Taylor Hicks

Infobox musical artist
Name = Taylor Hicks

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Img_capt = Taylor Hicks performs for troops aboard the USS "Ronald Reagan", docked at Coronado, California in December 2006
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Taylor Reuben Hicks
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|mf=yes|1976|10|7
Origin = Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Instrument = Vocals, guitar, harmonica, organ
Genre = Blue-eyed soul, blues, blues rock
Occupation = musician, record producer, author, songwriter
Years_active = 1995-present
Label = Independent (1997-2005)
Arista (2006-2008) Modern Whomp/Vanguard (2008-present)
Certification = Platinum
Associated_acts = Little Memphis Blues Orchestra
URL = http://www.myspace.com/taylorhicks

Taylor Reuben Hicks (October 7, 1976) is an American singer who achieved fame in 2006 as a contestant on the fifth season of "American Idol", which he won later that year. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released two independent albums. Upon winning "Idol", he was signed to Arista Records, under which his self-titled major label debut was released on December 12, 2006. His energetic stage performances and influences derived from classic rock, blues, and R&B music had earned him a following of devout fans, who have been dubbed the "Soul Patrol." He is currently on Broadway in "Grease" playing Teen Angel, the role originated by Frankie Avalon.

Biography

Early life

Taylor Hicks was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 7, 1976, to Bradley Hicks and Pamela Dickinson. His hair started turning gray by the time he was 14. He and his family moved to suburban Hoover when he was eight years old. His parents divorced, and stepmother Linda shared custody of their son until he became of age. Hicks attributed his difficult childhood as the reason for him to find solace in soul and blues music.cite web | title=Taylor Hicks Bio | publisher= Gray Charles: The Official Taylor Hicks Weblog | url= http://www.graycharles.com/index.php/taylor-hicks-bio/ | accessdate=2006-11-23] He has a younger half-brother, Sean, who would later convince him to audition for "American Idol". [cite news | last = Hunter | first = Desiree | title = 'Idol' Standout Hicks Likes Music With Soul | publisher = AP | date = 2006-05-10 | url = http://www.townhall.com/news/ap/online/entertainment/tv/D8HGIT700.html&e=15059 | accessdate = 2006-05-25 ]

He bought his first harmonica when he was 16, for $2 at a flea market in Bessemer, Alabama,"Taylor Hicks Bio"] and taught himself to play blues harp. He discovered that he possessed absolute pitch when he was able to recognize the pitches of ordinary noises and mimic them on the harmonica. [cite news | last = Graff | first = Gary | title = Unlikely ‘idol’ content with his prospects | publisher = New York Times Syndicate | date = 2006-08-11 | url = http://www.columbusdispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/08/11/20060811-D1-03.html | accessdate = 2006-08-12 ] Hicks was 18 when he wrote his first song, "In Your Time", and he taught himself to play guitar when he was 19. [cite news | last = Brantley | first = Mike | title = Alabama Idol | publisher = Mobile, Alabama Press Register | date = 2006-02-21 | url = http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/114051737735020.xml?mobileregister?etv&coll=3 | accessdate = 2006-05-26 ]

Hicks graduated from Hoover High School in 1995. He played varsity baseball, soccer, and basketball while studying in Hoover. He then majored in business and journalism at Auburn University, but lost interest and dropped out after three years. [cite news | last = Finebaum | first = Paul | title = Local American Idol contestant still keeping up with his passion for statewide sports | publisher = Alexander City Outlook | date = 2006-04-10 | url = http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/articles/2006/04/10/sports/sports04.txt | accessdate = 2006-05-25 ]

