Chyna Black is like an open road
Takes me places releases my soul
Ain't it funny how life goes
Takes a turn through a journey unknown
No hesitation no tug no pulls
Aint no need of fighting for what's yours
A little smile releases old smoke
Just take the ride read the signs and hold on.
[Chorus]
You're what I want
You're what I need
Give me reason to just to breath
You're everything I'm hoping for give me love and so much more
You're what I want
You're what I need
You touch the deepest part of me
[Verse II]
Chyna Black is like my old ford
Picks me up helps carry the load
I can depend on when times are cold
Soothes my body like mom's old robe.
No hesitation no tug no pull
Ain't no need of fighting for what's yours
A little smile release old smoke
Just take the ride read the signs and hold on.
[Chorus]
You're what I want
You're what I need
Give me reasons just to breath
You're what I want
You're what I need
You touch the deepest part of me
You're what I want
You're what I need
Give me everything
Give me everything
Give me everything
That I need
Give me everything
Give me everything
What would I do without you
Chyna Black is like an open road.
Reminds me of The Soulman.
Teavana, fragrant, natural teas
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Gray Charles (.com) Scores Exit Interview!
You go Gray! Taylor Hicks has been in contact with the Great Gray Charles (.com) "blogmaster" in the initial stages of the interview bidding adieu to the blog that began in the very early stages of season 5 American Idol. We'll stay tuned for updates on this event.
"Gray" and WOOO Radio "Official Soul Patrol" (the first one, not the one melded into the TaylorHicksfan.com site), were my two favorite hang-outs in the competition phases. "Gray's" site I loved for the obvious and I loved the simplicity of WOOO Radio with the shout box and the tunes. I tried forums, (American Idol message boards became one I can hang with, they've had some excellent posters hanging out over there and "Tuestays" were a fun cyberride) but overall standard forums aren't for me, too much inside drama, complete with backstabbings, sometimes high schoolish clique-ishness exclusionary tactics, complete with snide and unnecessary personal attacks I'd witness in between sitemembers; who needs that - I don't - with a family like mine I can witness that first-hand and not watch and listen as it happens in and amongst complete cyber strangers.
I was very sad to see (and hear) the folks with WOOO Radio leave (and hand over their boom box to another site) and now will sorely miss Gray's sometimes ironic, mostly always informative, intelligent and entertaining posts. I loved his coverage of other musical acts, some I wasn't aware of, but now, that "Gray" introduced me, am a fan.
It is fitting that Taylor provide "Gray" with an interview upon the exiting of the site from cyber-Hicksdom. "Gray", for many months provided a classy intelligent site for Soul Patrollers to haunt and post to one another. It is generous of Hicks, and so very right that he's doing this and reinforces my impression received of the man over the course of his famous beginnings.
Regarding the graycharles.com site, there are posts that I need to catch up reading which when new material no longer manifests, I will have time to return to read through. I am glad that in physical form at least, the site will be available for reviewing.
I am looking forward to the interview and will attach links to it on my blog as part of the chronicle I, compared to "Gray", lamely work to put together about Taylor and his progress. Taylor is scheduled to talk with "Gray" again today. I'm certain he will prepare a concise and insightful interview, staying true to the format we're all used to from the man.
"Gray" and WOOO Radio "Official Soul Patrol" (the first one, not the one melded into the TaylorHicksfan.com site), were my two favorite hang-outs in the competition phases. "Gray's" site I loved for the obvious and I loved the simplicity of WOOO Radio with the shout box and the tunes. I tried forums, (American Idol message boards became one I can hang with, they've had some excellent posters hanging out over there and "Tuestays" were a fun cyberride) but overall standard forums aren't for me, too much inside drama, complete with backstabbings, sometimes high schoolish clique-ishness exclusionary tactics, complete with snide and unnecessary personal attacks I'd witness in between sitemembers; who needs that - I don't - with a family like mine I can witness that first-hand and not watch and listen as it happens in and amongst complete cyber strangers.
I was very sad to see (and hear) the folks with WOOO Radio leave (and hand over their boom box to another site) and now will sorely miss Gray's sometimes ironic, mostly always informative, intelligent and entertaining posts. I loved his coverage of other musical acts, some I wasn't aware of, but now, that "Gray" introduced me, am a fan.
It is fitting that Taylor provide "Gray" with an interview upon the exiting of the site from cyber-Hicksdom. "Gray", for many months provided a classy intelligent site for Soul Patrollers to haunt and post to one another. It is generous of Hicks, and so very right that he's doing this and reinforces my impression received of the man over the course of his famous beginnings.
Regarding the graycharles.com site, there are posts that I need to catch up reading which when new material no longer manifests, I will have time to return to read through. I am glad that in physical form at least, the site will be available for reviewing.
