Jim (left) and Erik (right) with Kenny Rogers on the set of the CBS series "Touched by an Angel," celebrating the episode that was based on their song "Buy Me A Rose."
At first glance, TAXI members Erik Hickenlooper and Jim Funk seem like just a couple of regular guys. Basically, they are, but with one exception -- they wrote Kenny Rogers #1 Country Hit "Buy Me A Rose."
Jim and Erik aren't professional songwriters. Well, at least they weren't before this song went straight to the top of the charts. Erik is a pharmaceutical rep, and Jim is a family counselor. They've been writing songs since 1994. In 1997, they recorded a demo of "Buy Me A Rose" on an 8-track in a bedroom studio with one microphone.
Erik and Jim are from Utah, and even though they've got a #1 Country Hit on their hands, they've never been to Nashville. Through TAXI, the duo got a deal with publisher Rex Benson, which resulted in "Buy Me A Rose" being cut by Rogers.
For Kenny, having a #1 Hit and an album about to go platinum is a triumphant return to the top of the charts. For TAXI members Funk and Hickenlooper, this is one hell of a beginning to what we hope will be a long and prosperous career.