Taylor Hicks wasn't always gray--but it seems that way. He started turning gray at about 15 years old, according to his grandmother Jonie Hicks.
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Taylor Hicks was born October 6, 1976 at Saint Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.
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His family moved to Hoover, Alabama when he was young.
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Taylor Hicks's parents are Brad and Linda Hicks.
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He has a younger brother, Sean, who attends Georgia Tech.
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Taylor Hicks has never been married.
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Hicks' father is a dentist.
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Taylor Hicks went to high school in Hoover, Alabama. He won a school talent contest but was not involved in any music program in school. He played varsity basketball, however.
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Taylor went to Auburn University for a short time. He majored in business, communications and marketing. While at Auburn he met some musicians and formed the Passing Through Band.
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According to his grandmother, Taylor has never had any music lessons. He came running up to her when he was about twelve years old saying, "Grandma, you've got to hear this!" Then he sang Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" for her.
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Taylor's music reflect his favorite music: the old songs of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Ray Charles. In fact, Taylor used to always carry a tiny statute of Ray Charles on stage with him. It was lost or stolen recently and he's been looking for anothe
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Taylor left college before graduating and went to Nashville for nine months to pursue a musical career. He has played for various venues around the United States. He has even played a couple nights at the Playboy Mansion.
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Taylor Hicks plays guitar and a "blues" harmonica or "harp." He writes most of his own songs. Taylor Hicks has a CD entitled: Under the Radar.
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Taylor Hicks likes healthy food and was skinny as a child. His grandmother says that he won't eat junk food or fried food. She's tried to get him to eat a candy bar or chips until she can get something cooked for him, but he won't eat it.
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His grandmother, Jonie Hicks, says that Taylor is not pretentious. He feels "at home on the stage and opens up his heart and lets people in." He would never be rude to people or do anything to "stand out." In other words, he's a Southern gentleman.
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May 16, 2006 was Taylor Hicks Day in Birmingham, Louisiana.
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His fans call him the "soul patrol".
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Was given the key to the city of Birmingham, Louisiana.
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He has two goldfish named Lamont and Ray.
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He used to work at a mall, and during the Easter Holidays, he dressed up as the Easter Bunny.
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Hicks joined Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Carrie Underwood as the only Idol contestants who were never voted in the bottom 2 or 3.
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Hicks became the subject of a Weekend Update lampoon on NBC's Saturday Night Live on April 15, 2006, portrayed by cast member Jason Sudeikis, which he found hilarious.
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Played Varsity basketball in High School.
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Despite the fact that he is somewhat obese, Taylor only eats healthy food.
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Never considered dying his hair.
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He was once teased because of his gray hair.
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Formed a band in college called Passing Through.
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Won American Idol in Season 5.
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Taylor Hicks is the oldest contestant to ever win American Idol.
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Taylor stands tall at 6' 1".
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Signed with Arista records.
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The high school he went to is the same one featured in MTV's "Two-A-Days", where he played football.
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Is friends with Idol co-star Elliot Yamin.
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