Taylor doing a Clapton song. Just a shout out to the Hicks fan club. My students informed me that Taylor lost his record contract. Can anyone give an update on that????
Bluesman: Taylor has 'divorced' JRecords by mutual consent, according to his statment on his myspace page (www.myspace.com/taylorhicks). It reads:
"A statement from Taylor: To all my fans and The Soul Patrol, I want to take a moment to talk about the recent news that my label and I have mutually parted ways. The important thing for all of you to remember is that I've been a working musician my whole life. This is turning the page on a new chapter of my career. Artistic freedom and control is an exciting prospect. The things that are most important to me is creating my art, performing it, and my fans. With the momentum that all of you have created over the years, Taylor Hicks is not going to stop anytime soon. I've started working on the new album, writing and scheduling exciting collaborations. The DVD, Whomp at the Warfield, is in it's final stages, and will be released soon. So as one door closes, a new one opens for 2008 with more excitement for all my fans than ever before. Sit tight, because the best is yet to come!"
According to a JRecords rep, “Taylor is going to record his next album on his own,” but they will listen to his stuff after he's finished writing it (not sure what that means - perhaps in a distribution role?). My personal opinion is that this will be a great thing for him - he can now record that true Taylor Hicks album of blues/soul/rock/acoustic on his own terms. What more can a true artist ask for, eh?
It has also been reported that Taylor's legal reps were able to get him out of his contract because of lack of promotion, breach of contract, not getting what they promised him. He is writing and getting his music together on his own for his next cd. They have said the door is not totally closed yet. It also mentioned that Taylor can't talk about the specifics of the agreement for a specified amount of time. Sounds like he might have them by the balls.
Taylor and JRecords/Arista never seemed to be a good fit and it became more and more obvious as the promotion for the album started. Taylor seemed to be very visible on TV but no single releases for months, although adds for radio stations were published -- the reatio stations when called ALL said the label hadn't sent copies of the album to them or that they (the stations) weren't allowed to play Taylor's music! Amazing. Anyway, around May, comments were heard that Taylor had fulflled his part of the deal with the label.
Seems Taylor did his part ~~~ the label (JRecords/Arista) didn't. Would L-O-V-E to see an investigative report on this matter -- how can a bi-lateral contract not be fulfilled. I think this is how Taylor was able to get LOOSE from Clive Davis. I think they totally underestimated him! :)
If anyone hasn't heard his self made album before being on TV, they should check out "Under The Radar" CD that he produced, wrote, and sang/played with his orig.great band. I heard "Soul Thing" from that and it's quite diff. arrangement from others. I think the original is genius.
Mr. Hicks sure doesn't seem unhappy about what has happened. They did not do much to promote him. His first album that he did at about 20 years of age "In Your Time" has some orignals and some covers with excellent arrangments. I think he needs this creative freedom and he will be fine. He does have a strong fan base despite what some in the media think.
"He does have a strong fan base despite what some in the media think."
That is very true, I can tell you that just by looking at my stats! I think I said it before that if only some of our blues and soul artists had even half of the following of Taylor Hicks, then the blues would be in far better shape.
You know I have been wondering given the current state of the music industry if having a record deal is even worth it. Especially if you have to deal with whatever is contemporary Pop music. I would think that the A&R reps are probably scared of Hicks music since it is soooooooooo old school, that he is probably better off trying to get on to a specialty label, or perhaps start his own label. A guy with his experience on the "Chitlin Circuit" would know that he could self produce his own CDs & DVDs and do well. I don't know if he would be interested in any of the blues/soul labels, like Alligator, Bind Pig, Delmark, but those are artist friendly companies. I suppose the major problem with those labels, or being independent means little air play, little TV exposure, and playing 300+ nights a week. Now that my friends is the life of a Bluesman:-)
I have often said that Taylor should go back to producing his own records. Clive & company didn't do much for Taylor. I think his indie CD's are far more superior to his "professionally" released CD. It would be great if Taylor could form his own label and give those guys a run for their money. I think Taylor's next CD will be the best yet. He is an excellent songwriter. I'm hoping her will return to his "roots" with more blues & soul. As for touring - it's in his blood.
