet some people who I had become “cyber-friends” with. The second concert I attended was in Niagara Falls, New York and once again, it provided me with an opportunity to meet more people. Needless to say, I was able to once again enjoy Taylor’s music in person which was fantastic for me. I am looking forward to having Taylor come to Canada.

Taylor's Angels: How has Taylor Hicks affected your life?

Karin: I am reminded of something that happened in the summer of 2006. A woman sits beside me at the computer as we had done on many evenings. I introduced her to the “Soul Man” via the Internet. She seemed to really understand the magnetism that Taylor possesses.

She was weary, heartbroken and lost. She has lived through so much abuse during her lifetime. A “broken” soul is what she was. She finally had gained the courage after 11 years to walk away from the most recent abuser. She didn’t walk; she ran with the clothes on her back and had to leave her children behind in a relatively safe place in another city.

We sit and we watch the videos of Taylor Hicks. We watch his triumphant winning moment on American Idol and listen to Taylor sing “Do I Make You Proud”. The woman sits and she listens. Finally, she speaks and expresses one of her thoughts about Taylor. Tears welled in her eyes as she uttered that the reason she had become a supporter of Taylor was because he made her believe that realizing your dream is possible. He persisted in his dream and through sheer determination and belief in his gift, he had realized his life-long dream. His voice was heard by millions of people.

We listened to the song again, neither of us speaking. Each and every time she listened to this song, the tears flowed easily. It reached her deep inside and touched her very soul. Then, I heard my sister say, “I always think of you when I hear this song and I wonder if “you” are proud of me?”. “Yes”, I tell her, “I am very PROUD of you.” It has been a long and difficult road for her to travel and she has succeeded.

A “Taylor” moment between sisters and we both wondered if Taylor Hicks would ever know how much he has touched the lives of others. This is the magic of Taylor Hicks at its very best.

One of the most important things that my interest in Taylor’s career has brought me is a renewed interest in spirituality. He is a well rounded musician and human being. He not only focuses on his craft, but he often displays his understanding and empathy to those who are “victims of circumstance”. Whether it has been a hurricane, the Gulf War or a very “special” child in need of his attention, Taylor is not afraid to show his compassion and generosity. He has inspired many within his fan base to follow his example and I think that he can be very proud of the many good things that they do for others.

As he continues to travel new horizons, I hope that life brings Taylor Hicks the joy that he continues to give to countless others.

Taylor’s Angels once again congratulates Karin on being selected as our Hero of the Month and invite you to leave a congratulatory comment for her, which may inspire her to make more awesome videos to share!

Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)
Videos by KarinP

Picture Credit: Cydter -Millersville

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Finds Gold! An interview with Loren Gold

2008-04-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks found a treasure,when he hired his musical director Loren Gold. Loren proved to have an instant chemistry with Taylor Hicks during his 2007 solo tour. This duo, along with the rest of the wonderful band, gave the Soul Patrol the ultimate concert experience.

Loren is a multi-talented professional touring/studio musician, musical director and recording artist. His impressive list of clients includes: Taylor Hicks, Hillary Duff, Mandy Moore, Vanessa Hudgsen, Jamie Lynn Spears, Kelly Pickler, Deborah Gibson, Dan Aykroyd,Chace Crawford and many more. He is a very well respected keyboard/piano player and is endorsed by: Korg, Yamaha and Hammond to name a few.

Taylor's Angels had the pleasure of interviewing Loren Gold. We missed Taylor's "Amigo" and thought the Soul Patrol would love to hear what he has been up to. We were pleased to find out that he has just returned from touring with Mandy Moore in Austrailia and the Phillipines! We hope you enjoy the interview as much as we did!

TA: Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? When did you start playing the piano and what peaked your interest in that instrument? How did you get started in the music industry?

Loren: I am from the San Francisco Bay Area. I started playing the piano when I was seven when my mom put me in Yamaha group lessons. I had older brothers who listened to music all the time, so I was surrounded by it.

TA: You have two solo Cd's "Keys" and "All Around Me". Where all the songs written by you? Which one is your favorite? Are they available for sale?

Loren: Yes, all the songs on those Cd's were written by me. I do not really have a favorite, although "Falling" from All Around Me is special because it was the first instrumental piece I ever wrote. I am really proud of "Keys" and all of the songs on that one. They are both available at iTunes and Amazon.com.

TA: What exactly does a musical director's duties include and what kind of background is required ? How did you become the musical director for Taylor Hicks?

Loren: Musical Director has a lot of roles, those of which include initially getting the show/tour off the ground, making sure the music is being delivered properly to the audience, working with the artist, working with the band continuously, to name a few things.

Taylor Hicks and I met after he heard "The Runaround," a song I co-wrote. We hit it off after that, and he asked me to put his band together and hit the road with him.

TA: What is your inspiration for writing and composing music? Who is your favorite music artist and how have they inspired you?

Loren: I am inspired by many people. Musically speaking, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Elton John, Brian Wilson sit at the top of my list, but there are many others.

TA: What have been some of the highlights of your career? What has been your worse experience in the music industry and why? You have been on the road with Mandy Moore and Kelly Clarkson for the last 2 months. Tell us about that.

Loren: There have been so many highlights. Performing my song on the Tonight Show was definitely near the top, playing to sold out stadiums, and releasing two solo Cd's - all very fulfilling!
The Mandy/Kelly tour was incredible, the crowds...the cities...and Australia!! I'll go back anytime...

TA: What are the pros and cons of being on the road? How does your family deal with it?

Loren: I try to find a balance...I love playing live and meeting different people who are touched by the music, and I enjoy being at home in the studio as well - writing and producing.

TA: We all learned some strong lessons from Taylor Hicks after reading "Heart Full Of Soul". Did you learn anything from your association with Taylor? You were a perfect match and complimented each other in every way. What did you walk away with from that whole experience with Taylor?
Taylor Hicks and Loren Gold Compared to What from cydter on Vimeo.

Loren: It was a great experience, especially performing all those great songs of his every night! And I have to say, we both share a love of 70's one hit wonders....we couldn't help ourselves from adding new songs every week or so. We would just sit in front of my computer and say, "lets do that one...yeah, lets do that one...cool!!!"

TA: What are your plans for the future? Where can we expect to see Loren Gold?

Loren: I will be touring, writing, recording, and producing music all summer. (details soon at www. lorengold. com)

Believe it or not, I am also keeping fit at www logofitness.com. I personally connect with other people in my group, and we keep each other motivated. If anyone wants to join me, come check it out. This program changed the life of my buddy Jason Scheff from the band Chicago, so I'm diving in as well!
Thanks to all the Angels for their support. I hope to see you all out there this summer!!

Check out upcoming information about Loren Gold on these sites:
www.lorengold.com
www.myspace.com/lorengold
www.logofitness.com

Taylor's Angels wishes to thank Loren Gold for this interview. And we wish him much success in his future endevours!

Written by Cydter
Video Credits: Paythedevil,Stacyr311,jedda007
Photo Credits: Ragsqueen

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

American Idol Inspires Idol Radio

2008-04-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

American Idol Inspires Idol Radio

If you’re a big American Idol fan then you have more than likely heard of IdolRadio hosted by “Sir Darryl”. What started as a hobby has turned into a full time job of hosting radio shows heard throughout the internet.

In just a few short years, Sir Darryl’s shows have gone from just one show discussing American Idol to being heard on 14 radio networks. According to Darryl, it’s the “most listened to show on the net.”

Stop by on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 p.m. Eastern and Thursday at 10 p.m. Eastern and you’ll hear all-American Idol talk—complete with Darryl’s wonderful, smooth radio voice and a host of callers anxious to give their take on that week’s show or their favorite Idol.

We thought it would be interesting to find out more about the man behind the voice and asked Darryl for an interview. Boy were we in for a treat! Sit back and listen to this entertaining and informative interview with Taylor’s Angels and Darryl. Find out how he got started, who his Idol is, and what he REALLY thinks about Taylor Hicks!

You can visit Darryl’s website at www.idolradioshow.com at any time to listen to the many, many archived shows, including interviews with several former American Idols, as well as many other entertainers.

Idol Radio Show from cydter on Vimeo.

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Inspires The Soul Connection

2008-03-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

Meet Connie Leinicke—Taylor’s Angel’s Hero of the Month

Two years ago, many of us, including myself, had probably never heard of an ezine—a magazine that is delivered to your email address. Now though, many among the Soul Patrol anxiously await their copy of The Soul Connection in their email box each month.

Over the past year and a half, Connie Leinicke has worked tirelessly to bring us The Soul Connection. Connie has put together not only a wonderful ezine, but a fabulous group of people who help her write articles and keep the publication fresh each month.

Not only is each issue full of information about what is going on with Taylor Hicks and his fanbase, but we have also learned a lot of information about other influential artists who have inspired Taylor Hicks, such as Ray Charles.

Because of Connie’s dedication and allegiance to the Soul Connection, Taylor’s Angels thought it only appropriate to make her our Hero of the Month. With everything that Connie has going on, we felt very fortunate to learn more about this amazing Soul Patroller when she sat down to answer a few questions:

TA: Tell us about Connie!
Connie: My husband and I own a marketing/advertising agency in the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area. We have 3 beautiful daughters who also are Taylor fans (and receive The Soul Connection!). I have been a musician all my life. I sing and play four instruments. Keyboards are my specialty. I share Taylor’s passion for music, for hearing and creating sounds. Music has always been my passion. My viewpoint? I choose to look at life from a positive perspective and enjoy celebrating all the good things life has to offer.

TA: How much time does it take to put The Soul Connection together?
Connie: A lot of planning and preparation goes into publishing a 14-20 page ezine each month. We begin planning our next issue immediately following publication of our current issue. Decisions must be made early each month regarding writing assignments. The last week of each month I take all of the gathered information and create the issue at my office computer after hours. Because this ezine is emailed, everything I include (photos, articles, graphics) must be email friendly and a small enough file size to deliver through cyberspace.

