Taylor Hicks
News (Page 3)

The battle begins tomorrow. The most recent winner of American Idol, Taylor Hicks, will be releasing his first solo album.

Also hitting record stores across the nation: the latest effort from another Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino.

Which artist will sell more records? Which CD is better? A blogger over at Entertainment Weekly weighs in:

My gut feeling is that Taylor's week 1 sales will be a tad higher. After all, his season is freshest in American Idol fanatics' minds, and one should not underestimate how many fortysomething chicks out Christmas shopping for their families will be willing to part with a twenty-dollar bill to support their favorite gray-haired hip-swiveler.

That said, I think 'Tasia may move more CDs in the long haul.

I'm almost done listening to her new disc and I've heard at least four potential smashes she could use to follow up the fierce first single "Hood Boy" - "When I See You," "Uneligible," "Not the Way That I Do," and the insanely addictive "Baby Makin Hips."

As far as I'm concerned, Fantasia does for 'Tasia what Breakaway did for Kelly Clarkson; it transforms her from reality-TV sensation to full-fledged artist - and hopefully, a multiplatinum one at that.

To many critics, the winner of last year's American Idol wasn't actually the best singer.

Oddly enough, that victor himself - Taylor Hicks - would agree. He doesn't give credit to his ideal vocal stylings for the championship, but rather to hard work and focus.

"I won because all I did was sleep, eat and breathe music - nothing came at the expense of the music," he said to The New York Post. "I have focus, and I don't just mean when I was on American Idol. My focus goes back to when I was a struggling songwriter and performer."

Hicks first struggled in the juke joints around his home in Birmingham and in the seaside bars along Florida's Gulf Coast. In those pre-Idol years, he managed to knock out a couple of indie albums and resigned himself to the rolling-stone life of a traveling musician.

On his upcoming self-titled CD, "Taylor Hicks," the singer gives the hand-to-mike existence of band life a nod with a heartfelt cover of the early Marvin Gaye composition "Wherever I Lay My Hat." But all that devotion to craft hasn't done much for Hicks with the ladies.

"Trying to balance the music with a personal relationship has been tough on me over the years," he said.

Even worse, Hicks laments that he can't get a dog because he's moving out of his apartment.

"I'm as close you can get to a traveling musical gypsy, and that's all I ever wanted," he said. "For now, it's about my career. Being a performer comes first."

But he's not complaining. There's certainly no part of Taylor that wishes Katharine McPhee had beaten him out.

"It's been a whole lot of work. The learning curve has gotten larger. I've got a lot to learn about recording and performing besides what I already know," Hicks said.

As December 12 and the release date for his new album nears, we're receiving more information on songs Taylor Hicks will be covering.

The American Idol Season Five champ will tackle tunes written by Bryan Adams, Rob Thomas and Marvin Gaye on his upcoming self-titled effort.

Here are a few selections from the upcoming CD:

• "Ain't That Peculiar," originally performed by Gaye
• "Wherever I Lay My Hat," written by Gaye
• "Dream Myself Awake," by Thomas

"Soul Thing" and "The Deal" were both written by Hicks and released on his second independent album before he tried out for the FOX show.

Is Taylor Hicks biting the program that feeds him?

Last season's American Idol winner recently said the reality show was "fizzling out" and pooh-poohed being crowned last year's winner.

Now, of course, he's doing some damage control before the new season starts and Simon Cowell blacklists him forever. E! Online reports that the grey-haired crooner has apologized, saying:

"Those words were taken completely out of context. I'm very thankful to have had the opportunity to be on 'American Idol.'"

We hope he is, considering how much we enjoyed his performances ... and how much we're looking forward to the next season. Starting January 16!

It's time for another American Idol Picture of the Day, and since we can't decide which of these two to use, you get both. We couldn't justify leaving for a few days without displaying each. Call it a Thanksgiving treat.

On the left, Clay Aiken gets hushed by Tori Spelling at the American Music Awards last night, an obvious spoof on Clay's recent hushing of Kelly Ripa - an event that caused much undue controversy, as Clay fans are aware (the comments stemming that incident are so ridiculous that we didn't bother reporting it). It's good to see Clay making light of what should never have become an issue in the first place, and Tori Spelling playing along.

On the right, Taylor Hicks makes a stop in Miami... and certainly looks the part. Seriously, was this guy in Miami Vice somehow without us knowing? Not many people could pull off that shift, but Taylor does it in style. No matter what you think of him musically, you have to love Taylor Hicks (whose new album is due out any day now). He just seems like the most friendly, fun-loving person. Not unlike Mr. Aiken!

Taylor Hicks never turns in a sub-par performance.

