GOP Picks Hicks for Convention Stage

AMERICAN IDOL winner Taylor Hicks will perform on the closing night of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, August 30th at approximately 9:25 PM EST.

Hicks will play to a crowd of 18,500 delegates in the Tampa Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, where the convention will be held starting August 27th. The convention is expected to draw 15,000 media from around the world.

The entertainer, who recently finished a 9-week summer engagement at Bally’s in Las Vegas says, “I am incredibly honored to perform at the Republican National Convention this year. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, we should all celebrate the freedom we have to choose our leaders. I’ve been offered the opportunity to lend my voice to this celebration, and I am truly grateful.”

Hicks is the first IDOL in history to secure a residency on the Strip and one of the most beloved AMERICAN IDOL winners of all-time. From the start, Hicks’ material on the mega-hit show set him apart, with a unique take on Southern soul, R & B, country and blues. More than 63 million votes were cast and nearly 37 million viewers tuned-in to crown Hicks the Season 5 winner of AMERICAN IDOL, making it one of the most-watched TV events of the decade.

Hicks’ star continued to rise after he stepped off the IDOL stage. Less than three weeks after his IDOL victory, his debut single, “Do I Make You Proud,” entered at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, Pop 100, and Single Sales Charts. Coinciding with the single’s release, a cover story named him People magazine’s “Hottest Bachelor of the Year.” His self-titled album (Arista), debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and was quickly certified RIAA Platinum.

On Broadway, Hicks starred in the hit musical, GREASE as Teen Angel, and when asked to join the national tour, happily agreed. The 18-month tour connected him with fans across North America. He began his Las Vegas residence in June. Hicks is from Birmingham, Alabama.