According to an interview yesterday morning (& reported by the incomparable luvtaylorhicks on The Boogie), Taylor has added a new date to the Official Unofficial Taylor Hicks Shadow Tour, 2009.  Confirmed via his website this morning:

Taylor Hicks will be performing an acoustic set with his band at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI on December 11th. Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 9th, and will be available at following outlets:

* Coliseum box office
* High Noon
* All Ticketmaster outlets
* B-Side and Strictly Discs retail outlets
* By phone at (800) 745-3000
* Online at www.frankproductions.com

Frank Productions & Bud Light present Taylor Hicks – December 11, 2009 / 9:30 PM / $25 cover / 21 and up/ Tickets On sale Friday, October 9

Awesome.  The High Noon looks like a very cool venue.  Check out their slideshow for a peek at the inside.

Friday, September 25, 2009 – Workplay Theatre – Birmingham, AL

From Diane on Vimeo.

What a thrill it was to witness this live from the side balcony. I had a perfect view and perfect sound – who could ask for more?

Billy Earl shared a story from when Taylor was “a kid” (probably around 19 or 20): He said Taylor’s dad asked him if he thought Taylor had what it takes to make it in this business. Billy Earl told him it was a tough “bidness” and it took a lot of talent and drive to make it in the bidness … and he said, “I’m sorry to tell you this, sir, but Taylor has what it takes.”

I’d have to agree with Mr. McClelland – Taylor Hicks has what it takes.

Interesting article.  Obviously, it’s all Mr. Ho’s opinion, but it’s INFORMED opinion.  He has covered Idol for years for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and he knows of what he speaks.  I will admit to being surprised at his Number One pick, but I can see his logic.  His statement regarding Taylor is sure to raise some eyebrows, but I would tend to agree with his assessment.  He has him listed square in the middle at Number 12 out of 25.

The relevant portion:

12. Taylor Hicks. He is one of the more distinctive personalities ever to come out of “Idol.” He made great TV, which is why he won “Idol” in 2006. But his 70s-style rock-soul was never an easy sell commercially. He’s going to tour for the rest of his life and I’m sure he’ll be happy about that, even if it ends up being Smith’s Olde Bar-type places when he’s 50. He’s currently on the “Grease” national tour in a basically cameo role.

To read the entire list, go here.

Nice little interview by phone with Taylor.  A few little tidbits and info on Grease.  The author (David Menconi) appears to be a fan. 

From ‘Idol’ to Angel

BY DAVID MENCONI – Staff writer

In the future, every “American Idol” finalist will spend at least 15 minutes on Broadway. Which means Taylor Hicks is ahead of the curve.

Alabama native Hicks won “American Idol” in 2006, beating out a finalist field loaded with North Carolinians, including McLeansville’s Chris Daughtry, who has emerged as the top record-seller from that year’s “Idol” crop. While Hicks has not sold as well as Daughtry, he’s still putting out albums, including this year’s “The Distance.” And he has a healthy side-career going in musical theater, playing Teen Angel in the musical “Grease.”

“Grease” opens Tuesday in Durham. We chatted with Taylor by phone from Houston.

There are some nice questions, including this one that gave me a good giggle:

Q: What was it like to the subject of a “Weird Al” Yankovic parody?

A: I was probably as much in shock about that as about Broadway calling. But it was cool. When you get parodied by “Weird Al” Yankovic, you’ve arrived.

I love Weird Al.  Grew up listening to him all the time and finally got to see him in concert a few years ago.  When he covered Taylor it was just perfect. 

You can read the entire article here.

Durham PAC – Durham, NC
October 06 2009 – 7:00P
October 07 2009 – 7:30P
October 08 2009 – 7:30P
October 09 2009 – 8:00P
October 10 2009 – 2:00P & 8:00P
October 11 2009 – 1:00 & 6:30P

Thank you luvtaylorhicks for finding this first article re: the two Workplay shows this weekend:

By Mary Colurso — The Birmingham News
September 26, 2009, 1:59AM

Over time, it’s become clear to me: Taylor Hicks is the most dynamic, interesting and consistently entertaining member of Birmingham’s “American Idol” trio.

Perhaps it’s unfair to lump Hicks, 32, into a category with Ruben Studdard and Bo Bice, because their music styles are so different — soul-pop, R&B and Southern rock, respectively.

