Taylor Hicks talks about his past and his concert this Friday

July 05, 2007

Herald-Mail reporter Julie E. Greene recently interviewed "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, who is performing Friday night at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown.

To hear the entire interview, go to http://www.antpod.com.

Here are some excerpts:

Greene: Your book, "Heart Full of Soul," is coming out July 10.

Hicks: Yes, July 10.

Greene: Can you tell me a little bit about the experience of creating the book?

Hicks: It was great. I co-wrote it with David Wild, who was a Rolling Stone writer for a while. He really helped me get the thoughts across that I wanted to, about, you know, finding your own voice and staying true to who you are, and the odds, and beating the odds and having an opportunity to beat the odds.

Greene: Do you have any sort of sneak peek, a little tidbit from the book that you can share with us?

Hicks: Well, somebody in the book liked to start fires.

Greene: Was that you?

Hicks: Maybe.

Greene: I saw a little promotional material for the book, and I thought I saw something there about you stealing an Otis Redding album when you were about 9?

Hicks: Yes.

Greene: What was the story behind that?

Hicks: I guess I just - once I heard Otis, I guess I didn't want Otis to leave my side, so I kind of, you know, in a roundabout way, sideswiped the album from my friend's parents' house. I still have that album, and I think I'm gonna be able - I might return it, ... have a party and return it - Indian giver.

Greene: You've been parodied on "Saturday Night Live" and by Weird Al Yankovic. Have you seen or heard these parodies, and what do you think of them?

Hicks: I have, and I think they're great. They're spot on, which just makes them even ... funnier.

Greene: What can the audience at The Maryland Theatre expect during your performance July 6?

Hicks: I like to call it high-impact soul aerobics.

Greene: Can you give me more of a description for that? What do you mean by that?

Hicks: ... James Brown meets Richard Simmons.

If you go ...

WHAT: Taylor Hicks

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 6

WHERE: The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown

COST: $60 to $90

MORE: For more information, go to www.mdtheatre.org.

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