From being the master of his own domain as a struggling musician for ten years touring up and down the Southeast region; to what Hicks calls "Dancing with the Devil" the phrase he used two years ago in an eloquent Rolling Stone interview, to describe going through the process of the commercial pop music machine known to us all as "American Idol"; to branching out and creating his own label and an album that is all encompassing of his artistic integrity.

Just at the tender age of thirty-two Hicks truly has gone the Distance. With this, his actual "fifth" musical outing Hicks explores his "New Found Freedom", which in my opinion should have been the title of this release. The album does have a seemingly clichéd love theme around its periphery, which of course is "it is better to have loved and lost then to have never have loved at all" with a bit of optimism "the grass is greener on the other side" thrown in...with tracks like "Maybe you Should" (My favorite track/Grammy Worthy!!!), "What's Right is Right", and a sweet cover of Bobby Womack's "Woman's got to Have It" (minus the intro) guest starring another American Idol Alum and close friend of Hicks Elliot Yamin the two together exemplify true Blue-Eyed Soul at its best!

The Distance is a solid effort and it showcases the story based foundation to Hicks's songwriting style, having penned or co-penned about eighty percent of the album. Hicks has stated in several interviews over the past few weeks that with this album he wanted to take the listener on a musical journey and with the final product he accomplished his goal. The album opens with a great start with it's title track "The Distance" but about mid-way through there are a few twists and turns that should have been left off the final itinerary. One track being the comical pop culture mockery track "Keeping it Real" and the Latin infused "Once Upon A Lover" that just are out of place in true "Where's Waldo" fashion.

Hicks has also been quoted to have had a large arsenal of original material for this album which has me perplexed about the three covers that made the cut. Though Hicks truly pays homage to the original performers with his alluringly smooth Michael McDonaldesque fervor. I myself and I am sure other Blue-Eyed Soul enthusiasts would have loved for him to dig down deep and bring out that gritty down home Southern sound that Hicks always delivers while performing Live, which is raw and unapologetic and is translated onto tracks like "New Found Freedom" and "Seven Mile Breakdown" which I hope Hicks realizes that either track should be the next single off the album. ("Seven Mile Breakdown" Written by Wynn Christian front man for the Indie Southern/Soul-Blues Spoonful James, which Hicks would be crazy not to be the first band signed to his fledgling label)

Hicks got it right teaming up with Simon Climie who has produced the likes of Eric Clapton, Faith Hill, and go figure guess who Michael McDonald. I think Hicks erred in not bringing on board other producers to round out the R&B Soul side of the album like a Jack Splash (Anthony Hamilton, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys), Bobby Ross Avila (Mary J Blige, Usher), or a R&B/Soul Vets like an L.A. Reed or Teddy Riley; I think those total collaborations would have compiled a more well rounded album.

Signifying his Modern Whomp Records label with a simple and humbling start with this effort I believe Hicks has just touched the surface on his new independent pathway. With Hicks's "New Found Freedom" it appears we are all in for a long journey, because Hicks has truly paid his dues and he seems ready to collect.

(In your Time/Under the Radar-Independently produced; the self-titled Taylor Hicks- First major label release-J Records/Arista; Early Works-Compilation of IYT and UTR-first release on Modern Whomp Records Label)

Claudia Oakenfull
Editor and Chief
BES Magazine
www.besmagazine.blogspot.com

Roooooool Tiiiiiiiide!!!!

So, as many of you know I have been in Alabama off and on since mid-April in between my gigs with Nkotb and covering the AMA's I have enjoyed my stay and have really gotten into SEC Football. Alabama has secured most of my bets this year and I give major thanks to John Parker Wilson, Julio and company in that respect.

I have experienced fan loyalty like no other here in Alabama...Being from Los Angeles and with USC and the House of Troy always close to my heart I am and always will be a Pac 10 girl; but Alabama and the SEC have been an okay adoptive family for the moment.

I know that Taylor went to Auburn but from a blind eye trust me, if I am not mistaken he is truly an Alabama fan, quite as kept (Shhhhhh)...LOL

I have truly enjoyed this college football season, with L.A. not having a pro team (Yet I am a 49er fan until I die, might I add) USC and the house of Troy have gotten me through...But I do have to admit that the SEC and the fans in the South and the way they support and adore their college football is a true experience worth having.

