Taylor Hicks: Five years later, still a maverick

Photo by Louise Uznanski 

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He broke the rules.  He brandished a harmonica when contestants weren’t allowed instruments.  He refused to dye his hair or change his performance style.  He sang funky; he danced funky.  If the camera moved left, he moved right.  He attempted (but failed) to organize the American Idol finalists as a bargaining unit.  He declined his American Idol coronation song, and was given another. 

 

He brought millions to their living rooms, glued to the television every Tuesday and Wednesday evening for months.  He brought passion to his performances.  He was politely but defiantly different, and on May 24, 2006 Taylor Hicks was named the 5th season winner of American Idol after a nationwide poll that tallied more than 63 million votes.

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Five years later the Idol winner continues to plot an independent course, defying expectations and building his own brand based on a model of diversification and consistent touring.

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Touring began early after the Idol win as the top 10 contestants took to the bus.  The finalists performed 59 dates across the country during the summer of 2006, filling seats and grossing $35.2 million dollars on the most successful American Idol Live tour to date.

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Photo by DeeDee56 

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Those 59 concert dates weren’t enough for the season five winner.  In select cities, Hicks went from the arenas to small clubs where he performed late into the evening with his own band for fans of his original music and soulful style.  Idol rules would not allow the ”shadow tour” to use his name to sell tickets, but the possibility of a special guest appearance still drew 900 fans on a late night in Wilkes Barre, PA on the final stop of the American Idol Live tour.

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 Photo of Taylor Hicks in Wilkes Barre, PA by Louise Uznanski

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Release of the eponymous debut album “Taylor Hicks” in December 2006 was quickly followed by two national concert tours.  The shows were organized and operated by Taylor’s own independent touring company, and pulled the 27th largest gross of the 2007 concert year. 

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Photo by didnotexpectthat.

 

During the summer of 2008 Taylor Hicks debuted on Broadway as Teen Angel in GREASE, the musical.  Following a successful run in New York, the show went on the road in December 2008, traveling the country for the next 18 months.

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Taylor at the Planet Hollywood handprint ceremony following his debut performance as Teen Angel, June 2008 

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Taylor’s sophomore album “The Distance” was released in March 2009 while the Broadway national tour was in progress.  In a novel and creative arrangement with the show’s producers, each performance of GREASE was followed by an encore.  After the stage had been cleared, Taylor Hicks was announced and returned to perform one of two lead singles from his new album, What’s Right Is Right or Seven Mile Breakdown.  ”The Distance” was available for purchase in the lobby of the Broadway show.

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The Broadway national tour was supplemented by a second independent shadow tour.  In select cities along the road and on his “day off”, Taylor Hicks and band performed music from the new album to delighted audiences in small clubs and theaters across the U.S.

 

Photo by Dan Swalec

 

The Broadway tour came to an end in May 2010.  Taylor was back on the road with his band that summer, offering a mix of original and classic rock/blues songs on a tour that crossed the United States from east to west.

 

 Photo captured  by MacPolski

 

In 2011 Taylor Hicks continues to move; the tour expanded  into international waters on Jam Cruise 9 in early January, then back to land and several sold out venues for a spring tour of the United States.

 

Photo by Louise Uznanski at Broadway Theatre of Pitman, NJ

 

A full five years following his win, it’s a rare article on American Idol that does not include Taylor Hicks.  Among the show’s winners, some have sold more albums.  Others have sold fewer.  Some have had a more visible presence on the radio and television.  Others less.  Yet, Taylor Hicks comes immediately to mind when American Idol is the subject of conversation.  Why?  This singer/songwriter is decidedly and deliciously different.  He’s different from the show’s intended pop music mold.  He takes a creative, independent, and determined approach to his music and his career, a career sustained and advanced through consistent touring.

 

Vive la difference!!  Congratulations to Taylor Hicks on the 5th anniversary of his American Idol win.

 

 

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