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| Topic Started: Jan 31 2008, 12:36 PM (242 Views) | |
| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:36 PM Post #1 |
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posted at the Whomp Swamp by mouser SOUL MUSIC JUST MADE SENSE --------------------------------------- Source: Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune Date Published: March 22, 2007 Taylor Hicks: Fading to gray By Jon Bream Taylor Hicks ' career soared with "American Idol," but now his music is missing on the charts and radio. We got five minutes to find out why. A record number of viewers watched Taylor Hicks grab the "American Idol" crown in May. His CD zoomed to No. 2 in December. But since then, the silver-haired singer's profile has faded faster than a Just for Men dye job. This month, Entertainment Weekly questioned why his single, "Just to Feel That Way," hasn't cracked the Hot 100 and why his self-titled album hasn't made as sustained a splash (although it has topped 650,000 in sales) as debuts by previous Idols Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Stubbard and Carrie Underwood. EW speculated that it was a combination of Hicks' unhip look, untrendy sound and unwillingness to consider advice from execs at J Records. Or maybe it's just that his "Idol" moment is fleeting. With the 30-year-old guitarist/harmon-ica player coming Sunday for a sold-out concert at Mystic Lake Casino, we were promised a quarter-hour on the phone with him. But someone from his management explained that the Alabaman was crunched for time, so our 15 minutes became five. Will the same be said of his career? Here's what Hicks, master of the one-sentence sound-bite answer, had to say in a lightning-round interview before his management person stepped in to end it. Q: How's the tour been going? A: It's been going great. Q: What can we expect? A: It's a high-energy show. It's got a big, soulful sound. Q: What's been the biggest challenge since you've exited the "Idol" world? A: Just putting everything together for this tour. You're out on tour. This is your tour. Q: What does being on tour mean to you? A: Everything. A lot. This is where I thrive as a musician and a performer. Q: Is this something you've been looking forward to? A: It is. I've been doing it for a long time, too, in my own little way. Now it's my own little big way. Q: On the album, you worked with an established hit producer in Matt Serletic [Matchbox Twenty, Santana, Aerosmith]. How much artistic freedom did you have? A: I really made the record with my own artistic direction in mind. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. That's the way I was on this record. Q: What's your honest assessment of how it came out? A: Pretty good. The songs are great. It's a modern spin on soul. Q: What's the best thing that's happened to you since you won "Idol" -- and the worst? A: The best thing is that I get to keep playing my music. I don't think there is a worst thing. I'm very happy right now. Q: If I were a betting man and I had to set an over/under number on the number of times you'll shout "soul patrol" at Mystic Lake Casino, what would that number be? A: Ten. Yeah. Q: You're playing a casino where REO Speedwagon, Randy Travis and Olivia Newton-John play. It's not the hippest room in town. How do you feel about playing a casino at this point of your career? A: I've always wanted to play a casino. I've been in some pretty unhip places myself, you can say. Q: Is being hip important to you? A: No, not really. Being musical and having a good time is. Q: I thought maybe you'd want to play First Avenue here. I know you're a Prince fan. A: Yes, I am. Q: What does Prince's music mean to you? A: Well, his saxophone player for a number of years is on this tour with me. Brian Gallagher. Q: But what does Prince's music mean to you? A: Well, uh, he's one of the greats. I've been listening to him a long time. Q: And I understand you used to sing some of his songs. A: Oh, yeah, as a kid. Q: How do you feel about the comparisons of your album with the ones released by last year's other "Idol" finalists? A: I think they're all great. You can't pigeonhole us as artists. We've all got our own thing going on. Each artist is different. Q: When was the last time you talked to or saw any of them? A: I saw Kat and Chris at a pre-Grammy party. Over Christmas, I saw Kellie. Q: Who has been tougher on you: Simon Cowell or the music critics? And why? A: That's a tough one. I would have to say, I don't know. That's a good question. Both. Q: How does that kind of criticism affect you? A: It doesn't affect me. I don't let it affect