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April 29, 2009

Top 5: Remember Taylor Hicks?

Posted: 09:39 PM ET

Hey, didn't this guy win "American Idol" a few years ago?

Taylor Hicks

I like him with the shorter hair and the guitar. He sings his new single "Seven Mile Breakdown."

What is that, country, bluegrass or what? He's still rocking the harmonica and he looks good, nice and svelte.

Out of all the "Idol" winners he's the one I remember least. Is the Soul Patrol still in effect?

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Yuna   April 29th, 2009 9:39 pm ET

Taylor Who?????

Eilleen   April 29th, 2009 9:41 pm ET

Nope...STILL don't like Taylor!

Bill   April 29th, 2009 9:45 pm ET

Ugh. That was terrible. I'd rather listen to Megan's rendition of 'Rockin' Robin' again...

Heath   April 29th, 2009 9:54 pm ET

Bluegrass?? You though that was bluegrass?

amy   April 29th, 2009 10:01 pm ET

Ugh. I can't stand that guy. He's the reason I haven't watched AI until this season.

Florida Dude   April 29th, 2009 10:16 pm ET

Worst winner the show ever had...bar none

Lisa   April 29th, 2009 10:17 pm ET

I thought Taylor sounded great tonight! His new album (The Distance) is full of awesome music!

And, he looked great, too!

Fitzwilly56   April 29th, 2009 10:23 pm ET

This is one alumna of Idol that I could have done without. He shouldn't have won on season five and I don't like him any better now.

Dave   April 29th, 2009 10:24 pm ET

He was never has been, Others have done better.I will never buy his CD. a wingnut for sure. Fly on taylor,you have not a clue.

Dean   April 29th, 2009 10:30 pm ET

I thought that Taylor did an awesome job – the other two – not so sure. I thought that Natalie stunk – sang off key half the time. Glad to see that smug Adam had to stand in the bottom three. He is good but just too cocky in my opinion. There is so much talent in the final four I won't even try to call it. I love this show with a passion.

Hayden   April 29th, 2009 10:37 pm ET

True, Taylor may not have had the same visible success or radio and music video play as the other Idol winners, but he made a boatload of money while touring, and now, during his stint on Grease. He's the only Idol whose style of music I prefer the best.

MississippiGirl   April 29th, 2009 10:41 pm ET

Always loved Taylor Hicks. He makes me smile when he sings. I thought he did a great job tonight. He may not have been the most talented singer but he could definitely entertain and get the audience on its' feet. Probably the most likable contestant ever.

Peggy   April 29th, 2009 10:43 pm ET

I thought Taylor Hicks sounded great. This is his kind of music. Although I didn't think he was the best singer during Season 5, I always enjoyed watching him and listening. He certainly did better than Kellie Pickler did, and I certainly enjoyed him more than David A.

jl   April 29th, 2009 11:19 pm ET

Guess AI has to promote all of it's past winners, although Taylor is probably their least memorable one. But then he was better than Katherine McPhee who came in second that season. Still haven't figured out what his true genre of music is.

Bazz1   April 29th, 2009 11:25 pm ET

It just astounds me that Taylor Hicks won American Idol several seasons back. Then they bring him back to perform one of his newly recorded tunes tonight and not one word has been mentioned from the start about the truth of this man. The truth: He has absolutely NO rhythm! He bounces all over the stage, less now that he apparently has some professional handlers, but he seldom matches a beat of any song that he's singing with his body movements. It's too strange and it drives me nuts! I'm sure I'm not the only one, who has noticed. I'm sure Taylor is a nice guy, but even nice guys have to have rhythm to break into show business, right?

Bobbaloo   April 29th, 2009 11:58 pm ET

GAG!! THE worst winner of AI ever!! And he is stinking up Grease in LA too! reviews stink..and not the PR reviews either.

Find it funny that down to 4th place finishers have sold more than this weirdo AI winner. Why cant he just fade away. Just horrible.

But dont say that in front of those soul patrol whackos..they will get you banned lol

Aly   April 30th, 2009 12:00 am ET

I still don't know why he won. He still can't sing.

you'll forget Adam even faster   April 30th, 2009 12:02 am ET

Taylor who?

And you'll all be saying Adam who? in like 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just goes to show ya   April 30th, 2009 12:04 am ET

winning Idol does not actually matter one bit

So go ahead and vote Adam all you want, even he wins, he won't really win in the end.

