With his raspy, soulful voice and salt-and-pepper hair, Taylor Hicks was one of the unlikeliest contestants to make it to the final round of American Idol, but his quirky charm and rousing delivery of songs like "Takin' It to the Streets" won Hicks a devoted legion of fans called the Soul Patrol and the title of the fifth-season American Idol. Born in Birmingham, AL, and raised in Hoover, Hicks grew up listening to classic soul artists such as Otis Redding and Sam Cooke -- which he said he could to relate to even as a child due to the divorce of his parents and other troubles -- and singer/songwriters like Van Morrison, Bob Seger, and Billy Joel. His chief influence, however, was Ray Charles, whom he admired so much that he carried a little statue of Charles with him whenever he performed. Though Hicks had no formal musical training, he picked up singing, guitar, and harmonica on his own. He began performing for his family at an early age and won a talent contest at his high school (at which time his hair started turning gray). While studying business, communication, and marketing at Auburn University, Hicks formed the Passing Through band, and left school early to try his luck in Nashville. As a touring performer, he opened for artists ranging from James Brown to Drive-By Truckers and also performed at the Playboy Mansion. Hicks released two albums with his band: In Your Time, a live album, and Under the Radar. In 2005, he auditioned for American Idol; the Memphis tryouts were so crowded that Hicks couldn't get in, so he went to the Las Vegas auditions. Despite the doubts of judge Simon Cowell, Hicks' differences from the typical pop star look and sound worked for him rather than against him in the competition, and his performances of "Levon," "Living for the City," and "Dancing in the Dark" helped put him over the top. After winning American Idol, Hicks signed a record deal with Clive Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, and released the single Do I Make You Proud that summer. Hicks also performed with the American Idol tour and began work on his major-label debut album. His self-titled debut arrived in late 2006. Live at the Workplay Theatre, a concert album recorded in summer 2006, was released in 2007.
~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
Birth Name
Taylor Reuben HicksNickname
HotnessThe Silver Fox
Tay Tay (his nickname given by his American Idol finalists group)
Height
6' 1" (1.85 m)Trade Mark
Grey hair
Trivia
His music reflect his favorite music: the old songs of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Ray Charles. In fact, he used to always carry a tiny statute of Ray Charles on stage with him. It was lost or stolen recently and he's been looking for another one.
According to his grandmother, Taylor has never had any music lessons. He came running up to her when he was about twelve years old saying, "Grandma, you've got to hear this!" Then he sang Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" for her.
Plays guitar and a "blues" harmonica or "harp." He writes most of his own songs. He has a CD entitled: Under the Radar.
He left college before graduating and went to Nashville for nine months to pursue a musical career. He has played for various venues around the United States. He has even played a couple nights at the Playboy Mansion.
His fans are known as the Soul Patrol.
Made the top final 2 on "American Idol: The Search for a Super Star"
On May 17 2006, joined Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood as the only Idol contestants who were never voted in the bottom 2 or 3.
Worked at a shopping mall and would dress up as the Easter Bunny for Easter and spring promotions.
Is close friends with Elliot Yamin.
Sang a duet with Toni Braxton "In the Ghetto" in the finale of American Idol [2006], where later he won the title of the 'American Idol'.
He was in New Orleans for a friends wedding on the night Hurricane Katrina hit and used a ticket voucher to fly to Las Vegas.
He bought a $2 harmonica at a local flea market when he was 16 and has been playing harmonica ever since.
On May 24, 2006, he became the new American Idol.
He is the second American Idol winner from Birmingham, Ruben Studdard being the first.
He was born at Saint Vincent Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, and his birth time is 10/06/76 at 3:30am.
Parodied on Saturday Night Live by Jason Sudeikis
He also performed in the huge infield of Talladega Superspeedway in 2004 during a NASCAR race weekend. After he won Idol, driver David Stremme said that he hoped Hicks would come back for the October race weekend there.
His father Brad, is a dentist.
Has two goldfish, named Lamont and Ray.
He performs the song "Takin' It To The Streets ", originally sung by the Doobie Brothers, on the American Idol top 12 CD.
"Do I Make You Proud" debuted at #1 on Billboard Hot 100.
In college was in a band called Passing Through
Personal Quotes
"I want my voice heard."
"When you are doing something you love, sleep can wait!"
"It's music man. If it's in your heart, you feel it, you play it, you sing it, you perform it, you bust your buns doing it, and that's what it's all about."
"Come on America! I'm living the American dream!"