TA: How many people help you?
Connie: The Soul Connection is the voice of the Soul Patrol and Taylor’s fans worldwide. We receive story ideas, photos, news, and input from fans all over the globe. However, our 4-person editorial board plans each issue and provides the guidance necessary to keep information relevant, current, interesting, and fun. We also have an extremely reliable and dedicated group of reporters/writers who are staunch Taylor fans and are willing to meet the necessary deadlines each month to give this gift to Taylor and his fanbase. We’re very happy, too, to give a voice to the charitable organizations that have evolved from Taylor’s fanbase.

TA: Where did you come up with the idea?
Connie: The idea for a Soul Patrol newsletter originated in the Soul Patrol Support Group from the AI5 message boards. Although I was not a member of that group, I decided to help the original editor create/publish the first issue because she was having health problems and I didn’t want that group to be disappointed. And I’m still here 18 issues and 265 published pages later. From the outset I could see that this was not merely a newsletter. . .it was an electronic magazine (ezine) without advertising clutter. When the original editor bowed out shortly after the first issue, I began to include my own vision in the content.

TA: What has been the most gratifying part of The Soul Connection?
Connie: As a musician myself, the most gratifying part of this experience is highlighting Taylor’s music and talent on a regular basis and learning more about his musicality. I am also having the time of my life meeting Taylor fans from all over the world who have the same interests as I do. I am grateful, too, that The Soul Connection reaches fans who are not necessarily internet users.

TA: How do you come up with new concepts? Are there any new features of the newsletter you will be adding soon you can tell us about?
Connie: All of our ideas start with Taylor. Since our two-fold mission is (1) to promote and support Taylor in his musical journey, and (2) to keep Taylor’s fan base united, necessarily all of our ideas are measured against what they have to do with Taylor. From that point we work out the story angles and details. Sometimes it takes a few months before we can include a special feature. We project what Taylor’s expected activities will be throughout the year. For example, he is busy writing songs for his new CD now, then he will rehearse it and go into the studio to record. We want our readers to understand these processes in the music industry, so we will focus on those areas in upcoming issues. Once Taylor’s new tour begins, we will focus on topics surrounding that tour.

TA: How many people receive The Soul Connection each month?
Connie: Our current subscriber list is approximately 1,500. Many subscribers tell us that they forward each issue on to their friends. So our unofficial guesstimate is that approximately 2,000 people read The Soul Connection each month.

TA: How did you become a Taylor Hicks Fan?
Connie: I’ve been a fan since Taylor’s Las Vegas audition. I had watched very few AI shows to that point. After Taylor’s audition I told my family that HE was the real deal and should win the competition. That same night I googled his name, found his NPR interview from December 2005, and heard clips from Under the Radar.

TA: How many concerts have you been to?
Connie: Only 19. . .;p. . .I also attended the Kid One book event and the Regions Charity Classic golf tourney.

TA: What was your most memorable concert experience?
Connie: While every concert was memorable for me, my favorite memory is meeting Taylor only minutes before his first national solo tour concert in Jacksonville FL . . .he was very excited about the concert and so were all of his fans. . .it was a great moment for me to share his excitement and to personally wish him well before he went on stage.

TA: What is your goal for The Soul Connection in 2008?
Connie: In 2008 the editorial board envisions delving deeper into Taylor’s musical influences and bringing an understanding of those influences as well as a more complete understanding of today’s music industry to his fans. We are also looking into alternative delivery methods via the internet.

Thank you Connie for bringing us The Soul Connection and for taking the time to let us get to know you a little better!

Composed and published by Leslie Mozingo

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks.....The Main Attraction!

2008-03-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Taylor Hicks described himself as the main attraction at the shopping mall when he worked as the Easter Bunny. Well, he still is the main attraction for his fans the Soul Patrol. Happy Easter to all our friends and to the "Soul Man" himself..Taylor Hicks!!

Enjoy this video and a wonderful look back.....

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Celebrates With The Children's Miracle Network!

2008-03-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

Celebration 2008

Children's Miracle Network hospital, sponsor, and media partners and celebrities all converged in Orlando, Fla., last week to celebrate the miracles happening at 170 children's hospitals throughout the world. The annual Children's Miracle Network Celebration event brings together the organization's diverse partners to share best practices, celebrate achievements and honor the children who benefit from their tireless fund raising efforts.

Children's Miracle Network co-founder Marie Osmond and the entire legendary Osmond family were in attendance to celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary and its expansion into the United Kingdom and Ireland. Since its founding in 1983, Children's Miracle Network has grown dramatically from a televised fund raiser in the Osmond's small studio to one of the world's leading children's charities helping 17 million kids each year

The Osmonds performed during the Children's Miracle Awards Friday, March 14 as part of their 50th Anniversary World Tour. The Children's Miracle Awards presented by Delta Air Lines is a special event that honors outstanding pediatric caregivers at Children's Miracle Network children's hospitals.

Celebration concluded with a special medal ceremony for children who were selected for their courage in overcoming medical obstacles and represent every state in the United States, every province in Canada, and new hospitals in Ireland and the United Kingdom. American Idol-winner Taylor Hicks and special performance by Cirque Dreams concluded the evening.

All Children's Miracle Network Celebration evening events are sponsored by long-time Children's Miracle Network supporters Foresters, Delta Air Lines and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

About Children's Miracle Network:

Children's Miracle Network is the alliance of premier children's hospitals. Every year, Children's Miracle Network hospitals treat 17 million children for every disease and injury imaginable. Children's Miracle Network hospitals impact the lives of more children than any other children's organization in the world. Children's hospitals provide state-of-the-art care, life-saving research and preventative education for children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is a Children's Miracle Network hospital dedicated to serving children in every community across the United States and Canada. These hospitals are committed to providing the best care for children when they need it.

Your support of Children's Miracle Network helps ensure that children have the specialized care they need and deserve.

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Little Memphis shares his "soul" with Taylor Hicks and his fans

2008-03-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

It first rang out over the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta and then migrated to the streets and clubs of Memphis. It went on to influence the sound of music all over the world. Memphis, Tennessee is the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock and roll. Being raised among such rich musical history, it is easy to see why the talented Brian Less is affectionately known as “Little Memphis”. His extraordinary talent has been nationally showcased over the past two years since his good friend, Taylor Hicks, won American Idol in 2006. First as the keyboard player with Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (LMBO) and then as the organist with the Taylor Hicks national touring band, Brian Less has proven himself worthy of his nickname. His incredible musical talents coupled with his sincere appreciation of his fans have made Brian a favorite among Taylor Hicks’ Soul Patrol.

But how did Taylor Hicks come to appreciate the musical abilities of Brian Less? The story is fascinating.

The Taylor Hicks band played a gig in Mobile, Alabama several years prior to his catapult to fame with American Idol. Taylor and a friend stopped into a bar that night after their performance and took note of the keyboard player, Brian Less. Taylor immediately remarked to his friend, “I want that kind of piano player in my band”.

Coincidentally, two weeks later, the Taylor Hicks band was in Nashville, Tennessee for another important gig. This time, Taylor’s bass player tried to convince him to allow a friend of his to sit in with the band on the keyboard. Taylor adamantly refused, stating that they had to be at their best that night. But as fate would have it, Taylor finally agreed and Brian Less strolled into sound check. Immediately recognizing him, Taylor Hicks said to him, “were you playing in Mobile two weeks ago?” With the answer of “yes”, Taylor immediately asked Brian to join the band without the first note being auditioned.

The talent of Brian Less has always been evident to Taylor Hicks. Perhaps that is why, after winning American Idol and forming a top-notch touring band, Taylor once again asked Brian to join the now famous Taylor Hicks band this time on the organ. Brian quickly became a fan favorite and friend of Taylor Hicks’ Soul Patrol as they traveled from coast to coast on Taylor’s first solo tour in 2007.

(video credit: Catwoman52)

Recently, Brian was gracious enough to sit down and answer some questions posed by Taylor’s Angels. His words give you a greater knowledge of his musical background and insight into Little Memphis himself.

Taylor’s Angels: At what age did you begin to play musically and did you ever think it would become your career?

Brian: I started playing when I was 5 yrs old. I knew I wanted to make it my career when I was probably 10 or 11.

Taylor’s Angels: Besides the keyboard and organ, do you play any other instruments?

Brian: I play "at" the drums and bass guitar.

Taylor’s Angels: How did you get your start in music?

Brian: My parents put me in an after school piano program in kindergarten, I guess I caught on.

Taylor’s Angels: Was your family supportive of you when you decided to become a musician?

Brian: If it wasn't for the support from my family, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Taylor’s Angels: Have you enjoyed the fame? What things have you been able to do or not do because of it?

Brian: I don't see myself as famous. I am more well known which allows me to meet a lot more “music appreciaters”!

(video credit: cuckoomimi)

Taylor’s Angels: Where do you see yourself as a musician in 5 to 10 years?

Brian: Playing in a band.

Taylor’s Angels: If you were not making music, what would you be doing for a living?

Brian: Probably something in Law Enforcement.

Taylor’s Angels: We have heard that your parents live in Memphis (Cordova). Did you grow up there? Have you ever played on Beale Street?

Brian: I grew up in Germantown. My parents moved to Cordova when I left for college. I have played on Beale Street a few times.

(video credit: cuckoomimi)

Taylor’s Angels: What are your hobbies other than music? What do you do when you are not playing?

Brian: Well, my wife, family, dogs, and friends pretty much take up all of my time. I enjoy football ("Roll Tide"), and seeing the country with my spare time.

Taylor’s Angles: Do you have any advice for someone trying to make it in the music industry?

Brian: Be yourself, play from the heart, and bands come and go. As long as you keep playing you will succeed.

We thank Brian for allowing us the opportunity to know more about him, and wish him the best of luck in his career! We also invite you to leave comments for Brian or share wonderful memories of our friendship with this incredibly talented man.

Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)
Media by Teri (Cydter)

Special thanks to Cassidy for arranging this interiew and for some fantastic photos!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Fan Needs Continued Prayers

2008-03-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

One of the Soul Patrol's favorite impromptu moments of Taylor Hicks occurred this past December when he danced with a little boy named Evan at the Liberty Bowl halftime show. Evan's mother was a guest blogger for us in January. She shared with us Evan's adoration of Taylor Hicks and his brave battle with cancer. You may click here to re-read her story.

In an effort to make Evan's story easier for the family to share with all of their friends and family, she began blogging. Evan's journey has been lovingly documented at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/evanthomason.

