Despite slagging sales of his debut album, Taylor Hicks is determined to win them over on tour

By: ERIN CARLSON - Associated Press | Wednesday, May 2, 2007 11:29 AM PDT ∞

Taylor Hicks
When: 7:30 p.m. May 6
Where: Palomar Starlight Theater, Pala Casino Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala
Tickets: $35-$55
Info: (619) 220-8497

"American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks needs his Soul Patrol to step up.

They were certainly there for him around this time last year, when he was building up a feverish fan base, named the "Soul Patrol." The things about him that irked Simon Cowell ---- that mop of gray hair and the herky-jerky dance moves that conjured up images of dorky dads loose at a wedding reception ---- were instead embraced by millions, who later handed him the "Idol" title over the likes of talented hotties Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtry.

It was like a made-for-prime-time fairy tale, starring the soulful-voiced Hicks. But as all that hoopla died down, Hicks faced a tougher task: making the transition from reality TV star to established soul singer.

So far, not so good ---- well, not Carrie Underwood "good."

His self-titled, post-"Idol" album, released in December, debuted at No. 2 on the charts. While it has sold around 650,000 copies, it has slid significantly from that lofty No. 2. Discs by previous winners Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia and Ruben Studdard performed a lot better in the weeks after they were issued. And finalist Chris Daughtry is near the top of the charts with the self-titled debut of his band Daughtry ---- they have sold more than 1 million records.

Geoff Mayfield, a senior analyst at Billboard, said he's got "a strong suspicion that (Hicks) might be the first winner who falls shy of a 1 million units."

There's a reason for that, said Tom Corson, executive vice president of J Records, a label within Sony BMG, which signs the show's singers. Hicks took a little longer than some of the other Idols to complete the album, he said, and his first single, "Just to Feel That Way," debuted on radio's airwaves only three weeks ago.

"It's a work in progress, and, would we have liked to sell a little bit more? Yeah. But (the album is) still gold and on its way to platinum," Corson told The Associated Press. "And, if the single performs, we'll turn it around, so we're quite, we're quite optimistic about things as it stands right now."

The power ballad "Just to Feel That Way," in which he urges a lover to try to make the relationship work, isn't what you could call a bona fide hit.

"With Taylor, you're going into an adult format," Corson said. "We hope it translates younger, but the music right now is much more adult. It's a longer burn, a longer process."

Hicks' target audience is a bit more passive, said Corson, who noted that "it just takes a little longer to get those people to buy."

And Hicks, who is on a nationwide tour in support of the album, has a plan to boost sales.

"It's slow and steady wins the race," he said. "You know, to have overnight record success, you know, it's tough to do. You have to massage the record-buying audience as much as you have to massage the live performing audience, you know?"

So he's going to take a grass-roots approach.

"I think the best thing for me as an artist is to get out and be with the people and tour the record," he said. "And go to the radio stations and be personable."

Is the Soul Patrol, whose members proudly brandished "Pick Hicks" signs on "Idol" last year, still going strong?

"I mean, it's been a packed house every night," said Hicks. "It's a very musical show, and it's very real and very raw. And that's who I am as an artist."

Hicks, who has studied the stage moves of passionate, soulful performers like James Brown and Sly Stone, could have a better shot at success in front of a live audience than on the radio, said Mayfield.

"I think he could have at least some legs as a live performer," he said. "The one thing I can tell you is I'm sure that a lot of thought was given to this album, and it just doesn't appear to be a particularly friendly radio climate for whatever niche you would assign to what he does. And I'm not even really sure how to classify him."

That could be the problem, said Barry James, a program director at the Chicago-based radio station 100.3, which plays a boomer-friendly mix of classic dance and R&B hits.

"Taylor is a terrific club, local band singer," James said in an e-mail to the AP. "He is, however, so narrowly imaged that he'll never break out of it. He's Michael McDonald's little brother (for lack of a better term)."

James said he has an image, "but it's not one with broad appeal. Is he sweet? The bad boy? The sexy chick magnet? The whacked out artist? The 'dark' one? The answer is none of the above."

One thing, though, is certain: The guy needs a radio hit if he wants to make an impact on major markets, said Sharon Dastur, a program director at the New York-based radio station Z100, which plays Top 40 songs. His chances for that are hampered by the album's classic rock feel, she said.

"I think that if he just made it more of a current pop sound, but still he could showcase his soulful vocals in a more current way, that it would still be true to the way he writes and the way he performs," Dastur said.

