Title fight goes on for 'Idol' champ

Amid slow record sales, Hicks aims to recapture his form on the road

Erika Gonzalez, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, April 27, 2007

American Idol champion Taylor Hicks captured the show's crown by pouring his heart and soul (and more than a few silly dance moves) into his performances. But the stage might be the only place where the 30-year-old lets down his guard. Since catching flack for appearing to distance himself from the show in an interview last year (Hicks says his words were misconstrued) and failing to sell as many albums as previous Idol winners, Hicks is keeping his cards closer to the vest.

Busy touring and promoting his self-titled post-Idol debut, the silver-haired singer recently took time to chat by phone about the pressures of wearing the crown, voting for himself at Burger King and his autobiography, Heart Full of Soul, due in bookstores in July.

Question: You've always toured with your band or, more recently, your fellow American Idol finalists. So what's it like to perform as a solo artist in larger venues?

Answer: "It's been awesome. It's a dream come true, and thanks to everyone who has helped me get there."

Q: Was it easier to record this album than your earlier independent releases because you had more resources?

A: "Yes, when you're not budget-constricted, it seems easier. We did the album so quickly - in five weeks. But I had many people helping me on the album, and they helped concentrate the focus."

Q: Who is the one artist you would love to record a duet with?

A: "Van Morrison. . . . I haven't (met him). I would love to. Just as a fan it would be cool. It's Too Late To Stop is a great album. I'm into masterpieces because hopefully I'll write one one day."

Q: The big prize for an Idol winner is the recording contract, but what else do you get?

A: "You just get to work as an entertainer for a good while. The exposure lets you work your position for a while."

Q: What's more difficult, competing on American Idol or touring the country promoting a new album?

A: "Performing live is my forte. Definitely the pressure on the show (is tougher). It's a lot of pressure. (On the road) you're singing 2 1/2 hours, as opposed to singing four minutes trying to win American Idol - that's tougher. This is what I've been doing for 10 years."

Q: Do you think higher expectations are placed on the winner in terms of record sales?

A: "No, I don't feel that pressure at all. You have to take what you do on the show and parlay it into your career. You have to keep on going with your career."

Q: Was there any point when you felt like it might not be a good thing to win?

A: "No. I knew the exposure would help me tremendously."

Q: Is it true that you would go to Burger King after the show to vote for yourself and your fellow contestants?

A: "It is true. It was the closest place, and I didn't have a car. We threw in votes for each other. We were all just having fun with it."

Q: Why do you think Simon was so hard on you during the competition?

A: "Maybe it's because I'm American."

Q: Who's your favorite contestant this season?

A: "I don't have a pick yet. Usually by the time I go on (stage), it's the time the show comes on. When it gets down to three or four, I'll start watching."

Q: Do you still keep in touch with any of the other contestants?

A: "I do. I see Chris (Daughtry) and Katharine (McPhee). I talked to Elliot (Yamin) last week."

Q: Have you adjusted to fame?

A: "Well, you have to take it with a grain of salt and realize where you come from and who you keep around you to stay grounded. I have friends on the road, and I talk to family a lot. I'm staying true to who I am as an artist and a person."

Q: Was it difficult to delve into your past for your autobiography? It sounds like your childhood was painful at points.

A: "Yeah, it's not easy talking about those things. But you have fans who have been with you who really want to know the truth and (a book) is a great way to do it. I just think it's good that it's in my words and not someone else's."

Taylor Hicks

• When and where: 8 p.m. Sunday, Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place

• Cost: $39.50 to $59.50

• Information: 303-830-8497 or ticketmaster.com

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Appearing on American Idol can lead to the top of the charts or a return to obscurity. With wild card Sanjaya out of the running, here's what we're predicting careerwise for the show's final six contestants.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE

• Most likely to: win the whole thing and burn up the R&B charts

• Odds of post-Idol success: 2-to-1

JORDIN SPARKS

• Most likely to: fight Doolittle for the Idol title and threaten Raven-Symone's status as the reigning music queen for tweens