In a recent blog, Evan's mother informs us that some of his markers have become elevated. Although this marker alone isn't cause for alarm, according to his doctors, the family has still gone to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital for a few days of extra testing.

Please continue to keep Evan and his family in your prayers.

Thank you.

written and published by; Leslie Mozingo

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

A Taylor Hicks Fan Touches The Lives Of Children

2008-02-26T17:44:00.000-08:00

One of the most rewarding aspects of being one of Taylor's Angels has been working with the children's charities. They are our littlest angels who deserve every bit of happiness they can have in the lives. Taylor Hicks has shown his love for children in all the various charities he has supported and continuous to work with.
A Soul Patrol member named Kimberly (KTINTN) caught my attention this past year. She is a huge supporter of Taylor Hicks and does some remarkable work with the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis. We asked Kimberly to tell us a bit about herself and her work. I think you will find what I found. An extraordinary woman with a heart full of love.

TA: If someone were to describe you, what would they say?

I had to actually ask someone else this question, as this is not one I can answer myself. LoL!
Their response: Cute, fun, smart, great friend, willing to help in any way possible, great personality, hard worker, cares for friends and her family, music lover, dedicated to helping with things that are close to her heart.

TA: How did you become a fan of Taylor Hicks?

The moment, he uttered the words "I was born by the river", I knew this was someone to watch out for. Not for just the obvious talent, but for the fact that he broke the mold of what had been pushed in front of us in previous years. Amazing talent has come out of Idol, but for me Bo Bice & Taylor Hicks were & still are the stand-outs.

TA: Have you attended any concerts ? If so, tell us your favorite memory.

A concert I have not attended, yet! Due to timing and unfortunate circumstance I could not go when he was in town for a show. That will change when he does come thru town again, hopefully in the near future. Luckily, I was able to attend his Memphis book signing. On that same day he donated a handful of signed books, CDs & a Poster Board for a Fundraiser we were having that very weekend for Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. We thank you again, Taylor.

TA: Has Taylor inspired you in any particular area of your life?

I was already involved in charity work before Taylor came along, but like many others, it was not until he did, that I used music, good music, his music to help promote the different events we have held & will continue to hold. We have also shared his music as well as others by donating their albums to those who could not acquire it themselves.

TA: You volunteer for various charities. Can you tell us about that and why charitable giving is so important to you? How did you become involved with each of them?

I volunteer w/ a handful of our local children's charities; Ronald McDonald House of Memphis being closest to my heart. As a child, I myself had spent time long periods of time in the hospital for unrelated reasons. We had visitors from different organizations and even though I was young, I appreciated what they did for us. Thru the years, I realized that this experience had only made me stronger mentally, emotionally & spiritually. Knowing what a child can go thru in a challenging time in their young life, I'm now able to give back. If there is anyway for me to help and make it easier on them, then that is what I need to & will do.

TA: What do you consider to be your strongest attribute that has helped you deal with life's challenges?

One word, FAITH. To quote George Michael, "you got to have Faith". My faith in myself & the lord above is the main reason why I have the ability thru my disability to go thru everyday life.

TA: What are your hobbies and what do you enjoy doing with your free time?

Good music obviously, travelling when possible. I'm also a major movie & art buff. Plus, when time permits I like to squeeze in a good book and a round of 'Outburst' & or Poker w/ friends.

There is no better donation than a donation from the heart. Whether you are giving of your time, or generously providing an in-kind or a monetary donation. Taylor's Angels wishes to thank Kimberly for answering our questions and wish her well as she continues her wonderful work.

Upcoming events for the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis:
03/13/08 to 03/14/08 -- RMH Radiothon 2008

Summertime (Date TBA) -- RMH Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis (RMH) is a 501( c ) 3 charity, and while it proudly serves St. Jude families, it is not a St. Jude facility. The Ronald McDonald House of Memphis must raise its own funds through donations and special events to support the $2 million plus per year operating budget. In addition to operating expenses, the House took on an expansion debt in 1999 to accommodate other families in need; we are still working to pay down this debt. Another major misconception about the Ronald McDonald House is that it is operated by the McDonald’s Corporation. While McDonald’s Corporation along with our local Owner/Operators are very generous to the House, we only receive about 9% of our total operating budget from these entities. At the Ronald McDonald House, families can sleep in a warm bed, take a shower in their private bathroom and prepare and eat meals in a spacious, cheerful kitchen. Families, also, have access to a fitness room, meditation room, one of three laundry rooms, a park with playground, a basketball court, and a pavilion. More importantly, families find the support and comfort of others who share the experience of having a very sick child. All families stay free of charge.

Written by: Cydter

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Congratulations Taylor Hicks!!!!

2008-02-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

This past Friday, Taylor's Angels attended The Alabama Music Hall of Fame Awards.
Here is video of Taylor on the red carpet! We were extremely proud of Taylor for this wonderful accomplishment. Enjoy!

Taylor Hicks at the Red Carpet Alabama Music Hall of Fame Awards from cydter on Vimeo.

For more exclusive media check out : The Taylor Hicks Community
Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Supporter Strives to Change One Heart at a Time

2008-02-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Taylor Hicks became the new American Idol in May 2006. On that same night, he performed a heartfelt rendition of the song Do I Make You Proud and recorded/ released it as a CD single shortly after that. Throughout the summer tour of American Idols LIVE, he sang this song at every performance and dedicated it to our troops, both overseas and at home. To both share his tribute and honor your commitment in service to our country, this CD single is for you. May you know in your hearts that your sacrifice has not been in vain and you always make us proud.

Those who have offered their lives for their country know that patriotism is not the fear of something, it is the love of something! – Adlai Stevenson

These words were penned on a card attached to Taylor Hicks’ Do I Make You Proud CD and delivered to the soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC in November, 2006. The most critically wounded received this inspirational gift to help them realize, even in their darkest moments, that their sacrifice had not been in vain. Totally inspired by Taylor's dedication to the troops and the Proud of our Troops Drive, Alice Culbreth embarked on a mission of love to honor their sacrifice in service to our country. Alice raised the money for the CD’s through her church (who also helped prepare the packages for delivery) and Taylor’s fan base, The Soul Patrol, and was able to deliver much more than a song to our country’s bravest men and women. On this day in November, 2006, Alice delivered HOPE, and continued her ministry of love to those in need.

Since that time, Alice has continued to support Taylor Hicks in his efforts to give back to others. Supporting charities such as Kid One Patrol of Soul (KOPS), Kid One Transport and Proud of Our Troops Drive as well as numerous other charities that support children, youth and social justice, Alice continuously gives of her time and talents. She has been a special friend to Taylor’s Angles, donating many tickets so that fans, underprivileged children or battered women could attend a Taylor Hicks concert and donating KOPS cookbooks to those that could not otherwise afford them. Alice sums up her reason for giving in this manner:

“I support all these charities for the same reason: to make positive impacts here will change the world and make it a better, safer, healthier place for all children and adults. It can be done…. one project, one phone call, one letter, one heart at a time.”

We congratulate Alice Culbreth (better known as totustuus or totu on the fan sites) on her selection as Taylor’s Angels Hero of the Month and urge you to read more about the extraordinary efforts of this wonderfully compassionate Taylor Hicks fan!

TA: Tell us a little about you personally.

Alice: I have one son, Justin who will turn 30 this year. He’s married and has made me one happy “grammy” to my precious little Brittany, who will be turning nine years old very soon. I just turned 50 in 2007 and really enjoy being a young grandma. I live in southern Maryland, about 25 miles south of Washington, DC and have lived in or around the Nation’s Capital my entire life. I am the oldest daughter in a family of three girls. I worked in “corporate America” for 18 years in operations management and systems development for a telecommunications firm. When company re-structuring relocated my department to the Midwest, I began to work full time as the youth minister at my church, taking a 2/3 cut in pay! Nine years and many graduate level courses in theology and Scripture later, I am currently the Director of Christian Formation at the same church, serving about 1200 families.

My hobbies include reading, writing and listening to music. I have a CD collection of close to 400 and have attended many concerts each year. Most recently, I saw Barry Manilow on February 9 and will see Bon Jovi on February 28. My musical tastes are eclectic and I have favorite artists in almost every genre. Taylor Hicks is the ONLY artist I have ever traveled long distances to see, all on the same tour! As far as TV is concerned, I’m a diehard Law and Order fan and never miss an episode of Lost. Also, I actually schedule my appointment/meeting calendar at work around American Idol! My current guilty pleasure is Rock of Love/Rock of Love 2 with Bret Michaels on VH1. Additionally, I love working on craft projects, my scrapbooks and writing cards to send to friends in my spare time.

TA: Why is charitable giving so important to you?

Alice: I try to live my life the way God wants me to. Part of that is recognizing the many blessings He’s given me and to give to others in humble gratitude. Living what I profess to believe is important to me. As a song so eloquently puts it, He has no hands but ours. One of the two rings I wear bears an inscription of a favorite Scripture, 1 Corinthians 13:13: “So faith, hope, love remain these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Charity IS love in action and the world certainly needs more love. As Mother Teresa once said, “We can do not great things, only small things with great love”. So I am trying to do my part.

TA: What do you personally receive from your charitable giving efforts?

Alice: I know in my heart that it’s in giving and sharing of our time, treasure and talents with others that we truly receive the greatest of God’s blessings in our own lives. If my small sacrifice makes one person smile, puts food on a family’s table, gets one child to much needed medical treatment, or simply allows them see God’s love for them, then that’s enough.

TA: What have you accomplished that has meant the most to you?

Alice: This is a tough question for me. I have never been good at recognizing my own accomplishments. I always say that my greatest accomplishment is the one I haven’t yet achieved. I would have to say that what has meant the most to me is being able to come through many trials, bad relationships and horrible situations in my life with my spirit intact. I have been bruised and battered at times, but never broken. I guess you can say that I am a ‘soul’ survivor.

TA: If someone were to describe you, what would they say about you?

