04-22-2007, 01:19 PM
'Idol' winner Hicks minds his manners
Singer takes sunny view of current tour
April 20, 2007
BY JULIE HINDS
FREE PRESS POP CULTURE WRITER
Over the phone, Taylor Hicks comes across as someone who's as careful and determinedly upbeat with his comments as a politician on the stump.
"There's all kinds of people to see and music to play. It's really cool," says Hicks of life after "American Idol."
Asked about his current tour, which lands at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on Sunday, he offers this: "It's been grueling, but it's been rewarding, too, to see all the fans."
The winner of last season's "Idol" never strays far from his Southern manners, even when he's asked about the inevitable comparisons between him and other contestants. Sales of his new CD, "Taylor Hicks," haven't equaled those of debut albums by champs like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
"I'm not into the numbers game. I'm into playing music," he says diplomatically. "That's a story line for others, not me."
Hicks has his own distinctive story thanks to his "Idol" exposure, and he's sticking to it. He's known to millions as the prematurely gray singer with the bluesy sound, geeky moves and aw-shucks charm who rose unexpectedly to victory, thanks in part to his legion of fans known as the Soul Patrol.
These days, his concerts draw a mix of people that sounds as all-encompassing as the massive "Idol" viewer base.
"It's like 7 to 85, so it's really cool to see the eclectic group of people that come and see you play," he says.
For Hicks, life currently consists of another day, another performance in another state. On this particular afternoon, he's preparing for a gig in Pennsylvania. He's set to be in Ohio on Tuesday, Illinois the day after that and then Missouri and Colorado and so on. It's a rigorous pace, much like the "American Idol" concert tour that he was part of last summer.
"You have to take it easy," says Hicks, who spent years performing before he auditioned for "Idol." "Luckily, the vocal cords and muscles, I've been using it a long time. You save that energy for the stage."
Fans who recall him as a whooping presence on TV may have a hard time picturing Hicks in low-energy mode. So does he remain mellow when he's offstage?
"Yeah, you could say that," he says with a hint of a laugh.
Hicks doesn't keep track of his press coverage on the Web because he doesn't have time. It's also hard for him to carve out an hour to watch the current season of "Idol."
"About the time I go on is about the time it comes on," he says. "I'll be picking a winner soon."
He's heard of Flint's LaKisha Jones and describes her as a good singer. "You've really got to pick great songs down the stretch," he says by way of advice.
Is he glad his season wasn't dominated by something like the Sanjaya phenomenon? Again, Hicks opts for tactful pleasantries.
"Obviously, the talent level on our season was great. A lot of my friends got deals, which was really great. I wish the best for the folks on this season, too," he says
Hicks sounds more comfortable describing what fans will see if they catch him in concert. "I'm a harmonica player, a guitar player, a musician," he says. "I think there's a definite musical side that comes out more than what people have seen before."
Next up for Hicks is a book, which comes out in July. "Heart Full of Soul" ($24.95, Crown) is described as an inspirational memoir.
One thing he's learned from life so far is he would do "Idol" all over again. "That was a really fun time in my life," he says. "I'm very thankful for all of that time."
A few moments later, as the conversation turns to his former "Idol" rivals, whom he prefers to call friends, the phone connection goes dead unexpectedly. Hicks is gone without a good-bye.
With another person, it would seem a rude ending to a conversation. But with Hicks, it's just a technical glitch in the middle of a busy day. Besides, he's already said enough polite things for two interviews.
Contact JULIE HINDS at 313-222-6427 or hinds@freepress.com.
Copyright © 2007 Detroit Free Press Inc.
Singer takes sunny view of current tour
April 20, 2007
BY JULIE HINDS
FREE PRESS POP CULTURE WRITER
Over the phone, Taylor Hicks comes across as someone who's as careful and determinedly upbeat with his comments as a politician on the stump.
"There's all kinds of people to see and music to play. It's really cool," says Hicks of life after "American Idol."
Asked about his current tour, which lands at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on Sunday, he offers this: "It's been grueling, but it's been rewarding, too, to see all the fans."
The winner of last season's "Idol" never strays far from his Southern manners, even when he's asked about the inevitable comparisons between him and other contestants. Sales of his new CD, "Taylor Hicks," haven't equaled those of debut albums by champs like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
"I'm not into the numbers game. I'm into playing music," he says diplomatically. "That's a story line for others, not me."
Hicks has his own distinctive story thanks to his "Idol" exposure, and he's sticking to it. He's known to millions as the prematurely gray singer with the bluesy sound, geeky moves and aw-shucks charm who rose unexpectedly to victory, thanks in part to his legion of fans known as the Soul Patrol.
These days, his concerts draw a mix of people that sounds as all-encompassing as the massive "Idol" viewer base.
"It's like 7 to 85, so it's really cool to see the eclectic group of people that come and see you play," he says.
For Hicks, life currently consists of another day, another performance in another state. On this particular afternoon, he's preparing for a gig in Pennsylvania. He's set to be in Ohio on Tuesday, Illinois the day after that and then Missouri and Colorado and so on. It's a rigorous pace, much like the "American Idol" concert tour that he was part of last summer.
"You have to take it easy," says Hicks, who spent years performing before he auditioned for "Idol." "Luckily, the vocal cords and muscles, I've been using it a long time. You save that energy for the stage."
Fans who recall him as a whooping presence on TV may have a hard time picturing Hicks in low-energy mode. So does he remain mellow when he's offstage?
"Yeah, you could say that," he says with a hint of a laugh.
Hicks doesn't keep track of his press coverage on the Web because he doesn't have time. It's also hard for him to carve out an hour to watch the current season of "Idol."
"About the time I go on is about the time it comes on," he says. "I'll be picking a winner soon."
He's heard of Flint's LaKisha Jones and describes her as a good singer. "You've really got to pick great songs down the stretch," he says by way of advice.
Is he glad his season wasn't dominated by something like the Sanjaya phenomenon? Again, Hicks opts for tactful pleasantries.
"Obviously, the talent level on our season was great. A lot of my friends got deals, which was really great. I wish the best for the folks on this season, too," he says
Hicks sounds more comfortable describing what fans will see if they catch him in concert. "I'm a harmonica player, a guitar player, a musician," he says. "I think there's a definite musical side that comes out more than what people have seen before."
Next up for Hicks is a book, which comes out in July. "Heart Full of Soul" ($24.95, Crown) is described as an inspirational memoir.
One thing he's learned from life so far is he would do "Idol" all over again. "That was a really fun time in my life," he says. "I'm very thankful for all of that time."
A few moments later, as the conversation turns to his former "Idol" rivals, whom he prefers to call friends, the phone connection goes dead unexpectedly. Hicks is gone without a good-bye.
With another person, it would seem a rude ending to a conversation. But with Hicks, it's just a technical glitch in the middle of a busy day. Besides, he's already said enough polite things for two interviews.
Contact JULIE HINDS at 313-222-6427 or hinds@freepress.com.
Copyright © 2007 Detroit Free Press Inc.
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