Published: May 11, 2006 02:19 pm      

I SAY: Hicks is Taylor-made for "Idol"

Don't be calling me or dropping by for a visit next Tuesday and Wednesday nights. And don't bother the following Tuesday and Wednesday, either. Chances are, you won't get an answer because we will be watching "American Idol" and pulling for Taylor Hicks.

You might find it odd that your wordsmith is an avid "Idol" fan. The contest is interesting but it is a sidebar to me. I love music, plain and simple, and on "American Idol" one can sample a variety of music done in a host of ways.

Where else could you have enjoyed a minor key version of Johnny Cash's "I'll Walk the Line" that was down right enjoyable?

The week before this month's election, 45 million people voted for their favorite singer. In Cumberland County only 5,200 voted in the county primary election. Speaks volumes on priorities. I can proudly say I voted in the election. Kind of sheepish about admitting I voted for Taylor Hicks Tuesday night.

I enjoy the auditions the most. It is like a musical "Jerry Springer Show." It makes me feel better to know I can sing in the shower a bit better than some of those contestants.

It amazes me that so many tone-deaf people can truly believe they sound like Whitney Houston. They sound more like a dog getting hit by a car, or someone beating their cat. And what about those friends who tell them they are so good? My goodness, with friends like that, you better not have a lot of enemies and you better make sure your insurance pays for hearing aids.

I liked Taylor Hicks the night they showed his audition. And contrary to what judge Simon Cowell says, the man is the full entertainment package.

He can sing. He can dance (well, I enjoy watching him). He can perform and he can entertain.

The thing I noticed the first night he was on the show is that he not only sings, but he uses his entire body as an instrument. With my eyes closed I thought I might be listening to Ray Charles. With my eyes open, I thought it was Joe Cocker's younger brother.

But what sold me on Taylor Hicks was the night he came in to the performance room to face the judges and learn if he was going to Hollywood. He came in playing the blues on a harmonica ... and played it well.

Taylor knows his voice and knows what he can sing. He's an old bluesman at heart. And he reinforces the old theory that "it ain't the blues if you can't feel 'em."

Taylor has a band back in Birmingham called the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra and next week he will be featured with his group in concert during the "Idol" show. Filming is tonight at the Galleria in Hoover, a Birmingham suburb, and it would be worth the price of gas to me to drive to the Magic City to hear Hicks moan the blues.

I find it interesting that so many of the show's successful singers have come from Alabama. Taylor is the fourth contestant with Birmingham ties to battle for the “Idol” title, following Ruben Studdard, Diana DeGarmo and Harold “Bo” Bice. Studdard, a Birmingham resident, won the crown in 2003. DeGarmo, a Birmingham native, and Bice, a former Helena resident, were runners-up in 2004 and 2005.

With rocker Chris gone (his ousting was a shocker to many this week), my man Taylor has a shot at winning it all. He will sing against Katharine McPhee, 21, of Los Angeles and Elliott Yamin, 27, of Richmond, VA.

Simon Cowell referred to Taylor's performance of Evlis' "Jailhouse Rock" this week as looking like something out of Karaoke with a "capital K." Considering the source, that's an endorsement if I ever heard one. Especially considering the crowd went wild Tuesday night and Taylor did an impromptu encore Wednesday night.

If you have not watched "Idol" this season, tune in Tuesday night. You may or may not like the music. But I promise you Taylor will entertain you.

Mike Moser is the editor of the Crossville Chronicle. His column is published on Friday.