Name	Taylor Hicks
Height	6'1
Naionality	Amercian
Date of Birth	07Oct-1976
Place of Birth	America
Famous for

His music reflect his favorite music: the old songs of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Ray Charles. In fact, he used to always carry a tiny statute of Ray Charles on stage with him. It was lost or stolen recently and he's been looking for another one.

According to his grandmother, Taylor has never had any music lessons. He came running up to her when he was about twelve years old saying, "Grandma, you've got to hear this!" Then he sang Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" for her.

Plays guitar and a "blues" harmonica or "harp." He writes most of his own songs. He has a CD entitled: Under the Radar.

He left college before graduating and went to Nashville for nine months to pursue a musical career. He has played for various venues around the United States. He has even played a couple nights at the Playboy Mansion.

His fans are known as the Soul Patrol.

Made the top final 2 on "American Idol: The Search for a Super Star"

On May 17 2006, joined Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood as the only Idol contestants who were never voted in the bottom 2 or 3.

Worked at a shopping mall and would dress up as the Easter Bunny for Easter and spring promotions.

Is close friends with Elliott Yamin.

Sang a duet with Toni Braxton "In the Ghetto" in the finale of American Idol [2006], where later he won the title of the 'American Idol'.

He was touring in New Orleans with his band, the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, on the night Hurricane Katrina hit and used a ticket voucher to fly to Las Vegas.

He bought a $2 harmonica at a local flea market when he was 16 and has been playing harmonica ever since.

On May 24, 2006, he became the new American Idol.

He is the second American Idol winner from Birmingham, Ruben Studdard being the first.

He was born at Saint Vincent Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, and his birth time is 10/06/76 at 3:30am.

Parodied on Saturday Night Live by Jason Sudeikis

He also performed in the huge infield of Talladega Superspeedway in 2004 during a NASCAR race weekend. After he won Idol, driver David Stremme said that he hoped Hicks would come back for the October race weekend there.

His father Brad, is a dentist.

Has two goldfish, named Lamont and Ray.

He performs the song "Takin' It To The Streets ", originally sung by the Doobie Brothers, on the American Idol top 12 CD.

"Do I Make You Proud" debuted at #1 on Billboard Hot 100.

In college was in a band called Passing Through.

Is a fan of the Jonas Brothers.

Started going gray when he was 14.

In his Idol audition, Simon predicted he'd never "make it to the finals", but instead ended up winning American Idol without ever being in the bottom two or three. Simon quickly took back his words on the first week of voting.

Not only is he the oldest person to win American Idol, he is also the first white man to win, and the first guy to win over a girl in the finale.

Has a younger half-brother named Sean, who encouraged Taylor to audition.

Personal Quotes

I want my voice heard.

When you are doing something you love, sleep can wait!

It's music man. If it's in your heart, you feel it, you play it, you sing it, you perform it, you bust your buns doing it, and that's what it's all about.

Come on America! I'm living the American dream!

I love New York. I'm working on Broadway and it's a great way for me to get my feet wet in acting and a great way to season yourself as a performer. I've been able to breathe more as a songwriter, having the time and being able to find the right songs.

I stole an Otis Redding album from a buddy of mine's house when I was about 10 years old and I have been in love with it ever since. It must have been a bug or something. He told me to keep it.