Runnin' South on Lake Shore Drive

Last night late The Soul Connection cruised both north and south - the entire distance - on Chicago's famed Lake Shore Drive following a fantastic, rockin' Taylor Hicks concert at Reggie's Rock Club on South State Street. We were energized by the music we'd just experienced, and rolled swiftly down Lake Shore's vast expanse between the twinkling city lights towering overhead and the calming waters of Lake Michigan.

In 1971, little known singer songwriters Alliotta Haynes Jeremiah wrote and recorded this awesome testament to Lake Shore Drive. It was cool to drive it again and remember those times.

Taylor Hicks Talks Summer Tour!

Taylor Hicks’ 2010 Summer Tour has surprised most of his fans with unexpected opportunities to hear great music over the next two months. The Soul Connection recently caught up with Taylor between planes in Atlanta as he traveled to New York to begin final preparations for the tour.  While Taylor wants to keep the band member names, tour merchandise, and specific songs on the set list a surprise so that fans who attend the first show can enjoy spreading the word, he was excited to share some of his thoughts and feelings about the upcoming tour kicking off on Sunday.

Why did you schedule such an extensive tour so soon after Grease?   I wanted to see what was out there. I made some changes in my representation and wanted to basically take this record [The Distance] on the road and put myself out there again and see what we could come up with, play some of the smaller markets, and reach people who might not have been able to see Grease or my earlier tour shows because we hit bigger cities.  I also wanted to hit some cities that I’ve never been to before.  I knew it would be a way to reach out to fans who haven’t seen me, or who couldn’t travel to see me, or who couldn’t catch a late-night show.  There’s demand for my live show out there.  I wanted to test the waters, and getting back in the bus seemed like a fun thing to do, so I’ve been able to put some dates together to play some really cool places and get back out there.

What music will we hear this time around?   I think a lot of it will be similar to the music we did on the one-off shows. At the same time, there’s some really great covers that I’ve added, and I’ve also added some obscure old songs as well that I’ll be working in. So the set list will change. I think it will be for the better, and I think people will be excited about it.

How many pieces are you bringing on tour?   Seven pieces including myself.

How many songs have you prepared for this tour?   I think we have around the same number of songs as the last tour.  I’ll be with the band a lot on this tour, so we’ll be able to rehearse on the bus. The band has already been rehearsing a lot, and the band sounds great.  There’s going to be some surprises, and I think everybody should come out and see it.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to play live music consecutively and I’m excited about it.

Is there one song in particular that you’ll most enjoy performing?   I’m excited to perform all of them.  I got excited just rehearsing and playing with the band.  I haven’t done it in so long that it’s like
getting back to my roots.

Did you receive many song suggestions from your tweet for suggestions?   Yes, but maybe that will be a contest that I can do at some point in some capacity.  Then I’ll get the band to learn the song.  That works.

Have you come up with a name for the tour bus yet?   I have not.  I haven’t even been in it yet.  I think all the guys are in it now on their way to New York, but I need to get in it in order to name it.  It’s like a car or boat. You have to let it grow on you.

Is there anything else you’d like your fans to know before the tour starts?   I just appreciate everybody going on this ride with me.  The journey still continues. This thing is gonna last for a long time.  I’m really excited about some of the opportunities around the corner.  This allows me to get out and be with the fans again.  Then we move on to the next record and to TV and film opportunities.  We just keep moving ahead.

Thanks Taylor!  See you on the road!   ;p


Photo credit:  Jamesville NY, 6.13.10, Photo by The Soul Connection

Rock 'n Roll Time Machine

In 1955 four legends of Rock 'n Roll appeared together at a Lubbock TX high school dance. This short clip is backstage before the show began. Awesome!




Here's a short slip of Elvis' performance that night. Carl Perkins also is on stage with him.

Louder Than Words. . .

Sometimes videos speak much louder than mere words. . .  enjoy. . .and get out the tissues!   ;p