January 07, 2008

Taylor Hicks Splits from Arista

'American Idol' winner Taylor Hicks is splitting from Arista. They released his self-titled major-label debut in late '06. The set has sold 699,000 units in the United States.

Hicks has decided to record his next album on his own. He said he signed his 3-year deal straight out of Idol because it was all he could get, and at that point he had no reason to turn it down. He said he'll continue to hustle to get more gigs, and he'll be releasing another album in 2008, and hopefully go on tour.

Posted by: Bridget Daly

[ Image by PR Photos ]


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Comments

Mr. Hicks was not dropped by his label, as has been widely reported over the past couple of days. His lawyers were able to get him removed from his contract for a variety of reasons, including breach of contract and failure to comply with promised promotion, among other things. Mr. Hicks has agreed not to reveal the terms of the separation for a specific period of time. In other words, J Records/RCA didn't give Hicks what they promised, he wants more artistic freedom and better promotion, he was able to get out of his contract and he has agreed not to reveal any details at this time. Bear in mind that the new season of American Idol is coming up, and they can't afford more negative publicity - look how badly their treatment of Mr. Hicks impacted last season's show.

Posted by: fromtheinside on 01/08/2008 06:38 AM

So was he dropped or was this a mutual split? TH needs to put out a statement on this. To much mud being thrown on him without any responce

Posted by: WHT on 01/08/2008 11:35 AM

fromtheinside, Your post makes perfect since. The treatment of Hicks by the label and the show has been inexcusable. No one in their right mind would continue to allow them to profit from his success. And with more artistic freedom and decent promotion...I predict a very successful career for this talented artist.

Posted by: ontheoutsidelookingin on 01/08/2008 11:36 AM

WOO HOO! This is the best thing for Taylor. I am glad he has the freedom to do his music his own way. So long Clive baby!!!!

Posted by: KarenE on 01/08/2008 11:58 AM

Very interesting! Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Taylor was mishandled and mistreated by JRecords. This makes perfect sense.

Posted by: NoImNot on 01/08/2008 12:07 PM

FINALLY, someone speaks some sense. A reality show who seeks to find new talent and when that talent is discovered and America chooses the winner and then the show goes on to entirely ignore THEIR WINNER, diss and dismiss him and speak disparaging statements about them, is on the road to failure . . . and it can't come soon enough for me. After Season 5 was a good place to stop the show. There was so much talent in that one season that no other year will match it. Season 6 was a dismal failure. I don't plan on watching Season 7, but it will fail also. American Idol is on its way out and down. I thank AI ONLY because Taylor Hicks was brought to the forefront of America. He is a talented, gracious, humble human being who has more class in his little finger than the entire brood of power-hungry individuals who are trying to bring him down. Thank goodness Taylor is breaking away from a label who has had NO INTEREST in supporting him. He has too much artistic integrity to remain with someone who does nothing to support him. I have the deepest and utmost respect for Taylor Hicks. American Idol . . . not so much!!

Posted by: Elizabeth on 01/08/2008 12:09 PM

Excellent news! Now Taylor can be himself and make the CD that he really wants.

Posted by: Gregg on 01/08/2008 12:10 PM

American Idol needs no help SELF-DESTRUCTNG!!! hahaha!

Posted by: sweetsmoke on 01/08/2008 12:19 PM

This is wonderful news! JRecords, Clive Davis, and American Idol will be someday wish they had been nicer to Mr. Hicks. Go Taylor and congrats to the lucky record company who signs him. As for American Idol, Season 5 was the best the show has seen and considering the way Nigel and camp have dissed Taylor, I'm finished with the show altogether.

Posted by: ThankGodNoMoreClive on 01/08/2008 12:25 PM

I am so thrilled at this news. I cannot imagine how mortifying it must have been to listen to Cowell and Nigel et al dispensing their foul mouthed contempt at Taylor. This is the man who grabbed the attention of Americans and many international markets as well. I certainly would not have flow over to the USA for most of the other artists who have appeared over the years. He is such an amazing artist with a wonderful whiskey tenor voice who is able to make one feel the music. I cannot wait for his new releases. Taylor stands tall above it all.

Posted by: Audrey on 01/08/2008 01:13 PM

So, people believe some random comment on a random blog? If this was true a public statement would have been made. Sorry folks, don't be so gullible or desperate. There was no breach of contract. How dense can folks be?

Posted by: pub12 on 01/08/2008 01:37 PM

Is it more "dense" to believe something positive than negative? There is no public statement at this time...other than the fact he is no longer with the label...so believe whatever you want.

