Taylor Hicks Biography

Fast Facts

• His debut single "Do I Make You Proud" debuted at No․ 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart in 2006
• Studied journalism and business at Auburn University for three years before deciding to drop out and pursue his music career
• Self-produced two early albums, 1997's "In Your Time" and 2005's "Under the Radar," before releasing his official self-titled debut in 2006
• Had taught himself how to play the guitar and harmonica by the age of 16
• During high school, he would often sneak out at night to perform at local bars, a fact that his parents discovered one night when he was playing at the Mexican restaurant they went to for dinner
• Best known as a singer-songwriter who won the fifth season of "American Idol․"