tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27271203225180778322024-03-05T17:10:47.139-06:00Taylor Tuesdaytalk music to mecarylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-36027106350346472082010-09-19T15:06:00.006-05:002010-09-19T15:32:15.082-05:00Taylor Hicks on Stage in VermontTaylor Hicks<br />Paramount Theatre, Rutland Vermont<br />September 18th, 2010<br />Photos by kcortez<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZF1x1u5ZxZI1Q0l2Tc-anUGuMYFJH5_RuYJPnKLbe11jZlu5y1LC1438gnb-B8icGEeXvJKonY58We1V_IBnZFb78TCfoFi1YKFCV2PlW2QJPwNaRoTSstyaNtu-SMOwH5tSjntoa9I/s1600/164233729.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518723305818138674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZF1x1u5ZxZI1Q0l2Tc-anUGuMYFJH5_RuYJPnKLbe11jZlu5y1LC1438gnb-B8icGEeXvJKonY58We1V_IBnZFb78TCfoFi1YKFCV2PlW2QJPwNaRoTSstyaNtu-SMOwH5tSjntoa9I/s400/164233729.jpg" /></a><br />sound check<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkklgCxeFl1b1cqwjys1AxLypjyPaA-49gqoS-5JzFUP7Otupd5FhP7rIQg8wxc3jeEV3uJDVal8-QZdDSI_i1hNwU6A8zROd-h52uNAnpExDyIaxrHJ9Xo34osQsRaosT2ItY5HBxXCw/s1600/164248585-041b9377118d48ebd2af202b4eb2775b_4c9598d0-scaled.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518723297474086850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkklgCxeFl1b1cqwjys1AxLypjyPaA-49gqoS-5JzFUP7Otupd5FhP7rIQg8wxc3jeEV3uJDVal8-QZdDSI_i1hNwU6A8zROd-h52uNAnpExDyIaxrHJ9Xo34osQsRaosT2ItY5HBxXCw/s400/164248585-041b9377118d48ebd2af202b4eb2775b_4c9598d0-scaled.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWIu7GvSfgniON-bD1a5w5LJahtPxx2brtiIZEi31Cc6dpiIVNfdapBuByr5pSMGsX1hcfQwhpE9zzv39dc8pxupG3IZGy1iiSf0CbyXjhVCtU1ZjFXeMSeBTZ_zo5Gr4tny-OJ912oI/s1600/164257871-58d497316df536c98940a27096c225d8_4c9598d0-scaled.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518723294014385906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWIu7GvSfgniON-bD1a5w5LJahtPxx2brtiIZEi31Cc6dpiIVNfdapBuByr5pSMGsX1hcfQwhpE9zzv39dc8pxupG3IZGy1iiSf0CbyXjhVCtU1ZjFXeMSeBTZ_zo5Gr4tny-OJ912oI/s400/164257871-58d497316df536c98940a27096c225d8_4c9598d0-scaled.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uxJyS11fiDaVu_eAW-pUi74zF0vZbh0_uOeddMZiDub6sA70NihNvmOq-tj92FKT6xVeI3kcCbNXZN0YUDlFkVPW32u8j0_e52hSSksSRAPc80tdUOx3x4slrJ_M3M4jMalTg4mwFKU/s1600/164259769.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518723286158767506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uxJyS11fiDaVu_eAW-pUi74zF0vZbh0_uOeddMZiDub6sA70NihNvmOq-tj92FKT6xVeI3kcCbNXZN0YUDlFkVPW32u8j0_e52hSSksSRAPc80tdUOx3x4slrJ_M3M4jMalTg4mwFKU/s400/164259769.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxksqvtHwU1HHERg44goy1LnoL05FzwXsKytXGWAC0FlZjGgGR1Qc5r3498oYohnt_-xQOCDkot-tlZLsglcH0xIQSXiPGLIbjPHbqQX1frWJxW6RGJXZSEgQLPZvsz9VGS0d5UVxDh4/s1600/164259851.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518722914190703138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxksqvtHwU1HHERg44goy1LnoL05FzwXsKytXGWAC0FlZjGgGR1Qc5r3498oYohnt_-xQOCDkot-tlZLsglcH0xIQSXiPGLIbjPHbqQX1frWJxW6RGJXZSEgQLPZvsz9VGS0d5UVxDh4/s400/164259851.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YLxDiipDEPD5OxDeLD7MUqJ2fKFu-p3Dof8Tj3Q97cdQ_uOv5W4DW24HoncUH33XFhcS6N1B4WFqCNFQk3eduSe-HzdHZD4HpSytKQJLJHCqTyyRVUbHl0omWH1PcdcBhFQ8-lP_zOk/s1600/164263209.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518722910787211778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YLxDiipDEPD5OxDeLD7MUqJ2fKFu-p3Dof8Tj3Q97cdQ_uOv5W4DW24HoncUH33XFhcS6N1B4WFqCNFQk3eduSe-HzdHZD4HpSytKQJLJHCqTyyRVUbHl0omWH1PcdcBhFQ8-lP_zOk/s400/164263209.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKLqB-Tk4JmPFO8za2zHxWr4xYmFiGfuBL9_mjEH4KBispeeS6ZXFJ1NZhcBjQsmrKw-z76FN7YGQdONFFy2XeDKgX_94B0qEdRyCzcOHExnqMTUBmWug4S6na40zGYwHrl45EfRb6V8/s1600/164274422.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518722907392054274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKLqB-Tk4JmPFO8za2zHxWr4xYmFiGfuBL9_mjEH4KBispeeS6ZXFJ1NZhcBjQsmrKw-z76FN7YGQdONFFy2XeDKgX_94B0qEdRyCzcOHExnqMTUBmWug4S6na40zGYwHrl45EfRb6V8/s400/164274422.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkE81bk79R4z62vBDeC8r-UP1-tZ5yfU_2dpYREajCHqeA27jsgIhDTQigwkLeQZXox4tWCQqAjZ0iONfyvubHl1_fUWXWQ5_4nUmv5PK8dz7D1s3TDni3L0nbMtSi87DwMW68wF3XDM/s1600/164280927.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518722903609961554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkE81bk79R4z62vBDeC8r-UP1-tZ5yfU_2dpYREajCHqeA27jsgIhDTQigwkLeQZXox4tWCQqAjZ0iONfyvubHl1_fUWXWQ5_4nUmv5PK8dz7D1s3TDni3L0nbMtSi87DwMW68wF3XDM/s400/164280927.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQifgsg1B5W02QvqTMeIoKNOm0A11-XV6TLvjIY7jVefYb2LfYNu426fOgPlwaYJy2BoU6ZNRqbFpO_B-bCxJAuSX0-dFjxWL0bytvPxNstFWpqBy_tJjgUGo3deXwNnm6aofgpqjYD6E/s1600/164281446.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518722894233233746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQifgsg1B5W02QvqTMeIoKNOm0A11-XV6TLvjIY7jVefYb2LfYNu426fOgPlwaYJy2BoU6ZNRqbFpO_B-bCxJAuSX0-dFjxWL0bytvPxNstFWpqBy_tJjgUGo3deXwNnm6aofgpqjYD6E/s400/164281446.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-13527460501742631462010-08-05T13:53:00.013-05:002010-08-10T13:23:21.693-05:00Taylor Hicks, MusicianI love watching Taylor Hicks perform music live. So when I recently moved to Canada, I sadly assumed those opportunities were behind me. He barely dipped his toe in Canadian waters in the past, only steering the tour bus over the Rainbow Bridge into Niagara Falls, Canada. (Now I'm distracted by an image of him sticking his foot in the rapids over the falls. Not exactly what I meant. ha. Anyhoo-)<br /><br />Two years ago I got a "Save The Date" card in the mail from my nephew, who was getting married in New York in July 2010. So, of course we planned our yearly trip back home to coincide with the wedding. To my delight, Taylor very thoughtfully scheduled a show during that visit to Long Island.<br /><br />You've all read the reviews and seen the videos from The Highline Ballroom in NYC on July 25. I doubt there's anything new to say. But today I came across my ticket from the show which I had printed out on letter-sized paper. All along the margins on the front and across the back were scribblings I had made during the show.<br /><br />I never intended to write a review, take pictures or video. I just wanted to experience the music. But shortly after the show started, I found myself fumbling for a pen. It was too good to forget.<br /><br />I believe that was the best Taylor Hicks show I've been to. I've seen him display skill, confidence, playfulness and joy in the past but not to this degree.<br /><br />Maybe all those nights performing in Grease helped kick his stage presence up a notch. Maybe being away from the clubs gave him a new perspective. Maybe he was just damned good and ready to sing his own music again. When the music started up and Brian called out, "Give it up for Taylor Hicks!" he danced out. Yeah, he was ready.<br /><br />Let's see if we can make some sense out of my scratchings on the back of my ticket:<br /><br /><em>Jeff Lopez got applause when he came out on stage.</em><br /><br /><em>Before Taylor sang "The Deal," he said it was an ode to Stephen Bishop and the movie, "Tootsie." *pause* Taylor added, "I know what you're thinking and that ain't it."</em><br /><br /><em>I think he's gonna have to be cut out of his pants.</em><br /><br /><em>Taylor: "This looks like a 'Storyteller's' room. You want a story? How much time you got?"</em><br /><br /><em>Taylor: "Because of you guys I don't have to work. This isn't work."</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Where's his Ray Charles doll? (</em>Do me a favor? Don't bring him another one. Let it go!)<br /><br /><em>Standing ovation for "Battlefield."</em><br /><br /><em>During "Soul Thing" I could swear he couldn't find his harmonica again. ("Play the piano," he quietly told Brian)</em><br /><br /><em>Taylor: "I'm breaking out some older songs that I hope you'll like. If not, I may be out of a job shortly. I may have to put that Teen Angel suit on again." *laughter* "Which wasn't such a bad gig, by the way. The other actors would come off stage with their tongues hanging out of their mouths and I'd be sitting there in my robe and slippers." He pantomimes smoking a cigarette. "What's that? You want me to sing a song for five minutes? Sure. I can do that."</em><br /><br /><em>Taylor: "Rob Shuter's here. The only journalist that likes me. And I'm not kidding about that." In a deep, gruff voice: "It's not about them. It's about us, right?" (Movie reference? It got laughs but I didn't get it.)</em><br /><br /><em>Taylor: "My good friend Mandisa's in the house! Give it up for Mandisa!"</em><br /><br /><em>He tried to do a New York accent at one point. "I got some weird looks up here. And I don't think it was because of my accent."<br /></em><br /><em>During "Seven Mile Breakdown" Taylor closed his eyes and sang, "Let me get right down to it..." A guy next to me yelled out, "Get down to it!!" Music played as we waited for Taylor to sing the next line. Eyes still closed, he slowly smiled and said, "OK." *laughter*</em><br /><br />What a great night. Taylor Hicks has matured as an entertainer. There was a moment during "Hold On To Your Love" when I thought to myself, "this is brilliant." I remembered what it was about his performances that made my toes curl. Taylor Hicks, the musician. Man, I've missed you.