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Bluesman: Taylor has 'divorced' JRecords by mutual consent, according to his statment on his myspace page (www.myspace.com/taylorhicks). It reads:
"A statement from Taylor: To all my fans and The Soul Patrol, I want to take a moment to talk about the recent news that my label and I have mutually parted ways. The important thing for all of you to remember is that I've been a working musician my whole life. This is turning the page on a new chapter of my career. Artistic freedom and control is an exciting prospect. The things that are most important to me is creating my art, performing it, and my fans. With the momentum that all of you have created over the years, Taylor Hicks is not going to stop anytime soon. I've started working on the new album, writing and scheduling exciting collaborations. The DVD, Whomp at the Warfield, is in it's final stages, and will be released soon. So as one door closes, a new one opens for 2008 with more excitement for all my fans than ever before. Sit tight, because the best is yet to come!"
According to a JRecords rep, “Taylor is going to record his next album on his own,” but they will listen to his stuff after he's finished writing it (not sure what that means - perhaps in a distribution role?). My personal opinion is that this will be a great thing for him - he can now record that true Taylor Hicks album of blues/soul/rock/acoustic on his own terms. What more can a true artist ask for, eh?
As an addendum to the previous post:
Taylor , for the next few months, will be writing and collaborating; preparing for the release of his next CD. We wish him well.
It has also been reported that Taylor's legal reps were able to get him out of his contract because of lack of promotion, breach of contract, not getting what they promised him. He is writing and getting his music together on his own for his next cd. They have said the door is not totally closed yet. It also mentioned that Taylor can't talk about the specifics of the agreement for a specified amount of time. Sounds like he might have them by the balls.
Thanks for the video and the comments.
Taylor and JRecords/Arista never seemed to be a good fit and it became more and more obvious as the promotion for the album started. Taylor seemed to be very visible on TV but no single releases for months, although adds for radio stations were published -- the reatio stations when called ALL said the label hadn't sent copies of the album to them or that they (the stations) weren't allowed to play Taylor's music! Amazing. Anyway, around May, comments were heard that Taylor had fulflled his part of the deal with the label.
Seems Taylor did his part ~~~ the label (JRecords/Arista) didn't. Would L-O-V-E to see an investigative report on this matter -- how can a bi-lateral contract not be fulfilled. I think this is how Taylor was able to get LOOSE from Clive Davis. I think they totally underestimated him! :)
If anyone hasn't heard his self made album before being on TV, they should check out "Under The Radar" CD that he produced, wrote, and sang/played with his orig.great band. I heard "Soul Thing" from that and it's quite diff. arrangement from others. I think the original is genius.
Mr. Hicks sure doesn't seem unhappy about what has happened. They did not do much to promote him. His first album that he did at about 20 years of age "In Your Time" has some orignals and some covers with excellent arrangments. I think he needs this creative freedom and he will be fine. He does have a strong fan base despite what some in the media think.
"He does have a strong fan base despite what some in the media think."
That is very true, I can tell you that just by looking at my stats! I think I said it before that if only some of our blues and soul artists had even half of the following of Taylor Hicks, then the blues would be in far better shape.
You know I have been wondering given the current state of the music industry if having a record deal is even worth it. Especially if you have to deal with whatever is contemporary Pop music. I would think that the A&R reps are probably scared of Hicks music since it is soooooooooo old school, that he is probably better off trying to get on to a specialty label, or perhaps start his own label. A guy with his experience on the "Chitlin Circuit" would know that he could self produce his own CDs & DVDs and do well. I don't know if he would be interested in any of the blues/soul labels, like Alligator, Bind Pig, Delmark, but those are artist friendly companies. I suppose the major problem with those labels, or being independent means little air play, little TV exposure, and playing 300+ nights a week. Now that my friends is the life of a Bluesman:-)
Taylor is a compulsive gigger...I really don't think he finds playing all the time a problem. I think thats when he is happiest!
I have often said that Taylor should go back to producing his own records. Clive & company didn't do much for Taylor. I think his indie CD's are far more superior to his "professionally" released CD. It would be great if Taylor could form his own label and give those guys a run for their money. I think Taylor's next CD will be the best yet. He is an excellent songwriter. I'm hoping her will return to his "roots" with more blues & soul. As for touring - it's in his blood.
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