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Taylor's Angels

Taylor's Angels


Last Updated: 3/26/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 33
Sign: Libra

State: Alabama
Country: US
Signup Date: 4/5/2007

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April 20, 2008 - Sunday 

American Idol Inspires Idol Radio


If you're a big American Idol fan then you have more than likely heard of IdolRadio hosted by "Sir Darryl".  What started as a hobby has turned into a full time job of hosting radio shows heard throughout the internet.


In just a few short years, Sir Darryl's shows have gone from just one show discussing American Idol to being heard on 14 radio networks.  According to Darryl, it's the "most listened to show on the net."


Stop by on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 p.m. Eastern and Thursday at 10 p.m. Eastern and you'll hear all-American Idol talk—complete with Darryl's wonderful, smooth radio voice and a host of callers anxious to give their take on that week's show or their favorite Idol.


We thought it would be interesting to find out more about the man behind the voice and asked Darryl for an interview.  Boy were we in for a treat!  Sit back and listen to this entertaining and informative interview with Taylor's Angels and Darryl.  Find out how he got started, who his Idol is, and what he REALLY thinks about Taylor Hicks!


You can visit Darryl's website at www.idolradioshow.com at any time to listen to the many, many archived shows, including interviews with several former American Idols, as well as many other entertainers.






Idol Radio Show from cydter on Vimeo.

April 7, 2008 - Monday 
Meet Connie Leinicke—Taylor’s Angel’s Hero of the Month
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Two years ago, many of us, including myself, had probably never heard of an ezine—a magazine that is delivered to your email address.  Now though, many among the Soul Patrol anxiously await their copy of The Soul Connection in their email box each month.
 
Over the past year and a half, Connie Leinicke has worked tirelessly to bring us The Soul Connection.  Connie has put together not only a wonderful ezine, but a fabulous group of people who help her write articles and keep the publication fresh each month.

Not only is each issue full of information about what is going on with Taylor Hicks and his fanbase, but we have also learned a lot of information about other influential artists who have inspired Taylor Hicks, such as Ray Charles.

Because of Connie’s dedication and allegiance to the Soul Connection, Taylor’s Angels thought it only appropriate to make her our Hero of the Month.  With everything that Connie has going on, we felt very fortunate to learn more about this amazing Soul Patroller when she sat down to answer a few questions:

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TA:  Tell us about Connie!
Connie: My husband and I own a marketing/advertising agency in the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area. We have 3 beautiful daughters who also are Taylor fans (and receive The Soul Connection!). I have been a musician all my life. I sing and play four instruments. Keyboards are my specialty. I share Taylor’s passion for music, for hearing and creating sounds. Music has always been my passion. My viewpoint? I choose to look at life from a positive perspective and enjoy celebrating all the good things life has to offer.
 
TA: How much time does it take to put The Soul Connection together?
Connie: A lot of planning and preparation goes into publishing a 14-20 page ezine each month. We begin planning our next issue immediately following publication of our current issue. Decisions must be made early each month regarding writing assignments. The last week of each month I take all of the gathered information and create the issue at my office computer after hours. Because this ezine is emailed, everything I include (photos, articles, graphics) must be email friendly and a small enough file size to deliver through cyberspace.

TA: How many people help you?
Connie:  The Soul Connection is the voice of the Soul Patrol and Taylor’s fans worldwide. We receive story ideas, photos, news, and input from fans all over the globe. However, our 4-person editorial board plans each issue and provides the guidance necessary to keep information relevant, current, interesting, and fun. We also have an extremely reliable and dedicated group of reporters/writers who are staunch Taylor fans and are willing to meet the necessary deadlines each month to give this gift to Taylor and his fanbase. We’re very happy, too, to give a voice to the charitable organizations that have evolved from Taylor’s fanbase.
 
TA:   Where did you come up with the idea?
Connie:  The idea for a Soul Patrol newsletter originated in the Soul Patrol Support Group from the AI5 message boards. Although I was not a member of that group, I decided to help the original editor create/publish the first issue because she was having health problems and I didn’t want that group to be disappointed. And I’m still here 18 issues and 265 published pages later. From the outset I could see that this was not merely a newsletter. . .it was an electronic magazine (ezine) without advertising clutter. When the original editor bowed out shortly after the first issue, I began to include my own vision in the content.
 
TA:  What has been the most gratifying part of The Soul Connection?
Connie:  As a musician myself, the most gratifying part of this experience is highlighting Taylor’s music and talent on a regular basis and learning more about his musicality. I am also having the time of my life meeting Taylor fans from all over the world who have the same interests as I do.  I am grateful, too, that The Soul Connection reaches fans who are not necessarily internet users.

TA:  How do you come up with new concepts? Are there any new features of the newsletter you will be adding soon you can tell us about?
Connie:  All of our ideas start with Taylor. Since our two-fold mission is (1)  to promote and support Taylor in his musical journey, and (2) to keep Taylor’s fan base united, necessarily all of our ideas are measured against what they have to do with Taylor. From that point we work out the story angles and details. Sometimes it takes a few months before we can include a special feature. We project what Taylor’s expected activities will be throughout the year. For example, he is busy writing songs for his new CD now, then he will rehearse it and go into the studio to record. We want our readers to understand these processes in the music industry, so we will focus on those areas in upcoming issues. Once Taylor’s new tour begins, we will focus on topics surrounding that tour.

TA:   How many people receive The Soul Connection each month?
Connie:  Our current subscriber list is approximately 1,500.  Many subscribers tell us that they forward each issue on to their friends. So our unofficial guesstimate is that approximately 2,000 people read The Soul Connection each month.

TA:  How did you become a Taylor Hicks Fan?
Connie:  I’ve been a fan since Taylor’s Las Vegas audition. I had watched very few AI shows to that point. After Taylor’s audition I told my family that HE was the real deal and should win the competition. That same night I googled his name, found his NPR interview from December 2005, and heard clips from Under the Radar.

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TA:   How many concerts have you been to?
Connie:  Only 19. . .;p. . .I also attended the Kid One book event and the Regions Charity Classic golf tourney.
 
TA:  What was your most memorable concert experience?
Connie:  While every concert was memorable for me, my favorite memory is meeting Taylor only minutes before his first national solo tour concert in Jacksonville FL . . .he was very excited about the concert and so were all of his fans. . .it was a great moment for me to share his excitement and to personally wish him well before he went on stage. 

