Taylor Hicks

With his raspy, soulful voice and salt-and-pepper hair, Taylor Hicks was one of the unlikeliest contestants to make it to the final round of American Idol, but his quirky charm and rousing delivery of songs like "Takin' It to the Streets" won Hicks a legion of fans called the Soul Patrol, and the title of the fifth-season American Idol. Prior to Idol, Hicks released two albums with his band. After winning the competition, he signed with Clive Davis and 19 Recordings, and released the single "Do I Make You Proud" that summer. His self-titled debut arrived in late 2006. Live at the Workplay Theatre was released in 2007. ~ Heather Phares