Independent music

Sound sample box align right|Music sample:listen|filename=Taylorhicksthefall30.ogg|title="The Fall" excerpt|description="The Fall" is an acoustic ballad about a painful, failed relationship. [cite news | last = Trachtenberg | first = Robert | title = Bachelor No. 1: Taylor Hicks Lets Loose | pages = 68-77 | publisher = People | date = 2006-06-26] |format=OggSample box endWhile in college, Hicks was part of a band called Passing Through, which he later quit to start his own band.cite news | last = Newsome | first = Melba | title = Overnight Star? Well, It’s Been a Long Night | publisher = The New York Times | date = 2006-12-10 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/arts/music/10news.1.html?_r=2&ref=arts&pagewanted=all | accessdate = 2006-12-11 ] In 1997, he independently recorded "In Your Time", an album which included both studio and live tracks. In 2000, he moved to pursue a music career in Nashville, Tennessee, where he worked with Nashville veterans Billy Earl McClelland and Percy SledgeTaylor Hicks Bio] to record a three-track demo but was unable to find a label that would sign him. He left Nashville after a year due to what he called the "oversaturation of the market". [ cite news | last = Colurso | first = Mary | title = Taylor-Made Trivia | publisher = The Birmingham News | date = 2006-03-28 | url = http://community.livejournal.com/taylor_hicks/35765.html | accessdate = 2006-12-06 ] Hicks returned to Alabama and launched a professional music career, performing at various venues and parties mostly around the Southeastern United States, including The War Eagle Supper Club (a popular college bar) in Auburn, Alabama. [ cite news | last = Simmons | first = Darryn | title = Fans of Taylor Hicks hope Birmingham native grabs 'Idol' title | publisher = Montgomery Advertiser | date = 2006-03-07 | url = http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060307/ENT/603070310/1005 | accessdate = 2006-07-30 ] Hicks has performed with the likes of James Brown, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Drive-By Truckers, Robert Randolph, Snoop Dogg,and Keb Mo. [ cite web |url=http://wbhm.org/Tapestry/bands/TaylorHicks.html |title=WBHM Interview with Taylor Hicks |accessdate=2007-01-13 |format=HTML] He also performed in the huge infield of Talladega Superspeedway in 2004 during a NASCAR race weekend. After Hicks won "Idol", driver David Stremme said that he hoped Hicks would come back for the October race weekend there. [ cite news | last = Wackerlin | first = Jeff | title = Idol Winner Has NASCAR Ties | publisher = Racing One | date = 2006-05-24 | url = http://www.racingone.com/article.asp?artnum=28352 | accessdate = 2007-01-14 ]

He recorded, produced, and released a second album, "Under the Radar", in 2005. Despite releasing two albums prior to appearing on "American Idol", he did not violate their requirements for contestants, as he had never held a recording contract. [cite web |url=http://www.taylorhicks.com |title=Official Taylor Hicks Website |accessdate=2007-01-13 ]

Hicks has allowed audience members to record his concerts for personal, non-commercial use, has authorized the Internet Archive to create a section for fans to upload and share their recordings. The Archive does not accept the upload of concerts recorded after January 1, 2006 due to the terms of his "American Idol" contract. [cite web |url= http://www.archive.org/details/TaylorHicks|title= Taylor Hicks collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive |accessdate=2007-01-13 ]

"American Idol" 2006

Hicks auditioned for "American Idol" in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 10, 2005. Hicks passed the audition by the approval of judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, but not Simon Cowell, who said that Hicks would never make it to the final round. On Hicks' first performance for the voting public, Cowell called back to this quote, admitting he was wrong.

On the May 10, 2006, results show, Hicks along with Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin, were announced as the Top 3 finalists. On May 12, Idol producers brought Hicks to Birmingham for a weekend of promotional events including television interviews for the local FOX affiliate, a downtown parade, concerts, and an audience with Governor Bob Riley. [ cite news | last = Brantley | first = Mike | title = Taylor Hicks' 'Soul Patrol' goes global | publisher = Mobile, Alabama Press Register | date = 2006-05-23 | url = http://www.al.com/entertainment/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1148376053273630.xml&coll=3 | accessdate = 2006-05-25 ] [cite press release | title = American Idol and Taylor Hicks come to Hoover! | publisher = City of Hoover, Alabama | date = 2006-05-15 | url = http://www.ci.hoover.al.us/CitySub.asp?PageID=32&action=view&nid=215 | accessdate = 2007-01-13 ] May 12 was proclaimed "Taylor Hicks Day" and Hicks was given the key to the city. [ cite press release | title = Proclamation of Taylor Hicks Day | publisher = City of Birmingham, Alabama | date = 2006-05-12 | url = http://ci.bham.al.us/pressrele/may06/TaylorHicks.pdf | accessdate = 2007-01-13 ] Also on May 12, Gov. Riley issued a proclamation making May 16 "Taylor Hicks Day". [cite press release | title = Proclamation of Taylor Hicks Day | publisher = State of Alabama | date = 2006-05-12 | url = http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/proc-2006-05-12-hicks.asp | accessdate = 2007-01-13 ]

Hicks was named the new American Idol on May 24, 2006, winning the title over McPhee, with over 63.4 million votes cast in total. The proclamation was aired to a worldwide audience of 200 million television viewers. [cite video | people = Hart, Mary (reporter) | medium = TV series | title = Entertainment Tonight | date = 2006-05-25 ] With his win at age 29, Hicks became the oldest person to win "American Idol".

