Talk:Taylor Hicks

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Contents 1 Education 2 First come, first served? 3 External links 3.1 More info 3.2 Death to Sir Linksalot 4 "Prematurely" Grey Hair 5 Albums 6 Birth date wrong 7 Simon's "drunk remark." 8 "Something" performance 9 Background info 10 TH Day 11 Trivia 12 He won....when? 13 Goldfish 14 Birmingham 15 63 Million votes? 16 Do I Make You Proud? 17 Infobox? 18 Lookalike 19 Notability for inclusion 20 GA failed 21 Criticisms 22 ?? 23 Time of birth 24 Democrat? 25 "Big Ladies" 26 Nick News 27 About the birthdate 28 Little Memphis Blues Orchestra 29 Isn't this subjective? 30 Picture replacements 31 Pointless Statistics?

[edit] Education

The Birmingham News says that Hicks attended Auburn, but it doesn't say whether or not Hicks was graduated from Auburn.[1] The article also says that Hicks attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham: "Hicks' focus has never wavered from that goal, although, for practicality's sake, he did attend Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A degree in broadcast journalism just didn't have the allure of entertainment, nor did it hold Hicks' interest for long." -- SwissCelt 04:44, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

In the People Mag Bachelors issue, Taylor says one of his biggest regrets was not getting a college degree. I think we should at least comment out that University of Alabama degree claim, for the meantime, until we can get confirmation. It doesn't help that the link cited is dead. NicolaM 03:27, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] First come, first served?

Under that theory, wouldn't the page about Hicks on WBHM's "Tapestry" come first in the list of external links? Hicks appeared on that program in December, 2005, before he appeared on American Idol. I believe all the fansites came after his AI audition. -- SwissCelt 21:06, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] External links

Curious why the links to American Idol Scoop and American Idol on Squidoo are considered non-noteable links. Looking at the sirlinksalot link which was left in the standard for quality seems arbitrary.

• Wikipedia is not a web directory (see also WP:WEB):
  • The Sir-links-a-lot lists a variety of links, so it's a suitable place for those who want to find blogs, forums, etc...instead of listing them all here
  • Alexa rank for Idolscoop: 1,074,204
  • Squidoo.com sites are by their nature, non-notable -- MisterHand 18:47, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More info

I've come under fire for deleting several external links from this page. While I understand everybody's eagerness to promote their Taylor Hicks blogs and fansites, Wikipedia is not a web directory.

Frankly, if somebody removed the "Sir Links a Lot" page I wouldn't shed any tears (I didn't add it). I haven't removed it because it does provide links to several fan pages. When it comes to fan pages, the guidelines say it's preferable to have one link to a page that lists several fan pages. The Sir Links a Lot link provides that service. See WP:EL for the guidelines.

If I've deleted a link that you think meets the guidelines set under WP:EL, state your case here or on my talk page. Lord knows, I've been wrong about this sort of thing before (frequently). -- MisterHand 21:44, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

So please explain why you are leaving the "Soul Patrol" thread on the page? Also, at this early stage of Taylor's "fame" wouldn't it be nice to leave some external links around. Personally, I see the sirlinksalot stuff as ugly spammy garbage.

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.50.62.46 (talk • contribs).

If you don't like the SirLinksALot link, be bold and remove it (preferably replace with a better fansite listing. As for the Soul Patrol listing, I think I'll move it up as an in-line reference (since that's exactly what it is). -- MisterHand 03:14, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Death to Sir Linksalot

Okay, folks, I killed the controversial Sir Linksalot link. While I agree with the Wikipedian who said it would be nice to have some external links, it would be even nicer if those links actually pointed us to helpful and verifiable info. Let me say that again: Our purpose here is to provide helpful, encyclopedic, verifiable information on the subject of the article, Mr. Taylor Hicks. It is not our place to ride the coattails of Hicks, basking in whatever reflected fame we might find from him.

I'm not opposed to adding more external links to the article, but they should be along the lines of links already in the article: News reports, official websites (remember, Hicks' own official site will likely come back online after AI5), media appearances, biographies, etc. Though of course Wikipedia is not a crystal ball, I'd like to set this article up for the long run. I suspect Hicks will be around a while. -- SwissCelt 06:52, 10 March 2006 (UTC)

• I'll stand with you on this. --Dystopos 14:51, 10 March 2006 (UTC) (Veteran of Bo Bice and Natalee Holloway linkspam fights)

[edit] "Prematurely" Grey Hair

Saying his hair is "prematurely grey" is POV. There's no set time/age for a man's hair to turn grey. Certainly it is prominent in the elderly, but there are also 16 year olds who have grey hair. This man is not "prematurely grey" as that implies that there is a definitive age for the greying of hair. There is not, thus the inclusion is the POV of the user who posted it. I have removed it. Batman2005 04:53, 16 March 2006 (UTC)

