Taylor Hicks has kept very busy since winning American Idol in 2006. Despite speculation he might've faded into obscurity following his mutual split with Arista Records earlier this year, Hicks has been hard at work reestablishing himself as an artist. In addition to starting his own record label, Modern Whomp Records, he spent this past summer on Broadway playing the Teen Angel in Grease. And now, as he prepares to reprise the role in a national tour, Hicks is also finishing a new album for release early next year. Hicks took some time to chat with me about these exciting new developments in his career.
How did the upcoming Grease tour come about for you?
I think that after we had such great success on Broadway, they approached me with the idea of doing a national tour for Grease. I also have a brand new record coming out. We decided it would be a really cool and cutting edge thing to do, releasing a brand new record within the national theater tour.
So you will be cross-promoting the album within the tour?
Yes.
How are you doing that? I heard you're performing a song as part of the show?
Yes. Once the album is finished, I will be doing a single off of the record. And then I will be doing a very intimate national club tour alongside the Grease tour, hopefully in each market we perform in. I'm pretty excited that the new music will start to grow legs from a live perspective. I'm actually going into really cool, intimate clubs across the country, performing new material before I go out on tour myself.
How will your fans know about those dates?
Well, they can go to my website [TaylorHicks.com]. Or they can go to Pollstar. In each of the markets I go to, I'll hopefully do some radio [promotion]. Being in a particular city during a lengthy stay, I'll be able to get the word out about the show. And about Grease, also!
When you took the Broadway role, did you know you were going to be able to add harmonica, blending the character with your own personality?
I think we all went in with an open mind. I mean, we thought about how can the part be "Taylor-made?" I knew that the setting was in the '50s. I took a lot of those different aspects, and they let me play harmonica with the song. The role is making sure Frenchie puts down her teasin' comb and goes back to high school. Any way we could get that point across, we would try it. And it's just been a great success. I think it's a great part for me to start learning how to act. It's a very good start for me in that particular field.
Article comments
1 - TESSA
TAYLOR HICKS IS AN AWESOME PERFORMER AND SUCH A GREAT ARTIST. I THINK TRUE FANS SEE SOMETHING IN TAYLOR THAT IS REALLY DEEP - HE HAS A GENUINE LOVE FOR THE MUSIC HE CREATES AND HE HAS A KEEN EAR FOR THE MUSIC HE LOVES. HE IS TRULY AN ENTERTAINER AND WHEN HE PLAYS AND SINGS YOU CAN TRULY GET LOST IN THE MESSAGE. HE "FEELS" THE LYRICS AND THAT COMES ACROSS IN HIS PERFORMANCE. I WISH HIM THE BEST WITH THIS CD - THERE IS A LOT MORE TAYLOR HICKS TO COME.
2 - mavis
I love Taylor Hicks music and his many entertaining skills. He has overcome so much in his climb to fulfill his dream and in so doing has brought his dream to us to enjoy. There is a lot to look forward to and I hope that others enjoy his exceptional accomplishments as I do.
3 - cypfan
Absolutely love the smokey, husky quality of his voice. I would know it anywhere. Thanks for asking some good questions about music.
4 - Julianne
Taylor Hicks has had my respect since Idol. I loved his album that came out thereafter, and found it inspiring, pensive and upbeat. He is very talented and i look forward to all his opportunities to show his creativity. Thanks, Taylor!
5 - Dawniebelle
A friend of mine bought tickets to go see Grease on Rhode Island last night. Now, being a novice to all things "Idol" I had only really heard of Taylor Hicks when he won and then not again until last night.
It was a night I'll never forget! He might have a bit role, but,make no mistake about it, he is without question, the star of the show.
There was a lot of buzz about him singing his new single last night from his upcoming album. Taylor fans as well as non-Taylor fans were waiting in anticipation. Sadly, it didn't happen.
But, the good news is as a non-fan I can't wait to see this incredibly talented man in concert when he is out of character. One thing that struck me is his soul shines through.
6 - havingfun
This is a wonderful article.
GREAT QUESTIONS !
I too have seen Taylor live, and he puts on one heck of a show. I've been to several other artists' concerts in the last two years, and Taylor's voice and performances are "up there" with the "big boys" as far as I am concerned.
7 - sallyannlady
Dawniebelle, sounds to me like you're not a "non-fan" anymore. The number of people that go to see him and come away astounded by him is incredible. I've seen him a number of times, and every time, I do, there's something new that I take away with me. This is a really great interview!
8 - debO
Taylor Hicks is an enigma. Brilliant singer, electric performer, but whitewashed by Idol and, as a result, has not received the critical praise he deserves. Revisiting the "Idol audition," was struck again by the ease with which Paula and Randy "got" him, and the naysaying of Simon which, in fact, did represent the Idol Juggernaut of overly tidied-up and plasticized packaging of format that enhances some but devalues other performers. Hicks was immediately recognized as a "soul singer" by no less than Stevie Wonder, a brilliant musician himself. Has Taylor lost his way? Not vocally but as a production artist? That is to say, are the perceived demands of the public in general what an artist should concentrate on. Or should he, rather, concentrate on his soul and share that helplessly, joyfully and without any agenda other than to speak his own truth. God bless the child that's got his own.
PS: someone send Taylor to Santa Cruz CA, willya?