His CD’s truly Taylor-made
It’s OK – you can call it a comeback.
Taylor Hicks is starting over with his new CD “The Distance,” out today. He’s releasing it under his own label, Modern Whomp Records, which launched in January.
Hicks, 32, became famous by winning the fifth season of “American Idol.” His first, self-titled album went platinum but didn’t generate the radio play or hype caused by previous winners like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.
He says it was a mutual decision to part ways with his former label, Arista Records. He’s also stepped outside recording, playing Teen Angel in the national Broadway tour of “Grease.”
Q. What is your new album like?
A. This is the representation of me as an artist right now. I think the key for this particular project was time. I had the time to create the songs, time to record the music, time to really think about the producers that I wanted to work with.
Q. Why did you decide to start your own label after leaving Arista?
A. I had traditional label offers but I just thought to myself, you know, I think this is a pretty good comeback story. To be able to stay busy, do Broadway, I like to look at it as a little bit of a comeback story.
From the “Grease” thing, this is a really cutting edge way of breaking a record. … I am Teen Angel one minute and I’m singing my single (“What’s Right is Right”) the next, so it’s never been done before.
One minute there’s an artist in a role and then the next there is me performing my single every night. Within the Broadway touring company it’s the best of both worlds.
Q. How do you think “Idol” helped you?
A. I’m in the right place as far as where I am as an entertainer. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning the recording process.
A lot of my time and effort pre-“American Idol” was spent on the road as a live performer. “American Idol” gave me that chance to better learn how to be a recording artist so it’s a learning process.
Q. Do you stay connected to “American Idol” in any way?
A. I do keep in touch with a lot of my fellow Idols. We e-mail, text message each other back and forth; when we see each other in person it’s always nice.
It’s a very wonderful experience. I pinch myself a lot about that. It is an amazing opportunity and I’m very blessed to have the opportunities that I’ve had off of “Idol.”
The birthday bunch
Guitarist Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship) is 68. Singer-songwriter John Sebastian (Lovin’ Spoonful) is 65. Actor Patrick Duffy is 60. Actor Kurt Russell is 58. Actress Lesley-Anne Down is 55. Actor Gary Sinise is 54. Actor Rob Lowe is 45. Singer Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) is 42. Actor Mathew St. Patrick (“Six Feet Under”) is 41. Actress Marisa Coughlan (“Freddy Got Fingered,” “Teaching Mrs. Tingle”) is 35. Rapper Swifty (D12) is 32.