Published: July 26, 2007 09:50 am      

Taylor Hicks: Soul Man

American Idol winner to stop in San Marcos to promote book

San Marcos — The origins of Taylor Hicks’ musical career date back much further than onstage at the Kodak Theatre in L.A., awaiting feedback from Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell.

When the American Idol winner was nine, he was visiting a friend’s house when he “borrowed” his buddy’s Otis Redding record. He took it home and put it on the turntable immediately. That moment was big for Hicks — something inside him burned brightly at the sound of a little soul music.

“It might have been a ‘Best of’ LP, it might have been ‘Satisfaction,’ I don’t remember,” Hicks said. “But Otis Redding was one of the biggest influences in my life. When I heard his voice for the first time, I was inspired.”

Since then, Hicks has busted his way through the club circuit in college towns, landed a spot on American Idol and released a major label record after his season five victory, a self-titled debut released in late 2006. He’s provided details of these ventures and more — both professionally and personally — in a new book titled “Heart Full of Soul.” Hicks will be signing copies of the book at Hastings in San Marcos at 7 p.m. on Friday.

The 29-year-old year old raspy-voiced soul singer, with his signature stiff-dance routine and “what you see is what you get” mantra, says that he thought that his own ups and downs in music could inspire others. That prompted the idea of writing a book.

“I knew that my road and my journey from little bars and clubs in Alabama to an American Idol win could impact people in positive way,” Hicks said. “Some of the things you learn in music, you can apply to every day life. Things like perseverance and self-dedication.”

Hicks was born in Birmingham, AL and was singing Michael Jackson or Kenny Rogers songs as early as five. When he was 16, he bought his first harmonica, something he says “didn’t attract many female fans —in fact, any fans at all.”

Hicks soon picked up the guitar and hit the road with his band Passing Through while a college student at Auburn University. Serious about a career in music, he quit school and recorded and released “In Your Time” independently in 1997.

“We were just at that time playing clubs and sorority parties and anywhere we could get into,” Hicks said.

Hicks continued to be influenced by soul artists like Sam Cooke and his personal favorite, Ray Charles — he admired Ray so much, he brought a small statue of Charles with him wherever he performed.

In 2005, after moving to Nashville and back, Hicks tried out for American Idol.

“My brother had been nagging me about it,” Hicks said. “I was at a crossroads (in my career), so I decided to try it.”

The Memphis auditions were full, so Hicks traveled to the Las Vegas auditions. Despite not-so-confident initial remarks from judge Cowell, he used his differences to his advantage. He roused the audience with spirited, soulful renditions of songs including “Levon,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “Takin’ It to the Streets.” With his playful presence and jerky onstage dance moves, Hicks garnered a majority of the 63.4 million votes cast in the season finale to beat fellow contestant Katherine McPhee.

But as Hicks describes in his book, soul music is something that he discovered long before appearing on “American Idol,” it’s something that “inspires with its pain.” An Otis Redding record or Ray Charles number never loses its appeal.

“I think soul music definitely helped me get through some tough times, I learned that early on,” Hicks said.

When the American Idol winner was nine, he was visiting a friend’s house when he “borrowed” his buddy’s Otis Redding record. He took it home and put it on the turntable immediately. That moment was big for Hicks — something inside him burned brightly at the sound of a little soul music.

“It might have been a ‘Best of’ LP, it might have been ‘Satisfaction,’ I don’t remember,” Hicks said. “But Otis Redding was one of the biggest influences in my life. When I heard his voice for the first time, I was inspired.”

Since then, Hicks has busted his way through the club circuit in college towns, landed a spot on American Idol and released a major label record after his season five victory, a self-titled debut released in late 2006. He’s provided details of these ventures and more — both professionally and personally — in a new book titled “Heart Full of Soul.” Hicks will be signing copies of the book at Hastings in San Marcos at 7 p.m. on Friday.

The 29-year-old year old raspy-voiced soul singer, with his signature stiff-dance routine and “what you see is what you get” mantra, says that he thought that his own ups and downs in music could inspire others. That prompted the idea of writing a book.

“I knew that my road and my journey from little bars and clubs in Alabama to an American Idol win could impact people in positive way,” Hicks said. “Some of the things you learn in music, you can apply to every day life. Things like perseverance and self-dedication.”

Hicks was born in Birmingham, AL and was singing Michael Jackson or Kenny Rogers songs as early as five. When he was 16, he bought his first harmonica, something he says “didn’t attract many female fans —in fact, any fans at all.”

Hicks soon picked up the guitar and hit the road with his band Passing Through while a college student at Auburn University. Serious about a career in music, he quit school and recorded and released “In Your Time” independently in 1997.

“We were just at that time playing clubs and sorority parties and anywhere we could get into,” Hicks said.

Hicks continued to be influenced by soul artists like Sam Cooke and his personal favorite, Ray Charles — he admired Ray so much, he brought a small statue of Charles with him wherever he performed.

In 2005, after moving to Nashville and back, Hicks tried out for American Idol.

“My brother had been nagging me about it,” Hicks said. “I was at a crossroads (in my career), so I decided to try it.”

The Memphis auditions were full, so Hicks traveled to the Las Vegas auditions. Despite not-so-confident initial remarks from judge Cowell, he used his differences to his advantage. He roused the audience with spirited, soulful renditions of songs including “Levon,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “Takin’ It to the Streets.” With his playful presence and jerky onstage dance moves, Hicks garnered a majority of the 63.4 million votes cast in the season finale to beat fellow contestant Katherine McPhee.

But as Hicks describes in his book, soul music is something that he discovered long before appearing on “American Idol,” it’s something that “inspires with its pain.” An Otis Redding record or Ray Charles number never loses its appeal.

“I think soul music definitely helped me get through some tough times, I learned that early on,” Hicks said.