<br /><br />And now, if you're wondering about that Stephen Bishop reference, here ya go:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre-wrap" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre-wrap" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="Apple-style-span"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TUJOnLOQVTY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TUJOnLOQVTY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></span>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-30402606197511505412010-05-23T12:47:00.004-05:002010-05-23T15:39:03.734-05:00TOP FIVE THINGS TAYLOR HICKS SHOULD DO TONIGHTTonight is Taylor Hicks' last performance in his 18 month run as Teen Angel in Grease. He needs to make it memorable. Here are my top five suggestions towards that end. He should: <br /><br />5. Grab one of the Beauty School Dropout dancers and take her back with him in the cone.<br /><br />4. Do "Beauty School Dropout" as a rap number complete with expletives. <br /><br />3. In the middle of his song, break into ‘Dancing Queen.’ (Let's make it a tradition. ha!)<br /><br />2. Tell Frenchy he really doesn't give a crap what she does.<br /><br />And now, the number one thing Taylor Hicks should do during his last performance in Grease:<br /><br />1. The cone opens to reveal that, instead of wearing his trademark Nudie Suit, he's actually nude.<br /><br />Well, if nothing else, it’ll get him in the papers! What do you think he should do to make his last performance memorable?carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-1499194124854707262010-04-27T12:47:00.005-05:002010-04-27T16:25:56.192-05:00NJKar/Harp/etc KarenI don't remember 'meeting' Karen online. But I do know our friendship grew within the comment section of righthickssave. We bantered back and forth playfully until somewhere along the way we took it to e-mail. One night via e-mail, I invited her to my chat room. Turns out we had a lot of the same online friends. We may have even shared a few laughs in graycharles' chat room, but neither one of us could ever remember for sure.<br /><br />I let her know early on that I have no interest in fan gossip or fan wars and she respected that. She never brought any of that up with me. I still don't know why she didn't get along with everyone within the fanbase and please- don't tell me. I don't care. None of it has anything to do with me.<br /><br />I guess she helped run a fansite? I never went there, either. So right about now you're thinking this is the most lame tribute you've ever read. It sounds as though I barely knew her.<br /><br />But here's the thing. Here's the reason her absence hurts me so deeply. Our friendship wasn't wrapped up in trading gossip or commenting at length about a Taylor Hicks photo. (Please don't take offense, I'm trying to make a point.)<br /><br />It was about US. Our lives, our families, our hopes and dreams. She listened to me. She supported me. And when the serious stuff was purged, she made me laugh. We laughed our ASSES off. <br /><br />I was supposed to meet her face-to-face for the first time last Sunday. But my life intervened and I couldn't go. I told myself there would be plenty of time this summer to get in on one of her frau-fests. And now suddenly, unexpectedly, <em>painfully,</em> time is up. So instead of getting together in Pennsylvania on Sunday, I found myself driving through her state on Monday, on the very day she breathed her last. <br /><br />I'm forever making lemonade out of lemons, but I gotta tell you, this is a tough one. I'd like to take those lemons and hurl them, one by one, at God. Karen would probably tell me it's OK to be sad, but somehow she'd find a way to take me away from my sorrow even if only for a little while.<br /><br />She made every day a little brighter and I'll miss her more than she realized.carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-56644553449947151622009-12-07T23:00:00.006-06:002009-12-27T11:43:43.469-06:00Taylor Hicks Talks Music<strong>And Tells Us Why He'd Rather Not Break a Leg</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzilmr37koh7zHqjTYrrZrnuO9qIBJc3infOeBHSi8BomtoHA9Lsyf5qhYJOLIOKT4WGscXQybxUT8OmchgJKWwY2YxWlJJ3bXqR8rSDsiR-Gak-FCUIjdpcHAhNC6hJMoRfASueT_3g/s1600-h/the+distance.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412003256209305810" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzilmr37koh7zHqjTYrrZrnuO9qIBJc3infOeBHSi8BomtoHA9Lsyf5qhYJOLIOKT4WGscXQybxUT8OmchgJKWwY2YxWlJJ3bXqR8rSDsiR-Gak-FCUIjdpcHAhNC6hJMoRfASueT_3g/s400/the+distance.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Photo Credit: Will Thompson<br /><br />As Taylor Hicks travels around the country with the touring production of Grease, he gets asked pretty much the same questions on every morning show. We fans could probably fill in for him sometime if he ever feels like sleeping late:<br /><br />“No, I never in a million years thought I’d be starring on Broadway.”<br />“Yes, they gave me a lot of freedom in making the role of Teen Angel my own.”<br /><br />When the CD “The Distance” is discussed, it’s usually a quick sentence or two, sometimes as an intro before Taylor sings a song.<br /><br />That’s fine. It has to be done. But I wanted to know <em>more</em> about some of the songs on the CD. None of those morning people were asking the questions I had in my head, so I decided I just had to do it myself.<br /><br />By phone from Charlotte, N.C.:<br /><br /><strong>Caryl</strong>: I wanted to ask you some questions about “The Distance.”<br /><br /><strong>Taylor Hicks</strong>: OK<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: You worked with some impressive musicians. I was wondering what that was like. Were you intimidated by them?<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: I think it was more of an honor to work with them than it was intimidating. I think once you start working with somebody musically… I think it’s ultimately for the good of the music, you know? When you get into a situation like that where you have some great musicians you can learn a lot from them, too.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> Did they make suggestions?<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: They did, they made suggestions, they did have input. A lot of those players, depending on how seasoned they are can ultimately affect the overall sound of the record.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: One of my favorite songs is ‘Woman's Got To Have It.” I turn that one up loud when it comes on. Did you and Elliot record your parts separately?<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> We were in the studio the same night, coz it’s kind of a fun song and I knew that Elliot could sing it really well. And Bobby Womack is one of my favorite solo artists of all time. We just had one of those things, where we just got into the studio and had a good time with the song.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: You can tell. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. Do you guys have any plans to perform the song together live?<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: Yeah, we plan on that; once our schedules come together I definitely want to do that.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: That would be fun. I read that you used the original arrangement for ‘Yes We Can,’ is that true? The Pointer Sisters arrangement-<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: Actually that song was written by Allen Toussaint, who’s a New Orleans guy. It’s kind of an interesting story behind that. A friend of mine who’s a great writer in Nashville, Gary Nicholson, had an old copy of a version that he did with so many of those famous musicians on it back in the 80’s. Well, we pulled it out of the vault and I was able to throw my vocals on top of it.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: Wow!<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: It was really cool, kind of a throw back, but it added my vocals. It was one of those songs that he never released so we brought it out and put my vocals on top of it.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: Oh, that’s so cool. That’s another one that I have to turn up loud.<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: That’s good to hear.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness” doesn’t sound like your style of song, but I love it and a lot of your fans do, too. What attracted you to it?<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: I think Foy Vance is a writer and a musician that has a great talent that the world should hear. And I think IAOK is one of those songs that grabs at your heartstrings. And once that happens you know that it’s a great song. The producer I was working with, Simon Climie, cut a version of ‘Hallelujah’ by Michael McDonald and he did it in 5/8 timing. The time signature for ‘Hallelujah’ is the same as ‘IAOK’. Very slow...you’re able to really convey emotion.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: I think you executed it well, keeping your voice quiet in parts. I think your voice may be more powerful sometimes when it’s quiet. So, I read that the next CD will be country. Is that true?<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: It’s a possibility, yes. I think anything’s possible. I just want to make sure that I have great songs on the record.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> Will it be released next summer?<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: I think once the Grease tour ends, I’ll hustle back into the studio and create another album for the fans as quickly as possible.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: You said something about doing the next CD half indie, half major label. I don’t understand how that works.<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: It depends on the deal. Obviously I’ve been able to sell records on my own. With that being said, that allows you leverage for the next deal. The main thing for the next record is to have success artistically and also to a certain degree commercially.