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Birmingham, AL 08/08/2006; BJCC Arena
Topic Started: Sep 7 2008, 06:37 PM (629 Views)
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August 8, 2006

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The BJCC Arena
2100 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 715-6000

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SEATING CAPACITY: 19,000

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THE BJCC ARENA:

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In the heart of thriving, fun-filled Birmingham is the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Here you will find everything you need for whatever your event requires: an array of top-notch facilities, 770 adjoining guest rooms, a helpful event staff and a host of specialized services.

220,000 square feet of exhibit space is just the beginning. One of the most compelling features of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex is that it has all the right components ..... in one complex. The centrally located, modern facility includes:

220,00 square feet of flexible space in the Exhibition Hall.
100,000 square feet in 74 meeting rooms.
The Medical Forum, a conference facility unlike any other in the country that's equipped with state-of-the-art communications technology.
A 19,000 seat Arena.
A 3,000 seat Concert Hall.
A 1,000 seat Theater.
770 adjoining modern guest rooms at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel.
Complete in-house catering service.
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
On-site covered and valet parking.

This billboard was erected in Birmingham following the Idol 5 appearance.

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SETLIST:

Jailhouse Rock" (Entrance) ( Elvis Presley )
"Hollywood Nights" ( Bob Seger )
"Livin' For The City" ( Stevie Wonder )
"Do I Make You Proud"
"Takin' It To The Streets" (Encore) ( Doobie Brothers )




MEDIA AND REVIEWS:

1.
Taylor comes homeHicks hints at surprises, talks about future as 'Idol' tour heads toward city
By Mary Colurso
Right now, Taylor Hicks cannot tell all.

But during a phone conversation sneaked into a break on the "American Idols Live" tour, he can tell some.

About his debut disc for the Arista label, for example. About a book project that's in the works. And about his desire to make music with a certain member of the New York Yankees.

Before we get to these tantalizing topics, however, you should know that Hicks, 29, will be back in his hometown shortly, performing here Tuesday on an official stop of the "Idols Live" tour. He and other finalists from the Fox TV reality series have been traveling since July 5, and will visit 50 cities before the tour ends Sept. 24.

Tuesday's 7 p.m. concert at the BJCC Arena - which also features "Idol" favorites such as Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Ace Young and Kellie Pickler - has been sold out for months.

Same goes for a Monday date by the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, Hicks' Birmingham bandmates. Their 8 p.m. show at WorkPlay is likely to include appearances by what the nightclub has billed as "very special guests."

Ask Hicks to clarify - will he be joining his friends on stage, as expected? - and he responds this way: "You never know. Or should I say, `wink-wink.'"

Fans don't need a nudge-nudge to figure that out, nor should they be surprised to see some of Hicks' "Idol" tour partners at WorkPlay, as well.

The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra has scheduled about five shows in cities across the country, all closely linked to "Idol" tour stops. Hicks crashed the party at the first of these - on Aug. 1 at Coyote Joe's in Charlotte - and brought Yamin, Young and Bucky Covington with him.

"It was just breathless," said one rapturous fan in an Internet posting. "Everyone went nuts."

As the "Idol" juggernaut makes its journey throughout the United States, Hicks remains upbeat yet circumspect in his own public statements about the tour. Understandably so, as he's the prime representative of the "Idol" franchise for the next couple of months and the undisputed headliner.

"A lot of the kinks are worked out," he says. "We're all in a groove of our own."

A team effort

Hicks does explain, however, why he recently trimmed his part of the show, a triumphant mini-set near the end of the evening that initially included eight songs. These days, he keeps it to five: "Jailhouse Rock," "Hollywood Nights," "Living for the City," "Do I Make You Proud" and "Takin' It to the Streets."

"I feel like less is more on this tour," he says. "This show is not about me; it's about us. We're all offering a taste of what we can do. That's the mentality I have. People are not there to see me; they're there to have the experience we had on the (TV) show."

Thus far during the tour, Hicks' spare time has been filled with diversions large (shaking hands with President George W. Bush) and small (a wee-hours run for breakfast food in Belmont, N.C.). From the White House to the Waffle House, we might say.

Still, Hicks emphasizes that he remains focused on career planning and spends plenty of time deciding on his next moves in the entertainment industry.

"It's been intense, taking care of business and staying on top of it," he says. "There are so many aspects of it. The basic fundamentals are the same as when I was in the Taylor Hicks band. But the rewards are bigger, and the people are bigger."

Take Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams, for example. Although best known for his prowess on the baseball field, Williams has earned respectful acclaim as a guitarist and composer. His 2003 jazz album for the GRP label, "The Journey Within," included collaborations with Bela Fleck, Ruben Blades and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

"Bernie Williams is one of my favorite baseball players," Hicks says. "I could be sitting in with him soon, possibly."

