American Idol: Season 5 Rewind

oscardahl · 01-13-2008, 05:00 PM

What are the chances that two American Idol winners would come from the same city? Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks is from Birmingham, Alabama and so is Ruben Studdard, winner of Idol's second season. No offense to the noble 'Bamans, but the state never felt like a hot bed of singing talent before. Though Taylor Hicks was the winner of Idol's fifth season, he wasn't really close to the best singer on the show. That's a completely subjective claim, I know, but it was indicative of the fifth season's quality. When I look at the top 4 finalists from that year, professionalism comes to mind. Those four singers (Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin and Chris Daughtry) were more or less polished performers by the time they appeared on Idol. There was no unexpected improvement or meteoric rise by any member of that quartet during the season. While this fact may have lessened the feel-good aspect of Idol, it made for, perhaps, the most talented top 4 in Idol's history. Taylor Hicks, while not the most talented, is an incredibly good performer, a likable personality who engages any crowd he's put in front of. This was important because, as any cynic like me knows, American Idol is a popularity contest. Which is why Hicks beat Daughtry, Yamin and McPhee and why Jordin Sparks beat Melinda Doolittle.

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emptyhd009 · 01-14-2008, 03:46 PM

Taylor Hicks has won and was the best of all of the season 5 contestents. America got it right.

hoodathunk · 01-14-2008, 03:56 PM

Taylor Hicks had a great voice, plus the ability to make 2 minutes electrifying. Great singers are a dime a dozen, but great singers who are also great performers are much harder to come by. With all the reporting about Taylor's record sales, everyone has ignored his concert revenue, which if I'm not mistaken, was higher than any Idol-connected artist in 2007.

Gwyneth · 01-14-2008, 05:49 PM

The right man won AI5. Hicks blew away the other worthy contestants.

Deserving kudos to Daughtry - it is exciting to think that he will get at least one Grammy. AI promoted Daughtry very well and his singles were shopped to radio conglomerates and television networks, and it yielded great sales.

However, promotion for Hicks was puzzling. Did AI think since Hicks was the winner they didn't have to push his single? They erred, especially since Hicks's CD was not the "normal fare". It is a bit perplexing that AI would take a hands-off stance for the wildly popular winner.

I looked back at AI5 and the head honchos were obviously not pleased that Hicks was so strong. Perhaps AI thought his music that wasn't "correct" for radio. Negative comments from AI employees during AI6 were perplexing, which made many wonder why AI thought that negativity would somehow enhance their show. In fact, it seems to have backfired as their ratings dropped. Since Jordin and Blake have low sales, I hope t

Gwyneth · 01-14-2008, 05:54 PM

^ Since Jordin and Blake have low sales, I hope that AI is treating them well. AI should stand by their finalists and their audience, for without the audience, they will have nothing.

hairdresser25667 · 01-14-2008, 06:15 PM

America got it right with Taylor Hicks. You can ask as much as you want who should have won and it will not make any difference. TAYLOR HICKS WON End of story.

mmd4th · 01-14-2008, 10:43 PM

Appreciated the positive comments made above. Taylor Hicks had a charisma onstage that no other singer has had on any of the shows thus far. This past season was a dud because they did not find anyone with Taylor's talent. What is it that Simon Cowell doesn't get about Taylor? Doesn't he remember the old music where a song has a melody??? Taylor brought back a much needed new/old genre of music; he learned from the masters, and has tried to make that music popular again. His recording company did not promote him as the other artists have been. What a shame they could not see they were the ones who failed him. Taylor won Season 5 and totally deserved it. I am just sorry his record sales did not meet expectations.

dnjmorton · 01-14-2008, 10:51 PM

Taylor has gone on to headline both a spring and a summer tour to a total of 111 cities...and he is FANTASTIC! I have seen him in concert and he is absolutely mesmerizing. He just gets better and better! Can't wait to attend another show!! Thank goodness he was "discovered".

mmd4th · 01-14-2008, 11:03 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Alabama#Musicians_from_Alabama

In disagreement with your statement above that Alabama is not a hot bed for musicians. Please follow the link and see the great number of talents from our state!!!!

mmd4th · 01-15-2008, 09:01 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Alabama#Musicians_from_Alabama

