NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is proud to announce the appointment of GRAMMY®-winning, platinum-selling American Idol Taylor Hicks to its Board of Directors. Hicks, a Birmingham native, won “American Idol’s” blockbuster fifth season “with gray on his head, soul in his heart, Alabama in his palm (Los Angeles Times).” As a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame board, Hicks’ will support the Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s mission to honor, support and increase awareness of Alabama’s vast array of music achievers.
“As I’ve always said, ‘the people of Alabama will let you know if you can do three things: cook, sing or throw a football.’ I’m honored to have been invited to join the Alabama Music Hall of Fame board and look forward to the work we will do together to recognize and honor our state’s rich musical history,” expressed Hicks, who was appointed to the board by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.
“I have no doubt that Taylor will do a great job as a board member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. As a successful musician, he has always represented the state of Alabama well. I know he will continue to make his home state proud!” said Governor Kay Ivey.
“We are beyond thrilled to have him on our board,” added AMHOF Executive Director Sandra Burroughs. “Our mission is to honor Alabama’s music achievers and we think it is very fitting to have an artist of his caliber advocating for musicians, entertainers and songwriters throughout our state. He brings first-hand knowledge of the music industry to the board that will enhance our ability to make decisions that celebrate the state’s rich music history and also encourage other Alabama-based musicians to follow their dreams. Taylor is an unwavering advocate for the hall of fame and has performed at several of our induction banquets.”
Since “American Idol’s” record-breaking season five finale, Hicks has gone on to achieve RIAA-certified Platinum status, win a GRAMMY® and secure a prestigious Las Vegas residency. Hicks’ theatrical and television roles include touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease,” starring as Charlie Anderson in the Serenbe Playhouse production of “Shenandoah” in addition to appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting the INSP series “State Plate.”
As host of “State Plate,” Hicks takes viewers on culinary and cultural experiences throughout the country. During the show’s Alabama episode, the singer-songwriter stopped by the restaurant he owns in his hometown, SAW’s Juke Joint, which was crowned one of the “25 Best Barbecue Spots in America” by Men’s Journal. Hicks also regularly returns to Birmingham to perform for sold-out crowds at the historic Lyric Theatre.
Hicks is set to release his highly-anticipated, third album next year. The deeply personal, roots-inspired collection was recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville with contributions from GRAMMY®-winning musician Keb’ Mo as well as Robert Randolph. Produced by Hicks along with GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Bryan Sutton, the project will bring Hicks back on the road for extensive touring.
To stay updated with Taylor Hicks, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and visit TaylorHicks.com.
About Taylor Hicks:
For Taylor Hicks, winning “American Idol’s” blockbuster fifth season was just the beginning. Hailed as “part Stax, part Motown and part honky-tonk” by The New York Times, Hicks’ intoxicating blend of soul, blues, country, and rock & roll quickly rendered him a household name as he progressed to the show’s record-breaking finale in 2006, an historic television event which drew an audience of more than 200 million viewers. Hicks immediately followed his Idol victory with a #1 Billboard single and an RIAA certified Platinum debut, and soon went on to make history as both the first male Idol champion featured on a GRAMMY-winning record (Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Blow Your Pants Off’), and the first to land a prestigious Las Vegas residency. A versatile artist, actor and advocate, Hicks has since ventured into theater and television, touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease” in addition to appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting the INSP series “State Plate,” which won the Cynopsis TV Award for Best Reality Series (Travel). After a lengthy hiatus from recording, Hicks returned in 2017 with “Six Strings and Diamond Rings,” the first single since his beloved 2009 sophomore album, “The Distance.” The stirring, stripped-down track offers up a tantalizing preview of Hicks’ highly anticipated third album, a deeply personal, roots-inspired collection recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville with contributions from four-time GRAMMY®-winning musician Keb’ Mo as well as Robert Randolph. Produced by Hicks along with GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Bryan Sutton (Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley), the album is due out next year and will bring Hicks back on the road for extensive touring.
About Alabama Music Hall of Fame:
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is a nonprofit agency that is dedicated to celebrating the work of the state’s vast array of music achievers. AMHOF owns and operates a large museum in Tuscumbia, Alabama that showcases the work of Alabama’s musicians, songwriters, artists, performers, producers and educators. The museum opened in June of 1990 and has hosted thousands of visitors from all over the world. The facility is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and other hours are available by appointment. The AMHOF banquet hall is available to rent for special events.
The AMHOF board of directors provide oversight for the museum and other activities. Board directors are appointed by the governor.
For more information, call 256-381-4417 or visit alamhof.org.
