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Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way
For the longest time, during some rough boyhood years in Alabama and the grind of performing on the road, the odds against me were discouraging. But there was always a voice inside telling me it was going to get better.
Mom and Dad certainly started out with good intentions, but early on, as their marriage went south and I went in whatever direction was necessary to avoid the fallout, I realized my life was going to be up to me.
Thinking back, my first step toward singing for a living was stealing an Otis Redding album when I was nine. What I heard on that platter was life-changing, and pretty soon I was learning to play the harmonica, which, I can assure you, didn’t attract many female fans—in fact, any fans at all.
I eventually decided that not being taken seriously can be a good thing. It stokes the fires. Maybe the reason I like soul music so much is that it inspires with its pain. The best artists, like Ray Charles, reach out and say, “You’re not alone, brother.”
In all my years on the road—trying to make it in Nashville and those Southern honky-tonks known as the “Chitlin Circuit”—I never thought it would take an act of God to push my destiny into the right groove. But as you’ll hear, it was nearly getting washed away by Hurricane Katrina that led to my Idol tryout. And what happened next was a little bit like when Alice dropped down that rabbit hole—just substitute Simon Cowell for the Mad Hatter.
In Heart Full of Sou l, I share some life stories that will hopefully inspire you—give you a sense of my philosophy and how it drove me. For example, I talk about my good friend who died in a tragic accident and the prediction he made that tugged at my thoughts throughout Idol’s qualifying rounds. I also discuss what it was like when I realized Eminem has it when you only have one shot, you’d better lose yourself in the music.
A lot of great fans lined up behind me the night of the Idol finale. This book is about the strange path that led me to that pop-culture moment, and the sharp directional changes that occurred after that phenomenal night, including touring America, producing an album, and experiencing that two-sided gig known as American celebrity.
I hope that some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way will help you, especially if the shot you’ve been yearning for is just around the corner.
Mom and Dad certainly started out with good intentions, but early on, as their marriage went south and I went in whatever direction was necessary to avoid the fallout, I realized my life was going to be up to me.
Thinking back, my first step toward singing for a living was stealing an Otis Redding album when I was nine. What I heard on that platter was life-changing, and pretty soon I was learning to play the harmonica, which, I can assure you, didn’t attract many female fans—in fact, any fans at all.
I eventually decided that not being taken seriously can be a good thing. It stokes the fires. Maybe the reason I like soul music so much is that it inspires with its pain. The best artists, like Ray Charles, reach out and say, “You’re not alone, brother.”
In all my years on the road—trying to make it in Nashville and those Southern honky-tonks known as the “Chitlin Circuit”—I never thought it would take an act of God to push my destiny into the right groove. But as you’ll hear, it was nearly getting washed away by Hurricane Katrina that led to my Idol tryout. And what happened next was a little bit like when Alice dropped down that rabbit hole—just substitute Simon Cowell for the Mad Hatter.
In Heart Full of Sou l, I share some life stories that will hopefully inspire you—give you a sense of my philosophy and how it drove me. For example, I talk about my good friend who died in a tragic accident and the prediction he made that tugged at my thoughts throughout Idol’s qualifying rounds. I also discuss what it was like when I realized Eminem has it when you only have one shot, you’d better lose yourself in the music.
A lot of great fans lined up behind me the night of the Idol finale. This book is about the strange path that led me to that pop-culture moment, and the sharp directional changes that occurred after that phenomenal night, including touring America, producing an album, and experiencing that two-sided gig known as American celebrity.
I hope that some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way will help you, especially if the shot you’ve been yearning for is just around the corner.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 5, 2009
Full of charm, but lacking in-depth substance and wit, Hicks has much more soul in his music than his memoir. I liked his "American dream" story and his honesty, but there seemed like there was too much missing. The beginning is very slow, but the middle to end of the book picks up.
October 5, 2012
I ABSOLUTELY LUV THIS MAN!!!!
June 10, 2018
I was one of the fans who voted religiously for Taylor every week on AI way back in 2006, and I'm happy to report he seems just as down to earth and fun in this charming book as he did on the show!
April 26, 2019
Enjoyed this, was not who I wanted to win Idol that year. Interesting behind the scenes story.
