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Reprinted from the latest issue of American Idol The Magazine:
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Taylor Hicks eagerly awaited a phone call from Bo Bice, the fellow Alabamian who launched Taylor's American Idol dreams by finishing 2nd in Season 4. He expected it any day.
"He kind of paved the way for people around my age, had kind of the same flair, not really being close to a big city," Taylor says. "He showed the way for us to get out there and audition in different cities - Orlando for him, Las Vegas for myself."
Within an hour of making that comment, lightning struck: Bo walked into the hallway near the contestants' lounge and held impromptu court with America's newest stars, filled with advice and hilarious one-liners. Later, Bo took a front-row seat to watch Taylor sing The Commodores' "Easy" and move closer to the finals.
The following week, Bo performed on the night Taylor made it to the Final 12, thanks to a smashing effort on "Takin It To The Streets."
Such is daily life for an American Idol finalist, one that Taylor calls "living in a dream." At 29 and with prematurely gray hair and George Clooney eyes, Taylor rides the upper end of the age curve - but he is one of the most musically passionate competitors the show has ever seen. Look at his smile; the man loves his music.
"I listen to Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Brian McKnight...those people have such a passion. They taught me to love music," he said. "Also, I understand how hard it's been to get to where I am now. After playing three or four years in clubs without anybody really listening to you, it makes you appreciate when all the seats are filled, the people are cheering and this whole American Idol thing, with millions behind you."
Taylor's presence has been keenly felt by everyone - from home viewers to the judges to other competitors. All three judges have commented on Taylor's passion, as well as his ability to make the songs of iconic figures his own - the toughest part of song selection, as evidenced by week after week of ill-advised choices.
"You have to pick a song that everybody knows and that everybody can relate to," Taylor says. "You have to pick something real catchy so that people can go, 'Hey, I like that tune.' I tend to pick mega-hits that people across the board will listen to. If you have a catchy phrase or vocal solo people pick up on, and make sure those songs appeal to a broad audience, then you're OK."
Like Bo, Taylor, a guitar and harmonica player, came into the competition with songwriting and recording experience under his belt - plus the invaluable seasoning of hundreds of gigs. He has self-produced two CDs; the latest, Under the Radar, "is like Bob Seger meets Van Morrison with a little saxaphone thrown in," he explains. "I just want to touch as many people with my music as I can, and American Idol has allowed me to express my voice. I hope I can record a better album than I have in the past. It's like the competition, where you try to get better each week, I want to improve with every album I make."
As for the state of Alabama, Taylor confirms the obvious. Once again, TV sets statewide are tuned to a home-state favorite. "I think the whole state is going completely bonkers - for the second year in a row." he says. "Hopefully, I can keep the Soul Patrol going."
Taylor Hicks Age: 29
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Audition City: Las Vegas
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04-10-2006 09:36 PM
