By Danny Coleman
originally published: 10/27/2016
"Ya' know, I love doing the intimate venues. These small acoustic performing arts centers and the such are something that I've always wanted to do. I'm a weekend warrior with my music so I'm really enjoying this," says former "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks as he discussed his upcoming November 3 appearance at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.
Born in Birmingham, AL, Hicks paid his dues by gigging around the American South. Purchasing his first harmonica at a flea market at the age of 16, he taught himself how to play the blues and from there moved on to the electric guitar several years later.
After bouncing around in several bands, Taylor decided to go solo and would eventually release two albums of material as an unsigned independent artist; later, at the urging of his half brother, Hicks auditioned for "Idol." Now one may think that winning the 2006 title of "American Idol," as well as the adulation of fans and followers worldwide would be a climactic point in one's life; Taylor views this differently. "To someone who has struggled like me, everything is climactic," he stated with a laugh. "The big break always seemed to elude me and this business is tough. So trust me, I take nothing for granted. I worked hard before "American Idol" and I continue to work hard now and hopefully it continues to pay off. Every show and every stage is climactic for me and I truly appreciate how I've been graced."
Simon Cowell stated that he felt Hicks would "Never make it to the final round," of the competition but Taylor and his fans both old and new had other plans. Backed by the then newly dubbed "Soul Patrol" fan base, he delivered gutsy performances on the program and attributes his singing style, then and now to his bluesy influences. "I've got a lot of branches in my musical tree," he explained."Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder because of the harmonica, Delbert McClinton, Van Morrison, Bob Seger; it seems like, as my instruments grew, so did my tree. These all had some sort of similarities to me. I don't know if it was their styles or soulfulness but they had a role in my development as an artist."
Currently, Hicks has two projects ready to make their debut; a new CD due out in the spring of 2017 and a new television program which took to the air on October 21 called "State Plate" onINSP. "Rootsie," is how he describes the forthcoming disc as he has no qualms taking his time to complete the process. "I haven't released a record in a long time and that's because I need a vehicle to do so; I don't just release a record for the sake of releasing something. I need a reason, something to drive me and for me it's never a quick process. Ninety percent of the battle is writing the songs; recording is the easy part. Although it's going great, right now I'm in the studio and we just started recording so we should be done by the new year and released by the spring."
"State Plate," is Taylor's new foray into the television market and can be found at 9 p.m. EST every Friday on INSP. The program will visit multiple states across the U.S in an effort to highlight and in some cases explain the origins of some of our nation's most famous dishes. Hicks claims that his love of food and being a southern man have both aided the show; which has currently put a "wrap"on its first season. "Obviously being from Alabama, I'm a foodie," he said with a knowing chuckle."Being a musician and the music allowing me to travel as much as I do, eating in so many different parts of our country; this was only natural. This show isn't just me going to different states and eating food, its very educational to the viewers. I really dig into the heartland of America, I go to farms and to agricultural places to see where and how the food was grown and harvested. We just finished up the first season and the first episode aired on October 21. I loved gaining an understanding of where our great culinary arts came from. Some of the places and recipes have been cared for and handed down for generations and on this show I loved getting to know the people who have preserved those things."
When pressed on his favorite food or state cuisine, Hicks found it much easier to discuss his upcoming SOPAC show and the future than make a choice; even poking a little fun at himself while doing so. "As I said, I love playing these smaller venues and since this is an acoustic tour, I've been able to have a lot of fun with it. I'll be doing some songs from my previous records, some of the songs from "Idol" and maybe try out a new one or two; I'll get to let my grey hair down a bit (laughs). After this tour, it's wide open. I'll go wherever there's an opportunity created for me; there's no rest for the weary and by the way; I eat just about anything except "Oreos." I might just be the only person in the world who doesn't like "Oreo Cookies;" I know, I know you think I'm kiddin' but I'm not (laughs). I can't say I had a favorite food in season one because everywhere we went, everything was so good; I can't wait for season two."
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON
Photo by INSP
This week's event listings
Alchemist & Barrister28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. The Original Dick Gratton Jazz Group
Amalfi's Restaurant & Bar146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 9 p.m."3rd Annual Groovy Spooky Halloween Party" w/ The Prophets. Costume contest, prizes.
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 8 p.m. Sounds Of The Street
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Mindless Hope (Album Release Party), Half-Ton Of Humanity, The Madeleine Haze, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. "Halloween Show" feat. Get Killed, An Astonishing End, The Infinite Vacation, Try Hard Charlie, Kold Blooded, Into The Infinite, Menace Of the Canvas, The Shit Show. All ages, $10
Sun. 5 p.m. Footage Of A Yeti, (TBA). All ages, $10
Mon. 6 p.m. "The Champs Hallowiener Show" feat. Criwhurst, Husky Bundles, The Dirty Merlins, Caleb Walker. Ages 21+, $6 (w/ costume) $10 (w/o costume)
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. "Halloween Party" w/ Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Jonathan Ashe
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Vince Ector Drum Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. The Golden Boyz "Live Band Karaoke"
Sat. 9 p.m. Comedy Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Corner House Tavern24509 East Main Street Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. Deep Release
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Danny Quimby
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (9 p.m.) Faraway Guys
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Jack McTamney
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (4 p.m.) Dick Gratton & Linda lee
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Full Grown Men
Sat. 8 p.m. Zeke Skye and the Lonely Hearts Band
Sun. 3 p.m. Little Red Rooster
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 9 p.m. Rich Scanella Group
Sat. 9 p.m. Robert Bruce
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Jeff & Karen
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Jumper
Sun. (3 p.m.) John Eddie "All Ages Halloween Show." Doors at 2 p.m., $15 (adults) $10 (kids) (10 p.m.) "A Very Late Evening With Genitorturers." Doors at 8 p.m., $35 (reserved seating)
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends Local and Original Music Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Jim Joustra Trio
Fri. 6 p.m. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Sat. 6 p.m. Ten Foot Trail
Sun. (2 p.m.)"Jazzy Sundays" feat. Frank Piombo (6:30 p.m.) "Vintner's Dinner." $35 (tax & gratuity included/reservations required)
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Williamsboy
Sat. 2 p.m. Tom Fuller
Sun. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Gunsmoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Papa DeLux
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publik House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Live Music on the Paddy-O" (TBA)
Sat. 10 p.m. "Halloween Contest" w/ DJ Jimmy G
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "2016 Laurita Idol" Singing Showcase Tryout: "Senior Idol"
Fri. 7 p.m. (Closed for a Private Event)
Sat. 12 p.m. Rick Winow
Sun. 1 p.m. Lefty, the MANN of 1,200 Songs
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girl's Night Out" / Mary May Basket Weaving
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. Amnivor, Titans In Time, Black Sun Rising, Last Call Hooligans
Sat. 9 p.m. "College House / Hip-Hop Party" feat. DJ RV & MC Slim
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 9 p.m. Crack Filler, Posers, Sick Shit, Josh Adair
Sat. 9 p.m. Honah Lee, The Battery Electric, Cyclone Static, Alpha Rabbit
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Mark Stinger Trio
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. "Halloween Party" w/ Out Of The Red
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Just Us
Sat. 8 p.m. Raven Rock Rounder
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Sat. 9:30 p.m. "Halloween Party" w/ No Way Out
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 8 p.m. "Save The Cave" Benefit Concert w/ Paul Plumeri & Jerry Monk. $10 donation gets you an opportunity to break an old 78 RPM record over Randy's head.
Sun. 2 p.m. Man Cave w/ Steampunk Sistas in The "Annual Bordentown Halloween Parade."
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Bob E. Luv. Ages 21+ (2 IDs required), $15 ($5 w/ valid college ID)
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet, $10 (8:30 p.m.) "Halloween Party" w/ 80's Undercover
Roebling Market 675 South Clinton Avenue Trenton
Sat./Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Trenton "Punk Rock Flea Market." $5 (2 Day pass)
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Tom Tallitsch
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Sportsman's Pub819 Lalor Street Hamilton
(609) 393-4464
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night
Sat. 7 p.m. Mandragora. $20
Sun. 3 p.m. "A Century of Jewish Music" w/ Jeff Dershin. $20
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Annual Halloween Party" (9 p.m.) Audio Riot
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius The First
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Parlour NJ167 Route 130 North Bordentown
(609) 291-9264
Sat. 9 p.m. "Halloween Party" w/ DEB 'n' the Sons Of RoCk
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. 44 Fridays
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Monzter Zero
Sat. 9 p.m. "Halloween Extravaganza" w/ The Drunk Monkeys
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Jet Weston and His Atomic Ranch Hands
Sat 9 p.m. Mike Nabinger
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Mary Courtney
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Angela Perley & The Howlin' Moons. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. "halloween Costume Party" w/ The Lawsuits. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
