Taylor Hicks~Ballys Reload

Taylor Hicks has returned to Ballys in Vegas.  The songs are pretty much the same, the stage is pretty much the same , and the energy level is....well...POUNDING.  Is it old hat?   Is it just the same ole same ole?   Not a CHANCE!

When Taylor Hicks takes the stage with his incredible band full of musical excellence, you never once think, oh I've done this and heard this before.   Instead, you are immediately drawn in by his magical presence, his shining silver hair, his intense passion, and.a voice that can raise chills and burn you alive all at the same time.

A Taylor Hicks Ballys set opens with a much loved Idol favorite of " Living For The City," and you are catapulted into a mix of rock and soul that can't be found in too many other places.  The always beautiful "Maybe You Should" is offered with raw passion and genuine heart.   One of my favorites is "Back To Louisiana," which heated up the Indigo Lounge on this evening to a fever pitch.  The harmonica was a little extra good and the charming Taylor banter with the audience was in top form.

The new musical addition was Sinatra's "That's Life," which had the audience swaying along.  By the time he and the band had gotten through "Love The One You're With," the crowd was as stoked as Taylor was.   Jamie McLean and his band were superb as always, Brian G. On the horn was pure pleasure, and the truly incredible Brian Less on keyboard was beyond description.

At first, Taylor had some mic stand issues, but in true Taylor Hicks form, he managed to joke his way to a new one and entertain us while they made the adjustment.  I have to say....once again...."Nineteen" brought me and everyone around me to tears.  I brought my family to see the show and they were speechless after hearing this moving tribute to our Troops.

The close of the show was as joyful and exciting as I've ever seen!  "Seven Mile Breakdown" had people clapping, foot stomping, singing along, and with great big smiles.  By the time the curtains were opened and "Viva Las Vegas" rang out, the audience was cheering and as energetic as Taylor himself.

For a southern boy and his buddies, missing their Alabama football super team on the field, they created their own special brand of "Roll Tide!"  And that Tide swept away any question of whether a return trip to Ballys, Las Vegas was worth the effort.   The answer is unequivocally YES!!!

For ticket info, go to Ticketmaster and get yourself a pass to THE hottest show on the strip!  It's not a repeat, folks.  It's a continuation of the most musical fun you can have in the magical, crazy city of Las Vegas.  And those of us who attended this show can vouch for that!

Taylor Hicks~The Ballys Experience!

Taylor Hicks is at Ballys. This is last Monday night's performance. It's an hour before show time. The line begins to form, the buzz begins to swirl. The excitement is palpable. "Have you seen him before?" "Oh Yea, lots of times and he's great! Have you?" "No, never but I've heard about this and I can't wait to see it!"

So it goes....The excitement continues to climb and swirl, and soon, they are letting us in! Immediately, I knew I'd landed in Taylor Hicks Twilight Zone...this was truly going to be an out of body, out of mind experience. I have a front table. As I glance around me, I see many difference expressions on many faces, but they all spell A.N.T.I.C.I.P.A.T.I.O.N. They've heard about it, they've read about it, they've seen snippets of it....and now they are about to LIVE IT!

The band walks out onto the stage and waits. The Jimmy Fallon "Friday" clip begins to play. Those of us who know what is in store, or think we know, are already shaking with energy. Those who have not seen Taylor Hicks before are waiting, not knowing what they are going to be hit by in just a few moments. And then.....the Soulman is announced by his fabulous keyboardist, Brian Less....and Taylor literally bursts onto the stage. There isn't time to prepare adequately, no time to breathe deeply or call for oxygen....the barrage has begun and IT'S GOOD!

Taylor Hicks in concert at Ballys, Vegas is an experience no one who loves live music should miss, if at all possible to see it. As he takes the stage and the mic, his pure and powerful voice full of soul captures you and enraptures you, and from the first notes and quirky Taylor moves, you are mesmerized.

Tonight is no exception! He begins with "Living For the City," an immediate snap back to his past Idol performances and win. The crowd goes crazy. From there on, it's just great stuff! Saturday night, Taylor sang "Minute by Minute," a nod to Michael McDonald. On this night, he changes that nod to "Taking It To The Streets." Everyone is dancing in their seats and again, as I look around me, the smiles are big enough to light the entire casino. I am smiling and also, tearing up, because I am back watching a young man on American Idol who has captured us like no other due to his odd and often goofy, but so endearing style. And then watching this same musical genius headline his own show in Las Vegas, and my own goofy emotions just take over.

This Taylor Hicks show delivers like all his shows do, but there is just something extra magical about tonight. The band is rocking out, especially Brian Less on keyboards and Jamie McLean on guitar. And Taylor is singing a funky, bluesy, and masterful version of "The Ghetto." When he finishes, the crowd goes crazy! Earlier in the show, he blew us away with "Back To Louisiana," but this performance of that much loved Elvis song is so amazing, it tops it all for me. And the ever poignant "Nineteen" brings its customary and moving standing ovation for Taylor Hicks and his talented band, with Brian Gallagher adding his soulful sax at the end.

We end with "Seven Mile Breakdown," which has the entire audience dancing and screeching and cheering. There is a couple from Mississippi who is familiar with the Florabama, and they are just enthralled with this song. People are dancing in the aisles, people are clapping til their hands ache and singing along, and most of all....there is F.U.N. in abundance! When Taylor leaves the stage, the audience is pulsating with high excitement for his encore. And then, he bursts back onto the stage and gives us what we all feel after seeing him there..."Viva Las Vegas!"

There is no doubt...Taylor Hicks is a FEEL GOOD show! There is also no doubt that he is a consummate professional and probably one of the best live stage musicians around. If you are in Vegas and miss this show, you have missed the coolest musical opportunity on the strip. He is there one more week and then off to Harrah's in Reno, so GET A TICKET to the most amazing and enjoyable musical ride you can find!

