Top 20 'Idol' Contestants of All Time - 17: Taylor Hicks
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- January
- 11
If there are two things the silver-haired Taylor Hicks has going for him, it’s the title of “American Idol” Season 5 champ and his militant fan base, who label themselves members of the Soul Patrol.
Hicks, who asked us “Do I Make You Proud?” in song on the night that he defeated Katharine McPhee to claim his crown, might still be waiting on an answer from the masses. Never a favorite of judge Simon Cowell, Hicks in succession defeated Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin and McPhee en route to an improbable win.
Once Daughtry and Yamin were eliminated, I think I was rooting for Hicks to win at the time; I remember telling people my reason: “No one in the history of the show has ever had more fun.” Plus, he seemed like a nice enough guy. Well, those attributes only goes so far.
Of the six “Idol” contestants to win the seasonal competition, Hicks has probably received the least amount of airplay on mainstream radio. And no matter how well-armed his fans are, perhaps even he would admit that sales of his self-titled album were a disappointment; it was the first album from an “Idol” winner not to sell 1 million records. Worse, his record label dropped him parted ways with him last week.
He did have enough cred to tour with Earth, Wind & Fire last year, but without another unexpected surge not unlike the one that propelled him to the “Idol” title, the Soul Patrol might have an uphill battle in years to come.
One thing’s for sure: I can expect about a million comments from Hicks fans blasting me right about… now.
Also see:
– Top 20 ‘Idol’ Contestants of All Time – Epilogue-No. 1: Kelly Clarkson
-No. 2: Carrie Underwood
-No. 3: Chris Daughtry
-No. 4: Jennifer Hudson
-No. 5: Sanjaya Malakar
-No. 6: William Hung
-No. 7: Clay Aiken
-No. 8: Fantasia Barrino
-No. 9: Blake Lewis
-No. 10: Tamyra Gray
-No. 11: Jordin Sparks
-No. 12: Melinda Doolittle
-No. 13: Bo Bice
-No. 14: Elliott Yamin
-No. 15: Ruben Studdard
-No. 16: Katharine McPhee
-No. 18: Diana DeGarmo
-No. 19: Frenchie Davis
-No. 20: Lisa Leuschner
-Top 20 intro and criteria/Honorable Mentions (Nos. 21-31)
(Photo courtesy of FOX.)
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on Friday, January 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm by Chris Serico.
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Aww, I'm a Hicks fan and I'm not going to blast you
I think it's interesting to point out though that BMG execs have apparently clarified that they still have a right of first refusal on the new CD that Taylor is recording. It's possible (though, in my opinion, improbable) that they'll still pick up his new stuff. Maybe Kat McPhee got the same deal, too.
Oh well. With his gray hair and less-than-mainstream vocal stylings, I doubt Taylor will ever be a big hit with the public. But you are right, he does appear to have some cred with other musicians (he counts Keb'Mo' as a mentor). Regardless of whether he sells 2 million copies of his next CD or 200 all from the trunk of his car, as a fan I'm excited to hear what he puts out when he has more creative control. Thanks for including him on the list.
Well, for starters he wasn't dropped, he bought out his contract in order to have more creative freedom. Second, he toured extensively to MANY sold out shows, and I think played less than five with Earth Wind and Fire. Taylor is AMAZING live, it's where a lot of his strength lies and it is what made the soul patrol love him in the first place. He ENJOYS what he does, he plays the music because he loves it and that rubs off when you see him live. Even my husband was surprised what a great show Taylor puts on, enough so that he came to more than one show with me. Everyone needs to get off Taylors back and let him show everyone what he can do without bashing him for not selling as much as other idols who are in totally more common genre's. Take a listen to his pre-idol Under the Radar CD for a peek of what he's capable of. Simon, needs to get over it already. and so does everyone else.
Just curious to see who the others are – my link was directly to #17 – Taylor Hicks, and the next link is for #18 – Diana DeGarmo. Doling them out two at a time?
Thanks for including Taylor, who BTW, as the first two comments revealed, was not dropped from the label.
Of course Taylor was dropped. But Clive Davis still owns him, because Taylor couldn't resist Clive's offer to come back once he'd written some songs, so Clive could see if they were worth recording. Taylor didn't have to "buy out his contract." It simply wasn't renewed, by the label's choice. Maybe Taylor will go out and write some hit songs. If I had to put money on it, I'd say that he won't.