It's too early to tell how things might end up, said Hicks, but, in the meantime, he's happy to be onstage. And he's very thankful for that moment on "American Idol," an undeniably successful launching pad.

And he knows his "Idol" win was no fluke.

"I think you have to set yourself apart," Hicks said. "And, you know, you really can't pull the wool over 34 million people live. That's just tough to do, you know?"

Taylor Hicks

When: 7:30 p.m. May 6

Where: Palomar Starlight Theater, Pala Casino Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala

Tickets: $35-$55

Info: (619) 220-8497

16 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

lilly wrote on May 2, 2007 6:11 PM:I am a huge taylor hicks fan and I am disappointed that radio stations won't even give him a chance. They play chris d. all the time and won't even mention Taylor Hicks!! I think he will be around for a long time. I love his music and he is so SEXY!!!

stacey wrote on May 3, 2007 7:42 AM:I love Taylor Hicks' new album. It appeals to many different age groups, including my 10 yr old niece, my Mom, my Grandma and myself. I think some of the songs are very "radio friendly," but, the radio stations need to actually PLAY his songs to be heard. Until they start playing him, they (and their fans) are missing out on alot of great new music.

claire wrote on May 3, 2007 7:58 AM:The facts presented here are great but a bit confusing and are misrepresentative to the reader who may not follow Taylor’s every career move. When information and statements from Taylor's record company, J Records, made in January 2007, are mixed with statements made a couple of months ago by industry people and then are mixed with current sales figures and a local concert announcement, it makes the old statements seem current. When in fact Taylor has been RIAA certified platinum with over 1.2 shipped (Press release was issued in January 2007). The fact is that he has been performing to sold out crowds across the United States. The fact is that comparing completely different music genre in the sales and record spin area is like comparing apples and oranges. I guess as a reader, I just want my news source to provide current, accurate, well researched information not a patchwork of old news repackaged as new information.

Pam in MD wrote on May 3, 2007 8:03 AM:Taylor Hicks is a great artist. He is staying true to his musical roots. I've seen his show 2 times and hope to see him a 3rd time in the summer. Taylor's fans understand who he is and are thrilled to be on this ride with him. "Make it do what it do" Soul man! Soul Patrol baby! We love you Taylor!

sandra wrote on May 3, 2007 9:45 AM:taylor hicks is one in a million star. he is staying true to his music roots. i have been to one of his concerts and i got tickets for three more shows for the summer and i will be taking my family to his conference in september. i think it was unfair when the night of april23 and 24 when they had the special on about idols give back. they should let or mention taylor idolgive back on the show instead of a news report. Ithink the radio stations should played taylor cd because fans has no ideals about his cd and alot of themdont know he is on tour with his own band america wake up and request his cd to the radio stations and go to see him on his tour.soul patrol

jeanne ann wrote on May 3, 2007 9:59 PM:I didn't buy Taylor's album because he isn't the Taylor I voted for on American Idol. He has completely changed his singing style and hasn't even sung the songs from American Idol. It is like he is a different person. He seems to want to just sing what he wants and I don't like any of it. If he ever realizes what he is doing he may come back, but I doubt it. How could he pick such great songs on AI and then pick those mediocre songs for his albums. Get with it Taylor or you will be back singing at weddings. What a disappointment you have been. A former fan.

Judy wrote on May 5, 2007 6:00 AM:I purchased Taylor's CD the day it came out and was blown away by the diversity of the songs,the band and most of all the powerful vocals of an extremely talented man!What determines success is not always sales.I have attended two of Taylor's concerts and I can tell you he has no equal.Longevity will be the true test and I believe Taylor will ace it,he is that talented!

ellen wrote on May 5, 2007 8:00 AM:I loved Taylor on AI, but have followed him since..his CD has a little for everyone...there are songs on there for folks wanting the AI songs...there are also songs from before AI and newly written songs...it's only a $10-15 purchase..I'd recommend buying it and giving it a try..you will end up loving it...while I loved most of it right away, some of the songs I wasn't too keen about have grown on me, one becoming one of my favorites. I've since seen Taylor in concert..he is an amazing performer with a rich, powerful and passionate voice...

Linda wrote on May 5, 2007 10:01 AM:I saw Taylor last night at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. He is doable. My sister (who is not an AI fan) came with me, now she is a fan. The only problem? The band is too freakin' LOUD. I like to hear the singers and the intricacies of the musicians. Hey! Sound guy, get a grip!

