J records and Taylor Hicks

I'm about to turn off my Google Alerts for Taylor Hicks this week. Everytime I read the articles, almost all I'm reading about is the negativity that surrounds Taylor's split with J Records. Didn't anyone know that Taylor was just back from a highly successful stint in Asia? But that would not make NEWS, it's just ASIA. (**rolls eyes)

I'm almost ready to answer each negativity with an all out assault complete with full combat gear and put these writers in their places. In other words, my loyal fan "claws" are coming out and I wanted to scratch someone's eyes out. (breathing*****, inhale, exhale...) But, I'm better than that, therefore, I'm just blogging away, attempting to make sense as to why these reports seem so one-sided and unbalanced.

Taylor Hicks did not just get dropped people! It takes meetings and talks represented by the concerned parties to have a break-up, especially in an industry that has lawyers up their noses. I'm sure there is a much more intelligent explanation for this, but I am just offering my layman's understanding of this issue. It is not hard to deduce that there was an understanding on both sides, and yes, financial settlements may be at play.

Besides, let's look at the positives on this, Taylor Hicks is free! And they are free of Taylor Hicks--which they did not want to promote in the first place. And Taylor Hicks is free of them. Call him bullheaded or stubborn if you want and that is why he got the boot, but has it ever occured to anyone that he wanted to cut the ties off because of that very reason?? Obviously, he did not want to be part of J Records' assembly of a NEW generation of manufactured, pre-packaged stars, with pre-made songs to be played to the mainstream audience. Okay, maybe not everyone is pre-packaged, some of them are legitimately talented, hello Carrie Underwood! Who decides on what is "mainstream" anyway? The radio stations that are getting hooked up by the record company executives? It's just a question, and everything else is just my own humble opinion! (getting off my soapbox, turning off my Google Alerts)

Soul Patrol- Forever!

A message from Taylor Hicks about this issue posted on his MySpace:


"To all my fans and The Soul Patrol, I want to take a moment to talk about the recent news that my label and I have mutually parted ways. The important thing for all of you to remember is that I've been a working musician my whole life. This is turning the page on a new chapter of my career. Artistic freedom and control is an exciting prospect. The things that are most important to me is creating my art, performing it, and my fans. With the momentum that all of you have created over the years, Taylor Hicks is not going to stop anytime soon. I've started working on the new album, writing and scheduling exciting collaborations. The DVD, Whomp at the Warfield, is in it's final stages, and will be released soon. So as one door closes, a new one opens for 2008 with more excitement for all my fans than ever before. Sit tight, because the best is yet to come!"

Taylor Hicks, Our Idol

I grew up being taught this saying over and over, “No pain, no gain.” It’s a cliché but one that applies to anyone and to most situations. Taylor Hicks’ visit to Manila wasn’t any exemption.

For someone whose day begins at 12:00 P.M. in the afternoon, whose timid ways make striking up conversations with people hard and whose hesitant manners make her an easy target for cunning buyers in supermarket lines, competing for limited stubs to the Ayala Malls concert was not exactly the perfect place for me.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm at 4:45 a.m. in the morning. My head was still heavy because it wasn’t my routine especially on school breaks. But, once I got a glance of the Taylor Hicks concert flyer that I posted on the ceiling, I immediately got out of bed and got dressed to go to the mall.

Two weeks back, when I first saw the flyer, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Taylor Hicks is coming to Manila. I seriously thought it was a mistake. So, I checked several sites that could clarify this but I only got more news and details on his visit. From this moment on, I was determined to catch him live. Who would have thought he’d come to Manila? Even after poor airplay and lack of proper promotion of his album which for me was one of the best I ever held and listened to, he’d choose to visit the Philippines. I thought it was definitely unbelievable but wonderful.

I arrived in the mall at 6:35 a.m. No one was around yet and then I got word from the security guard that stubs will be released at 11:00 a.m. I was four and a half hours early. I admit I was frustrated but I had to do the sacrifice. I thought, this may be the first and last time I’ll see Taylor live (well, as well all know it won’t be ;) ).

