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Heads up: Taylor Hicks earns his wings

May 21st, 2008

Taylor Hicks heads to Broadway

Taylor Hicks: On the record

December 11th, 2006

After a successful tour for “American Idol,” does Taylor Hicks have anything left to prove?

Well, he has yet to put out a CD under new management.

That changes Tuesday with the release of “Taylor Hicks,” a pop/blues/soul album that tones down the numerous “woo!” and “yeah!” interjections to which TV fans have grown accustomed.

Hicks delivers what he has long promised: a fun, lively set of songs that play to his strengths of performance and precision.

Updated with free song download …

Taylor Hicks: An Idol preview

August 8th, 2006

hicks-workplay.jpgWhat can the Soul Patrol expect tonight at the American Idols concert? Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks is back with nine “also-rans” (provided Katharine McPhee doesn’t bug out, again) to perform before a sold-out show at the BJCC Arena.

If you missed out on tickets, or just want to see what you’re getting for your $36.50 to $66.50, we have a sneak peek …

Taylor Hicks

June 1st, 2006

Taylor Hicks wins ‘American Idol’ on May 24, 2006. Birmingham native Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of Fox’s reality TV competition, “American Idol” on May 24, 2006. Along the way, he turned fans of the show into devoted members of the Soul Patrol. Wade on Birmingham followed his rise to national stardom during the […]

Taylor Hicks: Idol interview

May 26th, 2006

Taylor Hicks, the new American Idol, is caught in a whirlwind of media interviews. The Birmingham native spoke to reporters via teleconference earlier this afternoon about the meanest thing Simon Cowell said to him, why his dream woman should cook and what he would’ve sung (or not sung) on the show.

The big secret

Honestly, I never watched the show until I was on it. While Bo (Bice) and Ruben (Studdard) were on “American Idol,” I was trying to work and perform. All the reactions were genuine because I didn’t know what was going to happen next. It was a great thing to go through not having watched it before.

Going gray as a teen

I didn’t know what to make of it. It kinda just slowly grew on me, literally.

Staying gray

Me and Dean the hair artist for the show had been battling back and forth on it. I didn’t change it when I was 18; I’m not changing it now.

Taylor Hicks: Soul news day

May 25th, 2006

taylor hicksCongratulations to Taylor Hicks, the 2006 American Idol!

The 29-year-old Birmingham native won the title Wednesday night before an estimated 36 million viewers. And today, he’s front-page news across North America.

Check out the full gallery of nearly 200 newspapers covers, as well as our favorites on the jump.

Taylor Hicks: American Idol

May 24th, 2006

taylor hicksFor “American Idol” fans, it’s all about soul as gray-haired Taylor Hicks won the title tonight.

The 29-year-old Birmingham native defeated Katharine McPhee in the final week of the top-rated reality TV singing competition on Fox. Hicks becomes the second man and the second Birmingham resident to win the “Idol” crown, following Ruben Studdard’s victory over Clay Aiken in 2003.

“Soul Patrol!” said Hicks onstage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. “I’m living the American dream. Thank you, Soul Patrol. Thank you, America. Thank you to the fans. Thank you to the American Idols.”

Hicks wins a recording contract and is expected to release his first single, “Do I Make You Proud,” by June. Hicks and McPhee received new cars during the telecast.

Taylor Hicks: Watch it

May 22nd, 2006

It’s the final showdown on “American Idol.” If you want to join fans of Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks, you have a few options for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Updated with important info on Wednesday’s BJCC party.

Taylor Hicks: Soul memories

May 21st, 2006

Taylor Hicks will compete on “American Idol” for the last time Tuesday night. But during months of competition, the Birmingham native has stood out for more than just his singing voice.

Updated

Taylor Hicks: Friend or McPhoe

May 21st, 2006

Katharine McPhee took time Friday to talk with reporters via teleconference from Hollywood during the final week of “American Idol.” The 22-year-old Los Angeles native faces off for the crown in the reality TV competition Tuesday night against Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks. Hicks praised his competitor as a “great friend” and a “very talented girl.”

A few highlights from her interview:

• Plans for her first CD

I definitely want to do a pop kind of an album, with bluesy sounds to it, soulful stuff along the lines of Joss Stone. And I love Norah Jones. It could be a collaboration of those things, a jazzy feel that’s also bluesy and contemporary, something that could be in the Top 40.

Taylor Hicks: The latest from Hollywood

May 19th, 2006

Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks took time today to talk with reporters via teleconference from Hollywood during the final week of “American Idol.” A few highlights:

The next album

I would like it to be a really good representation of who I am as an artist. There’s gonna be some things I want to do creatively that I’ve never been able to get to do before “American Idol.” Possibly a little bit cutting edge — there are some things in my mind that would be cutting-edge music.

I just want really good songs. If I can feel it, it doesn’t matter if I wrote it or somebody else.

There’s a couple of albums that I’ve done before “American Idol” that I’m very proud of. I would like to re-release on a bigger scale, possibly re-record.

Taylor Hicks: Escape from L.A. showcase

May 16th, 2006

Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks received an Idol’s welcome on Friday.

The Birmingham native spent the day in town visiting with family, giving interviews and receiving gifts from city and state officials. The same day, Katharine McPhee visited her high school in Los Angeles and Elliott Yamin led a parade and took batting practice in Richmond, Va.

Tonight, all three resume competition for the title of “American Idol.”

But before Hicks takes the stage, let’s take another look at his whirlwind hometown visit.

Taylor Hicks: Escape from L.A.

May 11th, 2006

The Soul Man is heading home.

Not to worry. Birmingham native Taylor Hicks advanced to the final three this week on “American Idol,” facing a singing showdown with Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin for the title to be announced May 24.

But before the competition resumes Tuesday, the finalists are making promotional stops in their respective hometowns Friday. Yamin returns to Richmond, Va., and McPhee, well, she’s stuck in her hometown of Los Angeles.

Updated schedule.

UPDATE: Taylor Hicks, take 3

March 17th, 2006

The good folks at Scripps Howard News Service have picked up this profile on Taylor Hicks for the news wire. (Thanks, Karen!) Meet Brad Hicks, Taylor’s father and best friend. And learn what Taylor has in common with “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard.

Look for it in print and online in your favorite news sites, such as the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel, the Albuquerque (N.M.) Tribune, the Abilene (Texas) Reporter-News, ABC 15 (Phoenix), the (Wichita Falls, TX) Times Record News, the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times, the Decatur Daily and the (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Journal Gazette.

And be sure to kindly ask your local newspaper and TV station to run the story from the Scripps Howard News Service.

UPDATE: Taylor Hicks, take 2

February 28th, 2006

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.