Good catch. Still, I wouldn't call it "the POV of the user who posted it", per se. Hicks' hair has been described as "prematurely grey" in several sources. An example: "Mildly convulsin' harmonica-playin' soul man Taylor Hicks, meanwhile, seems poised to supplant Anderson Cooper as the nation's primary prematurely gray lust object." -"The Better Half", by Michael Slezak. Entertainment Weekly, March 16, 2006. I don't know where this meme originated, but I'm pretty sure it's not Wikipedia. Even so, I see no real reason for its inclusion here... again, good catch, Batman. -- SwissCelt 13:02, 16 March 2006 (UTC)

What percentage of men go grey in their teens and twenties, though? If they're a small minority, then they can indeed be said to be "prematurely" grey as compared to the average male. It's not an insulting observation, I think.--201.242.209.189 15:55, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Prematurely means before he was at the proper age for it. Since there is no medically proper time for hair to grey, it doesn't matter if the statement is insulting or not, it is wrong. Staxringold _talk^contribs 17:10, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

However, there is common scientific and popular consensus on a time range for the graying of hair, and he clearly qualifies as such. --Mystalic 06:19, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

as I learned in school is that wen ever you see a young man with gray hair,his dad/mom/grandma/grandpa might have grown grey hair at a young age.He can't change that,unless he accually dyes it black or brown the color his hair was wen he a just a young lad/boy.-Taylor Hicks rox

[edit] Albums

Does he really have 2 albums out? Why is he on american idol then? Tutmosis 00:20, 17 March 2006 (UTC)

Because they were independently produced with little or no visibility at the time, and because he's not currently under any management or recording contract. Wasted Time R 01:24, 17 March 2006 (UTC)

Intresting... I am amazed they havent mentioned this yet on American Idol. Tutmosis 19:10, 17 March 2006 (UTC)

It's worth noting that like Taylor, Lisa Tucker have also started her singing career early. Although she didn't produce any album like Taylor. I think Idol should extend the "no contract" rule to mean total anonymity. To make it fair for the rest of the contestants. The bottom line is, any form of singing exposure, be it independently produced or not, still translates to some form of public exposure that will make voting bias. Once an artist starts to do public gigs they will surely gain some fans. And those fans will most likely vote for them. In the context of fairness in the show, do you think the "Crying cowboy" has the same footing with Taylor Hicks? Unless his turkeys can vote. Think about it. The guy is right, at some point they should address this issue on the show. Not to disqualify Taylor or anything but to tell the truth and let viewers decided for themselves. It may or may not matter. --- Hum 2:28 4/18/06

[edit] Birth date wrong

Taylor Hicks' birthday is actually 10-06-76. I don't know where the January date came from but it is incorrect.

Well change it then. Wasted Time R 01:24, 17 March 2006 (UTC)

I added the reference where I found Hicks' date of birth. If this is incorrect, that's fine, but please include the source when you correct the date. -- SwissCelt 19:19, 17 March 2006 (UTC)

It's changed now. I didn't have the source when I first posted this, but the source already listed has 10/6/76, so I changed it here. -- Sher973 19:41, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

• According to The Official Soul Patrol H.Q. biography: "...Hicks was born October 6, 1976 at Saint Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.". That site seems much more authoritative than the reference given in the text, American Idolblog, which gives 1-24-1977. I'm changing the reference and I think that barring further revelations, the October '76 date is authoritative. --Dystopos 22:41, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. -- SwissCelt 03:37, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

The IMDB now has his birthday as 10/7/76. Also the 4/12/06 results show, showed his house with a plaque that read Taylor Hicks est. 10/7/76. I couldn't figure out how to chage the date on here and add the reference. I know I'm a bit technologically challenged.

Birthday updated - IMDB used as reference. -- Sher973 27 June 2006

We never reference the IMDB. They are a mirror site of Wikipedia and will accept any info. sent in. Michael 08:06, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Simon's "drunk remark."

I'm going to link to a video clip of the ET report, please keep it until I can get the proper clip.--DodgerOfZion 22:44, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Something" performance

Was just doing some looking around at past Idol performances and could not find anything that mentioned past performances of Beatles songs. So I looked into it and found very little except for someone mentioning in a blog somewhere about American Idol not getting clearance to do Beatles songs. Now Taylor does a Beatles song, and I think Clay Aiken did one back in Season 2. Anyone know what the deal is with Beatles songs not being done on Idol as much as you'd figure they would...I mean, Lennon /Mccartney...great songs.