But all three are local guys who made their fame on the same TV reality series, and their successes happened within a span of just four years. I can’t help but compare and contrast them, and frankly, Hicks always stands out.

When the Gray Haired Guy returns for a concert here, as he did Friday night at the WorkPlay theater, it’s always a professional, high-energy show. Hicks works hard as a singer-instrumentalist (guitar and harmonica) and the set never feels amateurish or slapdash.

If anything, Hicks’ 11 p.m. performance at WorkPlay proved that he’s gained in confidence and stage stature in the years following his 2006 “Idol” win.

Very nice comments from Ms Colurso!  You can read the entire article here.

Another nice article about Taylor Hicks in Grease.  This one includes a good plug for his latest album, The Distance.

By Patrice Stewart
The Decatur Daily, Ala., September 24

American Idol 2006 winner Taylor Hicks returns to his hometown for a featured role in the touring production of Grease, which opened Tuesday at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.

The platinum-selling recording artist will play the “Teen Angel” role through Sunday.

Hicks made his Broadway debut in the Teen Angel role and has been on the road with Grease since this tour began Dec. 2.

“I had such a great experience performing on Broadway,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to visit old fans and new fans across the country while bringing them a great Broadway show.”

Hicks was named winner of the fifth season of the Fox TV series American Idol. He has been recording and making appearances since his 2006 win.

On March 10, Hicks released his new studio album “The Distance,” featuring the singles “What’s Right Is Right” and “Seven Mile Breakdown.”

To read the entire article, visit here.

luvtaylorhicks and taylorwow found and posted the following on The Boogie last night. The Mullet Wrapper apparently loves Taylor Hicks. This is the third article in the last two days! yay!

14 Questions with Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks is a Birmingham native, but he’s also Pleasure Island’s adopted son.  Only three years removed from picking up gigs at Lester’s and the Flora-Bama while trying to keep a working band on the road, Taylor has committed to tour with Grease well into 2010. “I’ve been in 45 cities since December,’’ he said days before his Sept. 11 concert in Biloxi.

Mullet Wrapper: What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
Taylor Hicks: I’ve become a pretty good photographer.’

MW: Considering anyone dead or alive, with whom would you like to have a conversation?
TH: Martin Luther King, Jr.’

MW: Besides parents, what one person(s) has greatly influenced your life?
TH: My grandmother.’ (Pleasure Island resident Joni Hicks)

MW: What is one thing that you would like to change about yourself?
TH: I’d like to be more healthy.

MW: What is one thing you would not want to change about yourself?
TH: My love for entertaining folks.

MW: How do you cope with stress?
TH: I run and I listen to my ipod.

MW: What is your favorite childhood memory?
TH: Watching Ray Charles in person in concert and, I guess, getting that first noon spot in the main room at the Flora-Bama when I was 18.

MW: What are your biggest pet peeves?
TH: People being impatient.

MW: Who are your favorite entertainers?
TH: Bobby Darin. That guy was the ultimate entertainer.

MW: What was your first and your worst job?
TH: My worst job was stripping and waxing floors. My first job was as a lawn service care provider. In other words I cut the freakin’ grass.

MW: If you had the political pull, what is one issue you would address?
TH: Partisan politics.

MW: What is the dumbest thing you ever did?
TH: How many days do we have to talk?

MW: What is the smartest thing you ever did?
TH: Listen to people who were older than me and had more experience and wisdom.

MW: If you could somehow will any team in any sport, to a championship, who would it be?
TH: The Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl. (Taylor spent a month in Detroit with Grease.)

MW: A perfect day is …
TH: Hanging out with great friends at the beach and not having a curfew or an interview.

Okay, so it’s really 15 questions, but it’s a fun little interview and who can blame him for being excited? (I don’t know the author’s name, though – anybody?)

From Birmingham news CBS42 – the locals are excited about Taylor Hicks’ return!

Reported by: Anna Donaldson
Last Update: 9/24 9:10 am

Grease is the word tonight, but American Idol Taylor Hicks is the main attraction!

Tuesday was opening night of Grease at the BJCC Concert Hall. Those in attendance tonight, such as Beckie Martin, say it’s Alabama singing sensation Taylor Hicks who brought them to the show.

“We came for Taylor. His dad works in Jasper, and we are all from Jasper. We are just real excited. We came to see him when he was in Birmingham before,” says Martin.

Read the rest and watch an interview with Taylor here.

Grease in Birmingham:

BJCC – Birmingham, AL
September 22 2009 – 8:00P
September 23 2009 – 8:00P
September 24 2009 – 8:00P
September 25 2009 – 8:00P
September 26 2009 – 2:00P
September 26 2009 – 8:00P
September 27 2009 – 1:00P
September 27 2009 – 6:30P

Found by luvtaylorhicks, these two articles from The Mullet Wrapper.

Taylor Hicks is literally in control of his future
By Fran Thompson

An excerpt:

[Taylor Hicks] made his Broadway debut in Grease, a gig he will keep through next year.  “It’s like getting a brand new instrument,’’ he said of acting.  “I know how to put a band together and go out and play music, but I don’t know how to act.  I’m learning and it’s interesting.  In a way it is similar to riffing off of a musician.”

“My part in Grease is small and I play it over the top,’’ he added, “but it has to be over the top.  And the show is Idol friendly.  It’s perfect for me.’’

Taylor sings one of his songs on stage after every Grease show and then signs CDs and visits with fans afterwards. It is a connection he does not take lightly. “Reporters have to take a negative slant. But they don’t see the down syndrome child who comes up and throws his arms around you and gives you a big hug, while you and his family share a few moments of joy,’’ Taylor said before a recent show in Biloxi. “That’s something I see every night. I do eight shows a week and I’m on the floor with the public in every part of the country. “Something like that hits you hard and it’s real, and it gets to me,’’ he added. “It’s not about what you’ve been talking about in interviews all day. It’s what happened right then and it brings you right down to Earth. God has a way of not letting you get carried away.’’

You can read the entire article here.  I especially like the way Ms Thompson summed up Taylor from his days pre-Idol to now.

Hicks releases “The Distance’’ on his own label

Taylor Hicks new CD The Distance is the first he has released on his own label, Modern Whomp Records.  Produced by Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Faith Hill), it features eleven tracks ranging from soul to ballads to country, including the first single What’s Right Is Right.

“A lot of popular music sounds the same,’’ he said.  “From track one to track 10, it’s the same thing. I just picked songs I liked and felt like I had enough of a unique voice to pull off.   I have creative control,’’ he added. “If I want to go against the grain playing every kind of style that I love, I will sink or swim with it.  Hopefully, I have good songs.   I feel like it’s a solid effort, but every record is a learning curve.  What’s Right Is Right is the soulful love song of the album,” said Taylor.  “I think its wonderful message about love that people can relate to.’’

You can read the entire article here.

From AL.com, a terrific new article:

Posted by Alec Harvey — Birmingham News
September 18, 2009 7:00 AM

Taylor Hicks is still amazed at what’s happened to his life.

And he’s not talking about going from virtual obscurity to winning “American Idol” in 2006 or putting out two CDs — “Taylor Hicks” and this year’s “The Distance.”

Now, sitting at an outdoor table at Vestavia Hills’ Diplomat Deli, Hicks is talking about his stint on Broadway and on tour as Teen Angel in “Grease.”

“I never thought in a million years that I’d be putting on makeup every day for one-and-a-half years,” says Hicks, who plays Teen Angel in the national tour of “Grease,” which opens in Birmingham Tuesday. It’s happened so much, the singer known for his gray locks jokes that he’s pre-conditioned to flinch around showtime, even on off days, when no one is fiddling with his hair.

Hicks has owned the role of Teen Angel — who urges beauty school dropout Frenchy to go back to high school — since joining the musical’s Broadway cast in June 2008. He’s headlined the tour since it started in December and is contracted through June 2010.

In “Grease,” Hicks is able to perform a single from “The Distance,” and he’s played in clubs along the tour route, adding to his legions of fans known as the Soul Patrol.

Read the entire article here.  My favorite part:

• On his “Idol” season-mates, which included Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young and Katharine McPhee: “I text everyone from that season,” he says, adding with a laugh, “That’s my favorite season.”

BJCC – Birmingham, AL
September 22 2009 – 8:00P
September 23 2009 – 8:00P
September 24 2009 – 8:00P
September 25 2009 – 8:00P
September 26 2009 – 2:00P
September 26 2009 – 8:00P
September 27 2009 – 1:00P
September 27 2009 – 6:30P