'Soul' sensation: 'Idol' winner Hicks says he is excited to perform in Utah
The gray-haired, harmonica-playing, heart-wrenching singer/songwriter has had numerous honors heaped on him since winning the singing reality program in late May.
His first single, "Do I Make You Proud" topped Billboard's Hot 100, singles sales and pop 100 charts last week, making it the best-selling song in the country.
More than 190,000 copies of the single sold in its first week of release.
Hicks performed on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Larry King Live" and "Regis and Kelly," and he appeared on the cover of People magazine as one of 2006's hottest bachelors.
"Some of the stuff I've been doing (since being named the new 'American Idol') are just big," Hicks said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News. "I'm flattered and honored, but I'm just trying to keep everything in perspective — just trying to live and perform and sing the music."
Hicks won thousands of fans during "American Idol" for his wild dance moves and gritty singing style. Some 43 million viewers tuned in May 24 for the show's finale, during which he sang "Do I Make You Proud?"
The news that he agreed to perform at the Stadium of Fire created quite a stir around Utah County, according to planners of America's Freedom Festival at Provo, the organization that puts on the concert-and-fireworks show.
Taylor Macdonald, executive director of America's Freedom Festival at Provo, said ticket sales spiked early this month after he announced Hicks was booked.
"I am very excited for him to come," said Briti Hansen, a Utah Valley teenager. "He's awesome. His voice isn't something you hear every day. It's different, but I like it. He's bubbly and fun and seems like a cool guy to be around."
Hicks is just as excited to perform as his fans are to watch him.
The Stadium of Fire will be one of the largest crowds he's ever performed for live.
"I've been performing for 10 years," Hicks said. "The stages just keep getting bigger and bigger. I'm really looking forward to performing."
He said he will perform a few songs from "American Idol" mixed in with a few of his own.
The Alabama performer said he's never been to Utah but is looking forward to the trip.
"I usually spend the Fourth of July performing or around the beach with my friends and family, just like every American does," Hicks said. "I'm planning on checking out a couple of the scenes maybe if I have the time. I've been on a tight schedule of late, but I'm pretty excited to be able to check some mountains out."
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