Q&A
with
Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks is one of the most beloved and popular AMERICAN IDOL
winners of all time.
From the start, Hicks’ material on the megahit show set him apart, with a unique take on
Southern soul, R & B, country and blues. Sixty-four million votes were cast and nearly 37
million American viewers and more than 200
million viewers worldwide tuned in to crown
Hicks the Season 5 winner of AMERICAN IDOL,
making it one of the most-watched TV events
of the last decade.
Hicks’ star continued to rise after he stepped
off the IDOL stage. Less than three weeks after
his IDOL victory, his debut single, “Do I Make
You Proud,” entered at #1 on Billboard’s Hot
100, Pop 100, and Single Sales Charts. Coinciding with the single’s release, a cover story
named him People magazine’s “Hottest Bachelor of the Year.” His self-titled album (Arista),
debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and was
quickly certified RIAA Platinum. In 2007, Hicks
penned a brisk-selling autobiography “Heart
Full of Soul” (Random House). Hicks is the first
male IDOL winner to be featured on a Gram8
my Award-winning album, Jimmy Fallon’s
“Blow Your Pants Off,” which took home the
2013 Grammy for Best Comedy Album.
On Broadway, Hicks starred in the hit musical, GREASE as Teen Angel, and when asked
to join the national tour, happily agreed.
The 18-month tour connected him with fans
across North America.
In June 2012, Taylor Hicks began his residency
at Bally's Las Vegas. As a testament to his musical talent and showmanship, Hicks will continue to bring the roadhouse to the Las Vegas
Strip with a year-long extension through 2013
at a larger venue, Paris Las Vegas, making him
the first Idol winner in history to secure a long
term residency in Las Vegas. Hicks has since
rapidly evolved into one of the most popular
acts in the city. He will have an exclusive commitment to Caesars Entertainment, bringing
his soulful ballads to other Caesars properties
across the country throughout the year.
On August 30, 2012 Hicks performed at the
closing night of the 2012 Republican National
Convention, playing to a crowd of 18,500 delegates in Tampa, Florida, and a national TV au-
May 2014
INSIGHT