Taylor Hicks, Making American Idol Proud
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One thing for sure ... Taylor was different than any other Idol we’d had. Simon pointed right away at his gray hair and said it made him look too old, although Taylor had actually begun turning gray as a teenager. As always, though, that’s the point of the show, to give people a shot at stardom, a shot they wouldn’t normally have because they don’t have the means or the look to get through an audition. Taylor had already released CDs, and had been performing in bars for years, so this was definitely an opportunity he might not otherwise have had.
And it was an opportunity Taylor wasn’t even originally looking for. He had been in New Orleans, Louisiana, performing when Hurricane Katrina hit, and needed to get out fast. He was provided a ticket to anywhere he wanted to go. On a lark, he decided he’d never been to Las Vegas, Nevada, and decided to give it a try. As luck would have it, American Idol was holding tryouts in Las Vegas at that time, and once again, Taylor gave it a shot.
By the time Taylor made it to the final 24 of American Idol, he was gaining momentum and picking up more fans. There was just something so unique about him. The soulfulness he was able to pull into his performances was something American Idol audiences weren’t used to hearing. They were used to hearing R&B, pop, rock, and even country thanks to Grammy winner Carrie Underwood, but not that deep soullfulness.
Another of Taylor’s performing highlights was that he believed in what he sang. The judges didn’t really always appreciate his song choices, but he put everything he had into those songs. It was apparent they meant something to him, such as with the Elton John classic Levon. Every few weeks he’d hit it big with a song that impressed everyone, from his fans to the judges, even Simon. His earliest was the Doobie Brothers’ hit, Takin' It to the Streets, with Simon calling it the best performance of the night. And not only was his soulfulness coming out in his singing, it was coming out in his moves. Taylor let the music control him, and while he didn’t have big dance moves, he was able to dance in an entertaining way that was infectious, that made his audience want to get up and join him.
By the time the final twelve contestants were chosen on American Idol, not only was he easily voted into this spot, Taylor was also a name popping up as possibly being in the final two. He struggled with a few genres, such as country when he did Country Roads, but when he was able to fit into his soul genre, with songs like Try a Little Tenderness, he was a spectacle to witness. His fans quickly created a name for themselves, The Soul Patrol. Not since Clay Aiken in season two had fans seemed to rally so much around their favorite contestant.
The big shock came in week four when fellow finalist, Chris Daughtry, was voted out. Many had been suggesting that it should be Chris and Taylor in the final two. This only strengthened Taylor's spot on the show. While Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee may have had the better voices, neither of them could match Taylor for the entertainment value in the performance, and Taylor easily beat out Katharine in the final 2, becoming the season five winner.
It all goes to prove there must be something in the water in Birmingham, Alabama, something special that American Idol fans enjoy. Taylor is the second winner from Birmingham and the third Birmingham native to reach final two overall. Ruben Studdard beat out North Carolina native Clay Aiken in season two and made not just Birmingham famous, but the area code as well. Bo Bice came close in season four, but was beat out by Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood.
Taylor seemed to be the type of contestant that American Idol was made for, to go from struggling artist to successful recording artist. His single, Do I Make You Proud, had all of his fans screaming a collective, "Yes!" The Soul Patrol were out in full during the American Idol tour and were anxiously awaiting Taylor's album that was rumored to be out in the fall. Released in December, it includes a does of new songs, as well as a few songs on his previous CDs, as he hopes to find a newer audience for them. The CD is a little more "pop" than what we were hearing from him on American Idol, but still, there's hefty amounts of soul present in each song.
Taylor's CD has been somewhat buried beneath the success of his fellow finalist Chris Daughtry's CD, yet the difference of promotion of the two seems to be the cause of that. Hicks isn't too worried, though, saying it bothers him that people make such a big deal of it. He isn't worried about the business end; he just wants to go out there and perform. He's busy performing, just as he always has, and is looking forward to making a return to the Idol stage at some point this season.
No worries for him, as his fans seem to still be out in force. A collection of his fans have even organized themselves, with a desire to raise money for an Alabama cause that Taylor, a Birmingham native, supports. Kid-One Transport is a non-profit organization that raises money to provide free medical transportation for children and expectant mothers.
