Taylor Hicks performs on Fox NYC Morning Show – VIDEO

Interview:
http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Music?pageId=7.3

Well, I do believe I’m a tad excited at the news from that interview, of a “big announcement coming soon.” WTG, Taylor! “Grease” should certainly be pleased with the publicity he’s generating for the production, and he must be very thankful that he took the risk to play the part. They’ve done right by him as well. One of those win-win situations that makes everyone happy!

I am excited about the new cd .

Wondering what the big announcement is ????

:blink_tb:

I wanna know what the BIG announcement is. I love the positive press that this has gotten for him. It’s the most positive since he won two years ago. He not quite toast yet, lol. There’s still alot of life and entertaining left in him. Yay, Taylor!

It’s great that he’s finding success in this role but that performance sounded terrible…sorry but YIKES, I didn’t even make it all the way through! Hopefully this gig is a stepping stone for more energetic roles…..the stage is a great place for someone like him.

The interview sounds as though Whomp at the Warfield is back into play, or did I missunderstand that? If so, that would be 3 things in the works…Whomp DVD, EW, and his sophmore album in the fall. Is that what you all got from that interview? Extra publicity or spreading self too thin? Guess time will tell on all this. He does need to deliver on what he says of course. Anyway, it’s been good to see him back in the news again.

Well it was, afterall, just a little snapshot of the song without the costuming, music, makeup, theatre surroundings. Just two benches, two people, and a piano player, in a news studio environment. Not much you can do in that setting, but the point was made…..he’s working in a musical, and has some music on the way. To me it was just a little promo appearance.

I must say that I’m pleased to see so much positive press come Taylor’s way for a change. I’ve been waiting for that DVD since last November, so I’ll believe it when I see it. He’s been talking about the new CD in the fall for a while, now it’s “hopefully in the fall.” I don’t know all the ins and outs of marketing and setting release dates and all that. I’m just hoping for sooner rather than later. No idea what the big news might be. A new contract? That doesn’t seem all that big.

The “Early Works” album cover is up on Amazon.

“Early Works” equals early picture of Taylor! This is a great idea IMO. No confusion. This is pre-Idol Taylor. If people liked him, but not so much the TH cd, because they didn’t think it was the real Taylor – this is for them.

When he releases his sophomore album in the fall, people won’t figure it’s going to be like his first one. It’s going to be more like “Early Works” Taylor Hicks.

I think he sounded fine considering there was just a piano playing. It’s great trying to keep up with Taylor once again.

It IS good to see him out & about & getting favorable attention again. However, I have two problems with the promised CD. One, it’s songs we’ve already heard. Yes, they’re very good–but where’s the new material he supposedly has been writing the past two years? I’m not keen on paying for new versions of songs I already have good versions of. Two, the title–”Early Works”??? Yikes. Taylor, until you have “later works” it’s pretentious and silly to put out a CD of “early works.”

He keeps saying things like “great entertainers do Broadway, and now I’m doing that,” as if he’s checking things off a list to become a QUOTE Great Entertainer CLOSE QUOTE. He seems to be looking at things backwards. What great entertainers do is CREATE–new material, new insights, new expressions. Rehashing his “early works” at age 32 is not a good sign.

I loved him on the show, I loved his pre-AI stuff, I enjoyed him in two post-AI concerts. But he needs to keep growing. Instead, he seems to have gotten stuck. He is in danger of becoming a parody of himself.

I’ll preface this by saying that I was a big fan and hope to be a fan of the new cd if it ever gets made.

Maybe the big announcement is that he’s going into politics. He is certainly great at making promises and giving false hope without really giving any specific details. I think he would have a bright future.

I wouldn’t be too surprised if the “big announcement” wasn’t that his run in the show has been extended. With all the negative reviews the show has gotten, he has been the one bright spot that’s helped give the show a much-needed shot in the arm. Unless he suddenly produces NEW material for a NEW CD it sure doesn’t look like he has anything else to do. I just wonder if his singing the song on TV helps or hurts. Except for coming out to perform in the encore that is pretty much all he does in the show. Would you buy a costly Broadway ticket to hear that again?

I love Taylor…I don’t own his ‘early works’ and am very excited that now I can purchase this CD. I think it’s a great idea to release a new CD of his previous songs. So if he didn’t call it Early Works what the hell would he call it? It is his early works! I love all the recent press…it’s been so positive! and thank you MJ for posting the video…I enjoyed it very much.