me, either way. I just keep doing what I'm doing. Q: What motivates you at this point of your life and career? A: Well, the music and the fans. Q: What do you consider your strengths and your weaknesses? A: Weaknesses -- I've got to become a better songwriter. Strengths are performing and entertaining. Q: Why do you think you're so popular? A: I guess I'm an entertainer. Q: Do you think some of your success had to do with you being the anti-"Idol"? You were the entertainer and not the person with the killer, multi-octave voice. A: Yeah, I think so. I'm into entertaining people. It's what I do. Q: Do you feel like a musical outcast in that sense? A: A little bit. But I just do what I do, and my fans enjoy what I do. And that's what I'm about. Q: What kind of impact do you think your success has had on others who are trying out for "American Idol"? A: I just hope it's more musical. I hope the musicians' aspect comes into play. Q: Speaking of the musicians' aspect, how did you learn how to play harmonica? A: Listening to Supertramp albums and listening to airplanes and air conditioners. Q: What do you mean by that? A: I would play off of them for tone. Q: So you were self-taught on harmonica? A: Yeah. And guitar. Q: At what age did you start those instruments? A: About 13, 14. Q: What we saw of you on TV was only part of the story. Please tell us what Taylor Hicks is really like. A: I'm just a genuine guy trying to make it in a pretty interesting business, the music business. Q: Speaking of making it in the music business, what did you feel about the article in Vibe that called you the new Elvis? A: I thought it was great. I'm just trying to be the best artist I can be. Q: You studied journalism at Auburn University. What do you think the angle on a story should be on you at this point? A: Watching this grow. I think there should be an eye on how I use this platform to become the best artist I can be, in a positive light, which is hard to come by these days, man. Q: How much of your on-stage presence is a character? Is that really you? A: I'm me. I'm an entertainer on stage. I guess whatever makes up Taylor the entertainer on stage is me. I'm pretty quiet off stage. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:36 PM Post #2 |
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Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer Date Published: March 23, 2007 Immortality aside, Taylor Hicks is going for professional longevity By John Soeder Last year, he was crowned "American Idol" champ. Now he's on tour, promoting his self-titled major-label debut. Gray-haired, brown-eyed soulster Taylor Hicks, 30, took a break from signing autographs in Huntsville, Ala., to wax philosophical with us via phone. He'll be in town March 31 for a sold-out gig at the House of Blues Cleveland. Q: If it's OK with you, I want to go a bit deeper than just asking who you think the next "American Idol" will be. Can we talk soul? A: That sounds like a great topic. Q: Aristotle described the soul as "the first actuality of a natural organic body." Do you have any idea what he meant? A:Hmmm. Well, I think basically he's saying there are two separate entities. One is physical, and one is spiritual. I took some philosophy courses [at Auburn University]. But bar music was my major. I'm about 30 [credit] hours shy of a journalism degree. Q: You could've had my job. A: No thanks. I don't see how you guys do it. Q: Plato broke down the soul into three parts -- rational, spirited and appetitive -- concerned with thought, will and emotion, respectively. Are you more of a rational person or an emotional person? A: I would say more emotional. I think you have to be, if you're an artist. You have to connect with your audience emotionally. Q: Who knew more about soul -- Plato or Ray Charles? A: Plato could definitely write it better. But Ray Charles could definitely perform it better. I stumbled across "I Can't Stop Loving You" when I was probably about 15. That was the foundation for my music, the base root of my musical tree. It was a great starting point, from which I've branched off into other areas of music. Ray Charles was the greatest emoter of music who ever lived. I just listen to him over and over again. Q: They say Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads, in exchange for awesome musical talent. Have you struck any similar deals? A: [Laughs] Yeah. I'm kind of stuck here. I don't want to, uh -- I did strike a deal with the devil, in more ways than one. Q: You're not referring to anyone associated with "Idol," are you? A: No! Not at all. Q: Nietzsche said, "A noble soul is not the one that can manage the highest flights, but