hickshoney1
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Registered: May 2006
Local time: 05:49 AM
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1
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Friday night and I'm sitting at home thinking about the way this season has gone and what next week will mean for us.
We were all changed 1/31/06
Most of us were just sitting around, waiting to see who the next William Hung was going to be when thid gray haired feller walked into our lives and sang his way into our hearts. Most of us were mesmerized by this unique, charming, and entertaining breath of fresh air. We were hoping and praying that the judges would get it right and let this man pass. He was one of so many, but he stood out. So completely different than everyone else.
And then there was the harmonica:
We followed Taylor through Hollywood and got to know him a little better. Such a sweet man. Such a humble man. But what an entertainer! For only seeing snippets of the performances that Taylor got to perform, we saw a man who legitimately had a reason to be on this show. HE COULD PERFORM! And more importantly, he could make us FEEL what he was performing.
After the four rooms, we had to wait to see if our man Taylor was going to face the American vote. We saw him in the elevator. We saw the door open, Taylor step out and then this great emotional harmonica solo all the way down the length of the roomm. Taylor did it in the words of the song "His Way." The judges didn't know what to do, but the fans did. Scream, "SEND HIM ON! TOP 24!"... we knew... then... what are guts were telling us the entire time: here was an Idol for the ages. And guess what? The judges agreed...
Birth of a fan base... and some Taylorized dancing...
Top 24. America Votes. Taylor sings Levon... and then... we hear it. "Soul Patrol."
"What?" most of us ask. What is that? His band? No. The people from Birmingham? Well, partially.
It was the fans.
From Alabama and from all over. What so many of us did not know at the time and what we have greatfully learned these many months is that a force of nature was born. A group of people found an identitiy. This identity caught on with more people and more people-- all of those feeling like found something they could identify with in Taylor and with fellow posters. These people joined forces and Taylor found out and by the grace of God felt like he identified with this group, too... and told them so... and then continued to many, many times.
This group of people, the Soul Patrol, has stayed with Taylor. Grown with Taylor. And we have seen Taylor dance... oh, yes. We have indeed. The Taylor wind up. The Taylor-Go-Round. We have seen him give every ounce of himself to his performances. He lets the music inhabit his body and guide him. To where? Anywhere it wants to go. And we understand that. This is what we love about Taylor. He is music and performance personified... and the Soul Patrol can't get enough.
A developing romance
Yes... it is a romance between us and Taylor. We have gotten to know him through his music and his interviews and those who visit and give us words of encouragement. He has gotten to know us, too... visiting our boards and reading OUR words of encouragement (and lust... THUD-lovers.) He gave us funny shout outs. He shouted out when he was unsure- when he needed us. He shouted and shouted and we answered and answered again. With our letters, our posts, our VOTES. We even lay seige on Alabama when he came home last week. We expressed anger at the powers that be when songs of his were pulled. He then waited and worked his way to to a position where HE had some control. And what did he do? Resurrected the song... brought it back... and dedicated it TO US. To those that have felt what he has felt and fought and voted and supported. Taylor and the Soul Patrol. Synonimous with one another... and we wouldn't have it any other way.
The future...
Wednesday night, we found out Taylor is one step away from his dream coming true. We, the Soul Patrol, have taken this journey with him. We have fought on and on and given him the votes he has needed in order to get to this point. Now is NOT the time to stop. We have to push ourselves to the utmost limit we can push ourselves to. No letting up. We remember the Taylor of the audition who just wanted his voice heard. We remember Taylor after Levon saying hi to his Soul Patrol with utmost abandon. We remember the suave Taylor, the funky Taylor, the vulnerable Taylor. This is the Taylor we have learned to love like a member of our family. This is the person who we have to give ourselves fully to on Tuesday night. This is the only way we will see him succeed. He has done his part... always has. We have this one final magical moment to do ours and give Taylor his dream.
You make me proud, Soul Patrol. This wide all encompassing group has become a second family to me. I will be here for all of you and I will be here for Taylor. That is my promise.
ALL GO, NO QUIT: THAT IS THE SOUL PATROL
hh1
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05-20-2006 10:14 PM