Cam, I see a value for him re-releasing his pre-AI songs for fans who don’t already have them. I’m just leery of that being the only new product out of him in 2 years. He’s had time to write new songs, and in fact he has told us that he has written lots of songs, the best he’s ever done. So where are they? Why not bring out a CD of mostly new stuff, that includes a couple of his earlier songs as well? That would be a way of pleasing those of us looking for new material and those of us who haven’t yet gotten their fill of the old.

As for the title, he could call it “Birmingham” or “Beginnings” or name it after one of the songs– “Son of a Carpenter,” maybe. “Early Works” strikes me as presumptuous until he has something later to make the “Early” make sense.
Until he comes out with new material, his “Early Works” might just as well be called “Only Works” or “Total Works.” He needs to bring out new material, period.

Rehashing his à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“early worksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  at age 32 is not a good sign.

Eh, I don’t know. I think there’s a HUGE difference between an artist releasing an album of earlier works that the majority of the public hasn’t heard and, say, a 21-year-old pop star releasing a “Greatest Hits” CD. As for creating material, loosegoose, he *is* writing and putting out a new album, so I’d say that definitely counts as creating new material. People did a small feature on the up-coming album — which supposedly has a country bent and includes songs with political messages — not too long ago. So unless something goes terribly wrong there, looks like he will have material both old and new hitting the shelves.

There might be some criticisms of whether the “Early Works” CD is a smart business move, but I’m not privy to Taylor’s bank account statements, so I can’t really say either way. And yeah, Taylor has been known to puff himself up in interviews (though I haven’t listened to this one yet).

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Early Worksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  strikes me as presumptuous until he has something later to make the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Earlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  make sense.

But he *does* have “later works” — the post-AI cd. I think I get the general point of your statement, but it’s not as though his first CD ever available for mass consumption is called “Early Works.”

If he doesn’t get the sophmore album out by Christmas, he’ll lose credibility with his fans. If it’s not a sure thing to come out, he needs to not talk about it. When he names a time frame, as he did/has, well that is taken as fact. He really needs to deliver the goods. I waited a long time for Whomp at the Warfield that never materialized, and that is what started my not exactly believing everything he says. I’m still a huge fan of Taylor, but have to admit being disappointed here and there by listening to his “news” that isn’t at times.

Off topic, but I wonder what’s new on the Caroline Lyders front, lol. Sure went hush hush. (Feel free to delete that statement MJ.) Am curious though.

There are a lot of us who don’t own an original of Taylor’s songs. And, quite possibly, those who weren’t delighted with the TH CD will love this one. Hopefully, there’ll be some new songs on it so that those who do own the early works, will purchase this one as well. He can’t do a Taylor Hicks greatest hits, now can he? So, I think “Early Works” is very appropriately named.

The “Early Works” is most likely aimed at the people who knew him from Idol and say they haven’t ever heard of him since he won, or maybe the fans who bought his first album, but never got to see him tour, and never purchased one of the earlier cd’s.

It could be so that people will realize he isn’t just about the songs he did on his first album, and that before Idol – this is what he was all about. When the second album comes out in the fall, (and he reiterated today on GML that it will) people hopefully will associate him with his Early Works – since that cd will have been released closer in time to his new second album. That seems a likely theory behind the release of his early songs now.

It appears that his new mgt./distribution team knows what they’re doing. Maybe if he had had half the promotion for his first cd that he’s already had for these early songs, TH would have sold more.

Just maybe, with all this promotion – especially if one of the songs is pushed and gets air play – the people who loved him on Idol, and who say they haven’t heard of him since he won – will be thrilled to find him again, and get their hands on his “early works.”

I think the title “Early Works” is terrific! They are his ‘early’ works. They’re the songs he wrote ‘early’ in his career – his first songs – written over ten years ago. “Early” Taylor – long before Idol. There’s nothing pretentious about the name. (I think “Beginnings” would be a far more pretentious title than Early Works.)

Kat, I wasn’t aware he has already announced that a CD of new material will be out within a few months. Just haven’t kept up with him that closely. I just kept hearing he had something in the works, but as with JudyinOhio, those promises never seemed to lead anywhere so I stopped paying attention. If he does bring out a NEW CD, that will be wonderful. Fingers crossed!

