Taylor Hicks - Country Influenced album?

I have been getting great, positive Google alerts all day about Taylor. He has announced that he will be playing Teen Angel in the Broadway production of Grease and singing the song Beauty School dropout. Another Google alert I got is from an article in People magazine. Here are some of the quotes I find most interesting.

While in New York City, the Alabama native will also record his country-influenced second album.

"I've been spending a lot of time with songwriters in Nashville," Hicks tells PEOPLE. "I can really breathe creatively without the constraints of a post-Idol album."

He also plans to tackle some serious issues. "It's an election year so there will be some political undertones. I've become a sponge while creating each song, soaking up what's going on whether it's political or about love."

I am a huge fan of country music. Country really is great to the artists. I can’t wait for this CD to come out. My kids and hubby all love country music so maybe with some country influenced Taylor they won’t complain that it is always in the CD player.

And for those worried about Taylor doing Grease here is what he had to say about Grease.

Hicks tells PEOPLE he can't wait to perform in Grease. "I'm truly honored to have a role in such an American institution,"

I so agree with him on this. Grease is my favorite movie. I have never saw the play but still I am sure Taylor will be great at it.

Taylor Hicks was on The Today Show

I am sitting here waiting to watch Taylor Hicks on the Today Show. We have already heard the news is that Taylor would be in the Broadway production of Grease he will be playing the role of Teen Angel and be in one scene singing Beauty School Dropout. As soon as I read this news I was thrilled. After posting to my blog last night I went to boards and such and see it is a mixed reaction. Some think it is a bad move, some are worried the critics will attack him and others worry that he will make Broadway a career and may not tour.

Now I am not a physic and I do not know Taylor. But I just don’t think Taylor would ever give up touring. He loves the live audience and singing for them. He has said that many, many times. There are many musicians who have done some Broadway and still put out their CDS and toured.

Grease is a classic; I think this opportunity will be great. More people will get to see Taylor live. We all know that once you see Taylor live you are hooked. There are so many people who go and watch Broadway shows, this will let a lot more people experience Taylor. Plus think about it. Taylor will be gorgeous in that role.

Will the critics give him a fair deal? That is hard to tell. But they rarely do anyway so if they don’t we are used to that. What is important is that Taylor does what he wants to do and gains new fans along the way and I am certain he will gain new fans. This is great it is Taylor Hicks Day in Alabama and Taylor is on TV.

Ok I will finish this post in about 30 minutes after I see Taylor on the Today Show.


SPOILERS AHEAD!!! If you haven’t watched yet and don’t want to know yet then read no FURTHER.


Recap so far at 10:02 EST Kotb and Kathy Lee talking about how nice and cute Taylor is out in the hall. Kathy said she gave him a cookie, joked she offered him vodka but he chose the cookie.

10:12 going to break showed Taylor goofing off on couch and smiling and waving. He looked handsome of course.

10:15 back from break shows Taylor winning AI and now he is on. Ask about Broadway. Taylor says yes the Soul Patrol is about to invade Broadway. Says the Teen Angel part is a little over the top and he is a little over the top. Ask him he to sing Beauty School dropout says have to come to Broadway. Then they talk about Idol some. Last movie he saw Big Fish.

10:20 it is over. Short and sweet. Taylor looked great and seemed very happy about doing Grease.

Ok over and out I need to go to dentist and have a tooth pulled. But at least I got to see Taylor before the pain starts. Great start to a dreaded day.

Taylor Hicks on Broadway - Grease is the Word

Taylor Hicks on Broadway – Grease is The Word

We have talked about wanting to see Taylor Hicks in movies. Well it isn’t the movies but it is Broadway. As Posted by Mary Colurso at Birmingham News. Taylor is going to be in the Broadway production of “Grease” he will be in the Teen Angel scene that was made famous by Frankie Avalon. Taylor will be singing Beauty School Dropout. We all know Taylor will make the song his own.

Grease has always been my favorite movie so hearing Taylor is doing this is great. It will let new people experience Taylor Hicks and I am sure the show will see a increase in sells as Taylor Hicks fans make their way to see the Soul Man in Grease.

This is the big news Taylor will be talking about tomorrow on the Today show. I can’t wait to see him on the show and maybe I will finally have a reason to go to New York other than wanting to see Niagara Falls.

Go here to read all about it Mary Colurso

And here is Frankie Avalon singing Beauty School Dropout

Tune Into The Today Show See Taylor

Whoo Hoo We are about to get our Taylor Hicks fix. It was rumored yesterday that Taylor Hicks would be on the Today show Friday May 16th. Well that rumor is true. Not only will tomorrow be the day that we see New Kids On The Block sing a song from their first album in 20 years, we will also find out what Taylor's special announcement is on his plans for this summer! I would love to know what every one thinks that special announcement will be so please leave your thoughts here.

Also American Idols finale next week will include two idols from each of the past 6 seasons so I have my fingers crossed that Taylor will be one of them.

Tune in to the

Today Show
NBC (check local listings)
10:15am EST