Before making his Broadway debut last year in the eternally popular musical Grease, Taylor Hicks had never acted. But for the musician and Season 5 American Idol winner, every opportunity is a chance to keep up with fans and gain some new ones.
“It’s imperative for me to stay out there and work,” the 33-year-old singer explains, in his polite, distinctive Alabama drawl. “I’ve been living out of a suitcase for four years. This is one of the things I love to do. Later, it’ll all settle down.”
Since he won the country’s biggest talent show in 2006, Hicks’ career has experienced the usual highs and lows but never settled. His first post-Idol album, the self-titled Taylor Hicks, went platinum, with the hit Do I Make You Proud, and recently, What’s Right Is Right, off 2009’s The Distance, released on Hicks’ own label, charted on the Adult Contemporary Chart.
That album was written between his Broadway run as Teen Angel in Grease, and his current stint in the touring version, which comes to the Kravis Center starting Tuesday and runs to Sunday.
“It came out in March. I’d been writing it since January of last year, and I recorded it in three months, between the Broadway run and the tour,” Hicks says. “And I use the vehicle of the tour to stand out in the lobby and sign records.”
Hicks’ onstage role is record-related as well. The Teen Angel character, played by ’50s heartthrob Frankie Avalon in the movie version of Grease, and by other teen idols like Davy Jones, Chubby Checker and Jimmy Osmond, is now the work of another sort of “Idol.” Teen Angel has one big number, where he tries to persuade “Beauty School Dropout” Frenchy to go back to high school.
As many famous people have proceeded him in the role, Hicks says he preferred to find his own way to that mythical malt shop in the sky.
“I had never seen the play before, but I had seen the movie. To be honest, I wanted to make sure that the role was a signature one, from the design of the costume to the way the music was performed,” he says. “You have to find your own style. I just thought, you know, this guy comes from Rock and Roll Heaven, so what would someone look like, at that time. The first thing that came to mind was rhinestones.”
Rhinestones? Do tell!
“I’m not gonna give away anything,” Hicks demures, “but the costume itself is quite over the top. The actual entrance… well, this is my complete interpretation. But as long as Frenchy goes back to high school, my job is safe.”
Hicks will say that this version of Grease combines the original play’s songs as well as those added to the 1978 film version like You’re The One That I Want and Hopelessly Devoted To You. A fan of the film, Hicks says he jumped at the chance to try acting, even as he learns on the job.
“It’s a very unique way to learn. It’s a very important role — small, but something I can build off of to get my feet wet,” he says, adding that even as a new actor, the role’s musical aspects help his learning curve.
“When you play someone from a musical standpoint, there are a lot of similarities (in approaching the performance), but instead of actual instruments, you’re using personality,” he says. “Learning the part is tough at first, but I’m settling into the role.”
Because Grease usually plays in theaters for a week at a time, Hicks has also gotten to settle into the specific locales of each performance, something he didn’t get to do during one-night stands as a musician. “What’s great is that you get to sink your teeth into each city. Usually, you do one night and you move to the next town. This tour allows me to experience what each city has to offer.”
It also allows Hicks to get acquainted with his loyal fans, who were dubbed “The Soul Patrol” during his stint on American Idol.
“There are always a lot of fans around. Some of them couldn’t come to Broadway and see (Grease) in New York, so a lot of my reasons for doing (the tour) was to take it to them,” he says. “They’re excited about how my career is growing, seeing me expand my horizons. The sky’s the limit.”
As a treat to his fans, and hopefully as a nod to the new ones, Hicks ends each performance of Grease by doing one of his own songs — sans the rhinestones.
“That’s a cutting-edge way of expanding my fan base,” he says. “It’s an added bonus.”
TAYLOR HICKS IN GREASE Tuesday-Sunday, Kravis Center, West Palm Beach. (561) 832-7469
Thanks for acknowledging our favorite guy, and how hard he works! Not only is he doing the Grease tour, but he is doing gigs in small clubs in alot of the cities he visits. With the Idol tour, and two tours after that, along with many individual performances, he has been a very, very busy guy. He always treats the fans well and has hardly taken any days off. We are indeed very happy for him, and it means we have a steady diet of new things via the internet.
Bravo and Congratulations to Taylor Hicks – we watched him from the beginning and he deserved to win, with his energy, great voice, and desire to do his best. Best of Luck Taylor!
What a nice article on Taylor Hicks, which shows him to be a hard-working, thoughtful and talented performer. Nothing compares with seeing and hearing Taylor Hicks live. His voice, energy and personality light up the stage he was born to be on. I’ve had the good fortune of seeing several performances of Grease and attending numerous Taylor Hicks concerts. Each time he has blown me away and left me wanting more. As busy as he’s been, Taylor always has time and a smile for his fans. Taylor is one class act. He has worked hard since his Idol win, and deserves every ounce of recognition he receives. Taylor’s fans are indeed loyal to him because he’s been loyal to us through his incredible journey.
Thanks for a great article about Taylor Hicks. Taylor has been non-stop since his American Idol win. He has been touring since winning Season 5 of American Idol. His performance in “Grease” has been excellent & fun beginning in New York and now with the traveling tour of “Grease”.
Taylor is also performing shows of his music in select cities. If you have a chance, run don’t walk to see Taylor in concert. I’ve seen him many times, most recently in Epcot for 6 amazing shows. Taylor & his band give 150% always.
Taylor is a very classy man. He is always so giving & appreciative to his fans.
Thanks for the nice article. I just saw TaylorHicks@Epcot…just wonderful LIVE. Looking forward to 11/11.
I loved reading your thoughtful article on Taylor Hicks’ musical and acting career. You brought out some interesting points on Taylor’s journey from the gigs as a teenage singer/songwriter/musician to his current National Tour of the musical Grease. As you rightly point out, this guy NEVER stops working — writing music, touring, producing his new album, running his own label, travelling from coast to coast and even overseas, making charity appearances, and operating numerous other activities too numerous to count and unpublicized for obvious reasons.
Love to watch the growth of a very talented and grounded musician because as Taylor rightly pointed out — you can’t stay stagnant in the entertainment business — you have to change and keep reinventing yourself.
Thanks for the interview and sharing your impressions.
HE HAS WORKED FOR THIS ALL HIS LIFE. HE TOLD ME AS A 10 YR. OLD HE WOULD MAKE IN MUSIC SOMEEDAY. THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHTFUL REPORT.
Thank you for this great article on Taylor Hicks and Grease. I saw Taylor at Epcot. He is the best entertainer. Love his voice and his dancing. The following Sat. I saw Taylor in Grease in Fort Myers. His voice filled the venue. I will see Taylor every chance I get.
And thanks Ms. Joni for your information about Taylor. I’m so glad his desire came true. He is an inspiration to so many.
Thank you so much for this. Whether he’s performing his own material, covering the work of artists he admires, or belting it out on the stage of Grease, Taylor Hicks gives 200% of himself. For those who have not seen him live, run, don’t walk to the nearest venue. He will leave you and your family on a natural high for days afterward.
Ms. Joni, if you happen to be reading this, you have every right to be extremely proud of the fine, decent man your grandson is. He has integrity and compassion along with tons of talent.