Taylor Hicks
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David Cook is releasing his debut album on November 18.

But when will Taylor Hicks release his latest album? Follow this article's jump to find out...

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Taylor Hicks is now a New York City resident.

In a new interview with OK!, the former American Idol champion talks about dating in The Big Apple. Take notes, ladies.

On dating in NYC: It’s been really tough… If you go out with a big group of friends, and you see another group of people that you know, it’s basically like one big date... I think it’s really cool because it takes the edge off it.

His type of girl: I think down to earth is always key. It’s always good to be down to earth, Musical, not nessecarily she has to play a musical instrument or be Mary Poppins, but definitely fun to have a good time with. You never there, there are plenty out there right now so I’m definitely I’m actively seeking.

What he's like on a date: The perfect date is being who you are. I don’t think where or how, I think great food and great service in a restaurant always helps. But even just, I think really showing a true colors. And really being a Southern gentleman.

Great news, Taylor Hicks fans:

Both of you can be excited that your favorite American Idol singer has landed with a new record label, Vanguard Records. It will distribute his new album in August.

If American Idol judges have their way, Syesha Mercado will end up on Broadway.

Well, for now, Taylor Hicks has beaten here there. The former champion will play Teen Angel in Grease beginning June 6. Taylor will stay with the show until September.

"I am incredibly excited to be a part of one of my favorite musicals. The Soul Patrol's gonna invade Broadway," Hicks said.

Winning American Idol is no guarantee that you'll actually keep a major label deal.

Just prior to Christmas, rumors began circulating that season 2's champion Ruben Studdard, who released three albums for J Records since 2003 (the latest, 2006's The Return, to modest sales), had been dropped.

Now, reports are circulating season 5 winner Taylor Hicks has also lost his J Records deal.

"Taylor is going to record his next album on his own," said a label rep. "He is no longer on the J Records roster."

What will this mean for the next American Idol winner? Is the show no longer a guarantee star maker?

American Idol champion Taylor Hicks, is making moves... on an Alabama housing development.

On the weekend of October 26, those who have purchased land in the The Oaks development in Lake Guntersville will enjoy "an intimate dinner with Taylor Hicks and several other celebrities TBA."

Plots of lakefront property start at the price of $49,900. Hicks himself owns land in the area. Meanwhile, on top of seeing the singer at their property, guests will enjoy, "complementary food, boat rides, bass fishing and more."

And, to think, American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee is stuck making movies.

As Taylor Hicks continues his summer tour, he made time for the following interview...

Julie Greene: Welcome, everyone, to this podcast for Antpod.com and HMLoop.com. This is Julie Greene with The Herald-Mail newspapers. We're talking with "American Idol" season five winner Taylor Hicks, who is currently on tour and will be performing at The Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown on Friday, July 6. Taylor, welcome and thanks for joining us today.
Taylor Hicks: Thanks for having me.

Greene: Other than the popularity, what is the main difference between being on tour pre-American Idol versus post-American Idol?
Hicks: The budget's different.

Greene: And how does that affect ... ?
Hicks: It's allowing me the label. ... It's a different type of level that you can be able to have more utensils to get your art across.

 Greene: People who watched American Idol know you were a working musician before the show. How did your interest in music begin?
Hicks: I was about, I don't know, 7 or 8, and started listening to Otis Redding and Ray Charles, and a lot of AM stuff. ... The '70s were great for AM singer-songwriters. I followed the path and luckily, you know, picked up an instrument, a guitar ... and started working my way through learning my craft - and still learning my craft.

Greene: Have you had a chance to write some new songs?
Hicks: You know, I've started on some ideas, and you know, going right back out for the summer tour, it's been ... tough, you know, to get in the writing process. I'm taking some time off in the fall and gonna really try to get some good songs going.

Greene: I wanted to ask, what's on your iPod right now?
Hicks: Leo Sayer, from the '80s. Some Ronnie Milsap, some Derek Trucks ... just, you know, all kinds of different people.

Greene: Going back to American Idol, how does it feel to be a part of a cultural phenomenon like American Idol?
Hicks: It's very interesting. I'm very blessed that I was able to get through and, you know, expose my singing ability and have it be received in the way that it has. ... It's been great. I've enjoyed it. I've enjoyed it. I've enjoyed the ride, and I'm out here trying to make the best of the music."

Greene: Do you watch the show?
Hicks: I do watch it. I watched a little bit last season. I was very happy to see Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis be in the finals, and I was happy for Jordin, who won it.

Greene: What did you think about Sanjaya Malakar making it to the finals for season six, despite his not being well-received by the judges?
Hicks: I think. definitely. Sanjaya was a visual performer.

Greene: Did you vote for anyone from season six?
Hicks: We did a few - we did some voting here and there. We voted for Blake one night and Jordin the next. We just, we kind of just, we had fun with it, just like everybody else has fun with it.

Click here to read the full interview.

 American Idol 2006 winner Taylor Hicks rocked through Atlanta Thursday night. He hit the Southern Star Stage at Six Flags performing before hundreds of fans.

WSB TV reports that the gray haired Hicks has been touring since February promoting his most recent

Of course, the road is nothing new for the Alabama native. Long before American Idol fame came calling, he was hitting the roads all across the southeast, playing in bands since he was 19 years old. He adds that touring back then has prepared him for the lifestyle now, a lifestyle that includes performing at night, sleeping during the day from time to time, and plenty of time of the open road.

While some past contestants of American Idol have been quick to abandon their ties to the show, this isn't the case for Hicks. He says he understands what a great opportunity performing on American Idol in front of millions was - and he continues to learn more and more about it each day.

From here, Hicks continues the tour, a tour he describes as high impact soul aerobics, a modern day approach to soul. Next month, Hicks the artist turns into Hicks the author. He's got a new book coming out called 'Heart Full Of Soul'. In it, he tells how a gray haired guy beat the odds, finding his own voice and seizing the opportunity when it came his way.

He'll be back in Atlanta on July 24th at the Barnes & Noble on Cobb Parkway to promote it.

Katharine McPhee may be starring in a movie.

But Taylor Hicks is coming out with a book! Take that, Kat!

The biography, entitled “Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way,” will be available in stores on July 10.

Will you be picking up a copy?

You're in luck if you own Sirius Satellite Radio this week.

Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhree and Elliott Yamin will all serve as guest DJs on Sirius Radio Tuesday and Wednesday - but not together. Each will play an hour of favorite songs on Sirius channel 12's Super Shuffle.

Taylor's on Tuesday at 7 a.m., repeating at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at midnight, 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. (all times ET). Katharine McPhee appears Tuesday at 1 p.m., repeating at 10 p.m. and Wednesday at 6 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Elliott is on Tuesday at 10 a.m., repeating at 4 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.

Enjoy!