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| Topic Started: Jan 31 2008, 11:07 AM (233 Views) | |
| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:07 AM Post #1 |
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posted at the Whomp Swamp by mouser on Oct 19, 2007 THE JOURNEY BEGINS A look back at Taylor's words about Idol, music, life, and the journey. Read along as he expresses his delight in finding an audience for his music!! The inspiration for this collection of interviews came from the October issue of The Soul Connection e-zine as it suggested ways to "get through" Taylor's time away from us: "...if you're like many fans, you've even saved and printed Taylor's many interviews during the past 20 months--all great reading a second, third, or fourth time." So, just in case you didn't print and save them, here are Taylor's own words for you to enjoy... again!  ------------------------------------------- Week of May 22, 2006 Wade on Birmingham Taylor Hicks: The latest from Hollywood Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks took time today to talk with reporters via teleconference from Hollywood during the final week of “American Idol.” A few highlights: • The next album I would like it to be a really good representation of who I am as an artist. There’s gonna be some things I want to do creatively that I’ve never been able to get to do before “American Idol.” Possibly a little bit cutting edge — there are some things in my mind that would be cutting-edge music. I just want really good songs. If I can feel it, it doesn’t matter if I wrote it or somebody else. There’s a couple of albums that I’ve done before “American Idol” that I’m very proud of. I would like to re-release on a bigger scale, possibly re-record. • Moving away from Birmingham? My home has been the road since even before “American Idol.” My Birmingham apartment has been nice to come home to, but I’ve been there only a few days before hitting the road. I’ll probably live on my tour bus. I might have some little lake place where I can sit on the porch and stare at a tree and some water, but as far as what I’ve always wanted to do, I’ve always wanted to be on a bus. As a struggling musician, I would be traveling and see buses in Alabama going to their next destination, and I would always dream of being on one. And now I have the opportunity. • The hidden harmonica It’s a singing competition. That’s what I was told (by producers), so I pulled a sneak harmonica attack during Hollywood week. They had no idea I was going to do it. There might be a harmonica solo or two in the finale. Yeah, I keep it around (for luck). It’s kinda my instrument of choice. (Hicks also plays guitar.) Sometimes, when I’m moving around onstage a lot, I don’t have it on me because it kinda hurts because it’s in your pocket. • His dream woman Funny, entertaining, obviously easy on the eyes and can cook turnip greens. • Craziest come-on since competing on “Idol” I got a couple of pictures of two sisters, and they had “Soul Patrol” tattooed and my autograph on their neck. • On his competitor, Katharine McPhee She’s had some great moments on the show. It’s just so cool to see somebody that talented and just to be able to watch them. I’m a fan. We’re great friends. She’s a very talented girl. I wish the best for her, and I can’t wait to hear her album. • On this week’s close vote Yeah, that was a very close race, and it’s going to be a very close race to the finish line. • What were you doing this time last year? Probably still sleeping from performing at the Mullet Toss (at Gulf Shores). I’ve tossed a few mullet in my time, and I’ve performed (at the festival). • His future with his band, the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra They’re extremely excited for me. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. They’re extremely talented, and I really had a good time playing with them when I went back home (last week). • Is it the singing or the dancing? I just hope I’m winning people over with music that I’m making. This is a singing contest, but people want to see you live. Luckily I’ve been able to work in a live arena before. • Dance fever Connecting with the lyrics and melody of the music, and really feeling each song, you want to try to live the song as much as possible. If you really get into a song, then people will be able to feel what you’re talking about. • Marketing his music I’m worried about my fans and the people who like me as opposed to what’s mainstream. I’m going to be a musician and a soul singer for the rest of my life. In this business, I’ve been denied many times. Mainstream music is a very interesting beast, and if I play a part in that in the next year or so, then fine. But if I don’t, somebody will be seeing me being funky somewhere. • Nervous or relaxed onstage? I am at ease. I enjoy making people smile. • What is it about Birmingham and “Idol” contestants? People play music in Birmingham, and they have work. And work makes you better as a musician and an entertainer. • Preaching soul I believe in the soul of music. And it can be rap, hip-hop, it could be anything but as long as it can translate a feeling, that’s where I come from in music. When I first heard Ray Charles at 12 years old, my vision as an artist has been to try to inject more feeling and soul and depth into my music and touch the lives of others with the same kind of idea. • Soul Patrol shout-out They’re just a great bunch of fans. (The name) kinda fit from the beginning. I’m looking forward to cool ideas for the Soul Patrol post-“American Idol” tour. • How “Idol” changed his life I was at a crossroads of music (before “Idol”), whether I was going to work at a local bank or keep playing in clubs. Luckily, this opportunity arose. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:08 AM Post #2 |