In June 2006, Ford Motor Company, the show's major sponsor, signed Hicks to promote Ford's "Drive on Us" year-end sales event. [cite press release
title = Ford signs American Idol winner Taylor Hicks to star in national advertising | publisher = Ford Motor Company | date = 2006-06-14 | url = http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=23630 | accessdate = 2007-01-13 ] He was also named Hottest Bachelor by "People" magazine for 2006, appearing on the magazine's cover. [ cite news | title = 'American Idol' Winner Taylor Hicks Is The Most Eligible Bachelor | publisher = World Entertainment News Network | date = 2006-06-15 | url = http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/06/15/american_idol_winner_taylor_hicks_is_the/ | accessdate = 2006-07-22 ]

Post-"Idol" career

url = http://www.graycharles.com/index.php/2006/09/29/goldplaque/ | accessdate = 2006-12-21 ]

Hicks made guest appearances in concerts by Snoop Dogg, Widespread Panic, and Willie Nelson, among others.Newsome, Melba. "Overnight Star?".] Hicks also joined his fellow Top 10 "Idol" finalists on the American Idols LIVE! Tour which ran from July to September. The members of the former Taylor Hicks Band, formed by Hicks two years prior, regrouped as the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra and shadowed the Idols' tour route. Hicks occasionally appeared as a "special guest" when circumstances permitted, and was even accompanied at times by the other Idols, such as Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Ace Young, and Bucky Covington. [ cite news | last = Colurso | first = Mary | title = Taylor Comes Home | publisher = The Birmingham News | date = 2006-08-06 | url = http://www.al.com/entertainment/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1154856322240230.xml&coll=2&thispage=1 | accessdate = 2006-12-22 ]

In August 2006, Hicks' lawyers sued a producer with whom he worked in Nashville, for redistributing without permission songs that Hicks had copyrighted in 1997. The lawsuit was dropped when the masters were handed over to Hicks. [cite news | last = Harris | first = Chris| title = Taylor Hicks Files Suit To Halt Digital Release Of Early Recordings | url = http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1539310/08242006/hicks__taylor.jhtml | publisher = Country Music Television | date = 2006-08-26 | accessdate = 2006-11-01]

In the same month, it was announced that Hicks received a $750,000 (USD) deal to write a memoir of his life. [cite news | last = Silverman | first = Stephen M. | title = Taylor Hicks Prepares Memoir, Billboard | publisher = People | date = 2006-08-04 | url = http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1222950,00.html | accessdate = 2007-01-13 ] Titled "" and ghostwritten by "Rolling Stone" writer David Wild, the book was released in July 2007 by Random House.

2006-2007: "Taylor Hicks"

Studio recording sessions for the eponymous major label debut "Taylor Hicks" ran in Calabasas, California between October and November 2006, and took six weeks in total. [cite podcast| url = http://www.paulandyoungron.com/cc-common/podcast.html | title = Interview on the Paul and Young Ron Show | host = Paul and Young Ron
date = 2006-11-21 | accessyear=2006 | accessdate = 2006-11-22 ] The album was released on December 12, 2006 and debuted at the number two spot on the Billboard 200 charts. [ cite news | last = Cohen | first = Jonathan | title = Taylor Hicks Unveils 2007 Tour Plans | publisher = Billboard | date = 2006-12-27 | url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003525483 | accessdate = 2006-12-28 ] It was certified as a platinum album by the RIAA on January 17, 2007. [cite press release
title = American Idol Champ Taylor Hicks' Self Titled Debut Album is Certified Platinum by the RIAA
publisher = Arista Records
date = 2007-01-17
url = http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070117/nyw118.html?.v=86
accessdate = 2007-01-18 ] Hicks embarked on a three-month US promotional tour for his album that started on February 21 in Jacksonville, Florida, and ended in Seattle, Washington on May 12. [cite news | last = Kilgore | first = Kim | title = Taylor Hicks Rolls out Album, Tour Dates | publisher = Live Daily | date = 2006-12-12 | url = http://www.livedaily.com/news/11174.html?t=104 | accessdate = 2006-12-22 ]
December 16, 2007, Hicks performed "Do I Make You Proud" live together with 6 Asian Idol finalists in Jakarta Indonesia. Hicks also performed on the American Idol (season 6) finale at the Kodak Theatre on May 23, 2007.

2008: "Early Works"

Despite winning American Idol 2006, Hicks' post Idol career had its ups and downs. Arista Records confirmed in January 2008 that it had dropped Hicks from its roster. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22544644/ ‘Idol’ winner Taylor Hicks loses record deal - Music - MSNBC.com ] . See also [http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/01/two-idol-winner.html Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard dropped from J Records?] by Shirley Halperin. EW.com. January 3, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-05.] J records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG, also announced that they were releasing Hicks from his recording contract. [CNN Jan 8, 2008, "An Idol loses his Record Deal"] Hicks has the lowest selling American Idol winners album.

