Taylor Hicks

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Taylor Reuben Hicks
Taylor Hicks performs for troops aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, docked at Coronado, California on December 19, 2006
Taylor Hicks performs for troops aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, docked at Coronado, California on December 19, 2006
Background information
Birth name Taylor Reuben Hicks
Born October 7, 1976 (1976-10-07) (age 31)
Origin Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Genre(s) Blue-eyed soul, blues, blues rock
Occupation(s) musician, record producer, author
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar, harmonica, organ
Years active 1997-present
Label(s) Independent (1997-2005)
Arista (2006-2008)
Associated acts Little Memphis Blues Orchestra
Website 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 soul, blues, and R&B music had earned him a following of devout fans, who have been dubbed the "Soul Patrol."

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Taylor Hicks as a child
Taylor Hicks as a child

Taylor Hicks was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 7, 1976, to Bradley Hicks and Pamela Dickinson Hicks. His hair started turning gray by the time he was 13. 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.[1] He has a younger half-brother, Sean, who would later convince him to audition for American Idol.[2]

When Hicks was five years old, he would sing to the music of The Tubes or Mister Mister.[3] He bought his first harmonica when he was 16, for $2 at a flea market in Bessemer, Alabama,[1] 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.[4] Hicks was 18 when he wrote his first song, "In Your Time", and he taught himself to play guitar when he was 19.[5]

American Idol Season 5 Winner
Birthname Taylor Hicks
Genres Blues, Soul
Successor Jordin Sparks
Predecessor Carrie Underwood


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. [6]

[edit] Independent music

 Music sample:

"The Fall" excerpt

"The Fall" is an acoustic ballad about a painful, failed relationship.[7]
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

While in college, Hicks was part of a band called Passing Through, which he later quit to start his own band.[8] 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 Sledge[1] 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".[9] 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.[10] Hicks has performed with the likes of James Brown, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Drive-By Truckers, Robert Randolph, Snoop Dogg,and Keb Mo.[11] 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.[12]

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.[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.[14]

[edit] American Idol 2006

See also: American Idol (Season 5)

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.[15][16] May 12 was proclaimed "Taylor Hicks Day" and Hicks was given the key to the city.[17] Also on May 12, Gov. Riley issued a proclamation making May 16 "Taylor Hicks Day".[18]

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.[19] 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.[20] He was also named Hottest Bachelor by People magazine for 2006, appearing on the magazine's cover.[21]

Hicks played harmonica and guitar on every date of the American Idols LIVE! Tour
Hicks played harmonica and guitar on every date of the American Idols LIVE! Tour

[edit] Post-Idol career

Hicks signed a recording contract with 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records, managed by American Idol creator Simon Fuller, in May 2006.[22] Hicks' debut single "Do I Make You Proud" debuted on the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was subsequently certified gold by the RIAA.[23]

Hicks made guest appearances in concerts by Snoop Dogg, Widespread Panic, and Willie Nelson, among others.[8] 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.[24]

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.[25]

In the same month, it was announced that Hicks received a $750,000 (USD) deal to write a memoir of his life.[26] Titled Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way and ghostwritten by Rolling Stone writer David Wild, the book was released in July 2007 by Random House.

[edit] 2006-2007: Taylor Hicks

Major Label Debut Album: Taylor Hicks
Major Label Debut Album: 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.[27] The album was released on December 12, 2006 and debuted at the number two spot on the Billboard 200 charts.[28] It was certified as a platinum album by the RIAA on January 17, 2007.[29] 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.[30] 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.

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.[31] J records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG, also announced that they were releasing Hicks from his recording contract. [32] Hicks has the lowest selling American Idol winners album.

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

“ "To all my fans and The Soul Patrol, I want to take a moment to talk about the recent news that my label and I have mutually parted ways. The important thing for all of you to remember is that I've been a working musician my whole life. This is turning the page on a new chapter of my career. Artistic freedom and control is an exciting prospect. The things that are most important to me is creating my art, performing it, and my fans. With the momentum that all of you have created over the years, Taylor Hicks is not going to stop anytime soon. I've started working on the new album, writing and scheduling exciting collaborations. The DVD, Whomp at the Warfield, is in its final stages, and will be released soon. So as one door closes, a new one opens for 2008 with more excitement for all my fans than ever before. Sit tight, because the best is yet to come!"[33] ”

As of June 2008, Hicks will be starring in Grease on Broadway.

[edit] Soul 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!".[34]

During a promotional event for Idol in Alabama, Hicks "inducted" Governor Bob Riley and his wife into the Soul Patrol.[35] 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

[edit] 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!"[36] 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.[37]

"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.[38] 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.[37]

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.[39]

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.[40]

[edit] Discography

For more details on this topic, see Taylor Hicks discography.

