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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Taylor Hicks Goes Independent


Taylor Hicks is finding out what it it like to be a bluesman. Corporate music companies who have squandered and destroyed the music business and radio ( I mean when is the last time you have seen music on MTV, or VH1, Could you name anyone in the current top 40??) now are seeing musicians going independent. Of course, us in the blues business have been doing this for years. Hicks has talent so he should be alright for awhile, but like most soul and blues artists it is tough sledding out there. (BTW, I have only sold 1 Cd since releasing my independent CD a couple of months ago, so it is very tough out there!!!)

Here is a press release with details of Taylor Hicks new CD.


"LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- He's "Takin' It to the Streets" on "American Idol" -- now Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks will be takin' it more directly to the people. Celebrating his birthday today, Hicks has tapped the independent artist services company Artist To Market (A2M) to release his much-buzzed-about new album, due in stores on February 10, 2009. The platinum-selling singer-songwriter will be releasing the new title with complete control of direction and ownership of his masters on his solely owned and operated, Modern Whomp Records label. Hicks is currently in the studio with producer Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Faith Hill).

"In this digital age, when artists can connect more directly with audiences, this is a partnership that makes a lot of sense," says Hicks. "I'm very much enjoying being in the studio with Simon working on the new album and look forward to releasing it through A2M early next year."

"We at A2M are very excited to be working with the team at Modern Whomp Records on this release," said Paul Ignasinski, General Manager of A2M. "As the industry continues to evolve, it's exciting to see significant artists approach the marketplace in a new way, and truly take control over their own destiny. This is exactly why A2M was built in the first place -- to provide a service platform for these artists to prosper on their own terms."

During the last two years, Taylor Hicks has seen his self-titled Arista debut album certified platinum, performed with the likes of Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers and Jackson Browne, toured through Asia, penned the brisk-selling Random House memoir Heart Full of Soul, spent time in NY this past summer for his three-month Broadway debut as "Teen Angel" in Grease, and will take Grease on a national tour beginning December 1.

In August Hicks' Modern Whomp Records released Early Works (a reissue compilation of his two independent albums, In Your Time and Under the Radar) through the Welk Music Group. Hicks is also planning the release of Whomp at the Warfield, a DVD showcasing a live performance by Hicks and his band at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco.

About Artist To Market Distribution:

Launched in 2005, Artist To Market Distribution (A2M) is an independent music distributor and artist services company designed to work directly with artists, labels, and content owners to streamline the supply chain, provide flexible service solutions, and deliver new product to the marketplace at a lower cost. Over the past two years A2M has partnered with a diverse group of platinum and multi-platinum artists including Dolly Parton, Tracy Lawrence, Tommy Lee, John Michael Montgomery, Sinead O'Connor, Unwritten Law, and Tracy Byrd, in addition to critically-acclaimed newcomers, The Cool Kids. More information can be found at http://www.artist2market.com".


12 comments:

juliegr said...

Very interesting column on the music business. Thanks for the "read" on what's going on out there.

Anonymous said...

"Hicks has talent so he should be alright for awhile, but like most soul and blues artists it is tough sledding out there."


When the times are tough, the tough get going..... Taylor is a tough cookie... I am betting the Blues Historian is too.

cath

Anonymous said...

It must be tough BUT we know Taylor is also tough! He has proven himself as an outstanding artist & has the following of his supporters. Movin Onward & Upward With The Soul Man♥
Thanx Blues Historian for this print!

Sierra Lita said...

Thanks for the great write up!

Anonymous said...

I purchased your CD, and it is GREAT!!!

Also, thank you SO much for writing about Taylor as frequently as you do, and so positively...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the piece on Taylor. It seems like he's always had an obstacle or two in the way of any clear sailing. Let's hope this works out. It sure sounds exciting.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Tom for the write-up on Taylor! I'll be buying your CD!!! Good luck!

Blues Historian said...

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for buying the Cd Mary magdalene! You must be the one!:-)

Tom

Anonymous said...

Blues:
You are most welcome, :-D and I listen to your CD frequently!

I LOVE your songs "Holly Golightly Blues" and "Cheap Bourbon"...

I thoroughly enjoy your other songs also, but those 2 are the ones that go through my head often...

Blues Historian said...

HI Mary

Don't know if you caught the video of Holly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QsfV9xnMto

It has actual film clips from the movie

Tom

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Tom, for the great post. We appreciate your continued support. Ü
medolark

Anonymous said...

Interesting that Taylor went Platinum yet media still refers to him negatively as not selling. He's incredible.