TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in Branson, MO
July 30, 2009
“A-Mazing!” by Dogmom06
Taylor, as is his usual style, made the most of a fantastic evening in Branson. The microphone didn’t work right for the first three numbers, and Taylor was concerned for the audience, but he kept on moving on in his very professional style. He even incorporated the old school corded mic into his performance of “The Maze” and used the cord to create a “maze” for himself on stage. Vocally, Taylor seemed to be so smooth and spot on all night, which is amazing considering he was very, very ill by the next morning. He entertained the audience which was full of people from 8 to 80 and of course he was very gracious with meeting the fans after the show. I just wish we could have gotten more of “In the Ghetto!”
Video by Dogmom06
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in Goshen IN
July 23, 2009
“Indiana has the Blues” by Diane
By the time the concert started, there were 4,000 people in the stands and seats at Elkhart County Fair. Here is another wonderful version of “HOTYL – Part II”, as LindaT has dubbed the tagging that Taylor does on this song. I loved the juxtaposition of Taylor and Josh on the “Lonely Avenue” tag as Taylor’s voice mimics Josh’s outstanding guitar solo.
Video and photo by Diane
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in Marksville, LA
July 21, 2009
“Louisana 1927″ by Taylorbug
“Louisiana 1927″ was Taylor’s encore. I didn’t have a good seat for the concert but when I knew it was time for the encore, I was able to scoot right up to the foot of the stage. People were being noisy around me but they still couldn’t spoil the magic of that song. I enjoyed seeing the emotion in his face as he played the guitar and the harp. My memory card got full so I didn’t get the whole song. I loved the fact that since he was in Louisiana, he treated us to a special song.
Video by Taylorbug
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in St. Louis, MO
July 13, 2009
“Here Comes the Sun” by Twitter
I’ll always remember my Triangular Taylor trip….from Indianapolis to Waukegan to St Louis and home again; highlighted on a road map, it makes almost a perfect triangle. I drove by myself from Waukegan to St Louis, just to experience sitting on the front row for once. I must say, I do love front row seats. Taylor was amazing, as usual.
After the concert, I made the fateful decision to drive on home that night, which led me around to the back of the building…and there was Taylor signing autographs! I asked him to sign my Triangular Taylor journey map, and he started talking!
I do remember telling Taylor that now I had to drive all the way home…because he wouldn’t come to Indianapolis! He said he would see what he could do about coming to Indy. Then he said, “Be careful going home.” Taylor Hicks told me to be careful going home! I think I floated all the way back to Indiana.
Video by Twitter
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in Waukegan, IL
July 12, 2009
“The Fall” by Samz
When the Waukegan concert was announced, I got my ticket and amazingly won a meet and greet. My kids wanted me to take them to my meet and greet, and since they all have disabilities, I thought there was a slight chance I could get them in. But, it didn’t happen. I was ready with Plan B, and had taken a photo of my kids along. I had Bill take a photo, of Taylor holding my kids picture. Taylor probably thought I was insane! He and Bill were both surprised that they didn’t let the kids in with me. Maybe next time.
The concert was amazing! I had 2 memory cards and thought that would be more than enough. Imagine my panic, when the first one ran out after the third song! I had to capture Hold On To Your Love because I love that song, especially with the Day-O tags. This was the first night he did Here Comes The Sun, and I loved it, even though he just repeated the first verse over and over. The highlight for me was Take Me To The Pilot. I had never seen him do that song live and it is my favorite Elton John song! (OK, after Levon…) My memory card ran out just before the end of Pilot, but I was happy to get as much as I did. Next time, I will be prepared with bigger memory cards!
Video by Samz
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in Loudoun Co, VA
July 8, 2009
“Getting Wet with the Jet Set” by Diane
This concert was intense musically, with very high energy. I think perhaps we were able to see something of the way Taylor’s mind works when he tags. About halfway though the show, which was close to Dulles Airport near Washington DC, Taylor spotted a jet taking off, sang “big ole jet airliner” and pointed to the plane in the sky. Later, during “The Maze” he tagged the “jet set” stanza from Van’s “St. Dominic’s Preview.” Still later, he chose “Take Me To The Pilot” as the encore, which was not on the planned setlist. Maybe these choices were all coincidences, I don’t know.
At the encore, suddenly Taylor stopped singing TI2TS and said, not singing, about 4 times – “Take Me to the Pilot, Take Me to the Pilot”. I think the band is thinking okay it’s TI2TS and they are done and not paying any attention to what Taylor is saying. All of a sudden, Loren’s eyes flew wide open and you could see the realization on his face that Taylor is trying to sing “Take Me to the Pilot.” So in about 3 notes, the entire band turns 360 degrees and goes directly into TMTTP without a blink. Taylor didn’t come to the ropes after the concert, but the whole band did. I said to Loren, ”Nice catch on TMTTP” and he cracked up and said “We never know what’s going to happen – that came out of no where!” Josh started laughing and said the same thing. I think they love him as much as we do.
Videos and photo by Diane
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in Glen Allen, VA
July 7, 2009
“Hot and Hawt” by Diane
Glen Allen is near Richmond VA and the day of this show, the temperature reached 100 degrees! The heat was nothing compared to what happened on stage. This was my first outdoor Taylor Hicks concert and it was great to see him relaxed and so comfortably happy. He chatted a little, not too much, but he was in a great mood, flinging towels, drumsticks and harmonicas into the audience, throwing the tambourine over his shoulder to the back of the stage and dropping the microphone down like it was too hot to handle. “TI2TS,” the encore, started innocently enough, but then Taylor grabbed a harp he hadn’t thrown in the audience yet, shushed the band twice, began to blow some incredible train notes and then did something with his tongue on that harmonica that reduced the entire female contingent of the audience to puddles.
Video and photo by Diane
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY – Taylor Hicks in Hagerstown, MD
July 6, 2009
“Happier With Him” by Bernie
The Maryland Theatre was a very beautiful venue. Taylor was presented with the key to the city before the show in a small ceremony. It was televised on the local news. He also signed autographs for the crowd while he was out. I was lucky enough to have 5th row seats due to a great friend, Tricia. The show was longer than most, probably close to two hours. Taylor was energetic and talkative the entire time. There were so many great songs and great tags that night. Taylor did this very moving version of “Happier With Him” as one of the encores.
video by Berney