The group has been hard at work during the entire American Idol off-season, and even now with season six and new Idols to discuss and follow, they aren't letting up with their plan to show Taylor how much they support him and his causes. They have a convention planned for later in the year in, of course, Birmingham, Alabama. Anyone wishing to contribute, attend the convention, or find out more, can visit them at Harmony for the Soul.
For more on American Idol, see Reality Shack and LauraBelle's Blog
For more information on American Idol and Taylor Hicks, see SirLinksalot: American Idol and SirLinksalot: Taylor Hicks
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Thanks Ann. He is truly original, and I think that was his winning ticket this past year. Something different.
I noticed that the difference in AI contestants is not only talent but the manipulation of the show to control who gets FACE time. It continues far past the finale, for example, Clay Aiken/ Daughtry etc. did not win but they promote them. I watched the rerun of Simon on the first season...he was delightful...where is that judge. I so think Taylor was the most unique and with the proper promotion he would have had more sales...650 is more than respectable and I look to see him around for a very long time. He is one of my favotites.
Taylor Hicks became the season five winner of American Idol winner, not season six.
I knew that, as I had said season five in the first paragraph. But thanks for catching the typo!
You are right on about Taylor getting no backing, but he may also be getting negative shots behind his back. As someone who is involved in radio, many Taylor fans (including my wife and I) have attempted in every way we know to get his single or other CD songs played (tried in a most professional manner I might add) - but to no avail. Radio DJs and managers across the U. S. have said they have no intention of playing him - no reason given. Nothing personal against Chris Daughtry - he's a good listen in his own genre - but one Daughtry fan gushed on-line about how his single was played 63 times in one day on a station that usually caters to Pop. Simon Cowell industry power OR Payola, anyone?
By the way, if you haven't seen Taylor in one of his sold out live concerts, do before it's too late to catch him this go round. He's truly an artists - fabulous - among my best concert experiences ever - and I've been to many.
Payola would be correct.....Daughtry's numbers as well as many performers are driven by radio airplay...it all comes down to the mighty dollar and which singers they choose to shove down our throats. It is a shame....what ever happened to the good old fashioned request lines....I am sure Payola is a very large source of revenue for radio, it is just unfortunate. Well....there is absolutely no denying who the best performer is .... and that is Taylor Hicks....make sure you check him out in concert...he will be around for a long time.
I have tried phone calls, faxes, emails and the old fashion letter to get JTFTW on air. I quess Sony/BMG chose their boy (Chris) to promote reguardless of who won AI..
And for you Chris fans. Wake up. cd sales are truely pushed through air play. Ppl buy what they hear. They hear Chris, not Taylor, so they buy Chris and not Taylor.
Thank you for the nice article on Taylor Hicks.
Tom, your radio observations are right on. A local program director of an AC station sent me an e-mail after a request for Taylor's new single saying Taylor Hicks will not now nor ever will he be played on his station. No reason given. Sounded to me as if he were blackballing him no matter what the song, the current one or whatever he puts out in the future. Makes you wonder what is really going on. It makes no sense. There's no logical explanation for this and I find it completely baffling.
Laura -- your comments on Taylor deserve a big hug for you today. Thank you! So nice to read a pleasant article on Taylor from someone who has done their homework on him. Yours is not just a copy and paste job that others in your position seem to enjoy doing to save time.
Taylor, bless his heart, is just a regular, shy, guy with loads of talent who just needed that big break to get the ball over the mountain. Fortunately, he got that break, but unfortunately, TPTB are trying their darndest to kick the ball back down that mountain. But Taylor didn't come this far to let that happen. TPTB can pay out the big bucks to keep him from radio play and they can keep feeding the media with trash about him, but they can't take his talent away from him and that talent is what will keep him on top of the mountain. Taylor's strength is in live performance. You cannot come away from Taylor's concert and honestly say he did not entertain you. He eats, sleeps, lives and breathes music with an unbelievable passion on stage. You certainly get your money's worth and then some. I would bet my retirement savings that NOT ONE of the AI judges, Clive Davis or Nigel Lithgow has seen Taylor live in concert on his present tour. I will also bet my retirement savings that AT LEAST ONE of the pre-mentioned individuals have been to a Chris Daughtry concert. And I will win that last bet for sure because I read an article confirming attendance by at least one of the aforementioned individuals.
