Taylor Hicks Biography

Taylor Reuben Hicks was born on October 7, 1976, in Alabama. He discovered music at a young age, finding solace in it following his parents' divorce. By the time he was sixteen, Hicks had taught himself to play several instruments, including the blues harp, guitar, and harmonica. After completing high school, he briefly attended Auburn University, where he majored in journalism but did not finish the program.

Hicks gained national recognition when he auditioned for American Idol in 2005. Initially trying out in Memphis, he relocated to Las Vegas to participate in the show due to the crowded auditions. His compelling performances of songs like “Dancing in the Dark,” “Living for the City,” and “Levon” helped him secure a spot in the finals, and he ultimately won the fifth season of the show in May 2006 at the age of twenty-nine, becoming the oldest contestant to claim the title.

Following his victory on American Idol, Hicks signed a recording contract with Arista Records and released his debut single, “Do I Make You Proud,” which achieved gold status. He began promoting his self-titled debut album, released on December 12, 2006, which reached number two on the charts and was certified platinum by 2007. That same year, he published his autobiography, Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way.

In 2008, Hicks took on the role of Teen Angel in the popular musical Grease on Broadway and continued with the show's national tour in 2009. His energetic performances, influenced by classic rock, blues, and R&B, garnered him a devoted fanbase known as the "Soul Patrol." In June 2012, he initiated a long-term residency at Bally's Las Vegas, eventually moving to a larger venue, Paris Las Vegas, in January 2013, becoming the first American Idol winner to secure such a residency.

Hicks released his second album, The Distance, in 2009, featuring the single “What’s Right is Right.” In 2012, he announced a year-long run in Las Vegas, which proved to be so successful that he expanded to a larger venue shortly thereafter. In more recent years, Hicks has diversified his career by hosting the INSP series State Plate, which explores regional food and culture across the United States, and he appeared in a guest role on the reality cooking show Hell’s Kitchen.

In 2017, Taylor Hicks released a new single, "Six Strings and Diamond Rings," further showcasing his musical evolution. With a career spanning professional music, Broadway, and television, Hicks continues to maintain a significant presence in the entertainment industry.