http://huntsville.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=huntsville&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sirlinksalot.net%2Ftaylorhicks.html(Age 29) From Birmingham, AL (Auditioned in Las Vegas) – Taylor is a blue-eyed soul singer who has played every honky-tonk imaginable. A talented writer and harmonica player, Taylor enters the competition with almost 29 years of singing experience, as he has been singing since he could crawl.
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http://huntsville.about.com/od/famousalabamians/p/taylorhicks.htmTaylor Hicks Education: Taylor Hicks went to high school in Hoover, Alabama. He won a school talent contest but was not involved in any music program in school. He played varsity basketball, however.
Taylor went to Auburn University for a short time. He majored in business, communications and marketing. While at Auburn he met some musicians and formed the Passing Through Band.
Taylor Hicks Musical Background: 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.
Taylor's music reflect his favorite music: the old songs of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Ray Charles. In fact, Taylor 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.
Taylor Hicks Music Career:
Taylor 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, including a couple nights at the Playboy Mansion.
He tried to audition for "American Idol" at the Memphis audition but it was canceled because of Katrina, so he went to the Las Vegas one.
Taylor Hicks plays guitar and a "blues" harmonica or "harp." He writes most of his own songs. Taylor Hicks has a CD entitled: Under the Radar.
Taylor Hicks Likes & Dislikes: Taylor Hicks likes healthy food and was skinny as a child. His grandmother says that he won't eat junk food or fried food. She's tried to get him to eat a candy bar or chips until she can get something cooked for him, but he won't eat it. He prefers roasted meat, vegetables and potatoes.
On music: "It's music, man. If music is in your heart, you feel it, you play it, you sing it, you perform it, you bust your buns doing it. That’s what its all about!" - Taylor Hicks on American Idol.
Taylor Hicks' Personality: His grandmother, Jonie Hicks, says that Taylor is not pretentious. He feels "at home on the stage and opens up his heart and lets people in." He would never be rude to people or do anything to "stand out." In other words, he's a Southern gentleman.