Taylor Hicks Interview: Broadway, Touring, New Music and More

Season 5 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks recently spoke about his life after Idol as he prepared to begin a cross-country tour. Since winning in 2006, Taylor has stayed busy: after the Idol tour and his debut self-titled album, he headlined his own tour, spent nearly two years performing the role of “Teen Angel” in Grease on Broadway and on tour, and released a second album, The Distance, on his own label. Having just finished his Broadway run, he moved quickly to plan the next phase of his career: the road.

How Grease Changed Him as a Performer

Taylor says joining Grease was a transformative experience. Without formal theater training, performing the same role hundreds of times taught him how to inhabit a character and become more comfortable on varied stages. He describes the show as a rigorous, hands-on acting class that sharpened his stage presence and made other performances feel easier by comparison.

Why Broadway Works for American Idol Alumni

He believes Broadway offers a natural next step for many Idol contestants because television is a highly visual medium. Idol performers already learn to deliver a visual performance; Broadway adds acting to the mix and helps refine that skill. For Taylor, the visual demands of television prepared him to succeed in musical theater, where every night gives the chance to build and improve a character.

On Instruments and Idol’s Ratings

Taylor offered a perspective on Idol’s changing ratings, suggesting that television audiences want visual engagement. He thinks contestants who emphasize the visual aspect do better on the show. He also suggested limiting the number of instruments contestants use, arguing that too many instruments can reduce the visual theatricality that makes great TV performances. He noted that with only two minutes and twenty seconds on stage, there’s little time to build extended instrumental leads, though he would have liked the chance to play guitar and harmonica during his own Idol performances.

Touring with Grease and Performing His Own Songs

Taylor described how performing Teen Angel and then singing his own material after curtain calls allowed him to promote new music in an unconventional way. The Broadway run produced stability and exposure—eight shows a week for 18 months—which he used to grow his audience and support his independent record release. Now, having finished the run, he’s looking forward to getting back on the road and presenting his live band in standard concert hours, rather than late-night one-offs at 11 pm.

Tour Plans and the Band

For his upcoming tour Taylor put together a seven-piece band—saxophone, guitar, drums, percussion and other instruments—composed largely of musicians from Birmingham and Nashville to simplify rehearsals and logistics. He’s open to introducing some new songs into the set and sees the tour as an opportunity to reconnect with fans in small venues where the live music can be the primary focus.

Writing, Moving to Nashville and a New Album

Taylor is working on new material and has already begun writing and holding sessions. He plans to spend time in Nashville, a city he knows well and where many of his musical influences live and work. Although Nashville often connotes country music, he stresses its broader musical community—friends and influences like Keb’ Mo’ and Delbert McClinton—making it a natural place to let his next record develop organically.

Acting, Television and Future Roles

Since leaving Grease, Taylor has had several acting offers and is considering television and film opportunities. He sees acting as another facet of his creative life and is excited about revisiting TV, where his career began. He intends to pursue roles selectively while continuing to build his live music career.

Charity Single and Philanthropy

Taylor recorded a charity single, “SOS (Save My Body Save My Soul),” written with songwriter Genevieve Rose, in support of SOS Children’s Villages. He described Genevieve as a thoughtful collaborator and expressed pride in helping raise awareness for a long-standing organization with a global presence.

Gulf Coast Tourism and the Oil Spill

Taylor spoke candidly about the environmental disaster unfolding along the Gulf Coast and its impact on tourism and local jobs. He reached out to the Alabama Tourism Department to offer support and participated in efforts to film spots promoting the region. He emphasized the complex relationship between local communities and the oil industry and called for better oversight of companies operating in sensitive coastal areas.

Thoughts on Fellow Idols

Taylor has stayed in touch with other Idol alumni. He praised Crystal Bowersox for her artistic integrity and urged that she be given room to express herself creatively. He also spoke warmly about Casey James and Lee DeWyze, noting their talent and suggesting the possibility of future collaborations or duets on the road.

Ideas for Idol and Dream Collaborations

He proposed a fun idea for Idol producers: gather all ten winners for a special show or season to see how they would perform together. He also recalled a memorable trailer visit from Michael McDonald and Barry Gibb—surreal moments he treasures—and said a collaboration with musicians of that caliber would be special.

Final Thoughts: Building a Live Career

Taylor emphasized the importance of building a live audience over time. For him, small venues and strong live performances are the backbone of a lasting career. He’s eager to return to the road, share real, organic music with a full band, and continue developing both his recorded work and his stagecraft.

For tour dates and more information about Taylor’s schedule, please check official sources and his artist pages.