the one that rises very little and falls very little but always dwells in a free, resplendent atmosphere and altitude." Do you buy that? A: I buy it wholeheartedly. That's a beautiful quote, because that's my philosophy right now. I want to be a career artist, as opposed to a flavor of the month. The rising and the falling -- in my opinion, those are signs reminiscent of longevity in a music career, y'know? That's kind of how I see my career. Q: Speaking of longevity, various religions hold the soul to be immortal. A: I believe that. I'm a very spiritual person. I believe for great things to happen to somebody, it's better to be spiritually aligned. I know I was. And positive things started happening. Q: So who do you think will win "Idol" this season? A: I think a girl will. I don't know who. I really can't make that prediction yet. You've really got to get into the meat of the competition first. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:37 PM Post #3 |
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Source: People Magazine Date Published: Saturday, March 26, 2007 Taylor Trims Down By Rennie Dyball Trading country-fried steak for chicken noodle soup, Taylor Hicks has shed nearly 25 pounds since his american idol win. His secrets for keeping the weight off, even on the road? Start with some highly aerobic dance moves. At a photo shoot just off 1-40 in Nashville, a newly svelte Taylor Hicks is gazing beyond the freeway with a dreamy smile. "I'm looking," he says with a wink, "at that White Castle over there." These days, last year's American Idol champ, 30, doesn't eat much White Castle. When a big preshow meal last fall made him feel "so full I couldn't move around onstage," the Alabaman—currently on a 53-city tour to promote his self-titled album—ditched fast food and such southern comforts as fried chicken in favor of salads, brown rice, fish and one unlikely dinner staple. "Chicken noodle soup is my [usual]. It's good for your throat. It's also comforting, but it's light," he says, opening a cupboard on his tour bus to reveal a generous supply. But he's not completely denying himself: A day off from the tour, he says, "is kind of like my one sin day. I look for chocolate cake. If you're gonna do it, you might as well do it that way!" At about 193 Ibs. —22 lighter than he was on Idol—the 6'1" Hicks is the same weight as when he played high school basketball. "The fans who come to my shows mean a lot to me," he says. "I want to give them a good look." With his new eating habits came a serious exercise regimen. Hicks runs for 45 minutes every other day, no matter where he is. "I just take off running, with a hat on," he says. And when covering up his distinctive gray mop, "I've walked through a thousand fans and nobody notices." But if you do spot Hicks in a crowd, try to keep an eye on him. "I'm scared about running," he says dryly. Why? "Because I might not ever come back! I would be like Forrest Gump: Run all over the country... pop up in some cool coffee house in Seattle with just my guitar." Aside from the running, "I use a lot of the stage as exercise," says the singer, whose uninhibited dancing on Idol led Simon Cowell to compare him to the stereotypical drunk uncle at a wedding. There seem to be no hard feelings: Hicks calls Cowell "a straight-up dude" and his own dance style "signature me... it's original and it's authentic." Plus, it's more cardio: "I wear jackets, and with those lights, I'm sweating off, like, two Ibs. a night!" Interview with Taylor Hicks Taylor Hicks plays the Birchmere this Sunday and Monday Q: How are you enjoying Milwaukee? A: I'm actually going to the post office right now. Q: So, how has the tour been so far? A: Great. The crowds are great. Q: Of all the finalists, you were the most experienced as far as recording and touring, so with that background, is touring now any different for you? A: I'm riding instead of driving -- that's always a good thing. But I never minded driving. It's grueling. It's tough. I've made it my life for the last 10 years. Q: Do you think you're comfortable with the fame that the show has brought? A: We'll see. This will be my first trip to the post office since I won the show. I think I am. I just stay grounded and keep everything in perspective. Q: Are members of Limbo playing with you? A: The organ player is. I've got a couple of gigs with those guys in the next few months. But I have a different band on the road. Q: Nice of you to lend some of them to Elliott last summer when he played the State Fair of Virginia. A: That was cool; it made sense. I told him that -- use Little Memphis. Q: Have you heard his album or talked to