NEW YORK — It's OK, you can call it a comeback.

Taylor Hicks is starting over with his new CD, "The Distance," released Tuesday.

He's releasing it under his own label, Modern Whomp Records, which launched in January.

Hicks became famous by winning the fifth season of "American Idol." His first, self-titled album went platinum but didn't generate the radio play or hype caused by previous winners like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.

The singer says it was a mutual decision to part ways last year with his label, Arista Records. Hicks says he received "some great offers" from other labels, but wanted to try something different for his sophomore effort.

He's also stepped outside recording, playing Teen Angel in the national Broadway tour of "Grease."

Hicks, 32, talks about his second chapter.

AP: What is your new album like?

Hicks: This is the representation of me as an artist right now. I think the key for this particular project was time. I had the time to create the songs, time to record the music, time to really think about the producers that I wanted to work with.

AP: Why did you decide to start your own label after leaving Arista?

Hicks: I had traditional label offers, but I just thought to myself, you know, I think this is a pretty good comeback story. To be able to stay busy, do Broadway, I like to look at it as a little bit of a comeback story. From the "Grease" thing, this is a really cutting-edge way of breaking a record. ... I am Teen Angel one minute and I'm singing my single ("What's Right is Right") the next, so it's never been done before. One minute there's an artist in a role and then the next there is me performing my single every night. Within the Broadway touring company, it's the best of both worlds.

AP: How do you think "Idol" helped you?

Hicks: I'm in the right place as far as where I am as an entertainer. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning the recording process. A lot of my time and effort pre-"American Idol" was spent on the road as a live performer. "American Idol" gave me that chance to better learn how to be a recording artist, so it's a learning process.

AP: Do you stay connected to "American Idol" in any way?

Hicks: I do keep in touch with a lot of my fellow "Idols." We e-mail, text message each other back and forth; when we see each other in person, it's always nice. It's a very wonderful experience. I pinch myself a lot about that. It is an amazing opportunity and I'm very blessed to have the opportunities that I've had off of "Idol."

AP: Now that you have your own label, can you see yourself making other artists' dreams come true?

Hicks: That might be more of my calling than this, you know? Who knows. There is that idea of being able to nurture and artist. I started from the ground up. ... Actually, when I was 17, I hit the road. I had a vision about entertaining, and for 10 or 12 years, all I did was learn and work the clubs. Kept my karma wheel intact. I think that's big. That's what really gets you over the hump.

AP: Finally, you had a little "Bachelor" experience of your own recently when "Regis & Kelly" tried to set you up on a date on their show. What was that like?

Hicks: They called me and asked me if I wanted to do it, and after conversing with some friends and family, they told me if you are dating, you do have to get out there, and I guess I got out there a little bit, considering it was on national television. We had a great time. I enjoyed that particular part. ... We went on a date, there were some sparks, and who knows! We've kind of thrown a couple e-mails back and forth to each other.