Just a personal note....after the show as Taylor Hicks stands among adoring fans, both present and new, to sign items and take pictures, I am filled with pride, albeit a small pride. I am not his family, management, or intimate confidant. I am just a fan of the man and his music....a very PROUD fan.

For more pictures of my Taylor Hicks Experience in Las Vegas, go here: :
Taylor Vegas
For tickets and info on Taylor Hicks in Las Vegas, go here: :
Ballys

Taylor Hicks ~ Wins Big in Vegas!

Most people head to Las Vegas with hopes and expectations of a fun filled trip and possibly a big win at the casinos. Many come away with some of those hopes fulfilled and many come away with empty pockets and a tired few days. But all come away with a unique experience from Las Vegas. There is one person who went to Vegas with a different purpose, with hopes of a different kind of win. There is one person who went to Vegas on a lark and came back a King of the stage. That person is Taylor Hicks....American Idol Winner, Broadway Star, Touring Artist, and even Restaurateur with his classy diner ORE in Birmingham, and is a major all around fantastic entertainer.

When Taylor Hicks went to Las Vegas before the fifth season of American Idol, it was a detour due to flights being cancelled or changed from the Katrina storms. It was one of the few places he could get a flight to from the tragic events of Katrina, and he likes to tell the story of how he came to audition for Idol. So, Taylor Hicks' trip to Vegas wasn't filled with dreams of hitting the big slots win or making a fortune at the tables in the casinos. His dreams extended beyond that to the big stage, where he could "get his voice heard." Boy, did he ever! His win on Idol with his unique talent and artistry and a tight fan base which never let him down and still doesn't, was the springboard to a national tour for his first CD, to various TV and radio appearances, to a starring role in Broadway's "Grease" as Teen Angel and then on to the National Tour of the play in the same role.

From there, Taylor Hicks continued his career as a touring artist, selling out his shows wherever he went, whether it was overseas, in a small bar venue, or the large casinos. It seems this was big preparation for an even bigger Las Vegas Win. And now, Taylor realizes his Jackpot has come in with a huge BANG! He is returning to the scene of the beginning of his Dream which lead him on a Journey he never imagined, but always felt he was destined for. Taylor Hicks has landed himself a residency at Ballys for the summer of 2012! This is a first for any American Idol contestant or winner. Some have appeared there in a single show, including Taylor himself, but none have secured their own headline show for a run before.

And who better than Taylor Hicks to accomplish this? He was unique from the start on Idol, whether you got his talent or not, and captured audience attention from the moment he took the stage each week until the final note of his performance. Not much has changed in that respect these days....Taylor Hicks still mesmerizes his audience as soon as he walks out with his equally amazing band, and delivers a show that has you dancing in your seats and leaving with a huge smile and often a photo with the Man himself.

What to expect from a Taylor Hicks Las Vegas show? It's anyone's guess. But you can place your money on a sure bet that you will NOT be disappointed and that you will come away feeling good and wanting more. Taylor Hicks has won big in Las Vegas! His slot machine was a giant pull on a small dream that paid off HUGELY after six years of hard work and dedication to his music. It wasn't overnight, because this artist has spent years honing his talent. But his first gamble began in Las Vegas and has paid off to lead him back here in triumph and set a role model for American Idol contestants and winners, and other hopefuls who want to follow their dreams.

I can't think of a better person to start that roulette wheel turning. After years of rehearsal in his early musical life, Taylor Hicks placed a bet during his first trip to Las Vegas that has led him to the best win of all! Make sure to share this win with him....maybe it will bring you luck too :)

TMO got a chance to ask Taylor his thoughts on his new gig. Here is what he had to say. Think he's excited at all? :):)
"I am honored and thrilled to be a part of the folklore of Vegas! This residency is going to be great!!"

For tickets and info on Taylor Hicks in Las Vegas, go here: :
Ballys

Taylor Hicks~TaylorMadeOnline Closing

TaylorMadeOnline has been around since Taylor's first note on Idol, published January 11, 2006. The past six years have been an absolute Joy to experience, helping promote Taylor Hicks, an artist who is the REAL DEAL and a consumate professional in all ways.

Taylor Hicks has gone from our living room TV winning American Idol to a Broadway Show headliner, numerous TV and radio appearances, and several whirlwind tours that will soon pick up again when his new CD drops this year.

TMO_Media has been with him every step of the way, providing as much video, audio, and photos as possible to his fans, and to Taylor, to re-live again and again. But now it's time for TaylormadeOnline to close up shop as far as new media. With the rich availability of YouTube and Vimeo, plus the new communication arenas of Twitter and Facebook, Taylor has a wealth of support and opportunities for fans new and old to see and hear him. And I have need of more time in my outside life now to pursue my other passion, helping with Animal Rescue :)

Our doors will remain open and there are some threads still open for all to enjoy, both member and nonmember. TMO will still post updates about Taylor Hicks on our Twitter page and occasionally reference older media where appropriate. But no new media will be posted.

It is a bittersweet decision. I have so enjoyed getting to know the fans and helping Taylor Hicks promote his career. And media has always been my first love. However, I am also overjoyed that Taylor is doing so well that so many media sites feature him! He is a Joy to behold on and offstage!

Please keep on supporting this great artist and song writer! I know I will :)

Thank you to everyone who has helped make TMO Media the great library that it is today both members and staff, and most of all...Taylor Hicks! TMO could have never done it without the generous contributions of fans and without the man who is the focus...a fantastic talent!

Keep on, Soul Man! You are TOPS!