'Idol' chance at success

Hicks may be a hard sell




Taylor Hicks

He may have made millions scramble for their cell phones to vote him in as the latest "American Idol" winner. But can Taylor Hicks inspire an equal stampede to the record stores and downloading portals for his forthcoming music?
On the surface, it hardly looks like a lock.

The music Hicks specializes in - a boomer-style take on '60s soul - does not fit current radio's vogue. Hicks' sound (let alone his look) has a lot more in common with foggies like Michael McDonald or Michael Bolton than with current favorites like the young romantic James Blunt or thug rapper Chamillionaire (who has a No. 1 hit with "Ridin'").

Then again, "American Idol" plays to a different crowd. A key part of the show's clout comes from its uncanny ability to entice viewers who don't normally buy CDs, those who land far outside the loop of hip.

Take past star Clay Aiken. He may seem more at home in Branson, Mo., or on a Broadway stage than in a pop arena. But he sold nearly 3 million copies of his debut CD to "Idol's" otherwise silent majority. In fact, no previous winner has sold fewer than 1.5 million copies of their debuts. The top draw, Kelly Clarkson, moved over 5 million copies of her latest.

Hicks' first single, "Do I Make You Proud?," sounds so sappy it didn't even impress gush-happy "Idol" judges. Fans won't be able to buy it until July 13. So we've got a ways to wait.

Stay tuned.