Taylor Hicks + American Idol...an unlikely pair that works

I have never watched American Idol on a regular basis before. Sure, I had caught an episode here and there. I knew who the contestants were and the winners, but I didn't pay all that much attention. I never really had anything against it, but it just wasn't my style of music. I like 60's rock and R&B mostly, so I always feel a little out of touch with current music, and my friends since I'm 32 and most of my friends are still getting into new music.

This year something new, and I think exciting, happened. 28 (at the time) year old Taylor Hicks auditioned for American Idol in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas audition show was the second episode of American Idol I had tuned in for, partly because there was already a buzz forming for Taylor. The second he walked into the audition studio I knew something different was happening for American Idol.

He sang a Sam Cooke song. The judges seemed to be taken a little off guard and asked for a little more. He then launched in to Ray Charles' Swanee River Rock. It sounded unlike anything anyone else had done. Though Simon Cowell had some reservations (Taylor's gray hair makes him look a little older than 28 and his musical selections not exactly hip) about Taylor's chances of being successfull on a show like American Idol, the other 2 judges passed him through, and I knew I would keep watching American Idol.

Now Taylor Hicks is in the top 24 and has survived the first week of cuts. I read on another blog that someone thought Taylor was too good for American Idol, and I can see what he means, though I'm glad he's there. I find myself wondering what prompted Taylor to audition. He doesn't seem like the type, because I've been told serious musicians aren't supposed to like American Idol. But Taylor is a serious and talented musician, and after his stellar performance of Levon, last week he yelled out "I love American Idol" while talking to Ryan Seacrest.

Maybe American Idol is the place for Taylor Hicks, so he can get the exposure he so deserves, and maybe he can raise the bar a little for American Idol as well.

I'm pulling for Taylor to go all the way on the show (I even voted, something I thought I would never do). Though I'm looking forward to Taylor playing at a venue near me, I'm in no hurry for him to leave the show. If you'd like to hear more of Taylor click here.