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01-13-2008, 05:00 PM	#1
oscardahl Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 1,449,703	What are the chances that two American Idol winners would come from the same city? Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks is from Birmingham, Alabama and so is Ruben Studdard, winner of Idol's second season. No offense to the noble 'Bamans, but the state never felt like a hot bed of singing talent before. Though Taylor Hicks was the winner of Idol's fifth season, he wasn't really close to the best singer on the show. That's a completely subjective claim, I know, but it was indicative of the fifth season's quality. When I look at the top 4 finalists from that year, professionalism comes to mind. Those four singers (Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin and Chris Daughtry) were more or less polished performers by the time they appeared on Idol. There was no unexpected improvement or meteoric rise by any member of that quartet during the season. While this fact may have lessened the feel-good aspect of Idol, it made for, perhaps, the most talented top 4 in Idol's history. Taylor Hicks, while not the most talented, is an incredibly good performer, a likable personality who engages any crowd he's put in front of. This was important because, as any cynic like me knows, American Idol is a popularity contest. Which is why Hicks beat Daughtry, Yamin and McPhee and why Jordin Sparks beat Melinda Doolittle. To read the rest, click here.

01-14-2008, 03:46 PM	#2
emptyhd009 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 11	Taylor Hicks has won and was the best of all of the season 5 contestents. America got it right.

01-14-2008, 03:56 PM	#3
hoodathunk Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	Taylor Hicks had a great voice, plus the ability to make 2 minutes electrifying. Great singers are a dime a dozen, but great singers who are also great performers are much harder to come by. With all the reporting about Taylor's record sales, everyone has ignored his concert revenue, which if I'm not mistaken, was higher than any Idol-connected artist in 2007.

01-14-2008, 05:49 PM	#4
Gwyneth Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	The right man won AI5. Hicks blew away the other worthy contestants. Deserving kudos to Daughtry - it is exciting to think that he will get at least one Grammy. AI promoted Daughtry very well and his singles were shopped to radio conglomerates and television networks, and it yielded great sales. However, promotion for Hicks was puzzling. Did AI think since Hicks was the winner they didn't have to push his single? They erred, especially since Hicks's CD was not the "normal fare". It is a bit perplexing that AI would take a hands-off stance for the wildly popular winner. I looked back at AI5 and the head honchos were obviously not pleased that Hicks was so strong. Perhaps AI thought his music that wasn't "correct" for radio. Negative comments from AI employees during AI6 were perplexing, which made many wonder why AI thought that negativity would somehow enhance their show. In fact, it seems to have backfired as their ratings dropped. Since Jordin and Blake have low sales, I hope t

01-14-2008, 05:54 PM	#5
Gwyneth Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	^ Since Jordin and Blake have low sales, I hope that AI is treating them well. AI should stand by their finalists and their audience, for without the audience, they will have nothing.

01-14-2008, 06:15 PM	#6
hairdresser25667 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	America got it right with Taylor Hicks. You can ask as much as you want who should have won and it will not make any difference. TAYLOR HICKS WON End of story.

01-14-2008, 10:43 PM	#7
mmd4th Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4	Appreciated the positive comments made above. Taylor Hicks had a charisma onstage that no other singer has had on any of the shows thus far. This past season was a dud because they did not find anyone with Taylor's talent. What is it that Simon Cowell doesn't get about Taylor? Doesn't he remember the old music where a song has a melody??? Taylor brought back a much needed new/old genre of music; he learned from the masters, and has tried to make that music popular again. His recording company did not promote him as the other artists have been. What a shame they could not see they were the ones who failed him. Taylor won Season 5 and totally deserved it. I am just sorry his record sales did not meet expectations.

01-14-2008, 10:51 PM	#8
dnjmorton Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	Taylor has gone on to headline both a spring and a summer tour to a total of 111 cities...and he is FANTASTIC! I have seen him in concert and he is absolutely mesmerizing. He just gets better and better! Can't wait to attend another show!! Thank goodness he was "discovered".

01-14-2008, 11:03 PM	#9
mmd4th Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Alabama#Musicians_from_Alabama In disagreement with your statement above that Alabama is not a hot bed for musicians. Please follow the link and see the great number of talents from our state!!!!

01-15-2008, 09:01 AM	#10
mmd4th Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Alabama#Musicians_from_Alabama