The Soul Patrol hasn't forgotten Taylor. We would rather see his shows than listen to the radio or a CD player. I don't care much for radio; however I do play his CD's and bought his book and have attended 3 of his shows plus one of LIMBO's. There are more ways than one to support an entertainer but I think some are of the opinion that it is by how many CD's are sold which is how ratings are determined. There are many people who cannot afford to buy them. I personally think the rating system needs an overhaul.
I intend to buy any album or CD that Taylor puts out regardless of who produces it and I will attend as many of his shows as is possible for me.
Sadly, you are right about the comments. I have never witnessed a more "militant" fan base in my life. They swarm like flys to any article or blog that says the slightest negative thing about him.
And, it doesn't surprise me that he has that kind of fans.
I was one of the fools that voted for him, but he blew off my son at one of the AI concerts and said he was too busy to sign his book. AND he said it so rudely my son (6 years old) started crying. He should have taken lessons from the other Idols on that tour. Every single one we ran into was thrilled to sign autographs and take pictures.
In my book, he deserves to be DROPPED by his label. What goes around, comes around where I live. It's called KARMA!!!!!!!!
Oh please of course Taylor was dropped. Good lord he never even was played on the radio. He did not have a hit and most of his shows were not sold out.
Be realistic here. He was dropped and it is Taylor's hope if he writes some better songs, maybe possibly Clive will help him. If I was Taylor, I would be calling Chris Daughtry and asking him for a song or two. They were roomates maybe Chris would write a song for Taylor. The problem remains that Taylor would need to sing it…. Never mind
After reading for days how Hicks was dropped and reading the dribble his fan base says such as he bought his contract out, I would like to offer the SP some advice.
Once your collective IQ's reach 50, you should sell.
Some people don't realize that Taylor recorded 2 albums of mostly original songs before we was on American Idol, so he has been selling three albums this year to his fans at his LIVE concerts, and his fan base actually likes his original songs better. Some people could not stand putting money in Clive Davis's pocket because of the way Clive was rude to Taylor all the time, so they did not buy the CD. It's an insult to have such an overwhelming voted victory, and then "the powers that be" pretend that it did not happen? The truth is, Taylor did not sign with their 19 Entertainment management company, so they lost control of their winner. They like to control their new stars, so they decided to ignore him, and act like someone else won. Yet Taylor has been gracious about it. He did not expect to win, but he did. Taylor was the people's favorite, you even said he was your favorite, but those same people don't all listen to today's radio and dig through the Gwen Stephani songs to hear one Taylor Hicks song. If we called to request a Taylor Hicks song, The DJ's would say he was not on their list of songs to play. Why Not? If you think the Soul Patrol is militant, it's because of things like what you wrote in this article. You wrote in "dopped him", and then crossed it out, and put "parted ways". I guess you felt you just had to take that jab at him, didn't you? Snarky remarks like that make us upset, and of course, the comments about the IQ. I have never seen a fan base so ridiculed as Soul Patrol. Taylor should be given an award for motivating a group of people that were not spending any money in the music industry at all before, and now spend alot of money traveling to see and hear Taylor's music. Taylor gave all of us over 40 a voice.
Sandra hit the nail on the head.People have ridiculed Taylor from day one and his fans, after awhile got fed up with all the ignorant remarks being made by anger(their idol didn't win)jealously b/c he had such a enthusiastic following and still does etc. Remarks have been made that are far from the truth from haters who have never witnessed him perform live in his genre of music.From the haters to the media, everyone says the same negative crap.The haters spin the heck out of every little tidbit of info on Taylor.The SP know a whole lot more of what's going with Taylor than these haters that stalk every article about Taylor and bash. .We are confident that Taylor knows what he's doing.People forget, that man has been in the streets for 10 years and has made a lot of connections and became pretty street wise.If you like the superficial cheesiness of the poptarts than more power to ya, but to say that they are more talented than Hicks, you are way off base.Not one idol shines as much as Taylor does on stage.They don't even come close.
DITTO Mandm
If you take the time to read over the comments, you will see that the venom is coming from the folks who just love to put Taylor down.
It has been going on for some time now..ever since Taylor beat Daughtry to win AI.
Can it please stop.. Daughtry is doing great, and the SP is happy with Taylor. Give it a rest.
Music is a personal experience. Daughtry, Carrie or any one else, could sell ten billion records, and I will still like Taylor much more. It doesn't make us bad.. so just over it.
Taylor may be 17 with you, but he is #1 with me!