He'll still end up being the next Peter Allen

CB   April 30th, 2009 12:08 am ET

I thought Taylor Hicks did a great job tonight on AI. He seemed to be happy to be back on the AI stage and show Simon that he has come a long way since he won in Season 5. I disagree with people who say that he is the least popular of the Idols. Look at Ruben Stoddard. When is the last tume he went on tour? He can't because his albums don't sell. I saw Taylor at the House of Blues in New Orleans and he tore the place down. Wall to wall people jumping up and down dancing with him. He put on a great show and I would go see him again if and when he comes back to the area. Seeing him in concert and on TV is two different things. Say what you might about him, Taylor will do okay for himself

Dorothy   April 30th, 2009 12:09 am ET

I thought Taylor looked great, trimmed down quite nice, looked rested and looked as if he was having a great time up on the Idols stage tonight. I thought his singing was awesome and I am glad he is settling in . He seems like he is a great guy and I wish him the very best.

Ken   April 30th, 2009 12:50 am ET

Hello, America. Danny Gokey = Taylor Hicks, i.e., atrocious.

Adele   April 30th, 2009 2:04 am ET

I love Taylor, I think he has a great voice !!!

Penny   April 30th, 2009 3:33 am ET

I thought Taylor Hicks performed well and was disappointed with Jamie Foxx and Natilie Cole who both obviously had a bad night. But, if Taylor was competing this season he would never have made it in the top 10!!! HE STINKS and is a stiff performer. I thought his legs would break during his performance. Sorry, but that is the truth. He is unforgettable as an Idol winner and should never have won. Even Matt G. has more talent in his pinky finger!

Laughin'   April 30th, 2009 4:57 am ET

The truly interesting thing about Taylor Hicks is how well he played the game. In his book he described how he worked the system to his advantage. His goal was never to become a pop star but by winning it would set him up to be able to run his career the way he wants it for a very long time. Rarely is pop music also quality music and he has chosen to not be part of that lowest common denominator 3:00 fluff that runs up the charts. The fan base may be smaller but they loyal, appreciate true musical talent and actually pay for the albums.

writergal   April 30th, 2009 6:32 am ET

Taylor did awesome tonight. Those who don't like him, well that's why this a free country. I love country music and I love the passion in his music and he played 2 instruments and is still a working musician. He's doing just fine and he's still hot!!!!!!! And he did make a boatload of cash touring and he's still doing well, so if that's not success I don't know what is.

Judi   April 30th, 2009 6:38 am ET

I have always been a fan of Taylor and voted for him. He has a great style with plenty of energy. I have seen him live in concert and he is quite a performer. He had the whole house out of their seat and bopping to his music. I like his new look...and I would certainly go see him again. YEA SOUL PATROL!!!!

CW   April 30th, 2009 6:44 am ET

AWFUL !!!!

dan   April 30th, 2009 7:24 am ET

agree w/ peggy. taylor is pretty good. i'm actually a bigger fan of singers that sound like bruce springsteen and billy joel than i am of a screeching 70/80s rockers. if you know what i mean. happy w/ last night's results.

Rae   April 30th, 2009 7:36 am ET

Taylor Hicks was totally awsome. Love the song...he looks great!

Cathy   April 30th, 2009 8:08 am ET

Taylor looks and sounds great. It's so refreshing to hear an artist that is unique. I loved seeing him again last night. I'll buy the CD today and I hope to see him in Grease when it comes to Atlanta in August.

Juanita   April 30th, 2009 8:20 am ET

Dean,
Ms. Cole has been extremely ill. In fact, during her appearance on The View, she didn't walk out on stage in front of the camera because she's been extremely weak. She is in bad need of a kidney transplant. She's a trooper for pushing through and deserves our respect.

pigeons2001   April 30th, 2009 8:44 am ET

I've seen Taylor perform with Widespread Panic and he's awesome on harmonica!!

Ohio   April 30th, 2009 8:53 am ET

I love Taylor Hicks. And oh yeah, last I heard he was performing in Grease. Hmmm. Is Chris Daughtry? I think not. I don't know anyone that follows Chris Daughtry. I've been waiting for Taylor's CD to come out and now it's finally out! I LOVE his voice – he reminds me of Michael McDonald (Doobie Bros.). Love him! He was by far better than Carrie Underwood and David Archuletta! I like David Cook, too!

