Taylor Hicks

With the legions of the 'Soul Patrol' at his side, 'American Idol' contestant Taylor Hicks powered past runner-up Katharine McPhee in May 2006 to win the coveted title of America's favorite up-and-coming pop star. An energetic pop-soul performer, Hicks is one of the more unique 'Idol' winners, sporting a signature style and a now-famous head of silver-gray hair.

Hicks was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 6, 1976 to Brad and Pamela Dickinson Hicks. His parents divorced when he was 8, around the time the family moved to the suburb of Hoover where Hicks graduated from high school. As a child he showed natural singing talent, and was known to retreat into his room where he played the harmonica, guitar, and blues harp while singing along with his favorite vocalists, who include Ray Charles, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke. He then studied communications and marketing at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, but left after a year to pursue a music career in Nashville.

While in Nashville Hicks found moderate success as a singer-songwriter, and recorded two albums prior to his 'Idol' success, 1997's 'In Your Time' and 2005's 'Under the Radar'. Hicks released the albums independently (thus not violating the 'Idol' rules), and both are currently hot Internet sellers. His pre-'Idol' career also saw him perform with a variety of legendary vocalists, including Tom Petty, James Brown, and Keb Mo. He also performed at the Talladega Superspeedway in 2004, and at various weddings including that of Congressman Spencer Bachus's daughter.

Though he was a relatively successful musician in his early years, 'Idol' has made him a superstar. Considered an underdog in the early stages of the show, judge Simon Cowell famously told him that he was unlikely to make it to the final round, a comment he later took back. Judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul saw things differently and ultimately won out as he handily defeated talented singers Elliot Yamin and Katharine McPhee becoming the fifth winner of 'American Idol' after Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, and Carrie Underwood.

Hicks is currently working on his major album debut with 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Unlimited, and his 'Idol'-produced single 'Do I Make You Proud' recently debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.