him recently? A: I haven't heard the album but have talked to him in the last couple of weeks. I've been very busy. Q: I hear you're doing [Hall & Oates'] "She's Gone." Any particular reason for that song? A: We tried it a couple of nights ago. We're always on the bus traveling and playing and learning new music and writing. It just came up and it stuck. Q: Tell me about your live show -- I assume you're playing as well as singing? A: It's an eight-piece soul band. I'm a live performer, play guitar, harmonica, blues harp. I'm more than the performer that you saw on the show. Q: Will you be playing songs from your pre-Idol days? A: Yes, playing some from "Under the Radar" and "In Your Time." Q: I saw the People magazine story last week about your weight loss. That's gotta be killing you to not eat the stuff you've been used to -- I know it would me. A: It's been quite an active year. Q: What's been the hardest thing to resist? A: Chocolate cake is very enticing . . . |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:37 PM Post #4 |
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Source: Philadelphia City Paper Date Published: April 03, 2007 American Beauty Idol winner Taylor Hicks hearts the Heartland By A.D. Amorosi Despite being a spastic 30-year-old who screams "Soul Patrol" at will, Taylor Reuben Hicks swept the fifth season of American Idol with the sheer passion of his voice. He went on to release a self-titled album and a book (Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way). We checked in with Hicks during a soundcheck for a concert in New Orleans. City Paper: Not to sound ridiculously American Idol right off the bat, but where'd you get your middle name? Taylor Hicks: My great-grandfather. He was pretty much the biggest personality in our family. City Paper: We hear a lot of things 'round here ¡X that you have a good relationship with the Simons [Fuller and Cowell]; also, that you have a bad one. Same for Nineteen Productions. Where do you stand? Taylor Hicks: It's pretty good at present. A lot of the stuff you hear about in the media is just made up. I don't think there's tension at all. City Paper: Was producer Clive Davis keen on your old-school studio thing, or did they want to mold you? Taylor Hicks: [laughs] They figured if it wasn't broke, don't fix it. You couldn't teach this old dog too many new tricks. They really didn't have any say on this record ¡X nor did they even have time to have a say. City Paper: You're doing the story of your life with [writer/producer] David Wild. Has that been an even weirder experience than winning Idol ¡X having someone dredge up stories from your past? Taylor Hicks: I'm trying to be as frank as possible. It's tough. A lot of the stuff I grew up with is coming out. You definitely know where you come from. ... It's allowing me to figure out my roots. City Paper: Condi Rice loves you. The troops adopted you. Bush Jr. digs you. What's coolest there? Taylor Hicks: Getting adopted by the troops, most certainly. Those are the guys that count. Look, we get caught up in the particulars and all. Recognizing what those guys do ¡X they're why we can walk around freely. They're outside fighting for us. City Paper: Are you Republican or Democrat? Taylor Hicks: Red and blue makes purple. I'm purple. City Paper: You've been getting flak for not selling as many records as [fourth-place Idol finalist] Chris Daughtry. Are you playing a numbers game? Taylor Hicks: It doesn't matter to me. But it makes a good headline. If you got to make a deadline, that's an easy sell. But I'm not in the numbers game. Didn't study them. If I did, I'd try my hand at being an accountant. City Paper: You talk about R&B guys like Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye as being complete packages. Where do your songs fit within the pantheon of stuff you love? Taylor Hicks: It's funny. You see Ray and Marvin and try to see where you fit. And those guys ¡X they weren't any one thing; not a country sound, or jazz, soul, blues or pop. You are what you feel in your heart. TAYLOR HICKS Wed., April 11, 8 p.m., $39.50-$49.50, with Toby Lightman, The Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets, Upper Darby, 215-336-2000 |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:37 PM Post #5 |