A statement from Taylor: To all my fans and The Soul Patrol, I want to take a moment to talk about the recent news that my label and I have mutually parted ways. The important thing for all of you to remember is that I've been a working musician my whole life. This is turning the page on a new chapter of my career. Artistic freedom and control is an exciting prospect. The things that are most important to me is creating my art, performing it, and my fans. With the momentum that all of you have created over the years, Taylor Hicks is not going to stop anytime soon. I've started working on the new album, writing and scheduling exciting collaborations. The DVD, Whomp at the Warfield, is in it's final stages, and will be released soon. So as one door closes, a new one opens for 2008 with more excitement for all my fans than ever before. Sit tight, because the best is yet to come!
I'm willing to bet that every negative remark is from a Chris Daughtry fan. They still haven't gotten over the fact that #4 is always #4. They have so much hatred because Taylor won, that they are evil.
Taylor "won" nothing. His rabid, deluded fans voted until their fingers fell off, and gave him (and themselves) the illusion of "winning" something. They still do it—they're laughingstocks, because wherever there is a poll, they will be all over it. Then they claim, "Taylor WON the poll, so that means he should be number one everywhere else too!" That is pathetic. Now he has begged JRecords for another chance to prove he deserves to be on the label. Word from the inside (and it's no secret) is that they'll take him back when hell freezes over. He is already forgotten. RIP, Taylor Hicks, maybe now you can be honest about your orientation too. Only your feeble-minded fans fell for the ruse about you having a girlfriend. Be honest with them, and with yourself, and come out before somebody outs you by publishing pictures of you and your boyfriend.
Mandm – thank u, thank u.
The truth has been spoken eloquently by you.
"NOT ONE IDOL SHINES AS MUCH AS TAYLOR DOES ON STAGE, THEY DON'T EVEN COME CLOSE."
To all you Taylor basher, please find something better to door get a life.
P.S. My dream is that Taylor will be in concert within driving distance for me here in Redondo Beach, Ca.
Carolle back, I'm embarrassed I didn't proof-read my email.
But, everything happens for a reason. My blood pressure still rises immediately when I read ignorant comments by "Taylor Bashers," sooooo, I get carried away. Bashers, of course, was meant to be plural and maybe door was meant to find another door to go through. Of course, I meant to say,
"Find something better TO DO OR, get a life."
Carolle (A forever Taylor fan because he found a place in my heart and all our hearts that bashers just cannot understand, they are the losers.)
You know, it would be all well and good if all of Taylor's fans were actually correct in their assumption that Taylor "is amazing", yada yada yada….But answer me THIS, Soul Patrol….If he is SO amazing, where are the accolades from his PEERS? Where are the awards? Or even the nominations????
I'm sorry that Taylor isn't getting as much radio play and record sales as other AI contestants, he seems like a genuinely likeable person. My husband liked his style and I liked his personality but I don't think he should have won. I still can't believe he and Kat Mcphee were the two left standing. If Daughtry fans hadn't taken for granted that he (Daughtry) was going to take it all and chose not to call in their votes the night where it was down to Daughtry and Mcphee, I guarantee you Taylor would NOT have won. It should have been Daughtry and Elliott with Daughtry winning (even though I'm an Elliott fan). If Taylor had went up against Daughtry in the finals, Daughtry would have been the clear cut winner, no doubt.
One thing to say if Chris could have and should have
he would have won. Get over it Taylor has. There has
been on one like Taylor since Elvis. Rockers are a dime
a dozen but true artists like Taylor are few and I am
a huge Taylor fan and don't care what nasty people have
to say. Keep on keeping on Taylor.
As a fan of many genres of music, I found Taylor Hicks to be the most entertaining and vote-worthy contestant on American Idol. There is no other contestant in any of the seasons who could command the attention of the audience as he did. He dared to bring out a style of music that is no longer mainstream; that is the reason not enough people have bought his CDs. Rock fans always buy more music than other genres; it just sells better. That is not a reflection on Taylor's appeal as a singer and stage performer. I have the courage to say all the bashers on this forum are extremely rude, and enjoy bashing Taylor's fans intelligence. To those bashers, please go back and edit your posts. And it might be beneficial to you and the author of this article to realize Taylor has more talent and charisma than any of the Idols, bar none.
Taylor's appeal as a singer (don't foget Kermit sang too) and stage performer.
Turning your back and shaking your backside is not performing!! Is that what the SP wants?
Heads up SP, the wheel is turning, but the hamster is definitely dead.
But Taylor himself has stated that he knows what his fans want to see—his butt. (Or his onion, as they call it.) He should wear a big onion bubble butt suit, and peel off one layer at a time. Shake, shake, shake that onion, Taylor. This is what you have become.
apparently Steve was in the room during the meetings with Clive – and / or has actually seen the contract himself.
pffft.
And Brian G, Kenneth and Amos L, all sound like they wish THEY could be the person in the boyfriend pic with Tay – mmm mmmm right boys?
I really do not understand the need to put down any off the Idol winners or losers. If you like them enjoy all their music you want to. If you don't, change the channel while they are on. I wasn't a Sanjya fan but there seemed to be a lot of little girls who did. I don't feel the need to put them down. To each his own. If there are fans who want to follow their favorites, let them alone to enjoy. Music is a pleasure in this crazy world. Sing on Idols!
hicksfan7:
Why would I want to associate with someone who sets such low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them??
Please direct me to the boyfriend picture with Tay. There is no need if it is another picture of Bill, I have seen enough of those two together.
Those of us who 'get' what Taylor is all about realize what a unique and gifted artist he is. It's unfortunate that some who don't 'get' it have to sink to the level of mindless bashing of Taylor and his fans. I understand that the Taylor haters enjoy 'baiting' Taylor's admirers, but it is rather tacky and immature, in my opinion.
We should realize that there are many genres of music, some more popular and in style than others at present. We all have our preferences, and I recommend that we all try to be more tolerant of others' tastes and 'idols'.
For example, I'm not fond of Chris Daughtry's music or 'style', but I recognize he has talent. I (like the vast majority of Taylor fans) never stoop to attacking him or his fans on a personal level. Taylor has 'set the standard' for us, for gracious behaviour, just another reason I admire and respect him.
Maybe everyone should read what Hicks has to say instead
of making up stories. I believe he used the word mutual.
http://myspace.com/taylorhicks
In addition he was certified Platinum from RIAA on his
current CD. That means he sold a million. RIAA makes
the rules on Gold and Platinum status.
http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php
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Do the search yourselfs.
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To guest: They would rather believe the blogs from haters than the actual facts.Facts get in the way of their nonsense.
I am sick of reading that TH bought out his contract. HE WAS DROPPED. If he bought it out the contract there would not be a FTR agreement. J let him go b/c they believe that he will not make them the CD
I am sick of reading that TH bought out his contract. HE WAS DROPPED. If he bought it out the contract there would not be a FTR agreement. J let him go b/c they believe that he will not make them the CD, KC, CU bucks.
IMO this was a mistake but if I were the king of the world alot of things would be different.
TH may be the least selling 'winner' but he has sold way more units then any of the others not mentioned above.
KP is closing in fast but then again she is in high rotation on all the country station in the US. Plus she toured/is touring with big country names. Lets not forget her music vidoes and her quest sithtings in other vidoes.
BTW, to those who say you have to have the ##'s to get to make a vid, that is BS. The vid is meant to help sell the cd. Not the other way around.
Taylor Hicks was NEVER going to be successful. Don't you people know anything about image and music? You cannot be a success in music when you're fans are middle-aged and he put out music that ONLY appealed to that demographic.
karen, you are so right! His fans keep saying how amazing this guy is, but no accolades coming from no one else. Why is that? I guess they are right and 99.9% of the rest of world is wrong. OK, whatever.
Taylor won because America voted him. Chris lost because he wasn't good enough to win. In fact, he was in the bottom three twice, and his fans still haven't gotten over the fact that he was #4. They continue to bash every site that's not moderated, but the tide will turn some day, and they'll be eating their words.
QUOTED:
One thing’s for sure: I can expect about a million comments from Hicks fans blasting me right about… now.
__
One thing is for sure…You may get alot of comments, but the source of the comments that are filled with hate were expected. Your sarcasm goes hand and hand with these types of responses. Anotherwords…you get what you deserve. However, I think you were probably looking forward to the hits. Any site that includes the promotion of AI increases the likelihood of negative people. FACT!
Now, for my comment on Taylor? He rocks…looking forward to his next CD and his next tour. He is incredible live and had packed houses while on tour and did not need to take a "NAME" with him like some other artists…did it all on his own…no help from TPTB…nothing…Now that he is rid of the flees that followed that DOG, AI, he can take time off from scratching and start living his dream to the fullest capacity! All the while allowing us to share it!