I am looking forward to the interview and will attach links to it on my blog as part of the chronicle I, compared to "Gray", lamely work to put together about Taylor and his progress. Taylor is scheduled to talk with "Gray" again today. I'm certain he will prepare a concise and insightful interview, staying true to the format we're all used to from the man.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Good-Bye to the Great site, Gray Charles.com
In a posting on the great site that has been GrayCharles.com, I left him a good-bye note. It goes like this:
Hi Gray. I've not been a regular poster but always check in. The only time you and I really made contact was right before you had to stop with the cool t-shirts. I had come across the info that sites were going to be getting hits to advise them to stop any promotional material sales with or about Hicks. I had expected this to eventually happen. I had tried to market Bo Bice tees in AI 5 and had to stop - same scenario. Anyway I had contacted you about the news; then you were indeed contacted.
You and I were the first bloggers about Hicks. When I began there was not one website on Taylor - I checked. So I fashioned my modest blog, and then found you. Loved your take and your 'voice' immediately. You were my first link outside of A.I. I used to carry a link to you on the top of my site "Visit the Great Gray Charles Site!" Right below you was the WOOO Radio site link - that was a cool site too.
I became a fan of yours immediately. I figured you could possibly be a famous writer in the music world "someplace out there" who took a shine to Taylor Hicks. Love your taste in music. I always loved the fact you did not go forum. Your site was set up much more user friendly, with an intimate feel you miss out on when there is a forum to navigate.
I will miss your internet presence - good luck to you and I know your family will welcome having you around more. I can only imagine with as famous as your site became what you had to go through in maintenance time. It was so very generous of you to have the format you did that welcomed and featured the visitors comments, that had to be a drain on bandwidth, a drain on your personal time as well. That the reason I had to keep a simple blog, but as simple as mine is it is still work to keep news fresh and keep a current chronicle going about The Soulman.
Groove on Gray Charles, whoever you truly are.
He will be missed.
Hi Gray. I've not been a regular poster but always check in. The only time you and I really made contact was right before you had to stop with the cool t-shirts. I had come across the info that sites were going to be getting hits to advise them to stop any promotional material sales with or about Hicks. I had expected this to eventually happen. I had tried to market Bo Bice tees in AI 5 and had to stop - same scenario. Anyway I had contacted you about the news; then you were indeed contacted.
You and I were the first bloggers about Hicks. When I began there was not one website on Taylor - I checked. So I fashioned my modest blog, and then found you. Loved your take and your 'voice' immediately. You were my first link outside of A.I. I used to carry a link to you on the top of my site "Visit the Great Gray Charles Site!" Right below you was the WOOO Radio site link - that was a cool site too.
I became a fan of yours immediately. I figured you could possibly be a famous writer in the music world "someplace out there" who took a shine to Taylor Hicks. Love your taste in music. I always loved the fact you did not go forum. Your site was set up much more user friendly, with an intimate feel you miss out on when there is a forum to navigate.
I will miss your internet presence - good luck to you and I know your family will welcome having you around more. I can only imagine with as famous as your site became what you had to go through in maintenance time. It was so very generous of you to have the format you did that welcomed and featured the visitors comments, that had to be a drain on bandwidth, a drain on your personal time as well. That the reason I had to keep a simple blog, but as simple as mine is it is still work to keep news fresh and keep a current chronicle going about The Soulman.
Groove on Gray Charles, whoever you truly are.
He will be missed.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Taylor Hicks Proudly Soars to Number One
Taylor Hicks, the silver-haired soulman who became the Season five "American Idol" winner, now has a number one selling single. His American Idol single CD released June 13, "Do I Make You Proud" with the flip-side "Taking It to the Streets" is soaring to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, flying to the tops of the charts, stopping pretty much every pop ranking single in sight as of the June 22, 2006 charts.
Simultaneously, his single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the Billboard Single Sales chart and the Billboard Pop 100 chart making it the best selling song in the country with over 190,000 copies sold in its first week of release.
Soul Patrollers everywhere will be glad to know that not only are they promoting Taylor with the purchase of his single, but sales of "Do I Make You Proud", benefit the American Red Cross. For every CD sold, $0.25 goes to the charity, as well as $0.15 for every digital download sold, and $0.20 for every ringtone and ringback. This marks the fourth "American Idol" single to provide financial support to the mission of the American Red Cross and the people it serves. Sales of the past three recordings generated more than a quarter million dollars in donations.
All I have to say is, Simon Cowell, how is that for commercial talent?
This single released June 13 by 19 Recordings and Arista Records, adds more gravy to ladel over the top of the list of accomplishments the Soulman has racked up since winning American Idol. Since his win, Taylor Hicks has signed the record deal with Arista Records, shot a smoking hot Ford commercial and then featured in People Magazine as this years current Hottest Bachelor. Taylor Hicks scored the cover, as well as a multi-page interview and a glorious eight page pictoral spread.
