Taylor Hicks shows Simon

By Kathryn Fatima Reyes


Editor's Note: Published on Page A2-4 of the June 9, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

This, “American Idol�?Taylor Hicks promises, is what would happen to everyone who listens to his music.

Taylor’s first single outing is due out on June 13. It consists of “Do I Make You Proud?�?and the Doobie Brothers�?“Taking It To The Streets.�?BR>
“Do I Make You Proud?�?was especially written for him; he sang it on the show’s performance finale late last month.

US music mogul Clive Davis signed the fifth “American Idol�?to a record deal shortly after. He is set to produce the Season 5 champ’s full-length album later this year.

Taylor has two pre-“AI�?indie albums—“In Your Time (1997) and “Under the Radar�?(2005).

It is interesting to know that as an infant, the guy who made gray hair cool was blond. In puberty, he recalled, his hair turned black, and now it’s all gray.

In an exclusive interview arranged by Star World, Taylor admitted that he found some of Simon Cowell’s criticisms offensive -- particularly when the snooty judge told him that he had performed like he was drunk.

“That kind of got under my skin a little bit,�?the 29-year-old said. “But I got to show him. I am the ‘American Idol�?so ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!�?BR>
What’s the story behind that jacket you wore during the finale?

I saw the jacket about eight weeks ago and I thought, “If I go to the finale, I’m going to buy it.�?So I did.

What we can expect from your album?

I can guarantee you this, it will be an album with my stamp of approval, guaranteed.

Do you relate to the lyrics of “Do I Make You Proud?�?/STRONG>

Yes, I feel lucky to have been given that single. The lyrics mean a lot [to me].

You are performing with fellow “Idol�?finalists on tour.

I’m looking forward to that. This is “Idol’s�?most talent-filled year. I love working with talented people—it makes you work harder.

Were there any songs you wanted to sing but were not allowed to?

The Van Morrison stuff; Van Morrison and Bob Seger. I think I got “Night Moves�?cleared, but I decided not to do it. Also Paul Simon.

It was rumored that you wanted to sing “Georgia on My Mind�?because of Ray Charles.

Yes, I did [but] after a certain point, and having the theme weeks given by the producers the song didn’t fit. I tried [to clear] “Try a Little Tenderness�?during the love song week and that didn’t fit, either. I might sing “Georgia�?on tour.

Are you glad the whole competition part is over?

Yes!

What’s harder, the preparation or this press thing?

I love press!

When this all dies down, what are you most looking forward to doing?

Sleeping.

During the competition, when did you first feel you could win?

I would say that about three weeks ago I started really feeling comfortable with the audience and the songs. Then I knew that there was a good chance I would win this thing.

What does it take to please Simon, Paula and Randy?

You really have to sell the song and really get into the lyrics, and the song that you choose you really have to stick with and really have to rehearse well.

Did it cross your mind that Katharine could win instead of you?

Yes.

Has there been any post-“American Idol�?highlights for you?

“The Tonight Show (with Jay Leno).�?BR>
What was so great about that?

As a musician and struggling performer, I used to watch “The Tonight Show�?and all the entertainers that come on it. For me to actually be interviewed on “The Tonight Show�?was a moment that I’ll never forget in my career.

When do you get to go home next?

I really don’t know. I’m trying to just take it one day at a time and make sure that everything is going right.

What does the future hold for your old band, Little Memphis Blues Orchestra?

Those guys are such great musicians, we were all competent as the Taylor Hicks Band and they are just so awesome now as the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra. I hope to see those guys soon.

Do you have a girlfriend?

None right now.

What do you look for in a special someone?

Cooking.

Why is that important to you?

Just because, it just is. She also has to have a great sense of humor.

But what’s the best thing about being single?

Freedom... freedom to do as you please. (But) I’m looking to settle down one of these days.

When your name was called as the winner, what went through your mind at that moment?

I was thinking: “Don’t fall down. Don’t forget to thank all the people who voted for you.�?BR>
You’re stepping into this business as a superstar. It doesn’t get much more mainstream than “American Idol.�?How do you find the mainstream music scene right now?

I think it’s getting pretty good. John Legend and people like that, it has such a soulful feel. I like hip-hop and rap, and there’s all kinds of feelings that’s associated with that. Music is not in a bad place right now, in my opinion.

Would you ever have a rapper spit a few lines on one of your records?

Sure.

Were you ever self-conscious about your prematurely graying hair when you were younger, like in college?

I really didn’t know what to think about it. It kind of just slowly grew on me, literally.