ROLL TIDE!!!

"Houston we have a title"...THE DISTANCE!!!!

We all knew from the moment we saw Taylor Hicks audition for American Idol in Las Vegas that he was visually distant from the norm of Idol hopefuls, from his age, to his experience. Throughout the show he also distanced himself from the competition with his unique style and being the first contestant never to be voted into the bottom three...

"The Distance" which will be released March 10, 2009 is the perfect title for Hicks's fourth musical outing, from his roots as a struggling artist, to writing and recording his first two independent albums "In Your Time" and "Under the Radar", through the "Idol experience", to teaming up with A2M (Artist to Market) and launching his own label with Modern Whomp Records, and recently onto the Broadway stage...Hicks has definitely mastered the class of music biz 101.

Webster defines distance as a "separation of time; the degree or amount of separation between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects; an extent of an area or an advance along a route measured linearly;" or my favorite and what I have heard Taylor Hicks describe of his new album "The Distance" (Webster) "an extent of advance from a beginning"

Taylor Hicks has paid his dues from his ten years as struggling musician touring in a mini van around Alabama and the Southeast region. The singer/songwriter has had a daunting and long musical journey.

As he embarks on a national tour with the Classic Broadway musical GREASE he is once again expanding his repertoire as an entertainer. Taylor Hicks has truly gone the distance and it seems to be only the beginning.

TWT owner and creator Claudia Oakenfull

Photo by: Moto Images

Taylor in the RAW!

Well maybe the Shadow Tour will lead to us upclose to the raw Taylor we all love...enjoy!

Taylor at Marty's Bar in Birmingham, AL

October 5, 2008

Taylor Hicks's Musical Journey

Lately on my travels as I interview artists in a variety of genres, I run across a few people in the general public who ask me "who has been my favorite interview to date?" my response is always Taylor Hicks. From his down home southern charm, to his shy, reserve personality with wit to match.

I got to interview Mr. Hicks again by phone recently as we discussed him launching his own label, his upcoming album, and the national Grease Tour where he will be reprising his role as "Teen Angel" from his stint on Broadway this past Summer.

TWT: So Taylor you have joined the ranks of Evanescence, Josh Kelly and many others and launched your own record label, how did that come about and what is you vision for your label itself?

TH: Yes, this past summer I launched Modern Whomp Records and it has been interesting because it is one thing to approach a project from an artistic perspective, but to also approach things from a business aspect is something different in and of itself. It has been an exciting opportunity for me to envelope the process of running your own label and the procedures and business aspects that go with it. Having your own label and having the control and freedom from an artistic stand point truly makes you think on how you want to present and formulate your work so it best represents you. The business aspect of the music industry is constantly a learning process from technology to marketing, so I can just take everything in and hopefully we will be able to sign on other artists in the future.

TWT: Early this fall you released the first album off your Modern Whomp Records label entitled "Early Works" which is a compilation CD of your first two independent albums that you produced before your win on American Idol. Can you compare and contrast Early Works to your major label release Taylor Hicks?

TH: "Early Works" is a testament to my early stages as a songwriter "In Your Time" includes tracks that I wrote at eighteen and nineteen and it reflects me as an artist at the time. As I grew as an individual and as a songwriter through those two albums I became more sound and experienced as an artist where with Taylor Hicks it was produced on a larger scale and there were more variables involved in the process as a whole. Being a "Live" artist it was interesting to have that major studio recording experience. Which was a totally different experience then it was with "In Your Time" and "Under the Radar."

TWT: You did pre-production in Nice, France, how was that experience and did you learn any French while on the other side of the pond?

TH: France was great, and Nice is a beautiful city and the people were pretty cool. Of course I learned general stuff like hello, goodbye, how are you?--you know conversational French phrases which get you around town. It was nice to go there and work with a great producer like Simon Climie on the pre-production it was wonderful to be able to take that time, it gave me an opportunity to put all of myself into these songs, sit with them a while and be able to create and stlylize each song that truly reflects who I am as an artist.

