Site Meter
Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
TTHC News Discography On Stage Timeline Doubletake Biography Fan Spotlight
We hope you enjoy your visit. We welcome all guests and sincerely hope you will join us and experience what being a member of our home offers! This includes full access to all of our boards and exclusives, plus full access to our vast media library. Once you become a member, you log in to Connections and all of our features are yours to explore and enjoy.


PLEASE READ: WHEN YOU REQUEST MEMBERSHIP, THIS DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY GIVE YOU ACCESS TO THE BOARD. MEMBERSHIP REQUIRES ADMIN APPROVAL, WHICH IS NOT IMMEDIATE. YOU WILL STILL GET THE "YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS" MESSAGE UNTIL AN ADMIN HAS APPROVED YOUR APPLICATION. WE ATTEMPT TO APPROVE APPLICATIONS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AFTER THEY ARE VALIDATED.

Thank you.

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
INTERVIEW BY GREG BARBER PT. 1 AND 2
Topic Started: Jan 14 2010, 03:59 PM (280 Views)
mouser
Member Avatar

IDOL CHATTERAmerican Idol: Taylor Hicks on Ellen, Simon and the New Season

Posted Imagecourtesy of Greg Barber

FOUR YEARS AGO, Taylor Hicks rode a wave of support from a dedicated group of fans to a win in a competitive "American Idol" season that included contenders like Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler, who've all gone on to some measure of professional success.

He released his second album last March, and he's currently touring the country as the Teen Angel in a national production of the musical "Grease."

I talked with the Soul Patrol sovereign ahead of "Grease's" stop at D.C.'s National Theatre in February. I'll have more on that in a couple of weeks. But here are some of Hicks' thoughts on "Idol's" recent judging changes and an activity contestants should steer clear of during the show's run.

» EXPRESS: Simon Cowell's announced that he's going to leave at the end of the season. Do you think "Idol" can go on without him?»

HICKS: I have no doubt in my mind that "Idol" will go on. "Idol" is about the talent and the contestants, not necessarily the judges. I think the judges play a big part, and they can help break up the monotony sometimes. But ultimately the idea is what people love about "American Idol," and that is the American dream.

» EXPRESS: How do you think Ellen DeGeneres will do as a judge?»

HICKS: I definitely think her jokes will be funnier than Simon's. She's obviously made for television. She's an all-around entertainer, and I think she's going to do well for the show.


» EXPRESS: Who are some of your favorite recent "Idol" contestants?»

HICKS: I like David Cook. I liked his musicality. I'm interested in seeing this season how good the contestants are with their respective instruments. My year, I couldn't play instruments, although I snuck the harmonica in every now and then. Which was not easy because it was borderline — you'd get ousted if you performed with an instrument.

» EXPRESS: Any advice for the contestants coming up this year?


» HICKS: Don't use your cell phones. You'll lose your voice. Don't talk to your mom. There's only so much that you can hear from your family and your relatives, because if you use your cell phone too much, you'll run your voice out. America wants to hear you sing. [Try] texting. Lots of texting.

» WANT MORE "IDOL" COVERAGE? Check out the rest of our Idol Chatter blog, where you can find recaps of each episode, plus more "Idol"-flavored goodies.


Posted By Greg Barber at 1:35 PM on January 14, 2010


http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2010/01/taylor-hicks-american-idol.php
Edited by mouser, Feb 4 2010, 06:43 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
san
Member Avatar

Good interview and nice picture of Taylor. Sounds like we will hear more from him. I am anxious for the National Theatre date in February.

I think the President really should take his daughters!!!

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
pat
Member Avatar

Nice interview! Washington is just up the road from me, but well, I guess I have seen Grease through the rest of you so much I feel as though I had seen it already!! I'll be watching closely for local coverage!! Maybe someday, LOL -
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Gr8fulheart
Member Avatar

Short, but nice interview. Taylor gave some good answers.
And ~ yes, San. The President Should!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
mouser
Member Avatar

Greg Barber's part 2 of his interview with Taylor is due tomorrow.


COMING UP:
And tomorrow, get an extra burst of "Idol" goodness: the second half of my interview with season five winner Taylor Hicks. It'll be in Express' print editions and online here.




Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Gr8fulheart
Member Avatar

I guess we are getting the word out, mouser; since I posted this over on All The Talk under AI Rewind this morning.
Wanna make sure we all know about this ~ Right? :whe
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
mouser
Member Avatar

Here is the second part of Mr. Barber's interview as promised:

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2010/02/taylor-hicks-grease.php

STYLESEarthy Angel: Taylor Hicks

SILVER-MANED SINGER Taylor Hicks made his name by winning the fifth season of "American Idol" in 2006, fueled by the support of his fans, dubbed the Soul Patrol. Since then, the 33-year-old has released two albums and parlayed his "Idol" success into a stint on stages across the country as the Teen Angel in the national tour of "Grease." Hicks and company land at the National Theatre Feb. 9-21.

» EXPRESS: Had you thought of doing professional musical theater before "Idol"?» HICKS: Never in a million years would I dream that I would actually grace a Broadway stage in New York City. That's what "Idol" allows — the platform to be an entertainer and to experience all facets of the business.

» EXPRESS: What was it about "Grease" that lured you to sign on?
» HICKS: You always want to start small and get bigger, and from just a learning perspective — not having ever had any acting training — I think taking a small role like Teen Angel was the best move for me because it allowed me to get my feet wet.


» EXPRESS: Has the Soul Patrol made itself heard during the show?» HICKS: Oh, yes. There's kind of a Grateful Dead-meets-Parrot Head contingent in some of the Broadway theaters across the country, which has been great.

» EXPRESS: How do you keep up that kind of fan base?» HICKS: You have to tour all the time. I've been on the road now for four years straight. It's quite extensive, but I don't know any other way, because I've studied so many legendary musicians, and that's the reason why they are legendary, because they do tour extensively.




» EXPRESS: The Teen Angel's style is a little flashier than yours, isn't it?» HICKS: I designed my Teen Angel costume. It's a midnight blue, rhinestone-studded suit — it's got kind of an Elvis-meets-Gram Parsons-meets-Liberace kind of feel.

» EXPRESS: Has wearing that so often changed your fashion choices?» HICKS: I've not gone to dinner with my Teen Angel jacket [shown] yet, but before I leave this Broadway tour, I will go clubbing in it. I might give 50 Cent a run for his money as far as bling is concerned.

» EXPRESS: Favorite angel: Clarence from "It's a Wonderful Life" or Charlie's Angels?» HICKS: I'd have to go with Charlie's Angels. Cheryl Ladd for $200, Alex.

» EXPRESS: You're from Alabama. Do you like your barbecue with or without white sauce?» HICKS: I'll take barbecue with white sauce once every seven-and-a-half months. Usually, it's more just good, old-fashioned red sauce.

» EXPRESS: Any favorite spots in D.C.?
» HICKS: I love Georgetown. Being in a city like D.C. is a blessing, and I'm going to comb through it as much as I can.

Edited by mouser, Feb 4 2010, 06:56 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
san
Member Avatar


I would love to see the clubbing evening in bling and glitz! Pictures please!

Hope he tweets the pictures....hehe!

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Recent Articles and Interviews · Next Topic »
Add Reply