spotlight
cool, laid back town. I did the Idol tour there and we did a show on the U.S.S. Rage: Are you watching this season of Idol?
Ronald Reagan at Christmastime for the USO. It was awesome. TH: I do, I get to see it every now and then. Tune in before going to the
theatres.
Rage: You’ve got a great set of lungs, what’s it like acting too?
TH: My first theatrical experience was in an ice cream cone suspended Rage: Tell me about your new CD, The Distance, coming out March 10th.
40 feet above the stage. It’s a hell of a way to begin your Broadway acting TH: Well, I am excited about strength of songs on the record, really. And I
experience. But you’ll have to come to Grease to see what I mean. liked having the time to collaborate with some really great writers—people
from New York, California, Chicago and even France, if you can believe it.
Rage: So Grease is your Broadway début? The producer, Simon Climie, has worked with greats like B.B. King and Eric
TH: I was offered different roles before hand, but I thought this was a good Clapton. I also got some really great musicians to work with. That helped
introduction to acting and theatrical role playing. Grease has timeless music. shape my vision. People I could only dream about playing with. For them to
It was such a success on Broadway that I decided to join on for the tour. It’s be on the record really is an honor and a blessing.
an interesting way of life, touring. I think it’s a cool, unique experience for the
audience—to see me in a role and then see Taylor Hicks actually perform as Rage: When did you first discover you loved singing?
himself. Every night during the encore, I do my single. TH: At age 4 or 5 I started singing. As far as being a musician, I’ve learned
the harmonica, guitar and a little bit of organ. I just knew it was the path I
Rage: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened on the road? needed to go down. Once you teach yourself how to use an instrument, you
TH: There always occasional prop malfunction or a wardrobe malfunc- begin to communicate with that instrument. You start writing what you feel
tions—your fly is undone or your wig is on the side of your head. Those are on paper and creating your own music. To sing, write and play, all at once
always fun to hear about. becomes a no-brainer. Suddenly you know what direction you need to take
yourself as an artist.
RAGE: What’s the latest news from your fans, the so-called “Soul Patrol?”
TH: They’re excited about the record. Excited to see where I am as an artist.
Rage: What made you decide to create your own label and go indie [with Modern
Whomp Records]?
TH: I love to live on the edge with my art. From an artist perspective to
create your best work you have to be out on the edge. You can’t become
complacent. With traditional label settings it’s easy to become complacent. I
want to make sure my art thrives, that’s one way that can happen.
Rage: You’re going to be at the Belly Up one night after Grease?
TH: Yes, on March 5 at 11:00 p.m. I love intimate club gigs. The Belly Up is a
cool place to do gigs. That show will have some surprises.
Rage: Wow. You have an obvious passion for your work, what feeds you and keeps you
going?
TH: Sleep is where I get the energy to do it. The drive comes from want-
ing to have a really great record—a passion to show there is definitely an
awesome musical side of me. I want to keep going with what’s working
for as long as I can. I’ve lived three and a half years on the road. Basically I’m
homeless…in a very blessed way.
Taylor Hicks as “Teen Angel” in Grease
Grease at the Civic Theatre from March 3 through 8.
Call the Civic Theatre Ticket Office at 619.570.1100
46 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2009
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