May 22 2008 01:58 PM ET

Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks to open Alabama night spots

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 (1-16) of 16 Add your comment

  • Great Idea!

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

  • Jimmy Fungus

    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

  • WildKAT

    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.

  • francislh

    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.

  • Ang

    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

  • Marc

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

  • CJG

    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.

  • Chris

    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

  • ann

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

  • SimonSays2008

    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

  • Peter

    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?

  • Peter

    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?

  • oki090987

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

  • jennysmith

    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

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