TA:  What is your goal for The Soul Connection in 2008?
Connie:  In 2008 the editorial board envisions delving deeper into Taylor’s musical influences and bringing an understanding of those influences as well as a more complete understanding of today’s music industry to his fans. We are also looking into alternative delivery methods via the internet.

Thank you Connie for bringing us The Soul Connection and for taking the time to let us get to know you a little better!

Composed and published by Leslie Mozingo


 


 
March 31, 2008 - Monday 
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It first rang out over the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta and then migrated to the streets and clubs of Memphis. It went on to influence the sound of music all over the world. Memphis, Tennessee is the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock and roll. Being raised among such rich musical history, it is easy to see why the talented Brian Less is affectionately known as "Little Memphis". His extraordinary talent has been nationally showcased over the past two years since his good friend, Taylor Hicks, won American Idol in 2006. First as the keyboard player with Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (LMBO) and then as the organist with the Taylor Hicks national touring band, Brian Less has proven himself worthy of his nickname. His incredible musical talents coupled with his sincere appreciation of his fans have made Brian a favorite among Taylor Hicks’ Soul Patrol.
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But how did Taylor Hicks come to appreciate the musical abilities of Brian Less? The story is fascinating.


The Taylor Hicks band played a gig in Mobile, Alabama several years prior to his catapult to fame with American Idol. Taylor and a friend stopped into a bar that night after their performance and took note of the keyboard player, Brian Less. Taylor immediately remarked to his friend, "I want that kind of piano player in my band".


Coincidentally, two weeks later, the Taylor Hicks band was in Nashville, Tennessee for another important gig. This time, Taylor’s bass player tried to convince him to allow a friend of his to sit in with the band on the keyboard. Taylor adamantly refused, stating that they had to be at their best that night. But as fate would have it, Taylor finally agreed and Brian Less strolled into sound check. Immediately recognizing him, Taylor Hicks said to him, "were you playing in Mobile two weeks ago?" With the answer of "yes", Taylor immediately asked Brian to join the band without the first note being auditioned.

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The talent of Brian Less has always been evident to Taylor Hicks. Perhaps that is why, after winning American Idol and forming a top-notch touring band, Taylor once again asked Brian to join the now famous Taylor Hicks band this time on the organ. Brian quickly became a fan favorite and friend of Taylor Hicks’ Soul Patrol as they traveled from coast to coast on Taylor’s first solo tour in 2007.

(video credit: Catwoman52)


Recently, Brian was gracious enough to sit down and answer some questions posed by Taylor’s Angels. His words give you a greater knowledge of his musical background and insight into Little Memphis himself.

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Taylor’s Angels: At what age did you begin to play musically and did you ever think it would become your career?

Brian: I started playing when I was 5 yrs old. I knew I wanted to make it my career when I was probably 10 or 11.

Taylor’s Angels: Besides the keyboard and organ, do you play any other instruments?

Brian: I play "at" the drums and bass guitar.

Taylor’s Angels: How did you get your start in music?

Brian: My parents put me in an after school piano program in kindergarten, I guess I caught on.

Taylor’s Angels: Was your family supportive of you when you decided to become a musician?

Brian: If it wasn’t for the support from my family, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Taylor’s Angels: Have you enjoyed the fame? What things have you been able to do or not do because of it?

Brian: I don’t see myself as famous. I am more well known which allows me to meet a lot more "music appreciaters"!

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(video credit: cuckoomimi)


Taylor’s Angels: Where do you see yourself as a musician in 5 to 10 years?

Brian: Playing in a band.

Taylor’s Angels: If you were not making music, what would you be doing for a living?

Brian: Probably something in Law Enforcement.

Taylor’s Angels: We have heard that your parents live in Memphis (Cordova). Did you grow up there? Have you ever played on Beale Street?

Brian: I grew up in Germantown. My parents moved to Cordova when I left for college. I have played on Beale Street a few times.

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(video credit: cuckoomimi)

Taylor’s Angels: What are your hobbies other than music? What do you do when you are not playing?

Brian: Well, my wife, family, dogs, and friends pretty much take up all of my time. I enjoy football ("Roll Tide"), and seeing the country with my spare time.

Taylor’s Angles: Do you have any advice for someone trying to make it in the music industry?

Brian: Be yourself, play from the heart, and bands come and go. As long as you keep playing you will succeed.

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We thank Brian for allowing us the opportunity to know more about him, and wish him the best of luck in his career! We also invite you to leave comments for Brian or share wonderful memories of our friendship with this incredibly talented man.


Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)
Media by Teri (Cydter)

Special thanks to Cassidy for arranging this interiew and for some fantastic photos!

March 8, 2008 - Saturday 

Current mood:  peaceful


One of the most rewarding aspects of being one of Taylor's Angels has been working with the children's charities. They are our littlest angels who deserve every bit of happiness they can have in the lives. Taylor Hicks has shown his love for children in all the various charities he has supported and continuous to work with.
A Soul Patrol member named Kimberly (KTINTN) caught my attention this past year. She is a huge supporter of Taylor Hicks and does some remarkable work with the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis. We asked Kimberly to tell us a bit about herself and her work. I think you will find what I found. An extraordinary woman with a heart full of love.


TA: If someone were to describe you, what would they say?

I had to actually ask someone else this question, as this is not one I can answer myself. LoL!
Their response: Cute, fun, smart, great friend, willing to help in any way possible, great personality, hard worker, cares for friends and her family, music lover, dedicated to helping with things that are close to her heart.

TA: How did you become a fan of Taylor Hicks?

The moment, he uttered the words "I was born by the river", I knew this was someone to watch out for. Not for just the obvious talent, but for the fact that he broke the mold of what had been pushed in front of us in previous years. Amazing talent has come out of Idol, but for me Bo Bice & Taylor Hicks were & still are the stand-outs.

TA: Have you attended any concerts ? If so, tell us your favorite memory.

A concert I have not attended, yet! Due to timing and unfortunate circumstance I could not go when he was in town for a show. That will change when he does come thru town again, hopefully in the near future. Luckily, I was able to attend his Memphis book signing. On that same day he donated a handful of signed books, CDs & a Poster Board for a Fundraiser we were having that very weekend for Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. We thank you again, Taylor.

TA: Has Taylor inspired you in any particular area of your life?

I was already involved in charity work before Taylor came along, but like many others, it was not until he did, that I used music, good music, his music to help promote the different events we have held & will continue to hold. We have also shared his music as well as others by donating their albums to those who could not acquire it themselves.

TA: You volunteer for various charities. Can you tell us about that and why charitable giving is so important to you? How did you become involved with each of them?

I volunteer w/ a handful of our local children's charities; Ronald McDonald House of Memphis being closest to my heart. As a child, I myself had spent time long periods of time in the hospital for unrelated reasons. We had visitors from different organizations and even though I was young, I appreciated what they did for us. Thru the years, I realized that this experience had only made me stronger mentally, emotionally & spiritually. Knowing what a child can go thru in a challenging time in their young life, I'm now able to give back. If there is anyway for me to help and make it easier on them, then that is what I need to & will do.

TA: What do you consider to be your strongest attribute that has helped you deal with life's challenges?

One word, FAITH. To quote George Michael, "you got to have Faith". My faith in myself & the lord above is the main reason why I have the ability thru my disability to go thru everyday life.

TA: What are your hobbies and what do you enjoy doing with your free time?

Good music obviously, travelling when possible. I'm also a major movie & art buff. Plus, when time permits I like to squeeze in a good book and a round of 'Outburst' & or Poker w/ friends.



There is no better donation than a donation from the heart. Whether you are giving of your time, or generously providing an in-kind or a monetary donation. Taylor's Angels wishes to thank Kimberly for answering our questions and wish her well as she continues her wonderful work.

Upcoming events for the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis:
03/13/08 to 03/14/08 -- RMH Radiothon 2008

Summertime (Date TBA) -- RMH Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival

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Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis (RMH) is a 501( c ) 3 charity, and while it proudly serves St. Jude families, it is not a St. Jude facility. The Ronald McDonald House of Memphis must raise its own funds through donations and special events to support the $2 million plus per year operating budget. In addition to operating expenses, the House took on an expansion debt in 1999 to accommodate other families in need; we are still working to pay down this debt. Another major misconception about the Ronald McDonald House is that it is operated by the McDonald's Corporation. While McDonald's Corporation along with our local Owner/Operators are very generous to the House, we only receive about 9% of our total operating budget from these entities. At the Ronald McDonald House, families can sleep in a warm bed, take a shower in their private bathroom and prepare and eat meals in a spacious, cheerful kitchen. Families, also, have access to a fitness room, meditation room, one of three laundry rooms, a park with playground, a basketball court, and a pavilion. More importantly, families find the support and comfort of others who share the experience of having a very sick child. All families stay free of charge.

Written by: Cydter
February 27, 2008 - Wednesday 

Taylor Hicks became the new American Idol in May 2006. On that same night, he performed a heartfelt rendition of the song Do I Make You Proud and recorded/ released it as a CD single shortly after that. Throughout the summer tour of American Idols LIVE, he sang this song at every performance and dedicated it to our troops, both overseas and at home. To both share his tribute and honor your commitment in service to our country, this CD single is for you. May you know in your hearts that your sacrifice has not been in vain and you always make us proud.

Those who have offered their lives for their country know that patriotism is not the fear of something, it is the love of something! – Adlai Stevenson

These words were penned on a card attached to Taylor Hicks' Do I Make You Proud CD and delivered to the soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC in November, 2006. The most critically wounded received this inspirational gift to help them realize, even in their darkest moments, that their sacrifice had not been in vain. Totally inspired by Taylor's dedication to the troops and the Proud of our Troops Drive, Alice Culbreth embarked on a mission of love to honor their sacrifice in service to our country. Alice raised the money for the CD's through her church (who also helped prepare the packages for delivery) and Taylor's fan base, The Soul Patrol, and was able to deliver much more than a song to our country's bravest men and women. On this day in November, 2006, Alice delivered HOPE, and continued her ministry of love to those in need.

Since that time, Alice has continued to support Taylor Hicks in his efforts to give back to others. Supporting charities such as Kid One Patrol of Soul (KOPS), Kid One Transport and Proud of Our Troops Drive as well as numerous other charities that support children, youth and social justice, Alice continuously gives of her time and talents. She has been a special friend to Taylor's Angles, donating many tickets so that fans, underprivileged children or battered women could attend a Taylor Hicks concert and donating KOPS cookbooks to those that could not otherwise afford them. Alice sums up her reason for giving in this manner:

"I support all these charities for the same reason: to make positive impacts here will change the world and make it a better, safer, healthier place for all children and adults. It can be done…. one project, one phone call, one letter, one heart at a time."

We congratulate Alice Culbreth (better known as totustuus or totu on the fan sites) on her selection as Taylor's Angels Hero of the Month and urge you to read more about the extraordinary efforts of this wonderfully compassionate Taylor Hicks fan!



TA: Tell us a little about you personally.


Alice: I have one son, Justin who will turn 30 this year. He's married and has made me one happy "grammy" to my precious little Brittany, who will be turning nine years old very soon. I just turned 50 in 2007 and really enjoy being a young grandma. I live in southern Maryland, about 25 miles south of Washington, DC and have lived in or around the Nation's Capital my entire life. I am the oldest daughter in a family of three girls. I worked in "corporate America" for 18 years in operations management and systems development for a telecommunications firm. When company re-structuring relocated my department to the Midwest, I began to work full time as the youth minister at my church, taking a 2/3 cut in pay! Nine years and many graduate level courses in theology and Scripture later, I am currently the Director of Christian Formation at the same church, serving about 1200 families.


My hobbies include reading, writing and listening to music. I have a CD collection of close to 400 and have attended many concerts each year. Most recently, I saw Barry Manilow on February 9 and will see Bon Jovi on February 28. My musical tastes are eclectic and I have favorite artists in almost every genre. Taylor Hicks is the ONLY artist I have ever traveled long distances to see, all on the same tour! As far as TV is concerned, I'm a diehard Law and Order fan and never miss an episode of Lost. Also, I actually schedule my appointment/meeting calendar at work around American Idol! My current guilty pleasure is Rock of Love/Rock of Love 2 with Bret Michaels on VH1. Additionally, I love working on craft projects, my scrapbooks and writing cards to send to friends in my spare time.


TA: Why is charitable giving so important to you?



Alice: I try to live my life the way God wants me to. Part of that is recognizing the many blessings He's given me and to give to others in humble gratitude. Living what I profess to believe is important to me. As a song so eloquently puts it, He has no hands but ours. One of the two rings I wear bears an inscription of a favorite Scripture, 1 Corinthians 13:13: "So faith, hope, love remain these three; but the greatest of these is love." Charity IS love in action and the world certainly needs more love. As Mother Teresa once said, "We can do not great things, only small things with great love". So I am trying to do my part.


TA: What do you personally receive from your charitable giving efforts?


Alice: I know in my heart that it's in giving and sharing of our time, treasure and talents with others that we truly receive the greatest of God's blessings in our own lives. If my small sacrifice makes one person smile, puts food on a family's table, gets one child to much needed medical treatment, or simply allows them see God's love for them, then that's enough.


TA: What have you accomplished that has meant the most to you?

Alice: This is a tough question for me. I have never been good at recognizing my own accomplishments. I always say that my greatest accomplishment is the one I haven't yet achieved. I would have to say that what has meant the most to me is being able to come through many trials, bad relationships and horrible situations in my life with my spirit intact. I have been bruised and battered at times, but never broken. I guess you can say that I am a 'soul' survivor.



TA: If someone were to describe you, what would they say about you?



Alice: That might depend on who was offering the description! Those who know me well would say that I'm honest, patient, prayerful, and steadfast in my beliefs, loyal, generous and someone who can be trusted. They might also tell you that I can pierce their hearts with my silence, and tend to go into my "shell" when I've been wounded or misunderstood. I can be very moody at times, reflective at others and pensive when I don't feel secure in a situation. I also get my Irish up (as the saying goes) when I witness any kind of cruelty injustice or selfish behaviors that put others at risk. Also, some may say that I am quite passionate about defending the dignity of every human person even when it's not the popular or politically correct viewpoint.

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TA: How did you become a Taylor Hicks fan?



Alice: I enjoyed watching Taylor on American Idol and even voted for him every week! I picked Taylor to be in the top three along with Mandisa and Chris Daughtry, so one out of three ain't bad, right? I didn't become a true admirer of Taylor until after I saw the AI5 tour in July of 2006. I had never been to an AI concert, but I loved many in the top 10, so my friend gave me tickets for my birthday. When Taylor performed and dedicated Do I Make You Proud to the troops, it brought me to tears. As the mom of an Army veteran (Justin served at the beginning of the Iraqi conflict as a medic), it just touched my heart and soul in a profound way. It really was at that moment that I wanted to learn everything about Taylor Hicks, so I searched the internet where I found and joined The Official Soul Patrol fan site. That, for me, was the beginning of the Taylor journey!

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TA: What do you consider to be one of Taylor Hicks' most outstanding qualities that you find to be an inspiration?



Alice: Taylor Hicks has a beautiful heart. It shows in everything he does, from his respect for our country and those who serve it, to his commitment to and obvious love for children. You can see he's a witness to that in the charities and causes he supports, to be sure. I have witnessed this quality personally through his interactions with my granddaughter Brittany, who was able to twice meet him during the solo tour of 2007. Taylor took extra time with her to make it personal for her and even asked her questions, looked at her gift and said he would keep it forever, etc. In my experience, these actions are not things that can be faked so I believe it to be in Taylor's soul. Children and youth can see right through "phoniness" even with the best actors on the planet. Taylor captured Brittany's heart with his kindness and therefore he captured my unending gratitude and respect.



TA: To which charities do you find yourself personally drawn and why?



Alice: I love anything that concerns children and youth, such as Kid One Transport, St. Jude Children's Hospital, and Compassion International. Also very dear to my heart are charities that deal with social justice, such as SaveDarfur, ONE Campaign, and Habitat for Humanity. And obviously, I am quite passionate about anything related to supporting our service men and women. I support all these charities for the same reason: to make positive impacts here will change the world and make it a better, safer, healthier place for all children and adults. It can be done…. one project, one phone call, one letter, one heart at a time.

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I would like to give some special recognition to my friends in KOPS. I have spent a good amount of time, talent and treasure supporting their efforts to help Kid One Transport in Alabama. Many of the projects we've taken on as a group go beyond the mere fundraising efforts you've read about and no doubt supported. The Beanie Babies Drive, gifts for moms on Mother's Day, the card drive for a young girl fighting for her life and adopting a soldier through Soldiers Angels….the list goes on. We've traveled together, both literally and figuratively for about a year and a half now. I'm honored to have been given the opportunity to work with KOPS to help Kid One meet its goals beyond maintaining current services, to where they can pursue their dream of expansion…so that no child ever suffers or dies because they have no transportation to an appointment or hospital. I have been blessed in so many ways through my association with this group. What a great tribute to the power of the Soul Patrol they are!




I am honored to have been chosen by Taylor's Angels as Hero of the Month. My prayer is that my story will inspire others to take a chance and reach out in love to those in need.


God bless!
Alice Culbreth



If you would like to learn more about Kid One Patrol The Soul, click here: KOPS






A Note from Taylor's Angels:

If you would like to nominate someone for our Hero of the Month Award, please email us at taylors_angels@yahoo.com and submit the name of a person in the Patrol Community who has done something special to help and/or given support to someone in need within the community. Monthly winners will be given a beautifully designed eternity bracelet and will also be featured in our Taylor's Angels blog.

Let us hear from you about the wonderful spirits that exist among Taylor Hicks fans!



Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)









February 15, 2008 - Friday 

Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities



When people come together with a common goal, anything is possible! That's been the philosophy of NESP (The New England Soul Patrol) since its' founding in Portland, Maine in September 2006. This organization started as a regional group supporting the music and artistry of Taylor Hicks. However, the reputation of the NESP has grown beyond the boundaries of the New England states. Taylor Hicks fans from all over the country have now joined in the organization's unique ways of celebrating the charitable giving inspired by Taylor himself.

NESP is well known for their boundless enthusiasm, much like the energy shown by Taylor Hicks. At Taylor's concerts, the NESP is often spotted waving glow bracelets as they dance and sing through the entire show and encouraging Taylor's youngest fans, whom they affectionately dubbed the "Tayter Tots", in the same show of support for the Soul Man. These Taylor Hicks enthusiasts have even showered Taylor, his band, and his crew with gifts designed to make life on the road a little more fun. Perhaps the most "famous" gift was a specially designed acoustic stool that made its appearance on stage with Taylor as he performed across the country in 2007.