Well, Michael Jackson owns the rights to most of the Beatles catalog, so they have to go through him to do most Beatles songs. --DodgerOfZion 00:46, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

I wonder if the recent, partial sale of the library to Sony has anything to do with AI's getting clearance? -- SwissCelt 01:46, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

Could be. --DodgerOfZion 00:14, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

Not really. "Something" is a George Harrison song, whereas Jackson and Sony own the Lennon-McCartney songs.

[edit] Background info

• I'm not much interested in spending a lot of time with this article, but for anyone wanting some background details, the Birmingham News published an interview with his parents today: link. --Dystopos 13:10, 10 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] TH Day

According to the City of Hoover document, Taylor Hicks Day is May 12. When the video clip aired on American Idol, either the mayor slipped and said 16th or the producers edited it to match the airdate. Or the document is wrong. Whatever the reason, I'm going to go with the 12th. ~chantessy

• May 12 is correct. I covered the event as a reporter for the Hoover Gazette. Realkyhick 01:22, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Trivia

• Why was the trivia regarding the other Idol contestants from Birmingham removed? Any specific reason? --Nmajdan 19:30, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

"someone wrote "Taylor hicks blows and he doesnt make anyone proud," how come no one has fixed this, is this a verifiable fact, if so show me the source!"

[edit] He won....when?

OK, so he was announced as the big winner about 5 minutes ago, but this page was edited with the fact 4 hours ago. How did they know?

• They're psychic? Who cares?

--Amynewyork4248 02:13, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

Uh, isn't all this stuff about Katherine beeing "cheated" a little biased?

Where is this comment in the article? It's probably a transient vandalistic edit. --HappyCamper 03:09, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

I heard a rumor today that the LA Times leaked the results shortly before the competition, apprantley from an inside source. Not positive on it though. --JOK3R 05:46, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

Are you sure you're adjusting for time? You might be reading it as a different time zone. --SeizureDog 00:29, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

Indeed. That's probably the case. Michael 08:05, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Goldfish

Somewhere along the edits, the names of the goldfish were lost. I removed them after noticing some ambiguity between the edits. Are the names of the goldfish "Lamont" and "Ray"? Some editors seem to think it is "Ray-Ray". It would be nice if we had a source. --HappyCamper 02:31, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

• Try lamontandray.com for background on the goldfish. The height is, I believe, from the record of the marijuana arrest. --Dystopos 02:34, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

• • According to AL.com, thier names are Lamont and Ray. Source: [2]

lol...alright, I suppose we can add this tidbit back into the article. Thanks! --HappyCamper 03:00, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Birmingham

Can someone change the part where it says Diana Degarmo was also from Birmingham? I don't think that she is.Thefreakshow 18:40, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

She lives in Georgia now, but was born there. Just read her entry. DinobotTM2 21:27, 26 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] 63 Million votes?

The article says that he received 63 million votes. I remember Seacrest saying 63 million TOTAL VOTES were cast and never said what proportion Hicks received.

Can anyone verify either way?156.142.33.2 20:54, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

I agree with you. This article states that 63 millions votes were cast total. No figures on how many to which contestant though.--Nmajdan 21:06, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

DOH! My fault. I re-ref'ed and wrote the sentence and left the 63 Million as his vote count, sorry. Staxringold 21:20, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Do I Make You Proud?

Is there anywhere on the Internet that we can listen to Taylor's new single? TamYum

Yes - go here: [3].

It has no question mark...Why?-I do not know. Michael 08:03, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Infobox?

• Was there a reason the infobox was removed?--Nmajdan 01:26, 30 May 2006 (UTC)

• • Beats me -- I think it somehow got lost in some of the adverse edits. Reverting back to the "12:55, 29 May 2006 Arual m (name)" edit should fix that -- the only thing that happened between then and now was the loss of content. I'll wait a short bit before I do it, in case there are objections. ArglebargleIV 01:32, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
    • Here's the infobox code, so we don't lose content:

{{Infobox musical artist 2    
|Name = Taylor Reuben Hicks   
|Img = Taylorh.jpg   
|Img_capt = Taylor Hicks   
|Background = solo_singer   
|Birth_name = Taylor Reuben Hicks   
|Alias =   
|Born = [[October 6]] [[1976]]<br>[[Birmingham, Alabama]]   
|Died =   
|Origin = [[United States]]   
|Genre = [[Soul music|Soul]]   
|Years_active = 1997–present   
|Label = [[RCA Records]] <small>(2006-present)</small>
<br />Laser's Edge <small>(1997-2005)</small>   
|Related_acts =
}}

[edit] Lookalike

Should it be added that Taylor Hicks looks a lot like Benny Hinn? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_hinn

No.--Nmajdan 00:41, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

That violates WP:NOR. Michael 08:08, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Notability for inclusion

Keep in mind that not EVERY concert he gives is notable enough for inclusion (I mention this because of the recent "Snoop Dogg" addition). Staxringold _talk^contribs 17:36, 18 June 2006 (UTC)