We know that's true of the Soul Man's music, but it's also true of his golf game. Not that he's a shabby player -- his 16 handicap is respectable, and good enough to earn him 57th place on Golf Digest's list of the world's Top 100 musician/golfers.

Apparently Taylor was a decent high school golfer growing up in Alabama. Who knew? Below is a list of some other music stars whose skills on the links compare similarly to Taylor's.

A classic rock aficianado, Hicks would probably be flattered to see that he can hang with the likes of Bob Dylan, Steve Miller and Neil Young -- not to mention his buddy and one-time performing partner, Snoop Dogg. Click to enlarge!

Here's some information we've come across from around the world of American Idol. There's certainly a lot going on with our favorite stars, and we try our best to keep you updated! Below is our breakdown...

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

As you’ve probably heard, Carrie Underwood will perform at the Charleston Municipal Auditorium December 9. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.

Speaking of Carrie, we caught her video for "Before He Cheats" the other day. Though she’s come a long way from her simpler American Idol days, it is still not easy to believe she's the kind of girl who would bash her boyfriend’s headlights in with a baseball bat.

Look at her! She's just too sweet! We don't buy the vengeful angle... we will, however, buy her music!

KELLIE PICKLER

Kellie Pickler’s CD, Small Town Girl, is in stores as of today! Be sure to check out our review in a separate post, coming very soon. Kellie will perform her first single, "Red High Heels" on The Tonight Show Friday.

BUCKY COVINGTON

Bucky Covington and his wife are moving to Nashville today. We hear he plans to go straight to the studio to record some tunes. Good luck, Bucky!

ACE YOUNG

The new single from Ace Young, “Scattered,” is officialy available for download on iTunes. We thought it was a little cheesy, to be sure, but it grows on you. And yes, his falsetto is on full display. As far as we know, though, Ace has not signed with any record label.

KATHARINE MCPHEE

Looks like Katharine McPhee’s a little gutsier than I gave her credit for. Katharine was scheduled to sing “Over the Rainbow” at the Carousel of Hope Gala, but when she saw Whitney Houston in the audience, she changed to “I Have Nothing.”

Considering the performance of that song that she gave on American Idol, it was certainly a testament to McPhee's courage to get up there and try it a second time. It paid off, though, as Whitney nodded her head in approval at the performance.

You might remember that Katharine (seen here with beau Nick Cokas, right, at the event in Beverly Hills) was roundly criticized by the judges after performing "I Have Nothing" On American Idol. The viewing audience, however, disagreed and voted her into the Top 2. Simon Cowell apologized to her on that week's results show.

TAYLOR HICKS

Taylor Hicks’ CD release date has been moved to December 5, which means he will be after Katharine (November 28) and on the same date as Fantasia. According to GrayCharles.com, he continues to work on his upcoming album, 75 percent of which is complete.

The producers are beginning to mix some of the songs. If you, like many of his fans, are eagerly looking forward to seeing Taylor Hicks in concert, the Soul Man will start a three-month tour in February and plans to "play lots of different size towns, even smaller ones."

Hopefully, that's going to be a town near you.

CHRIS DAUGHTRY

Chris Daughtry’s release date is still set for November 21, but he's ditching the first name thing... the release will come from Daughtry -- the Bon Jovi-esque name of his new band. Howard Benson, who worked with All-American Rejects and My Chemical Romance, is the producer. Chris says he realizes not winning Idol was better for him.

According to a blurb posted on puretonemusic.com, here are all 12 confirmed song titles (in sequence): It's Not Over, Used To, Home, Over You, Crashed, Feels Like Tonight, What I Want (featuring Slash), Breakdown, Gone, There And Back Again, All These Lives, and What About Now.

The site also reported that the song, "Sorry" will be exclusive to iTunes and the newly recorded acoustic versions of "Home" and "Crashed" will be exclusive to WalMart.

JOSH GRACIN

Josh Gracin’s next CD, All About Y’all will be released in early 2007. I was a little worried about Josh since his original release date came and went and his website had not been updated in months. His new single, "I Keep Coming Back" is from the same songwriting team that wrote "What Hurts the Most."

KIMBERLEY LOCKE

The second CD released by Kimberley Locke, Based on a True Story, will hit the shelves of record stores in March 2007. It will be great to hear what the Supawoman has in store for us then!

CLAY AIKEN

The one and only Clay Aiken is scheduled to appear on The Megan Mullally Show this Thursday, November 2.

And, as we reported last week, Clay will also appear on Days of Our Lives as himself December 22, serenading Steve and Kayla with “Everything I Have.” Clay’s version of “O, Holy Night” will also be featured in the episode.

FANTASIA BARRINO

Fantasia Barrino's single, "Hood Boy" is being released to radio. Her album is set to be released on December 12. You can listen to a stream at her MySpace. Lastly, Season 5 semi-finalist Patrick Hall releases his single "One For the Ages" tomorrow. The album, One For the Ages, will be available February 2007.

We've got the scoop on Taylor Hicks' highly-anticipated debut album, with quotes from the man himself. Courtesy of a Taylor Hicks fan site -- cleverly and fittingly titled Gray Charles -- this is the latest on his record. Below, the Soul Patrol king dishes on what he can expect from him in the coming months, and what he's been up to lately...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On his progress and the album's sound:

“Everything is happening -- we’re really moving forward with the album. I think that after today we’ll have nine songs that the band has laid down. We’re recording drums, keyboards, guitar and bass live -- the foundation for the song. I’ll do the vocal overdubs later but I’m in there singing my ass off -- old school style with energy.”

On the overall feeling about this record [due out November 14] now that he's really had the chance to sink his teeth into it for awhile:

“This record definitely grooves, it’s a groovy ass record. The thread running through the whole thing is that it grooves. It’s pretty cool man, the more I hear the songs the more I think ‘It’s a Groove Thing’, but I’m conscious that I want to make it radio friendly at the same time. I’ve taken the whole idea of my sound, what made me 'me' and pushed it towards the groove end of things while always thinking about being radio friendly. I’m spending 8-9 hours a day in the studio.”

On performing his new tracks in concert:

“This stuff is gonna be great fun to play live and I’ve got my hands in all of it. I’m listening to the mix, putting my opinions in -- it’s a great give and take. The whole thing is gonna sound like what a Booker T and the MG’s record would sound like it it were made in 2007. For example, I’ve taken a couple of my songs and completely grooved them out. The spin that I had before doesn’t compare to what the sound is today. I should have grooved them out in the beginning, the songs were always leaning that way so really I’m just pushing them in the direction they want to go.”

On how he spends his down time:

“Normal stuff, going to the cleaners, trying to get outside a bit. Honestly, I don’t think I’m completely rested from the tour yet. As soon as I got back from my little vacation I was in the rehearsal studio the next morning then I did a private function the next day. Usually, you’d get more than five days off after a three month tour. Hey, I’m not complaining I’m just trying to get my feet back under me as much as I can and get acclimated to West Coast time after spending the last part of the American Idol tour on the east coast.”

Closing words of wisdom:

“Everything’s cool man, it’s all cool.”

Sources tell AIW that Taylor Hicks' album, the release date of which had gotten a little squishy, is back on track for November 14.

Here's hoping that the Soul Patrol king has time to get it done (and done right). It's a tight squeeze for all the Idols. Kellie Pickler still on schedule for her October 31 date, having bumped it up from November 14.

Chris Daughtry, meanwhile, is still slated for November 21. Only Katharine McPhee of the current Clive Davis empire crop is still not scheduled for a definite date, though sometime in November is the goal.

Which of the upcoming albums will have the most success among this new crew? Moreover, how will American Idol vets Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino fare?

Tell us what you think!

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly features brief rundowns of the seven Idol-affiliated album releases this fall (not counting Mario Vazquez, the Idol dropout)! The column takes its best guesses at the albums' prospects. Here's the essence of what they said about each:

Clay Aiken: "It appears those Claymates follow their leader no matter where his hair takes them."

[Translation: It's going to me a smash!]

Ruben Studdard: "The disc is still pretty standard R&B ... we're not counting out Celebrity Fit Club just yet."

[Translation: Not so sure about its potential success.]

Kellie Pickler: "Simple but sweet."

[Translation: They haven't heard any of it yet, are somewhat skeptical of Kellie's talent, but find her charming, and have no real idea how it will play in the country market.]

Fantasia Barrino: "Sounds promising, but plese, no more Lifetime flicks."

[Translation rendered unnecessary.]

Taylor Hicks: "'There's gonna be horns. I like to say brass with ass,'" Hicks is quoted as saying.

[Translation: Since it hasn't been recorded yet, they're a bit concerned, but who's really going to count out the Soul Patrol?]

Katharine McPhee: Quoting KIIS-FM/Los Angeles program director John Ivey: "'Katharine is a complete wild card.'"

[Translation: Diana DeGarmo redux? Let's hope not!]

Chris Daughtry: Quoting Ivey again: "'You can't come of American Idol and be this rock God.'"

[Translation: Chris may have a tough time getting airplay from credibility-obsessed rock radio stations that think anyone associated with Idol is a gimmick.]