• Odds of post-Idol success: 4-to-1

BLAKE LEWIS

• Most likely to: become the Chris Daughtry of Season Six and sell a gazillion CDs

• Odds of post-Idol success: 7- to-1

PHIL STACEY

• Most likely to: be the nicest background singer in Kenny Chesney's or Keith Urban's band

• Odds of post-Idol success: 20-to-1

LAKISHA JONES

• Most likely to: release a gospel album and star as Effie White in a Broadway revival of Dreamgirls

• Odds of post-Idol success: 25-to-1

CHRIS RICHARDSON

• Most likely to: impersonate Justin Timberlake in a Las Vegas show

• Odds of post-Idol success: 35-to-1

Careful what you wish for

Winning the American Idol title doesn't always guarantee pop-music superstardom. While some champions have lived up to the hype, others have floundered. Sometimes, placing second, third or even seventh - hello, Jennifer Hudson - can provide an even bigger career boost. A look at who really won each season:

SEASON ONE

• Winners: The franchise's first and most successful Idol, Kelly Clarkson, right, has sold 8.3 million albums, owns two Grammys, three MTV Video Music Awards and a People's Choice Award. Her music has been featured in movies (Love Actually) on television (Las Vegas, Six Feet Under) and in commercials. Even more remarkable, she emerged unscathed from the embarrassing shadow cast by From Justin to Kelly.

• Losers: William Hung has sold more records than runner-up Justin Guarini, who was dropped from his record label after moving just 134,000 copies of his self-titled debut. He's now a co-host of the TV Guide Channel's AI pre-show, Idol Tonight.

SEASON TWO

• Winners: For Clay Aiken, right, there's been no shame in taking second. Idol's most famously made-over contestant has chalked up album sales of 4.6 million and singles sales of more than 1 million and had the best-selling single of 2003. Josh Gracin may have been a fourth-place finisher, but he's now a rising country-music star. His self-titled debut spawned three top-five country singles and was certified gold.

• Jury's still out: Ruben Studdard's television title didn't translate into long-term success. Soulful, his first release, chalked up 1.8 million sales, but the follow-ups, Need an Angel and Return, sold 447,000 and 219,000 copies, respectively.

• Losers: Corey Clark was tossed off the show because of an assault arrest and followed that ignominy with allegations that he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul. Fox's investigation found no proof of an affair, Clark's 2005 album (which included the song Paulatics) flopped and he was arrested last year for trespassing.

SEASON THREE

• Winners: For Fantasia Barrino, right, victory led to album sales of 2.4 million, a best-selling memoir and a Lifetime movie version of the book. She's now starring in The Color Purple on Broadway. Jennifer Hudson finished seventh, but it's rumored that she beat out the Idol champ for the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls. Her portrayal earned her a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild award and an Oscar. Her first album is due in the fall.

• Jury's still out: Diana DeGarmo was defeated by Barrino and her first album flopped, but she's found a new career on Broadway, starring in two runs of Hairspray and the national tour for Brooklyn.

SEASON FOUR

• Winners: Carrie Underwood ranks second only behind Clarkson in post-Idol success, with album sales of 5.2 million and two Grammys. She was also named the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year in 2006.

• Losers: Southern rocker Bo Bice, right, saw his first album go gold, but health problems have hampered his career. Emergency intestinal surgery sidelined him during the Idols group tour and another intestinal procedure forced him to cancel a slew of tour dates last fall.

SEASON FIVE

• Winners: Chris Daughtry placed fourth, but the rocker is far outselling his Season Five competitors. His album made its debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has racked up 2.2 million in sales. His song Home now serves as the parting song for ousted contestants.

• Jury's still out: For Katharine McPhee, right, Idol has served as a springboard for other opportunities. She's sold 291,000 copies of her debut album but gets more attention for her television appearances, which include a co-hosting stint on TRL and a revealing outing on The Tyra Banks Show.

• Losers: The Soul Patrol's patron saint, Taylor Hicks has sold fewer CDs than Josh Gracin. Hicks is touring heavily to promote his post-Idol effort, which has posted sales of 664,000.