Email this page
Print this page
del.icio.us
digg
CommentsGray Matters
Taylor Hicks is coming to Branson, and that’s exactly where he wants to be
By Matt Lemmon
Photo Jim Wright-Montage
Taylor Hicks plays the Welk Resort Theatre July 30.
(page 1 of 2)
When we found out we were going to be interviewing American Idol season five winner Taylor Hicks, we were a bit star-struck. Fortunately, we remembered it was Taylor Hicks we were going to be talking to—the same man who brought the title of American Idol to every prematurely gray, guitar-playin’ twenty something in the nation. We never saw him as tailor-made for the big stage—and fittingly, he says he’s happiest playing the smaller ones. Taylor was kind enough to do a phone interview with GO ahead of his July 30 concert at Branson’s Welk Resort Theatre.Can I have a trademark Taylor Hicks “Soul Patrol! Woo!”? Just to get us in the mood?
Soul patrol!
Nice. Do you get asked to do that a lot?
Yes.
Do you ever get tired of it?
No.
Why do you think Taylor Hicks won American Idol?
I think because I’m a blue-eyed soul. I’m the entertainer. I don’t know, I’m just a blue-eyed soul.
From the first time I really paid attention to you in season five, I thought: “I’d love to see that guy in a small venue with 100-200 people and room to dance rather than in a big arena.” Does that statement surprise you?
Not at all—That’s where I thrive. My live show has always thrived off of intimate theatres and small venues.
How is your show and style of performing translating to a big national tour, in an aesthetic sense?
People have that same mentality, same concept as you do. They want to see me in a small setting, and that’s kind of where I’m at.
What’s up with the gray hair? Is it genetics?
It is genetics. It’s not a product thing.
Have you ever considered—or been asked to—dye your hair?
I’ve never considered it. I’m not gonna change. I have been asked but I’m not going to.
So this tour you’re on—when did it begin? How much longer do you have to go?
The tour began in June. I’ve got until about September 15.
Ever been to Branson, Missouri?
Never been, nope.
What have you heard about it?
I’ve heard it’s cool. I’m excited to go there and play. It’s on our way, and I’m glad for the stop-off and a chance to jam.
Do you have epilepsy?
No.
Then you’ll be fine in Branson. It’s sort of Vegas on country steroids.
That’s good to know.
Who’s traveling with you on this tour? I mean both as other musical acts and family/friends.
Just me and six-piece band. I had one friend that’s gone with me [on tour] since college.
On tour, since American Idol, have you played any venues that were really exciting to you as an artist?
Yeah. The Beacon Theatre [in New York] and the Ryman Auditorium [Nashville].
How was the “Idols Live” tour? You can be honest—were you sick of those people by the time it was over?
[Pause] I mean, I think you get to a point where you just want to kind of relax. After that tour it was nice to be able to relax, and get your bearings straight before you go into the studio.
How long did you have before you started recording?
About three weeks…
Who was your closest friend from your season?
Elliot [Yamin]. We were all kinda close though.
Elliot’s single is doing really well right now. Do you think he’s surprised by that success?
No, I think everyone from my season can sing, there’s no question about that.
When all this album/tour/Idol madness is over, what will the “normal” life be like for Taylor Hicks?
What do I plan on doing? I’ll probably be sleeping a little bit. I’ll go back to Alabama, go home and see some friends and then possibly do a little bit pf traveling.
Where do you want to travel?
I don’t know, you know? Maybe see some of the country I haven’t seen yet.
Your album’s sales have been, to hear industry experts describe it, a bit slow. Are you disappointed with your album’s sales performance?
I’m not into numbers, I’m into music.
How did you feel about the album?
My goal was to keep the musical integrity intact, and that’s what I’ve accomplished.