But the NESP's generosity has not stopped with Taylor Hicks. They were brought together by their mutual love for Taylor's music, but what they soon discovered was that they also shared a desire to help others. And so, with that in mind, NESP began "Sharing Our Soul," a program that supports worthy charities.


Tossing Mullets for Charity….Taylor Hicks said that only happens in Alabama!


The New England Soul Patrol writes about one of their first fundraisers, which supported Studio By The Tracks, a Birmingham, Alabama based organization that garnered attention from Taylor Hicks himself, and provides arts and other activities for persons with autism:


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"One of our early NESP events was held last April before Taylor's show in Hampton Beach, NH. The Hampton Beach Mullet Toss was the brainchild of two of our founding members, Margaux and Amyrebo. It was based on the Florabama's mullet toss for charity, an event that has become synonymous with Taylor Hicks throughout the Soul Patrol community.


Participants purchased a package that consisted of a string of purple Mardi Gras beads, a colorful plastic fish, and a t-shirt designed by NESP's co-founder and webmaster, Tricia. The t-shirt included a fish graphic design drawn by a Studio by the Tracks artist, making it an even more special memento of the occasion.


The day began with 6 inches of snow in most of New Hampshire. We gathered at the Happy Clam, a Hampton Beach bar, for our pre-mullet toss party. There wasn't much snow once we got to Hampton Beach, but it was wet, cold, and very windy. While partying at the Happy Clam, a cameraman and reporter from WMUR Channel 9 interviewed Tricia and her daughter as well as Aging Hippie and her husband. Tricia ended up on Channel 9 news that night, and the NESP story was part of a piece about Taylor Hicks that appeared on NH Chronicle in May. This TV news magazine article included both Tricia, her daughter Cassie and Aging Hippie!

Wearing the mullet toss t-shirts and donning the purple Mardi Gras beads, 20 hearty souls braved 30 degree temperatures and a stiff wind to throw "mullets" for distance on the beach in front of the casino. As we hit the beach we could hear Taylor's pre-concert sound check. Once we were all gathered on the beach and in full mullet toss mode, the music stopped. Were we being watched? As the wind blew and our hands froze, we tossed those fish as far as we could. The winner was "Mr. Duff" who beat Tricia by just a hair! Once the toss was over and we began to disband, sound check started up again. Hmm, curious! At the meet and greet later in the day, our public relations representative, Karen, brought Taylor a "mullet" to sign and told him about the Mullet Toss. He smiled and acknowledged that he had heard about it!

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From the sale of the mullet toss packages, raffles at the Happy Clam, and the auction of a Taylor Hicks autographed framed graphic of the fish design, our first NESP fundraiser netted $420 for Studio by the Tracks. But more importantly, for the first time, we displayed the creativity, fun, and friendship that propelled us to do more."


"Sharing Our Soul" from the beginning

The NESP charitable efforts began a year ago with the sale of the first Soul Patrol Christmas ornament, with the proceeds benefiting The New Orleans Musician's Clinic. Since that time, local charities have reaped the benefits of the efforts of the NESP, as they sought out charities in the New England locations where Taylor Hicks performed and provided them financial support. Their fundraising methods have included selling water bottles, mouse pads, pins, koozies, and glow bracelets as well as conducting online auctions for autographed items signed by Taylor Hicks.


"Sharing Our Soul" in the future

The NESP is proud of their first year's success, but does not want to stop short and believes there is much to be accomplished. As they head into another year, NESP will continue to share its' soul and live by the credo, doing well by doing good.

If you'd like to learn more about NESP, please visit one of the following sites:

http://www.newenglandsoulpatrol.org/

http://newenglandsoulpatrol.org/mybb/


Written by Liz and Tricia, NESP
Edited by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)




February 6, 2008 - Wednesday 

Current mood:  happy


Get your own at Profile Pitstop.com


" If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives"
-- Robert Smith

The Soul Patrol is quite familiar with Taylor Hicks having a heart for the needy, especially children. During American Idol, he introduced us all to two local Birmingham charities which cater to chldren of various needs, Studio by the Tracks and KidOne transport. Since then, we have seen him branch out and show support for many other charities.

Almost two years ago, he associated himself by headlining and performing at such events such as the Benefit for the Charlize Africa Outreach Program, the New York Presbyterian Hospital Charity Event, and, as recently as this past weekend, The Family Center's Palm Night.

We have even seen Taylor enjoy himself and get lost in a game of golf, lest we not forget that these tournaments are indeed fundraisers. Twice now, Taylor has played in the Bob Hope Classic Golf Event-- a benefit that has raised funds funds for over 100 charities. And, this past May, Taylor could be seen playing a round of golf at the Regions Charity Golf Event.
golfing


Taylor has shown is support of our Country by playing at the Stadium of Fire as well as being a part of the USO tour on the USS Reagan.

In the spirit of supporting his community, Taylor took an unprecedented intermission at his Birmingham shows last March and encouraged his audience to take that time to donate to the Red Cross who was then helping the victims of Enterprise High School because it had just been struck by deadly tornadoes the previous week. He also endorsed a signed portrait to be auctioned on ebay and all proceeds went to Enterprise.

Additionally, Taylor has associated himself with numerous charities involving children. From his pronouncement of Studio by the Tracks and Kid One Transport, he has danced with patients from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, endorsed the Alabama Center for the book to promote literacy among children, and is scheduled to perform at a fundraiser for the Greenhills School in Addison, Texas this Spring.

Taylor's Angels has made sure to add Taylor's name to the Fan Club Donation list at St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  For more information, please visit a nice write up on us at: Taylor Hicks My Idol

Kid One Reading
Clearly, instead of sitting back and enjoying some of the fruits of his celebrity, Taylor has used his celebrity to support causes that are important to him. What an incredible statement he has made and a testament to his good character.

As if this list isn't exhaustive enough, especially when you realize that these things have been accomplished only within the past 1 and 1/2 years and in between cutting albums and two nationwide tours, Taylor surprises us again and has now endorsed The Shriner's in this latest Public Service Announcement.






For those of you not familiar with the Shriner's, their mission statement is clear: Dedication to fun and fellowship... but with a serious purpose. Through hard work and donations, they have 22 children's hospitals that are at the forefront of medical treatment and research in orthopaedic, burn and spinal cord injury cases in young children. You may learn more about them at http://www.shrinershq.org/.

Written and published by Leslie Mozingo
Photos taken by Tina Shaddix
Audio and Video PSA compliments of The Shriner's


January 29, 2008 - Tuesday 


Being an avid golfer, Taylor Hicks enjoyed a few days in beautiful Palm Springs, California last week playing in the Bob Hope Classic Golf Tournament. Taylor's Angels' good friend, Pay the Devil, was fortunate enough to have attended this prestigious event and spent several days observing Taylor and his amazing impact on this Palm Springs community. She graciously offers her unique perspective on Taylor Hicks' Blue Sky Holiday and shares that "no other celebrity received the amount of admiration and affection from the locals" as Taylor Hicks. Read and enjoy her first hand account, watch her exclusive video and feel the pride that surrounded Taylor last week in sunny California!


If you are a Taylor Hicks supporter/fan then over the last few weeks your Google Alerts inbox has been inundated with snarky comments from television pundits and people that sat too close to the television as children. Most comment on album sales and current television ratings, however many make personal attacks against Mr. Hicks.

I just don't get it.

I watched every episode of American Idol Season Five. I watched each week in bars, hotels, and pubs across America. I saw it in Boston, Seattle, and Los Angeles. I watched "In the Ghetto" in a small family-owned Vietnamese restaurant in Niagara Falls, Canada.

"Hand to God" as my Pentecostal pastor aunt would say, at every stop Taylor had supporters. They didn't refer to him by his last name, like some other contestants that season. He was always just "Taylor".

If you read too many Google Alerts you begin to forget that "Taylor Hicks" is a television phenomenon. (For those of you camping at Area 51, I agree with you. It all can't be a coincidence.) Taylor Hicks is a lightening rod for discussion and a true pop culture icon.

Consider these facts:
· In the last half hour of the finale of Season Five, 42.9 million people watched Taylor take the prize (Hollywood Reporter).

· The Season Five, 59-date cross-country tour was 2006's 12th largest in box office gross, pulling in $35.2 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Nearly 650,000 fans attended, filling 96% of available seats.

While the naysayers would suggest that the other eleven contestants had something to do with these successes, I would just add that the ratings went up after the other contestants left the show and Taylor garnered more air time.

Did I mention I was Taylor Hicks fan?

Needing a blue sky holiday, I headed over to Palm Springs last week to watch Taylor play in the Bob Hope Classic. After being admonished to wear sensible shoes and carry sunscreen, I headed out to links to catch some good golf and to do some serious celebrity watching. I was not disappointed.

Jimmy Fallon, George Lopez, Luke Wilson, Alice Cooper, and Meatloaf were just a few of the celebrities playing in the five-day tournament. While each celebrity team had their own trailing fans, it was Taylor that brought Palm Spring's wealthiest out of their million dollar condos that lined the courses in hopes of getting an autograph. On the 6th Hole at PGA West, a doyenne of Palm Springs society was hosting a cocktail party on her patio that overlooked the course. When Taylor's team started to tee-up, she and a server from her own patio party ran to the yellow ropes in hopes of getting a better look at Taylor. Both women, ages 20 and 65 blushed bright red when Taylor came over to the rope and signed their programs. I saw this scene repeated many times. A group of men representing the Ohio State Alumni Organization begged for a photograph and a ten year veteran of the tournament said she had never asked for an autograph before, but she would be honored if Taylor would sign a picture taken from last year. If this happened once or twice, most fans would beam with pride. The fact that there were public displays of adoration at EVERY hole and even afterwards while the golfers were turning in their score cards, was amazing. I was confounded and prideful that seemingly everyone in Palm Springs wanted to adopt Taylor Hicks or at least invite him in to have a drink and dinner. No other celebrity received this amount of admiration and affection from the locals, which are usually jaded (another Hand to Heaven moment). When you are used to seeing Arnold Palmer and US Presidents walking in your backyard, your skin gets a little thick.

Happy

So how was he you asked? What struck me immediately was Taylor's light-hearted affability. He strode across the links like a 12 year-old boy with a pocket full of money headed to the candy store. His loose gait and relaxed demeanor provided a bit of an insight into Taylor away from the stage. He seemed to appreciate the fact that he was playing on some of the best courses in the country. He joked with everyone and was supportive of his other teammates. Gone was the weariness that eight months of touring brings. Unguarded and happy would best describe his disposition.

Pictures

Cameras are expressly forbidden by the PGA unless you carry press credentials. One tournament marshal told someone standing next to me that she was breaking PGA law by taking a picture. I wanted to shout back, "So write her a PGA ticket". I was extremely fortunate that Claudia from Modern Whomp Magazine offered to take a few pictures of Taylor for me with my camera (Hand to Heaven, I did know that I left my camera in my purse). I made the video below using images which I clandestinely captured, coupled with images that Claudia took using my camera and others from my friend Ken. Please enjoy the video and I hope you remember to do something today that makes you happy.



"I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." Arnold Palmer


Written by Pay the Devil
Published by : Tina Shaddix
Pictures and video by Pay the Devil

Taylor's Angels offers our heartfelt thanks to Pay the Devil for sharing this uplifting account, complete with pictures and video, of Taylor's Blue Sky Holiday! We sincerely hope that you enjoyed her unique and often humerous insight!

January 23, 2008 - Wednesday 


Taylor's Angels is sponsoring a new award that will be given each month to one very special person in the Soul Patrol Community. Starting this month we will be accepting nominations for "Hero of the Month". The nominees should be a fan or supporter of Taylor Hicks who has done something extraordinary to help and/or give support to someone in need within the Soul Patrol community.
We all know someone who has offered words of encouragement during difficult circumstances or started a project to help lessen life's burdens. We all have been touched by acts of kindness inspired by Taylor Hicks, so we want to recognize those special people in a unique way.

One winner will be selected each month and will receive a beautiful necklace designed especially for them. Additionally, Taylor's Angels will feature the winner and why they were selected as the "Hero of the Month" in our weekly blog.


