Taylor Hicks Accepts American Music Award from Alabama Hall of Fame

Alabama's own American Idol 2006, Taylor Hicks never expected to see "Soul Patrol" signs when his plane landed in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"It's amazing the responses I had in Asia," said the Birmingham native, who's as famous for his head of salt and pepper hair as he is for his soulful singing and harmonica playing. "I'm blessed to have such a dedicated group of fans."

These days, he's living on the road. "There are four pieces of luggage that I carry with me at all times, and I call that my apartment," he said. "I'm letting the music carry me where it needs to go."

He's also doing a lot of writing and making plans for his next project, for which he will have more creative control. That pleases him a lot.

It's thrilling to be part of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, he said. On Friday, he received the 2008 America's Music Award. It was thrilling to just be in the same room with all the legends of music.

"I'd buy a ticket just to go," he said.

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Taylor and the legendary Percy Sledge ("When A Man Loves a Woman")

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Musicians and movie stars Donnie Fritts and his buddy Kris Kristofferson made time after a press conference Thursday to be part of a video salute to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind's 150th anniversary.

The two are in town for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony and dinner. Fritts is being honored with a 2008 Lifework Award. He has known Kristofferson for about 40 years. Kristofferson turned down a movie project to be here to support his friend and will perform for the crowd.

American Idol Taylor Hicks also stopped by to record a greeting for the AIDB. Check Saturday's Montgomery Advertiser for more details.

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Stars rock Capital City
February 23, 2008
Reporters Teri Greene, Robyn Bradley Litchfield and Ken Mullinax contributed to this story.

American Idol and 2008 America’s Music Award honoree Taylor Hicks also stopped by to record a greeting for the AIDB, capping it off with his signature head jerk and “Woo, Soul Patrol!”

Hicks followers like Rhonda Huffman of Montgomery were out in full force.

“I am a Soul Patrol member, which means I’m a BIG Taylor Hicks fan. He has the voice of an angel, and he’s a non-stop entertainer,” she said. “His performance always knocks it right out of the park, and it’s great that he’s from Alabama, too.”

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Videos to check out:

Taylor singing "Soul Thing"

Taylor singing "Before He Cheats"

Taylor accepting his "American Music Award"!

Taylor Hicks To Receive Award From Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Mary Colurso wrote a nice article today in al.com about Taylor's performance at the Alabama Music Awards that is being held this Friday, February 22 in Montgomery. He will also receive one of the two American Music Awards that will be handed out. Well deserved Taylor! The article reads:

Give Taylor Hicks a plate of Birmingham barbecue and he's a happy man. Give Hicks, 31, an award from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and he's happy about that, too.

The Hoover-born singer, foodie and 2006 "American Idol" winner will receive the America's Music Award on Friday in Montgomery, at the hall of fame's annual induction and awards ceremony. Hicks will share that accolade with Angela Hacker of LaGrange, the 2007 winner of the "Nashville Star" TV show.

"I'm very honored," Hicks said today. "I think the last award I received was for being tardy the most in high school. This will be a step up."

Hicks plans to perform "Soul Thing" at the 7 p.m. ceremony, held at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel. Other performers will include Kris Kristofferson, Percy Sledge, Tommy Shaw, Beth Nielsen Chapman and the Commodores.

The hall of fame will induct five Alabama natives that evening, including jazz bassist Cleve Eaton, 68, of Fairfield. Eaton, a veteran on Birmingham's music scene, has done stints with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, toured with the Count Basie Orchestra and collaborated with many other jazz luminaries.

Hicks has performed with Eaton in the past, and sat in with his band at the Open Door Cafe in Mountain Brook. Eaton is known for his intense focus and flamboyant musicianship during concerts.

"When Cleve plays, he's one of those musicians who's in another world," Hicks said. "While we're listening to him on Earth, he's playing the bass in Mars. I think that has to do with talent. He's that talented, and knows the instrument that well. It was an honor to play with a guy like that."

The hall of fame will distribute four awards at Friday's ceremony, aside from the one given to Hicks and Hacker. Recipients will include songwriter Chris Tompkins of Greenhill, who recently won a Grammy Award as the cowriter of Carrie Underwood's hit "Before He Cheats."

Alabama musicians, producers and other achievers are commemorated with memorabilia in the hall of fame's museum in Tuscumbia. Hicks said he donated his "infamous purple jacket," which drew applause and criticism from "Idol" viewers, for his display case at the museum.

Hicks said the last time he wore the purple jacket, he was headlining the "Idol" tour at the BJCC Arena in August 2006.

"I wore it in Birmingham and retired it," he said, laughing.

