Taylor Hicks may not be the most successful American Idol to date, but he certainly is the busiest.

Currently starring in the national tour of Grease, performing March 10-22 at The Pantages Theatre, Hicks’ latest CD, The Distance, hits store shelves March 10, coincidentally the same day as fellow Idol Kelly Clarkson’s long-awaited CD, All I Ever Wanted. And, like most artists with a new album coming out, Hicks is hitting the road, performing intimate club tour dates to support his record…during Grease’s national tour!

“Sleep is in the backseat,” Hicks joked when SoCal.com asked him about his insane performance schedule.

Playing Teen Angel in the classic musical John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John made famous on the big screen, Hicks made his Broadway debut in the role last year after turning down several other offers.

“I wanted to start with a role that would allow me the chance to open up my eyes and experience Broadway theater from an observing standpoint,” Hicks said. “[Teen Angel] was the perfect fit.”

Hicks still remembers the first time he saw Grease when he was just 10 years old, and credits the musical’s timeless music--songs like “Summer Nights” and “We Go Together”--with what has made it such a beloved piece of work.

“It’s the songs that make it,” Hicks said. “They were all such big hits. And the storyline is great, too; really, Grease is such an endearing, American classic. It truly is timeless.”

The national tour, however, does have one small twist from the classic musical audiences of all ages have grown to love; after each performance, Hicks actually performs one of his new songs, “What’s Right is Right,” in front of the crowd. And, for those who are dying to hear more from the season five “American Idol” winner, they can check out his coinciding tour, which stops by The Roxy March 18 at 8 p.m.

“Hopefully by this Tuesday I’ll be playing more new material,” Hicks replied when asked what fans can expect from his Los Angeles concert date. “I really enjoy playing every one of the new songs, as well as ‘The Runaround,’ which is a song off [Taylor Hicks].”

Hicks described the 11 tracks off The Distance as an opportunity for fans to “see the songwriter” within him and experience his “depth as an artist.” When asked if he was at all nervous for fans to hear the new CD, which is being released on his own label, Modern Whomp Records, Hicks said he wasn’t so much nervous as he was excited to get the album out, as it truly “represents” where he is as an artist today.

With everything going on in his life, Hicks admitted that it’s hard not to credit a lot of his current success with the platform that is “American Idol.” He said he still watches the show “as much as he can” with his busy schedule, but refused to give away just who his favorite Idol is.

“I don’t want anyone to get mad at me,” he laughed. “But what’s nice is that everyone has their own style.”

Known personally as the Idol with the soulful voice and signature gray hair (which, for the record, Hicks has no intentions of dyeing--not even for a role. “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it,” Hicks laughed when asked about his signature locks. “There are always wigs.”), Hicks said one of the things he enjoys most about performing in Grease is that it gives fans the opportunity to experience the platinum-selling singer/songwriter in a different role while simultaneously giving him a chance to learn what it’s like to be in a theatrical production. And even though Hicks will be starring in the musical until the end of December, he has already given some thought as to what roles he’d like to play after his days as Grease’s Teen Angel have come to an end --or should we say, what roles he doesn’t want to play.

“Definitely not Mary Poppins or The Little Mermaid,” Hicks laughed when discussing his future Broadway dream roles. “Honestly, though, that's a good question. Hopefully the right role will come along.”

In the meantime, Hicks is just working hard doing double-duty as a theatrical performer and a touring artist. So far, Hicks said his voice is holding up well under the unusual circumstances (“Like any muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes,” he stated) and that he’s managed to avoid any extremely embarrassing moments onstage, like breaking out into a song from The Distance midway through Grease.

“Occasionally my fly will be down or my shoe will be untied or a word will be misplaced,” Hicks said, “but luckily that’s about it.”

Hicks also said that he’s still trying to write as much as he can while he’s on the road (“If I could write in my sleep, things would be much easier,” he joked) and would love to do something with The Neville Brothers in the future. When asked if he has any guilty pleasures to help him unwind from his busy schedule, Hicks replied with chocolate milkshakes from Haagen-Dazs, but noted that overall--even with the hectic life he leads--he’s pretty laid-back--“even more than fans would expect.”

However, given today’s current economic situation, Hicks’ attitude isn’t completely carefree. The Alabama native said he takes into consideration when doing every show the “precarious position we’re all in economically,” and tries to give his fans the best show possible since he knows people aren’t going out as much as they used to. That’s probably part of the reason Grease is openly advertising select shows Hicks will not be performing in (March 18 and 19 in Los Angeles, for all the Soul Patrol members out there wondering) so as not to mislead fans.

While there’s no doubt that things are tough financially right now for everyone, catching Hicks onstage in Grease and then performing live at The Roxy is a chance that will be hard for die-hard fans to say no to, so you can expect tickets for both shows to sell out fast (especially for his one-night-only concert). Visit Ticketmaster today to purchase your tickets, as you won’t want to miss out on this unique opportunity to catch your American Idol live.

Taylor Hicks’ The Distance will be available in stores everywhere March 10.

For ticket information and show times for Grease, visit Broadway L.A.'s official Web site.