TWT: Can you describe the new album?

TH: Once again it was really great to take the time with the pre-production and collaborate with Simon. Taking that time really helped us move into the studio recording process with ease. The experience I had on Idol and the instincts making song selections for the show really resurfaced with choosing songs for this album. With the album ninety percent complete, I have to say that for me this is some of the best writing I have done to date, working with a great talented team from producers, to songwriters, to really great musicians which are all good components to have for a great album. I think that the various styles within this album truly represent me and where I am as an artist. It is a testament of my journey starting with my first two albums through Taylor Hicks to this album that reflect my growth as an artist and as a songwriter.

TWT: So you are gearing up for the Grease National Tour that kicks off Dec 2nd, so will there be rehearsals in New York before, or is it the same cast that was there during your stint on Broadway over the Summer?

TH: There will be some of the same people within the touring company. Many of the main characters will have a few new faces. There will be rehearsals before and during the day at the various tour locations. After the first couple weeks we will all become acclimated to a regular schedule and you usually fall into a daily show routine. Being able to branch out and do a bit of acting has been a great experience, and has really broadened my skills as an entertainer.

TWT: So you will be performing on the Grease Tour and promoting your album concurrently, how will you segue between the two?

TH: There will be various media promotion in between show dates, and I will also be able to hit the radio markets in and around the Grease Tour locations to promote the album. We will be incorporating the first single into the Grease shows. Along with that we will hopefully be having a show at a small venue in each city to feel out the new music.

TWT: So it will be like the Taylor Hicks tour shadowing the Grease Tour.

TH: Exactly, it is a great way to get the new music out there and work through the material from a live perspective before we tour the new album.

TWT: Will any of your band mates from your first solo tour be joining you on the Shadow Tour?

TH: Could be....you never know.

Interview by: TWT creator Claudia Oakenfull Photo obtained from: http://www.righthickssave.wordpress.com/

Taylor is the Master of his uhmm...Masters.

Taylor Hicks just completed his stint along the "Great White Way" playing "Teen Angel" in GREASE on Broadway. Exploring and crafting his acting chops seems to be just the tip of the iceberg for this talented, down home, platnium selling singer/songwriter. Hicks is joining many other talented artists, and jumping onto the Independent Label band wagon which apparently in today's music industry, is becoming the path most traveled.

While in New York and moonlighting from Rydell High, Taylor was busy in the studio continuing to write and develop his sophomore LP. Regarding the album Hicks says it "is some of the best writing he has done to date", Hicks describes the album "as a true "Snapshot" of many things going on in his life, now and a few stories from his past". A "Snapshot" is an interesting description and great title for his sophomore attempt if Hicks chooses to go that route.

The album will be released on Hicks's Indie label Modern Whomp Records and distributed by Artist to Market (A2M), Hicks sealed a landmark deal -- similar to the one struck by his "Idol" Ray Charles back in 1959 which involves Hicks having complete control and direction of the album. He will also own the licensing and copyrights to all of his master recordings, a deal which he signed on his 32nd birthday October 7, 2008, while getting some well deserved R and R from the "Big Apple" at home in Birmingham, Alabama.

From diving in the Cayman Islands with friends, to taking in some great SEC football games in Alabama and Georgia, to being invited to the hottest Halloween Bash on the planet at the Playboy Mansion...it seems the man known as Silver Fox celebrates his birthday in style, the entire month of October. Life seems to be going great for the leader of the Soul Patrol!

Hicks launched his label late this summer and the first album released was "Early Works", a compilation CD of his two solo albums "In Your Time" and "Under the Radar" which he wrote, produced and recorded before he won the fifth season of American Idol. The release of "Early Works" was a collaborative effort between Hicks' MWR and Welk Music. Hicks also plans to release a concert DVD either this winter or early spring called "Whomp at the Warfield" which was recorded during his first national solo tour at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco.

There may be other artists signed to MWR in the label's future but at present Hicks is focused on "his" next album, that has a current release date of February 10, 2009. It appears Hicks is enjoying his time off, which is understandable since he is about to clock-in for ten months of blood, sweat, and tunes.