It appears that his new mgt./distribution team knows what theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re doing.

i thought his mgt was The Firm

I can’t begin to count how many times artists I like have given a date or an approximate date for their next release, only to have it get pushed back (Where’s my 2006 CD Maxwell?). Most of the time, when that happens, it’s due to circumstances they can’t control (collaborators are unavailable, they decide to re-record a song or more(see Jennifer Hudson), the record company wants a different date). The dates they give are as close as they can get in the moment. I never take them as fact or promise. When it comes to CDs – I always tack on a year and hope for the best.

Love the CD cover for Early Works! I hope it reaches lots of new fans and those old fans who lost touch after idol. Can’t wait for the “big news”! And, if I get the sophomore CD by this time next year, I’m good. We know he’s working on it – he said he was listening to his demos a couple of months ago on his iPod, and planned to do some recording for it, while he’s Greasing Broadway.

All along he has said the “fall” for release…and today “hopefully”…Remember the fall is Sept 22-Dec 21…if it is put out later in the year so be it but it is still considered fall…He is releasing the Early Works on August 19 and my opinion is he might release the new album between Thanksgiving-Christmas…He has said he has written many songs with some great songwriters, but just recently said he was still writing in NY…so he is taking his time to get the right songs on the new album…It was SLAM BAM THANK YOU MAM (like 9 weeks) the last album….fans have got to let him have time to make this album the way he wants it…Oh and one of his radio interviews ( http://candyandpotter.1079thelink.com/archive/audio.cfm ) the other day he said album end of the year…tour early 2009 and international tour later 2009…And no he is not with The Firm any longer…

Oh gawddddddd thats painful. Im sorry, I have watched him do this song (BSD) several times now trying to see if Im missing something and with each listen it gets worse.

Im the laughing stock of my neighborhood especially when I wear my SP hoodie with my SP baseball cap. Im still getting razzed over season 5 but if they knew about this Id have to move.

Im waiting patiently for his next CD before I cross him off my carrot patch.

Now if you’ll excuse me, Im late for my therapy session.

dingo I totally agree – very painful indeed.

Pacify yourself, dingo, with the great possibility that Taylor’s original take on “Georgia” will be on “Early Works”. That growl and grit should get you through the day.

I wonder whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s new on the Caroline Lyders front

I’m not sure I am qualified to answer that but I think it was said on some website and supposedly confirmed by someone close to Taylor that they had split but remained friends. She is working at a Washington DC tv station last I heard.

I will buy the early works cd and that particular version of Georgia is goosebumpy for me but Im really excited about this new stuff and if it stinks up the joint, then I dont think there will be any going back.

Still, to whomever gave me the link for the HN rehearsals vid…….I cant thank you enough.

If he doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get the sophmore album out by Christmas, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll lose credibility with his fans.

Some of them maybe. But I think it’s hard to predict how a large group of people will react as a pack to what Taylor says and/or does. Myself, I could care less if the new album takes 10 weeks or 10 years. I will buy other music and see other artists in the meantime, and I will keep Taylor’s name in Google Alerts so I can get information on his upcoming projects. Now, I realize that on the larger scale, the longer one is out of the public eye, the harder time they will have coming back. But I guess that’s what the Broadway gig is doing for him. I think it’s true that playing the Teen Angel won’t automatically translate into record sales, but it keeps his name out there, at least.

As for his actual performance of the song, I didn’t think it was that bad…and I’ve been REALLY hard on Taylor lately! I guess it’s just refreshing for me to just hear him SING A SONG, without all the tagging and fumbling of words and dance moves (those things have their charms, but they don’t do much for me). It reminded me of what I loved about Taylor’s voice the very first time I heard him sing “A Change is Gonna Come.”

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure I am qualified to answer that but I think it was said on some website and supposedly confirmed by someone close to Taylor that they had split but remained friends. She is working at a Washington DC tv station last I heard.

Well, after she was exposed as a fakety-fake hanger-on who was only manipulating Taylor for her own personal gain, of COURSE he had to dump her.

I thought Taylor sounded great on BSD. The song is what is it is- Grease is what it is. But Taylor is getting some good experience. Just cause he’s not locked up in a room night and day writing music doesn’t mean he’s not learning things to improve his craft. One thing he appears to be learning is how to interact with fans. That alone is a big plus.

