Taylor Hicks Offers FREE DOWNLOAD from Workplay Theater!

In appreciation for his fan support during the last year, Taylor has offered a free, high-quality recording of his magnificent show at Birmingham's Workplay Theater, recorded on November 26, 2009! Download here. He writes:

"....It's been a non-stop 2009, and now it's time to take a minute, reflect over the past year, and enjoy time with your families. As a special "thank you" for all of your support, I've decided to provide you with an exclusive, free mp3 download of my show at Workplay Theatre (Birmingham, AL), which was recorded on Saturday, September 26th, 2009. Again - thank you for all that you do to support, share, and be part of my career. Have a blessed holiday, and think positive for 2010...."

Taylor Hicks 'Grease'-ing his Way Into Acting

And the great publicity keeps on a-coming, folks! This time from the Journal News from Cincinnati, OH, the next tour stop for *Grease*! Enjoy!

Flashy role 'Taylorized' made for American Idol champ

CINCINNATI — Although he's never done any acting, "American Idol" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks thought that a Broadway show like "Grease" would be an effective lubricant for his career.

And even though his character, Teen Angel, has only one number in the show, Hicks was still able to make an auspicious acting debut suspended in an ice cream cone 45 feet over a Broadway stage.

On Jan. 20, he reprises that feat when the national tour of "Grease," in which the American Idol plays the part of Teen Angel, the spirit that tries to convince Frenchy to finish high school.

"It was an intense way to start an acting career," Hicks said. "But she stays in school every show, so I must be doing OK."

He said he wanted to make the transition to acting slowly by taking a smallish, but flashy and important, part.

"I'd been offered bigger roles," he said, "but for me, my career is a marathon, not a sprint, and I wanted to do something that I could build on. This particular role seemed a good way to do that."

In addition to the grand entrance, Hicks said that he has been allowed to "Taylorize" the role — both costume-wise and musically, including the insertion of a harmonica solo into "Beauty School Drop-Out."

The tour also features Allie Schultz, a singer and actress who also first came to the national spotlight via a television talent contest, "Grease: You're the One That I Want," the series that prompted this production, which opened on Broadway on Aug. 19, 2007.

Though Schulz did not win the competition, she understudied the roles of Sandy, Cha-Cha and Patty on Broadway before joining the national tour in the role of Rizzo.

The tour also features Eric Schneider as "Danny" and Emily Padgett as "Sandy." Schneider made his Broadway debut in "Jersey Boys" and has also appeared in "Altar Boyz" both off-Broadway and national tour. Padgett also comes from the Broadway cast of "Grease," where she understudied Sandy. Her other credits include the national tours of "Cats" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

how to go

WHAT: "Grease" by Jim Jacobs and Warren Case

WHERE: Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center for the Arts,

650 Walnut, Cincinnati

WHEN: Jan. 20-Feb 7

COST: $20-$71

MORE INFO: (513) 241-7469; www.broadwayacrossamerica.com

and more from the Dayton Daily News:

When the main job becomes a sideline
Hicks performs songs from his new album
By Richard O Jones

Staff Writer

Friday, January 16, 2009

CINCINNATI — Though he may be coming from a Broadway show to a national tour, Taylor Hicks still has been hard at work focusing on the music that brought him to the national spotlight in the first place.

"I've got a new album coming out in March called 'The Distance,' " he said.

"I've spent a lot of time focusing on my songwriting and there are some really good story songs on the record."

The record is being produced by Simon Climie, who recently has worked with Eric Clapton and Michael McDonald, and the musicians include players from Clapton's band.

Climie "fits the vein I come in as an artist."

In the meantime, however, he'll be mounting the cone nightly and working on his acting chops, fitting in performances with his band when he can.

Hey Georgia

I was just thinking back to last May when we saw Taylor Hicks at Pala Casino down near San Diego. He sang a rare version of "Georgia On My Mind" under the clear skies. I can't think of anyone else out there today that could do justice to this classic like Taylor did that night. Judging from this performance, it's quite clear why Taylor won American Idol in '06. The man's got soul, baby!

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So, What's Taylor Hicks Been Up To Lately?

First off, let's get one thing straight. Taylor Hicks is one of today's most talented straight to the heart authentic soul, funk, pop and acoustic artists. He is not a prepackaged, formulated, or manufactured 'pop music puppet' American Idol is known for loving and promoting. He represents real music, folks - not a computer generated pop idol.

Taylor is currently on a performing hiatus as he prepares for his second major label CD on JRecords, scheduled for release later in 2008. It is also rumored he will be doing an acoustic tour early next year. In the meantime, he has a brand new DVD that will be released shortly in both HD and regular formats, entitled "Whomp At The Warfield", that was filmed at the historic Warfield Theater in San Francisco on May 9, 2007. Release date is yet to be set, but should be released before the end of the year. Hopefully many of you saw this when it aired on HDNET TV earlier this in October. This high-impact 83 minute concert showcases a dynamic 7-piece funk band and includes six of his original tunes: The Deal, Hold Onto Your Love, Soul Thing, My Friend and Heart & Soul, as well as moving and touching acoustic performance of The Fall, a tune that he wrote when he was only 19 years old. That song can be previewed on Taylor's myspace page(www.myspace.com/taylorhicks). We urge you to listen to that song because we think this is the direction Taylor is moving towards in the next phase of his musical journey. We also urge you to do yourself a favor and purchase a copy of Whomp At The Warfield. It's pure joy!

Taylor Hicks in Concert