 Taylor Hicks auditioned for American Idol in Las Vegas,
Nevada. He passed the audition by the approval of judges Randy Jackson and Paula
Abdul, but not Simon Cowell, who said that Hicks did not have enough of an Idol
image for any of the judges to put him through the Hollywood rounds. In this
Cowell was proven wrong, which he subsequently acknowledged.
Fans of Taylor Hicks have been dubbed the "Soul Patrol". Hicks frequently
mentions the "Soul Patrol" after performances and in subsequent appearances.
Hicks became the subject of two Weekend Update lampoons on NBC's Saturday Night
Live on April 15 and May 20, 2006, portrayed by cast member Jason Sudeikis. In
the allusion of Hicks' quirky tweeks and disposition, Sudeikis mocked playing
Hicks' trademark blues harmonica and repeatedly shouted out "Soul Patrol!".
Hicks, when interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on the subsequent episode of American
Idol on April 18, 2006 as to whether or not he saw the imitation, admitted that
he had and that the impression made him "fall out on the floor" with laughter.
On the May 10, 2006 results, Hicks was in the top 2 along with Elliott Yamin,
and they made the Top 3 with Katharine McPhee.
On May 12, Idol producers brought Hicks to Birmingham for a weekend of
promotional events including television interviews for the local FOX affiliate,
a downtown parade and mini-concert, another concert at the Riverchase Galleria,
a mall in his hometown, an evening appearance at the Birmingham Museum of Art,
and a campaign appearance with Governor Bob Riley and Mayor Bernard Kincaid.[8]
May 12 was proclaimed "Taylor Hicks Day" and Hicks was given the key to the
city.[8] On May 17, Hicks joined Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Carrie
Underwood as the only Idol contestants who were never voted in the bottom 2 or
3.
On the May 23, 2006, edition of the Today Show, Katie Couric mentioned news
reports saying that Taylor's greatest assets are his soulful voice and
personality, DialIdol predicts Hicks to be the winner of the 2006 American Idol.
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