Alice: That might depend on who was offering the description! Those who know me well would say that I’m honest, patient, prayerful, and steadfast in my beliefs, loyal, generous and someone who can be trusted. They might also tell you that I can pierce their hearts with my silence, and tend to go into my “shell” when I’ve been wounded or misunderstood. I can be very moody at times, reflective at others and pensive when I don’t feel secure in a situation. I also get my Irish up (as the saying goes) when I witness any kind of cruelty injustice or selfish behaviors that put others at risk. Also, some may say that I am quite passionate about defending the dignity of every human person even when it’s not the popular or politically correct viewpoint.

TA: How did you become a Taylor Hicks fan?

Alice: I enjoyed watching Taylor on American Idol and even voted for him every week! I picked Taylor to be in the top three along with Mandisa and Chris Daughtry, so one out of three ain’t bad, right? I didn’t become a true admirer of Taylor until after I saw the AI5 tour in July of 2006. I had never been to an AI concert, but I loved many in the top 10, so my friend gave me tickets for my birthday. When Taylor performed and dedicated Do I Make You Proud to the troops, it brought me to tears. As the mom of an Army veteran (Justin served at the beginning of the Iraqi conflict as a medic), it just touched my heart and soul in a profound way. It really was at that moment that I wanted to learn everything about Taylor Hicks, so I searched the internet where I found and joined The Official Soul Patrol fan site. That, for me, was the beginning of the Taylor journey!

TA: What do you consider to be one of Taylor Hicks’ most outstanding qualities that you find to be an inspiration?

Alice: Taylor Hicks has a beautiful heart. It shows in everything he does, from his respect for our country and those who serve it, to his commitment to and obvious love for children. You can see he’s a witness to that in the charities and causes he supports, to be sure. I have witnessed this quality personally through his interactions with my granddaughter Brittany, who was able to twice meet him during the solo tour of 2007. Taylor took extra time with her to make it personal for her and even asked her questions, looked at her gift and said he would keep it forever, etc. In my experience, these actions are not things that can be faked so I believe it to be in Taylor’s soul. Children and youth can see right through “phoniness” even with the best actors on the planet. Taylor captured Brittany’s heart with his kindness and therefore he captured my unending gratitude and respect.

TA: To which charities do you find yourself personally drawn and why?

Alice: I love anything that concerns children and youth, such as Kid One Transport, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and Compassion International. Also very dear to my heart are charities that deal with social justice, such as SaveDarfur, ONE Campaign, and Habitat for Humanity. And obviously, I am quite passionate about anything related to supporting our service men and women. I support all these charities for the same reason: to make positive impacts here will change the world and make it a better, safer, healthier place for all children and adults. It can be done…. one project, one phone call, one letter, one heart at a time.

I would like to give some special recognition to my friends in KOPS. I have spent a good amount of time, talent and treasure supporting their efforts to help Kid One Transport in Alabama. Many of the projects we’ve taken on as a group go beyond the mere fundraising efforts you’ve read about and no doubt supported. The Beanie Babies Drive, gifts for moms on Mother’s Day, the card drive for a young girl fighting for her life and adopting a soldier through Soldiers Angels….the list goes on. We’ve traveled together, both literally and figuratively for about a year and a half now. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to work with KOPS to help Kid One meet its goals beyond maintaining current services, to where they can pursue their dream of expansion…so that no child ever suffers or dies because they have no transportation to an appointment or hospital. I have been blessed in so many ways through my association with this group. What a great tribute to the power of the Soul Patrol they are!

I am honored to have been chosen by Taylor’s Angels as Hero of the Month. My prayer is that my story will inspire others to take a chance and reach out in love to those in need.

God bless!
Alice Culbreth

If you would like to learn more about Kid One Patrol The Soul, click here: KOPS

A Note from Taylor’s Angels:

If you would like to nominate someone for our Hero of the Month Award, please email us at taylors_angels@yahoo.com and submit the name of a person in the Patrol Community who has done something special to help and/or given support to someone in need within the community. Monthly winners will be given a beautifully designed eternity bracelet and will also be featured in our Taylor’s Angels blog.

Let us hear from you about the wonderful spirits that exist among Taylor Hicks fans!

Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

A PHOTO MONTAGE OF TAYLOR HICK'S 2007 SOLO TOUR

2008-02-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

Hey Soul Patrol!!!

Most of you have become acquainted with Tina's fabulous pictures she has captured this past year of Taylor Hicks during his solo tour. Well, now she has tried her hand at making a video. She sent the video to Teri and I for critique, and all we could say was 'OMG!!! This is going on the blog!!!" Since Tina is too shy and would never publish this herself, we are doing it for her!!! So, sit back and enjoy her show. Don't take your eyes off the computer because you are about to see included some "never-before-seen" pictures, as well.

Enjoy!!!

Taylor Hicks Modern Whomp Tour 2007 from DidNotExpectThat on Vimeo.

Written by: Leslie
Published by: Teri
Video by: Tina

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Inspires Love

2008-02-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, Soul Patrol!!!!

This day also marks Taylor's Angels one year anniversary. Because of that, we wanted to put together something special for all of you.

Everything that has been accomplished by Taylor's Angels couldn't have been possible without the support and generosity of the Soul Patrol. Taylor Hicks has attracted a wonderful fanbase that never second guesses the need to reach out and help others in need. You have readily answered our calls to send troops to concerts, help people with memberships to the HQ, help a family at Christmas when they've lost everything in a housefire, and the list goes on. Celebrating and expressing your love for someone may only come once a year, but the Soul Patrol does it everyday!

In the Spirit of the Soul Patrol Community, we have included fan boards, charities, and favorite blogs in the video . Special thanks to all that participated in sending us pictures.

We hope you enjoy our gift to all of you and we wish each of you a great Valentine's Day!!

"I'm here to show you, this love is real"~ Taylor Hicks "The Deal"

Written by: Leslie,Cydter and Tina
Video/published by: Cydter
Photo used with permission from the Soul Patrol.

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

"Sharing Our Soul" with Taylor Hicks and the New England Soul Patrol

2008-02-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

When people come together with a common goal, anything is possible! That’s been the philosophy of NESP (The New England Soul Patrol) since its' founding in Portland, Maine in September 2006. This organization started as a regional group supporting the music and artistry of Taylor Hicks. However, the reputation of the NESP has grown beyond the boundaries of the New England states. Taylor Hicks fans from all over the country have now joined in the organization’s unique ways of celebrating the charitable giving inspired by Taylor himself.

NESP is well known for their boundless enthusiasm, much like the energy shown by Taylor Hicks. At Taylor’s concerts, the NESP is often spotted waving glow bracelets as they dance and sing through the entire show and encouraging Taylor’s youngest fans, whom they affectionately dubbed the “Tayter Tots”, in the same show of support for the Soul Man. These Taylor Hicks enthusiasts have even showered Taylor, his band, and his crew with gifts designed to make life on the road a little more fun. Perhaps the most “famous” gift was a specially designed acoustic stool that made its appearance on stage with Taylor as he performed across the country in 2007.

But the NESP’s generosity has not stopped with Taylor Hicks. They were brought together by their mutual love for Taylor’s music, but what they soon discovered was that they also shared a desire to help others. And so, with that in mind, NESP began "Sharing Our Soul," a program that supports worthy charities.

Tossing Mullets for Charity….Taylor Hicks said that only happens in Alabama!

The New England Soul Patrol writes about one of their first fundraisers, which supported Studio By The Tracks, a Birmingham, Alabama based organization that garnered attention from Taylor Hicks himself, and provides arts and other activities for persons with autism:

“One of our early NESP events was held last April before Taylor’s show in Hampton Beach, NH. The Hampton Beach Mullet Toss was the brainchild of two of our founding members, Margaux and Amyrebo. It was based on the Florabama’s mullet toss for charity, an event that has become synonymous with Taylor Hicks throughout the Soul Patrol community.

Participants purchased a package that consisted of a string of purple Mardi Gras beads, a colorful plastic fish, and a t-shirt designed by NESP’s co-founder and webmaster, Tricia. The t-shirt included a fish graphic design drawn by a Studio by the Tracks artist, making it an even more special memento of the occasion.

The day began with 6 inches of snow in most of New Hampshire. We gathered at the Happy Clam, a Hampton Beach bar, for our pre-mullet toss party. There wasn’t much snow once we got to Hampton Beach, but it was wet, cold, and very windy. While partying at the Happy Clam, a cameraman and reporter from WMUR Channel 9 interviewed Tricia and her daughter as well as Aging Hippie and her husband. Tricia ended up on Channel 9 news that night, and the NESP story was part of a piece about Taylor Hicks that appeared on NH Chronicle in May. This TV news magazine article included both Tricia, her daughter Cassie and Aging Hippie!

Wearing the mullet toss t-shirts and donning the purple Mardi Gras beads, 20 hearty souls braved 30 degree temperatures and a stiff wind to throw “mullets” for distance on the beach in front of the casino. As we hit the beach we could hear Taylor’s pre-concert sound check. Once we were all gathered on the beach and in full mullet toss mode, the music stopped. Were we being watched? As the wind blew and our hands froze, we tossed those fish as far as we could. The winner was “Mr. Duff” who beat Tricia by just a hair! Once the toss was over and we began to disband, sound check started up again. Hmm, curious! At the meet and greet later in the day, our public relations representative, Karen, brought Taylor a “mullet” to sign and told him about the Mullet Toss. He smiled and acknowledged that he had heard about it!

From the sale of the mullet toss packages, raffles at the Happy Clam, and the auction of a Taylor Hicks autographed framed graphic of the fish design, our first NESP fundraiser netted $420 for Studio by the Tracks. But more importantly, for the first time, we displayed the creativity, fun, and friendship that propelled us to do more."

“Sharing Our Soul” from the beginning

The NESP charitable efforts began a year ago with the sale of the first Soul Patrol Christmas ornament, with the proceeds benefiting The New Orleans Musician’s Clinic. Since that time, local charities have reaped the benefits of the efforts of the NESP, as they sought out charities in the New England locations where Taylor Hicks performed and provided them financial support. Their fundraising methods have included selling water bottles, mouse pads, pins, koozies, and glow bracelets as well as conducting online auctions for autographed items signed by Taylor Hicks.

“Sharing Our Soul” in the future

The NESP is proud of their first year’s success, but does not want to stop short and believes there is much to be accomplished. As they head into another year, NESP will continue to share its' soul and live by the credo, doing well by doing good.

