'American Idol' Winner Taylor Hicks on Why the Time Is Right for Him to Release New Music

If you’re like me, you may have wondered if contestants who participate in televised competitions like American Idol would take a do-over and not audition if they had the chance, and there may be some who would. But Taylor Hicks, who was the winner of season 5 of American Idol in 2006, says he would do it all again.

Hicks, who is making his Grand Ole Opry debut tonight with his just-released single “Teach Me to Dance,” says, “Well, Parade is interviewing me after 20 years, so I think that can be your answer.”

To clarify, he adds, “Absolutely, an astounding yes. That opportunity to be able to be on that show at that time period has allowed me longevity—obviously, with hard work as well. But I’m very blessed to have been able to be on that show at that time and win it.”

It’s 14 years since Hicks “officially” released new music, but he is doing so today because country music – in part thanks to Chris Stapleton – has gotten a little more soulful and bluesy, which has always been Hicks’ style. His fans aren’t called the Soul Patrol for no reason.

So, Hicks, decided to take advantage of the new avenues opening up in music that he fits into organically.

“I’ve been working on an album now for a little over 10 years,” Hicks tells Parade. “I’ve been recording at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville. I had the opportunity to really be able to create the record that I wanted to create as far as the representation of the kind of artist and sonically who I am.”

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In addition to the shift in country music, Hicks also attributes part of his renaissance to Bobby Bones, who invited Hicks on his radio show because Hicks was one of his favorite American Idol winners.

“Bobby was talking about American Idol one morning and I started getting texts and calls,” Hicks recalls. “Usually when that happens you think to yourself, ‘Oh no, what did I say? What did I do?’ But this was a really wonderful thing. Bobby was a really big fan when I was on American Idol. About 15 minutes later his producer emailed my agent and said, ‘Would Taylor like to come on the show? We’d love to have him.’”

So, Hicks used that invitation as a springboard to start releasing music off of the new album on which he had been working.

If it's as successful as he hopes, Hicks may need to cut back on some of the other projects that have kept him busy these past few years, including touring with Grease in the role of Teen Angel, making his serious theatrical acting debut as Charlie Anderson at Serenbe Playhouse’s Shenandoah [just outside of Atlanta], appearing on a variety of TV shows, and for going on 15 years, he’s co-owned Saw’s Barbecue in Birmingham, Alabama.

In the rest of our chat, Hicks goes into more detail about how the time is right for his music renaissance.

You are making your Grand Ole Opry debut tonight. What does that mean to you?

Well, obviously, growing up in the South listening to the Opry, watching the members that have graced that stage for so long, I’m kind of pinching myself at this point to have the opportunity to actually be able to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. So, I’m thrilled and I’m very blessed. It’s one of those career markers that you always dream about and it’s here.

A few months back, you released the single “Porch Swing” and now you have “Teach Me to Dance.” You said you’ve been working on this album for 10 years. Are these older songs or are these newer songs?

Well, they were written within the 10 years, within the decade span. They were produced and recorded within that time period. The Bobby Bones interest was the catapult to finally let the doves fly, so to speak.

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Tell us the origin of “Teach Me to Dance.”

It was written by Victoria Shaw and Candy Parton. But, basically, Victoria and I were in a writing session. Then, it felt as if the world stopped and she looked at me and she said, “I’ve got a song.” She went down into the basement and grabbed an old CD and played me “Teach Me to Dance.” She told me that Garth Brooks was over the moon about it but never recorded it.

There are songs in your career that just ring a bell, whether you write it or somebody else writes it. I just recently found out that “Private Dancer” was written by Mark Knopfler for Tina Turner. And I had no idea. So, it’s one of those interesting things that happen where songs always have a story and a storyline. That was one of those moments where I just knew that this particular song was for me.

I ended up producing the song along with Bryan Sutton. It’s one of those songs that the words are beautiful. I really find myself seeing the vision of weddings, of first dances, daddy-daughter dances, it just goes on and on. With the Opry and the sound and sonically where I’m trying to go as an artist, there’s no other place in the world I would rather debut it at than at the Grand Ole Opry.

So, Victoria wrote “Teach Me to Dance,” did you write “Porch Swing”?

I did, I was a co-writer on Porch Swing, yes.

So, when we get the new album next year there’ll be several things that you are the co-writer on?

Absolutely, yes. And also solo writer.

With everything else you’ve been doing, were you also performing shows?

I’m a roadhouse musician at heart, and to be able to blossom and have the opportunity to get into some method acting and serious acting, I would have never thought that and that was one of the real joys out of the last 20 years in the business that I’ve enjoyed tackling. But yes, I was pulling double duty, but I don’t mind that at all. You just don’t say no in the business.

This isn’t music related, but tell me about Saw’s Barbecue in Birmingham, Alabama.

It’s been a labor of love [working with Mike Wilson, the founder]. I always like to tell people that Alabama folks will let you know if you can do three things: sing, throw a football and cook. To be able to be partnered up with Saw’s Barbecue and for that barbecue to have taken off, it’s been a blessing. It’s been a fun ride. Hopefully that ride will continue.

So the question is can you cook? Or are you just a good eater?

I think I’m the latter. But I have been known to cook, yes.

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