Taylor Hicks Talks to CMT Insider: "Southern, Soulful, Country..."

“…a Southern, soulful, country guy…That’s who I am.” In an exclusive studio interview that aired this morning on CMT Insider, platinum recording artist and American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks, sat down with Allison DeMarcus and shared his new musical vision.

Although it really isn’t new.

"I gotta stay true to who I am. And that’s a Southern, soulful, country guy, and I’m excited about it. That’s who I am." CMT Insider: Taylor Hicks Country Album

He told Ms. DeMarcus he was never comfortable being labeled a pop artist after the Idol show.

"I was a real roots artist."

"What’s your biggest fear about going after the country audience?"

"Everybody knows you can’t fool a country audience. I have to have a career song. And I have to be patient."

He’s been busy during those patient years.

Taylor released two indie albums before winning Season Five of American Idol in 2006, In Your Time and Under the Radar. His post Idol album, Taylor Hicks, went platinum shortly after its release in 2006. He took over his own recording and formed Modern Whomp Records that released Early Works, a compilation of his two previous indie albums. His live concert DVD, "Whomp at the Warfield" captured the energy and stage persona of his 2007 9-month national concert tour as it stopped in San Francisco at the Warfield Theatre.

In 2008, he added Broadway musical theatre to his resume with a very successful summer run as a harp wielding Teen Angel in "Grease." When the Alabama native was asked to join the national touring company, he agreed to the 18-month road trip. During the "Grease" run in 2009, he released The Distance on his own label and promoted the album as he traveled with "Grease" and toured the music into 2012.

Along side the songwriting, recording, and studio work this summer for his new country soul album, Taylor will open at Bally’s in Las Vegas for an eight week engagement starting June 26. He is the first American Idol winner or finalist to land a residency there.

Las Vegas is the city where he auditioned for American Idol.

See all of the conversation and a studio recording clip from what may be Taylor's new single, "Teach Me to Dance," when this episode of CMT Insider is rebroadcast on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. ET on CMT.

WATCH a clip from the interview online at: CMT Insider: Taylor Hicks Country Album

Taylor Hicks~A Taylor Christmas!

Christmas is a time for many things. Receiving and giving, visiting and sharing, renewing and reflecting, and looking ahead to the New Year. Taylor Hicks has inspired many of these, especially in the past year. With the several charities working in his spirit to help children and families, the giving and sharing is in full swing.

Giving and sharing is what Taylor Hicks is all about. Devoted to his music, he offers his gifts to everyone for their enjoyment. When I reflect on this last few years, I think how much my life has been enhanced by music and new experiences. It's not only Taylor's music, but he has been such an inspiration to explore new musician worlds. When I think about my own adventures this last year or two, I am grateful to someone like Taylor Hicks, who always says to take a risk or you may never get ahead. He is a true role model of how Hope and Determination and Devotion to a Dream can bring so much to a life.

This year, whether you are buying gifts for your family or sending items to our troops or helping charities, remember to put a little "silver" glow in those so that others can experience Taylor Hicks music. The Holidays aren't always that special for many who are not able to give their families all that they would like. Stress levels go up and often the Joy of the holiday season is affected by this.

For me, music is a comfort when those feelings float around me. If you need some Holiday to fill your Soul this season and remind you what the Giving and Hopeful feelings are, just listen to this Soulful voice lending its magic to Christmas! We have created some Christmas Taylor Love for everyone. Click here to sign our card for Taylor:
http://thetaylorhickscommunity.com/card1.html
or
http://taylorconnections.com/topic/959567/1/

Click Here for some Musical Holiday Soul:
http://www.gypseeheart.net/SPXMas082.html