DrNick wrote on May 7, 2007 10:16 PM:Last night we expereinced a great concert by Taylor Hicks at Pala Casino...it was a hard driving ,upbeat high energy performance right from the get go...Taylor has a great band behind him and his vocals, moves, and energy were over the top...America needs to catch up...his concert was pure musical candy,his "Georgia" gave me goosebumps...wakee up America and smell the soul!! This guy is the real deal

Christy wrote on May 19, 2007 1:57 AM:Things have definitely changed for Taylor since some of the info you found was reported. Taylor was not 'the chosen one' by the moguls who run AI. America chose Taylor and that upset all the plans AI had to make money by promoting Daughtry as a rock star. They know that Country and Rock are the two biggest money spinners. Tay doesnt fit into that category so they have done very little to promote him and EVERYTHING they can to promote Daughtry. We all know about it but cannot prevent it. AI is a powerful cog in the music industry and is using that'inside' power to keep Taylor on the back burner and promote Daughtry. Unfortunately when people are looking for facts about Taylor more often than not they will find more reports about his sales compared to Daughtrys which gives the impression that he is a failure. The record industry can make or break you and there has been a lot of talk recently about Daughtrys sales numbers being grossly inflated by whatever method people in the know do this.

Michele wrote on May 23, 2007 10:49 PM:I bought Taylor's CD and I love it. I am a huge Taylor fan. Thank God he can't be bought by AI or anyone else who wants to change him, or be his boss. We love him just the way he is---and he is extremely talented. Can anyone tell me why he has had so little support from the AI show? I am sick of Carrie Underwood's face on the show, and Daughtry's song Home became a regular part of the show, complete with video! Where was support for Taylor? After all he was the reining AI champ. Makes you wonder about the show, and what really goes on. I like Chris Daughtry, but not enough to purchase his CD. Can a CD that's gone GOLD be called a flop? I think not! Taylor will be there for the long haul, just you watch and see!

Kristina wrote on May 25, 2007 3:58 AM:Yeah, that's it...The record industry is inflating Chris' sales. Please! Support Taylor WITHOUT bringing other idols down. It's tacky.

David wrote on Jun 1, 2007 6:47 AM:Sorry for some of you. You will have to come up with another excuse. Chris was on top of the charts before AI came out this season and was playing Home on the show. I never say a commercial for Chris. I never saw anything that tried to pursauy me into buying Chris' album over Taylor's. When Chris' CD came out and went and bought it, plain and simple. I made the decision to buy his album before he was even voted off. And I am willing to bet that most people who bought the album decided the same thing. I wish Taylor well, I hope his sells pick up because he seems like a nice guy, not my kind of music, but hey, to each his own. But where are his 30+ million votes now? They sure aren't forking out the 10-20 bucks for his album. What true fans they must really be.

Jackie wrote on Jun 1, 2007 2:20 PM:I think that Taylor has done a fantastic job selling over a million units on his own because AI or Clive Davis sure gave no help. I know that Taylor's now 2 singles have been requested and not played. You don't even want to hear the reasons that we get but I guess AI and Clive have the radion stations in their pocket and that might be why radio is going backward. I thought radio was to play what the listeners wanted to hear. I guess I was wrong because it appears that they play what they are told by the powers to be. Well, don't worry. Taylor Hicks will be around long after everyone else.Let's get real here! The fans make everyone and the radio stations and Idol should listen to the fans and not their own personal reasons. I sure hope this industry starts thinking about who gets them all up in the charts. As you can see Idol even lost viewers and I bet next year will be less again. Be fair and honest here.

Jackie wrote on Jun 1, 2007 2:22 PM:I think that Taylor has done a fantastic job selling over a million units on his own because AI or Clive Davis sure gave no help. I know that Taylor's now 2 singles have been requested and not played. You don't even want to hear the reasons that we get but I guess AI and Clive have the radion stations in their pocket and that might be why radio is going backward. I thought radio was to play what the listeners wanted to hear. I guess I was wrong because it appears that they play what they are told by the powers to be. Well, don't worry. Taylor Hicks will be around long after everyone else. Get real here, The fans make everyone and the radio stations and Idol should listen to the fans and not their own personal reasons. I sure hope this industry starts thinking about who gets them all up in the charts. As you can see Idol even lost viewers and I bet next year will be less again. Be fair and honest here.

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