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April 10, 2007 8:55 AM By ED CONDRAN phillyBurbs.com Nearly a year has passed since dark horse “American Idol” contestant Taylor Hicks won the popular television competition despite his premature gray hair and innocuous soul sound. The Alabaman who inspired the Soul Patrol will showcase his eponymous major-label debut Wednesday at the Tower Theater. Hicks, 30, talks about AI, Jay Leno's claim that he's the singer's dad and reveals his actual age. Q: You recorded an album prior to performing on “American Idol.” Shouldn't that have disqualified you? A: No. That's not a violation. It wasn't on a label. It was under the radar, so that's all right. Q: What do you think of (this season's) “American Idol”? A: I haven't been able to watch it. Q: Because it's that bad? A: No, no. I've been so busy. I'm not going to make any picks. There's plenty of singing left to be done on that show. Q: You were the biggest underdog in AI history. A: I don't think the money was ever on me when I was on the show. I wouldn't have put money on me, but I won anyway. I was very fortunate. I like to play that underdog role as much as possible. I am still the underdog today. It's really hard for your songs to break on to the radio. Q: How old are you really? A: 58. Q: You have played with some impressive performers — The Drive By Truckers, Tom Petty, James Brown and Jackson Browne. What advice did they offer? A: The best advice I ever got is from Keb' Mo', who I opened for. He's been a mentor for me ever since this (success) happened. He pulled me onstage to sing with him in Birmingham two years ago. It's just been amazing being around him. Q: What's the craziest thing one of the Soul Patrol has done? A: One of them walked onto our tour bus in Milwaukee. She just said hello. She was very nice. Q: That's the craziest thing that happened to you? A: Yes. I have pretty polite fans. Q: Jay Leno refers to you as his son. You do bear a resemblance to him. A: It's the hair. Maybe I'm in his will and I can retire from this. http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/n...07-1327965.html |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:38 PM Post #6 |
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Source: The Kansas City Star Date Published: April 26, 2007 'Idol' winner Taylor Hicks is rolling on the road The reigning ¡¥American Idol¡¦ plays tonight at the Ameristar. By Timothy Finn While this season¡¦s ¡§American Idol¡¨ was dealing with the tyranny of a teen who could not sing, last year¡¦s winner was involved with more personal issues, like his first real tour. Taylor Hicks, who was crowned ¡§Idol¡¨ king in May 2006, launched his North American tour in February. If he has been plugged in to this year¡¦s ¡§Idol¡¨ drama, he¡¦s not letting on. The name ¡§Sanjaya¡¨ may be familiar to Tibetan monks in Nepal and prisoners in isolation at Guantanamo, but not so much in the Hicks camp, where the focus is on honing the live show he puts on four times a week. From a tour stop in New Jersey recently, he spoke briefly about his life as an ¡§Idol¡¨ winner. Q: How has the tour been going, generally? A: It¡¦s been awesome. The band is great; the music is very live and raw. I¡¦m very happy to get out and play good music. Q: Have you suffered any bloopers or mishaps, anything that could have ended up on YouTube? A: Probably, but I have no idea what they are. Q: How much time did you put into getting ready for this show? A: We did two weeks¡¦ rehearsal, every day. When you get on the road, things work themselves out and get smoother. Q: Is life on the road harder than you expected? A: The days are long. I start about 11 a.m. and go to 2 in the morning. But I love it. Q: Were you prepared for the rigorous schedule? A: Yeah. I worked out a little, and I eat well. The active lifestyle really helps. Once you get on a schedule, it all gets easier to deal with. Q: How many shows are you doing a week and how different are they from one night to the next? A: We do about four a week. We have about 40 songs in the bank right now, so the set list changes every night. Q: How familiar are you with what¡¦s been going on this season on ¡§American Idol¡¨? A: Not very much. I¡¦ll probably tune in when they get down to the top four. It¡¦s tough when you¡¦re touring and switching time zones to kick back and watch TV. It¡¦s the furthest thing on my mind. Q: Hypothetically, then, would it be OK if the person who won wasn¡¦t the best singer? A: I mean, it¡¦s up to America to decide. I would definitely vote for the best singing and best performance. I can¡¦t speak for anyone else. Q: What would you do to improve the ¡§Idol¡¨ format? A: You know, if it¡¦s not broke, don¡¦t fix it. Look at their numbers. So it¡¦s tough to say. I would say that I really like the new songwriting aspect. Q: Looking back, did the show give you the chance to show who you are as an entertainer? A: Considering you only have like 2 1/2 minutes, yeah, it was hard to pack it all in. Q: How did the show prepare you