He doesn't elaborate. For the record, Hicks was spotted near the dugout at Yankee Stadium on July 17, the day after an "Idols Live" concert at Nassau Coliseum.

The Gray-Haired Guy also hints that he's been working on a book based on his personal journal and tour memorabilia.

"I've been keeping memories, making notes, taking photographs," he says. "People can take that and run with it."

Tight schedule

Hicks is most forthcoming when the conversation turns to his next CD, which Arista has announced for release on Nov. 14.

"No. That's wrong," he says. "It's going to be hard to get it all done, just six weeks after the tour is over with. For me, quality wise, it's tough to push for an album so soon after this aggressive, 50-city tour."

Currently, Hicks says, he's in the "collecting phase," developing tunes as time allows - a scant 10 days off - and listening to material that's been submitted for his approval.

"Some of it has been cheesy," he says. "I thought I'd get a lot of schlock to begin with, and it was. But there are a couple of gems that we've heard."

Originals, preferably new ones, should be part of the mix, but Hicks says he isn't going to insist on total domination of the credits in the liner notes.

"I've been writing with some people," he says. "I'm being set up with writing appointments by that label that will allow me to dig in and write some music. Ultimately, though, it's not about your song. It's about THE song."

Hicks has one final point to make, and in the "American Idol" world, it's a definite break with tradition. He intends to work with a single producer, seeking a stronger measure of creative control and a cohesive disc that reflects his vision.

"I'm not into having a lot of fingers in the pie," he says. "I've self-produced two albums already and could probably be a co-producer on this. You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Source: The Birmingham News


2. Taylor Hicks ready to run with new diet, exercise plan
By Mary Colurso
No carbs mean weight loss -- 13 pounds, to be exact -- for Birmingham's Taylor Hicks.

During an interview today before the "American Idols Live" show, Hicks, 29, revealed that he's a leaner man these days due to a carbohydrate-free diet.

That doesn't mean Hicks, a notorious foodie, is happy about some of the restrictions. "French fries are like ice cream to me," he admitted.

But Hicks said he feels better lighter -- his exact weight is unknown -- and plans to start an exercise program soon. Most likely, he said, it will include running.

Source: The Birmingham News
Date Published: August 8, 2006


3.
Hicks ignites hometown's purple passion
Review gets four out of five stars
By Mary Colurso

Two words: purple jacket.

This plush, shockingly vivid piece of clothing was worn by Taylor Hicks this season on "American Idol."

It showed up again Tuesday night in Birmingham – presumably as a gift to fans – when Hicks and the TV show’s other top 10 finalists performed a 7:15 p.m. concert at the BJCC Arena.

The jacket, like Hicks, was loved or loathed by folks who watched the Fox reality series every week. And after the Gray-Haired Guy, 29, won that dang singing contest, it became a symbol of his maverick nature and colorful individuality.

These flamboyant qualities – a large part of Hicks’ appeal to the public – were much on display during his headlining mini set, which capped off the sold-out show at around 9:15 p.m.

So was Hicks’ voice, that strong and gritty soul instrument, during his five solo numbers: "Jailhouse Rock," "Hollywood Nights," "Living for the City," "Takin’ It to the Streets" and "Do I Make You Proud."

Traveling with the tour for a month and so soon after the draining "Idol" experience doesn’t seem to have sapped Hicks’ energy level or his ability to dance the funky chicken.

Spirits high, legs constantly moving, Hicks also showed off his guitar playing, wailed on the harmonica and clanked a mean tambourine.

Happily, there were no sound problems at the arena; vocals from Hicks and his "Idol" comrades came through loud and clear. Same goes for the instrumental support provided by the efficient, five-member backing band.

We might think of the "American Idols Live" tour as Hicks’ graduation ceremony. It’s something he must get through and with good grace before he begins the next phase of his career.

But it’s also a way for those who adore the TV series to see their favorites live. Hicks might be the focus of Birmingham’s burning gaze, but he was on a bill with nine other performers, all of whom showed familiar strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Katharine McPhee: Classic vocal chops on "Over the Rainbow" but too much bouncy sparkle on "Black Horse and Cherry Tree." Latecomer to tour because of illness, still needs to settle in and find her groove.

Elliott Yamin: Continues to grow in confidence and skill as an R&B crooner. Nice, neat job on "Never Too Much" and "Moody’s Mood for Love."

Chris Daughtry: Hard-rocker intensity served him well on "Whole Lotta Love" and "Renegade." But he’s always so serious. Does the dude ever lighten up?

Kellie Pickler: A restrained night for this chatty showboat, with only one belting solo ("I’m the Only One") and a silly duet with Bucky Covington ("You’re the One That I Want").

Paris Bennett: Old-school voice ("Midnight Train to Georgia") might take her to the bank, but seemed determined to cast herself as a wild booty-shaker. Mistake!