I will agree however that Taylor needs to be careful not to overpromise and his team needs to communicate a lot better with his fans. Part of the confusion is due to the fact that Taylor’s fanbase really worries about him so every little thing is taken as a signal of something he is trying to tell the fans. In actuality, I imagine Taylor doesn’t have a clue that what he communicates is dissected so thoroughly ad nauseum by his fans. He probably would get a kick out of it though.

I need technical help please

My video starts and stops and I don’t know how to fix it. I uninstalled the flash player and reinstalled it but it didn’t do any good and I shut down my computer and it didn’t help. Anybody know what I need to do- I hate a stammering Taylor.

After what Taylor has been through in the press and from his label and management (cough, cough) team in the past, anything is an improvement. And, I’ll wait patiently for his new CD. A fan is a fan forever, and, that’s what I am. Not one of those fickle, if you don’t give me what you promise, types. I believe that Taylor had every intention of releasing “Whomp at The Warfield,” but, then he and the record label parted company. Some times things are beyond our personal control, and, Taylor has had to almost rebuild his career.

One thing he appears to be learning is how to interact with fans.

Might I offer two more things:

1. How to rely on a strong vocal without resorting to dolphin clicks.
2. Remembering the g**damn lyrics!

I saw Whomp a the Warfield on some obscure channel I have on cable a few months back. It was ok, I wasnt floored. I dont know what I want anymore, I just know that Im looking to be wowed like I have been so many times in the distant past by Taylor. Im beginning to think that aint never gonna happen again. Like it was one of those moments in time or in your life when Jupiter aligned with Mars and magic was made.

Even tho I have his first two albums I’ll probably buy this one too as I’d love to have them on one record. I’m also waiting, but patiently for a new CD as I’ve about worn TH out. I am one who really likes TH. I thought the singles released were not good choices for possible radio play, but he may never get much radio endorsement, but I hope he does as a radio hit would really be a lift to his career.

I’ve decided I am a Taylor fan for life. He makes me happy.

One thing he appears to be learning is how to interact with fans.

I was referring to interacting with the fans at the stage door after Grease. From what I have read he seems more comfortable meeting the fans and I think that’s important.

I know, hicksaholic. ITA!

Wow, I sorta feel bad for Taylor. He’s evidently set the bar (barre) so high that he is gonna need a pole to make any impact next time. Yeah, the first cd was watered down to take all of the edges off of Taylor, but it wasn’t crap. I thought the vocals on that video were solid. Strip away all of the crap, affectations, and tics for want of a better word and Taylor is a fantastic singer. I also think he’s rakishly charming when he wants to be. Yeah, Grease is cheesy, but guess what, he won american idol, you know that cheesy ass show? Luciano he ain’t ever gonna be….

As for waiting on the cd, we idol viewers are sorta spoiled in that usually the turnaround from win to a cd on the shelves is an unnaturally short time span. It just doesn’t happen like that for other artists. I guess I was never a rabid fan. I didn’t go from venue to venue, and I don’t post regularly on any Taylor site, hell I even had to goodge the Lyders story (and it’s more perplexing to me than someone’s answer further up!). I will purchase the earlier works because I have one of his earlier cds and I want the other. I will buy his sophomore cd as well, I happen to think he is talented, and talent like that has to be supported. I can’t get upset if it takes a little longer that I had hoped.

I just wanna hear good music –if he puts it out _Good..if not so What……Taylor has never Personally promised me anythANG…..on the other hand MY hubby Owes me BIG.

LOL coco, to my hubby owes me BIG. I can relate, lol

Wow, I sorta feel bad for Taylor. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s evidently set the bar (barre) so high that he is gonna need a pole to make any impact next time. Yeah, the first cd was watered down to take all of the edges off of Taylor, but it wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t crap. I thought the vocals on that video were solid. Strip away all of the crap, affectations, and tics for want of a better word and Taylor is a fantastic singer. I also think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s rakishly charming when he wants to be. Yeah, Grease is cheesy, but guess what, he won american idol, you know that cheesy ass show? Luciano he ainà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t ever gonna beà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.

As for waiting on the cd, we idol viewers are sorta spoiled in that usually the turnaround from win to a cd on the shelves is an unnaturally short time span. It just doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t happen like that for other artists. I guess I was never a rabid fan. I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go from venue to venue, and I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t post regularly on any Taylor site, hell I even had to goodge the Lyders story (and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more perplexing to me than someoneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s answer further up!). I will purchase the earlier works because I have one of his earlier cds and I want the other. I will buy his sophomore cd as well, I happen to think he is talented, and talent like that has to be supported. I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get upset if it takes a little longer that I had hoped.

Yeah, what she said. There are also a few songs on TH that I really like!

I like TH too but like it a lot better live when Taylor puts his own spin on it. Taylor is very talented. For him it’s just going to be trying to find the best niche for him and focus on it. I’m trying to figure out how all these hints about acting will play out with a new album and promo for it.

I don’t get the idea that he has to put out a sophomore album by such and such date or else. Pickler’s CD came out first. I haven’t heard anything about her recording a new one. Same w/ Daughtry. Taylor released in 12/06. He then toured until 9/07. Then did a short bit in the Phillipines in 12/07. Then he took a little break and started writing. He’s mentioned in several interviews that he’s written the best stuff he’s ever done, he’s collaborating with others, he’s recorded demos. In between all this, he and his label parted ways, he’s had to go looking for another label, or create his own, get a distribution deal, got the Grease gig, he’s been doing lots of interviews on TV with Grease, just did the event in DC….I mean, recording a good CD does not happen overnight. Other artists often have YEARS between releases. Is he not entitled to a life? It’s not like he’s sitting around picking his toes.

In Taylor’s words – “Early Works”

From the Artist -

“First and foremost, these two albums represent who I am, and who I am trying to represent, as a songwriter.

“In Your Time” was a first attempt at recording songs that I had written at the time – some songs that were really hitting home with me at the time.

“Under the Radar” was a second attempt at a first attempt – to try to record an album that resembled the production quality of Al Stewart’s “Year of the Cat.”

The songwriting was getting better, and my direction as an artist was getting clearer. Warmth in the production was the main goal. “Nostalgic” and “endearing” are the terms that I like to use for these two records.

Thanks for going on the ride!”

Taylor

(Amazon Music – Reviews)

This is from the Doug Elfman interview backstage with the Idols:

“I told him (Johns) it can be tough for an ex-”Idol” TV star to take a career to the next level. As big as Clay Aiken became, he’s been doing some kind of music-on-ice show.

“He’s gettin’ PAID,” Johns said. “Well, I’m not gonna be on ice anytime soon, or doing ‘Grease’ or anything like that.” ”

Sorry I don’t have the link.

Calimari – just so you know. Kellie is working on a second album, but I haven’t heard a specific release date for it. Her new single is from it. She and Taylor Swift have cowritten at least one song for it. Daughtry is also writing a second album. There is an EW article in today’s headline thread from him. He’s looking at a spring 2009 release.

But, yeah, I take your point. Prior to Idol, I wasn’t even really aware, for the most part, when artists I enjoyed were working on a new album and it had to be a long time before I started questioning why they hadn’t come out with one. The scrutiny all these people are subjected to is ridiculous. I’m a Taylor fan. I’ll buy his music when it comes out. Just that simple.

As for Michael Johns that jpfan quoted above……never say never, child. You have no idea the curves life can throw at you.

Wow that Michael quote pisses me off. LOVED him during the show, I was furious when he got voted off..but the more I see and watch him the last few weeks he’s been annoying me. He better watch what he says, there’s a little thing called karma. There’s nothing wrong with appearing in Grease, and since Michael came in 8th he may want to keep his expectations a bit lower.

http://www.amazon.com/Early-Works/dp/B001C4ZQG6/ref=pd_cmp_a_name

In Taylor’s Own Words – “Early Works”

From the Artist:

“First and foremost, these two albums represent who I am, and who I am trying to represent as a songwriter.

“In Your Time” was a first attempt at recording songs that I had written at the time – some songs that were really hitting home with me at the time.

“Under the Radar” was a second attempt at a first attempt – to try to record an album that resembled the production quality of Al Stewart’s “Year of the Cat.”

The songwriting was getting better and my direction as an artist was getting clearer. Warmth in the production was the main goal. “Nostalgic” and “endearing” are the terms that I like to use for these two records.

Thanks for going on the ride!”
Taylor

I don’t think Michael Johns meant anything by that quote. I’m sure he would be thrilled to end up having a career like Clay’s or Taylor’s and all that that entails.

Sorry about the quote w/o the link. Posting on Idol blogs when you’re supposed to be working can get tricky. I won’t repeat the mistake.:)