If you’d like to learn more about NESP, please visit one of the following sites:

http://www.newenglandsoulpatrol.org/

http://newenglandsoulpatrol.org/mybb/

Written by Liz and Tricia, NESP
Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Sends A Super Bowl Sunday Message

2008-02-03T19:03:00.000-08:00

Taylor Hicks sends the Soul Patrol a message on Super Bowl Sunday! Thanks Taylor... It was great to hear from you!

(special thanks to The Whomp Swamp for bringing this to us)

The Charitable Taylor Hicks

2008-01-27T19:02:00.000-08:00

" If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives"
-- Robert Smith

The Soul Patrol is quite familiar with Taylor Hicks having a heart for the needy, especially children. During American Idol, he introduced us all to two local Birmingham charities which cater to chldren of various needs, Studio by the Tracks and KidOne transport. Since then, we have seen him branch out and show support for many other charities.

Almost two years ago, he associated himself by headlining and performing at such events such as the Benefit for the Charlize Africa Outreach Program, the New York Presbyterian Hospital Charity Event, and, as recently as this past weekend, The Family Center's Palm Night.

We have even seen Taylor enjoy himself and get lost in a game of golf, lest we not forget that these tournaments are indeed fundraisers. Twice now, Taylor has played in the Bob Hope Classic Golf Event-- a benefit that has raised funds funds for over 100 charities. And, this past May, Taylor could be seen playing a round of golf at the Regions Charity Golf Event.

Taylor has shown is support of our Country by playing at the Stadium of Fire as well as being a part of the USO tour on the USS Reagan.

In the spirit of supporting his community, Taylor took an unprecedented intermission at his Birmingham shows last March and encouraged his audience to take that time to donate to the Red Cross who was then helping the victims of Enterprise High School because it had just been struck by deadly tornadoes the previous week. He also endorsed a signed portrait to be auctioned on ebay and all proceeds went to Enterprise.

Additionally, Taylor has associated himself with numerous charities involving children. From his pronouncement of Studio by the Tracks and Kid One Transport, he has danced with patients from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, endorsed the Alabama Center for the book to promote literacy among children, and is scheduled to perform at a fundraiser for the Greenhills School in Addison, Texas this Spring.

Taylor's Angels has made sure to add Taylor's name to the Fan Club Donation list at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For more information, please visit a nice write up on us at: Taylor Hicks My Idol

Clearly, instead of sitting back and enjoying some of the fruits of his celebrity, Taylor has used his celebrity to support causes that are important to him. What an incredible statement he has made and a testament to his good character.

As if this list isn't exhaustive enough, especially when you realize that these things have been accomplished only within the past 1 and 1/2 years and in between cutting albums and two nationwide tours, Taylor surprises us again and has now endorsed The Shriner's in this latest Public Service Announcement.

ShrinePSA2 from TH Community on Vimeo.

psa1 from TH Community on Vimeo.

For those of you not familiar with the Shriner's, their mission statement is clear: Dedication to fun and fellowship... but with a serious purpose. Through hard work and donations, they have 22 children's hospitals that are at the forefront of medical treatment and research in orthopaedic, burn and spinal cord injury cases in young children. You may learn more about them at http://www.shrinershq.org/.

Written and published by Leslie Mozingo
Photos taken by Tina Shaddix
Audio and Video PSA compliments of The Shriner's

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks Takes A " Blue Sky Holiday" !

2008-01-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

Being an avid golfer, Taylor Hicks enjoyed a few days in beautiful Palm Springs, California last week playing in the Bob Hope Classic Golf Tournament. Taylor’s Angels’ good friend, Pay the Devil, was fortunate enough to have attended this prestigious event and spent several days observing Taylor and his amazing impact on this Palm Springs community. She graciously offers her unique perspective on Taylor Hicks’ Blue Sky Holiday and shares that “no other celebrity received the amount of admiration and affection from the locals” as Taylor Hicks. Read and enjoy her first hand account, watch her exclusive video and feel the pride that surrounded Taylor last week in sunny California!

If you are a Taylor Hicks supporter/fan then over the last few weeks your Google Alerts inbox has been inundated with snarky comments from television pundits and people that sat too close to the television as children. Most comment on album sales and current television ratings, however many make personal attacks against Mr. Hicks.

I just don’t get it.

I watched every episode of American Idol Season Five. I watched each week in bars, hotels, and pubs across America. I saw it in Boston, Seattle, and Los Angeles. I watched “In the Ghetto” in a small family-owned Vietnamese restaurant in Niagara Falls, Canada.

“Hand to God” as my Pentecostal pastor aunt would say, at every stop Taylor had supporters. They didn’t refer to him by his last name, like some other contestants that season. He was always just “Taylor”.

If you read too many Google Alerts you begin to forget that “Taylor Hicks” is a television phenomenon. (For those of you camping at Area 51, I agree with you. It all can’t be a coincidence.) Taylor Hicks is a lightening rod for discussion and a true pop culture icon.

Consider these facts:
· In the last half hour of the finale of Season Five, 42.9 million people watched Taylor take the prize (Hollywood Reporter).
· The Season Five, 59-date cross-country tour was 2006’s 12th largest in box office gross, pulling in $35.2 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Nearly 650,000 fans attended, filling 96% of available seats.

While the naysayers would suggest that the other eleven contestants had something to do with these successes, I would just add that the ratings went up after the other contestants left the show and Taylor garnered more air time.

Did I mention I was Taylor Hicks fan?

Needing a blue sky holiday, I headed over to Palm Springs last week to watch Taylor play in the Bob Hope Classic. After being admonished to wear sensible shoes and carry sunscreen, I headed out to links to catch some good golf and to do some serious celebrity watching. I was not disappointed.

Jimmy Fallon, George Lopez, Luke Wilson, Alice Cooper, and Meatloaf were just a few of the celebrities playing in the five-day tournament. While each celebrity team had their own trailing fans, it was Taylor that brought Palm Spring’s wealthiest out of their million dollar condos that lined the courses in hopes of getting an autograph. On the 6th Hole at PGA West, a doyenne of Palm Springs society was hosting a cocktail party on her patio that overlooked the course. When Taylor’s team started to tee-up, she and a server from her own patio party ran to the yellow ropes in hopes of getting a better look at Taylor. Both women, ages 20 and 65 blushed bright red when Taylor came over to the rope and signed their programs. I saw this scene repeated many times. A group of men representing the Ohio State Alumni Organization begged for a photograph and a ten year veteran of the tournament said she had never asked for an autograph before, but she would be honored if Taylor would sign a picture taken from last year. If this happened once or twice, most fans would beam with pride. The fact that there were public displays of adoration at EVERY hole and even afterwards while the golfers were turning in their score cards, was amazing. I was confounded and prideful that seemingly everyone in Palm Springs wanted to adopt Taylor Hicks or at least invite him in to have a drink and dinner. No other celebrity received this amount of admiration and affection from the locals, which are usually jaded (another Hand to Heaven moment). When you are used to seeing Arnold Palmer and US Presidents walking in your backyard, your skin gets a little thick.

Happy

So how was he you asked? What struck me immediately was Taylor’s light-hearted affability. He strode across the links like a 12 year-old boy with a pocket full of money headed to the candy store. His loose gait and relaxed demeanor provided a bit of an insight into Taylor away from the stage. He seemed to appreciate the fact that he was playing on some of the best courses in the country. He joked with everyone and was supportive of his other teammates. Gone was the weariness that eight months of touring brings. Unguarded and happy would best describe his disposition.

Pictures

Cameras are expressly forbidden by the PGA unless you carry press credentials. One tournament marshal told someone standing next to me that she was breaking PGA law by taking a picture. I wanted to shout back, “So write her a PGA ticket”. I made the video below using images which I clandestinely captured, coupled with images that someone took using my camera and others from my friend Ken. Please enjoy the video and I hope you remember to do something today that makes you happy.

“I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win.” Arnold Palmer

Written by Pay the Devil
Published by : Tina Shaddix
Pictures and video by Pay the Devil

Taylor's Angels offers our heartfelt thanks to Pay the Devil for sharing this uplifting account, complete with pictures and video, of Taylor's Blue Sky Holiday! We sincerely hope that you enjoyed her unique and often humerous insight!

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor's Angels Presents.. Angel Hero of the Month!

2008-01-16T00:45:00.000-08:00

Taylor's Angels is sponsoring a new award that will be given each month to one very special person in the Soul Patrol Community. Starting this month we will be accepting nominations for "Hero of the Month”. The nominees should be a fan or supporter of Taylor Hicks who has done something extraordinary to help and/or give support to someone in need within the Soul Patrol community.
We all know someone who has offered words of encouragement during difficult circumstances or started a project to help lessen life's burdens. We all have been touched by acts of kindness inspired by Taylor Hicks, so we want to recognize those special people in a unique way.

One winner will be selected each month and will receive a beautiful bracelet designed especially for them. Additionally, Taylor's Angels will feature the winner and why they were selected as the "Hero of the Month" in our weekly blog.

The Hero of the Month for January is....
Debbie ( alagirl77)

Debbie belongs to a board called "The Right Place". A member of her board called "TurtleHeart" told the board about a little girl named Mallorie. Turtleheart let them know about a very sick little girl, who was a huge fan of Taylor Hicks. The little girl’s dream was to one day go to a concert and meet Taylor. The wonderful members of "The Right Place" took Mallorie's family under their wing and began to send her letters and Taylor things. Debbie started communicating with Renee( Mallorie's) mother and finding out what her needs were. She became her friend knowing the hardship she was facing with a sick child, she became someone to lean on. Debbie wrote a letter to Taylor's Angels and asked for tickets to a concert so this child's dream could come true. We told her we would work on it and got them tickets to the Orange Beach concert. In the end it all worked out for them and Mallorie's wish of meeting Taylor was granted by a very special promoter. Debbie not only wrote to us about Mallorie, she became a friend of Taylor’s Angels. She kept us updated on Mallorie's condition weekly. She helped the family with her kind words of encouragement and friendship. She encouraged the Soul Patrol, along with "TurtleHeart" to reach out to this family.

We chose Debbie because she went beyond the call of duty to help this family. She became their friend -someone they could count on. She has a beautiful heart. Her joy came from knowing that Mallorie's dream had come true. We asked Debbie to share a little about herself with the Soul Patrol and as you will read she has her own "claim to fame" in Taylor world!