Posted by: ontheoutsidelookingin on 01/08/2008 01:50 PM

Would you be dense enough to believe the Billboard and Entertainment articles which ALSO claim that he was not dropped, but rather left Arista to pursue his own interests.

Posted by: audrey on 01/08/2008 01:52 PM

IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL.

Posted by: IN DENIAL. IN DENIAL. on 01/08/2008 02:15 PM

This split was a long time coming and kudos to Taylor. He is a tough promoter and was hard at work bringing in new fans at his concerts. His cd's were selling fast at his shows. I blame this whole "grease my palm" music industry. They have been telling us for years what is good music. Good music is a subjective subject and each person should be allowed to determine what is good music. We are force-fed so much sound-alike music that when an awesome performer like Taylor comes along - the radio stations and moguls do what they can to silence them. Not to be done. Taylor will rise and prevail - all without selling out to Clive.

Posted by: TheresaR on 01/08/2008 02:27 PM

Sigh! "They've" arrived to sully up yet another Taylor post with their insults to Taylor and his fans.

Posted by: Oh, great! on 01/08/2008 02:30 PM

Couldn't be happier, this is the best thing for Taylor. It was a disgrace how they treated him and also the voting public. The show has surely gone downhill since season 5. Taylor made them alot of money that year, but someone else is lining Clive's pockets now...and what a price that person is paying, this goes beyond monetary payment. Taylor is too good for the AI machine and Clive.

Posted by: thankful on 01/08/2008 02:38 PM

"they" just can't stay away-can they? kinda like being stalkers or something

Posted by: thoell on 01/08/2008 02:43 PM

The Daughtry fans show up at yet another Taylor article. They will be the downfall of Chris Daughtry.

Posted by: TheDaughtryFansLoveTaylor on 01/08/2008 02:52 PM

Hmmm. It is true that I prefer to believe the split was TH's idea.. but that actually makes a bit more sense... he did after all sell more cds than most of the artists on the JRecords roster. Granted, not as many as other AI winners, but still better than most on their list and certainly better than most "new" artists. Why would they want to drop someone who was making them money, and keep a whole list of other singers/bands who sell considerably less than the 700,000 Soundscan number? Doesn't really make sense. Hopefully "fromtheinside" really is.. but I'm still looking for some kind of announcement from the Hicks camp...

Posted by: bluesme on 01/08/2008 02:59 PM

Couldn't be happier for Taylor. I was going to say more but Elizabeth said it all. In denial is just one more fool.

Posted by: susan22 on 01/08/2008 02:59 PM

It really does no good to speculate, the truth will come out eventually. In the meantime, yippee for Taylor! J records did nothing for him, I don't think they understood him as an artist at all. Taylor Hicks is a very smart man. The music industry is changing quite rapidly, and I'm sure Taylor will be able to find a way to advance his career along a new path that will make him happy.

Posted by: cdg on 01/08/2008 03:18 PM

please folks can't we for once keep on topic and ignore the people who just come in to cause trouble and get attention ? ? ? want to really make them mad ? ? just keep posting your good thoughts and ignore them

Posted by: about time on 01/08/2008 03:19 PM

Now what I really came here to say. I don't read this piece as either positive or negative but rather as something we see all too rarely in the media these days. It reads like an effort to Report the news instead of spinning it. Props to the reporter !

Posted by: about time on 01/08/2008 03:25 PM

Yes! Taylor is unshackled!

Posted by: GwynethCougar on 01/08/2008 03:31 PM

Kudos to Taylor Hicks. The best things in life are free, FREE from Clive Davis.

Posted by: SamuelH on 01/08/2008 03:35 PM

Months ago, there were rumors among the Taylor Hicks fans that Taylor was trying to buy out his recording contract from J Records. It appears that they came to a mutual agreement to split, at least for the next album. Taylor is a talented composer, arranger, instrumentalist, and singer. He deserves a fair chance to show what he can do.

Posted by: hickifino on 01/08/2008 04:08 PM

WONDERFUL news!!! I'm looking forward to an official statement, but just that he's FREE is what matters! Go Taylor!

Posted by: Sunny on 01/08/2008 04:55 PM

Over the past year, I've attended a number of Taylor Hicks' concerts. The concerts were exciting, energetic, and entertaining -- Taylor did his best to give the concert-goer his money's worth. To bad I can't say the same about JRecords/Arista and the contract Taylor got by winning American Idol. It was obvious that Clive Davis and the "boys" had expected another person to win and that America didn't fall into lockstep to "pick" the preferred winner. Glad Taylor kept his part of the bargain and is now free to pursue his OWN path to success.