Regarding the Ford commercial, "Possibilities", the song that Taylor Hicks belts out in the new promotional commercials was written and produced by Harvest Music and Sound Design. Three folks from the Lansing, Michigan company created the tune. They are Julie Magsig, Mark Miller, and Steve Curran. Music houses from around the country were asked to pitch songs and Harvest drew the long straw, had the best tune and won. After Taylor Hicks won Idol, the song was then adapted musically to fit his style. This is not the first song that Harvest has had featured in other national commercials, but this first one in which they had a singer that could draw instant attention. An interesting combination, an Alabama singer, some Michigan songwriters - and with the drive of Ford, the song is heard everywhere; plus The Soulman does a dynamic job.
"It's been an exciting time for us," Curran said.
As added by Magsig, referring to Taylor Hicks and the fact their song was chosen, "That's what the song is about, anything is possible."
Returning to the intitial topic, Tay's standings in the charts. Reviewing true perspective in the real world of music, I must point out that Idol standards are downright stratosphereic when you compare the statistics with other musicians. One prime example I gleaned from the charts, Nelly Furtado, listed as selling just 6,000 copies of "Promiscuous."
Watching the SoulPatrollman ride his wave of destiny is proving to be the most interesting and fascinating endeavors I have undertaken. I'm proud to add my name to the list of Soul Patrollers and I'm notoriously not a "joiner". Proud to have began writing about the man when this past season of American Idol began. Proud to watch him metamorphose from the quiet man in a polo shirt belting out Sam Cooke, accapella in the Idol auditions, (and wondering where in the heck had he been all my life) to the person he is supposed to be - with a number one on the Billboard charts.
You can watch Taylor on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this Thursday, June 22nd (his second visit to the show). The songs on this CD will featured by Hicks in the American Idol Tour which begins July 5 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Taylor has said in numerous interviews, "I've been a hard working musician for the past ten years trying to become the best singer and harmonica player I could be and I'm thrilled that I can now focus entirely on my music," says Hicks. "Having a number one single is only the beginning."
Life is full of beginnings. Ask the next butterfly that flies by.
Groove on Soulman.
Simultaneously, his single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the Billboard Single Sales chart and the Billboard Pop 100 chart making it the best selling song in the country with over 190,000 copies sold in its first week of release.
Soul Patrollers everywhere will be glad to know that not only are they promoting Taylor with the purchase of his single, but sales of "Do I Make You Proud", benefit the American Red Cross. For every CD sold, $0.25 goes to the charity, as well as $0.15 for every digital download sold, and $0.20 for every ringtone and ringback. This marks the fourth "American Idol" single to provide financial support to the mission of the American Red Cross and the people it serves. Sales of the past three recordings generated more than a quarter million dollars in donations.
All I have to say is, Simon Cowell, how is that for commercial talent?
This single released June 13 by 19 Recordings and Arista Records, adds more gravy to ladel over the top of the list of accomplishments the Soulman has racked up since winning American Idol. Since his win, Taylor Hicks has signed the record deal with Arista Records, shot a smoking hot Ford commercial and then featured in People Magazine as this years current Hottest Bachelor. Taylor Hicks scored the cover, as well as a multi-page interview and a glorious eight page pictoral spread.
Regarding the Ford commercial, "Possibilities", the song that Taylor Hicks belts out in the new promotional commercials was written and produced by Harvest Music and Sound Design. Three folks from the Lansing, Michigan company created the tune. They are Julie Magsig, Mark Miller, and Steve Curran. Music houses from around the country were asked to pitch songs and Harvest drew the long straw, had the best tune and won. After Taylor Hicks won Idol, the song was then adapted musically to fit his style. This is not the first song that Harvest has had featured in other national commercials, but this first one in which they had a singer that could draw instant attention. An interesting combination, an Alabama singer, some Michigan songwriters - and with the drive of Ford, the song is heard everywhere; plus The Soulman does a dynamic job.
"It's been an exciting time for us," Curran said.
As added by Magsig, referring to Taylor Hicks and the fact their song was chosen, "That's what the song is about, anything is possible."
Returning to the intitial topic, Tay's standings in the charts. Reviewing true perspective in the real world of music, I must point out that Idol standards are downright stratosphereic when you compare the statistics with other musicians. One prime example I gleaned from the charts, Nelly Furtado, listed as selling just 6,000 copies of "Promiscuous."