for what you¡¦re doing now? A: It helped me be a little cooler under pressure. Q: Some contestants who are now professional singers have said they want to establish an identity separate from the show. How do you feel about that? A: I know who I am as an artist. I¡¦m not trying to set any identity except for who I really am: I¡¦m a musician ¡X a singer, a harmonica and guitar player. And I don¡¦t mind the label at all. ¡§American Idol¡¨ got me where I am. Q: Are you thinking at all about the next album ¡X doing any songwriting? A: That¡¦s kind of tough because of the crazy schedule. I do a little writing, but we¡¦re still working the new record. The single is doing real well at AC (adult contemporary) and Hot AC. Q: Are you seeing people of all ages at your show? A: Oh yeah. From 7 to 85. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:38 PM Post #7 |
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Source: Citysearch.com Date Published: April 13, 2007 Celeb-Rated: Taylor Hicks By Tara de Lis Prematurely grey Taylor Hicks is the "Soul Patrol'-inspiring winner of "American Idol" season five. Hicks is signed to Arista Records, and had a No. 1 single with "Do I Make You Proud." Hometown: Birmingham Ona's Music Room 423 20TH St S, Birmingham, AL "This is a great jazz club that I used to play in frequently. The vibe is laid back and cool." Golden Rule Barbeque 3833 E Lake Blvd, Birmingham, AL "This place is definitely the best! Words cannot describe--Just try it and you'll see what I'm talking about!" Niki's West Steak & Seafood 233 Finley Ave W, Birmingham, AL "It's a cafeteria-style restaurant with great southern soul food. I always take people there when they are visiting Birmingham." Laser's Edge 2825 18th St S, Homewood, AL "This is a great, small independent music store, and is the only store that sells my earlier album, 'Under the Radar,' pre-'American Idol' days." Klingler's European Bakery 621 Montgomery Hwy, Birmingham, AL "They have my favorite lentil soup! Seriously, it is the best soup on the planet. Whenever I'm in town, I make sure to hit up this spot for lunch." On the Road Flora-Bama Lounge & Package 17401 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL "This place has the coldest beer on the gulf. It's right on the border of Alabama and Florida--hence the name, and it's always a party!" The Rendezvous 52 S 2nd St, Memphis, "Try it and you will see... especially the ribs. As you can see, I'm a big fan of BBQ joints. This place is a must-stop while you're in Memphis. I think Elvis ate here once." 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill 818 Third Ave S, Nashville, TN "In Nashville you can't really go wrong, but this place simply has awesome music and the best atmosphere to accommodate it." La Esquina 106 Kenmare St, New York, NY "You can try stuff as you walk through the kitchen! A favorite of many New Yorkers. And it has a pretty amazing tequila menu!" Village Pizzeria 131 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA "If you live in L.A., you know it's hard to find a really good slice. This is definitely the best pizza in L.A., hands down!" |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:39 PM Post #8 |
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Source: Atlantic City Weekly Date Published: April 12-18, 2007 Soul Mission American Idol winner Taylor Hicks hopes to keep the music playing By Lori Hoffman Taylor Hicks has spent the last 12 months riding the tornado that is American Idol. First there was his victory last May, then the Idol tour with the top 10 finalists, then hitting the studio to record his debut album, and now his first solo tour. The salt-and-pepper-haired singer, beloved by his personal fan base (the Soul Patrol) for his voice and his play-that-funky-music-white-boy dance moves, is living in that dangerous time period for an American Idol champion. His momentum from last May’s win is now fading, with the current season’s rising stars dominating the Idol chatter. His self-titled debut album, released in December, is doing OK business, but ranked fifth in first-week sales behind Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood and Hicks’ fifth-season co-star Chris Daughtry. With his tour dates selling out (including his gig this Saturday, April 14 at Borgata), his album sales should rise. Still, the pressure is on. As much as Hicks appreciates the opportunity, during a recent phone conversation he sounded a bit weary. It takes a lot of energy to keep the Taylor Hicks bandwagon on-course. Q: After all the [pre-Idol] years working small clubs, can you believe you have a hit album and are on tour? A: It’s amazing. I get up every morning and pinch myself. Q: What should your fans expect to hear during your live performance? A: I kind of draw similarities to a young Van Morrison, what he did with his shows when he was my age. Jazzy, ad-libbing, musical ... It’s a good time for all. Q: Your album seems very true to your soul roots. How did you pick the songs? A: You use your instincts. It’s easy to know a good song when you write them. [Hicks wrote and self-released two albums before his Idol success.] When you try to write songs for years, it’s easy to pick the good ones. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks as far as where he wants to go as an artist. I was in the direction I wanted and I was just helped by the label. Q: Being an Idol winner is a double-edged sword. It’s a great launching pad but there are Idol-haters out there. Are you feeling any pressure to prove that you deserved this opportunity and that you have something to give the world as a musician? A: Yeah, of course, but I don’t worry about what other people think of my situation. My job is to go out — and it’s always been — to play good music, write good music, tour good music and do it all over again. I’m happy with my audience right now. Obviously, because of American Idol it’s a lot bigger and that will allow me to tour for years. I don’t have to sell 50 million albums. Touring is my strong suit. Q: The number of American Idol contestants from last season having albums is unprecedented — Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin and Kellie Pickler. Does that make it tougher for you to stand out, or does it prove your win was against the toughest competition? A: You can look at it both ways. There were so many different genres being performed. I think that’s why we did so well. Q: You’ve lost some weight. Was that for your career or for you? A: Here’s what happened. I got on the show and I haven’t stopped. I’ve been running wide open for 12 months. I was definitely a bigger guy before all this. Q:Have you had a chance to watch this season’s American Idol? I’m usually about to go onstage when it comes on. I’ll watch some when it gets to the meat of it. Q:Will you be coming back to perform as the reigning champion? A: I’ll probably come back. Q:It took you 10 years to get here. Where do you see your career 10 years down the road? A: Just playing music, being a musician, you know. Not trying to be somebody I’m not. Q:Do you ever get a chance to kick back and relax? A: I will soon. Q:When you can take a break, what will you be doing? A: Probably diving somewhere. I’m going underwater. I might be tired at that point listening to what goes on above water. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:39 PM Post #9 |
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April 20, 2007 By Jordan Milner and Alic Knass Newsday We recently interviewed 2006's " American Idol " winner Taylor Hicks at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. He grew up in Birmingham , where he graduated from Hoover High School. Q. What goes through your mind when your're onstage? A. Sometimes you get into the groove of performing, other times you really concentrate on what you're saying or ( what instrument your're ) playing and soemtimes you're thinking about what you might have for dinner. Q. Did you ever forget lines of a song while performing? A . Yes, and I'll just make them up and improvise. Once I started singing about Texas that had nothing ot do with the lyrics of that song. Q. We read you taught yourself to play harmonica and guitar when you were in your teens. Do you play any other instruments? A. I play the organ, but not too much. Q.. You had a music career going before you auditioned for "American Idol," so why did you try out for the show? A. You go 10 years with people turning you down and without getting any ( career ) help. I'm from Alabama and it isn't like LA and New York. It's a much smaller place. I wanted to get noticed, and for people back home to see me, and " American Idol" did that. Q. When you first heard the top 20 contestants perform , who did you think would be your biggest competitor? A. I was most nervous about Paris Bennett. Q. As an " American Idol" winner, have you helped other contestants with their music careers? A. Yes. I think we all help each other in a way. Chris Daughtry and I have helped each other's careers grow. He's a rocker guy and I'm a soul guy, so we're not really competing in our music careers. It's like apples and oranges. ' Q. How did you celebrate when you won " American Idol"?. A. I saw my family and celebrated with them. Q. Do you listen to your CD at home or in your car? A. I have a hard