Posted by: juliegr on 01/08/2008 05:15 PM

There is office word from Taylor on his space: A statement from Taylor: To all my fans and The Soul Patrol, I want to take a moment to talk about the recent news that my label and I have mutually parted ways. The important thing for all of you to remember is that I've been a working musician my whole life. This is turning the page on a new chapter of my career. Artistic freedom and control is an exciting prospect. The things that are most important to me is creating my art, performing it, and my fans. With the momentum that all of you have created over the years, Taylor Hicks is not going to stop anytime soon. I've started working on the new album, writing and scheduling exciting collaborations. The DVD, Whomp at the Warfield, is in it's final stages, and will be released soon. So as one door closes, a new one opens for 2008 with more excitement for all my fans than ever before. Sit tight, because the best is yet to come!

Posted by: Paula on 01/08/2008 05:28 PM

Amen, and amen, Julie, Paula, and all who are happy our guy is out from under the constraints now of Clive and Co. Happy New Year to ALL! WOOOOOOOO!

Posted by: des on 01/08/2008 06:18 PM

I'm ecstatic that Taylor has gained his freedom from an organization that did more to undermine him than support him. Mr. Hicks is a uniquely gifted talent, and his future looks bright indeed!

Posted by: Canadianna on 01/09/2008 08:23 AM

I don't get it. The article is noncommittal as to why he's no longer with J. We don't know any more than we did before. What's pretty low is that somebody is misleading people, since somebody in some Taylor sites is posting a link to this article, and then copy and pasting the first comment to make it appear like that's the actual story.I'm neither a supporter or a detractor of Mr. Hicks, and I wish him well, but this type of deception just confirms what I already suspected about his lunatic fan base.

Posted by: Brentwood on 01/09/2008 09:15 AM

Taylor Hicks unshackled? Allowed to express HIS music, HIS way??? This happy lunatic can't wait!!!!

Posted by: 1happylunatic on 01/09/2008 11:52 AM

Good luck. Hopefully, Hicks can reclaim success because fromtheinside Hick's is finished in Hollywood...Sound like his lawyers are real players in the game and should be commended for terminating his career in only 1 year. Is it true Hicks and his legal have pissed off everyone in the industry?

Posted by: JOE BLOW on 01/09/2008 04:41 PM

What a bunch of delusions coming from the Soul Patrol. Is it totally unthinkable that Taylor was DROPPED because his sales were unspectacular, and that his potential for selling more CDs was limited at best? An American Idol winner was dropped just a year after his contract was signed. Is this good news in the eyes of the public? I cannot believe that a huge label like RCA would part ways with him just because his lawyer threatened to sue for breach of contract. More like a label getting rid of a guy who won't play ball with them and telling him to go back to the hinterlands of Alabama.

Posted by: JJ on 01/10/2008 08:16 AM

This makes total sense or why would American idol say that once Taylor had his new music that would be willing to listen or play his music, something like that. It didn't sound right anyway. Their statement made no sense if they had truly parted ways.

Posted by: Debbie on 01/10/2008 08:50 AM

poor taylor, I think he is great. i love this karaoke machine because it do i make you proud on it. check it out: www.techtogo.com

Posted by: paige on 01/10/2008 10:48 AM

I would like to ask Taylor fans what they think of the fact that the first comment here has been posted in other places as part of the actual article. I wonder if the site owner is aware of this. It's a ridiculous comment, too, because it says Taylor agreed not to tell details, but the person has already given details before she says this. If this were true, it would be in at least ONE other news article. The first comment is written in a sophomoric manner, and any real journalist would know it was phony. So, I ask again, what do Taylor fans think of this blatant deception? Is all far in love and war, and spin? Even if nobody believes it except you?

Posted by: Alex on 01/10/2008 05:39 PM

All I know is that Taylor is going to change the face of the music industry one soul at a time, with or without a contract. And just so you doubters know, it only took him one year to win the first 10 souls, so in ten years time he's going to have at least 10 fans, which will make him just about as popular as Elvis.

Posted by: Bertha on 01/10/2008 07:14 PM

I couldn't care less about Taylor's love life. I think he is great and am looking forward to his next album. Saw him at the House of Blues, what a great show. He puts on a fantastic show. JC

Posted by: Janette on 02/05/2008 08:08 PM