‘Idol' no longer: Taylor Hicks enjoys having control over his life, work

In a way, Taylor Hicks is back where he started.

Hicks, the fifth American Idol winner, is again an independent artist, performing in clubs and casinos.

It's a far cry from winning TV's top-rated singing competition and being named People magazine's Hottest Bachelor in 2006.

After releasing his post-Idol album on Arista Records, Hicks, 33, was dropped from the label. He ended up starting his own label to self-release his 2009 album, “The Distance.”

Between the albums, he performed on Broadway and toured in a theatrical production of Grease.

“Politics and music are very similar,” Hicks says. “You have to go and stand outside the ballpark and shake people's hands in 20-degree weather. And that's what I'm doing now.”

We chatted with Hicks about starting over, major labels, Idol expectations, and more.

Q. When you won American Idol, did you think that four years later you'd be going at it again as an independent artist?

A. To a certain degree I did think that. I was an independent artist to begin with. I always knew about building a brand, so to speak, because I started when I was about 18.

Q. Having done the major label thing and now doing it on your own, what's the biggest difference?

A. The biggest difference is the more ownership you have in your brand, the more money you make. Here's the thing, I always try to do smart business. Starting my own record label and then having the Broadway run, there was already a built-in audience for my product.

Q. Would you go the major label route again?

A. I'm not opposed to doing another major label deal. The deal has to be fair. I would love to work with a major label again if it was fair.

Q. In retrospect, do you think that winning the American Idol crown comes with expectations that are too high?

A. Yes, and no. I really get tired of people that try to compare all the winners because each one of us is different. That's the reason we won. Each winner is different in their own regards. I think that's what's great about it.

Q. Since you haven't had the type of career that Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson has, are you disappointed?

A. I'm completely happy. I have complete ownership of my business, and I play within industry standards. People do business fairly with me. They don't try to hide percentages. Basically, what I'm trying to tell you is that I'm in the know. When you get plucked without understanding the business in general, you need to be in the know.

Q. Do you feel like many of the fans who followed you during Idol and got involved in the Soul Patrol are still with you?

A. Very much so. They're very proactive. If you're going to sustain a career in the business, you have to build your core. What I'm doing, this is the real grassroots way of building your fan base. I'm gonna be around for a long time.

Q. I know you did some theater recently. Is there anything else out there you'd like to pursue?

A. TV. I'm intrigued by acting.

Q. Someone reading this might think you sound a little jaded about your post-Idol career. If you had to do it over again, would you?

A. I would get up tomorrow and do it all over again. I think Idol is the greatest platform in entertainment to come off if you really want to be a serious entertainer. I'm very blessed to be able to have that platform and I understand that.