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Source: MTV.com Date Published: May 25, 2006 Taylor Unveils New Game Plan: Stare At Trees, Eat Lettuce, Record LP 'Idol' winner says he's grateful for tattooed fans, pink jacket. By Corey Moss Simon Cowell told Taylor Hicks in his audition that he would never make it through the next round, but the salt-and-pepper-haired soul man proved the brutally honest judge dead wrong. Not only did Hicks make the finals, he was the only finalist who didn't linger in the bottom two or three, and on Wednesday, he was crowned the show's fifth winner (see "Soul Patrol Rides On: Taylor Hicks Wins 'American Idol' "). At 29, Hicks is the oldest "Idol" winner and the second victor from the Birmingham, Alabama, area (the city's Ruben Studdard won the competition in 2003, while runners-up Diana DeGarmo and Bo Bice both have resided there). MTV: What was going through your mind as Ryan Seacrest opened the envelope? Taylor Hicks: I was just telling myself, "Don't fall to the floor, don't let your knees buckle." I'm living the American dream. Believe in your dreams. I want to thank all the people who voted for me, because this is my dream and it's come true. MTV: What did Katharine say to you afterward? Hicks: She congratulated me and I congratulated her. She's such a beautiful young lady and wonderful entertainer, and she's going to have a bright future in whatever endeavor she chooses. MTV: What do you think was your biggest advantage going into Tuesday night? Hicks: I think what really helped me was the second slot of the performance order. That's something that I really thrive on, the wrap performance. As a performer, I was just lucky [to be] on the flipside of the coin. MTV: What inspired the pink jacket? Hicks: I saw that pink jacket about eight weeks ago in a store and I was thinking, "If I get voted off, I'll still be able to perform in the finale and I'm buying that jacket!" MTV: You've been an evangelist for soul music. Has that been your goal? Hicks: It has been. My vision as an artist, when I first heard Ray Charles at 12 years old, was to try to inject some more feeling and soul and depth into my music and hopefully be able to touch the lives of other people. And "American Idol" has given me this outlet to do that. MTV: Do you think you have opened the door for other older singers still chasing their dreams? Hicks: Definitely. I had no idea America would embrace gray hair as much as they have. MTV: Why do you think Birmingham has fared so well on "Idol"? Hicks: People just play music in Birmingham, and ... there is work in Birmingham, and the work makes you better as a musician and entertainer. "American Idol" gives me and somebody like Bo and Ruben and a lot of other people in the South an outlet to really get their talent heard and ... seen. Plane tickets to Los Angeles and New York for showcases can get pretty expensive when you live in the South. MTV: What kind of an album do you plan to make? Hicks: An album with soul. It's gonna have a lot of feeling. I'm an instrumentalist as well as vocalist, and I'm going to play harmonica and guitar on it. It's just going to have to be a really good representation of who I am as an artist. There are going to be some things that I'm going to want to do creatively that I've never been able to get to do before "American Idol," possibly a little bit cutting-edge. ... There could be some original music on it, but I really just want really good songs. There are also a couple of albums obviously that I've done before "American Idol" that I'm very proud of and hope to re-release on a bigger scale, possibly even re-record. MTV: Will you live Birmingham or Los Angeles? Hicks: I'll probably live on my tour bus. I might have some little lake place somewhere where I can sit on a porch and just stare at a tree and some water. But as far as what I've always wanted to do, I've always wanted to be on a bus. My home has been the road since even before "American Idol." My Birmingham apartment has been there and it's been nice to come home to, but I've been only there for a few days and then I'm on the road. A tour bus with some good, cold, iceberg lettuce is probably where I'm going to stay. MTV: What would be your dream tour? Hicks: I love Van Morrison, I love Bob Seger, I love Paul Simon, and if Ray Charles was around, I'd been knocking on his front door. John Legend and John Mayer, they've got good feeling in their music. I love hip-hop, anything that channels the soul I'm into. MTV: How have you been dealing with your groupies? Hicks: I just shake hands, sign autographs, kiss babies and say, "Soul Patrol!" I did get a couple of pictures, I think they were sisters, and they had Soul Patrol tattooed and my autograph on their neck. Those might be my two biggest Soul Patrollers. Who was right and who was wrong? Click here to see how "Idol" vets and journalists predicted this season's turnout, only on Overdrive. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:09 AM Post #3 |
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Source: FOX News Date Published: May 25, 2006 Taylor Hicks Gracious Post-'AI' By Mike Straka HOLLYWOOD — After over 63 million votes were tallied, this season's "American Idol" talent competition went to Taylor Hicks. I caught up with the 29-year-old to get his perspective on the past five months, and what this victory means to him. Straka: Does it feel any different today? Hicks: Um, you know, I'm a little bit more relaxed. The pressure from the last five months has been crazy. Luckily for me and Katharine it's over with, we were the last two standing and we're in the home stretch. She's going to have a great career and hopefully I will too. Straka: It only took you 10 years to become an overnight sensation. Hicks: Yeah, 10 years and every one of those years was worth it, you know. It's amazing that the road that I've been on and the journey that I've taken and I want to say thanks to all the voters 'cause if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here. Straka: Yesterday I talked with Chris Daughtry, and I asked him what he respected about you as a musician, because I really think Chris has a good following as a talented musician. He said, "You're a songwriter, man, you did the grind in the bars, playing for very little people for very little money." Hicks: You know that teaches you a lot about whether you really want to stay in this business or not, because there are more bad times than there are good, paying dues. You really have to love your art and what you do, because dues will be paid, and it's the road that are those dues. Straka: Anybody ever tell you you remind them of President Bill Clinton? Hicks: (Laughs) Yeah, and you know Bill Clinton was one of my favorite presidents. I think he was one of the greatest politicians that ever lived, in my opinion. Straka: What's next for you, movies, TV or singing? Hicks: Rest and sleep right now (laughs). Music is my passion, that's going to carry me to the finish line. Straka: A lot of people say your maturity is what separates you from the rest of the Idols. Does that give you the ability to better appreciate what you've just achieved? Hicks: Yeah, I think appreciation is key. You can get lost in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, and as soon as that appreciation gets lost, then it can be taken away from you like that. Being on the road and paying dues helps me appreciate an opportunity like this. I was at a crossroads in my career, working at a bank, supporting a band on the road, I chose "American Idol" and as soon as I was allowed to go through from the Vegas audition, it was an opportunity that I had to seize, and luckily I seized it. Straka: Did you have any trepidation even auditioning for "American Idol"? Hicks: I had some seconds, it didn't allow me to be who I was as an artist, as far as a songwriter goes, but I think it's a great way for people like me in this area that I live in to be able to be exploited vocally and a good way to get my talent heard. Straka: You do have a lot of presence in the moment. Probably your greatest moment of the show came when you were walking in to find out if you made the top 12, and you had the harmonica. Was that something spontaneous or did you think "This is an opportunity for me to stand out"? Hicks: Yeah, you have to premeditate your moves, especially in a competition where the stakes are so high, like this. You can't get lost in the moment in all this, you have to storm out, and luckily the harmonica helped me out. Straka: Well, this is a very gracious winner of "American Idol," Soul Patrol all the way. Hicks: Soul Patrol man, thank you so much. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:09 AM Post #4 |
