More American Idol

May 22 2008 01:58 PM ET

Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks to open Alabama night spots

by
Tags: , , , , Television

American Idol season 2 winner Ruben Studdard is getting into the nightlife business with plans to open a  restaurant/club in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. The as-yet-unnamed spot will serve up "Southern food with a twist," Studdard told EW.com on the season 7 finale red carpet, and host "national headlining acts" in a live performance space with a capacity of 600. "My dream is to have John Mayer play on opening night," Studdard said. The club will be located in downtown Birmingham’s new entertainment district, The Forge, which is undergoing an $80 million renovation scheduled to finish in summer 2009. According to a local report, comedian Jeff Foxworthy is also in negotiations for his own venue in the area, and Studdard reveals that another Idol winner is setting up shop nearby: "Taylor Hicks is opening a bar around the corner from me, so it’s gonna be big." Now all the neighborhood needs is fellow Alabama native Bo Bice to join in and Birmingham could become the country’s prime Idol destination.

Comments (17 total) Add your comment
Page: 1 2
  • Great Idea!
    Thu 05/22/08 2:03 PM

    Sounds like Birmingham might become another Branson. It’s all good if these guys are headlining. Southern rock and blues. Delicious!

    Reply
  • Jimmy Fungus
    Thu 05/22/08 6:28 PM

    HAHA HOHO HEHE! Why didn’t Studdard and Hicks open a bar/restaurant TOGETHER. Bo Bice too. I mean people can’t get enough American Idol. People love that stuff. People would go there to meet Ruben, and Taylor, and Bo, like people go to Vegas and meet the boxers. Yeah that is some crazy stuff there. There are some good American Idol articles here by the way, kids http://jviz.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • WildKAT
    Fri 05/23/08 5:24 PM

    Opening a restaurant is exactly what Reuben Studdard DOESN’T need to do. LOOK at his massive size. Talk about Gluttony! If anything he should open a health gym and USE the facilities. It is not surprising that those two Idol “winners” have to resort to other type of income venues. Neither of them have had a successful music career because both of them are copy cat singers. Studdard imitates Barry White and Luther Vandross; Taylor imitates the local bar singer who will never make it. Add in Fantasia and her horrific screeching on A.I. this season and you could perhaps have a trio. What to call it would be a whole different challenge. IMO, they are the absolute worst that A.I. has ever crowned. Their dismal sales and failed careers tell that story. Yuk! Pity Poor Alabama for letting ole sweaty onstage. They’ll have to mop the floor every time he finishes.

    Reply
  • francislh
    Fri 05/23/08 7:29 PM

    I think that people who have to make negative comments about people they don’t know, that their comments should be deleted before they post because they are on here (this site and its forum for the sake of putting down others and that is so wrong. If you can’t wish people well, it will sooner or later catch up with you in a very negative way. What goes around comes around. Besides who asked you for you negative opinion. I personally wish Reuben and Taylor the best of luck and to be very successful in their endeavor.

    Reply
  • Ang
    Sun 05/25/08 7:19 AM

    I’m happy that Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks are venturing outside their comfort zone. It’s always a good back-up plan. I’m not implying that their career would never flourish, but it’s always good to have an alternative income. Good luck to the two champions!
    http://americanidolseasons.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • Marc
    Sun 05/25/08 7:24 AM

    Awesome! Good luck to both of them! I’ll be there opening night for Taylor’s club for sure! Earthquake in Birmingham!! wooooo!

    Reply
  • CJG
    Tue 05/27/08 4:30 PM

    Love it ! of course since I am a Flordia transplant from the Panhandle cost to Bham , I feel this is an undiscovered market. Business(Honda and Mercedes) and the Medical Industry brings so many here and many never leave. This Forge district is patterned after Beale St. in Memphis and will be a great once complete.

    Reply
  • Chris
    Tue 05/27/08 5:25 PM

    It sounds like Alabama may be a place to visit once these places are up and going. Thanks for the heads up. http://mypagerankbooster.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • ann
    Tue 05/27/08 7:55 PM

    Birmingham is my home and I can’t wait to support the Idol winners’s…

    Reply
  • SimonSays2008
    Thu 05/29/08 3:38 PM

    So we have 3 out 20 Top 20 Songwriting Finalist on Clay Aiken CD’s. We also have the winner of this year and the winner of last years songwriting contest are good friends and co-
    writers on several songs. You get better odds of getting struck by lightning while buying a winning lottery ticket. What you see above is just the tip of the iceburg, and only deals with
    this years contest, last year’s contest is even worse. (10 of the 2007 Top 20 Finalist had working relationships with Judge Paula Abdul, Judge Randy Jackson, Host Ryan Seacreast,
    Bandleader Rickey Minor, Idol Producer Clive Davis, American Idol, Fox Television …… IF someone will only check out my webpage you would find everything I’m saying has links
    to prove it. Please do something about this. Thank you, Simon
    http://americanidolexposed.weebly.com

    Reply
  • Peter
    Fri 05/30/08 9:16 PM

    Simonsays2008 from above posts, Would also be considered a pro, as he has written and sold many CDs, Considers himself a Pro songwriter. He has a Pro band in LA. He also entered his song in the AI songwriters competition and has his song on my space. But he didn’t get chose as one of the top 20, so he is out to get even — If he had won you think any of what he post would bother him?

    Reply
  • Peter
    Fri 05/30/08 9:17 PM

    Simonsays2008 from above posts, Would also be considered a pro, as he has written and sold many CDs, Considers himself a Pro songwriter. He has a Pro band in LA. He also entered his song in the AI songwriters competition and has his song on my space. But he didn’t get chose as one of the top 20, so he is out to get even — If he had won you think any of what he post would bother him?

