AMERICAN IDOL - AMERICAN IDOL WINNER SIGNS RECORD DEAL

TAYLOR HICKS has signed a recording contract after winning AMERICAN IDOL and will release two songs later this month (JUN06). The 29-year-old gray-haired crooner signed with music mogul CLIVE DAVIS in conjunction with 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by Idol creator SIMON FULLER. Hicks' versions of the original song DO I MAKE YOU PROUD? and the DOOBIE BROTHERS' TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS will be released on 13 June (06), with a full-length album due later this year (06). Davis will oversee the production of the album and claims Hicks's edge "is that he is charismatic and soulful at the same time".