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May 25, 2006 TAYLOR HICKS IDOL INTERVIEW Taylor Hicks, the new American Idol, is caught in a whirlwind of media interviews. The Birmingham native spoke to reporters via teleconference earlier this afternoon about the meanest thing Simon Cowell said to him, why his dream woman should cook and what he would’ve sung (or not sung) on the show. • The big secret Honestly, I never watched the show until I was on it. While Bo (Bice) and Ruben (Studdard) were on “American Idol,” I was trying to work and perform. All the reactions were genuine because I didn’t know what was going to happen next. It was a great thing to go through not having watched it before. • Going gray as a teen I didn’t know what to make of it. It kinda just slowly grew on me, literally. • Staying gray Me and Dean the hair artist for the show had been battling back and forth on it. I didn’t change it when I was 18; I’m not changing it now. • About judge Simon Cowell’s “Are you drunk?” remark after his performance of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” That got under my skin a little bit. But I am the American Idol, so ha ha ha ha. • And his comment at the Las Vegas audition that Hicks should “sing backup”? He never apologized to me for that comment. But you know what? No more Simon Cowell scowl. • His worst performance “Country Roads” (during country week). I think I was flat the whole song. That was the one song and the one week that I thought I was going to go home. That was a tough week musically. I thought about singing “A Country Boy Can Survive” (by Hank Williams, Jr.), and I should have. • Artists he wish he had sung Van Morrison. Paul Simon. Bob Seger — I got “Night Moves” cleared, but I decided not to sing it. • Why it’s important his dream woman can cook It just is, getting in a kitchen together and cooking meals. When I’m on the road and performing, when I come home, I want to be around the house. Being around the house is what I like to do during my spare time. • Bachelorhood (The best part of being single is) freedom to do what you please. I’m going to settle down one of these days. • His advice to “Idol” contestants Sleep as much as you can. Conserve your energy. You can get caught up in expending a lot of your energy (on distractions). Any time you have downtime, you need to spend with your feet up. If you don’t conserve your energy, it doesn’t look good on camera, and it affects your performances. • Has his style of dress changed throughout the show? When I was performing back home in Alabama, I would always dress nice for work, so to speak. • The first single, “Do I Make You Proud” The single goes on sale June 13. I’ve Taylor-ized it, and I’m just glad to make it my own. I haven’t really thought about a B side yet. • Why he’s looking forward to the tour This is the most talented year of “American Idol.” And I love working with talented people, because the more talent that you work with, the harder it makes you work as an artist. • When did he think he could win? About three weeks ago, I started feeling comfortable, just really comfortable with the music. And if I was comfortable with the music, then I knew I could win this thing. • How to win over “Idol” judges You have to really sell the song and get into the lyrics. You have to stick with it and rehearse well. • Has his life changed dramatically since winning? I’ve been grooming myself for the possibility of a big break for 10 years, and that’s really helped me. It’s a gradual process of becoming famous. If you stay in the competition, you slowly begin to be groomed for this fame and celebrity status. • What were the final vote totals? (The producers) did not tell me that. I’d like to see that. • Best part, so far, about winning As a musician and struggling performer, watching the “Tonight Show” and all the entertainers that come on it, to be interviewed on the “Tonight Show” was a moment that I’ll never forget in my career. • Memory of Memphis Going to Graceland was an honor for me. There was something magical about going there, because I had never been there before. Being from the South and from Alabama, I felt like I was at home. • The most challenging part of being on “Idol” Patience. The whole idea of hurrying up and having to wait from a production aspect. As a performer and musician, I was usually calling the shots. I’ve definitely learned how to be patient. • And he’s looking forward to … Sleeping (he’s slept six of the last 48 hours). |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:10 AM Post #5 |
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Source: Entertainment Weekly Date Published: May 25, 2006 Taylor's Made Taylor Hicks: ''I am, indeed, the American Idol.'' The season 5 champ talks to Jessica Shaw about giving up his anonymity, his hopes for his first single, and his flirty performance with Toni Braxton. By Jessica Shaw Taylor Hicks has been an official American Idol for about two hours and — hoo boy — the Soul Patrol is looking weary. He plops down in a hotel chair as he waits for a pepperoni pizza that a Fox publicist has graciously ordered for him. Part shell-shocked, part elated, the salt-and-pepper-haired crowd favorite found time to tell EW about his single, his friends, and what will become of that purple velvet jacket. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So...did you know you had it? Because I don't think anyone was all too surprised you won. TAYLOR HICKS: I was nervous. I was nervous the whole day. I just didn't want there to be a shocker, you know? I didn't want there to be the shocking event. Every week I performed as well as I could, and it worked out. I am, indeed, the American Idol. You are, indeed. Did you sleep Tuesday night after the show, or were you too nervous about the results? I really couldn't sleep last night because I knew what kind of great show we were going to have tonight. It was a wonderful, wonderful show, and I'm so excited to be having this opportunity. I'm living the American dream. During Tuesday night's show, Simon said you'd win. Did you kind of want to tell him to shut up before he jinxed you? Yeah, I did not want the jinx factor to come out, for sure. And it didn't. I thought his comment might lose it for you because Katharine's fans would be all up in arms and would vote even more often. I was just waiting until the last moment to be crowned American Idol. Katharine is a great girl and a great talent. Taylor, what's going to happen to the purple jacket? Will it sit in a glass case somewhere? Perhaps will you build a shrine? I am probably going to wear the purple jacket to the next movie I'm going to see. Which will be...? Hopefully I'll get to see a movie in the near future. Probably X-Men. I thought you guys got to see that, after Rebecca Romijn and Hugh Jackman went backstage to hook you up with bootlegs. I got to see part of it, but I want to see it in a theater and get the whole surround-sound effect. Popcorn would be nice. That way it's quiet and everyone is watching the screen instead of Tay Tay. Well, Tay Tay, are you ready to lose all anonymity? I think I knew what the American Idol stood for, and it's going to be a pretty famous ride for a while. We'll have to see what happens. I just want to make the best music I can. How did you choose your two songs, ''Levon'' and ''Living for the City''? ''Levon'' was my first song I ever sang live on the show. ''Living for the City'' was just such an arousing, awesome song. I was thrilled to be able to sing it again. Even the single, ''Do I Make You Proud?,'' is good. It's no ''Living for the City.'' How long did they give you learn the single? Two days. Two days to Taylorize. How did you Taylorize it? I just took some of the lyrics and got into them and really felt it. I think it's going to be a good single off the American Idol show. The judges didn't seem so into it. It's not up to me to choose the single. If it was up to me, I'd probably sing an original. A Taylor Hicks original? Do those exist? I have an album I released about a year ago, and it was called Under the Radar. And was it indeed under the radar? It definitely was — hopefully it won't be now. After the show went off the air, all of your boys — Chris, Ace, Elliott — ran up to you and picked you up in the air. It seems like you all got really close. Was it nice to share your victory with the guys before anyone else? We all are such a family. It's such a family-oriented thing you go through; it's such an interesting process. We're all friends, and what a great group of folks and what great talent. How did you get hooked up with Toni Braxton? It was so awesome. She's such a great entertainer and performer. I thought she was kind of flirting with you. Well, uh, you know, I'm just trying to be the best performer I can. Does that mean playing up to your new heartthrob status? I'm ready for that when I can sleep for a couple of days. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:11 AM Post #6 |
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Source: People Magazine Date Published: June 26, 2006 Taylor Fills in the Blanks The first thing I notice about a woman is... her eyes. I like a woman who is... genuine. I get weak when a woman... smiles. My favorite love song is... "I'm in Love" by Wilson Pickett. Also "Giving You the Best That I Got" by Anita Baker. If I could warn a woman about something, it would be... the career path. It's tough. A southern gentleman always...opens the door. The perfect kiss should be... soft. A kiss shouldn't be...hard, forceful. But you know what? Slobbery is not bad. The best present I've ever gotten from a woman is... a Ray Charles box set when I was about 18. I'd marry a woman if I could find one who... can be entertaining. So I don't always have to be the one to entertain. My first crush was... Kristie Lee from Huntsville, Ala. I was in the second grade. She was in the sixth. To a certain degree, I still like older women. I've dated more older women than younger women. I got my first gray hair at... 13. The most I've ever paid for a haircut was... $40. My worst habit is... driving too fast. I wish I were a better... lover. Who doesn't wish that? My mother always told me... be young, be foolish and be happy. Nothing relaxes me like... a massage. When I'm feeling down, I... sleep. My stage persona is different than the real me in that... I'm shy. Women are crazy about my... hair. I can't wait to see... the world. In college I was... broke. I'm sorry I didn't... get a college degree. I need to change... my exercise routine. I don't have one. My favorite holiday is... Thanksgiving. My words to live by are... don't ever give up on your dream, because it might come true. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ People Magazine June 15, 2006 Bachelor No.1 Taylor Hicks Lets Loose The 29-year-old American Idol is single – and looking. Who for? A woman who can 'let her hair down and can be who she is and is not pretentious about anything' Taylor Hicks Tells All As a 6'1" rocker, getting the girl has never been a problem for Taylor Hicks. Even before American Idol, "we'd go out and girls would ignore everyone else," says friend Chris Horner. "A waitress once asked Taylor what I wanted to eat. She wouldn't look away from him." During the show, that sex appeal won Hicks – whose first single is just out – fans so fervent they use a made-up word to describe his effect on them ("thud," which means to swoon). Still, he's no player. He told executive editor Liz Sporkin and senior editor Lisa Arbetter he's ready for love. "I've been in a bubble," he says. "There's been no time. Now I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with the right woman." PEOPLE: First of all, let's bust a myth. There's nothing goofy about you. Taylor Hicks: They made me out to be the goofy wedding singer. And that's completely the opposite. I'm a musician and a writer. I'm more of a deep person than the way they portrayed me on American Idol. I was just enjoying the moment. Women have been going crazy over you. What do they do when they see you? I've been completely mobbed. Some of them cry. Some of them scream. Some of them put their hands on you. Most of them want hugs. And you know, there's nothing wrong with giving a hug or two. What do you think people are connecting to? I would say being real. Just a real, down-to-earth person who's a musician. Why don't you have a girlfriend? All I've done for the last year is work on my career. There's been no time for any kind of love reaction. It's going to be interesting now. I wouldn't mind going on