Watching the SoulPatrollman ride his wave of destiny is proving to be the most interesting and fascinating endeavors I have undertaken. I'm proud to add my name to the list of Soul Patrollers and I'm notoriously not a "joiner". Proud to have began writing about the man when this past season of American Idol began. Proud to watch him metamorphose from the quiet man in a polo shirt belting out Sam Cooke, accapella in the Idol auditions, (and wondering where in the heck had he been all my life) to the person he is supposed to be - with a number one on the Billboard charts.
You can watch Taylor on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this Thursday, June 22nd (his second visit to the show). The songs on this CD will featured by Hicks in the American Idol Tour which begins July 5 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Taylor has said in numerous interviews, "I've been a hard working musician for the past ten years trying to become the best singer and harmonica player I could be and I'm thrilled that I can now focus entirely on my music," says Hicks. "Having a number one single is only the beginning."
Life is full of beginnings. Ask the next butterfly that flies by.
Groove on Soulman.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Caution, Buckle your seat belts...
Caution, buckle your seat belts tight, dangerous curves ahead, sharp and unknown angles in the track to navigate, hold tight when screaming through the loops - but at the tiptop of the roller coaster ride ahead for the Soul Patrol - the view will be amazing. 
After reading some of the controversy on the Soul Patrol forum fronts regarding Hicks performing with Snoop Dog in B'Ham, I became motivated to address this topic.
I discovered much of the negative controversy stemmed from the ultra conservative small town factions who still view Snoop as just a gansta rapper. To set the Snoop Dog record straight, granted the man's early days in the rap music world were rooted in the "gansta" mythology, but the man has morphed, grown up, altering the lifestyle he became known for in the beginning. Gansta ties, and recreational drug use have been delegated to past tense for Snoop Dog, as is already known to those of us wading through the waters of current times. What has come to the fore, Snoop has emerged as an incredibly creative, talented and versatile guy with a schtick that has worked to jet him to fame and fortune; who can seriously slam that in any way? Granted if not a fan of rap, one might find it difficult to get into the vibe, but as a closet rap fan - not hardcore rap mind you, I'm more of an Eminem kinda gal - I can appreciate rap for the poetry, the passion. Here's a background piece on rap in a report published by Yale University.
I've also enjoyed Snoop's tongue in cheek performances on the big screen and find the man definitely not one to take himself as seriously as those who don't get him might. I too, can appreciate growing and changing bad lifestyles for better. Circumstances happen, situations occur whether happenchance or out of necessity that influence how you live your life. What you do with the knowledge gleaned from experience is what makes you the person you become.
The Soulman's appearance with Snoop did much to elevate and validate my opinion that Tay is going to do what HE wants to do and will not be pigeon-holed and forced into a set musical genre' by anyone. Taylor is his own man ladies and gents. I absolutely love that about him.
Being a Libra, I understand.
So, fellow Soul Patrollers be aware now, be ready now, make sure you buckle your seat belts, get ready for one of the most entertaining, fun, and wild rides of your life. (Don't forget the dramamine darlin's, and oh, hang on tight.) This is going to be great fun!
Groove on Soulman
After reading some of the controversy on the Soul Patrol forum fronts regarding Hicks performing with Snoop Dog in B'Ham, I became motivated to address this topic.
I discovered much of the negative controversy stemmed from the ultra conservative small town factions who still view Snoop as just a gansta rapper. To set the Snoop Dog record straight, granted the man's early days in the rap music world were rooted in the "gansta" mythology, but the man has morphed, grown up, altering the lifestyle he became known for in the beginning. Gansta ties, and recreational drug use have been delegated to past tense for Snoop Dog, as is already known to those of us wading through the waters of current times. What has come to the fore, Snoop has emerged as an incredibly creative, talented and versatile guy with a schtick that has worked to jet him to fame and fortune; who can seriously slam that in any way? Granted if not a fan of rap, one might find it difficult to get into the vibe, but as a closet rap fan - not hardcore rap mind you, I'm more of an Eminem kinda gal - I can appreciate rap for the poetry, the passion. Here's a background piece on rap in a report published by Yale University.
I've also enjoyed Snoop's tongue in cheek performances on the big screen and find the man definitely not one to take himself as seriously as those who don't get him might. I too, can appreciate growing and changing bad lifestyles for better. Circumstances happen, situations occur whether happenchance or out of necessity that influence how you live your life. What you do with the knowledge gleaned from experience is what makes you the person you become.
The Soulman's appearance with Snoop did much to elevate and validate my opinion that Tay is going to do what HE wants to do and will not be pigeon-holed and forced into a set musical genre' by anyone. Taylor is his own man ladies and gents. I absolutely love that about him.
Being a Libra, I understand.
So, fellow Soul Patrollers be aware now, be ready now, make sure you buckle your seat belts, get ready for one of the most entertaining, fun, and wild rides of your life. (Don't forget the dramamine darlin's, and oh, hang on tight.) This is going to be great fun!
Groove on Soulman
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