04-30-2007, 04:19 PM
I flew to Kansas City on Friday for Taylor's second show at the Ameristar Casino. I was met at the airport by 3 fellow KOPS members...Karen, LeAnn, and Alice and we started heading toward the casino but wanted to stop for lunch. LeAnn requested Waffle House so we got off the highway and found one right away (I had no clue what Waffle House was like). What do we see parked next to Waffle House? TAYLOR'S TOUR BUS!!! This is miles from the casino by the way...there was a crusty OLD Holiday Inn behind the Waffle House which is where the band was staying. After we order lunch, we saw Brian Less (through the window) come out of the hotel for a smoke. LeAnn high tails it down to meet him and they have a conversation while polluting their lungs.
Taylor was staying at the Casino hotel and we arrived hours before they would let us check in but the girl at the desk said Taylor had been around quite a bit over the 2 days and we might find him in the casino. The only time we spotted Taylor Friday was when we were in the hotel lobby waiting for our room to be cleaned (4 PM) and he walked by with Tim (?) the tour mgr. We were behind a partial wall so I didn't see him until he was past us heading quickly to his room but I said "Hi Taylor" and he turned his shoulders, bowed his head and waved but did not fully look back or stop walking.
Karen bought the tickets but did not win a M&G so we got ready, had dinner, and went to the theater. My companions had given someone on the crew a bag of things for Taylor to sign for KOPS on Thursday night and they spent some time trying to locate the stuff on Friday while I took my seat....5th row! I've neer been closer at any of Taylor's shows and the crowd up front was full of true SPers...the energy was great but loads of people in the back did not stand up. I was very happy noone told us to sit down! Despite my great seat, the woman in front of me was very tall with big hair and I couldn't see Taylor fully unless I shifted to the right or left but I got some great photos .
Taylor spent much of the show very close to the edge of the stage which was elevated about 5 feet. He seemed more playful than I've seen him before...I know he is different in some way each night but it still impresses me. Whether it's the amount of guitar, harp, dancing, chit-chat with the audience, facial expressions, spotlighting band members etc....he changes it up and it is NEVER boring. He is a pure joy to watch...I don't smoke, I don't drink coffee, I rarely drink alcohol, and I don't use any prescription drugs but I feel like I'm on a high when I watch Taylor and it is addicting.
We went outside for some air after the show and had a brief conversation with Bill about the KOPS stuff we did and didn't get back...long but funny story.
There's another small part to my story regarding airport security in KC that I put in my short post at THHQ under the tour thread.
I will sit tight and patiently wait for June to arrive and bring Taylor to MA. We get to see him on AI and Leno (confirmed?) in May!
I posted my Kansas City pics in the photo thread earlier.
Sorry this is so long.....I could gush about Taylor Hicks all day.
Andrea
Taylor was staying at the Casino hotel and we arrived hours before they would let us check in but the girl at the desk said Taylor had been around quite a bit over the 2 days and we might find him in the casino. The only time we spotted Taylor Friday was when we were in the hotel lobby waiting for our room to be cleaned (4 PM) and he walked by with Tim (?) the tour mgr. We were behind a partial wall so I didn't see him until he was past us heading quickly to his room but I said "Hi Taylor" and he turned his shoulders, bowed his head and waved but did not fully look back or stop walking.
Karen bought the tickets but did not win a M&G so we got ready, had dinner, and went to the theater. My companions had given someone on the crew a bag of things for Taylor to sign for KOPS on Thursday night and they spent some time trying to locate the stuff on Friday while I took my seat....5th row! I've neer been closer at any of Taylor's shows and the crowd up front was full of true SPers...the energy was great but loads of people in the back did not stand up. I was very happy noone told us to sit down! Despite my great seat, the woman in front of me was very tall with big hair and I couldn't see Taylor fully unless I shifted to the right or left but I got some great photos .
Taylor spent much of the show very close to the edge of the stage which was elevated about 5 feet. He seemed more playful than I've seen him before...I know he is different in some way each night but it still impresses me. Whether it's the amount of guitar, harp, dancing, chit-chat with the audience, facial expressions, spotlighting band members etc....he changes it up and it is NEVER boring. He is a pure joy to watch...I don't smoke, I don't drink coffee, I rarely drink alcohol, and I don't use any prescription drugs but I feel like I'm on a high when I watch Taylor and it is addicting.
We went outside for some air after the show and had a brief conversation with Bill about the KOPS stuff we did and didn't get back...long but funny story.
There's another small part to my story regarding airport security in KC that I put in my short post at THHQ under the tour thread.I will sit tight and patiently wait for June to arrive and bring Taylor to MA. We get to see him on AI and Leno (confirmed?) in May!
I posted my Kansas City pics in the photo thread earlier.
Sorry this is so long.....I could gush about Taylor Hicks all day.
Andrea