Taylor Hicks & The Bogus American Music Awards

The American Music Awards are a popularity contest, always have been, always will be. It's awards are not based on talent, ground-breakers or respect from peers. It's based on the votes cast by people who buy and listen to the dreck that populates the Top 40 charts - the winners won by on-line voting. Look at who's on that nomination list - Fergie? Justin Timberlake? Beyonce? Daughtry? (a blantant copy-cat rip-off of another no talent band Nickleback.) God help me - what has happened to real music? Where are the pioneers? The passion? The talent? It's an atrocity.

I know one thing though. If Taylor Hicks made music (and I use that term in the most general of terms) like these people I just mentioned, I wouldn't be a fan. You see, he walks a different path - a road less traveled - not a cow that follows the herd. How wonderful that we are on that road with him.

I suspect and hope he will continue on with his own vision of soul and blues on his own terms - on the next CD, and each CD after that, and in concert, regardless if it is or isn't in vogue at the moment. The flavor of the month. Remember he said he wants HIS voice heard - not a copycat of what's already out there. He's stubborn and independent and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I really think eventually, discerning music listeners will begin to realize the talent that is Taylor Hicks and his time will come down the long musical road, I have no doubt about that. It may not be with the Top 40 crowd, but I suspect he will get the respect from those who share his musical vision - a vision based in truth, sincerity and honesty.

If you are already aboard this ship, pat yourself on the back. And if you're not, I feel sorry for you. Open your ears and try to broaden your musical horizons and understand what other music is out there - music that touches the soul.

Taylor Hicks - New Interview with Rounder Magazine

Here's a fairly recent (August '07) interview Taylor Hicks gave to Rounder Magazine! Nice, candid questions and answers! Enjoy!

He did it!. Taylor Hicks had the idea that if he tried out for American Idol, he could maybe gain some exposure for his music. Well unless you were under a rock for the past year and a half or just don't watch television at all, you should have been exposed a little by now. If you have only seen him on tv though, you are not getting the whole Taylor. The music really is what moves this "former" American Idol and a whole night of music from Taylor Hicks with his hand picked band is what can truly define him for you. There are a lot of chances to see him in August. His calendar is packed full of shows all over the country this month. Darlene's been lucky enough to see him perform many times and she feels really lucky to be able to bring ya'll an interview she got with her friend Taylor Hicks for August Rounder.

Darlene: Do you play Poker?
Taylor: Don't play poker. Sometimes I do play Blackjack. I like playing the casinos because I get to play blackjack afterwards.

Darlene: What is the difference in the shows at the different kinds of venues...like the bigger vs. the smaller?
Taylor: The smaller, the more intricate the music becomes. I definitely enjoy small venues.

Darlene: Any one who has seen you perform has seen you take it to that special level of 'Soul'. I remember one time seeing you just go crazy on the stage at WorkPlay. After the show, I was like "Wow! that was amazing,Taylor." You told me you had felt God going through you. How do you get to that 'true moment'? Are you concentrating...meditating or is it like you letting yourself go?
Taylor: It is definitely about just letting myself go. I have to get into a certain mode and then I just let go.

Darlene: I have to say I loved your song 'Soul Thing' from the first time I heard it. How did that song come to you?
Taylor: I guess I just started with the hook and built the song around the hook.

Darlene: Are there plans for another cd in the works yet.? How is your inspiration these days?
Taylor: Yes, I am definitely looking ahead to the next album. I am inspired at the concept of working with a very talented group of songwriters.

Darlene: Is there any new music you have been checking out lately that you want to shamelessly plug...anyone or certain cd?
Taylor: I love Amy Winehouse right now. (check website www.amywinehouse.co.uk She is a sweet soul singer from the UK and she is awesome)

Darlene: Are you able to get blown away by anything these days? You must have seen so much. Anything shock you lately?
Taylor: Getting picked up on the jet-way to be driven on the runway to baggage claim. I felt really cool.

Darlene: You are truly one of the biggest stars in the world right now. You're part of our Pop Culture and History. How does that make you feel? Do you think about it?
Taylor: I am very excited and blown away myself. It is a humbling feeling, but also gets me so excited sometimes I just kind of laugh in disbelief.

Taylor's autobiography 'Heart Full of Soul' was released by Random House July 10th, and you can even get it on itunes now and listen to Taylor tell his story. His self titled cd hit the charts on Dec 12 in 2006 debuting at the number two spot on the U.S. Billboard top 200 chart. The album of what Taylor calls "Modern Womp" music mixes soul, blues, funk and Cajun influences with a contemporary twist that will be a welcome addition to any one's music collection. Taylor Hicks is a really wonderfully genuine musician with plenty more music left in him. Superstardom doesn't seem to have changed him much accept that he is even more busy now that he used to be and well, I bet he has more guitars. Darlene has a lot of respect for this hard working guy who took a not so conventional avenue to gain some exposure for his music. He did it...and yeah...We are proud!

http://www.roundermagazine.com/article/article_taylor_hicks.php