Artist Of The Week: Taylor Hicks!

Working with producer Simon Climie, Taylor Hicks is set to drop a new album titled 'The Distance' on March 10 under his newly-formed record label Modern Whomp Records.

After being released from his contract with Arista Records, Taylor Hicks refuses to back off from music industry. Believing that "this is turning the page on a new chapter" in his career, he forms a record label Modern Whomp Records. Taking the advantage of "artistic freedom," he is back to studio, making music for his new album "The Distance" and plans to release it across U.S. on March 10.

In the new album, Taylor steps behind songwriting table, co-penning several songs including "Wedding Day Blues", "Seven Mile Breakdown", "Once Upon a Lover of Mine" and "Woman Gotta Have It". Teaming up with producer Simon Climie, who has recorded songs for Eric Clapton, Faith Hill and Carlos Santana, he also works with guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, bassist Nathan East and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr to provide the album's sounds.

"What's Right Is Right", the lead single off the new record has been available for digital purchase since January 27. Driven by funky keyboards and sax work, the mid-tempo song about love and commitment peaked at number 25 on Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. A music video for the track has also been debuted, providing a look into the crooner performing in a dark lounge with his trademark soulful sound.

"I wanted to create that alone, James Dean feel, and get across my point of what true love is," Taylor says when referring to the romantic set behind the moody, and mature lyrics in the song. "There's a couple with something to overcome, an obstacle. But when you know it's real, what happens with one person happens with another. It also brings out the idea that there might be a little bit of longing for true love in me. I know true, real love is out there."

Since becoming the winner of the fifth season of "American Idol", Taylor Hicks has dropped self-titled debut album, which was certified platinum and peaked at number two on Billboard Hot 200. He has also toured through Asia, performing with Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers Band as well as Jackson Browne. In the beginning of 2009, he embarks on a national U.S. tour with Grease. Fans can log on to MySpace to check his complete tour dates.

SOURCE

Taylor Hicks Plays with Widespread Panic For Children's Charity

So isn't it nice to know that while Clive's pawns were busy licking his ass during the pre-grammy party last Friday, Taylor was busy refueling his musical soul and helping to raise money for a great cause - jamming with his old buddies, Widespread Panic, at the House of Blues in Orlando. The press release is as follows:

Over the weekend, Widespread Panic’s John Bell hosted his Hannah's Buddies benefit at Orlando, FL’s House of Blues. The annual event, which raises money for children afflicted with the neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy, has blossomed into a two-day fundraiser, featuring a golf tournament, silent auction, dinner and, of course, variety of live music. This year’s festivities featured performances by benefit veteran Michael Nichol, funk/soul collective The Dynamites and, of course, Bell himself. The guitarist’s set featured a mix of Panic staples, such as “Radio Child,” songs from the new Free Somehow, like the road-tested “Tickle the Truth,” and a wide range of covers, including Joe Strummer’s “Johnny Appleseed” (with Bell performing on mandolin). A number of guests also joined Bell during his performance, including longtime Widespread Panic manager Buck Williams, who played harmonica on both “Mind On Vacation” and Loudon Wainwright III’s “Golfin’ Blues,” and American Idol champ Taylor Hicks, who performed on Bill Withers’ “Use Me” & "Just Kissed My Baby".

You can hear the entire performance here: