Taylor Hicks all night long

"American Idol" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks put on a show at the Roxy Theatre on Wednesday night, performing a long set with energetic charisma, reminiscent of Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who I saw play the same stage nearly seven years ago. With Candance Devine opening, the place was relatively full, despite the bumpy run-up the show had with free tickets being given away on goldstar.com. Hicks was scheduled to start at 10 p.m., and by 10:19 p.m. with no sight of him, fans began chanting "Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!" The curtain rose several minutes later.

He opened with "The Distance," the title track from his latest album, which was released March 10. Dressed in a black shirt, black blazer and jeans, Hicks looked slender and handsome onstage. With his "Soul Patrol" guitar strap, backing band of six and a fellow "Idol" alum, Season 7's Michael Johns, in the crowd supporting him, Hicks was ready to party all night long.

The fans were too. Elba Edelstein came out from Culver City to see her favorite "Idol." She'd previously seen him in an "American Idol" concert, as well as on his 2007 tour, on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas. Edelstein, who had a girlfriend along for the ride, smiled wide and said "I can't wait!" before the show. Another woman I spoke with was seeing him in concert for the ninth time, as well as 10 times on Broadway in Grease -- the 11th night she opted for Chicago. Most female fans were dressed up, some in sequins, had drinks in hand and were eager to see the main event. Men were less visibly thrilled, yet definitely present -- some dragged by wives. A man next to me was performing his duty as photographer with a small digital camera as his mega-fan wife roamed the venue for an ideal view.

Hicks didn't shy away from his signature funky dance moves, but his strong voice held its own against all the instruments involved -- including harmonica and tambourine. He dedicated "Nineteen," the fourth song on "The Distance," to all the troops, calling it a "war hero story." "What's Right Is Right" was the highlight, as on the album, but he left it too near the end of the set, so many missed it. Droves of people filed out soon after 11 p.m. although Hicks kept performing past midnight. The loyal fans who stayed were raucous and enjoyed saying "cheers" to Hicks, who had a Budweiser. It might not have been a sellout, but Taylor Hicks fans got what they came for, a hearty helping of their favorite gray fox -- enough to last until they can catch "Grease."
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2009/03/taylor-hicks-al.html

I heard about the ticket drop. That was probably a pretty smart move. Got butts in the seats.
Before you bash me, think this way. One of the headlining acts during the summer is Kenny Chesney, and he puts on an amazing show. So, one summer, he was touring with Gretchen Wilson, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, and Big 'n' Rich with Uncle Kracker, Cowboy Troy, and Keith Urban making guest appearances that night, caeera crews and so on. So....how much do you think it cost me to go to this amazing show? Would you believe $10? That's right - $10. And why? Who knows really, but my supposition is a - looks good on camera, and b- they can say it was "sold-out". So, again, pretty smart.
~tyg