[edit] See also

[edit] References and notes

  1. ^ a b c Taylor Hicks Bio. Gray Charles: The Official Taylor Hicks Weblog. Retrieved on 2006-11-23.
  2. ^ Gowers, Bruce et al. (directors). American Idol [TV-Series]. United States: Fremantle Media.
  3. ^ Hunter, Desiree. "'Idol' Standout Hicks Likes Music With Soul", AP, 2006-05-10. Retrieved on 2006-05-25. 
  4. ^ Graff, Gary. "Unlikely ‘idol’ content with his prospects", New York Times Syndicate, 2006-08-11. Retrieved on 2006-08-12. 
  5. ^ Brantley, Mike. "Alabama Idol", Mobile, Alabama Press Register, 2006-02-21. Retrieved on 2006-05-26. 
  6. ^ Finebaum, Paul. "Local American Idol contestant still keeping up with his passion for statewide sports", Alexander City Outlook, 2006-04-10. Retrieved on 2006-05-25. 
  7. ^ Trachtenberg, Robert. "Bachelor No. 1: Taylor Hicks Lets Loose", People, 2006-06-26, pp. 68-77. 
  8. ^ a b Newsome, Melba. "Overnight Star? Well, It’s Been a Long Night", The New York Times, 2006-12-10. Retrieved on 2006-12-11. 
  9. ^ Colurso, Mary. "Taylor-Made Trivia", The Birmingham News, 2006-03-28. Retrieved on 2006-12-06. 
  10. ^ Simmons, Darryn. "Fans of Taylor Hicks hope Birmingham native grabs 'Idol' title", Montgomery Advertiser, 2006-03-07. Retrieved on 2006-07-30. 
  11. ^ WBHM Interview with Taylor Hicks (HTML). Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  12. ^ Wackerlin, Jeff. "Idol Winner Has NASCAR Ties", Racing One, 2006-05-24. Retrieved on 2007-01-14. 
  13. ^ Official Taylor Hicks Website. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  14. ^ Taylor Hicks collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  15. ^ Brantley, Mike. "Taylor Hicks' 'Soul Patrol' goes global", Mobile, Alabama Press Register, 2006-05-23. Retrieved on 2006-05-25. 
  16. ^ City of Hoover, Alabama (2006-05-15). "American Idol and Taylor Hicks come to Hoover!". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  17. ^ City of Birmingham, Alabama (2006-05-12). "Proclamation of Taylor Hicks Day". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  18. ^ State of Alabama (2006-05-12). "Proclamation of Taylor Hicks Day". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  19. ^ Hart, Mary (reporter). Entertainment Tonight [TV series].
  20. ^ Ford Motor Company (2006-06-14). "Ford signs American Idol winner Taylor Hicks to star in national advertising". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  21. ^ "'American Idol' Winner Taylor Hicks Is The Most Eligible Bachelor", World Entertainment News Network, 2006-06-15. Retrieved on 2006-07-22. 
  22. ^ Arista Records (2006-05-31). "2006 American Idol Taylor Hicks Signs With 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  23. ^ Deep in the bowels of J Records. Gray Charles: The Official Taylor Hicks Weblog (2006-09-29). Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  24. ^ Colurso, Mary. "Taylor Comes Home", The Birmingham News, 2006-08-06. Retrieved on 2006-12-22. 
  25. ^ Harris, Chris. "Taylor Hicks Files Suit To Halt Digital Release Of Early Recordings", Country Music Television, 2006-08-26. Retrieved on 2006-11-01. 
  26. ^ Silverman, Stephen M.. "Taylor Hicks Prepares Memoir, Billboard", People, 2006-08-04. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. 
  27. ^ Paul and Young Ron. Interview on the Paul and Young Ron Show Podcast accessed on 2006-2006-11-22
  28. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "Taylor Hicks Unveils 2007 Tour Plans", Billboard, 2006-12-27. Retrieved on 2006-12-28. 
  29. ^ Arista Records (2007-01-17). "American Idol Champ Taylor Hicks' Self Titled Debut Album is Certified Platinum by the RIAA". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
  30. ^ Kilgore, Kim. "Taylor Hicks Rolls out Album, Tour Dates", Live Daily, 2006-12-12. Retrieved on 2006-12-22. 
  31. ^ ‘Idol’ winner Taylor Hicks loses record deal - Music - MSNBC.com. See also Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard dropped from J Records? by Shirley Halperin. EW.com. Jan 3, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  32. ^ CNN Jan 8, 2008, "An Idol loses his Record Deal"
  33. ^ MySpace.com - Taylor Hicks - BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Soul / Pop - www.myspace.com/taylorhicks
  34. ^ Gowers, Bruce et al. (directors). American Idol [TV-Series]. United States: Fremantle Media.
  35. ^ Brantley, Mike. "'American Idol' star Taylor Hicks dazzles fans on visit home, adds Gov. Riley to Soul Patrol", Mobile, Alabama Press Register, 2006-05-13. Retrieved on 2006-05-25. 
  36. ^ Impressions by Jason Sudeikis. SNL Archives. Retrieved on 2006-12-22.
  37. ^ a b Gowers, Bruce et al. (directors). American Idol [TV-Series]. United States: Fremantle Media.
  38. ^ JibJab (2006-11-16). "Video Parody of American Idol Winner". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-12-22.
  39. ^ Colbert Gifts "Do I Make You Proud". Gray Charles. Retrieved on 2007-04-14.
  40. ^ Lizer, Kari (creator). The New Adventures of Old Christine [TV-Series]. United States: Warner Bros. Television.

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