October 7, 1976 - Birmingham, Alabama.
Taylor Hicks' parents divorced when he was 8 years old, and Taylor was raised by his father and stepmother. He has a younger half-brother named Sean. Hicks went to high school in Hoover, Alabama and graduated in 1995. According to memories from his family, he has been singing since he was age 5 or younger. His signature hair began turning gray at age 15.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly:
"I'm so excited to be having this opportunity. I'm living the American dream."
After attending Auburn University for a period of time, Taylor Hicks left school to head to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his career in music. He has played a wide range of local shows across the south and released two independent albums - In Your Time in 1997 and Under the Radar in 2005.
Taylor Hicks has two pet goldfish named Lamont and Ray.
Taylor Hicks auditioned for American Idol Season 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul gave him a thumbs-up at the audition, but Simon Cowell said Hicks could never make it to the finals. Fans of Taylor Hicks became known as the "Soul Patrol."
On May 24, 2006 Taylor Hicks was named the new American Idol finishing ahead of second-place Katharine McPhee. He became only the second male, after Ruben Studdard, to win the competition. He is the third winner (along with Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood) to never end up in the bottom 2 or 3 during weekly voting.
Taylor Hicks' first single will be "Do I Make You Proud?" His version of the Doobie Brothers' classic "Takin' It to the Streets" will also be included on the single. The record is due for release June 13, 2006. Taylor Hicks will participate in the 2006 American Idol Finalists concert tour.