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: Sure. I also had some questions about the shadow shows. I saw you at Warehouse Live in Houston and ever since you sang "Saint Dominic’s Preview", I’ve been listening to a lot of Van Morrison. The lyrics to that song in particular drive me crazy because I don’t understand what he’s talking about. I did a little research and came across an old Rolling Stone interview and even Van Morrison doesn’t know what they mean. What do you think about that? Do you think there should be some meaning…<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: I think we all know that Van Morrison is kind of loony.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: ha!<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: But I think that can be said for all of the great songwriters of the world. I think you <em>have </em>to be loony to a certain degree to be able to write great songs. But sometimes the music is just so good that you just wanna... when you get going with the song, there just isn’t time to go back and refine it as much as you want to. And I think that might be the case with "St Dominic’s Preview." I <em>do</em> think that it has an underlying protest message, though.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> Why do <em>you</em> like the song? Does it speak to you in some way?<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> It’s just one of my favorite Van tunes. The production on it is...<em>rich</em>. The music is rich.<br /><br /><strong>C</strong>: When do find time to rehearse for these shadow shows? You’re so busy.<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: You just make time.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> The songs are very polished, that’s why I was wondering. For the Houston show, I wondered if you just rehearsed the day of the show.<br /><br /><strong>TH</strong>: Anything can happen with great musicians, you know?<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> You work with some great people, that’s for sure. Brian Less really impressed me at that show.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> He’s a good player.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> Some of your fans were wondering what you think about making Birmingham an annual event because they had such a good time at those shows.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> I think I’ll always, I’ll probably play Birmingham each year for the rest of my life. But you have to be smart about how long you go before you play a market. That goes with the entertainment business in general. You don’t want to over-saturate it.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> Yeah, that’s true. Just for fun, I was wondering if the cast of Grease has any superstitions, because theater actors are notoriously superstitious.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> You know...I’ll have to get back to you on that.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> *laugh* You know what I mean... for instance, it’s considered bad luck to say "good luck,” so people say "break a leg," instead.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> I’ve never heard that. If someone says "break a leg" I don’t really want to <em>physically</em> do it. People say that to me all the time and I’m like, Hey!<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> *laugh* So Ace is joining the cast. I assume he’s been rehearsing already.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Yeah, he’s been rehearsing.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> How’s that been going, having him around?<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> It’s cool. I enjoy it. I think it's good for the show. The cast in general is great. We just have a good time.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> This is my last question. I was just wondering what you think about this. Do you think being creative is a gift or a curse?<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Both. <p></p><p><strong>C:</strong> Yeah?</p><p><strong>TH:</strong> I think it’s both. It depends on how you use it. I’ll tell you what, it’s definitely mentally draining.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> Well, being creative has given you a lot of interesting opportunities and experiences.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Yeah. Creativity is uh...kinda like breaking a leg in theater sometimes.<br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> *laugh* Thanks for talking with me.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Oh, no problem. <br /><br /><strong>C:</strong> Looking forward to the next show.<br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Thank you, take care.<br /><br /><br />Well, you guys, I wanted to let you know that this is my last blog post. I'm not taking the blog down but I won't be doing any more updates. I need to focus that energy on more productive pursuits. Overall, it's been a positive experience for me and I've made some dear friends. Keep in touch. Be kind to one another. </p><p>From Hallelujah, oddly fitting for my departure:<br /><br /><em>I did my best, it wasn't much<br />I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch<br />I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you<br />And even though<br />It all went wrong<br />I'll stand before the Lord of Song<br />With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah</em><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LXXRntk2G2U&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LXXRntk2G2U&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-17511978794159611302009-12-02T20:25:00.002-06:002009-12-27T10:31:31.462-06:00I Can't Stop!You guys! I can't stop designing Taylor Hicks T-shirts! I'm not selling anything here, I want to be clear about that. But I keep getting ideas for more feminine shirts. Check it out:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u-QHBk-jbtRHYKSF_Slqy9Q_PBc9g7W0oHa_yUK8jUdVbxjUehAS2JKi404Iliw1Y3o13-B0uHeUdOepoay5-dVCRHTnInEKv91mBCgbrMB_9qwkIqeKcDiCDYdQg40fCf2roiK5Wr8/s1600-h/FACE+T-SHIRT1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306927002849246802" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u-QHBk-jbtRHYKSF_Slqy9Q_PBc9g7W0oHa_yUK8jUdVbxjUehAS2JKi404Iliw1Y3o13-B0uHeUdOepoay5-dVCRHTnInEKv91mBCgbrMB_9qwkIqeKcDiCDYdQg40fCf2roiK5Wr8/s200/FACE+T-SHIRT1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One shirt for those fangirls out there:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XAVSan22Rq5vwE4LVSSVK2u-JV-vuMvmhWi2BL9PV_tKFesnBHKS2pOoQvtE8-SCbu6hZQ_ZgTLCxt_CRJRBBuf-9OfUhjU_yjGBpeDEvBrZevtFqiSLVPtBqePD6Qe3r9SMXOD9nUk/s1600-h/just+do+me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306927001598061330" style="WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XAVSan22Rq5vwE4LVSSVK2u-JV-vuMvmhWi2BL9PV_tKFesnBHKS2pOoQvtE8-SCbu6hZQ_ZgTLCxt_CRJRBBuf-9OfUhjU_yjGBpeDEvBrZevtFqiSLVPtBqePD6Qe3r9SMXOD9nUk/s200/just+do+me.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Haha! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)</div>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-91958766217542920302009-12-01T23:15:00.002-06:002009-12-27T10:33:03.343-06:00Taylor Hicks T-ShirtsTaylor Hicks merchandise has been for sale on the Grease tour at the theater and at the clubs where we're all getting intimate with him. I realize the new T-shirts were produced quickly. Under the circumstances, they're fine. The problem is I don't want to wear any of them:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Cde4kKh4cBPYI6f3Yh4kMkpGsuFntVAySxWd_tDjRvENh27Rzi65sCfXVTXlJWzBsKzbAX3-7GTlHFhOZe_qtZsUL0b8yGmNkxRXrW6CJm0dAL6daO7Sbf537iZz8fEks-qhvt_Lexo/s1600-h/taylorhicks1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306506359196506290" style="WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Cde4kKh4cBPYI6f3Yh4kMkpGsuFntVAySxWd_tDjRvENh27Rzi65sCfXVTXlJWzBsKzbAX3-7GTlHFhOZe_qtZsUL0b8yGmNkxRXrW6CJm0dAL6daO7Sbf537iZz8fEks-qhvt_Lexo/s200/taylorhicks1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVcdHFCcGL7ksLS84A2e59q0WAc0T3aUt2kPzrQnfodybFlPYJwTSNbhpEVUaAjWnPYdGWS8sDVpn4OW_JKa9mb0bThmfnRWA5y5cTAV_LyjuRzPqv0hkrJwQgwbVkxv6MVa9NOyBGlE/s1600-h/taylorhicks2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306506358891298770" style="WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVcdHFCcGL7ksLS84A2e59q0WAc0T3aUt2kPzrQnfodybFlPYJwTSNbhpEVUaAjWnPYdGWS8sDVpn4OW_JKa9mb0bThmfnRWA5y5cTAV_LyjuRzPqv0hkrJwQgwbVkxv6MVa9NOyBGlE/s200/taylorhicks2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaSHPUyDgv9omT55C7UWUx4JLlYxqxnccNFtr3JxFMyWqlqtoQg5TMmRdat5M_KN0ElIBWvKlTITCBlt10SoPmDTAzh1rNaJsuJRvPZ1x_A_aZxLoX_cBJXYh6AVxHnuwYmNQVGX9B-Y/s1600-h/taylorhicks3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306506359023826802" style="WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaSHPUyDgv9omT55C7UWUx4JLlYxqxnccNFtr3JxFMyWqlqtoQg5TMmRdat5M_KN0ElIBWvKlTITCBlt10SoPmDTAzh1rNaJsuJRvPZ1x_A_aZxLoX_cBJXYh6AVxHnuwYmNQVGX9B-Y/s200/taylorhicks3.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAAYKZ2JZrjfL9pqyuvcRvqkm9_0tQ6sX3I80RMKAzXy-9Od7PQw4AKp2nH5m3PwkWVpgTBXQwCQFpFo368EdYhViNDP_UZfs2hwrGZJTCm6ykfTvtsR9WQvP6PQpdOLF4WOQTMUMaMo/s1600-h/taylorhicks4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306506359952571954" style="WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAAYKZ2JZrjfL9pqyuvcRvqkm9_0tQ6sX3I80RMKAzXy-9Od7PQw4AKp2nH5m3PwkWVpgTBXQwCQFpFo368EdYhViNDP_UZfs2hwrGZJTCm6ykfTvtsR9WQvP6PQpdOLF4WOQTMUMaMo/s200/taylorhicks4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When you're a grown woman who dresses like she's twelve, it's hard to feel cute in a big ole T-shirt. I need a shirt that shows off my boyish figure. Something that screams, "That's right, I'm old enough to be your Mom, but I'm in denial!" Something fitted, feminine and far too young for me. (Don't judge me!)