TA: Tell us about yourself.

Debbie: I live in Alabaster, Al. very near Birmingham. I grew up in Southeastern Ohio in the small town of Chesapeake. I enjoy life and all it has to offer me each day. I value my family and friends for they add much joy to my life. I am about to start a new venture in my life. I am starting school this month to be an Esthetician, which I am looking forward to. I love challenges and rise to the occasion when it is needed.

TA: How did you become interested in Taylor? What inspired you about his music?

Debbie: I saw Taylor on AI season 5 and had never heard of him until then. My son and I were watching the show and when they said "Taylor Hicks from Birmingham" we were both glued to the television. From that point on, nothing could tear us away from AI each week. His voice and moves floored me and I was hooked. His personality came through on each and every show and I knew this guy’s was going places. I could feel the soulful talent that came within him, his music and talent was something that grabbed me and has never let go. Taylor brought me back to music, music I had been missing for such a long time.

TA: How many shows have you been to?

Debbie: I have attended 3 shows - not enough but I am thankful I was able to see those. I have seen him in other settings- but only 3 concerts.

TA: What is your favorite Taylor tune?

Debbie: From his debut album, I have to say "The Maze". That song and it's tempo moves me. From his concerts- I would have to say "Don't Let Me Down", that is an all time favorite of mine. It's had to pick one favorite. Anything and everything Taylor does "Wows" me.

TA: Share with us your favorite "Taylor Moment".

Debbie: It has to be the day I recorded his "hole in one" at the golf tournament. Getting to meet him and talk to him one on one. I was so nervous, but it's a day I will never forget. Also, getting to see Taylor at Alabama Adventure with LMBO was a treat. He was so in his element that night and talking to him briefly after the show was a moment to treasure.

TA: Tell us the story about the famous "Hole in One" you recorded.

Debbie: I watched Taylor practice his driving before he hit the greens. I had a moment to speak to him and get his autograph. We all began to follow the guys around the course. When we got to backside of the course we had a huge hill to climb. One of the men working there told us that it may be better to head to the bottom where the green was and wait there, so we did. I took a seat on the grass waiting on Taylor to drive. He made a perfect drive, right onto the green. As Taylor came down the hill and approached the green - something told me to pick up my camera and capture the shot. He took his time and aimed. Perfect putt and the ball went. Taylor did his happy dance and we were all on our feet screaming our hearts out for him. When he walked off the green he said, “If anyone got that video I will pay them!" and laughed. I yelled over to him that I had captured it. He said to me, "You got that?". I told him yes- I got it. He once again said, "You got that?” "You really got that shot?” I said “Yes Taylor, I got it!". He seemed to be in disbelief that it had been captured. He walked over to me and talked for a bit. Thanked me for getting the shot on video and asked if I could send it to him. He then asked if I would like a picture with him and at that point I totally went into the "Taylor Zone". That was a moment in time I will never forget as a Taylor Hicks fan! I made a DVD of his magical moment, along with pictures I had taken and sent it to him. I received a wonderful letter from his father thanking me.

TA: How did you meet Renee and Mallorie? What inspired you to contact us to help them?

Debbie: A dear Soul Patrol member, Turtleheart, brought a post from Renee on the AI boards over to us and it touched my heart. Reading what a mother wrote, such a heartfelt message for her sick little girl that is such a huge Taylor Hicks fan, to somehow see him in concert got my wheels turning. I contacted those that had connections by email or PM that could maybe help in making Mallorie's wish come true. I knew of Taylor's Angels and had read the blog many times. Someone on the boards suggested contacting Taylor's Angels. God and my heart led me to request this for Renee and her dear daughter. Taylor's Angels made that magical wish come true for Mallorie and I am so thankful to all of you. I thank God each day for the Sullivan family in my life. They have added much joy and love to my life.

Thank you Debbie for all you have done for this family and for sharing your story with the Soul Patrol!

We know that by now you have already thought of someone to nominate, so please email us at :taylors_angels@yahoo.com and we will send you a nomination form. You will be asked to answer a few short questions describing what the nominee has done to enhance the life of another and why they are deserving of the award.

Taylor’s Angels thanks each of you for your support this past year and we look forward to recognizing some outstanding Soul Patrollers during 2008!

Published by: Teri (cydter)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

The Journey Just to Dance with Taylor Hicks

2008-01-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Taylor Hicks garnered international fame not only with his voice but also with his unique dance style as he moved through the ranks of American Idol and ultimately brought home the title to end Season Five. With that same golden voice and funky dance moves, Taylor again wowed audiences during his 2007 national and international tours. Yet it was during Taylor's last official performance of 2007 that his exuberent dancing proved to be a monumental moment in the life of one young fan.

Taylor Hicks' performance during halftime of the 2007 Liberty Bowl on December 29 was billed as the highlight of the event. True to style, Taylor wowed the crowd with his single "Heaven Knows" and "The Runaround". But mid-way through the performance his microphone suddenly went silent. Without a voice, Taylor's seasoned showmanship became apparent as he seemingly instinctively relied upon those dance moves to entertain the over 60,000 fans in attendance. On stage with Taylor were several children who had received medical care for life threatening illnesses from St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Taylor extended his hand to one of these children in an invitation to dance and help entertain the crowd. As fate would have it, the young man who "cut a rug" with Taylor that evening was a huge fan of Taylor Hicks and was also from Taylor's hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. To say that this child supported Taylor throughout his climb to fame would be an understatement. However, his illness had prevented him from actually seeing his hometown hero in a live performance. But at the Liberty Bowl that evening, this young man's dream was surpassed as TOGETHER he and Taylor gave a performance of a lifetime.

Taylor's Angels is priviledged to share with you the story of this courageous boy, his fight for life and his "journey just to dance with Taylor Hicks". His mother penned these words:

Life as we know it changed on July 28 , 2006 when the word “cancer” was associated with my 5 year old son, Evan. We had been explaining away the aches and pains, fatigue, and crankiness for a couple of weeks and had, finally, convinced our pediatrician that these symptoms were not just a result of anemia. That fateful day has molded the rest of our lives. Evan was diagnosed at Birmingham Children’s Hospital with stage IV neuroblastoma, a cancer of the peripheral nervous system. Although this type of cancer is actually the third most common childhood cancer, it is the deadliest. The survival rate is 30%. That evening, we desperately searched for the best, the newest, the most extensive treatment program for our baby. We found St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. With a recommendation from our pediatrician, we arrived at St. Jude less than 48 hours from diagnosis, ready to fight with everything we had. Evan’s treatment plan consisted of a surgery to place a double Hickman catheter into his chest with which all chemotherapy would be administered and from which blood would be taken. This was followed by two rounds of low-dose chemo and nine rounds of high dose chemotherapy, most of which involved many nights in a hospital room. Evan also underwent a major surgery to remove his primary tumor in the abdominal area, which was unsuccessful due to the location of the tumor. After eight months of treatment, including countless medications, scans, blood transfusions, and shots to boost his white blood cell count, in spite of eight months away from our home and separated from our family, we discovered that Evan’s cancer had not responded sufficiently to the drugs he had been given. Three more doses of high dose chemotherapies were administered only to see no change. We were told that, although Evan had remained stable and in spite of his clinical health, Evan was terminally ill. Any further treatments would only be to prolong his life. Although these words were devastating, I knew then and continue to BELIEVE that no one knows our future except God. When we arrived at St. Jude in 2006, our once vibrant, dashing little man could barely walk. He could not climb stairs. He could not get into my small car. In June, even though the results of his scans were unfavorable, and still today, Evan can run, jump, skip and, most importantly, “cut” quite “a rug”! Since July, Evan has been on a clinical trial involving a special drug that is only given once a week over the course of an hour on an outpatient basis. It does not make him sick or tired. His hair has completely grown back. He has put on weight and he feels great! We were able to move back home to Birmingham and have lived a relatively what I like to call a “new normal” life. We are only impeded, most of the time, one day a week. We find ourselves extremely blessed that we chose St. Jude to treat our child and we feel that it was the best decision we could have made. We consider the doctors, nurses, staff members, and other patient families our family. Although extensive, Evan’s disease remains stable and we are trusting and BELIEVING in God’s plan. We know that ”all things work for good for those who love the Lord.”

Prior to Evan’s illness, our family watched American Idol religiously. By Season 5, Evan was old enough to understand what was going on and really got into the show. We were very excited to see Taylor Hicks, a Birmingham native, make it to Hollywood and were sold on his ingenuity and uniqueness from the beginning. We spent every week watching the show and rooting Taylor on. We were all very excited when he won!

Shortly after Evan's diagnosis and our arrival at St. Jude, someone sent Evan an American Idol door hanger to decorate. He spent quite a bit of time decorating it just the way he wanted, with “GO TAYLOR” letter stickers. It hung proudly on our hospital door for the remainder of our stay and then was transferred to our apartment door for quite a bit of time.

As Taylor began his solo tour in the south in early 2007, we were provided tickets and possible backstage passes to meet Taylor Hicks in Huntsville, Alabama but when the time came to go, Evan was just too sick and too exhausted physically to attend the concert. We forfeited our tickets in hopes that one day we would have another opportunity to see him perform live. This little wish came true in a big way when Evan was invited to attend the 2007 Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee as a representative of St. Jude. He would have the opportunity to dance on stage with Miss Liberty Bowl as Taylor performed. Evan is a natural performer. He loves to dance and sing and has no qualms whatsoever about getting up in front of thousands to perform. Little did we know that this little opportunity would prove to be a big score for Evan! During Taylor’s first tune, Evan sweetly wiggled on the side of the stage with the other children. During the second song, however, Taylor’s microphone went out. With nothing left to do BUT dance, at this point, he pulled Evan out into center stage with him. This, of course, was a dream come true for our little guy! He “tore it up”! He was putting on the moves! As he danced with Taylor, his grin could have lit the stadium. He was in heaven! My eyes filled with tears as I screamed from the sidelines. I knew that this was a magical time for him and I was so thankful for that opportunity. For a very brief time after the performance, Evan, along with the other children, got pictures taken with Taylor and Evan had him sign his CD. My son was two feet taller with pride and his eyes glimmered with satisfaction.