At around 8:00 a.m., there were more people coming in. And the group grew by the minute; each one eyeing on the concierge that distributes the stubs. I couldn’t say I deserve it more than the other people who also made the same sacrifice to get stubs but I thought to myself, I was first here and so I think I deserve to get the good passes particularly one with a meet and greet opportunity. Forgetting my introverted ways, I pushed myself to the concierge and started the line for everyone to follow. If it was the supermarket, I’d gladly make way for other buyers since I have the luxury of time and opportunities. But for this one instant, I didn’t have that luxury and I just felt I needed to meet Taylor. I just had to.

I thought people would fight their way for my spot but that didn’t happen. Actually, newcomers were approaching and asking me for details about where they should line up for stubs. I truly couldn’t believe the people I’ve met during the waiting period. I remember perfectly a couple approaching me and asking me about details of the stub distribution. But minutes later, the conversation shifted to topics other than Taylor like our hobbies, our dreams, concerns. The small talk blossomed into a beautiful conversation that I rarely had with people I just knew. Now, we’re constantly communicating through SMS. And we’re up until now good friends.

When I got my stub and exited the line, I was surprised with the number of people waving back at me as I was leaving. Some I didn’t even know by name but I guess they were grateful for the little help I assisted them with. They may not have been my friends now but I’m just happy that I was able to give them assistance because like me, I knew they wanted to see Taylor Hicks, the American Idol live.

As I was in the perimeter of the venue already, I recognized the people I’ve lined up with earlier that day. They never forgot to flash a smile as they saw me. I smiled back for I know this moment was something we’ve all longed for. My back and legs were still hurting from the exhaustion and long waiting and I’m sure they were experiencing the same thing. But at that moment, it didn’t really matter because we all knew we were in for a great show.

The moment Taylor Hicks stepped on stage, I was shaking in excitement and as I looked around, everyone was screaming, cheering hard; enchanted by the American Idol that we didn’t think we could even see and meet. I and the couple beside me were quiet, still trying to let the experience sink in. Then when Taylor starts singing, we shook the shock off and screamed our lungs out. Realizing we had a late reaction, we giggled for a moment then turned our attention back to the Soul Man.

In between numbers, I would always look around trying to catch the expression on people’s faces. All I could see was joy, happiness, excitement, jolliness and fulfillment. I couldn’t blame them for I experienced those same emotions myself. The atmosphere was encouraging, merry and jovial. You could just lose yourself and be in tune with Taylor’s beautiful music. And his performance? It kept us hooked the whole time.

Seeing Taylor Hicks perform live made me forgot how tired I was and how terrible my past few weeks before that day were. I used to rely on reviews made by other SPers for a glimpse of how great Taylor was live. Now, I can’t believe I am writing this article to share with all of you. Still amused and grateful for that opportunity, I am carrying on with life with a memory and realization that I came out of this experience a better person with more friends and a witness to the greatness of Taylor Hicks, the American Idol, our idol.

Written by: Belle_Marquez
Manila, Philippines

Trinoma Videos by Erik (AKA Crescendo)

More vids from Trinoma courtesy of Dr. Fred

The Maze (he tagged this with about 4 different songs, phenomenal)

"Do you feel it? Ain't no woman like the one I've got....Easy, I'm easy like Sunday morning! Givin' it up for your love, right now, let's get it on...."


The Maze by Taylor Hicks

Harp Action ( Ending of Taking it To The Streets)


Harp Action TITTS taylor Hicks


Thanks Erik for sharing these videos of Taylor Hicks, I'm sure your experience upon seeing him LIVE was very, very positive!

Just To Feel That Way


Just To Feel That Way by: Taylor Hicks from webchic00 on Vimeo.

The Right Place


The Right Place by Taylor Hicks

Takin' It to The Streets


Takin' It To The Streets

Do I Make You Proud Yes, Taylor, you do!


Do I Make You Proud

White Christmas (this has become one of our favorite Christmas songs, sorry Bing Cosby!)



White Christmas