Monday, May 16, 2011

Taylor Hicks Talks CDs, Writing, and Nashville

TMO Media caught up with Taylor Hicks for a quick chat about his upcoming CD and some of his thoughts on writing and producing in Nashville, the music city!

Take a look and feel free to leave your comments here or on the site :)

Thanks, Taylor Hicks, for taking time from your busy schedule to talk to us!

Link to Interview:

Taylor Interview on TMO

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Taylor Hicks ~So Musical at Musica~A Recap!


So...I drove 3+ hours in the rain to get to Akron, Ohio. It went fast and the ride was pleasant because it was filled with expectation and excitement. Why, you ask? Why else? I was going to a Taylor Hicks concert again!

I had not been to a Taylor Hicks show since last summer, due to family and travel issues, so this was a special treat. And BOY, was it ever worth it! Musica is situated quite oddly in an alley off a main street. Our hotel was close by but due to weather, we took a taxi to eat at Crave, which was excellent by the way. We then walked over to the entrance to Musica, which was a building with a small doorway entrance through the alley...LOL.

What a surprise once we entered! It appeared to be a converted garage and was just fantastic inside! Classy woody atmosphere with beams and wood built bar. Very nice but small stage and had tables on the floor in front, and then back tables with bar stools and some standing room. Acoustics were great! Venue wasn't full until just before Taylor came on and then it was fully packed!

We chose a table back on the raised part with bar stools and a ledge to rest our things on. This was directly in front of the stage and slightly above the floor, so we had a fantastic view of the entire place and of course, Taylor and his band. The usual introductions took place after the opening act, and then Taylor Hicks entered the stage area.

The rest of the evening just flew by and became a blur and whirl of some of the MOST FANTASTIC performances I've seen from our SoulMan yet! Three standouts for me were:

Maybe You Should, the most tender version ever!


Rough Go Go Ridin, a Van Morrison cover and new addition to the set list.


And the encore song, Ohio which was very well received.

Nineteen also got a huge applause and Jeff played his always poignant sax piece at the end. Taylor did Naked in the Jungle, a song which he hasn't performed for a while and which got the place rockin hard! As I looked around me, I saw a group of young fans who were totally into him and also some new faces from the Akron area. When I spoke to a couple in back of me, the woman shared that they had never seen Taylor Hicks in concert and that this was a 20 yr anniversary present for each other. After the show, I asked how they liked it and they were all but speechless :)

Our SoulMan made Akron's storms small in comparison to the mighty power Taylor Hicks and his fantastic Band raised in the small but well filled venue! If you need a little peek at this wonderful show to inspire you to buy a ticket for a future show, click the video above....and have some tissue handy :)

After the show, people did not want to leave. Taylor signed and took photos, and then the band stayed to hang out with those of us who were still there. All in all, a fabulous evening with Taylor Hicks and his band, and well worth the wet ride up there. I cannot wait for Manistee!

For my all of my videos, you can check Gypsee44 at Youtube to watch. To get downloads and my photos, please visit our member area at TaylorMadeOnline Media in our Tour 2011 section, Musica in Akron.

LOVED THE SHOW, LOVE YOU TAYLOR HICKS, LOVE YOU, BAND!

Musica Set List:
Compared to What
Just To Feel That Way
Back to Louisana
The Maze
Hold On To Your Love
Maybe You Should
Rough God Go Ridin
Can't You Hear Me Knocking
Naked in the Jungle
Seven Mile Breakdown
*Encore*
Ohio

The Right Place_The View