a date or two. Being a struggling musician is not a very comfortable position. Now I feel like I'm a little more comfortable, so my dating can increase. What are you looking for in a woman? She's gotta be cool. She's gotta be easy to get along with. And deep. Shallow does not turn me on at all. What do you like, lookswise? Natural beauty. Like the morning after, not having to wear makeup. Not even having to wear makeup to go out. And preferably tall, but there are very beautiful petite women. Do you like southern girls? They're nice. Do you find any of the American Idol girls attractive? Of course they're attractive. But I don't think I'm going to date them. Are you looking for somebody who would have accepted you before you were crowned American Idol? Yes! Yes! How will you be able to tell? By being very observant and using my instincts. Have you ever been in love? Yes. I've been in love two or three times. Maybe once I was in love with love. Ever had your heart broken? Of course my heart's been broken, and their hearts have been broken. But I was very sensible about each relationship I was in. It carried over into a good solid friendship afterward. I'm the guy you dated that you're still friends with. There are no grudges. What's gone wrong? Career had a lot to do with 80 percent of my breakups. It's very tough to date a struggling musician. The idea of it is enticing and fun and mysterious. But the reality is long hours and hard work. I have a lot of respect for the women I've dated. How do you deal with heartache? I write. Write a great love song. Sometimes I wonder if my own relationships have not been my own yearning for the great masterpiece. Name a song you've written for a girlfriend. "The Fall." It was about a bad breakup. I guess I was young and too immature to really understand the situation. I was p----- . So I wrote. [Sample lyrics: "Feelings will pass and soon have to go/ the colder the heart, the harder the wind blow/ although you're trying to make your own throughway/ you turn your back on love with the games that people play"] Do you usually write when you're angry? Sometimes. Sometimes I write when I'm happy. I'll tell you the easiest time to write: when you're lonely. Are you often lonely? Interestingly enough, I've led a pretty lonely life. So the fringe benefit of being lonely is good writing? Yeah. The muses visit when I'm lonely. But you've never had a problem attracting women. That's always been easy for you. Yeah, it seemed like it. You know what, though? I'm pretty humble. Are you a romantic? I don't know. I'm sweet. What do you do to show your sweet side? I'm very thoughtful. Maybe sweeping her driveway or buying a present. Not flowers; I think flowers are too cliché. If I was shopping with someone and she fell in love with a music box, I might buy that. Once I bought an Ann Taylor dress that I saw for somebody. I saw her drool over it, so I decided what the heck, I'd buy it for her. What's the greatest length you've ever gone to for a girl you liked? I take care of the people I'm around. When they're sick, I take care of them. Take them to the doctor. Whatever they want, I take care of it. Have you had any dating disasters? You know, I really haven't. If I'm going to ask someone out on a date, I always make sure that things are comfortable so dating disasters don't happen. Any blind dates? A couple. Luckily I was with some friends and everything was cool. What about dating online? I've surfed the Web and the whole dating connection. I find that pretty fascinating, but no real leads. Are you more aggressive or passive when it comes to women? Passive. Very much so. Passive. What did you learn about relationships from playing in so many bars? It's not really good to mix red wine and a very intimate conversation. What have you seen that's worked? The best flirting technique would be not to flirt at all and just let it happen. Have you come close to marriage? No. Do you want to get married? It's a whole lot easier to think about now. I had to deal with being somewhat of an outcast because it's not socially acceptable to be a struggling musician. There have been times where I've felt sorry for the person I was dating. I felt she deserved better. Do you want children? I want a little girl. I do have a name picked out. What is it? I won't tell. Why a girl? Because I have the band. I have my brother. I'm surrounded by all guys. How did you impress women on a budget? By using my head. I think cooking is a whole lot cheaper than going out. Do you cook? I do. I have this really great southern spaghetti recipe. There's one magical ingredient. I can't tell you what it is. Come on. No. Please? Okay, it's brown sugar. When you were struggling, what would you do when you got some money? Take myself out to eat. I love going out to eat because I'm always entertaining. I'm always entertaining people, so I get entertained by food. And hopefully, a woman soon. If you had nothing to do on a Sunday, what would you do? I would probably start a pot roast early in the morning. I wouldn't eat all day. I would wait. I'd check e-mails. Listen to some really great jazz. If it were nice out, I'd probably sit out on the deck. My apartment has a wonderful view of Birmingham. Do you still have the apartment? I just gave it up, so I'm homeless right now. I think that's really cool. I'm a free spirit in every sense of the word. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:12 AM Post #7 |
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Source: The Wave Magazine Date Published: August 2006 Taylor Made We talked to the American Idol. Are you jealous or what? By Loni Reeder Since winning America’s most watched reality show competition, Taylor Hicks has gone on to become a Billboard No. 1 artist, a Ford Motor Company spokesman, People Magazine’s “hottest bachelor,” and a soon-to-be best-selling author, having just signed a deal with Random House’s Crown imprint for the Spring 2007 release of his memoir, Heart Full of Soul. With all the hoopla surrounding this overnight sensation (10 years in the making), it wasn’t easy to get him on the phone. But after a barrage of emails, dozens of calls to different management and publicity teams, and countless reschedulings, we finally got a few minutes with the American Idol. The Wave: You didn’t really get serious about music until your college years – what was the catalyst for you in choosing that road? Taylor Hicks: You know, I guess what happened was – I started playing harmonica to air conditioners and planes – you know, and once that started happening, when I was a kid, I started repeating the harmonica sounds on the Supertramp album Breakfast in America. And then when I got older, I started to play in clubs, but it didn’t really click – and I didn’t really want it to click – until I wrote my first song on the guitar that I taught myself how to play. Once I started getting a positive reaction from some of the music that I was writing when I was around 17 and 18 years old, then I realized that nobody taught me how to do this, and I knew then that it was a gift. So I knew kind of deep down inside that this was what I was supposed to be doing. And I haven’t looked back ever since. TW: Which comes first, the words or the music? Explain your songwriting process. TH: You know, it’s different each time. The music will come to you at one point in time, or the words will come to you in the next point in time. So, it all depends on what hits you first: a lyric that you really like, or something that you’ve done on the guitar that you think is really cool. It’s different each time. TW: Do you have any songs “in the vault” waiting to be recorded? TH: Well, I’m starting to break out songs from way back when, and I’m starting to collaborate with some people. And I’m very excited about moving forward in the writing process. Just being able to have these opportunities – this opportunity to be able to experience everything that I need to put a great album together. It’s such a blessing. I really get to expand on some ideas that I’ve always had, but not necessarily had the means to do them. TW: It’s nice having those means now, huh? TH: It is – very! You know, here’s my deal: I just want to be able to play good, live music. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and in some form or fashion, I’ll always be doing it. TW: It’s all about the music, right? TH: Yeah, and you know, this album that I’m doing – I had a snobbish approach about [not wanting] somebody sending me music – and you know, that barrier has been completely broken by some of the great songwriters who have sent me music in the last couple of weeks. TW: With all of the Idol hoopla that is going on right now, is it hard to find quiet moments? TH: Yeah, you know, right now, quiet moments are like Powerball numbers in this gig. It’s pretty tough to have those, but I find time on my days off to just relax and pick up the old guitar – I’ve got some ideas workin’. TW: We’ve heard you’re traveling with a really interesting, smaller six-string guitar on the bus – a backpack version, if you will. TH: Yeah, we have one on the bus, but [it belongs to fellow Idol contestant] Bucky [Convington], so we all kind of take turns playing it. TW: The word is you won’t be releasing your album in November, as was first announced. TH: No. If you look at it, it’s just going to be really tough. I’m hoping and pushing for Christmas – I’m pushing as hard as I can to get it out as quickly as possible, but also to uphold the quality and integrity of my artistry, because that’s the most important thing. I’m into “quality” over “quantity.” That might not be what the record label wants to hear, but that’s what they’re going to have to hear. TW: You have a book coming out next spring called Heart Full of Soul. Will the Idol tour be followed by a book signing tour? TH: I’m sure they’ll want me to do a book signing tour, and I’m really excited about that aspect, too, because any way that will allow me to talk about the music, you know, I’m up for. Any way that I can be able to let people know that “Hey, this has been a 10-year overnight success story,” and some of the ideas I’ve had in trying to get here can be applied to not just to the music business, but to any business, or any life experience. TW: Finish the following sentence: “Taylor Hicks is…” TH: Taylor Hicks is a genuine working musician! What you see is what you get. Luckily, this whole experience of supposedly “being plucked from society to musical fame and musical fortune” hasn’t changed me as a person one bit. I’m just very ecstatic, from a working musician’s aspect, that I get to sell more tickets. I’ve just got to keep working on my craft each day, you know? |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:12 AM Post #8 |
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Source: The Birmingham News Date Published: August 6, 2006 Taylor comes home Hicks hints at surprises, talks about future as 'Idol' tour heads toward city By Mary Colurso Right now, Taylor Hicks cannot tell all. But during a phone conversation sneaked into a break on the "American Idols Live" tour, he can tell some. About his debut disc for the Arista label, for example. About a book project that's in the works. And about his desire to make music with a certain member of the New York Yankees. Before we get to these tantalizing topics, however, you should know that Hicks, 29, will be back in his hometown shortly, performing here Tuesday on an official stop of the "Idols Live" tour. He and other finalists from the Fox TV reality series have been traveling since July 5, and will visit 50 cities before the tour ends Sept. 24. Tuesday's 7 p.m. concert at the BJCC Arena - which also features "Idol" favorites such as Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Ace Young and Kellie Pickler - has been sold out for months. Same goes for a Monday date by the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, Hicks' Birmingham bandmates. Their 8 p.m. show at WorkPlay is likely to include appearances by what the nightclub has billed as "very special guests." Ask Hicks to clarify - will he be joining his friends on stage, as expected? - and he responds this way: "You never know. Or should I say, `wink-wink.'" Fans don't need a nudge-nudge to figure that out, nor should they be surprised to see some of Hicks' "Idol" tour partners at WorkPlay, as well. The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra has scheduled about five shows in cities across the country, all closely linked to "Idol" tour stops. Hicks crashed the party at the first of these - on Aug. 1 at Coyote Joe's in Charlotte - and brought Yamin, Young and Bucky Covington with him. "It was just breathless," said one rapturous fan in an Internet posting. "Everyone went nuts." As the "Idol" juggernaut makes its journey throughout the United States, Hicks remains upbeat yet circumspect in his own public statements about the tour. Understandably so, as he's the prime representative of the "Idol" franchise for the next couple of months and the undisputed headliner. "A lot of the kinks are worked out," he says. "We're all in a groove of our own." A team effort Hicks does explain, however, why he recently trimmed his part of the show, a triumphant mini-set near the end of the evening that initially included eight songs. These days, he keeps it to five: "Jailhouse Rock," "Hollywood Nights," "Living for the City," "Do I Make You Proud" and "Takin' It to the Streets." "I feel like less is more on this tour," he says. "This show is not about me; it's about us. We're