20 STORIES FOR 20 YEARS
Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks is a singer of blues, classic rock, and R&B. He’s marking 20 years since his career-making American Idol win this year, as Bethel Woods celebrates its own 20th anniversary. Taylor first visited Bethel Woods as a performer in 2007.
“I knew the history of the area, just because I'd studied Woodstock so much, and the artistry that came from that festival. To be able to go back to the farm, so to speak, and be able to play with Earth, Wind & Fire was a dream come true.
In 2007, we went to the monument and took some pictures, and it's just really a stunning piece of property. It is a vibing area for sure. It's just deep-rooted in rock and roll history. And I think, you know, there's only a few places in America that really carry that kind of vibe. I think Graceland could be a really good example, there's the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. There's very few of those rock and roll monuments that carry that kind of vibe, and Bethel Woods is one of those.
The way that the people of Bethel Woods have preserved that area, it's just second to none as far as a musician being able to play there, and also being a spectator of the music there.
Sonically it's one of the better amphitheaters in the country, if not the best. There's not a bad seat in the house, auditorially speaking. That's just so hard to come by when you have that kind of amphitheater. And to be able to have that done naturally is just a win-win. You have the topography of the area along with the amphitheater.
It’s a home-run place to perform and to watch. I went to Phish with Jeff Gerson. I've always wanted to see Phish at Bethel, that was a bucket list concert for me, and I was able to do that. I am a jam bander. I've definitely done my share of jam band shows between Phish and Widespread Panic and the Allmans. I haven't sold grilled cheeses in the parking lot, but I've eaten them.
In 2025 I came to speak to and perform for the Bethel Woods leadership team. Full Moon Resort was such a cool little venue, and everybody from Bethel Woods was so music-oriented, from every part of the staff, and that's just very endearing.
Anytime that I get the opportunity to go up there and see music, I do. It's just a special place. Look, you know, Bethel and I have gone 20 floors in the business of show, and it has been a blast ever since.”