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From Birmingham News
http://www.al.com/entertainment/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1145351722170190.xml&coll=2

Talkin' about Taylor
What they're saying about 'Gray Charles'
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
MARY COLURSO
News staff writer

Birmingham's Taylor Hicks is keeping his cool, and his focus on Mother Music, as he competes on "American Idol."

Hicks, 29, is one of seven contestants left on the Fox TV reality series. Tonight, he'll perform a classic from the great American songbook under the guidance of Rod Stewart.

"I'm getting used to the camera and the set and all the many lights that are shining on you," Hicks said. "This is very intimidating, even for someone who's as seasoned as I am. But if it wasn't for the music, I wouldn't even be in this position. I know that I cannot let the music slip. I have to be on top of it."

Here's what others have been saying about Hicks, his vocal talent, his spazzy dancing and his prematurely gray hair:

Actress Mandy Moore, starring in "American Dreamz," a movie that lampoons "American Idol," gushed that she and boyfriend Zach Braff are "huge Taylor fans." Moore added, "He's such a soulful individual." From USA Today -- Alicia Keys, a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, admitted that she occasionally watches "Idol" with her grandmother, who's hooked this season. "I like the guy with the gray hair," Keys said. "His little flow is hot." From a video clip on TMZ.com -- The Tyler Music Group in Nashville worked with Hicks on demo recordings in 2001, but failed to generate a deal with a major label.

However, executive producer Will Smith - no, not that Will Smith - offered props to Hicks. "He is a throwback to a better time when songs were the engine that powered this confusing industry," Smith said. From a press release for Hicks' indie debut, "In Your Time" Sam Gunderson, the guitarist in Hicks' Birmingham band, said his friend has the power to change viewers' perceptions of what an "American Idol" might be. "Taylor knows how to combine words and feelings with music," Gunderson said. "He's a showman. When you go to see Taylor Hicks, you go to see somebody get down. He will do what it takes."

From an interview with The Birmingham News -- Joni Hicks, grandmother of the Soul Patrolman, said seeing her grandson on television makes her very proud. "I think, there's my baby, who I think is so beautiful," she said. "There he is, with the whole world seeing him. I can actually feel my heart swelling." From an interview with The Birmingham News -- Melissa McGhee, a contestant who made the top 12 this season, had nothing but praise for Hicks. "I personally love him," McGhee said. "He's just him, and he does what he does awesomely and he's great."

From a teleconference with national media, including The Birmingham News -- Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer for "American Idol," evaluated Hicks' performance of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and gave it a thumb's up. "Well, you know I love his energy," Lythgoe said. "I love him jumping around, even though he did miss the microphone when he tried to kick it over."

From TV Week -- Dean Jutilla, a spokesman for eBay, said sales of fan merchandise tend to mirror the popularity of contestants on "Idol." Using that formula, Hicks was a front-runner on April 12, Jutilla said. "Taylor's stock is really high now, but Katharine (McPhee) may have a really good performance and get more investors next week," he said. "You see the market fluctuate." From MTV.com -- E-MAIL: mcolurso@bhamnews.com