So, the bottom line is if Taylor was given the promotion that AI is giving Chris Daughtry in the exact manner and was ignoring Chris like they are ignoring Taylor, I guarantee you that it would be Taylor with the 2 million CDs sold and Chris with the 660 CDs sold. GUARANTEE IT!!
So I would say that Taylor is doing quite well, in fact brilliantly well, without the radio promotion and AI promotion. Taylor thanks AI for the experience and the promotion during the season and will take that opportunity and take the ball from here and promote himself -- might I say brilliantly -- in his live performances and with his gentlemanly charm.
Again, thank you, Laura, for your gracious comments on Taylor.
Thank you for your article on Taylor Hicks. It was long over due. Tom's comments hit home with me because in Austin, TX you cannot under any circumstances get JTFTW played. Station 94.7 Mix had an interview with Taylor prior to an Austin concert and they still did not play his single after the interview. Now that is not normal nor is it right! All requests are being denied by program managers who control the play lists for the djs for up to four stations at a time. It is very frustrating because this is a young man who deserves to have his voice heard. The truth will come out one day. To get off my soap box...if you can see Taylor in concert it will be a musical experience you will never forget! His enthusiasm and energy on stage is happiness in a Taylor Hicks package. His love of what he does shines through in every aspect including the band (which is more than top-notch). Again, thank you for pointing out some very important and pertinent issues.
I believe that even with no backing,all the negative press,Taylor will be the one who will ultimately be left standing! No one,commands the stage like Taylor Hicks,he is playing to sold out crowds every where he goes,and is getting rave reviews for each concert! A slow and steady rise to fame will secure his future! Thank you Laura for the great comments.
Radio and physical album sales are both losing around 10-20% of their customers each year. That's what happens to industries that do not respond to customer demands. I gave up on radio specifically when they would not play Taylor Hicks and bought an ipod. I love the shuffle function and lack of commercials. Another benefit has been a noticable lower stress level when I get home. I'm just hearing the music now, not all the news & traffic problems. Give it a try.
Thank you Laura for a great article........it's obvious you "get" what Taylor is all about and it sure is nice to see a positive "take" on him. Taylor is an incredible performer. I have to take excpetion with those who say his voice is not the best, to me, he is THE BEST ever.....his voice connects with my soul all the time and there is no one I'd rather listen to. He's the only artist ever whose covers I prefer to the original artists. That surprises even me. It is very disappointing that the radios won't play him. I don't get that. If the PD's would give a reason, maybe I could at least give the benefit of the doubt, but based on what others are reporting and what I experienced here in my hometown, I have to wonder if the payola scenario might be at play. As to why AI and 19E are promoting Daughtry and not Taylor, that one is a little more understandable since he is not under contract with them, while Daughtry is. Like others who have commented, I encourage everyone to see him on tour.......hands down THE BEST show EVER, and I've seen 5 of his shows, and they were all excellent. This young man is awesomely talented.
The fact that Taylor Hicks has sold over 600,000 with no help from his own label says it all for me. He's going to be around for a hellu'va long time...he's a visual performance artist and takes to the stage with all the passion of the finest tent revialist!
Thank you Laura for a nice article on Taylor. It is so true as well. I have been a casual fan of AI for each year since its inception. But last year each week I became intrigued more and more by this young man with the "Elvis" like accent that I heard in auditions. With the exceptions you mentioned (like country week) he improved steadily and his sound was so unique. He also was so infectious when he performed - that for the first time in a long time - I too felt like singing and dancing with him when he performed. I have now become a mild fan - checking in when time permits to see how his sales are doing etc.... I too have been very disapointed in the lack of respect shown him by AI as well as the radio. In fact, prior to reading some of these comments I was beginning to wonder what I was missing.......I have politely requested the song a few times - and they seem to act as if that is absurd. Why I can't fathom as some of what they play is absurd. It seems to me that there should be a wide variety of songs played for different tastes?! I had begun to wonder if there was more to this than I knew.... And while I agree the new CD is a little more pop than I would prefer - it is still quite good - eminently listenable..........grows on you more each time - excellent vocals on it....with songs that range from pop to funky soul to the almost gospel like "The Right Place". But the kicker was when my sisters and I visited one of his concerts in Texas recently. Wow. Let me repeat. Wow. They were not as big a fan as I - but now they are. He is truly in his element live. What a shame the judges and his label and the AI producers have not seen him on tour. If you love music, you will love Taylor Hicks live. I hope the current strange negative vibes the radio stations and Program Directors have about him will change. But if not - I truly hope he keeps recording and touring for those of us who are quite willing to turn that radio off and listen! Thank you again for a gracious article!
Anybody with common sense knows that Taylor was the MOST POPULAR contestant last season, and the public voted for him because he has the “whole package”. The problem lies in the fact that “the powers that be” of American Idol hate the fact that he was/is MORE popular than their ‘chosen one’ Chris Daughtry (who, by the way, placed fourth)
So what do they do( according to the revealing “buzz” out there in cyber-land - http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/30/220903. http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/03/04/084051. ) they pump Daughtry up with ‘radio payola’ (pay for play, which is illlegal), and I heard it through the grapevine that his CD sales numbers were inflated through a scheme similar to the one perpetrated by Jay-Z’s record label; check out this link:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/12/08/195632.
I have nothing against Chris Daughtry, but all this hub-bub about Taylor’s sales, and how Chris is doing much better, is a lot of hog wash; and it makes perfect sense to me now that I see how a scam can be concocted. It’s merely a plan to bring Taylor down, and it seems everyone is so quick to jump on the bandwagon without doing their homework. If Chris were that popular, he would have won; THINK ABOUT THAT! There’s no way he could turn around and sell millions of CD’s in that short of time without a little (or probably A LOT) of help from his friends at American Idol.
They set him up:
CD Sales Inflated #’sRadio Payola (Pay for Play)Video on VH1American Idol Swan Song (”Home”)
It’s was all a master plan, while they dumped on Taylor through the media with false rumors, innuendos, and even slammed him on their own show (especially Simon Cowell) who, by the way, has publicly stated that he “can’t stand Taylor”.
If that doesn’t tell you something, then I don’t know what does. Keeping this “under-cover sabotage of Taylor Hicks career” afloat by asking over and over the same questions: Should he have won? Why isn’t Taylor’s CD selling? Why won’t they play his music? Get your heads out of the sand: DO YOUR HOMEWORK…it’s a SCAM! Right now, American Idol’s ratings are down, and they keep going down each week; I say: What goes around, comes around…you reap what you sow! They have done a great injustice to Taylor Hicks, and the word is starting to seep out; they have lost their credibility.
I just attended the Taylor Hicks concert at the Birchmere Theater in Alexandria, VA. He blew me away with his energy, his songs and fantastic performance. I could have sat and listened to him for several more hours and hope to attend another of his concerts in the near future. Season 4 was the first time I ever watched AI and found it interesting entertainment. Was I for anyone, not really, but I did feel Bo Bice has a decent voice though I do not listen to his type of music and I also liked Carrie Underwood and was pleased when she won. BUT WHEN AMERICAN IDOL SEASON #5 BEGAN, I was sold on Taylor Hicks with his first interview. When he walked in to see the judges to find out if he had made the top 12 and he was playing his harmonica I strongly believed he would be the next AI winner. I eagerly waited and watched AI everyweek just to hear Taylor Hicks and my mind never changed. He is defintely MY American Idol and HE MOST DEFINITELY DESERVED TO WIN! I am really tired of hearing about Chris Daughtry, another person whose music I do not care for. Taylor Hicks' music reaches you soul, Chris Daughtry is JUST LOUD!
yep, Taylor touches not only ur ears but you feel him clear down to your soul. Daultry you hear with your ears and I end up turning him off.
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ann ferguson says:
16 months ago
thank you laura for writing a great column about taylor.he has been my favorite since day 1. thank god for decent music. he is differnet and original. i am proud he standing tall and just enjoying the moment. keep up the good work.