American Idol finals -- A Birmingham threefer?
For all the news buzz that was the Olympics, it didn't touch the loud roaring buzz that has become American Idol 5. I guess no one should be surprised that curling and the biathlon didn't do it for the Nielsons like the three, yes count 'em, three nights of Idol did last week. The show is as riveting as ever and sometimes painful to watch as there is clearly much weeding out to do. Last week's ladies' night lowlight was the brunette Barbie twin Becky O'Donahue's horrific rendition of "Because the Night." Note to Idol constestants: Don't do Patti Smith songs. Only Patti Smith can get away with them with the occasional exception (i.e. 10,000 Maniancs - Unplugged). Bobby Bennett was equally bad with the drunken karaoke version of "Copa Cabana". In so many ways it's all about song choice as the judges continue to point out.
I am glad again to see another Birmingham contestant showing some promise and class. I don't think we will see Taylor Hicks seducing the camera with David Cassidy kicks through dry ice like Constantine Maroulis did last year. Taylor seems like the same guy he has been all his life, no leather pants or long hair or any kind of cliched rock star posturing. I really think it is that, and the fact he has genuine talent and personality, that have made him such a hit on the show. Here's a guy that has been living in Alabama playing clubs all of his adult life and with a humble attitude that he had in Birmingham and still has as he continues his success on the show. As he puts it, "I just love to sing," and who else in the history of this show has made Simon Cowell eat a super-sized portion of crow pie by admitting he was wrong in not liking Hicks initially. I guess he had no choice after Hicks' excellent rendition of Elton John's "Levon" last Wednesday. I predict he and Paris Bennet will make it down to the wire if the contest is based on talent and authenticity.
Check out Mary Colurso's excellent recent interview with Hicks for The Birmingham News from last week.
I am glad again to see another Birmingham contestant showing some promise and class. I don't think we will see Taylor Hicks seducing the camera with David Cassidy kicks through dry ice like Constantine Maroulis did last year. Taylor seems like the same guy he has been all his life, no leather pants or long hair or any kind of cliched rock star posturing. I really think it is that, and the fact he has genuine talent and personality, that have made him such a hit on the show. Here's a guy that has been living in Alabama playing clubs all of his adult life and with a humble attitude that he had in Birmingham and still has as he continues his success on the show. As he puts it, "I just love to sing," and who else in the history of this show has made Simon Cowell eat a super-sized portion of crow pie by admitting he was wrong in not liking Hicks initially. I guess he had no choice after Hicks' excellent rendition of Elton John's "Levon" last Wednesday. I predict he and Paris Bennet will make it down to the wire if the contest is based on talent and authenticity.
Check out Mary Colurso's excellent recent interview with Hicks for The Birmingham News from last week.
Comments
I don't think he will ever dye his hair -- it's almost some maturity street cred to have it even though he's only 29.