Life has been rough for our little guy. He has endured more than any one person should have to endure, but he has done it with such grace and flair. He has lived life and continues to live life to the absolute fullest and has taken advantage of any moment, any place, and any person to spread his joy of living through his incredible personality and his undying energy and love. I believe that God places people in our paths to be an example for others – a shining star. I am blessed that one of these people that God has placed in my path is my own flesh and blood, my own shining star - my son.
Taylor Hicks- Liberty Bowl Halftime Show from edjorg on Vimeo.

Evan's family invites you to share in his journey by visiting his care site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/evanthomason. They also ask for your prayers as Evan continues his treatment.

A WORD ABOUT ST. JUDE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP:

St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility anywhere. Discoveries made there have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

They are where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do more science, more quickly. Where doctors across the world send their toughest cases and most vulnerable patients. Where no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay. They've built America's 3rd-largest health-care charity, with a model that keeps the costs down and the funds flowing, so the science never stops.

All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay.

Taylor's Angels wishes to unite with the Soul Patrol in donating to St. Jude's Hospital in Taylor's name. An account is being set up so that the Soul Patrol can donate. The link is : Fans Care For St. Judes Kids

Taylor's name will appear within the next few days. Your donation will be greatly appreciated. Evan is proof of the help they provide!

Written by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)

Photos by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)

Video by EJ

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Inspired by Taylor Hicks...An Interview with Taylor Hicks

2008-01-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Soul Patrol!!! In the spirit of the holiday season, you have all joined us as we reminisced 2007. On behalf of all Taylor's Angels, I want to thank each of you for enjoying our thoughts, our guests' thoughts, and for supporting us in our cause to Tay-It-Forward.

Less than a year ago we formed only because we were fans of Taylor Hicks and we wanted to help one person join his official website. To say that that one act of kindness mushroomed into something none of us ever imagined would be an understatement. With your help, and ONLY with your help, we all sent over 400 people who could not afford to go to Taylor's concerts, we have given back to our troops, we have discovered and supported new charities, and, most recently, we all came together to help out one of our favorite promoters of Taylor's show when he and his family lost everything. When I look back on 2007, the profound generosity of so many people who I only know through my computer just floors me. And when I remember that all of this came about for one reason: because we all share respect, admiration, and love for the music of Taylor Hicks.

Because of our belief in his music, we have each been inspired to come together and to do so much good work. We have been inspired to travel places we might not have otherwise visited and to become friends with people on the other side of your state, your country, our globe.

This very day one year ago, I didn't know the significance that 2007 would have for me. I had no idea there would be a second Birmingham show, much less that it would be the show that made 2500 people cry during Taylor's encore song and that it would be the last one of a week of Taylor shows that I'd share with a wonderful woman from Canada who I had never met until then. I also had no inkling that I would be flying next to and staring in awe at the magnificent Mt. Hood as my plane was descending into Portland; or that I would visit the beautiful venue formerly known as Woodstock in the breathtaking range of the Catskills; hadn't dreamed I'd learn how to play video poker in Vicksburg or that I would even visit the battleground there alone with a fabulous woman I had just met the night before, and I certainly didn't think that I would be able to hug for the first time someone I was about to grow close to over the internet and the phone; didn't have a clue some awesome chick from California would rope me into a killer game of "Name That Tune" somewhere and everywhere between Biloxi and New Orleans; I had never heard of a "HOB" but I was in for a real treat at the one in New Orleans. And Taylor's Angels wasn't even a twinkle in anyone's eyes. Not only did I have no idea what was in store for me, but, every bit of it was inspired and driven by an appreciation of man and his music. Slowly but certainly, going to a new location became more than just catching Taylor in concert, it has become a chance to see a different part of our big and wonderful world, and, most importantly, a time to reconnect with my new friends and to embrace even newer ones. That is the true spirit I take with me when I go to a new city to see one of Taylor's shows. The concert is the icing on the cake.

So, what do I resolve to do (or not do) in 2008? I don't know. I wish I could have 2007 again. That much I do know. But, as the saying goes, I will not cry because it is over, but I will smile because it happened.

With so many surprises that last year held for me, I hesitate to even try to make any New Year's resolutions for 2008. I don't want to be so rigid that I don't have room for more surprises. None of us knows what 2008 holds for us, but my wish to each of you is that your year is as full of the gifts, happy times, and new friendships as mine was last year. My committment to each of you and to myself is to continue helping all of you spread the goodwill that we all accomplished in 2007.

So, instead of coming up with a list of resolutions, I will make a committment. A committment to the Soul Patrol, on behalf of the man who inspired me in so many ways. And I can't think of a better way to begin that commitment than with some words from Taylor himself. So, in appreciation to each of you for the good work that you did last year through Taylor's Angels, we would like to help you start the year off right and re-committing yourself to the Soul Patrol by bringing to each of you an interview we had with Taylor Hicks, the man and the reason we have all been inspired in so many ways. We would also like to share with you some exclusive and never-before seen pictures of Taylor taken by our own Tina-- I think you'll find them as fabulous as we do. Enjoy the interview and pictures and have a fabulous New Year!!! I hope to see each of you in 2008-- I just don't know where yet!

TA: Who is your hero living or dead? What is it about his person that makes them your hero?

Taylor Hicks: I have many heros. Ray Charles is the first that comes to mind. He was definitely my biggest musical inspiration growing up. Ray Charles defined rhythm & blues, soul, and authentic rock 'n' roll. I respected the genius.

TA: What else about him aside from his music, has been an inspiration and motivated you to keep on with your ultimate life goal.

Taylor Hicks: His drive. With so many hardships in his life it would have been easy to give up but instead he pushed himself to do more and achieved greatness!

TA: Taylor , what do you consider to be your greatest strength, and what is the source of the strength of your character?

Taylor Hicks: Perseverance and Self Confidence. You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. Confidence comes with proper preparation; everything else is beyond your control. I once heard that a successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her. I definitely apply that to my own life and use every experience as a learning opportunity.

TA: It is perhaps three important attributes personified in you that have endeared you to your fans. In your book, Heart Full of Soul, you elaborate in detail on two of these including your passion for music and your perseverance against all odds. However, the third attribute that you consistently display is one of a caring and compassionate spirit combined with humility. Can you elaborate on these qualities and the experiences in your life that have helped shape your views and actions, which in turn has touched so many, particularly children and those less fortunate, in immeasurable ways.

Taylor Hicks: Being humble is so important. It is so easy to loose sight of the things that got you to where you are. I strive on staying grounded and not get “blinded by the light”. You also have to be selfless in your actions. I believe that actions speak louder than words. Give and you shall receive.

TA: If you had children, what would be the most important things you would want to instill in them?

Taylor Hicks: I would tell them to always be giving, loving, kind, and most importantly respectful. And always say yes when their parents ask them to do something!

TA: Do you have a favorite or daily mantra? If so, what is it, when did you adopt it and what does it mean to you?

Taylor Hicks: I don’t have a mantra, however, every morning I start my day with breakfast. To me, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it provides the energy I need to start my day off right!

Written and Published by Leslie Mozingo
All photos taken by Tina Shaddix

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels

Taylor Hicks....... Walking in Memphis!

2007-12-29T11:01:00.000-08:00

Taylor Hicks grooves Memphis and has taken it by storm! He arrived yesterday and visited Graceland. He also did an interview with Sirius Radio. You can listen to it here:

(capture by Gypsee @Tmo)

(picture credit: TMO)

Last night he attended the Liberty Bowl President's Gala at The Peabody Hotel where he received an award and performed for the audience. There were plenty of Soul Patrol members at the event and everyone agreed that he rocked the house !

(photo credit EJ)

The Setlist
Taylor Hicks Concert
Liberty Bowl President’s Gala
Memphis, TN
Peabody Hotel
December 28, 2007

Brian Less, Piano/Organ
Josh Smith, Guitar
Al (Boogie) Carty, Bass
Jeff Lopez, Sax
Felix Pollard, Drums

Rockin Pneumonia/Hey Pockey Way
Gonna Move
Give Tonight
Just To Feel That Way
My Friend
Naked in the Jungle
Medicated Goo
Heaven Knows
The Maze
The Runaround
Encore: Soul Thing
(courtesy of the Boogie Board Cellcert)

(picture credit: EJ)

Stay tuned!!! We will be posting live pictures and video of the Liberty Bowl as it happens!!! It starts at 4:30 EST!!!!!

They have arrived!

Halftime has started:

Videos have come back with no sound... they are on their way home with Digital Camera Video. Taylor sang 2 songs and in the Runaround quit singing to dance with the St. Jude's kids... Too Cute.

Here are some short clips:

We have Video!!!

(capture by WildRosegirl)

Taylor Hicks at The Liberty Bowl from cydter on Vimeo.

Taylor Hicks at the Liberty Bowl - Heaven Knows from cydter on Vimeo.

Leslie-- Liberty Bowl from Leslie Mozingo on Vimeo.

Hey there, Soul Patrol!!! This is Leslie. Just thought I'd add a brief recap. I arrived at the Liberty Bowl shortly before the game started-- not because we were running late, we had started out for the game in plenty of time, but traffic was a real bear! The mood of the crowd was very festive and polite and we had absolutely no problems getting into the stadium.

We had no idea which gate to enter, so we decided to go into the closest one, and, lo and behold, our section was right there at the top of the gate! We had fantastic seats-- about the 35 yard line and 17 rows up from the bench of the Mississippi State team. We were sitting on the SEC side, but it appeared to us that most of the stadium WAS the SEC side!

Now, I come from a long line of Mississippi State alums on my dad's side of the family and I've been to my fair share of Bulldawg games, although it's been a while--apparently QUITE a while because I had completely forgotten how loud the fans can get with their cowbells. Cowbells? Yes-- and I don't know the entire history, but, suffice it to say that MSU started as an agricultural school, someone along the way incorporated a cowbell as a "cool" school symbol, and it's never left. Having said that, if you haven't been to an MSU game, then visualize yourself sitting smack dab in the middle of 60 thousand VERY vocal and diehard fans, covered in maroon, screaming their lungs out while waiving their cowbells-- some peoople even had one for each hand. Maybe I'm out of practice for these games, or maybe I'm getting old, but one thing is for certain: I found myself getting a horrible headache and sending a text to a friend pleading "NO MORE COWBELLS!!!" Sorry, Will Farrell, but, NO! we don't need anymore cowbells! LOL!

