NESP Forum

Another nice article by Mary Colurso


http://blog.al.com/mcolurso/2008/02/tayl...ml#Scene_1

"Alabama musicians, producers and other achievers are commemorated with memorabilia in the hall of fame's museum in Tuscumbia. Hicks said he donated his "infamous purple jacket," which drew applause and criticism from "Idol" viewers, for his display case at the museum.

Hicks said the last time he wore the purple jacket, he was headlining the "Idol" tour at the BJCC Arena in August 2006.

"I wore it in Birmingham and retired it," he said, laughing."

He's performing Soul Thing tonight! I can't wait to see this.

Just wondering though...Tour Band or LiMBO?

The Montgomery Advertiser looks to be the hot spot for news tonight:
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps.../frontpage

Video of Tommy Shaw (Styx), Randy Owen (Alabama) and one of my favorite "under the radar" songwriters, Beth Nielsen Chapman.

http://www.bethnielsenchapman.com

Beth Nielsen Chapman at Amazon

What I just learned about Beth that cracked me up.. she joined a local Montgomery band to replace Tommy Shaw when he went to join Styx

Some of the songs Beth wrote that you might know:
Faith Hill: This Kiss
Martina McBride: Happy Girl

She has also written songs for Trisha Yearwood, Alabama and Willie Nelson among many others.

Her own albums are gentle introspective, for those of us who like thoughtful songwriting about life and love, somewhere in between Mary Chapin Carpenter and Judy Collins perhaps? She has some new albums I didn't know about that look quite spiritual.

She also gives creativity workshops:
http://www.bethnielsenchapman.com/stargazeworkshop.php

and is a breast cancer survivor.

Her "Sand and Water" is a stunning song written after the death of her husband at an early age. Elton John sang it on his fall 1997 tour, after the deaths of his friends Gianni Versace and Diana, Princess of Wales:

The Youtube is apparently from a Smallville episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLcKPtENmcU

Sand and Water
by Beth Nielsen Chapman
ALL ALONE I DIDN'T LIKE THE FEELING
ALL ALONE I SAT AND CRIED
ALL ALONE I HAD TO FIND SOME MEANING
IN THE CENTER OF THE PAIN I FELT INSIDE

ALL ALONE I CAME INT0 THIS WORLD
ALL ALONE I WILL SOMEDAY DIE
SOLID STONE IS JUST SAND AND WATER, BABY
SAND AND WATER, AND A MILLION YEARS GONE BY

I WILL SEE YOU IN THE LIGHT OF A THOUSAND SUNS
I WILL HEAR YOU IN THE SOUND OF THE WAVES
I WILL KNOW YOU WHEN I COME, AS WE ALL WILL COME
THROUGH THE DOORS BEYOND THE GRAVE

ALL ALONE I HEAL THIS HEART OF SORROW
ALL ALONE I RAISE THIS CHILD
FLESH AND BONE, HE'S JUST BURSTING TOWARDS TOMORROW
AND HIS LAUGHTER FILLS MY WORLD AND WEARS YOUR SMILE

ALL ALONE I CAME INTO THIS WORLD
ALL ALONE I WILL SOMEDAY DIE
SOLID STONE IS JUST SAND AND WATER, BABY
SAND AND WATER AND A MILLION YEARS GONE BY

verse written for Elton:

All alone I heal this heart of sorrow
I can only live this day
Flesh and bone my life's bursting towards tomorrow
And the love you send my heart still finds it's way

Taylor did make it to Montgomery:

Fritts, Kristofferson make time for Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind salute

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps.../-1/NEWS05

Pictures from last night:

From Montgomery Advertiser:

Video of Taylor's performance in Montgomery:

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps...23006/1001

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps...30336/1001

more HERE:
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps...30352/1001

Taylor Hicks joins singer/songwriter Chris Tompkins in an rendition of the hit song "Before He Cheats," along with a little background on what Hicks' fellow "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood thought of the song. Here's a hint - she thought the boyfriend in the song got off too easy.

HARP WARNING:

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps...23016/1001

Here is my friend Kaye last night. She is the blonde in the front. Here is her story for the picture:

We had gathered in a large hall outside the gala room where we
were hoping to see Taylor as he entered. I had strayed from the group and saw him coming
around a corner to the large hall outside the performance center. As he walked toward me
(I was taking his picture as he rounded the corner) I noticed he was
walking straight to me. (then fangirl took over my very being)
He started saying something as he approached me and I'm like ... gah......
He reached out and touched my shoulder while saying
"let's do this - we'll take a group picture"
By now this "group" is running over and I am determined to stay by him. The lady in the formal gown was pushing everybody out of the way but I stood my ground.

She said that he did not eat at the banquet, but in the hotel restaurant. And that Bill Will was all dressed up.