Ace Young: Would have been perfect in a boy band – yes, he’s gorgeous – but remains a mannered performer who lacks range and depth. Fine on "Father Figure," shallow otherwise.

Mandisa: Big and beautiful vocally, but tended to be preachy in stage patter. Dedicated "If I Was Your Woman" to another of Birmingham’s "Idol" winners, Ruben Studdard.

Lisa Tucker: Sweetness and strength during her keyboard numbers ("Your Song," "Someone Saved my Life Tonight"). Still a kid, but shows promise.

Bucky Covington: Nice guy, weak vocals ("Superstition," "Drift Away"), not much stage presence. Sorry, Bucky.

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4.
Advance look at 'Idol' concert proves second half's the charm
By Mary Colurso


The BJCC Arena turns into Taylor Town on Tuesday, when the "American Idols Live" tour makes its stop in Birmingham.

The 7 p.m. concert has been sold out for months – an entirely fitting situation in the hometown of this year's winner, Taylor Hicks.

If you're a devoted member of the Soul Patrol and don't have tickets ... well, you might want to join the autograph pack hanging around the bus and stage door.

But if you're simply curious about the show, which features the top 10 finalists from the Fox TV reality series, I can address some basic issues here.

Been there, done that – on July 18, at the 9,000-seat Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. That's about a 30-minute drive from where my parents live in Scranton.

As luck would have it, Hicks and company lighted down while I was there visiting my family, and a trio of tickets was available at the tail end of the floor section, just in front of the sound board.

Three Colurso women - my mother, my sister and I – were part of a packed house that evening. (Dad couldn't be persuaded to attend.) For my part, it was all in your service, dear readers.

Frankly, last year's "Idol" tour made me shudder because of its ramshackle organization, lousy sound and hideous production values. One saving grace, the presence of Helena's Bo Bice, made the performance tolerable.

But this is a new show – and in some respects, substantially improved – although "Idol" still sends its graduates out into the world on the cheap. There's an attempt at a stage set – swaths of crinkly gray fabric that look like upholstery for a cut-rate space shuttle – and the graphics flashed on screen, announcing each singer, are a tad less laughable.

The backup band has been enlarged and pumped up, although its players spend most of the two-set concert swathed in shadow. The overall flow of the show is smoother; transitions are tighter. There might even be a couple of smoke machines.

Unfortunately, the sound at the Wachovia Arena was muffled and spotty, making it difficult to distinguish most of the vocals in the mix. Fans have encountered clearer acoustics elsewhere, so we'll have to wait and see how the tour techs cope at the BJCC.

As in 2005, the fledgling performers are pretty much left to their own devices on stage. When you see Paris Bennett and Lisa Tucker dancing in tandem, for example, it certainly appears to be their own, schoolgirlish choreography.

No one's scripting Kellie Pickler's aw-shucks banter, that's for sure, and when Hicks makes his entrance late in the program, moving through the audience to "Jailhouse Rock," it's pretty obvious that the crowd-pleasing device was his idea.

There'll be one significant change in the concert we get on Tuesday, as Katharine McPhee was absent from the Wilkes-Barre date. She missed the first 18 tour stops - laryngitis and bronchitis, her publicist said - and made her debut with the troupe last Friday in Washington, D.C.

From what I hear, two songs are on McPhee's agenda: "Over the Rainbow" and "Black Horse and Cherry Tree." She also takes part in "Living in America," a semi-splashy group number at the end.

Throughout the concert, each of the finalists appears solo for a handful of songs, many of them covers we've already heard on the "Idol" series. These include "Father Figure" (Ace Young), "Moody's Mood for Love" (Elliott Yamin), "Superstition" (Bucky Covington) and "Renegade" (Chris Daughtry).

I found myself cracking up over the oddball duets - Ace Young with Mandisa, Pickler with Covington - and was pleased to find a few surprises on the set list. One highlight: The passion summoned by Yamin and Daughtry when they team for Nickelback's "Savin' Me."

For my money, the second half of the show takes a stratospheric leap over the first, due to the presence of Daughtry, Yamin and Hicks. These heavyweights are nowhere to be seen before the break, but they are a dominating force during the final hour.

What makes the difference? Confidence, skill and personality, for starters. The "It Factor" emerges in a big way.

In particular, I was struck by a welcome display of ease from Yamin, who often appeared glassy-eyed and white-knuckled during "Idol" broadcasts this season. In Wilkes-Barre, he was smilingly stress-free.

Now, for Hicks. At this point in his career, everyone expects the gray-haired soul singer to be a rip-roaring showstopper. Nothing less will do, really, than a mega-watt energy level and some splendidly spazzy dance moves.