<br /><br />Joking aside, wouldn't you like to see something at the old merch table that makes you look like a woman? T-shirts that people actually wear are free advertising, let's not forget. Here are some quicky suggestions I whipped up:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi8MlBIU-5P6O80WqXW0c597NJ9nPibvwogjqM9O4kxU_sk1FmDY8_nLYo5ldcvm86bmmD0lbXKzQQ5yqNCkNWSYrRgNA1aFFRhVCIKluweUtqOnL1TH1dxiIblwvd3v7qNE8PhI3fn8/s1600-h/rocker+chick+shirt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306230862014881858" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi8MlBIU-5P6O80WqXW0c597NJ9nPibvwogjqM9O4kxU_sk1FmDY8_nLYo5ldcvm86bmmD0lbXKzQQ5yqNCkNWSYrRgNA1aFFRhVCIKluweUtqOnL1TH1dxiIblwvd3v7qNE8PhI3fn8/s400/rocker+chick+shirt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/SaOE2sJ5L_I/AAAAAAAAFc0/98jgcU2oKLQ/s1600-h/gray+shirt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306230861073035250" style="WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/SaOE2sJ5L_I/AAAAAAAAFc0/98jgcU2oKLQ/s400/gray+shirt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More ideas <a href="http://taylortuesday.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-cant-stop.html"><strong>here</strong></a>.carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-57329278535123836002009-11-24T22:35:00.001-06:002009-12-27T10:32:16.608-06:00T and Mrs Claus<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/SxFv1C4XX3I/AAAAAAAAHOs/0_WethGEGIQ/s1600/T+and+Mrs+Claus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409227584545709938" style="WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 342px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/SxFv1C4XX3I/AAAAAAAAHOs/0_WethGEGIQ/s400/T+and+Mrs+Claus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hit "play" and sing along with my lyrics:<br /><br /><object codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=" height="400" width="500" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="_cx" value="13229"><param name="_cy" value="10583"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://video.filestube.com/embed,7abf27b2c8c240fa03e9.html"><param name="Src" value="http://video.filestube.com/embed,7abf27b2c8c240fa03e9.html"><param name="WMode" value="Transparent"><param name="Play" value="-1"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://video.filestube.com/embed,7abf27b2c8c240fa03e9.html" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="400" wmode="transparent" flashvars="gig_lt=1259102188234&gig_pt=1259102248640&gig_g=1"></embed> </object><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><br />T and Mrs Claus<br />They got a thing goin' on<br />They both know that it's wrong<br />But the night's so long<br />With Santa gone now<br /><br />They meet every day<br />Behind her own sleigh<br />Six reindeer have been told not to stare<br />Holding hands, making all kinds of plans<br />While a trusted elf sings their favorite songs<br /><br />T and Mrs Mrs Claus, Mrs Claus, Mrs Claus<br />They got a thing goin' on<br />They know Santa's gone<br />Sometimes until dawn<br />To get his work done<br /><br />They gotta be extra careful<br />That they don't get caught by the paparazzi<br />Cause she's got her own obligations<br />And he don't want another Hawaii<br /><br />T and Mrs Mrs Claus, Mrs Claus, Mrs Claus<br />They got a thing goin' on<br />But it might not last long<br />Since the elves shouted strong<br />"North Pole Soul Patrol!"<br /><br />Well, it's time for them to be leaving<br />It hurts so much, it hurts so much inside<br />Now she'll ride her sleigh<br />And he'll ride the cone<br />Tomorrow they'll meet<br />At the same place, the same time<br /><br />T and Mrs Mrs Claus, Mrs Claus, Mrs Claus<br />They got a thing going on......carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-52785257630329743412009-11-17T12:02:00.001-06:002009-12-27T10:33:33.302-06:00Taylor Hicks: Indiscriminate Act of Kindness"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness" is the bonus track on Taylor Hicks CD "The Distance" if you buy it at Target. I wish it were on every CD because it's powerful, it's the kind of song a serious musician produces. What moves me more than the lyrics is the mournful sound he creates with his voice. I would have felt something even if he were singing in a foreign language.<br /><br />Standing ovation, dude.carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-26501071522098862102009-11-10T00:00:00.003-06:002009-12-27T10:33:58.354-06:00Cougar TownI wrote yet another song for Taylor Hicks to add to his repertoire. No need to thank me, big guy. I'm glad to do it.<br /><br />To the tune of "Funky Town." Sing along!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wy-Yi4mX2-o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wy-Yi4mX2-o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Gotta find a girl on the road that’s right for me<br />Girl who’s really movin’<br />really groovin’ with some energy<br /><br />Well, I talk about it, talk about it<br />talk about it, talk about it<br />Talk about, talk about, talk about lookin'<br /><br />Gotta find one!<br />This is rule one:<br />She gotta be young!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxlRV-9B6bDbHZRXKLruzEdokU8sOFkHgxiljN700Bm3cPtpNXK7Iv0QfHJzQN_Omd21IFugZnkgpIVrljXCmf1y48WrkIbLKG1aBVvFawitOMjCWJlbfb0eSsk1m2ZBhdkP9-IJzxqg/s1600-h/cougar3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400398031030124146" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 323px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxlRV-9B6bDbHZRXKLruzEdokU8sOFkHgxiljN700Bm3cPtpNXK7Iv0QfHJzQN_Omd21IFugZnkgpIVrljXCmf1y48WrkIbLKG1aBVvFawitOMjCWJlbfb0eSsk1m2ZBhdkP9-IJzxqg/s400/cougar3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I never go to<br />cougar town!<br />I never go to<br />cougar town!<br />I never go to<br />cougar town!<br />I never go to<br />cougar town!<br />(repeat)<br /><br />Every time we move to a town that’s on the tour<br />Gotta keep aware<br />-Listen close for a cougar roar!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyebcAe6eLOIB-lVVT5JrE-4YbSQujIJErExuJKNbxjPGrjywXjZ3QvYueT7FWiFOfWlZU_udS3TJ_tQVxLWAkef1lIDpuPYjSiwCtVYa_I4Ph7FYPlqtlIoo-MCyZBDiN38AeNYfizDw/s1600-h/cougar2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400398024540076786" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyebcAe6eLOIB-lVVT5JrE-4YbSQujIJErExuJKNbxjPGrjywXjZ3QvYueT7FWiFOfWlZU_udS3TJ_tQVxLWAkef1lIDpuPYjSiwCtVYa_I4Ph7FYPlqtlIoo-MCyZBDiN38AeNYfizDw/s400/cougar2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well, I talk about it, talk about it<br />talk about it, talk about it<br />Talk about, talk about, talk about no girlfriend<br /><br />I long to hear,<br />"I like grey hair<br />and one night stands!"<br /><br />But not if it's in<br />cougar town!<br />I never go to<br />cougar town!<br />I never go to<br />cougar town!<br />I never go to<br />cougar town!<br />(repeat)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0URn59vQY9LEp6ZfH9EIn_gVK7C_VICbysE6l41pXAMKvjVX-FWVpglXOBLThnp0IDNNcPyIGaand5n3LEutmSwzBWxSEbe6SsFkmTvkcMuHdNtqEyLky7pF94NQFnGQHCcC9g9s8MU/s1600-h/cougar1.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOY18JgnCJFXgokFUaMmxJgtoBJ2013vtH48T9PLxxGZ4qVOJ526VczIORQ1kTeiLmZv4ZI_eJ5ph7lAobxwytZ5wLQClk1ZJtptc7HUxThpkpKqr74kGBEfG5KTh9-mfeiYKldHRKO8/s1600-h/i+never+go+to+cougar+town.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401087366434974834" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOY18JgnCJFXgokFUaMmxJgtoBJ2013vtH48T9PLxxGZ4qVOJ526VczIORQ1kTeiLmZv4ZI_eJ5ph7lAobxwytZ5wLQClk1ZJtptc7HUxThpkpKqr74kGBEfG5KTh9-mfeiYKldHRKO8/s400/i+never+go+to+cougar+town.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwjecRztQ1NFCcgdsT3dFeC0OdO5DAj9y0LMRke9X6umK-cJEv2XZ7OXxn1h1ywfEvgoY_MnpbmW24C3WpkE5-hXEHtZWziJqdUVQR3pTWg-BUH4o5WOhcBAgiYAPOZj2X48BNJkyNXA/s1600-h/175157165.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401093773656028242" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwjecRztQ1NFCcgdsT3dFeC0OdO5DAj9y0LMRke9X6umK-cJEv2XZ7OXxn1h1ywfEvgoY_MnpbmW24C3WpkE5-hXEHtZWziJqdUVQR3pTWg-BUH4o5WOhcBAgiYAPOZj2X48BNJkyNXA/s400/175157165.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9U_nXKZ043zNq5Z0j2goNPbiKAkTfWHlIJDg0KEGsQe4GIyjauPRbC1Z-rFLxpDuTNJMcoZo1mkkMprS2jsAQZf0xIGtFI0uJBK8H-KyTHoobFTkcBhJa5yjOX16duj1w5n94gYAiXY/s1600-h/NOT+cougar+town.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401093776467558706" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9U_nXKZ043zNq5Z0j2goNPbiKAkTfWHlIJDg0KEGsQe4GIyjauPRbC1Z-rFLxpDuTNJMcoZo1mkkMprS2jsAQZf0xIGtFI0uJBK8H-KyTHoobFTkcBhJa5yjOX16duj1w5n94gYAiXY/s400/NOT+cougar+town.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-67990281593383549152009-11-03T00:00:00.009-06:002009-12-27T10:32:35.802-06:00God Keeps Him Grounded<div align="left">These two paragraphs from a recent <a href="http://mulletwrapper.com/article.cfm?ID=1243"><strong>interview</strong></a> with Taylor Hicks stuck with me for a couple of weeks. I thought I should post them in case you missed it. It's very sweet:<br /><br /><em>Taylor sings one of his songs on stage after every Grease show and then signs CDs and visits with fans afterwards. It is a connection he does not take lightly. </em><em><strong>“Reporters have to take a negative slant. But they don’t see the down syndrome child who comes up and throws his arms around you and gives you a big hug, while you and his family share a few moments of joy,’’</strong> Taylor said before a recent show in Biloxi.