Taylor Reuben Hicks is an American singer who won the fifth season of American Idol in May 2006. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released two independent albums. Upon winning Idol, he was signed to Arista Records, under which his self-titled major label debut was released on December 12, 2006.
Hicks in the American Idol motorcade at Walt Disney World in February 2009
Hicks played harmonica and guitar on every date of the American Idols LIVE! Tour.
The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006, and concluded on May 24, 2006. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson returned as judges, while Ryan Seacrest returned as host. Taylor Hicks was named the winner, while Katharine McPhee was the runner-up. 18 contestants got record deals – nine of them with major labels.
Image: Taylor Hicks cropped
Image: Katharine Mc Phee cropped 2
Image: Elliott Yamin cropped
Image: Chris Daughtry cropped