• In my opinion the concert you mention is quite notable for several reasons (a) his first performance in his hometown since winning AI, (b) a late-addition to Birmingham's primary music festival, (c) a performance alongside a notable artist from another genre which is unlikely to be repeated. I agree that touring dates for the AI tour would not be individually notable, nor would most appearances in the future, lacking any specific interest. --Dystopos 00:00, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
• I was merely using the Snoop Dogg concert as a note, I was talking more about things like the line I deleted about him being in a Ford commercial. A well-referenced and written statement, paragraph, or even section about him as an advertising figure for Ford would be great, but a random sentence is not. And, as you said, individual concerts are not automatically notable because he was in them. Staxringold _talk^contribs 02:42, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] GA failed

For these reasons :

• It does not comply to the lead criteria. See WP:LEAD.
• It is not compelling prose though accurate it is not written in literary english.
• Try to remove the present in the text as an encyclopedia doesn't have any time dimension to it (e. g. Sean, is a student at Georgia Tech).

Re-nominate when adjusted. Lincher 23:53, 21 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Criticisms

I don't see any value in the "criticisms" section as it is currently written. There is no citation for the claims about what "some say, others think, etc". The claims are not matters of fact, but of opinion, and even the opinions lack substance. It shouldn't be hard to find some quotable critics (though they might not have created enough noise to merit including their words in a biography). --Dystopos 13:06, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. I added the Weasel Words to it in case there is any merit for criticism. --DodgerOfZion 07:13, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

There could possibly be a merit for criticism. Please discuss before deleting. 65.10.162.46 21:08, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

I have no problem with citing sources that might criticize an artist. But the paragraph as is has NO sources. It is just vague statement of possible opinions. Without a source for the comments, it does not belong in the article. Triage 01:03, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

Fair enough. --DodgerOfZion 23:49, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] ??

At 12, Taylor's singing talent was clear to the family when he sang Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" for her. "Her", who? User:Zoe|^(talk) 23:52, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

That completely violates WP:NPOV. Michael 07:32, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Time of birth

Is it just me, or is that entirely irrelevant and moderately stalker-ish information to include? Michael 08:02, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Democrat?

Is there a source for this? Michael 08:07, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

No. User:Arual 14:11, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

It was said on a FOX interview that he looks up to Bill Clinton and that he is one of Taylor's favorite presidents. That is where the rumor has sprung from but he never stated which party he is in. ~Deiji 00:12, 21 August 2006

[edit] "Big Ladies"

I hardly think a section on his interests in women should be there.

Nor do I. Michael 06:26, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

When did he allegedly say that? Michael 04:34, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

In People's magazine it was said he has usually had an interest in older women. ~Deiji 00:07, 21 August 2006

[edit] Nick News

Taylor Hicks will talk about his adolescent years on Nick News - [4] - might be informative, there's the source if anyone plans to use information from it. Arual 02:31, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] About the birthdate

Nobody knows for sure unless they know him , some fan sites for taylor say october 6 and others say october 7 Soulpatrol 23:07, 2 September 2006 (UTC)Soulpatrol

→ On the American Idol episode that the article references (Queen results night), there is a sign hanging outside his apartment that clearly says "Taylor Hicks, est. 7 Oct 1976". --NicolaM 02:27, 12 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Little Memphis Blues Orchestra

The name of his band was "The Taylor Hicks Band" up until the time he started to pursue America Idol. The rest of the members now play under the name "Little Memphis Blues Orchestra", which is the same band, minus Taylor.

[edit] Isn't this subjective?

At the end of the "American Idol" sub-section:

"And producers believe he will be the most successful idol that the competition has produced so far."

Since there is no citation, shouldn't it be removed?

Munaim 15:52, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

I would think so, myself. -- ArglebargleIV 16:04, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Picture replacements

Which picture do you want this to replace? It is a free image, the others are not. -- Zanimum 15:46, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

I have apparently used your photo for the article, thanks! I just didn't think it was compelling enough for the lead photo, but I used it anyway. NicolaM 11:05, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Pointless Statistics?

Do those statements about him being the fist this or that to win Idol seem ridiculous to anyone else? There are only 6 Idols, and only 5 have already finished. The information doesn't really mean anything as the configuration of the contestants is the luck of the draw (i.e., if he had tried out for 4, then he would have been finalists with a man). This type of statistic is only useful if there is an inherent bias or prejudice to overcome, and out of 5 I don't think we can say that. Someone please re-read this section in this light and edit accordingly (BTW: I believe the age statistic is important, just not the Male vs. female and second male ones) Garnet avi 04:48, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
P.S.: I had difficulty adding to this talk pages because previous posts contain banned links. FYI.