<br /><br />“That’s something I see every night. I do eight shows a week and I’m on the floor with the public in every part of the country. </em><em><strong>“Something like that hits you hard and it’s real, and it gets to me,’’</strong> he added. “It’s not about what you’ve been talking about in interviews all day. It’s what happened right then and it brings you right down to Earth. </em><strong><em>God has a way of not letting you get carried away. </em><br /><br /><br /></strong>That's nice, isn't it?<br /><br />The only thing the following videos have in common with the above article is that Taylor is signing CDs after Grease. (ha) I shot them in Houston after the Sunday matinee and was very impressed by the amount of people waiting to meet him.<br /><br />Here's the thing. I did a lousy job of taping this. The first video cuts off too soon and the second doesn't show the whole line. And why did I pan outside to look at the city? Who cares what it looks like behind Taylor? Well, at least I gave you a nice close-up of the floor at the end! I'm posting them both so you can A. bask in my video-taking greatness or B. meet in a chat room later to laugh at me. Your call.<br /><br /><strong><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwgXnBbKnVx-ITfRGuhEEpGw-rLh69tJj1TZ0cIKynTfO-LBd11aroFsYOUkcDx1SqY2ImjcdkTkTPyof_nkg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></strong><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyjbZdGWk_0nRjf_tkrYp_BIhc9elwLBitHLkaoZwaJrpjR9XU1SoRo2n33T-NSvpijK5C1AUMtHdtyf7O_' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/Su9hp81oJHI/AAAAAAAAHLk/Ff7AacK-_RE/s1600-h/grease+003.jpg"></a>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-80609640542546292402009-10-27T13:53:00.004-05:002009-10-27T14:06:57.843-05:00When Bad Translations Happen to Good People 2Oh man! I was going to let this go, but it's TOO funny. It was obviously translated into another language and then back again to English. I put my favorite bad translations in <span style="color:#ff0000;">RED</span>:<br /><br /><em>October 27<br />Taylor Hicks is Hopelessly Devoted ' in Grease '<br />Another nice article about Taylor Hicks in Grease This one includes a good stopper for his up-to-the-minute album, The Distance<br /><br />By Patrice Stewart<br />The Decatur Daily, Ala, Sept 24<br /><br />American <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">God</span> </strong>2006 victor Taylor Hicks returns to his hometown for a featured function in the touring production of Grease , which opened Tuesday at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Eye.<br /><br />The platinum-selling recording artist will play the `` <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Adolescent Angel</span> </strong>'' office through Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Bumpkins </strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">(BUMPKINS? Oh my god that's funny. They used another word for "Hicks") </span>doed his Broadway introduction in the Adolescent Angel office and holds get on the route with Grease since this circuit started December 2.<br /><br />`` I holded such a great experience executing on Broadway, '' he stated. `` This is a great chance to see old fans and new nationally while conveying them a great Broadway show. ''<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Yahooes</strong> </span><span style="color:#000000;">(ROTFL!! A different choice for the word "Hicks") was called</span> victor of the 5th season of the Fox Telecasting series American God He holds been entering and doing appearances since his 2006 win.<br /><br />On March 10, Hicks relinquished his new studio album `` The Distance, '' featuring the singles `` What Holds Right Is Right '' and `` Sevener Mi <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Dislocation</span></strong>. '' </em><br /><em></em><br /><p>*wiping tears* Oh, man, that's good stuff.</p>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-13258954139870486282009-10-25T22:31:00.000-05:002009-10-25T22:33:41.333-05:00Toldja He Has Some Kinda Voo-Doo!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qtFU4cU0rKsnCxRtKUpTXst335zqWevklf7AopMt887kW5NUk3urmbSbMU3IhFWVdJQWtKAhGQs-AROMG4l5kPyxrLWV0Jk4SndNlRf3_BhJn7DeKizxeFRYox3S6ePAOUT36rlTTbU/s1600-h/righthickssave31009-7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qtFU4cU0rKsnCxRtKUpTXst335zqWevklf7AopMt887kW5NUk3urmbSbMU3IhFWVdJQWtKAhGQs-AROMG4l5kPyxrLWV0Jk4SndNlRf3_BhJn7DeKizxeFRYox3S6ePAOUT36rlTTbU/s400/righthickssave31009-7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396746647101090306" /></a>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-85158718647825439642009-10-25T11:18:00.003-05:002009-10-25T11:25:04.991-05:00Be Careful Out There!<a href="http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/090920-online-comments-spark-lawsuits.html#"><strong>Online Comments Spark Lawsuits</strong></a><br /><br /><blockquote><em>The Internet can seem like an open forum for people to rant and rave. But more and more, individuals are being held to account for what they write. A Chicago realty company sued a tenant this summer for $50,000 after she wrote online that her apartment was moldy. Another blogger was ordered to pay $1.8 million after calling someone a “failed lawyer.” A suit filed by a chiropractor who received a negative review online was settled out of court. <br /><br />Many of us rely on Web reviews for honest feedback about everything from restaurants to electronics to doctors. But when does opinion cross the line into libel? <br /><br />“People have the right to free speech,” explains Matt Zimmerman, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which defends digital rights. “But they’ve never had the right to defame someone. They still don’t.” The general rule is that you can be held responsible for spreading false statements that hurt someone’s reputation, whether you post them online, publish them in a newspaper, or whisper them at a cocktail party. If you want to write a negative review online, your best bet is to stick to the facts of your experience without drawing conclusions about a person’s character. “If you say you didn’t like someone, that’s fine,” says David Miranda, an intellectual property attorney. If you say you think he’s an embezzler and he’s not, you’ve gone too far.” <br /><br />— Rebecca Webber </em></blockquote>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-1848293932736602622009-10-20T19:54:00.000-05:002009-10-22T15:41:40.951-05:00In Your TimeFrom <em>Heart Full of Soul</em> by Taylor Hicks:<br /><br /><blockquote><p><em>Richard Black was a great guy and the first serious musician I'd met who took a real interest in me as a player....Richard told me that if I wanted to be a true musical artist, I had to try to write my own songs....</em></p><p><em>I disappeared from the Black house for a couple of weeks.... Not long after, I sat everyone down in the sound room and played for them the very first song I ever wrote. It was called "In Your Time," and even if it did sound a bit too much like a certain Cat Stevens song I really loved, it was still pretty good for a rookie try. A few years later, "In Your Time" would become the title track of the first album I recorded on my own. So Richard's lecture paved the way for a number of firsts, the most important of which was that, for the first time in my life, I listened hard to somebody else and took their advice to heart.<br /></em><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RpNXA1qfCU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RpNXA1qfCU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></p></blockquote>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-81698629897092613352009-10-11T13:45:00.002-05:002009-10-30T15:24:55.330-05:00David Firth Ridicules 2009's Music Scene<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pehHOqx7JXg&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pehHOqx7JXg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-3111848658340881832009-09-22T08:37:00.001-05:002009-09-22T15:04:35.485-05:00Everything You Always Wanted to Know About "Saint Dominic's Preview" But Were Afraid to AskEver since Taylor Hicks performed Van Morrison's "Saint Dominic's Preview" at Warehouse Live in Houston, I've been obsessed with its lyrics. Sure, I've heard it before and while the words always intrigued me, I've never made an effort to research their meaning.<br /><br />Thanks to the Internet, I was able to search every detail of this song to my heart's content. I found that other people have been curious about the lyrics as well. They asked the same questions I had. But guess what? Nobody has any answers.<br /><br />Some of the lyrics are plain enough:<br /><br /><em>And the restaurant tables are completely covered.</em><br /><em>The record company has paid out for the wine.</em><br /><em>You got everything in the world you ever wanted</em><br /><em>Right about now your face should wear a smile.</em><br /><br /><em>That's the way it all should happen</em><br /><em>When you're in, when you're in the state you're in;</em><br /><em>You've got your pen and notebook ready,</em><br /><em>I think it's about time, time for us to begin.</em><br /><br /><em>And we're over in a 52nd Street apartment,</em><br /><em>Socializing with the whino few,</em><br /><em>Just to be hip and get wet with the jet set.</em><br /><em>But they're flying too high to see my point of view.</em><br /><br />Beautifully put, in fact. But then they go back to gazing out on Saint Dominic's Preview. Van, buddy, what are you talking about?? Saint Dominic's is a church. Got it. But what does "Preview" mean in this context? I searched and searched but found no answer. It's times like these that I wish Taylor had something like a Bat Signal or a Red Phone for REALLY important questions.<br /><br />Taylor: "What's the emergency, ma'am?<br />Me: "I don't understand what 'Saint Dominic's Preview' is!! *sob* Ya gotta help me, man!! I can't sleep, I'm getting NO work done! For the love of God, what does it mean??!"