Taylor Hicks & Jon Cook

Long time fans of Taylor Hicks know that Jon Cook has been on the musical scene with him as an accompanying guitarist for quite a while, even playing on his pre-idol CD's "In Your Time" & "Under The Radar". Here's some information on Jon I recently came across from 2006 that might be of interest. Some of Taylor's best performances have been with Jon (most recently in Orange Beach, AL last year). Wouldn't it be great if he played on Taylor's next CD? Magic! How about a studio version of the still socially relevant Abraham, Martin, and John? Check out the live version they did together in the jukebox above!


Born and bread in the great music state of Georgia , Jon is truly a southern gentlemen. Jon cut his teeth while in school at AUBURN , where he and long time friend Taylor Hicks spent many nights honing in a very unique duo which also worked as a great band. The group the ”EZ WIDERS” played festivals , benefits and clubs earning a very good reputation as a Blue eyed soul and rock and roll band.

Taylor met Jon Cook in 1995 while they were both students at Auburn University. The pair performed in various bands and as a duo during the next several years. “Playing with Taylor was nothing but fun. We enjoyed it and had a good time,” Cook said. Performing everything from soul to bluegrass and reggae, Hicks and Cook made the Alabama rounds, became fixtures at the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge, and trekked out to Los Angeles to perform showcases at the House of Blues and the Playboy Mansion. “We had all sorts of fun on the road,” Cook said. A little over a year and a half ago, the Taylor Hicks Band was born. Mitch Jones is the bassist for that band.

“We had all sorts of fun on the road,” Cook said.

A little over a year and a half ago, the Taylor Hicks Band was born. Mitch Jones is the bassist for that band.

Jones said the first time he performed with Hicks was with Wynn Christian at Bodega.

“People were standing on the pool tables in the bar. It was crazy,” he said.

“The way the crowd responds to Taylor on ‘Idol’ is the same as when the band plays in clubs,” Jones said.

“He’s always been quirky,” Jones said. “He’s even a little restrained on ‘American Idol’ since he only has three minutes to perform.”

Cook said he’s known Hicks so long that he seems completely normal.

“He doesn’t seem so spastic to me. Maybe I’ve known him too long, but I don’t even notice,” Cook said. “Maybe because it’s just old hat to me.”

Since Hicks has been on “American Idol,” the Taylor Hicks Band has been put on hold while its other members continue to perform under the name Little Memphis Blues Orchestra.

“I just couldn’t be prouder of him (Hicks). We talked about (him auditioning for ‘Idol’) and joked that he needed to hurry up since he was 29,” Cook said. “There’s no doubt he’s talented, but I don’t think anybody expected he’d do so well in that format.”

Taylor and Jon in Birmingham, Al 2004 (Photo courtesy of M. Sheehan)