Taylor Hicks Takes On The Opry And Wedding Playlists

Season 5 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 16, 2023 on the heels of the morning release of his new single “Teach Me to Dance.” The tune will be on his Opry playlist and is certain to land on plenty of wedding playlists this season.

Infused with sentimentality and relatable storytelling, “Teach Me to Dance,” written by veteran songwriters Victoria Shaw and Candy Parton, captures the emotional connection of iconic traditions and milestones. Showcased by Hicks’ soulful country vocals and signature thoughtfulness, “Teach Me to Dance” is a country waltz that brings listeners back to the dance floor in a nostalgic and thoughtful nod to the power of relationships, first dances and wedding memories.

For those needing an extra dose of “I do” imagery, the official lyric video features cross-generational wedding and dance photos from Hicks’ fans.

This year marks the first time in over a decade that the Idol alum with a No.1 Billboard single and a certified platinum debut has released new music. “Teach Me to Dance” follows the single “Porch Swing,” which will be included in an upcoming album tentatively slated for a fall 2023 release. Hicks says the work on his new album has been a long labor of love, ten years in the making.

“I wanted to make sure that this was my best foot forward as an artist and I’m hoping that I accomplish that,” said the singer in a recent interview.

Hicks took a pause in the studio, but he’s been busy since his American Idol days. Less than one month after his May 24, 2006 win, Hicks’ “Do I Make You Proud” debuted on the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on June 22, 2006 with over 200,000 physical and digital singles sold keeping up with earlier high performing American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson (“A Moment Like This”), Carrie Underwood (“Inside Your Heaven”), and Fantasia (“I Believe”) whose first full week of combined single sales were 236,000, 169,000, and 142,000 respectively. He would go on to snag a Las Vegas residency and the No. 7 spot on 2013 compilation of Top-Earning American Idols, where his earnings were estimated at $2.5 million.

Known for his ability to shift and blend soul, country, and rock, Hicks is also no stranger to shifting gears to embrace other creative opportunities. He’s appeared on Law & Order SVU, toured with the Broadway production of Grease, hosted the food-driven travel series State Plate on the INSP network, and opened a barbecue restaurant.

Hicks attributes his longevity in the business to his willingness to try it all. “The arc of my career is, you know, it’s pretty expansive and pretty versatile. But you just never say, ‘No.’”

He feels blessed to be making his Opry debut where he’ll be singing “Porch Swing” and “Teach Me to Dance.”

Does “Teach Me to Dance” hit the right notes for the wedding circuit?

“What I love about it is the simple, sweet romance of it and the clarity of the lyrics. The words matter and they hit home. It could also be a mother/son, father/daughter dance,” says Mary Lou Quinlan, founder of women’s marketing consultancy Just Ask A Woman and former advertising agency CEO who is also a competitive ballroom dancer.

From a psychosocial perspective, the broad relatability of the lyrics paired with Hicks’ soulful style and notorious likability, could make him a wedding favorite. And with approximately 2.5 million weddings per year in the U.S. alone, any artist with a wedding hit has the potential for significant exposure and longevity.