<br /><br />Sadly, all we've got is twitter and since he never replies to our tweets, we're on our own out here, responsible for solving our own musical emergencies.<br /><br />But then I found it. A quote that would put this question to rest. A maddening, frustrating quote from Van Morrison himself. It comes from an old <strong><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/vanmorrison/articles/story/5939314/van_morrison">interview</a></strong> he did with Rolling Stone:<br /><em></em><br /><em>Well, like I've said, I'm not surprised that people get different meanings out of my songs. But I don't wanna give the impression that I know what everything means 'cause I don't.<br /></em><br /><em><strong>RS: Are you sometimes surprised by some of the things that come out when you're writing?</strong></em><br /><em><strong><br /></strong>Really. There are times when I'm mystified. I look at some of the stuff that comes out, y'know. And like, there it is and it feels right, but I can't say for sure what it means. Like take...take "Crazy Face." Y'know, where does that come from?<br /><br /><strong>RS: There's unquestionably a strong mystical and visionary quality to your music.</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Yeah, it's there. That's what it is, I guess. It's strange because I don't see myself as a mystical type person. But then every now and then these weird experiences happen. Like I'll be lying down on the bed with my eyes closed and all of a sudden I get the feeling that I'm floating near the ceiling looking down. I couldn't say whether that's supposed to be astral projection but it's pretty freaky when it happens.<br /><br /><strong>RS: Have you ever had any similar experiences that seem related to your writing?<br /></strong><br />I had one just recently. I'd been working on this song about the scene going down in Belfast. And I wasn't sure what I was writing but anyway the central image seemed to be this church called St. Dominic's where people were gathering to pray or hear a mass for peace in Northern Ireland. Anyway, a few weeks ago I was in Reno for a gig at the University of Nevada. And while we were having dinner I picked up the newspaper and just opened it to a page and there in front of me was an announcement about a mass for peace in Belfast to be said the next day at St. Dominic's church in San Francisco. Totally blew me out. Like I'd never even heard of a St. Dominic's church.<br /><br /><strong>RS: How did the song turn out?<br /></strong><br />Great. In fact I'm gonna be recording it in a couple of days.<br /><br /><strong>RS: What did you end up titling it?<br /></strong><br />"St. Dominic's Preview." You know something? I haven't a clue to what it means.</em><br /><br />There you have it. Even Van Morrison doesn't know what it means. As a writer, that irritates the hell out of me. But, I can let it go. A few deep breaths, some visual imagery and I'm fine. It's still a cool song. Hey-and on the bright side, if Taylor screws up the lyrics it won't matter.<br /><br />Enjoy.<br /><object height="220" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6665801&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><br /><br /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6665801&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="220"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/6665801">http://vimeo.com/6665801</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user259724">bonnie cheung</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />Shammy [chamois] cleaning all the windows,<br />Singing songs about Edith Piaf's soul.<br />And I hear blue strains of "no regredior"<br />Across the street from Cathedral Notre Dame.<br /><br />Meanwhile back in San Francisco<br />We're trying hard to make this whole thing blend,<br />As we sit upon this jagged<br />Storey block, with you my friend.<br /><br />And it's a long way to Buffalo.<br />It's a long way to Belfast city too.<br />And I'm hoping the choice won't blow the hoist<br />'cos this town, they bit off more than they can chew.<br /><br />As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on<br />As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on<br />Saint Dominic's Preview<br />Saint Dominic's Preview<br />Saint Dominic's Preview<br /><br />All the orange boxes are scattered.<br />We get to Safeway's supermarket in the rain.<br />And everybody feels so determined<br />Not to feel anyone else's pain.<br /><br />(You know that) No one's making no commitments<br />To anybody but themselves,<br />Hidin' behind closed doorways,<br />Tryin' to get outside, outside of empty shells<br /><br />And for every cross-cuttin' country corner,<br />For every Hank Williams railroad train that cried,<br />And all the chains, badges, flags and emblems<br />And every strain on every brain and every eye (?)<br /><br />As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on<br />As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on<br />Saint Dominic's Preview<br />Saint Dominic's Preview<br />Saint Dominic's Preview.<br /><br />And the restaurant tables are completely covered.<br />The record company has paid out for the wine.<br />You got everything in the world you ever wanted<br />Right about now your face should wear a smile.<br /><br />That's the way it all should happen<br />When you're in, when you're in the state you're in;<br />You've got your pen and notebook ready,<br />I think it's about time, time for us to begin.<br /><br />And we're over in a 52nd Street apartment,<br />Socializing with the whino few,<br />Just to be hip and get wet with the jet set.<br />But they're flying too high to see my point of view.<br /><br />As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on<br />As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on<br />Saint Dominic's Preview<br />Saint Dominic's Preview<br />Saint Dominic's Preview.<br /><br />See them freedom marching,<br />Out on the street, freedom marching.<br />Saint Dominic's Preview.carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-70047713582843143332009-09-15T22:44:00.023-05:002009-09-19T13:31:16.184-05:00Warehouse Live, Sept 14thDear Diary,<br /><br />Monday night I went to a show at Warehouse Live in Houston, which included this amazing keyboard player. I couldn't take my eyes off his flying hands.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQMS_-pzTttPep8OeM98G9seIgXkOWfBP5x0CbmxFCMIRF3n4Lqtdtus_IhB1pwZjcQYzPeanSUeq7dNDjACMhdoWZ6KsPVXU3X59bac3YRddkqZEMECoB1g1kE5r-VSKet0ktFluNlk/s1600-h/DSC_0287.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383247010752561970" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQMS_-pzTttPep8OeM98G9seIgXkOWfBP5x0CbmxFCMIRF3n4Lqtdtus_IhB1pwZjcQYzPeanSUeq7dNDjACMhdoWZ6KsPVXU3X59bac3YRddkqZEMECoB1g1kE5r-VSKet0ktFluNlk/s400/DSC_0287.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He was full of charisma, smiling out at the audience, encouraging us to clap along. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him work.<br /><br />Here, Dear Diary, I found you a video. Skip to the :35 mark:<br /><br /><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6611687&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6611687&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><br />Behind him sat a guy playing bass guitar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexABjsbDKUl_6UFI_OSMqxRIZ6GuAtikMAG_VkZSXz5eqdvclUI5dqNh6H1fYUkH2b5QmZkdLL9l128PA3QRc9zsvJCjnI6m_CXPTTnzeImyg4uZr5WieszzsfXQvFdVCZ9DioU8Hhvs/s1600-h/Jason+and+Brian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382268794264349650" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexABjsbDKUl_6UFI_OSMqxRIZ6GuAtikMAG_VkZSXz5eqdvclUI5dqNh6H1fYUkH2b5QmZkdLL9l128PA3QRc9zsvJCjnI6m_CXPTTnzeImyg4uZr5WieszzsfXQvFdVCZ9DioU8Hhvs/s400/Jason+and+Brian.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />photo by NolaMar<br /><br />He looked about 12 and was introduced as the little kid in the band. Then the lead singer said, "Actually, he's 32, loves mountain biking..." The Little Kid plucked out a funky beat as the crowd chuckled.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopwgld7TY4STzJ8QN_Ndo5ts1kmntJXzEEeuWrnE8MT5-DjvBjcsLg4fNvCpEa430av8nATEXFv-4HcSDseeGs0uzOYOakHqYerjtGbB3YBUjUS2elOYR0YPPDTAv3cqmpRlCRf0Bj0o/s1600-h/bass+player.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382268789189286082" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopwgld7TY4STzJ8QN_Ndo5ts1kmntJXzEEeuWrnE8MT5-DjvBjcsLg4fNvCpEa430av8nATEXFv-4HcSDseeGs0uzOYOakHqYerjtGbB3YBUjUS2elOYR0YPPDTAv3cqmpRlCRf0Bj0o/s400/bass+player.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />photo by NolaMar<br /><br />I wish I could have seen the guitarist on the other side of the lead singer. Alas, the crowd was straining ever closer to the stage, blocking my view. But I <em>felt </em>the notes he played in my chest at times, as he whipped the guitar into submission.<br /><br />Watch him around 3:30:<br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cHI1vrQAoDo&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cHI1vrQAoDo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />The lead singer had a powerful voice and provided entertaining banter in between songs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXFWxt91Mt9tgqsGAqxihHu8s73a-dnzx9ay3wGnEueEQaML6UgHsQoawv0Hw7WMkTpv_Gx5hnJHWDbabuOdGrrKVYAjtmzignCq4718MDAkTXPtilZhqL6z0GFY4vRDg7nJEuJfi4Do/s1600-h/lead+singer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382268802832745842" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXFWxt91Mt9tgqsGAqxihHu8s73a-dnzx9ay3wGnEueEQaML6UgHsQoawv0Hw7WMkTpv_Gx5hnJHWDbabuOdGrrKVYAjtmzignCq4718MDAkTXPtilZhqL6z0GFY4vRDg7nJEuJfi4Do/s400/lead+singer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />photo by NolaMar<br /><br />The venue doesn't look like much from the outside, but the room where this performance took place (The Studio) had a very cool look. I would have preferred a little more distance between the band and the crowd because it would have been easier to see them. One woman actually sat cross-legged on the stage, watching the musicians. That may sound cozy but it's possible she had to choose between sitting on the stage or having her legs crushed against it.