The Hero of the Month for January is....
Debbie ( alagirl77)


Debbie belongs to a board called "The Right Place". A member of her board called "TurtleHeart" told the board about a little girl named Mallorie. Turtleheart let them know about a very sick little girl, who was a huge fan of Taylor Hicks. The little girl's dream was to one day go to a concert and meet Taylor. The wonderful members of "The Right Place" took Mallorie's family under their wing and began to send her letters and Taylor things. Debbie started communicating with Renee( Mallorie's) mother and finding out what her needs were. She became her friend knowing the hardship she was facing with a sick child, she became someone to lean on. Debbie wrote a letter to Taylor's Angels and asked for tickets to a concert so this child's dream could come true. We told her we would work on it and got them tickets to the Orange Beach concert. In the end it all worked out for them and Mallorie's wish of meeting Taylor was granted by a very special promoter. Debbie not only wrote to us about Mallorie, she became a friend of Taylor's Angels. She kept us updated on Mallorie's condition weekly. She helped the family with her kind words of encouragement and friendship. She encouraged the Soul Patrol, along with "TurtleHeart" to reach out to this family.

We chose Debbie because she went beyond the call of duty to help this family. She became their friend -someone they could count on. She has a beautiful heart. Her joy came from knowing that Mallorie's dream had come true. We asked Debbie to share a little about herself with the Soul Patrol and as you will read she has her own "claim to fame" in Taylor world!

TA: Tell us about yourself.

Debbie: I live in Alabaster, Al. very near Birmingham. I grew up in Southeastern Ohio in the small town of Chesapeake. I enjoy life and all it has to offer me each day. I value my family and friends for they add much joy to my life. I am about to start a new venture in my life. I am starting school this month to be an Esthetician, which I am looking forward to. I love challenges and rise to the occasion when it is needed.


TA: How did you become interested in Taylor? What inspired you about his music?

Debbie: I saw Taylor on AI season 5 and had never heard of him until then. My son and I were watching the show and when they said "Taylor Hicks from Birmingham" we were both glued to the television. From that point on, nothing could tear us away from AI each week. His voice and moves floored me and I was hooked. His personality came through on each and every show and I knew this guy's was going places. I could feel the soulful talent that came within him, his music and talent was something that grabbed me and has never let go. Taylor brought me back to music, music I had been missing for such a long time.


TA: How many shows have you been to?

Debbie: I have attended 3 shows - not enough but I am thankful I was able to see those. I have seen him in other settings- but only 3 concerts.


TA: What is your favorite Taylor tune?

Debbie: From his debut album, I have to say "The Maze". That song and it's tempo moves me. From his concerts- I would have to say "Don't Let Me Down", that is an all time favorite of mine. It's had to pick one favorite. Anything and everything Taylor does "Wows" me.


TA: Share with us your favorite "Taylor Moment".

Debbie: It has to be the day I recorded his "hole in one" at the golf tournament. Getting to meet him and talk to him one on one. I was so nervous, but it's a day I will never forget. Also, getting to see Taylor at Alabama Adventure with LMBO was a treat. He was so in his element that night and talking to him briefly after the show was a moment to treasure.


TA: Tell us the story about the famous "Hole in One" you recorded.

Debbie: I watched Taylor practice his driving before he hit the greens. I had a moment to speak to him and get his autograph. We all began to follow the guys around the course. When we got to backside of the course we had a huge hill to climb. One of the men working there told us that it may be better to head to the bottom where the green was and wait there, so we did. I took a seat on the grass waiting on Taylor to drive. He made a perfect drive, right onto the green. As Taylor came down the hill and approached the green - something told me to pick up my camera and capture the shot. He took his time and aimed. Perfect putt and the ball went. Taylor did his happy dance and we were all on our feet screaming our hearts out for him. When he walked off the green he said, "If anyone got that video I will pay them!" and laughed. I yelled over to him that I had captured it. He said to me, "You got that?". I told him yes- I got it. He once again said, "You got that?" "You really got that shot?" I said "Yes Taylor, I got it!". He seemed to be in disbelief that it had been captured. He walked over to me and talked for a bit. Thanked me for getting the shot on video and asked if I could send it to him. He then asked if I would like a picture with him and at that point I totally went into the "Taylor Zone". That was a moment in time I will never forget as a Taylor Hicks fan! I made a DVD of his magical moment, along with pictures I had taken and sent it to him. I received a wonderful letter from his father thanking me.




TA: How did you meet Renee and Mallorie? What inspired you to contact us to help them?

Debbie: A dear Soul Patrol member, Turtleheart, brought a post from Renee on the AI boards over to us and it touched my heart. Reading what a mother wrote, such a heartfelt message for her sick little girl that is such a huge Taylor Hicks fan, to somehow see him in concert got my wheels turning. I contacted those that had connections by email or PM that could maybe help in making Mallorie's wish come true. I knew of Taylor's Angels and had read the blog many times. Someone on the boards suggested contacting Taylor's Angels. God and my heart led me to request this for Renee and her dear daughter. Taylor's Angels made that magical wish come true for Mallorie and I am so thankful to all of you. I thank God each day for the Sullivan family in my life. They have added much joy and love to my life.


Thank you Debbie for all you have done for this family and for sharing your story with the Soul Patrol!

We know that by now you have already thought of someone to nominate, so please email us at :taylors_angels@yahoo.com and we will send you a nomination form. You will be asked to answer a few short questions describing what the nominee has done to enhance the life of another and why they are deserving of the award.

Taylor's Angels thanks each of you for your support this past year and we look forward to recognizing some outstanding Soul Patrollers during 2008!

Published by: Teri (cydter)
January 16, 2008 - Wednesday 


Taylor Hicks garnered international fame not only with his voice but also with his unique dance style as he moved through the ranks of American Idol and ultimately brought home the title to end Season Five. With that same golden voice and funky dance moves, Taylor again wowed audiences during his 2007 national and international tours. Yet it was during Taylor's last official performance of 2007 that his exuberent dancing proved to be a monumental moment in the life of one young fan.