all offering a taste of what we can do. That's the mentality I have. People are not there to see me; they're there to have the experience we had on the (TV) show." Thus far during the tour, Hicks' spare time has been filled with diversions large (shaking hands with President George W. Bush) and small (a wee-hours run for breakfast food in Belmont, N.C.). From the White House to the Waffle House, we might say. Still, Hicks emphasizes that he remains focused on career planning and spends plenty of time deciding on his next moves in the entertainment industry. "It's been intense, taking care of business and staying on top of it," he says. "There are so many aspects of it. The basic fundamentals are the same as when I was in the Taylor Hicks band. But the rewards are bigger, and the people are bigger." Take Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams, for example. Although best known for his prowess on the baseball field, Williams has earned respectful acclaim as a guitarist and composer. His 2003 jazz album for the GRP label, "The Journey Within," included collaborations with Bela Fleck, Ruben Blades and Gilberto Santa Rosa. "Bernie Williams is one of my favorite baseball players," Hicks says. "I could be sitting in with him soon, possibly." He doesn't elaborate. For the record, Hicks was spotted near the dugout at Yankee Stadium on July 17, the day after an "Idols Live" concert at Nassau Coliseum. The Gray-Haired Guy also hints that he's been working on a book based on his personal journal and tour memorabilia. "I've been keeping memories, making notes, taking photographs," he says. "People can take that and run with it." Tight schedule Hicks is most forthcoming when the conversation turns to his next CD, which Arista has announced for release on Nov. 14. "No. That's wrong," he says. "It's going to be hard to get it all done, just six weeks after the tour is over with. For me, quality wise, it's tough to push for an album so soon after this aggressive, 50-city tour." Currently, Hicks says, he's in the "collecting phase," developing tunes as time allows - a scant 10 days off - and listening to material that's been submitted for his approval. "Some of it has been cheesy," he says. "I thought I'd get a lot of schlock to begin with, and it was. But there are a couple of gems that we've heard." Originals, preferably new ones, should be part of the mix, but Hicks says he isn't going to insist on total domination of the credits in the liner notes. "I've been writing with some people," he says. "I'm being set up with writing appointments by that label that will allow me to dig in and write some music. Ultimately, though, it's not about your song. It's about THE song." Hicks has one final point to make, and in the "American Idol" world, it's a definite break with tradition. He intends to work with a single producer, seeking a stronger measure of creative control and a cohesive disc that reflects his vision. "I'm not into having a lot of fingers in the pie," he says. "I've self-produced two albums already and could probably be a co-producer on this. You can't teach an old dog new tricks." |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:13 AM Post #9 |
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Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press Date Published: August 17, 2006 'Idol' Taylor Hicks talks about takin' it on the road By Ross Raihala With his shock of prematurely gray hair and decidedly unhip influences — Michael McDonald, anybody? — Taylor Hicks is the most unlikely "American Idol" winner yet. Not only that, he's one of the most popular, too. The Birmingham, Ala., native was the third champion — after Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood — never to hit the bottom three on the show, which earned record-high ratings with Hicks. After spending years toiling on the wedding/coffeehouse/bar circuit, Hicks has graduated to headlining status on the American Idols Live tour, which stops Tuesday in St. Paul. We spoke to Hicks, who turns 30 in October, from a tour stop in Milwaukee. Q. You're in the middle of a three-month tour with almost 60 shows. That's a pretty grueling schedule. A. (Laughs.) To say the least. Q. How are you managing it? A. You just have to. You really don't have any other choice. Luckily, we're all spread out — this obviously couldn't happen if it was a (single performer). There's 10 of us. It's OK. We're having fun with it. But for me, I had been (touring) in a minivan for about 10 years. I don't mind moving from the minivan to a bus. It's definitely nicer. Q. Is your performance style evolving when you're out in front of thousands of people each night? A. The idea is that you have people who are 100 rows back and 100 rows up. You have to cater just as much to them as someone sitting in the front row. A lot of that, in my opinion, is movement. I think you really have to move across the stage more to capture that visual aspect of the performance. Q. What has been your most surreal moment since the show ended? A. Somebody told me there was a Taylor Hicks costume at the local costume shop in Birmingham. I can just see some middle-aged guy wearing the purple jacket and gray wig to a Halloween party. That's one of the many, many surreal moments. Q. Is that the kind of thing you expected after winning the show? A. No, not at all. I just want to perform good, live music. I've put a lot of time and effort into learning my craft. I'm always working on it. I got into "American Idol" to get more exposure and to keep playing live music. Q. I understand you're playing guitar and harmonica on this tour. A. Yeah, and that's nice, because for eight months (on the show), I was completely bound to performing vocally. And I had put just about as much time into rehearsing instrumentally as vocally. Q. I've also read that you don't think you'll have your debut album ready for its announced Nov. 14 release date. A. I'm trying as hard as I can, but I think it's fair to say a November release date is unlikely, due to the practical terms of touring for three months. I'm trying to write on the road. and I'm doing as much as I can under these circumstances to really start the process. Q. What should people expect from the album? A. It's going to have a soulful direction. I come from a purist idea of music — guitar, bass and drums. I have a bigger budget than I did before on my two self-released albums, so I think it'll have a more creative and hipper sound. I'm excited about that. Q. You also just signed a book deal. A. The book is a musical journey that's taken me to this point. It's a little on the inspirational side, not as much a memoir. I'm using some of the things that have got me to this point. It's going to be great. Any time I can share the experiences of my music, I'm