<br /><br />All in all, a pleasant evening. Especially for me, since my clothes came away unscathed by a wayward drink.<br /><br />Keyboard: Brian Less<br />Guitar:John Kulinich<br />Bass:Jason Parker<br />Lead Singer: Taylor Hickscarylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-69450476208380376202009-09-10T23:53:00.009-05:002009-09-12T10:12:54.779-05:00Adventures in Taylorland, Part IIThere was a lull in the activity over by the book signing and I was worried that havingfun might miss seeing Taylor (he's been known to leave early), so I ventured back and asked the first person I saw if Taylor would be there the full time.<br /><br />I'm not the most informed person in Taylor Hicks' fandom, so I didn't realize I was talking to Clay. I told him a friend of mine was still on her way and he assured me Taylor would stay until 12:30. Then he asked me if I bought batteries. LOL! No fans were around at the moment, so he and Taylor went off to take a break.<br /><br />Everyone I spoke to was friendly and helpful. Taylor was very nice, too, when my camera wouldn't work. He had Clay give it a couple of tries and then said he'd stick around if I wanted to go and buy new batteries.<br /><br />But he was in his autograph-signing-mode, where he doesn't hear everything you say and barely looks up. He had no clue who I was and I wasn't going to make an ass of myself by reminding him. I'm a very small fish in this pond and I know it.<br /><br />Havingfun was havingtrouble finding the bookstore and kept calling me on my cell phone. I wound up putting an employee on. After about five minutes of this, everyone knew she was on her way. My phone would ring and the employee helping us would say, "Where is she NOW?" When she finally walked up the stairs, the woman in charge of Taylor's schedule called him on her phone to tell him she was there. LOL!<br /><br />Me, Taylor and havingfun met up at the table and HF launched immediately into a plea for him to do a shadow show in Austin. She named great venues in the area, fans who are hoping for a show and eateries in the area. She may have thrown in his horoscope for that week but I'm not sure. (I tease because I love, HF!)<br /><br />Taylor tried to explain the difficulties of setting up these shows, considering the schedules of the musicians involved, but never said it was out of the question. He said he had an offer from a venue in Austin and was thinking about it.<br /><br />The rest is a jumbled memory. He signed her book at some point. In fact, he signed a book to himself, too. Clay was walking away and Taylor called to him, "Hey, wait, I don't have a copy of the book. Let me give you one for me." I think I said something like, "You don't have your own book?" and he said he had one somewhere but not with him on the road.<br /><br />Then he said to no one in particular, "Wait, let me sign it to myself: 'Dear Taylor, Thanks for being you.'" He cracked himself up:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0meAHeREXGRXXVAfTLc4YQbfPkwYPmvI2f1ik44ShcdLDlkli9rVxBofjnqUGaFYCwsdReF9vNfhO-0Ss5U6_L628Yno6wNVAdlPRVWfrYX41f3CGsmFMwFh046DRkzWt0zOedRrvys/s1600-h/fokx6s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380259129356444002" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0meAHeREXGRXXVAfTLc4YQbfPkwYPmvI2f1ik44ShcdLDlkli9rVxBofjnqUGaFYCwsdReF9vNfhO-0Ss5U6_L628Yno6wNVAdlPRVWfrYX41f3CGsmFMwFh046DRkzWt0zOedRrvys/s400/fokx6s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We talked for at least fifteen minutes. He talked a lot about the business of the music biz. I said I thought that end of it sounded like a pain in the neck but he said he actually kind of enjoyed it. He added that Grease has been a great vehicle for getting his CD out there. He admitted that maybe this wasn't exactly the way he wanted to do it, but that it's working for him.<br /><br />*I need to stop here and point out that havingfun actually talked more than I did. I'm sorry I can't remember what she said as clearly as I can what I said.*<br /><br />The woman with the clipboard interrupted us to remind him that he had other obligations that day but he called over to her, "No, it's OK. We're just talking." Perhaps he gave the secret signal by accident (ha) but I thought it was nice of him to continue our conversation.<br /><br />Taylor asked Clay to go get a couple of head shots for us and when he brought them over, Taylor signed them for us. While he was signing, I asked him if he ever goes into chat at his new site and he said NO. But he said he's really happy with his new sites and he reminded us about the video chat occurring the following day.<br /><br />I told him that I remembered that before the CD came out, he had said how important it was to him from an artistic point of view. He wanted to take the time to get the music <em>right</em>. I said I thought he achieved what he had hoped to. He appreciated that and then said, "You know, the Grease tour was already in place BEFORE we recorded the CD." I paused to let that sink in and then I smiled and said, "You're kidding." He seemed pleased with his own cleverness.<br /><br />So, he <em>did </em>say (as he's been saying all along) that he hopes to do more stage roles because he'd like to continue attracting <em>more</em> <em>than</em> Idol fans. I said, "Idol fans are fickle" and he replied, "Of course they are!" <br /><br />A funny image popped into my head so I said, "Just please don't do John Travolta's role in Hairspray!"<br /><br />Here's a photo if you don't remember:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/SqqREQShOHI/AAAAAAAAGqk/-ynY-0Vp-vM/s1600-h/hairspray_narrowweb__300x4320.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380272207125624946" style="WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/SqqREQShOHI/AAAAAAAAGqk/-ynY-0Vp-vM/s400/hairspray_narrowweb__300x4320.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />His people signaled to him just then that it was time to go, so he hopped off the table and said, "Don't worry!" *grin* "there are no cross-dressing roles in my future! *laugh* Hey- thanks for coming, you guys!"<br /><br />I thought it was really sweet of Taylor to just slow down and chat with a couple of fans. Wednesday was a busy day for him, too so it was especially nice of him to indulge us. <br /><br />I wasn't going to type this up, but I realized Taylor's fans need a balanced view of what he's like with us (all of us, I mean). So often we're afraid to post a good experience with him online because it can make you a target. I've been called a liar and an attention whore in the past, so I know what I'm talking about.<br /><br />But folks, relax. It's all good. Taylor's a nice guy who's trying to find his way in the entertainment industry. If you're a fan, the only thing you need to worry about is supporting him.<br /><br />(Havingfun: seriously, I'm sorry I didn't quote you in this. If you'd like me to add anything, let me know!)carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-78045629756178484712009-09-10T18:49:00.007-05:002009-09-11T11:19:45.007-05:00Adventures in Taylorland, Part IHis second day in Houston, Taylor Hicks signed books and CDs at Books-a-Million downtown. I wasn't planning to go, mostly because I didn't know about it, but my good buddy, havingfun, wanted to meet me there, so I decided it might be fun. I also thought perhaps this book signing could erase the memory of the Debacle of 2007 when I went to a book signing in NY run by Nazis:<br /><br />"You vill stand HERE! You vill valk trough dis maze of bookshelves-NO peeking!! You dere!! Eyes front!! Have your book open and ready, get your autograph and move on!! You must leave de area!!"<br /><br />Yesterday, as I followed my printed directions, I had a heck of a time finding the bookstore. Most of the streets are one-way, so if you make a mistake while driving, you may wind up crossing the state line into Louisiana before you get back to where you need to be. It's a nightmare.<br /><br />I FINALLY found the building but couldn't' find parking. When at last, I pulled into a parking spot on the roof of some building I still wasn't sure where the bookstore was and I wasn't sure I cared.<br /><br />Just then havingfun called and asked me if I could help her find the location when she got into downtown. I don't think she found my laughter reassuring.<br /><br />By the way, dear reader, I think I looked presentable when I left my house. Hair styled, make-up on, casual, but nice outfit. I had to jump into heels at the last minute because my jeans were too long. By the time I stumbled into that bookstore, a light rain had had it's way with my hair and those stupid shoes had done a number on my feet. I was out of breath.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ojbk5NOhyMlBcXNb0miNwNqKP6Xhxvd9p0hO5qcTPdCc9g6SSoh-rOGfZlvzLb5E3SNiOA_ZABortbBdwjkGULT_Gzi5U6dJQXfYl1mfWjKQYhWZPl5NOCB0y9rN9paw2_cDVdButHU/s1600-h/3904864056_72247806f4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380004179579431490" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ojbk5NOhyMlBcXNb0miNwNqKP6Xhxvd9p0hO5qcTPdCc9g6SSoh-rOGfZlvzLb5E3SNiOA_ZABortbBdwjkGULT_Gzi5U6dJQXfYl1mfWjKQYhWZPl5NOCB0y9rN9paw2_cDVdButHU/s400/3904864056_72247806f4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BnsQkjDfhyeYeFYaHCpO_PeTRr3BrzEHtbE1-uasCX97EbfWylrCCXkziDOon5_D8N5m9oIOaaql_mK2Hg4xEuDXTKL4wSlbgIZp7B5D5jzqS9D74_Ewf5JIj_PRg6gGxgKDTlfYScM/s1600-h/3904871696_2b054bb298.