Will Taylor Hicks Bite the Hand That Fed Him?

Posted Jun 28th 2006 10:41AM by TMZ Staff

Grumblings are already reportedly coming from Taylor Hicks' camp about his first single "Do I Make You Proud."  It was painfully obvious right away how bad the song is, which is of course not a reflection on Hicks since he didn't write it. Now, it seems Hicks may agree.

Hicks' former producer Will Smith of Baldwin Entertainment in Nashville tells In Touch Weekly magazine that Taylor wanted to release a song he wrote called "the Fall" instead of the tune written for him. Says Smith, "He wants to be known as a songwriter, not a karaoke singer." 

Of course, he just won the biggest karaoke contest on the planet so it might take a little time to shed the image.  But, Kelly Clarkson pulled it off and successfully distanced herself from Idol. Given Hicks' years of pushing his own songs prior to the contest, don't be surprised if Taylor goes the same route.   Since Clarkson is by far the biggest success to come out of the show, it would make sense for him to follow her path. 



Filed under: Music, American Idol, Sound Bytes

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16. Taylor is an intelligent man with talent and charisma -- he will do the right thing.

Posted at 2:49PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Elizabeth L

17. This is a totally untrue story. It is being foisted upon unsuspecting media outlets as true when, in fact, this person is out to make a buck and get some recognition. How about going to the source, Taylor Hicks himself? Instead of picking up on rumors and putting them out there as "fact."

Posted at 2:56PM on Jun 28th 2006 by John Gillen

18. I love Taylor, but I'm sorry I have not been able to bring myself to pay money to hear that song. I hope that whoever has the power to make decisions over what Taylor will record, WILL let him record his music. I think they will really be remiss not to. I don't know if there's anybody else out there who feels the way I do, but I know they're not getting anything out of my pocket until they earn it.

Posted at 3:01PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Julie

19. This NON -story says FAR more about Mr. Smith than it does Taylor Hicks------Taylor has said NOTHING but glowing things about this song....the Soul Patrol has known for weeks that one of Taylor's "FORMER PRODUCERS" has been trying to capitalize ($ $ $) on "The Fall."

This Soul Patroller sees right through the shoddy attempts at capitalization and resents the heck out of it!

Someone is trying to make a QUICK BUCK and doesn't care WHO he hurts doing it---and I am NOT talking about Taylor Hicks!

Yes! We want "The Fall" to go mainstream, but NOT until we are $URE that TAYLOR will benefit from it!

~ Souler Express/Alabama

Posted at 5:19PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Bonnie L

20. funny when you read that article...it never mentioned that Taylor was talked to....

this man quoted here..had tried to make money off of Taylor..he burned copies of CDs..and sold them...he is on a campaign...to get The FAll on radio..because he helped a LITTLE in the writing....

Taylor has given interviews about how he refused the first song..and then picked this one..then he Taylorized it..he likes the message..and said it was perfect for AI

of course he would rather write the music...he has been doing that for a long time...and his next CD will no doubt have some original material....

Taylor...DID NOT say he hated DIMYP

Posted at 5:22PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Beverly

21. Taylor,
I feel it would be a good idea to make a SIMPLE
statement asap that this story is bogus and then
not discuss it any futher.
From Carolle who loves Taylor from the Vegas
audition lines.

Posted at 5:24PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Carolle

22. Mr. Smith and his "people" have been preying on the Soul Patrol for weeks now..we just see your article as a pitiful, last ditch effort on Mr. Smith's part to try and make another "quick buck" before his scam is shut down permanently, which won't be too soon for this long time soul patroller!
You cannot fool the Soul Patrol anymore Mr. Smith, (or whoever you are!), you are really wasting your time!

Posted at 5:33PM on Jun 28th 2006 by connie b

23. We really won't know if this is true until the contract is up and he's able to go on his own. Even if he totally hates the songs they're giving him to sing right now, I really can't imagine that Hicks would publicly confirm the story to anyone (yes, even the Soul Patrollers). Why would he want that kind of distraction or negativity?

Posted at 5:44PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Dave

24. I also believe this story is not legitimate. Taylor has said more than once in other interviews that he doesn't care whether he sings cover songs or songs he has written himself. What is the most important thing to him is feeling the music - heart and soul. This is just some opportunistic person who is trying to capitalize on Taylor's success. You have to expect this kind of negative press. I think Taylor is savvy and diplomatic enough to deal with rumors and derogatory claims appropriately without allowing them to interfere with his career objectives.

Posted at 5:48PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Rosebird

25. Taylor sing what you want honey . You still have what it takes. Have you found the blonde on the airplane yet?????

Posted at 6:23PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Mazie

26. I agree with yvonne 100%, This isn't about Taylor at all. People are trying to twist what this Smith guy said and make it sound like Taylor said it... worse than a tabloid if you ask me!

Posted at 6:34PM on Jun 28th 2006 by geo

27. I agree that the story is bogus. He said a while back when the song was first introduced that the song felt right for him. The man is going to get alot of people saying derogotory things about him now that he is in the stoplight. Don't worry Taylor, your true fans will always think of you as a songwriter not a karaoke singer. I can't wait til you come out with your album this fall.

Posted at 6:47PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Robin

28. Taylor is so talented that he will get the opportunity to fulfill all his musical dreams. He is so down-to-earth that you feel like he is someone you have known a long time. He is a breath of fresh air and so entertaining to watch. A lot of people can sing but few have the gift to make any stage his own like Taylor. We will be talking about him for a long time to come.

Posted at 7:14PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Sandy Blakemore

29. No, DIMYP is not written by Taylor, but it is Taylorized. Taylor has repeatedly said in interviews that he does like the song, but he will be doing his own after the AI contract is over. I wish him all the luck in the world as he does both; but I think it is horrible that people just can't leave the MAN and WINNER of American Idol alone and let him bask in his win. I like the song and have purchased the song, and will continue to buy anything that is Taylor's because he is truely a great artist. Taylor, you have TAYLORIZED me. All others who like to spread articles like this without checking it out with the real artist; you should.

Posted at 7:15PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Linda Beach

30. I love that song. If it was so bad why was it Number one. This person that is saying these things have something to gain by this. They are not for Taylor....Taylor should sue their pants off for spreading this rumor. Taylor has said numerous times in interviews that he likes the song. He has never said he disliked it. I think Taylor Hicks is going to be a huge star and there are a lot of people that want to get on the band wagon. Taylor has a wonderful voice and personality and that song is beautiful. I listen to it several times a day. Everyone I know loves that song. I do not believe one minute that Taylor said this.

Posted at 8:23PM on Jun 28th 2006 by Nancy

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