Halftime came and each school's band had a chance to perform briefly. Both schools, MSU and University of Central Florida, had huge bands and both did a great job. And then, the moment the Soul Patrol had waited for-- THE stage was being wheeled out onto stage and Taylor Hicks was being announced!!!

Taylor looked great in jeans and jacket. On stage with him were children who are patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. No band, just Tay and the kids-- Oh, and some woman in a red ballgown-- I still haven't figured out who she was, but she looked pretty!! LOL!

Taylor started off with Heaven Knows. His voice sounded great and he gave us a lot of his trademark dancing and whirls. He went immediately into The Runaround with more dancing. Unfortunately, about halfway through the song, Taylor's mic went out completely. No advance warning, no advance staticky noises-- just OUT. Being the trooper that he is, Taylor seemed to take this in stride and just started dancing on the stage with the children from St. Jude's. It was really sweet and a good save to an otherwise major mess up!

With that, the half time show ended and Taylor left the stage only to get lost in the crowd.

My friends and I stayed around for a bit more of the game, but decided to leave only because we were all freezing and no amount of hot chocolate was going to warm us up.

I believe MSU wound up winning the game and if I listen real closely, I can still hear the clanging of 60 thousand cowbells in celebration!!! Congratulations to both teams for having a great year in football and congratulations to Taylor on this memorable weekend.

Taylor Hicks' Return to Nashville and Fulfillment of a Dream

2007-12-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

Taylor Hicks spent over a year in Nashville, prior to appearing on American Idol, writing his music and waiting for that one big break to have his music heard and published. One day with no prospects in sight and when he felt that his chances for this happening had eluded him, he walked to the Ryman Auditorium in the early morning hours when the streets were still with only a few people stirring around. Taylor Hicks walked around the Ryman several times dreaming of one day playing at the Ryman Auditorium and sharing his music with the world. In some ways he probably thought that this was only a dream, but one dream that he hoped would one day come true. Little did he know what what was in store for him.
This is what one supporter/fan shared of that special moment when Taylor Hicks' dream of playing at the Ryman Auditorium came true.

Nashville, Tennessee is the "Country Musical Capital" of the world. Nashville is
also a very tough town, even for the best and the brightest. Living in Bakersfield, California has taught me a little about both titles. Bakersfield is known as Nashville-West. In the 1950s, when Nashville started adding flutes and violins to their over orchestrated hits, Bakersfield’s musicians, like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard responded by pickin’ the Fender Telecasters in the City’s honkytonks. In my employment at the County Museum, I walk by sequined pants worn by Barbara Mandrell and double-neck Mosrite guitars each day. Country music is never far my thoughts and its history is literally around the corner from my desk.

In March 2007, I had a chance to visit Nashville as part of my Taylor Hicks seven-concert swing through the south. I called the trip, “The Grits and Hicks Tour 2007”. Nashville, apart from Birmingham, was to be the highlight of the trip. I was not disappointed.

I arrived in Nashville after leaving Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville, with its broad freeways and new construction, reminded me of Orange County, California. (Just a note about Huntsville, I really liked the town. During my visit, I saw street sweepers cleaning up the area’s poorest neighborhoods. I give kudos to a town that does not give up on its poor.) With my rental car’s GPS system, navigating the one-way streets in downtown Nashville was a snap. I was staying at the Marriot Courtyard because of its proximity to the Ryman. The bellman at the Marriot was gracious, but hesitated to give me the name of the closest sushi restaurant when asked. He said the owner of “Sam’s Sushi Bar” had requested that the Courtyard not send over any guests. Wow, you know it’s a tough town when a hole-in-the-wall sushi purveyor does not want out-of-towners leaving their soiled cash behind. (If you are ever in Nashville and want great inexpensive sushi, please visit Sam’s at 200 Fourth Avenue North – tell him someone staying at the Courtyard across the street recommended his place!)

There were dozens of Soul Patrollers strolling the halls and hanging out in the lobby of the Courtyard. Once a bank, the Courtyard’s lobby is beautiful. Its over stuffed couches and internet access made it a mecca for the SP member away from their DSL/lifeline connection. As we all scattered to various restaurants for dinner, I hooked up with one of my favorite SP members, RED. (Of course, her name isn’t RED and only Miss Clairol knows if she really is RED, but for her privacy, I will call her RED here) RED and I headed down to Broadway for dinner; it is a major thoroughfare and was located down the hill and just passed the Ryman. A real southern lady and Vanderbilt graduate, RED knew Nashville. After good food and terrific conversation, we decided to troll Broadway for great country music.

In Amsterdam, women of the evening stand in storefront windows enticing passersby with their wares. Nashville has a similar marketing system. Small three and four piece combo bands, crowd into tiny storefront stages and perform with their backs to the pedestrians along Broadway and hopefully to a full bar of drinking patrons in front of them. RED and I checked out a few of the bands and ended up at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Probably the best known of the small clubs on Broadway, the band at Tootsie’s was wonderful. With all of the schlock on the radio today, I am ALWAYS dumbfounded when I hear extraordinary talent in clubs that charge .25 cents to use the restroom. The band in Tootsie’s was on fire and the middle-of-the-week crowd loved every hard jamming country minute. RED and I stood near the front and enjoyed the show on the stage. RED would tell you I was solicited by a Hottie Blonde that appeared entranced by the buttons on my blouse and by a Cowboy that suffered from manorexia. All I will say is that what happens at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge stays at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.

After a near kidnapping by a gypsy cab and an attempt to visit the Bluebird Cafe, RED and I headed back to the Courtyard and talked until 4AM in the morning.

After waking up at the crack of 9AM, I dressed quickly and went exploring alone. All of the earnest hard working people of Nashville were scurrying to work with Starbucks and Blackberry’s clutched in their gloved hands. With my own coffee in hand, I walked the few blocks to the Ryman and sat down across the street from the Mother Church of Country Music. Dwarfed by the large buildings that surround it, the Ryman looks out of place amongst the steel, glass, and concrete. There is a nice new visitor entrance out front, but it still seems incongruous with its surroundings. I noticed in the ally behind the Ryman there was a familiar Provost Bus parked and I decided it was time to take the Ryman Museum Tour.

The Ryman is part auditorium, part museum, and the sanctorum of country music. I heard half a dozen languages spoken as I waited to purchase my ticket for the Museum Tour. When I entered the auditorium, I noticed the Taylor Hicks’ road crew had already set the stage with the band’s amplifiers and instruments. The “Taylor Hicks” light on the curtain that appeared at the previous four shows I had attended had not yet been lit.

The Ryman building is much larger than the auditorium you have seen in videos. A docent does not guide the Museum Tour, so I was provided an opportunity to explore all parts of the facility on my own. While sitting in a pew in the balcony, they lit the “Taylor Hicks” sign on the curtain. I took a picture of it with my cell phone and sent it to a friend. It was posted on Gray Charles within minutes (Love Technology).

While touring the building and reading its interpretative exhibit panels, I noticed that a film crew was setting up in the balcony area. A tall gentleman that was organizing the setup asked if I was a Taylor Hicks fan. I said sure and he suggested that I wait nearby. Within, minutes Taylor joined the film crew, just a couple of feet from where I was standing. There were about a dozen of us up on the balcony. This is what my camera captured.

After the interview Taylor checked out the Ryman’s stage area

After taking a few more pictures of the Ryman’s interior, I headed to Sam’s for sushi.

While the Ryman had its share of Soul Patrol in its pews that night, the majority of the audience was local. Men, women, and children that had sent text messages and dialed for their gray-haired blue-eyed soul singer during American Idol awaited his live performance with much chatting and anticipation. I had somehow been blessed and the TicketMaster gods had smiled on me and awarded me with a seat in a pew next to the stage. My view was super and the show was awesome. Loren lead the band in lock-step behind every move that Taylor made. Taylor worked each part of the stage.

After the show, lots of folks hung out around the buses. RED and I had made plans to have dinner at the same place as the previous evening, so I skedaddled out of the venue and crossed the street to the perch I found early in the morning and waited for RED. Besides the traffic immediately next to the venue, downtown was quiet. I was reminded how lonely large cities can be at night. Stripped of bustling daily commerce and lunchtime inhabitants, Nashville’s downtown after 10PM during the middle of the week was very quiet. As I walked down to the restaurant on Broadway, I could image how difficult this town must be for people chasing their dreams. Singers that stick it out in places like Nashville are driven. My own aunt’s experience reinforced Nashville’s mythology as a town that can suck the very life out of a creative person. My aunt, that today pulls down a hefty six-figure salary, once lived in the restrooms in Lebanon State Park about 30 miles from Nashville for three winter months while looking for work in the Nashville area. As I pulled my coat tighter around me, I could understand the desperation and subsequent depression that someone must feel when they are doing everything they can possibly do to make their dreams come true, yet having little to no success in turning their dreams into reality. It’s not about working hard enough or wanting it more than anything else; those two things and $4.35 will buy you a Venti White Mocha Frappuccino at Starbucks, but little else. That is the worst part of it, the seemingly lack of control over your own financial and creative future.

RED was a no show at dinner, so I took the time and began to plan a video on a cocktail napkin that would convey my gratitude to Mr. Hicks for sticking out the rough times in Nashville. I was very interested in doing something from the perspective of the stage. I wanted to record the time and moment when Mr. H returns to Nashville as a conquering hero. Written, it looks like hyperbole, but when my aunt returned to Nashville last year and was picked up by a limo at the airport, the ghosts of twenty years ago magically faded away and she no longer dreaded crossing the Mason-Dixon. I created the video below in hopes that it would serve as a reminder to Mr. Hicks that those ghosts are gone and his future his alone to determine.

I would like to thank RED, the Hottie Blonde, Sam the Sushi Nazi, and the Cowboy with manorexia for an absolutely fabulous visit to Nashville. I would like to thank Taylor Hicks for reminding each of us to believe in our dreams.

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill

Published by maryann1
Written by PaytheDevil

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels