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Taylor Reuben Hicks (born October 6, 1976 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is a finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. Hicks is best known for his stage presence, gray hair, bluesy singing voice, spastic dance moves, and harmonica playing.

Early career

According to his grandmother, Hicks has never had any music lessons. He came running up to her when he was about twelve years old saying, "Grandma, you've got to hear this!" Then he sang Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" for her. His music reflects his favorites from that era: the classic songs of Redding, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles. He plays guitar as well as blues harp and writes most of his own songs. He bought a USD$2 harmonica at a local flea market when he was 16 and has been playing harmonica ever since. He has worked with Nashville veterans Billy Earle McClelland and Percy Sledge.

Hicks was a former student of Berry High School, Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Hicks had gained some fame in the state of Alabama for his performances at nightclubs and other local venues. He released two independent albums, In Your Time (1997) and Under the Radar (2005), prior to appearing on Idol; the latter was made available at local music outlets in the Birmingham area. Hicks also was heard on Tapestry, a radio program on National Public Radio affiliate WBHM in Birmingham, in December 2005.

He has also worked at a shopping mall and would dress up as the Easter Bunny for Easter and spring promotions.

American Idol

Hicks auditioned for American Idol in Las Vegas, Nevada. He passed the audition by the approval of judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, but not Simon Cowell, who said that Hicks did not have enough of an Idol image for any of the judges to put him through the Hollywood rounds. In this Cowell was proven wrong, which he subsequently acknowledged.

Hicks' fans call themselves the "Soul Patrol" . Hicks frequently mentions the "Soul Patrol" after performances and in subsequent appearances.

Hicks became the subject of a Weekend Update lampoon on NBC's Saturday Night Live on April 15, 2006, portrayed by cast member Jason Sudeikis. In the parody of Hicks's quirky mannerisms and disposition, Sudeikis mocked playing Hicks's trademark blues harmonica and repeatedly shouted out "Soul Patrol!" Hicks, when interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on the subsequent episode of American Idol on April 18, 2006 as to whether or not he saw the imitation, admitted that he had and that the impression made him "fall out on the floor" with laughter.

As of May 3, 2006, Hicks is the only contestant in his season who has never been shown in the bottom 2 or 3.

After Kellie Pickler's elimination, Taylor picked up the dubious title of VoteForTheWorst.com. He also has his own fan-games: (Pac-Man style) and (Dancing game)

American Idol performances

Semifinals

• Week 1: "Levon" (Elton John)
  • The judges enjoyed the performance. Jackson and Abdul agreed that there never was a performer like Hicks in the history of American Idol. Cowell took back what he said to Hicks during the audition by stating that he was wrong about saying that Hicks would never make it to the finals, states that Hicks is interesting, and that he received more compliments from people outside the show about him than any of the other contestants.
• Week 2: "Easy" (The Commodores)
  • The judges did not like the song choice. Jackson said that Hicks probably sang the song a lot when he was coming up in bars, but he thought it could have been better. Abdul was complimentary, but said it was not her favorite performance from Hicks. Cowell thought if Hicks would go back and watch the show, and have no doubt in his mind that the performance was "average."
• Week 3: "Takin' It to the Streets" (The Doobie Brothers)
  • The judges loved this performance — Jackson said it was not his favorite song from Hicks, but he was trying to comprehend his dance moves onstage. Abdul said that the song was great and loved the energy and dancing. Cowell "loved the song" and said that "that's what its all about— having fun and being memorable." Cowell also said it was the best performance of the night.

Finals

• Week 1: "Living for the City" (Stevie Wonder)Stevie Wonder´s songs
  • The judges loved his performance. Jackson said that it was "hot" and "fearless." Abdul praised Hicks and said that she wanted to "steal his dance moves for her next video." Cowell thought it was like a "drunken father singing at a wedding" but the difference being that Hicks is a good singer.
• Week 2: "Not Fade Away" (Buddy Holly)Songs of the '50s
  • Mixed reviews. Jackson wished that Hicks would have showed off a bit more vocal range. Abdul, like the week before, loved his dancing and enthusiasm, but Cowell argued that the show is about singing and said that even Hicks had to admit that "it was a complete and utter mess."
• Week 3: "Trouble" (Ray LaMontagne)Songs of the 21st Century
  • Jackson thought Hicks almost had a big moment at the end, and was upset that he didn't take more of a risk with his song choice. Abdul enjoyed his performance a lot, particularly for the fact that Hicks showed a different side, without relying on the frenetic dance moves. Cowell "rather liked the song" and thought it was an "excellent vocal", but did not like the way he dressed, calling the outfit and image "too Clay Aiken."
• Week 4: "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (John Denver)Country songs
  • The judges had a mixed review. Jackson thought it did not show his vocals. Abdul admitted that she loved Hicks and that she was a fan. Cowell described it as "safe, boring, and lazy" and wondered if Hicks chose the song just a few minutes before the show.
• Week 5: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen)Queen songs
  • Jackson described this performance as his Hicks' revival from the two weeks prior, Abdul considered it a great performance and did not know whether or not to have Hicks sign a record deal or be fitted for a straitjacket. During the performance, Hicks attempted to kick over the stand while taking the microphone off and missed. He then kicked some more and finally knocked it over. Cowell asked if Taylor was drunk and said the performance was ridiculous. Entertainment Tonight later reported that Hicks took offense to Cowell's remarks.
• Week 6: "You Send Me" (Sam Cooke)Songs from The Great American Songbook
  • The judges universally praised Hicks, with Jackson stating that the performance was "hot" and that Hicks was "in his element." Abdul said that "Sam Cooke would have been proud" and that the ending was "superb." Cowell described the beginning as "lame cabaret," but the end of the song as "magic."
• Week 7: "Just Once" (James Ingram)The Greatest Love Songs of All Time
  • Jackson said it was the wrong song choice and believed it was too karaoke. Abdul enjoyed it and said it was the perfect song. Cowell said the performance would be "played every day of the week in a hotel lounge." In a radio interview, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe defended Hicks by admitting he had to change his song choice from Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness", saying it didn't fit the week's genre. Was told by David Foster, producer, to have charisma and Andrea Bocelli said that he had an extrordinary voice.
• Week 8: "Play That Funky Music" (Wild Cherry) Songs from the birth year of the contestants, "Something" (The Beatles)Songs from the top ten of any Billboard Chart.
  • 1st song: Randy loved the performance and thought it was wild. Paula also loved the performance and thought Taylor dressed the part, it was fun and "authentic Taylor we love." Simon thought it was like another "horrible wedding performance."
  • 2nd song: The judges were surprised at the song choice believing it was daring and clever. All the judges loved the performance. Simon also said that, in all of his barminess, it's easy to forget that he is a good singer.

Discography

• File:Taylor Hicks Under the Radar.png

Albums

• In Your Time (1997)
• Under the Radar (2005)

References

1. Wade Kwon, "Gray-haired Hicks brings soul to Idol", Scripps Howard News Service (17 March 2006)
2. The Official Soul Patrol H.Q. biography
3. Mobile Register article on Hicks
4. Tapestry interview
5. Original "Soul Patrol" thread on American Idol forums

External links

• American Idol profile
• Template:Myspace - promo site courtesy of Fox's americanidol.com with News Corporation

• 1976 births
• American harmonica players
• American Idol Season 5
• American male singers
• Blue eyed soul
• Christian people
• Living people
• People from Birmingham, Alabama