In the green room with Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks opens the door to the green room a few hours before his show Thursday evening in the Seneca Event Center at the Seneca Niagara Casino. He's tall, 6'1", and much thinner than he was on the show. He seems even thinner than he was on last season's finale a few months ago. Despite the famous gray hair, he looks and seems much younger than his 30 years. He's eating a banana from the stock of healthy snacks in the room, which include fruit, cereal and milk. He's wearing a loose black T-shirt emblazoned with the words "I speak jive," jeans and black suede New Balance shoes. He takes a seat on one of the couches, props his feet on the coffee table and starts talking.
With his own band, he played "a lot of the South. Slowly but surely I was expanding my territory, but that would have probably taken 30 more years to get up here. I might have been stark white by then. The conventional route, that's the way it works. Unconventionally, something like [American Idol] happens."
About Simon: "It kind of just got to the point where [I thought] he says what he says. I think I was in a position on that show that if he said something good it was for me, and if he said something bad it was [good] for me. I might have been one of the only contestants he's ever gone up against where I think he was in a no-win situation. I think people got mad that he would say something [bad] like that about me, which created controversy and stirred the pot, and I think people kind of went with me when he said something good about me. It was a pretty lucky situation to be in."
About his dancing on stage: "I like to call it soul aerobics."
Can he go out in public? "With a hat on, I can, but with a hat off, there's no way. I like to go to places to where people aren't looking for it. You go to somewhere like New York or L.A. or destination spots and people are always wondering who's coming around the corner, but if I show up in Oklahoma City on a Friday night, I'm going to get away with having some beers and hanging out. With the hat on, though. Hat always has to be on, and I get tired of wearing hats. That's a trade off I don't like."
About fame: "I pinch myself every morning. I'm really blessed. There are a lot of things that have to come into play for you to catch a break in this business; your stars have to really line up, so I'm really thankful for that. I say that a lot. Sometimes I'll be sitting on my bus and I'll think to myself, [amazed tone] 'This is my tour bus!'"
To read my review of Taylor Hicks' sold-out concert Thursday night, check out this link.
-- Anne Neville
You met Taylor? Luhhhhhhhhhcky! :-)
Posted by: Samantha | September 06, 2007 at 07:21 PM
Taylor Hicks is a fabulous performer and singer. Can't wait to see his next venture - another tour, another album, a DVD, anything - I'll be there with open arms!
Posted by: sweetsmoke | September 07, 2007 at 05:55 PM
I have never wanted to follow a musicians career as much as i do Taylor Hicks. I am not ashamed to say that I have been to about 10 of his concert and everyone was different. He never has the same setlist twice, and his energy is so contageous. Idon't see how anyone can go to one of Taylor Hicks' concerts and just sit there, unless they are in a wheelchair, no fun intended.
Taylor Hicks is my gift from god and I thank him every night.
Posted by: KarenE | September 07, 2007 at 07:45 PM
Thank you for a great review and interview with Taylor Hicks. He is a fabulour singer, musician, performer and writer and will be here for years to come. I've been to three of his concerts and plan to go to any that are in driving distance.
Posted by: Hatless | September 07, 2007 at 09:08 PM
Taylor is an awesome musician and performer. I have never followed anyone's career, ever before. I’ve attended 14 of his concerts and I’ve never seen or heard the same show twice. You never know what he’s going to pull out of his incredible mind of music.
Taylor has that “Old Black Magic” that puts a spell on you and every time I see one of his shows I'm always amazed how real he keeps it. He loves the audience and we love him. Great one-of-kind shows follow from that.
I thank my lucky stars everyday that I have his music to enrich my life. Thank you Taylor!
Fan for life. - Pat
Posted by: PBoyers | September 07, 2007 at 09:16 PM
Taylor is a unique performer, who has remained true to his roots. His evident joy onstage, giving 110% to his fans, is contagious. It is impossible not to have a good time at his concerts, and to me, impossible not to feel good all over when he smiles that smile. Great Performer!
Posted by: Gypsee | September 07, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Thank you for these reviews-
Great articles here!
Finally, a journalist that does her homework.
I have been to 4 Taylor Hicks Concerts and had a meet an greet in Denver.
His shows are as different an diverse as he is.
I have never seen the same show twice.
Each time-He had me on my feet dancing through the entire show!
I have never followed anyones career before either.
I had about given up on what passes for entertainment on the radio today.
