There’s some very good news breaking on the Taylor Hicks album front. Looks like he’s found a distributor, a producer, and set a release date–February 10, 2009– for his upcoming album:
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).
Some of the artists on the A2M roster are Tommy Lee, Sinead O’Connor, Tracey Lawrence and Dolly Parton.
The National Tour of the Broadway musical Grease begins on December 2 featuring Taylor as the Teen Angel. It runs through April.
When Taylor announced he’d be joining the Grease tour, I figured it meant his album wouldn’t drop until after the tour, but it looks like there’s been much activity behind the scenes to ready this album for release, which is a good thing. After Taylor is done with Grease, hopefully a summer tour will follow to promote the album.
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I figured he would be going in to record before doing the tour. He’s had songs ready for a while. I just hope it turns out the way he’d like this time. And a summer tour would be great fun!
I was starting to doubt. Hurray!
Huh. I like MJ thought we wouldn’t be hearing any new music from the Dancing Monkey until fall of next year at the earliest after I heard about the new Grease gig.
I can’t wait to see what he comes up with this time. It seems like he’s got a producer that’s up his alley. I’m still a fan, so I’ll have that date penciled into my calender. Thanks for the news.
Thanks for the write up, mj. And Kirsten, I think “penciled in” was the right choice of words. I’m ecstatic over the news regardless of the actual release date. This is HUGE news for this fan of true Taylor music. Maybe my winter won’t be as cold as predicted.
Fingers crossed we get more “Under the Radar” and less “Taylor Hicks” with this one. Ok. First of all. Fingers crossed we get ANYTHING.
I listened to UtR the other day and marveled at that soft, smooth sound and the more than adequate lyric writing this guy was capable of doing.
I am a fan who hopes he gets right back to those roots.
I am just trying to ignore this whole “Grease” thing.
Thanks for the info MJ. I too had my doubts about new music coming relatively soon. The deal with Artist to Market Distribution sounds very promising. I won’t hold my breath on the February 2009 release date either, but it sure is good to know something’s in the pipeline.
This is some much needed news in the land ‘o Taylor fandom, fo sho!
^^^^^^What she said!
Yay! New Taylor music. I’m looking forward to it.
Oh, happy birthday, Taylor! ;)
What fabulous news! So good to know that something is on its way!
Delighted that Taylor is retaining control of his music. “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.” I’m guessing “control” was a bit of a sticking point for his affiliation with American Idol.
In a recent Leno interview, Dolly Parton commented that she, too, was releasing her album under her own label and that it was hard for an artist to get signed with a record label anymore. Even with her amazing talent and demonstrated popularity, Dolly moved into this Artist to Market method.
Tickled pink for Taylor! He’s one of those singers whose voice gets better and better. Looking forward to his new album!
Soul Patrol! LOL! J/K I am so damn happy for this news. I purchased Early Works this past summer and figured that would be it for a long while. Take it from Taylor to hold his cards so close, I didn’t think it would be so soon. I am elated.
Great news!!! I wonder when we will hear any of the cuts- do you think a single will be released sooner? Do songs leak out? Probably too early. Needless to say I am Anxious to hear Taylor’s new music. The Boogie has clips of him performing at Marty’s in BHam the other night if anyone is interested.
I am so happy to hear this. I was beginning to lose hope that we would see new music any time soon.
This is terrific news! Nice of TH to give his fans a present on his birthday!
If he receives even a fraction of the positive publicity that he received in NY, while touring across the country with Grease, it will be phenomenal. If he can manage to incorporate promotion for the new cd into that publicity, it should be priceless!
Great news! Very excited to hear some new music from Taylor.
It’s good to hear there’s supposed to be some new music in the horizon but I would have rather seen him sign with a big label with some clout! A2M is distributing the same way Vanguard did his Early Works album. My only worry is that Taylor is a new artist. He’s not Dolly Parton who already has thousands of fans from years ago. Are people going to even know this album is out other than the hardcore AI fans that are left? We will see. I hope this works out for him and that he can get his music out there.
This is great news for Taylor’s fans who have been a long suffering bunch. He’s probably not going to sell 700,000 albums but the music may be better. I’m looking forward to hearing what this will sound like.
Good to hear the news about Taylor. I too am anxious to hear his new CD. I am still pulling for him!
never mind. not even worth it.
Taylor’s taking a break from Grease 2/9-24, so hopefully there will be some promotion and TV appearances during that time.
I am so happy to hear this!!! I had about given up on Taylor! This is very good news and I too hope a tour will follow - AND that it will be the good music he seems capable of making and did preidol
People can rag on that “Taylor Hicks” album all they want, I loved it. Sure, there were a couple of clear concessions on that track list but most of it was what I expected to hear from him.
Loved it.
Can’t wait for the new one.
Looking forward to hearing Taylor’s new music… This February? Wow Tyalor - you surprised me with that!!!
Gotta chime in with a big “thumbs up”!!
Boy’s been working. Excellent!
Easy, I’m with you. I really really like Taylor Hicks,the album. It’s in my CD player 75% of the time. I bought Early Works but I still like a little more polished Taylor. In concert I don’t mind all the whoo’s and extra stuff but on a CD I love to hear his great singing voice. A voice that is unique and reconizable anywhere. Love an album is on the way and hopefully a tour as his are the best ever.
At the risk of acid rain, I, too will chime in that I think Taylor Hicks is good music. My son actually defended it tonight when I told him about the upcoming release.
“Taylor Hicks”!
I know it won’t sell well, but I believe Taylor when he says this is the best music he’s ever written.
That Taylor - always full of surprises! I always knew the CD would come, but, am surprised it may be as early as February. Can’t wait to hear what he & his muzes have in store for us.
Here’s hoping the music is better than his taylor hicks cd and gets some radio airplay this time because that is truly the only way to sell music. This does sound like a distribution deal and who pays for promotion? Probably he will. Best of luck to him anyway.