willing to do that. Q. Paris Bennett is our hometown girl. Do you have any Paris stories to share? A. I love Paris' mom — they are the sweetest people in the world. When I was sick on the show, she gave me some garlic pills, and within 24 hours, I wasn't sick anymore. I paid them all back by taking them out for some really good soul food. Q. You're the second "American Idol" winner from Birmingham, following Ruben Studdard, and Bo Bice and Diana DeGarmo have ties to the city as well. What is it about that place, anyway? A. It's in a centralized location in the South, so people can get to it easily. There's a good music scene there, too. It's just one of those things — I was glad Ruben and Bo paved the way and let other people know they had a shot at it, too. Q. "American Idol" auditions are coming up here in Minneapolis on Sept. 8. Any advice for would-be Idols? A. Talking on your cell phone too much will lead to your voice going out. Seriously — be careful about how much you talk on the cell phone, because you want your voice for the audition. Q. And maybe go audition in Birmingham? A. (Laughs.) I would take every opportunity possible. Audition everywhere you can. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 11:13 AM Post #10 |
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Source: The Birmingham News Date Published: August 18, 2006 Been there, done that: Hicks recalls his 'Idol' auditions By Mary Colurso If you end up with 74094 pasted on your chest during the "American Idol" auditions in Birmingham, consider yourself lucky. That's the number Taylor Hicks received in Las Vegas last year when he tried out for the Fox TV reality series. Hicks, as we all know, breezed through the preliminaries and grabbed the coveted singing title during Season Five. Hard work, natural talent and good fortune will be required of anyone hoping to repeat such a performance in Season Six. The first hurdle - an important one - must be leaped on Monday during auditions for "Idol" at the BJCC Arena. Advance registration will take place Saturday and Sunday, also at the BJCC. The process may have changed a bit from when Hicks went through it, but while you're waiting to be tagged and ticketed, you might want to ponder the experiences of a winner. Contestant 74094 had no problem recalling the circumstances of his first three auditions, from the cattle-call quickie to his encounter with the judging troika. Here's what Hicks said: Getting ready: "I stayed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I think the number of auditioners there might have been the smallest of all the cities that year. That was odd; it's the showplace capital of the world. I had to go a day before to sign up and get a wristband. The convention center was huge." Waiting in line: "I came back the next morning. You had to be there at 5 a.m. There were about 5,000 to 6,000 people. I was kind of in the middle of the pack. I had some second thoughts about going, but I went. It was a very cold, clear, beautiful morning." What he saw: "Lots of characters. One guy was dressed up with light bulbs all over him, and they were on. He could have been a spokesperson for Sylvania. I could see that a lot of people were there for the experience. I was probably the oldest contestant there." How he behaved: "I didn't fall in with all the singing and screaming and banner waving. I was somewhat excited, but I kept quiet and kept to myself. I was kind of like the weird, gray-headed guy in the corner. People couldn't figure me out." Passing the time: "You didn't need a book in that line. You could write one." How long he waited: "About four hours. I just soaked it all in. I did have my own little `American Idol' experience, because God was on my team that day." The first step: "There are five or six of you in line. You step forward and sing. I did `Swanee River Rock' by Ray Charles. Yes, I was nervous. But I sang to the producers and to Las Vegas cops who were there. I kind of entertained the scene in this little, curtained area. There were 12 of those curtained-off areas. Nobody else in my line went through." Moving on: "I went to sit in a room with about 100 people. You get a number and go and sit some more. Then you go in front of the executive producers. That took about five more hours. It was long. I kind of had a good feeling I would make that first cut, but I wasn't as sure about this one." The second cut: "They bring five people up and sit them against a wall. You go in and two British guys are sitting there in chairs. That was Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick. There are huge lights and big TVs. They asked me, `What's your story?' I said, `I'm broke.' I sang `Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing' by Marvin Gaye. I wanted to sell them the lyrics to a good song. Then I did `A Change is Gonna Come' by Sam Cooke." The reaction to his singing style: "They said, `We don't want to hear Joe Cocker, Taylor. We want to see Taylor Hicks.' They said, `The judges are going to chew you up and spit you out.' But they put me through." What happened next: "I walked out and listened to a guy doing an interview. Then I did an interview. I went back to the hotel and called people who said, `I'm not surprised.' I had a day to chill and lost some money gambling. I started to realize this was an opportunity. This might be my break! I decided to eat something good. I went through some songs and practiced them by myself." On the third day: "The next day, I went to the Renaissance Hotel at 5 a.m. Some very interesting people were still in line. Extra and E! were going up and down the line. The time came for me to do an interview with Ryan Seacrest. He made a couple of comments about my hair. I told him it wasn't spray painted." Facing the judges: "I walked in with my hands in my pockets. I sang, `A Change is Gonna Come.' Ken (Warwick) came around the corner and said, `Take your hands out of your pockets and do what you do.' It took about 20 seconds. It was the same set-up as the day before, with lights and cameras and TVs. Paula and Randy were taken aback. They said I was a throwback. Paula and Randy said, `Yes.' Simon said, `No way.'" Fame is gonna come: "I walked out and it dawned on me that I was going to Hollywood. A Fox news channel, E! and Extra came over and did interviews. They asked a lot of stuff about my age and how odd it was that I had gray hair. It all came together there. I went back to my hotel room. I told some friends and my family the news. It felt cool, and I was excited, but by that time, I don't think it had really sunk in. And I still had to go through the Hollywood round. My brother, who's an avid watcher of the show, said that's the hardest thing to do." |
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11:09 PM Jul 30