More recaps, this one from Donna who saw Taylor Hicks at the Elvis Fest in Tupelo MI…
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Momma and I got into Tupelo about 1030am Saturday morning. It was too soon to check into our hotel room but we wanted to scope out the area so we took a walk down the main street. It turned out that there was a parade at 11am so we found some shade by a tree and sat down and watched. It was great..they had Elvis Fest Beauty Queens from tiny tots to their teens. They had some great floats. Elvis impersonators waved to the crowd all smiles. Someone even painted their poodle bright pink for the parade and had it wearing a leather jacket!
After the parade we decided to find some lunch. We stopped at a bar and grill called Benjamins and while we were there they had the entertainment of a guy singing cover tunes just him and his acoustic guitar. I wish I could remember his name. He had a beautiful voice. He did great covers of Fire and Rain (one
of my faves by James Taylor) and Margaritaville among other tunes. After lunch we headed down the road to where the Elvis impersonators were on stage having a contest. They were doing 2 songs each. Some did younger Elvis and some wore the jumpsuits as Elvis did in later years. Momma and I agreed that our favorite was a young Elvis that did Rock A Hula. He looked and sounded a lot like him. The Elvis competition ended up on a rain delay for a bit after we got checked in to our room. I wish he had had the chance to watch some more of them.
After resting for a bit, we set out to find some supper. We walked across to PB Loco while we were waiting for the rain to let up. There were a couple of young sisters I’d say 9 and 7 that were related to the owners or managers. They told momma and I
that they were going to see Taylor Hicks that night and they couldn’t wait. I told them they he puts on a great show and they would have a really good time. They were in awe that mom and I had seen him before. I felt really cool for a brief moment in time LOL.
We got over to the Front Street stage about 715ish right before the first local band took the stage. It was a young Christian group called Derek Stone who had won the battle of the bands the previous night. They were talented young kids. They had kind of a Daughtry-vibe to me. The next band was a local band called Bliss. They were REALLY good. Momma and I really enjoyed them and plan on ordering their cd. You can hear them at blissrocks
Finally, it came time for Taylor to take the stage. The crowd was huge and they went wild. Lots of men and women, young and old for those that keep track. A few obvious SPers as well ;)
Vocally, Taylor was the best I had seen him. I saw him back in August with the AI tour and in March with his solo tour. Both times he had been battling illnesses but still put on a great show. This time around he was with LMBO. It was a high energy show..lots of dancing, lots of guitar, lots of harmonica. He did Hell of A Day, Hold On To Your Love, In Your Time, awesome covers of What’d I Say and Feelin’ Alright by Joe Cocker. His friend from
Spoonful James played with them and Taylor had him sing a song called Mississippi for the crowd in which Taylor did some backup vocals and harmonica.
There was lots of tagging in the songs as well but I get so lost in the music that I can’t keep up. After closing with Ray Charles What’d I Say..the crowd brought him back for an encore with Soul Thing. I have always stated that I enjoy all the facets of Taylor and Saturday night just cemented that for me. The Idol tour, the solo tour and the LMBO show all had a different vibe and energy but they were all awesome shows. Like him or not, the man is an
entertainer who gives his all to the audience.
After Taylor left the stage..about 2/3 of the crowd left before the closing band from Memphis, Ingram Hill came on. They were really good and those that left missed out. I have enjoyed their music for several years. My brother who lives in Memphis turned
me onto their music. He knew them from the club scene there. You can check out their music at ingramhillmusic
Anyhow..we had an awesome time! Can’t wait to see Taylor again next month. After traveling 3 hours 3 times to see him he is coming just over an hour away outside of Memphis. Can’t miss that ;) I highly recommend any of the above bands if they come near you all :)
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I saw the Tupelo videos and it was obvious Taylor was having a blast as was LMBO.
Taylor was relaxed and in good voice, he hit all the notes, danced all the steps and blew his harmonica like there was no tomorrow. Winn Christian (the substitute guitar player) and Taylor go back some time so when they played together you could almost feel the joy they both experienced from being together.
I’m happy Taylor is getting some time to enjoy the jamband type music he loves to play and in the part of the country that “digs” him and his music.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
The song Winn and Taylor sung was Seven Mile Breakdown. You can hear it and others on Spoonful James myspace below. Taylor was definitely having a blast from the minute he walked on that stage. Tupelo loved Taylor Hicks! We videod What’d I Say and I think it was over 7 minutes long. I liked the tour band but I have to say, I prefer Taylor and LMBO.
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Sounds like a fabulous show!
YAY dcd! I know you had a blast. :) Taylor definitely puts on a great show. I’m seeing him in Orlando and Clearwater this fall, and I can’t wait. :)
Ingram Hill is really good. Several of my good friends from college are from Memphis, and they introduced me to their music a while back. Very very good stuff.
ETA: MJ, I just noticed that this concert took place in Michigan? ;)
Seems like the whole town was out and grooving to the music. Glad you had a good time.
Oops, Sawry! :)
Thanks for the recap, dcd! Can’t wait to see him at the AC HOB in two weeks!
Great recap Donna! Sounds like you had a blast. I’m really looking forward to his show here next month!!!
DCD! I’ve been waiting for this recap, lol! Glad you and your mom had an awesome time.
Signed,
One Really, Really Envious Individual*
*A euphemism for another phrase that put my original comment in moderation. ;)
Donna, thanks for the recap. So glad to hear Taylor was on his game. When I saw him at the Ryman, he had strep throat :( but still managed to put on a helluva show. He is the consumate entertainer. I can only imagine how thrilled he must’ve been to play in Tupelo and to be reunited with his LMBO bandmates!
And thanks for the Ingram Hill link.
DCD:
I am a bit late to the show here but wanted to say that I enjoyed your recap, thanks for sharing it with us (I’ll even forgive you for your purchase of From Justin to Kelly) =). I am THRILLED you and Momma had a GREAT time.
The pink poodle mentioned in this blog belongs to me. My name is Christine Brown. My standard poodle named Sweet “Georgia” Brown, can be seen at most local events as well as many others in her fabulous pink coat! She is pink year round! She get lots of attention and loves it that way.
I am a local professional pet stylist and keep her groomed to the “T”!
We got the leather jacket from a local costume store…the Festival was a TOTAL blast! Hope to see more people out next year!!!!!
If you would like to take a peek at Georgia www.christinesbarkinglot.com