Taylor Hicks signs record deal

NEW YORK - Taylor Hicks has taken step two on his "American
Idol"-fueled career, signing the record contract that comes with
winning the hit show.

The gray-haired crooner inked a pact with music mogul Clive Davis in
conjunction with 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by "AI"
creator Simon Fuller, it was announced Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Alabama native's recording of two songs - "Do I Make
You Proud," which he performed in the show's finale, and a soulful
cover of the Doobie Brothers classic "Takin' It to the Streets" -
will be released in stores and through digital outlets on June 13.

With Davis' guidance, Hicks is expected to release a full-length album
later this year.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Davis, who has molded
the careers of previous "Idol" winners, said he thinks Hicks has
charisma and a unique singing style that will help him establish his
pop audience.

"He definitely has his own sound," Davis told the AP. "He does have
that gift, you know who it is when you hear him."

Brian Griffin...

Good luck to Mr. Hicks. But he should've started his career much
sooner. 29 is a bit late to start a singing career.

Donna Whitman...

OK ... I am still scratching my head at his win. He seems like a nice
guy and isn't too bad looking but he does NOT have a great voice and
is pitchy a LOT. He's a third rate bar band singer.

Kris Baker...

...and he has that "frog throat" thing going on (where his neck
inflates like a bullfrog). His dad's is even bigger.

Kris