time listening into my own music because you always hear stuff you can do better. I'm kind of shy, so if someone plays my songs at a party, I'm not comfortable. Q. You started turning gray at age 13. Did kids tease you? Did you consider dying it? A. Yes, but I really didn't let it bother me. No ( hair) dying for me. You are who you are. Q.If you could be on any TV show, which would it be? A. I'd like to be a guest star on " The Simpsons" and do the voice for a character. Q. Are you involved in any charities for kids? A. Yes. One is Kid One Transport that gives free transportation to kids in need to go to their doctors' appointments... Another is Studio by the Tracks, a free art program for kids and adults ( with autism or special needs ). They sell their artwork at an auction. Both charities are in Alabama. On the Web: find out about charities for kids that Taylor cares about at taylorcares.org. |
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| Taymanfan | Jan 31 2008, 12:40 PM Post #10 |
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Source: The Columbus Dispatch Date Published: April 24, 2007 Singer sticking to pursuit he loves By Aaron Beck Taylor Hicks, battling to push his fame beyond the 15-minute mark, would seem a likely candidate for the pages of Interview, which Andy Warhol founded in 1969. Writers, actors, photographers and other pop-culture figures chat about their "projects." Then one of their handlers sends off a recording of the breezy exchange to the magazine for printing. Early this month, a Hicks representative phoned The Dispatch and handed the receiver to the 2006 American Idol winner to promote his maiden solo tour -- stopping tonight at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. The result, in the spirit of Interview: Q: How's the tour going? A: It's going great, man -- loving the music. Q: Are you tired of shouting "Soul Patrol!"? A: No. Why would I be tired of that? Q: I thought you might have come up with a new motto by now. A: I think that slogan will stick always. Q: What's the best thing that has happened in light of your American Idol win? A: The music has definitely gotten better. Having an album released on a major label is really cool. I've enjoyed seeing all the fans. Q: Was it hard to take the judges seriously? A: Ultimately, it was up to America to decide. I wasn't too worried about it. Q: Was there ever a time you thought you might do something else? A: Music has been my key thing always. I've been really focused on trying to make it for a long time. I really didn't have any options other than this. Q: Why do you think American Idol viewers are so drawn to singers from the South? A: I definitely think the melting-pot theory of music, being that all forms are heard there, allows us to perform to a broad range of people. Q: Where do you live when you aren't touring on a bus? A: I don't have no address. I live on the bus. This is it. Q: Is that a drag, or is it what you like? A: It's both. Q: What will happen after your tour? A: I have a book coming out in July called Heart Full of Soul. Q: Oh, yes, your memoirs -- who helped you write that? A: David Wild. He's been doing a lot of Rolling Stone stuff. He's been great, helping me get the word out about my story in my words. Q: I can hear in your voice that you've done tons of interviews. What did he do to draw your story out of you? A: A lot of people ask about the stage performing, the stage philosophy of stage performing. The journey has been really interesting to go back into and write about. It's definitely let me know where I've come from. Q: Were you able to pinpoint when you decided what you wanted to do with your life? A: When I started writing music and performing it -- I think that's when I started putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. Q: How old were you? A: About 17. Q: What music were you listening to? A: Some Ray Charles, blues and jazz. Q: Where were you when you first saw a gray hair on your head? A: In front of the bathroom mirror. I was probably, like, 14 or something. It definitely stimulated my brain into thinking something was wrong. Q: Did a lot of minors ask you to buy them beer? A: My friends tried to recruit me. I took it as an insult, though, so I never did. Q: All right. I'll let you get on with your day. A: OK. Thanks, man. See you in Colum -- (Click.) Taylor Hicks will perform tonight in the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, 405 Neil Ave. Greyhound will play first; doors will open at 7. Tickets cost $15 to $35 at the pavilion and Ticketmaster outlets (614-431-3600). |
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11:21 PM Jul 30