Early January, Taylor Hicks made this statement on his Myspace page:

As of June 2008, Hicks has signed a distribution deal with Vanguard/Welk records to distribute a compilation album "Early Works". At this time, he is also starring in "Grease" on Broadway as the Teen Angel. [http://www.nypost.com/seven/06202008/tv/hicks_finds_niche_116267.htm] Early Works was released on August 12, 2008. [http://www.amazon.com/Early-Works-Taylor-Hicks/dp/B001C4ZQG6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1216677552&sr=8-1]

Taylor has also been part of the concert series that airs on HDNET.

oul Patrol

Hicks's fanbase has been dubbed the "Soul Patrol". The phrase started among his Internet fan base after the episode of Hicks's "Idol" auditions aired, but it is difficult to trace its exact origin. Hicks frequently mentioned the Soul Patrol after performances on "Idol", which was best shown after winning the competition—Ryan Seacrest asked if he had any parting words and Hicks yelled, "Soul Patrol!". [cite video | people = Gowers, Bruce et al. (directors) | title = American Idol | medium = TV-Series | publisher = Fremantle Media | location = United States | date = 2006-05-24 ]

During a promotional event for "Idol" in Alabama, Hicks "inducted" Governor Bob Riley and his wife into the Soul Patrol. [cite news | last = Brantley | first = Mike | title = 'American Idol' star Taylor Hicks dazzles fans on visit home, adds Gov. Riley to Soul Patrol | publisher = Mobile, Alabama Press Register | date = 2006-05-13 | url = http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/11475117456940.xml?mobileregister?etv_idol&coll=3 | accessdate = 2006-05-25 ] In addition to zealously following the musical career of Taylor Hicks and related artists, the Soul Patrol is also known for its charity work on behalf of various organizations such as Studio By The Tracks, Kid One Transport, Habitat for Humanity, and American Red Cross among others.The first Soul Patrol Convention was organized in Birmingham, Alabama, USA on May 9th and 10th, 2008, with event proceeds earmarked for Kid One Transport. The Soul Patrol was represented from all over the US, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Popular culture

Hicks became the subject of two Weekend Update skits on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" on April 15 and May 20, 2006, portrayed by cast member Jason Sudeikis. In a reference to Hicks's quirkiness and disposition, Sudeikis mocked playing Hicks's trademark harmonica and repeatedly shouted out "Soul Patrol!" [cite web | title = Impressions by Jason Sudeikis | publisher = SNL Archives | url = http://snl.jt.org/imp.php?i=2228 | accessdate = 2006-12-22 ] Hicks, when interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on the subsequent episode of "American Idol" on April 18, 2006, as to whether or not he saw the imitation, admitted that he had and that the impression made him "fall out on the floor" with laughter.cite video | people = Gowers, Bruce et al. (directors) | title = American Idol | medium = TV-Series | publisher = Fremantle Media | location = United States | date = 2006-04-18 ]

"Weird Al" Yankovic parodied Hicks on his 2006 album, "Straight Outta Lynwood", on a track called "Do I Creep You Out", which is set against the melody of "Do I Make You Proud". In the music video of the song, an animated Hicks, played by Yankovic, is portrayed as the stalker. The video can be seen on JibJab. [ cite press release | title = Video Parody of American Idol Winner | publisher = JibJab | date = 2006-11-16 | url = http://www.prwebdirect.com/releases/2006/11/prweb479698.php | accessdate = 2006-12-22 ] Hicks is also known to perform Yankovic's version during soundchecks.

Talk show host Jay Leno frequently refers to Hicks as "his son" due to their striking gray-haired resemblance. Seacrest has also mentioned on "American Idol" that Hicks resembles Leno, Phil Donahue and George Clooney.AI5]

Stephen Colbert, host of "The Colbert Report", had also promised to give political pundit Bill O'Reilly a copy of "Do I Make You Proud" upon O'Reilly's appearance on the show on January 18, 2007. [cite web | title = Colbert Gifts "Do I Make You Proud" | publisher = Gray Charles | url = http://www.graycharles.com/index.php/2007/01/18/colbert-gifts-do-i-make-you-proud/ | accessdate = 2007-04-14 ]

On the television sitcom "The New Adventures of Old Christine", in the episode entitled "The Real Thing", Christine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, mentions that she has an imaginary relationship with Taylor Hicks. [cite video | people = Lizer, Kari (creator) | title = The New Adventures of Old Christine | medium = TV-Series | publisher = Warner Bros. Television | location = United States | date = 2007-04-09 ]

Discography

ee also

*List of number-one hits (United States)
*List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
*List of Hot 100 (U.S.) chart achievements and trivia

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.taylorhickshq.com Official Taylor Hicks Fan Club]
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* [http://www.rehearsals.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061016&content_id=2033&vkey=news&fext=.jsp Taylor Hicks at rehearsals.com]
* [http://www.gofish.com/my/userProfile.gfp?gfid=26-90483 Taylor Hicks] at GoFish
* [http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/Toyota_Concert_Series/bands/index.shtml Taylor Hicks on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno]
* [http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2007/07/05/BUZZBOX-Hicks-A.rtf.aspx "Taylor made: Idol's soul man hits the Paramount"] article/interview in the Hook weekly
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