Sometime soon Hicks will be jetting off to Nice, France for a few weeks to do pre-production for the next album with one of the album's producers Simon Climie who has worked with such artists as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and Faith Hill, Then it is back to the states for this Alabama native to record and master the album, while also embarking on the GREASE national tour December 2, 2008 as "Teen Angel" once again.Hicks will be flying this way and that, promoting his new album in between shows during the tour.

Hicks's camp has secured a cutting edge marketing deal with the classic musical's producers, and at the end of each show Hicks will hit the stage solo to perform the album's first single. At the completion of the GREASE run in June, Hicks and his band will begin preparing to embark on his third national solo tour.

Hicks seems to have been able to rise above all the media negativity, that many a past Idol winners and contestants have had to endure; mainly the constant critique from the naysayers since his mutual parting in early January from Arista Records. It appears with the launch of his own label, this recent landmark distribution deal, and a little new age direct marketing plan with the GREASE tour tie-in, Hicks is surely letting his fans know that he is in it for the long haul!

Hicks is formulating, crafting, and directing his own career path, and he appears satisfied and content with not having all the major label "strings" attached. All aboard the Soul Patrol Train, Taylor Hicks is in control and 2009 looks like a heck of a ride!

Claudia Oakenfull

TWT
Photo by: www.rebephotos.com

My "Early Works"

Hey all, Tayfan1 here and I thought since Tay has decided to go back in time with the upcoming release of the compilation CD "Early Works" next month then so will I...here is the Q&A I had with Taylor on January 17, 2008 at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic after his round. Taylor was very relaxed that week and it was a pleasure walking with his group and getting to know the man behind the music for those four sunny days in Palm Springs, CA. Don't forget to share your thoughts.

Best

TF1

TWT: So Taylor, did Justin Leonard give you any tips while you were out there?

Taylor: A few, not enough to play good golf (Laughs) but he helped me line up a few putts.

TWT: Since you have played in a few golf pro-am events are the nerves gone?

Taylor: Yea pretty much.

TWT: So do you have a warm up routine?

Taylor: I like to hit balls early.

TWT: So you come out like an hour before?

Taylor: Yea, like an hour before warm up and talk to some of the celebrities out here on the practice tee...that I'm also a fan of..

TWT: So since the mutual parting with your label a lot of artist have been going independent. Evanescence has been successful and they have always been independent...

Taylor: Right

TWT: Gwen Staffani is going to be making the leap, have you thought about starting your own label or going with another independent label?

Taylor: Well right now I just want to go out there and make a greeaaaaaat album, tour it and be with the fans.

TWT: So how was your stint in Asia any plans of going back?

Taylor: Yea, I think we will go back to Asia when we release the album and maybe do some additional gigs in Europe.

TWT: Whomp at the Warfield is there a set release date as of yet?

Taylor: Maybe late Spring or Summer, everything is done it is just about finding the right time to release it.

TWT: We just recently interviewed Alicia Keys, are there going to be any collaborations on the upcoming album?

Tayor: Yea there will, actually the first collaboration is in a couple of weeks but I can't give any names out yet.

TWT: I understand.

TWT: Is there any themes to the next album?

Taylor: Right now I am in the thick of writing, I am doing some writing in L.A., and will be doing some writing in Nashville and New York. I am tied up with writing right now, I don't know where that is going to go but we will see.

TWT: Okay Taylor I just have a few "this or that" questions...

Taylor: What are those?...This..(Laughs)

TWT: (Showed Tay my pad)

Taylor: Okay shoot.

TWT: Tiger or Phil?

Taylor: Phil

TWT: Par 3's or Par 5's?

Taylor: Par 5's

TWT: Shooting 59 or selling out Dodger Stadium?

Taylor: Dodger Stadium

TWT: Masters or US Open?

Taylor: Umm..Masters

TWT: Golf Digest or Rolling Stone?

Taylor: GolfStone

TWT: American Idol or Golf Channel's Big Break

Taylor: Ahhh...man...(Laughs) why you gonna...okay how about both AI and Golf Channel's Big Break.

TWT: Thanks Taylor.

Taylor: Anytime...

Interview conducted by Touring with Taylor Owner -Claudia Oakenfull