Hicks delivered on both counts - a visual bounty - during songs that included "Hollywood Nights," "Don't Let Me Down," "Takin' it to the Streets" and "Do I Make You Proud."

In fact, Hicks' charisma nearly made up for vocals that were fuzzed, faded and just about lost amid the instrumentals. Disappointing!

Let's hope for better sound during his BJCC homecoming on Tuesday. And if you have a great seat or decent binoculars, make sure to watch for an oversize Ray Charles doll - an homage to Hicks' own idol - bobbing on stage near his feet.


Source: The Birmingham News
Date Published: August 4, 2006




SOUL PATROL MEMORIES:


1. Everyone was AMAZING, and most were better in person than on tv. I really liked Taylor (and I've never been a big fan, didn't want him to win at all) tonight...he was hillarious. He even had my granny (who also didn't like him much before--we're all Chris fans) dancing with him. Heheh.
aeradaan

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American Idol Concert in Birmingham
Taylor Hicks Returns Home to Play at BJCC

Posted Image by Jean Brandau licensed to About.com, Inc


2. By: Jean Brandau

What a thrill to finally see all 10 of the finalist for 2006 "American Idol" in person! The Birmingham Concert was the one to be at. In fact, when Elliott came out he said, "It's great to be here at the Taylor Hicks Concert!" It was a love fest for Taylor, that was for sure.
My seats weren't the greatest but the concert was great.

I got to meet Taylor's dad, Dr. Brad Hicks, and got his photo while he was being interviewed with a local TV station. My only other "claim to fame" was sitting next to Taylor's Hoover High School basketball coach and school principal. He said Taylor spent quite a bit of time in the principal's office back in those days--mainly for just goofing off and being a clown. "He's a good boy," Principal & Coach Chuck Whitley told me, "and he told me back then that some day he was going to be famous."

Posted ImageJean Brandau

The most fun was meeting all the other "Soul Patrol" people from all over: Florida, Mississippi, Detroit, Illinois, Louisiana--they came from all over.

credit to Mich699900


3.
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After the Birmingham appearance of the Idols at BJCC , Taylor took the stage at Workplay and jammed with LMBO.

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1. taylorfan 940
My first time to see Taylor live was August 2006 at Work Play in Birmingham.

I've said it before and I'll say it again......that night was just pure MAGIC. The whole night. Meeting TMS sisters.....seeing LiMBO again....and then TAYLOR......I was down at the stage with Taysluvrin205 and several others. I just THOUGHT he had gotten to me on TV......seeing him for the first time - hearing him talk to us - sharing it with new friends - MAGIC.




2. Hicks drops in on his old band with a dose of Elvis-like energy, 'Idol' pals
Review gets four out of five stars
By Mary Colurso

All right; it’s official.

Taylor is the new Elvis.

If you need last names attached to that statement, you probably aren’t a pop-culture fan. And you certainly weren’t in the audience Monday night when the new "American Idol" winner performed at Birmingham’s WorkPlay with the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra.

A sea of outstretched arms bearing camera phones and video recorders greeted Birmingham native Taylor Hicks when he showed up on stage around 10:15 p.m. – two-thirds of the way into a concert by his local bandmates.

Excitement, already high, reached a Presley-like pitch. Fans screamed, jumped on stage, tossed roses at Hicks’ feet and maybe even swooned.

Hicks, 29, was not officially on the bill, but still eagerly expected at the sold-out show. He’s back in his hometown for a stop on the "American Idols Live" tour, playing tonight at the BJCC Arena to another capacity crowd.

Naturally, Hicks brought some of his "Idol" friends along to WorkPlay: Elliott Yamin, Ace Young and Bucky Covington.

Their presence was a definite lagniappe for anyone who followed the Fox TV reality series this season – a little something extra that made the nightclub show seem even more special and triumphant.

Hicks, obviously in a jubilant mood, traded lead vocals with Yamin on "Whipping Post" and led Little Memphis in a series of loosely intense, bluesy jams that featured "Call Me The Breeze," "Use Me" and "Dance to the Music."

Covington and Young sang backup for their pal and waved to admirers in the house, of which there seemed to be many.

The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, as always, provided solid support for Hicks and offered two tight, funky sets before he arrived on scene.

Their highly competent covers, sans Hicks, included "Tiny Dancer," "Hey Pocky Way," "Right Place, Wrong Time" and "Not Fade Away."

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoxJxbVkZXQ


credit to Maryfly

http://www.truveo.com/Taylor-Hicks-at-WorkPlay/id/1035412212


At Workplay


WHILE IN BIRMINGHAM , TAYLOR WAS PRESENTED WITH A CHECK FOR STUDIO BY THE TRACKS FROM LOYAL FANS: THE HEART & SOUL PROJECT


Taylor at Lynn Park

credit to southaltayfan

Photos credit to Maria699900

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