Soulful Idol winner bags Vegas residency
Taylor Hicks
Are you feelin’ the soul? The Soul Patrol? American Idol season five winner Taylor Hicks recently kicked off his first-ever Vegas residency, a run that will take him through Aug. 20 at Bally’s. Fans will get the chance to enjoy this high-energy show and revel in Hicks’ unique and energetic performance style—he also gets to show off his guitar, organ and harmonica skills. Las Vegas Magazine’s Kiko Miyasato recently chatted with the silver-haired soulster.
Q: Did you ever think that you would be headlining your own Las Vegas show?
A: I’m just honored to be a part of the Entertainment Capital of the World. I auditioned for American Idol in Las Vegas and six years later I’m headlining here. … When you get that call to headline a show in Las Vegas, it’s just one of those historic moments in your career.
Q: Can you tell us details about the show?
A: There’s no question all of my live shows are really high-energy and musical. Being able to play different instruments is always fun for the audience to see. When I won American Idol it was only a singing show; it’s always a nice breath of fresh air to come in and see who I can be. This show will have benchmark American Idol songs, classic Vegas showtunes, songs off of my record and new material.
Q: Soul Patrol— did you come up with that?
A: It just came about. It’s just one of those things … you have to have a really great group of fans and it just organically grew.
Q: What’s on your Vegas to-do list?
A: I’m looking forward to seeing all the casinos and some of the shows. But seeing the Grand Canyon from the view of a Jet Ski is kind of the first thing that I want to do.
Q: Lastly, what’s the story of ending up on Jimmy Fallon’s show performing “Friday” with Stephen Colbert?
A: Well, Jimmy called me on a Thursday night. He said “Hey, I’m wearing a hyper-glow Soul Patrol sweatshirt for the last couple of days in honor of you and American Idol. We’re doing Rebecca Black’s ‘Friday’ and we have Stephen Colbert, a yeti and a beekeeper. Can you do it?” and I said “Well, I’m on the next flight.”
