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Taylor Hicks Interview
(2006 American Idol)

He was named the American Idol on May 24th, 2006, to a world-wide audience of some 200 million television viewers. He was named the "Hottest Bachelor" by People Magazine for 2006, appearing on the publication's cover. His debut single "Do I Make You Proud" debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 charts in the number one slot! His debut album was released on December 12th, 2006, debuting at the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. It was certified platinum on January 17th, 2007. This Spring, Random House will release his autobiography.

It is with great pride that we present this interview with a true classic rocker who just happens to be an American Idol - Mr. Taylor Hicks.

Q - Taylor, I read that you're writing your memoirs?
A - Yeah. I have a book due out. It's gonna be July 10th.

Q - Well, your story is just beginning isn't it?
A - You would think that, yes, but the story goes back a whole lot longer than American Idol. I've been traveling as a musician for about ten years. There's a lot of stuff that you can learn on the road in Alabama and the South that you can apply to pretty much everyday life. It's the path up until this point.

Q - You're getting ready to go out on the road. Is that with the band you used to perform with?
A - No. I have a brand new, nine piece band.

Q - So, what happened to the guys you used to play with?
A - Well, I have one on the road with me and they tour as well.

Q - You visited the White House this past Summer (2006). Is President Bush a fan of American Idol?
A - I think he is. I got word that the White House was on the Soul Patrol.

Q - Did you bring a camera with you to capture that White House meeting?
A - I brought a camera to document all my photography that I'm traveling with on the road. Yeah, I'm documenting a lot of the stuff that's happened to me over the last six or seven months.

Q - What's been harder for you, the time you spent every week on the show learning new songs or recording a CD?
A - I would say the pressure of Idol because you wanna win. The idea is to win the show. The idea is to gain as many fans as you can and as much exposure as you can so you can carry on as an artist.

Q - If there had been no American Idol do you believe you would've gotten a record deal?
A - I believe yes. I believe with more hard work and more songwriting it would've happened.

Q - When you entered that competition, did you have some idea of what to expect if you won?
A - I had no idea. I was in it to gain as many fans as I could.

Q - Well, you got 'em!
A - Well, I appreciate that.

Q - What can you tell me about this upcoming tour of yours?
A - The tour starts on February 21st (2007) in Jacksonville, Florida. It's fifty-seven dates and I think most of 'em right now are sold out.

Q - What do you think of the idea of having American Idol search for the next American Idol Rock Band or the next American Idol Country Band. I don't know how it could be set up, but do you think it's the next logical growth of this competition?
A - Yeah, it very well could. There's all kinds of avenues you can take with this. It could go in many different ways.

Q - I believe we're fast approaching the point where the American people will be looking for the next American Idol Rock Group as opposed to the next American Idol singer.
A - Well, you never know. It's definitely a good point.

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