Taylor Hicks' performance during halftime of the 2007 Liberty Bowl on December 29 was billed as the highlight of the event. True to style, Taylor wowed the crowd with his single "Heaven Knows" and "The Runaround". But mid-way through the performance his microphone suddenly went silent. Without a voice, Taylor's seasoned showmanship became apparent as he seemingly instinctively relied upon those dance moves to entertain the over 60,000 fans in attendance. On stage with Taylor were several children who had received medical care for life threatening illnesses from St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Taylor extended his hand to one of these children in an invitation to dance and help entertain the crowd. As fate would have it, the young man who "cut a rug" with Taylor that evening was a huge fan of Taylor Hicks and was also from Taylor's hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. To say that this child supported Taylor throughout his climb to fame would be an understatement. However, his illness had prevented him from actually seeing his hometown hero in a live performance. But at the Liberty Bowl that evening, this young man's dream was surpassed as TOGETHER he and Taylor gave a performance of a lifetime.
Photobucket




Taylor's Angels is priviledged to share with you the story of this courageous boy, his fight for life and his "journey just to dance with Taylor Hicks". His mother penned these words:


Life as we know it changed on July 28 , 2006 when the word "cancer" was associated with my 5 year old son, Evan. We had been explaining away the aches and pains, fatigue, and crankiness for a couple of weeks and had, finally, convinced our pediatrician that these symptoms were not just a result of anemia. That fateful day has molded the rest of our lives. Evan was diagnosed at Birmingham Children's Hospital with stage IV neuroblastoma, a cancer of the peripheral nervous system. Although this type of cancer is actually the third most common childhood cancer, it is the deadliest. The survival rate is 30%. That evening, we desperately searched for the best, the newest, the most extensive treatment program for our baby. We found St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. With a recommendation from our pediatrician, we arrived at St. Jude less than 48 hours from diagnosis, ready to fight with everything we had. Evan's treatment plan consisted of a surgery to place a double Hickman catheter into his chest with which all chemotherapy would be administered and from which blood would be taken. This was followed by two rounds of low-dose chemo and nine rounds of high dose chemotherapy, most of which involved many nights in a hospital room. Evan also underwent a major surgery to remove his primary tumor in the abdominal area, which was unsuccessful due to the location of the tumor. After eight months of treatment, including countless medications, scans, blood transfusions, and shots to boost his white blood cell count, in spite of eight months away from our home and separated from our family, we discovered that Evan's cancer had not responded sufficiently to the drugs he had been given. Three more doses of high dose chemotherapies were administered only to see no change. We were told that, although Evan had remained stable and in spite of his clinical health, Evan was terminally ill. Any further treatments would only be to prolong his life. Although these words were devastating, I knew then and continue to BELIEVE that no one knows our future except God. When we arrived at St. Jude in 2006, our once vibrant, dashing little man could barely walk. He could not climb stairs. He could not get into my small car. In June, even though the results of his scans were unfavorable, and still today, Evan can run, jump, skip and, most importantly, "cut" quite "a rug"! Since July, Evan has been on a clinical trial involving a special drug that is only given once a week over the course of an hour on an outpatient basis. It does not make him sick or tired. His hair has completely grown back. He has put on weight and he feels great! We were able to move back home to Birmingham and have lived a relatively what I like to call a "new normal" life. We are only impeded, most of the time, one day a week. We find ourselves extremely blessed that we chose St. Jude to treat our child and we feel that it was the best decision we could have made. We consider the doctors, nurses, staff members, and other patient families our family. Although extensive, Evan's disease remains stable and we are trusting and BELIEVING in God's plan. We know that "all things work for good for those who love the Lord."

Prior to Evan's illness, our family watched American Idol religiously. By Season 5, Evan was old enough to understand what was going on and really got into the show. We were very excited to see Taylor Hicks, a Birmingham native, make it to Hollywood and were sold on his ingenuity and uniqueness from the beginning. We spent every week watching the show and rooting Taylor on. We were all very excited when he won!

Shortly after Evan's diagnosis and our arrival at St. Jude, someone sent Evan an American Idol door hanger to decorate. He spent quite a bit of time decorating it just the way he wanted, with "GO TAYLOR" letter stickers. It hung proudly on our hospital door for the remainder of our stay and then was transferred to our apartment door for quite a bit of time.Photobucket
As Taylor began his solo tour in the south in early 2007, we were provided tickets and possible backstage passes to meet Taylor Hicks in Huntsville, Alabama but when the time came to go, Evan was just too sick and too exhausted physically to attend the concert. We forfeited our tickets in hopes that one day we would have another opportunity to see him perform live. This little wish came true in a big way when Evan was invited to attend the 2007 Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee as a representative of St. Jude. He would have the opportunity to dance on stage with Miss Liberty Bowl as Taylor performed. Evan is a natural performer. He loves to dance and sing and has no qualms whatsoever about getting up in front of thousands to perform. Little did we know that this little opportunity would prove to be a big score for Evan! During Taylor's first tune, Evan sweetly wiggled on the side of the stage with the other children. During the second song, however, Taylor's microphone went out. With nothing left to do BUT dance, at this point, he pulled Evan out into center stage with him. This, of course, was a dream come true for our little guy! He "tore it up"! He was putting on the moves! As he danced with Taylor, his grin could have lit the stadium. He was in heaven! My eyes filled with tears as I screamed from the sidelines. I knew that this was a magical time for him and I was so thankful for that opportunity. For a very brief time after the performance, Evan, along with the other children, got pictures taken with Taylor and Evan had him sign his CD. My son was two feet taller with pride and his eyes glimmered with satisfaction.

Life has been rough for our little guy. He has endured more than any one person should have to endure, but he has done it with such grace and flair. He has lived life and continues to live life to the absolute fullest and has taken advantage of any moment, any place, and any person to spread his joy of living through his incredible personality and his undying energy and love. I believe that God places people in our paths to be an example for others – a shining star. I am blessed that one of these people that God has placed in my path is my own flesh and blood, my own shining star - my son.
Taylor Hicks- Liberty Bowl Halftime Show from edjorg on Vimeo.


Evan's family invites you to share in his journey by visiting his care site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/evanthomason. They also ask for your prayers as Evan continues his treatment.






A WORD ABOUT ST. JUDE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP:

St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility anywhere. Discoveries made there have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

They are where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do more science, more quickly. Where doctors across the world send their toughest cases and most vulnerable patients. Where no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay. They've built America's 3rd-largest health-care charity, with a model that keeps the costs down and the funds flowing, so the science never stops.

All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay.

Taylor's Angels wishes to unite with the Soul Patrol in donating to St. Jude's Hospital in Taylor's name. An account is being set up so that the Soul Patrol can donate. The link is : Fans Care For St. Judes Kids

Taylor's name will appear within the next few days. Your donation will be greatly appreciated. Evan is proof of the help they provide!

Written by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)

Photos by Tina (DidNotExpectThat)

Video by EJ