    Reply
  • oki090987
    Sat 09/20/08 1:40 PM

    Wow My idol will open a Bar…
    I’ll be there soon…

    Reply
  • jennysmith
    Mon 12/15/08 6:58 AM

    American Idol season 2 winner Ruben Studdard is getting into the nightlife business with plans to open a restaurant/club in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.
    —————————-
    Jennysmith
    http://www.addictionlink.org/drug-rehab-center/alabama

    Reply
  • empafqzbi sfckwp
    Fri 01/02/09 6:25 AM

    bsvwe duxte yxfoswdn iwua cblu njvglmh zhcpy

    Reply
Page: 1 2
Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject - or we may delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

When you click on the "Post Comment" button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to the Terms of Service. You can also read our Privacy Policy.

Advertisement
See full list
Add to GCal
  1. Tuesday, May 1
    1. The Biggest Loser NBC, 8-9PM
  2. Friday, May 4
    1. In Plain Sight USA, 10-11PM
  3. Sunday, May 6
    1. The Amazing Race CBS, 8-10PM
    2. GCB NBC, 10-11PM
  4. Monday, May 7
    1. Two Broke Girls CBS, 8-9PM
    2. Castle ABC, 10-11PM
  5. Tuesday, May 8
    1. Last Man Standing ABC, 8-8:30PM
    2. The Voice NBC, 8-10PM
    3. New Girl FOX, 9-9:31PM
    4. Unforgettable CBS, 10-11PM
  6. Wednesday, May 9
    1. CSI CBS, 10-11PM
  7. Thursday, May 10
    1. The Big Bang Theory CBS, 8-8:31PM
    2. The Vampire Diaries The CW, 8-9PM
    3. The Office NBC, 9-9:30PM
    4. The Secret Circle The CW, 9-10PM
    5. Parks and Recreation NBC, 9:30-10PM
  8. Friday, May 11
    1. The Finder FOX, 8-9PM
    2. Undercover Boss CBS, 8-9PM
    3. Fringe FOX, 9-10PM
    4. CSI: NY CBS, 9-10PM
    5. Blue Bloods CBS, 10-11PM
  9. Sunday, May 13
    1. Once Upon A Time ABC, 8-9PM
    2. Survivor: One World CBS, 8-10PM
    3. Desperate Housewives ABC, 9-11PM, SERIES FINALE
    4. American Dad FOX, 9:30-10PM
  10. Monday, May 14
    1. Bones FOX, 8-9PM
    2. How I Met Your Mother CBS, 8-9PM
    3. Gossip Girl The CW, 8-9PM
    4. Two and a Half Men CBS, 9-9:30PM
    5. Hart of Dixie The CW, 9-10PM
    6. Mike & Molly CBS, 9:30-10PM
    7. Hawaii Five-0 CBS, 10-11PM
    8. Smash NBC, 10-11PM
  11. Tuesday, May 15
    1. 90210 The CW, 8-9PM
    2. Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
    3. NCIS CBS, 8-9PM
    4. NCIS: Los Angeles CBS, 9-11PM
    5. Fashion Star NBC, 10-11PM
    6. Private Practice ABC, 10-11PM
  12. Wednesday, May 16
    1. Suburgatory ABC, 8:30-9PM
    2. Criminal Minds CBS, 9-11PM
  13. Thursday, May 17
    1. Missing ABC, 8-9PM
    2. Community NBC, 8-8:30PM, 9-10PM
    3. 30 Rock NBC, 8:30-9PM
    4. Rules of Engagement CBS, 8:30-9PM
    5. Awake NBC, 9-11PM
    6. Grey's Anatomy ABC, 9-10PM
    7. Person of Interest CBS, 9-10PM
    8. The Mentalist CBS, 10-11PM
    9. Scandal ABC, 10-11PM
  14. Friday, May 18
    1. Nikita The CW, 8-9PM
    2. Shark Tank ABC, 8-9PM
    3. Who Do You Think You Are NBC, 8-9PM
    4. Grimm NBC, 9-10PM
    5. Supernatural The CW, 9-10PM
  15. Saturday, May 19
    1. Saturday Night Live NBC, 11:29PM-1AM
  16. Sunday, May 20
    1. America's Funniest Home Videos ABC, 7-8PM
    2. The Cleveland Show FOX, 7:30-8PM
    3. Harry's Law NBC, 8-9PM
    4. The Simpsons FOX, 8-8:30PM
    5. Bob's Burgers FOX, 8:30-9PM
    6. Celebrity Apprentice NBC, 9-11PM
    7. Family Guy FOX, 9-10PM
  17. Monday, May 21
    1. Dancing With the Stars (Performance) ABC, 8-9PM
    2. House FOX, 8-10PM, SERIES FINALE
  18. Tuesday, May 22
    1. American Idol (Performance) FOX, 8-9PM
    2. Dancing With the Stars (Results) ABC, 9-11PM
    3. Glee FOX, 9-10PM
  19. Wednesday, May 23
    1. The Middle ABC, 8-8:30PM
    2. American Idol (Results) FOX, 8-10:07PM
    3. Modern Family ABC, 9-9:30PM
    4. Don't Trust the B— ABC, 9:30-10PM
    5. Revenge ABC, 10-11PM
    6. Law & Order: SVU NBC, 10-11PM
  20. Thursday, May 24
    1. Awake NBC, 10-11PM
  21. Tuesday, May 29
    1. Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
    2. The L.A. Complex The CW, 9-10PM
  22. Wednesday, May 30
    1. America's Next Top Model: British Invasion The CW, 9-10PM
*Times are Eastern Daylight and subject to change

TV Recaps

Powered by WordPress.com VIP