Taylor Hicks: The Year in Photographs:: 2012

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The year that began quietly in Nashville gained momentum in Los Angeles and then erupted on the Las Vegas world stage.  He sang for thousands at the convention center, for hundreds in the theaters and for guests in the juke joint at home.  His face was on television, on magazine covers, in the airport, on billboards, on smartphones, in twitpics and even……..even right here.

The Year in Photographs offers a wistful look back at a few of the events, large and small, some of the places, near and far, and many of the musicians that brought pleasure to fans of American Idol winner Taylor Hicks in 2012.

Photo by Robyn Beck for AFP/Getty Images

Taylor Hicks Finds His Groove in Las Vegas

by Holley Dey and Louise Uznanski

And so we learn the background behind Taylor Hicks’ song selection for Elvis week on American Idol.  Seems that the judges and the contestants share conversation and an occasional smoke together during commercial breaks.  On one of those breaks, Simon Cowell advised, “You should sing ‘In the Ghetto’.”  Direction from the head judge held considerable weight, and with input from the show’s musical director, Taylor put his own spin on the King’s classic.  The performance proved to be one of Hicks’ strongest of the competition and an audience favorite.

Boogie Down the Boulevard: Taylor Hicks in Las Vegas

by Louise Uznanski and Holley Dey

After a hard-driving, foot stomping performance of “Country Living”, the bandleader claimed he was feeling it……in his hamstrings.  Friday night’s show at The Indigo was a high energy romp that built in intensity throughout the evening.  His gritty vocals, searing harmonica play and heel raising dance were just contained by the venue’s small stage.  Taylor Hicks was a 5-hour energy drink, condensed and concentrated into a two hour show.

Connecticut Country Living with Taylor Hicks & the Jamie McLean Band

Blog and all photos/video by Louise Uznanski, Richard Uznanski and Holley Dey.

OnTap On Tour: Taylor Hicks & Other Musical Troubadours II

Part 2 of 2: Takin’ Off Today
by Louise Uznanski for OnTapBlog

OnTap on Tour: Taylor Hicks & Other Musical Troubadours

Part 1 of 2:  Places I’ve Been
All photos and videos by Louise Uznanski for OnTapBlog

Travel is accomplished by bus, plane, car and van or a combination of all of these transportation modes. There are tweets about delays in the air and on the road.  Facebook posts asking fans if they know how to fix a bumper hitch on their van.  A scheduler with a little bit of larceny in his veins schedules an artist in Vermont one night and Virginia the next.  But, still they move around the country to play their music and it is what they love to do no matter the travel.

Taylor Hicks on Tour: Taylor + McKinney PAC: Perfect Together

Part 2: Taylor Hicks continued his Texas journey performing at the McKinney Performing Arts Center on 9/17/11.

All photos and concert recap by Louise Uznanski for OnTapBlog.

Taylor Hicks on Tour: Hicks, No Lone Star in Texas

Part 1:  The Flamingo Room, Houston, Texas, 9/16/11.

Recap and all photos by Louise Uznanski for OnTapBlog.

Taylor Hicks and LMBO at Telluride Jazz Celebration: Part Two

Part Two of Three Parts: Taylor Hicks and Little Memphis Blues Orchestra at Telluride Jazz Celebration by Louise Uznanski. Photos by Richard and Louise Uznanski

The shiny, black Taylor guitar was raised as a final emphasis to the end of a song. Later, the black guitar would turn to gold as the sun set on the mountains surrounding Town Park.

Taylor Hicks in a New York State of Mind

It was a summer night on Long Island. Taylor and his band consisting of Brian Less, Jeff Lopez and David Keith, set up on the Arches at the Tanger mall plaza for an acoustic set. The warm air, the sun setting and the sweet blues music made for an entertaining night.