Ohio   April 30th, 2009 8:55 am ET

Oh, and I told my husband that I thought Taylor was better than Lady Ga Ga AND Fergie!

Kathy   April 30th, 2009 8:57 am ET

Hmmm...Taylor finally found his niche...I liked the song...I was really surprised to see him on AI, since the bad breakup with the record label and all.

TSRVT   April 30th, 2009 9:02 am ET

Taylor did the best of three very weak performers tonight. Natalie Cole's voice sounded thin and reedy, but the orchestration and sax solo were excellent. Foxx just plain stunk. Taylor's performance was nothing to write home about either, too much cacophony for my taste. But it was measurable better than the other two vocally.

Cheryl in NH   April 30th, 2009 9:10 am ET

Soul Patrol, Baby! Groove on Taylor...can't wait to buy your new cd. I love his southern rock/bluesy style. He's hot now with the new cut and svelte look.

Rebecca   April 30th, 2009 9:12 am ET

People, people, people..... Taylor has fans that like his type of music. Just because you don't like his music does not mean what he does is not cool. At least his songs have some substance.... unlike someone... I mean seriously, "My life would suck without you".... just kind of child-like.

Las Vegas Linda   April 30th, 2009 9:18 am ET

Nice guy but never understood how he won...........He's a bar room singer at best.

Dennis   April 30th, 2009 9:19 am ET

Taylor was the Idol winner I remember the MOST!!! Simply because he was the BEST ENTERTAINER Idol has ever had! Last night the new slimmer Taylor was once again just that. The Best Entertainer!

Pat   April 30th, 2009 9:23 am ET

Florida Dude, Worst Idol ever: Ruben Studdard, Taylor next.

Justice played out Chris Daughtry "won" anyway.

Stacy   April 30th, 2009 9:29 am ET

I loved his voice and his sound. I thick that Clive Davis dropped him for no good reason. Maybe if Taylor had been a crack addict or something like that (Whitney Houston) Clive would have helped him out.

I hope Taylor makes it without the Idol machine...look what happen to Kelly when she tried to break away...they also did her in.

Beth   April 30th, 2009 9:33 am ET

He looks like George Cloney!

marta   April 30th, 2009 10:02 am ET

I have to admit Taylor Hicks was much more entertaining than David Archuleta was last week. Good for him!

Missy   April 30th, 2009 10:25 am ET

People have compared Taylor with Gokey but I think he has more in common with Adam. Both Adam and Taylor have decent voices and are fun to watch. I don't think that either one will do well on the radio, but there are other ways for them to be successful – theater, tv, video, concerts. Radio is not the only measure of success for a performer. Taylor and Adam are the only two AI contestants that I would ever pay to see, although there are others that I would buy their CDs.

Jules   April 30th, 2009 10:39 am ET

Taylor was A+ on his game last night...he is a great singer and charismatic performer. Great to hear him playing harmonica. It reminds me why he won Idol. He was a chunky monkey then.. now he is slimmed down and well dressed, and well, hot!

irish   April 30th, 2009 10:42 am ET

Yes I do and I would rather not. Someone please pass the "brain bleach"!!!!

Kelly   April 30th, 2009 10:43 am ET

Ugh...flashback to Season Five!

It cracked me up when his advice to the contestants was about how you move on stage. To me he always looked like he was one step away from a full blown seizure.

Susan   April 30th, 2009 11:20 am ET

Really liked Taylor's performance....he won because he was original, a relatable story, and uniquely talented. Not bad looking, either...especially now.

speakingtrue   April 30th, 2009 11:25 am ET

Oh yes, Taylor fans are out in force. We are the reason that Grease was able to bring in a extra $150,000 a week while he was in New York. We are the reason that Taylor had two back to back very successful tours. We do need to buy more albums but we just enjoy him live so much and we need our money for travel. He is great , more fun than any entertainer I have ever seen and he lit up the stage at Idol last night. First time I have watched it in a long, long time.
Adam who?? haha
Naw, Adams fine, but none of them can compare with Taylor Hicks, the ultimate performer.

linda   April 30th, 2009 11:27 am ET

Taylor was great last night. He can do all kinds of music and makes any song he does come alive. Just an incredible entertainer!