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380004182059738578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BnsQkjDfhyeYeFYaHCpO_PeTRr3BrzEHtbE1-uasCX97EbfWylrCCXkziDOon5_D8N5m9oIOaaql_mK2Hg4xEuDXTKL4wSlbgIZp7B5D5jzqS9D74_Ewf5JIj_PRg6gGxgKDTlfYScM/s400/3904871696_2b054bb298.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />(I'm not in this picture, you silly people!)<br /><br />I bought a book, was directed towards the book signing and was suddenly thrust in front of Taylor Hicks. The heavy breathing, the limping and the damp hair wasn't exactly the look I was going for that morning. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08jMTp-yPoXGK5dXl8g2oWn8hqCc7zX-v1dodAmIgGJsiqdTRV1Hsf78gzZklnTkbDaktMUCmFssNHlgvFSRXjCsuqVvGkVoNjYjd3uVspKj_aon1uXzaATjj4MX_6E1TbxRepvxQ-MU/s1600-h/3904907432_48065f571a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380004188211491506" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08jMTp-yPoXGK5dXl8g2oWn8hqCc7zX-v1dodAmIgGJsiqdTRV1Hsf78gzZklnTkbDaktMUCmFssNHlgvFSRXjCsuqVvGkVoNjYjd3uVspKj_aon1uXzaATjj4MX_6E1TbxRepvxQ-MU/s400/3904907432_48065f571a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He signed my book and then we faced my camera for a photo.<br /><br />Nothing. The batteries were dead. Everyone watching thought it would be a great idea if I went away, bought some batteries and came back. I thought it would be a great idea if I just went away.<br /><br />I found a chair and sat down to regroup. It was then that I remembered that havingfun was still on her way.<br /><br />to be continued.....carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-46980207296036356102009-09-08T00:00:00.001-05:002009-09-08T00:00:00.279-05:00Welcome to Houston, Taylor HicksTaylor Hicks will finally be in my little ole town for the next two weeks. I mentioned somewhere online that maybe it's time for everybody to put their cameras down and actually experience the music. Leave the camera home. Stop squealing. Listen.<br /><br />In the spirit of "leaving the camera at home," I'm putting the mouse and the keyboard away. I'm documenting nothing. If Taylor Hicks shows up on one of my local shows, I'm gonna watch it, but I'm not going to bother finding a video of it online for you.<br /><br />*pause*<br /><br />Well, shoot. I'm having a hard time writing this because I'm not being honest. The truth is, I'm over it. I don't need to watch every video, read every article or hear every interview. I just don't care about any of that anymore.<br /><br />You can have it. Just leave me the music. I'm so moved by this man's voice that I don't even understand it. I've stopped trying to figure it out, it doesn't really matter.<br /><br />So, yeah, Taylor will be doing the usual adorable interviews and performing in Grease here in Houston, but all I really care about is what he's doing on September 14th at Warehouse Live.<br /><br />And I'll be leaving the camera at home.carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-10929767629052103542009-09-02T15:37:00.001-05:002009-09-03T15:14:17.443-05:00A "Ruff" Audience<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="video" width="640" height="520" data="http://www.myfoxdfw.com/video/videoplayer.swf"><param value="http://www.myfoxdfw.com/video/videoplayer.swf" name="movie"/><param value="&skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&embed=true&adSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fad%2Edoubleclick%2Enet%2Fadx%2Ftsg%2Ekdfw%2Fwildcard%5F1%2Fdetail%3Bdcmt%3Dtext%2Fxml%3Bpos%3D%3Btile%3D2%3Bsz%3D320x240%3Bord%3D670382343818575900%3Frand%3D0%2E374065290375459&flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxdfw%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D130522560&img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Emyfoxdfw%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2009%2F09%2F02%2F0902%2Dhicksdog%5Ftmb0000%5F20090902125842%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxdfw%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Fgood%5Fday%2FLive%5FHound%5FDog%5FSerenade" name="FlashVars"/><param value="all" name="allowNetworking"/><param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess"/></object>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-2955338945817285752009-09-01T00:00:00.002-05:002009-09-01T00:00:00.733-05:00The Chris Daughtry Show<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ_f6gEAp7lgsWODkk8TT-w_lf7jyk4oxE5c4d8bVkLl7X-xFE8AtZ4-JUjG7IMhi9Ct0YgcL_Qeq2bL1xszgJv4rdQ4nTINr-O914k42frZe3JV4fpOHtBkekLjcYYn_O3Qa-UqqvaU/s1600-h/ai_275x176.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376182411140010050" style="WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ_f6gEAp7lgsWODkk8TT-w_lf7jyk4oxE5c4d8bVkLl7X-xFE8AtZ4-JUjG7IMhi9Ct0YgcL_Qeq2bL1xszgJv4rdQ4nTINr-O914k42frZe3JV4fpOHtBkekLjcYYn_O3Qa-UqqvaU/s400/ai_275x176.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They're finally going to air Season Five on American Idol Rewind. Yay! Taylor Hicks' season! Wait. Who's that dude in the ad? He doesn't have grey hair. Or any hair, for that matter.<br /><br />I'm not sure what's going on with this show. Are they going to air it straight-forward, the way it happened or are they doing a Daughtry documentary? The documentary thing is fine but don't call it "American Idol Rewind." Just air the damned show the way it went down.<br /><br />And look at this. Elliot isn't even in the photo though he came in third that season. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/Spxs8BYtSgI/AAAAAAAAGpM/EjlQUeXhvUU/s1600-h/AI+rewinded.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376291833593547266" style="WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FYwuovf-32A/Spxs8BYtSgI/AAAAAAAAGpM/EjlQUeXhvUU/s400/AI+rewinded.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I wrote this over a year ago, but feel it may be relevant again:<br /><br />Those of you enamored with American Idol need to be aware that the competition is meaningless. Don't spend hours voting for your favorite performer because it won't matter in the end. Producers of the show already know who they're going to force into the nation's ears once the show has come to an end.<br /><br />This was never more obvious than after season five. Taylor Hicks was America's choice, but the contestant who came in fourth received more backing by the record label than Hicks. In the music business it takes more than a quality product to sell millions of CDs. It takes money to bring that product to the attention of the consumer.<br /><br />From hollyscoop.com 1/07/08:<br /><br />"American Idol' winner Taylor Hicks is splitting from Arista. Hicks has decided to record his next album on his own. He said he signed his 3-year deal straight out of Idol because it was all he could get, and at that point he had no reason to turn it down. He said he'll continue to hustle to get more gigs, and he'll be releasing another album in 2008, and hopefully go on tour."<br /><br />And the first comment:<br /><br />"Mr. Hicks was not dropped by his label, as has been widely reported over the past couple of days. His lawyers were able to get him removed from his contract for a variety of reasons, including <strong>breach of contract and failure to comply with promised promotion</strong>, among other things. Mr. Hicks has agreed not to reveal the terms of the separation for a specific period of time. In other words, J Records/RCA didn't give Hicks what they promised, he wants more artistic freedom and better promotion, he was able to get out of his contract and he has agreed not to reveal any details at this time. "<br />Posted by: fromtheinside on 01/08/2008 06:38 AM<br /><br />Of course, I have no idea whether or not this comment is true, but it certainly seems plausible. So, watch American Idol for entertainment, if you like. But don't delude yourself into believing your vote will have any impact on that performer's career.carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-45858516274286503352009-08-26T18:11:00.002-05:002009-08-31T22:15:07.315-05:00I Propose a Harmonica GiveawayC'mon, Taylor! You've got plenty!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_5o0SVZ_a7NMVxERJK-GkqXs-zMbBXZiPUCN8P8VBR8h9rs9szXgaqQQTIp3N7yz4Yel0wZLTMEf86i63jW7hY7OxNo8gjtOvyUb5aGP-7b98TY7Tz4U18739CvWc0B-ENseH7ntkbU/s1600-h/t_hickssanfrancisco87.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374414174508737442" style="WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_5o0SVZ_a7NMVxERJK-GkqXs-zMbBXZiPUCN8P8VBR8h9rs9szXgaqQQTIp3N7yz4Yel0wZLTMEf86i63jW7hY7OxNo8gjtOvyUb5aGP-7b98TY7Tz4U18739CvWc0B-ENseH7ntkbU/s400/t_hickssanfrancisco87.jpg" border="0" /></a>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727120322518077832.post-58233129432706985562009-08-25T00:00:00.000-05:002009-08-25T00:00:00.462-05:00Conduit For The MusicI wanted to post a video this week that showcases Taylor Hicks' voice-that gorgeous sound wrapped around some heartfelt lyrics. But I came across this video that I haven't seen before and have to share it. Wow.<br /><br />Someone far more eloquent than I once described Taylor as a conduit for the music. That was never more evident than around the 2:00 mark in this video.<br /><br />WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this Taylor Hicks performance. Expectant mothers should not view.<br /><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kHknOCiodYU&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kHknOCiodYU&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="349"></embed></object>carylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584071470778778229noreply@blogger.com17