From the first time I heard his Under the Radar CD
Taylor Hicks has single handedly restored my faith in the younger generation
and what they can artistly accomplish.
He brings the soulful rhythms back
to what is so obviously an aching void in todays music.
Taylor is every bit the consumate performer as he is the gentleman.
It's a pleasure to pass his musicical legacy onto my children too.
They enjoy Taylor as much as I do.
an finally we can all agree.
Taylor Hicks
'The Modern Whomp Soulman' is here to stay!
Posted by: ms.sonny | September 08, 2007 at 08:27 AM
This is my first "fan" episode since Elvis.
Taylor has made me enjoy music again.
Thanks for the "real" review.
Posted by: Joyce Mullen | September 08, 2007 at 08:49 AM
Anne's review was one of the best descriptive reviews I've read in a long time! Even though I wasn't at the concert, I have an excellent sense of what I missed. Thanks, Anne!
Posted by: Samantha | September 08, 2007 at 09:40 AM
I have followed Taylor form the first time he came out on stage on AI. I have seen him in concert four times and have never been disapointed. Once in Waterport I had the privlege of meeting him and shaking his hand. In person he is as down to earth as he appears. Niagara Falls was great and I thank You for the interview and good review.
Posted by: Elizabeth Sargent | September 08, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Taylor rocked my socks off in Orange Beach...just another concert notch on my belt...He is an incredible performer with more talent in his pinky than most will ever have that are getting all the radio airplay and spins...He is a desert after dinner...He is a down pillow on a sleepful rest...He is a coat on a cold day...Taylor is comfort. Soul comfort. Thanks for the positive and honest review. Go Soul Patrol!
Posted by: Blondyishere | September 08, 2007 at 01:14 PM
Thank you for this positive post about Taylor. I've seen Taylor 4 times and each show has been unique. He is extremely talented and will be around for a long, long time!
Posted by: Sue in Maryland | September 08, 2007 at 08:31 PM
Thanks for the great interview. Taylor is one of a kind. I love his music. I have only been to one of his concerts, but if I could I would go to all of them. Also, Taylor's smile. Wow!
I could go on and on, but I won't. SOUL PATROL # 0838
Posted by: Emma | September 09, 2007 at 11:46 AM
As a Katrina survivor, my sister Kathleen got her spirit back as well as her smile thanks to Taylor Hicks. We go to every concert we can manage within driving distance of Morgantown, WV, our new home. So we were in Niagara Falls on Sept. 6 waiting to see Taylor for the fifth time. Kath still recovering from serious surgery August 11, I was hoping to get a photo of her with Taylor this trip. She was still in the hotel & I was sitting on a curb across from his tour bus reading his book, again, when I heard someone say, "That's a good book." I looked up to agree & there he was. It was like we saw each other every day.
All I could say was,
"Taylor . . . you have no idea how much good you've done for my sister."
He smiled, asked Bill for a pen and reached for the book to sign it; Bill asked if I had a
camera, I THINK, and I said, "Yes, but
I wanted a picture of my sister with Taylor & she's inside!" Bill took a snapshot, then I took one of Bill & and they went back onto the bus. When my sister came out, so did Tay, and I was able to get their picture. Taylor Hicks is the sweetest, most talented guy to grace any stage in far too long. Thanks for your excellent review. We concur completely.
Kath & Patricia, Taylorsway at yahoo groups dot com.
Posted by: Patricia & Kathleen: N'Awlins Tay-Tay Mamas | September 09, 2007 at 01:32 PM
The show that Taylor put on at the Seneca Niagara Casino was fantastic. This is the 4th time that I seen him perform with the solo tour, and I will never get tired of it. I loved every minute of it. I was lucky enough to catch him just after he came out of the tour bus to go into the theater, and he was nice enough to let me get my photo taken with him. I actually got to put my arm around him. I was on cloud 9. I could hardly breathe when I went into the theater. Having gotten to see him in my home town too was better than every thing. Nancy from Niagara Falls, PS I hope that he comes back here again soon
Posted by: Nancymunchkin | September 09, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Taylor Hicks rocks my world! There is no one on the music scene quite like him. Thanks for the great review. It is so gratifying to read a review of somene who "gets" Taylor. Rock on Soulman!
Posted by: Pat P | September 09, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Nice descriptive review. Taylor really personifies the line in the Bob Seger song "every ounce of energy you try to give away" when he is in concert. He's also very good and patient with his diverse fan base.
Posted by: EJ | September 11, 2007 at 09:09 AM