Wade on Birmingham

UPDATE: Taylor Hicks, take 2

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The soul man is on a roll, man.

Birmingham native Taylor Hicks is adjusting to life on and off camera after surviving the first round of competition last week on the reality TV competition “American Idol.” Even so, the pressure is growing as he prepares to out-sing the 19 other contestants.

Hicks filled us in by phone this afternoon from Hollywood inbetween rehearsals and interviews before Wednesday night’s 10-man competition.

Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks

Under normal circumstances, the singer would be spending the day booking shows for the Taylor Hicks Band — and ideally spending the night performing.

But these are not normal circumstances.

“I’m getting a little adjusted to the live setting,” Hicks said. “But it’s both easier and harder each week, because … the competition is getting tougher.”

Hicks sang “Levon” in Wednesday’s broadcast and impressed the judges, including … an apologetic Simon Cowell. The studio audience included a pair of friendlier familiar faces, Brad and Linda Hicks.

“They’re taking it one day at a time, one performance at a time, like me,” Hicks said about his parents. “That’s how I’m hoping to stay in this competition.”

Both are back in Alabama. “Dad had to get back to work, making same-day dentures.”

This week, Hicks has two friends cheering him on from the studio audience, Jaan Childs and Maury Cobb.

Hicks has also found a kindred spirit in his roommate, Jose “Sway” Penala. “He’s a great musician and a great R&B songwriter as well,” Hicks said of the 28-year-old Filipino-American from San Francisco. He joked that the two are planning a tour in the Philippines.

As for his other plans — from his image to his dating life — he appears open to possibility. He’d even consider dyeing his distinctive salt-and-pepper hair, but “it would take a large sum of money from a (hair color company) sponsor.”

Hicks mentioned that he’s not dating anyone at the moment. “The only thing I’m attached to is my headphones, listening to the song I’m going to perform.” (And no, he didn’t even hint as to this week’s song choice.)

But he is adamant about keeping his performance the same.

“If it’s not broke, then I’m not gonna fix it.”

“American Idol” airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays on Fox 6 (with a special airing 7 p.m. Thursday).

• • •

Read more on Taylor Hicks.

11 Yips for “UPDATE: Taylor Hicks, take 2”

  1. Mike J
    Thursday, March 2, 2006, 3:21 pm
    1

    Wade –

    You got a problem with me putting up this interview too?

    With full credit and link, of course.

    Mike J

  2. Deanie
    Friday, March 3, 2006, 10:17 pm
    2

    I love Taylor, but, his fans want to hear him do something just a little different. And, please, Taylor, if you are reading this – cut down on the wooooooooo’s when you perform. I have no doubt he will make the top 12, but, is he going to have difficulty with the different genres? Here’s hoping he masters them.

  3. Big Mama
    Thursday, March 9, 2006, 7:53 pm
    3

    Taylor: Dont listen to Deanie, ya listen to yo Big Mama-Keep doing what you are doing-let youself go! You are destined for a larger career than AI (not artificial intelligence…just in case you were thinking…nevermind).
    Let it ride.

  4. Erin
    Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 1:58 pm
    4

    I would love to hear Taylor sing Candy Mountain Run by Bruce Hornsby from his Halcyon Days album. It would be a great song for stlye and range.

  5. Denise
    Sunday, April 16, 2006, 10:16 pm
    5

    I think Taylor is awesome and I hope I get the chance to see him perform one day.. Too bad I didn’t know about him while I was in Birmingham with nothing to do. lol I would have loved to see him and the band play..

    Taylor if you are reading this….You are awesome!!! Don’t change a thing!! Especially not your hair 😉
    I hope you’ll stop by my website and say Hi..and look at my Taylor Page.. I’ve thought you would be the last one standing since I saw you audition and I can’t imagine any one else there.. oh.. except me ..lol

    Your Number 1 Soul Patrol Fan…

    Lucy… aka Denise xxxooo

  6. Denise
    Sunday, April 16, 2006, 10:19 pm
    6

    You are so awesome.. I vote for you at least about 7 times each night you sing.. I have to make up for some of my Canadian friends who can’t vote.. ahah..
    Don’t change a Thing!! Especially Not your HAIR.. You are too sexy just the way you are.. Visit my “Too Hot Taylor Hicks” site.. I think you’ll get a kick out of it.. Take care

    Your Number 1 Soul Patrol Friend,
    Denise aka Lucy

  7. Bloom
    Sunday, April 23, 2006, 1:34 pm
    7

    Denise I just found your blog and am excited that you have a Taylor site. Hope I can find it, as you didn’t give an url for your site. I have a page devoted to Taylor that you might like to see.
    I AM SO ADDICTED TO TAYLOR!!! Here is the URL to my webpage Taylor Hicks scrapbook”
    http://community-2.webtv.net/bloomtaliercio/TAYLORHICKSMY/
    Please sign my guestbook and let me know what you think.

  8. Julie
    Thursday, April 27, 2006, 11:48 am
    8

    WE LOVE YOU TAYLOR!!!~ YOU are the greatest and whatever you do, DO NOT cut down on the whoo-hoo’s…if anything add more! That is why we love you. You are so fun and so darn cute (sexy). Leave your hair the way it is…don’t let Hollywood change you. Good luck to you! I am so looking forward to buying your cd’s and seeing you in concert!
    Keep up the great work!!!!
    You are the best!!!

  9. charde
    Saturday, June 17, 2006, 8:58 pm
    9

    yay taylor hicks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you are reading this, you are the greatest and keep your hair the same because thats how god made you and he didnt mess up a bit. no matter what no one says,you are the best whoo hoooooooooooooooooooooo for taylor hicks

  10. brenda lee easton
    Monday, June 26, 2006, 12:25 pm
    10

    taylor i wouldn’t worry about the bad things people are saying about you.in my eyes your beautiful in every way.if you are reading this i’m single.iv’e been trying everything to get a date with you.i’m 28 i have brown hair blue eyes .i’m very loving and caring person.i”ll do anything to win a date with you..my e-mail is brenda_lee_easton@hotmail.com please e-mail me i would apperciate it with all my heart.love lots brenda lee. i hope to here from you soon

  11. brenda lee easton
    Monday, June 26, 2006, 12:27 pm
    11

    my e-mail is brenda_lee_easton@hotmail.com sorry in my last e-mail it miss i printed wrong hope to here from you soon love lots brend lee

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