Taylor Hicks Biography

Singer Taylor Hicks defied the odds when he won the fifth season of American Idol despite the fact that his appearance did not fit the stereotypical pop star mold. Hicks grew up in Alabama listening to Otis Redding and other vintage soul artists in an effort cope with his parents' divorce and other problems. Hicks credits songwriters like Billy Joel and Van Morrison as influences, but his primary musical inspiration came from none other than Ray Charles.As an ambitious youth, Hicks taught himself guitar and harmonica and received no formal vocal coaching. Hicks honed his craft by performing for family members and eventually won a talent show in high school. It was in high school that his hair began to turn the salt and pepper color that he is so well-known for now. Hicks formed a band while attending Auburn University and left school early to pursue his musical interests. He began touring and opening for artists as prominent as the late James Brown. Hicks release two short albums, In Your Time and Under the Radar, which, for lack of a better description, flew under the radar.In 2005, Hicks was unable to audition for Idol at the Memphis tryouts but, undiscouraged, flew to the tryouts in Vegas. Before he knew it, was on his way to Hollywood. A bit of a dark horse for the entire competition and saddled with the doubts of judge Simon Cowell, Hicks prevailed as the winner of the contest. He signed with 19 Recordings Unlimited and released his first single, "Do I Make You Proud," later that year. Hicks has surely made plenty of people proud and his self-titled debut album was released in 2006. He also released a live album the following year. Hicks' story is yet another of the success of an artist propelled into the limelight by American Idol.