Dan   April 30th, 2009 11:35 am ET

Nice guy...........but not a good singer!!

Jan   April 30th, 2009 11:48 am ET

Taylor's enthusiasm is infectious and he makes me smile. He loves what he does and it shows on stage. There is something special about Taylor Hicks!!

brownhairedgirl   April 30th, 2009 1:05 pm ET

The Soul Patrol is alive and well. I was very happy with Taylor's American Idol performance last night. He Rocked that stage. :)

Barbara   April 30th, 2009 1:15 pm ET

Nice voice for country music. That's what he should stick to.

Lubiana   April 30th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

He was FANTASTIC! Incredible and perfect. Great performance and a great album too. :)

KD in Houston   April 30th, 2009 2:14 pm ET

Taylor and Adam are just alike. Fun to watch but not really all that exciting to listen to if not watching their performance at the same time.

Canopy   April 30th, 2009 4:15 pm ET

I like Taylor Hicks better now than I did back then. Still can't figure how he won though.

Canopy   April 30th, 2009 4:17 pm ET

Hilarious comment Kelly...I'll have to replay it and compare!

Sherine Levine   April 30th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

The biggist shock of my life: Adam in the bottom! How could that happen. He's way better than the next best performer (Danny).
If Adam doesn't win this thing, it'll prove the system doesn't work.
SavtaShayna

DeLong   April 30th, 2009 6:10 pm ET

Just goes to show just because you are #1, doesn't mean you will be that successful and also the 2,3 4 or even 5th runner up may do much better. Hey American Idol Program gives you a superb "showcase" then from there it's on the individual's shoulders to progress or in some cases fall off the wagon...

Hicks seems to be a down to earth nice guy, but not sure if I would count on his singing to pay his mortgage payment, or possibly even a starbucks latte'.

CB   April 30th, 2009 7:03 pm ET

Taylor won AI fair and square. What is Katherine McFee doing lately? Come on, Simon set her up for failure when he picked Somewhere Over the Rainbow for her to sing. Yes, Taylor does look a little spastic sometime but he is not over the top as say Joe Cocker. How Joe Cocker ever got a recording contract, I will never figure out. His voice to me is like nails on a chalkboard. Taylor is successful and no one can deny him that. Those that put him down are in league with Chris Daugherty. Daughtery had a fan base for a while but what has he done lately? ...Nothing. They will be saying the same thing about David Cook in a couple of years. I do not see him lasting. As for David Archuletta, please...just a whinny kid. Did anyone really think he would last? Come back in ten years David Archuletta and give it another try then....if AI is still around by then.

Christa   April 30th, 2009 7:46 pm ET

Love him!!!

BLACKEYEDPEA   April 30th, 2009 7:47 pm ET

Taylor was great!!!! Love him. He looks yummy too.
Glad he was able to do his own kind of music, not the manipulated Idol winner machine that turns everyone into pop, even if they shouldn't be. You go Taylor!

Nancy   May 4th, 2009 4:20 pm ET

Uh, yeah, the Soul Patrol IS still in force! Judging from the screams and cheers when I saw him in "Grease" last month, and the long line of people waiting to have their CDs signed, and the huge crowd of people also waiting for him outside the stage door, yeah...I'd say the Soul Patrol is still in force!

wedding singer   May 7th, 2009 2:58 am ET

His sales are terrible. What happened to all the fans who bought his first album? Has the Patrol lost its Soul? Taylor is the worst country singer and they sent his new song to country radio. LOL Anyone remember Country Roads? Kristy Lee Cook and Phil Stacey sing country better and that ain't sayin' much!

CaFan   June 25th, 2009 3:17 pm ET

Taylor Hicks remains the prototype for all male idol winners who followed him. Clean-cup, handsome, boyish (yes, in spite of silver hair). They are all cut from the same cloth (Taylor's). And all you great Taylor slammers – you are so yesterday. Get with it – it's no longer 2006!! It's no longer considered fashionable to try to "get Taylor." He has a newer, younger group of fans. Forget this Daughtry comparison BS. I believe 70 percent of Daughtry fans are male, 15 to 35 years of age. The vast majority of Taylor's fans female – he's more of a ladies man. And his newer fans are getting younger & younger. Taylor Hicks will be around not only as a recording artist but as a Broadway & movie actor when most of today's performers are forgotten.

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