Taylor Hicks Pivots Due To Heavy Rain At Firefly Concert

2006 American Idol Winner Offers Up More Intimate Show For Those Who Weathered Storm

By: Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer

While a torrential downpour may have dampened the open air concert on the field at Firefly Distillery on Saturday (June 12th) night, the southern hospitality of headliner Taylor Hicks more than made up for the less than welcome weather. When the staff and crew at Firefly made the call to cancel the show, Hicks decided he’d entertain as many who weathered the storm, with the result turning the concert into an intimate party on the porch for several hundred fans.

Although Hicks only has a few recognizable radio hits since winning American Idol back in 2006, he came to Charleston on what was billed as the Night Moves tour, with Hicks paying tribute to legendary rocker Bob Seger. Hicks’ smooth yet sultry voice is ideal for turning out Seger classics, putting his own spin on several of Seger’s most iconic songs. It was not the dozen or more Seger and Hicks songs many came out to hear, but the private concert amid the sounds of heavy rain and the occasional thunder clap made for memorable moments.

Not long after the promoters opted to scrub the bigger show, Hicks came out to his merchandise table to sign autographs and take pictures. It was there Hicks decided to adhere to the old adage, ‘the show must go on’, even in an abridged version. With the crowd fully satisfied with their meet and greet, Hicks and a a few musicians set up on the covered patio, belting out four Seger songs, adding the title track from Hicks’ soon to be released ‘Six Strings & Diamond Rings’.

Piano and sax solos accompanied vocals, with Hicks’ offering up the occasional harmonica sounds. After a strong musical intro Hicks dove right into ‘Old Time Rock n’ Roll’, taking the crowd on a stroll on ‘Main Street’. Always the gracious gentleman Hicks called the opening act Drew Dangerfield up toe mike for a song. The Charleston based singer songwriter gave the audience ‘Tell Him You Love Him’, a meaningful tune about letting those in your life know how much you care. It comes out on Spotify later in June.

Once again Hicks came front and center belting out ‘Night Moves’ that had most of the crowd singing in unison. The familiar lyric ‘I woke last night to the sound of thunder’ seem to work in tandem with weather, allowing Hicks to add a few pertinent and comedic lines in between. As he finished he thanked those who hung around, returning to drier surroundings. The chants of one more song quickly got his attention as Hicks left the crowd with a haunting version of ‘Turn The Page’.

It appeared the crowd were aptly satisfied with 45 minutes of up close and personal time with Hicks, as he exited the smaller stage for the night. Backstage Firefly and Hicks agreed to return next year, perhaps in the fall when pop up thunderstorms are less likely. Although heavy rain placed a wet blanket on the evening, Hicks turned a minus into a plus, leaving several hundred concert goers with a story they can share for years to come, including three ladies who made the trip from Greenville.. Kudos to Taylor Hicks for going above and beyond. It’s easy to understand why the Alabama native won season five of American Idol.

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