August 13, 2008
My mother recommended this book to me...she's a true AI fan through and through =)
So it took me a little longer than I thought it would to get through this "easy read" because I had to skew off to read Stephanie Meyer's new "Twilight" series book. I also take the occasional break to read a chapter, or a few pages at least on Marie Antoinette. So in the midst of all this other reading Taylor Hicks became a good calming read before bedtime. I did find the stuff about AI interesting but nothing new or too intriguing, just the basic stuff you might already have picked on watching the show. The moral and life-lesson points Mr. Hicks makes in his book I did find, while also nothing new, good to hear. So at least I got something out of this book, much in the same way as I did from reading Clay Aikens post A.I. book (also lent and recommended to me by my mother ;) Thanks Mom for lending me the books. It's rarely a bad thing to hear an inspiring story and some words of wisdom (even if you've heard them before)and if it's too much to hear in terms of word count well at least it's an easy read. No Henry James worthy run-on sentences here! Which I do appreciate =)
So it took me a little longer than I thought it would to get through this "easy read" because I had to skew off to read Stephanie Meyer's new "Twilight" series book. I also take the occasional break to read a chapter, or a few pages at least on Marie Antoinette. So in the midst of all this other reading Taylor Hicks became a good calming read before bedtime. I did find the stuff about AI interesting but nothing new or too intriguing, just the basic stuff you might already have picked on watching the show. The moral and life-lesson points Mr. Hicks makes in his book I did find, while also nothing new, good to hear. So at least I got something out of this book, much in the same way as I did from reading Clay Aikens post A.I. book (also lent and recommended to me by my mother ;) Thanks Mom for lending me the books. It's rarely a bad thing to hear an inspiring story and some words of wisdom (even if you've heard them before)and if it's too much to hear in terms of word count well at least it's an easy read. No Henry James worthy run-on sentences here! Which I do appreciate =)
January 6, 2012
f you are looking for a great biography, I can not recommend this one. Let’s face it, Taylor is too young to have a really juicy biography. However, if you are a Taylor Hicks fan, an American Idol fan or simply a music fan this is the book for you. This book has some great pictures of Taylor and the other contestants from the fifth season of American Idol. Taylor talks about the music that influenced his life and devoted an entire chapter of the book to his top ten list of favorite music.
May 8, 2008
I already like Taylor Hicks from American Idol, the book helped me understand him more and like him more.
very interesting and better than I expected. He did a good job of giving helpful information and tips for life in general. He provided inspirational messages about life in general, valuable lessons.
very interesting and better than I expected. He did a good job of giving helpful information and tips for life in general. He provided inspirational messages about life in general, valuable lessons.
June 8, 2008
This is an interesting and fast read book. I enjoy it and learned more about what it is like to be a contestant on American Idol. I recommend it to anyone who watches AI and wants to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes, even though he only devotes one chapter to the AI show and one chapter to the tour.
The majority of the book is about Taylor and his 10 years as a Road Warrior.
The majority of the book is about Taylor and his 10 years as a Road Warrior.
September 4, 2012
If you are an Idol Fan who liked Taylor (I did) then you may like this book. Certainly no classic. The beginning was better than the end (IMO). I was hoping he would have opened up a bit more. All and all an okay written book. Better spending your time watching him perform...that is definitely what he does best.
August 27, 2007
Lacked substance. Lived up to my expectations. With only 30 pages left, I decided it wasn't worth wasting any more time. Sorry, Taylor. You are a better singer than writer.
August 22, 2007
What can i say? I thought before reading this i couldnt love Taylor anymore....but this book proved me wrong he is AMAZING and soooo adorable :o)
January 23, 2008
Oh, dear, I am a big Taylor Hicks fan. Love the music, but the book was a great big SNORE.
March 1, 2008
Being a lover of books, music, and " old souls " , I really enjoyed reading this book . Taylor Hicks is an " old soul " kind enough to write about the music in his life .
March 5, 2008
Love this guy! :)
Want to Read
May 7, 2008MUST READ!!
HARUS BACA! HARUS BACA!
AS A BIG FAN OF TAYLOR HICKS, I MUST READ IT!!
HE'S MY SOUL MAN..
SOUL PATROL!!
HARUS BACA! HARUS BACA!
AS A BIG FAN OF TAYLOR HICKS, I MUST READ IT!!
HE'S MY SOUL MAN..
SOUL PATROL!!
January 25, 2009
Quick read and interesting story of Taylor Hicks rise to fame. Great read for any American Idol follower, or anyone wondering what it takes to make it in the music industry.
January 19, 2016
Good book and a quick read. Felt he held back a bit on some stories. Very interesting life.
October 11, 2007
Shut up, I got it for free.
July 31, 2014
An easy read and great pics, but could have shared more about his life before becoming an idol.
September 17, 2009
LOVE THIS BOOK :D
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January 1, 2012great story of his path to stardom
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews