Croonin' for Critters and for Taylor

[Ashley Snyder Miller]

Since Taylor's audition on American Idol way back in 2006, I have been an avid fan.  I live in North Carolina and have traveled to see him in Birmingham about four times, as well as traveling to Pennsylvania and around the Carolinas to see him perform.  When I found out that Taylor would be in Birmingham this past weekend, I knew I had to be there because it has been a couple of years since I last saw him perform (last time was in Grease).  Thankfully, my mother is also a big Taylor fan so she was delighted to make the trip with me.  She's a teacher so her school just happened to be on Spring Break last week. 

Mom and I embarked on our 486 mile journey to Birmingham last Wednesday.  During the day on Thursday, we toured the Vulcan statue and the Civil Rights Museum and when dusk began to fall upon the city of Birmingham, we headed to the event "Croonin' for Critters" (Click here to read more) at WorkPlay Theatre.  Croonin for Critters is a mock-American Idol-type contest that raises money for Do Dah Day, a festival in May that benefit homeless animals and animal shelters.  Thirteen performers from 12-years-old to 60+ performed on the stage at WorkPlay and everyone did a FANTASTIC job.  Mom and I were blown away with the level of talent.  Taylor joined the last singer of the night on stage and brought down the house with his harmonica playing.

After he performed, he went out into the audience and talked with anyone and everyone.  As you can imagine, a lot of people wanted to take pictures with him.  He seemed completely at ease and in his element.  My mother and I decided to try and talk to him and we were successful.  We told him that we had driven 486 miles to see him perform and that we are huge fans.  He asked if we wanted a picture which OF COURSE we did.  He was very gracious and patient when my smart phone decided to malfunction (of ALL times for it to misbehave).  We got our picture though and were thrilled with the event as a whole.  Anyone and everyone who lives in Birmingham should attend Croonin for Critters next year whether Taylor is a part of the festivities or not. 

The next night, Mom and I went to Taylor's Restaurant (Saw's Juke Joint) to see him perform with Earl Williams and Gip Gipson but more on that in another blog. 

Thanks for reading!