Broadway Veteran Taylor Hicks to Play Bally's Las Vegas in June

As announced on "American Idol" last night, Taylor Hicks, winner of the show's fifth season, will have an eight-week engagement headlining at Bally's Las Vegas beginning Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Hicks will play in The Indigo at Bally's Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m.

Hicks appeared in the 2007 Broadway revival of GREASE as 'Teen Angel.'

Ticket prices are $29.99 and $59.99, which includes a meet and greet with Hicks. Additional service fees apply. Advance ticket sales begin Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m. and are available by calling (888) 746-7784 or (702) 777-7776, and will be available in person at the Bally's Box Office and online at www.ballyslasvegas.com beginning Tuesday, May 15.

Hicks becomes the first "American Idol" winner or finalist to secure a residency in Las Vegas, a testament to his talent and staying power as one of the show's most beloved stars. It is also a sort of homecoming, as Las Vegas is where Hicks' journey to fame began. He was in New Orleans the night before Hurricane Katrina. With his flight cancelled, he was given a free airplane voucher. Hicks used the ticket to travel to Las Vegas, where coincidentally "American Idol" auditions were being held.

Hicks says, "A residency in Las Vegas is one of those opportunities an entertainer dreams about. Vegas is where Sinatra's Rat Pack and America's greatest talents make musical history. To join those ranks is both humbling and thrilling. My goal is to live up to that legacy of live showmanship."

"It's not every day that a property on the Las Vegas Strip can announce that an 'American Idol' winner will be a headlining act. We are very excited to welcome Taylor to Bally's," said David Hoenemeyer, president of Bally's Las Vegas. "Taylor won the hearts of fans across America when he competed on 'American Idol,' and I am sure that he will have just as many fans among our property's guests."

Taylor Hicks is one of the most beloved "American Idol" winners of all-time.

From the start, Taylor's material on "American Idol" set him apart, with a unique take on southern soul, R & B, country and blues. More than 63 million votes were cast and nearly 37 million viewers tuned in to crown Hicks the Season 5 winner of "American Idol," making it one of the most watched television events of the decade. The applause hasn't stopped since he stepped off that stage. Less than three weeks after Hicks' Idol win, his debut single, "Do I Make You Proud," entered at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100, Pop 100 and Single Sales charts. Coinciding with the single release, a cover story named Hicks as People Magazine's "Hottest Bachelor of the Year."

His self-titled album, "Taylor Hicks" (Arista), debuted #2 on the Billboard 200 and was quickly certified RIAA platinum.

Since winning Idol, Hicks has performed with the likes of Willie Nelson, Snoop Dog, Gladys Knight, Earth Wind and Fire and The Allman Brothers, has appeared in concerts worldwide and penned a brisk-selling Random House autobiography, "Heart Full of Soul."

On Broadway, Hicks starred in the hit musical, "Grease" as Teen Angel, and when asked to join the national tour, happily agreed. The 18-month tour connected him with fans across the United States and Canada.

Hicks, who hails from Birmingham, Ala., was destined for the musical stage from an early childhood. Focusing on music full-time, he then became a fixture around the southeast, playing concerts and club dates with visiting stars like JAmes Brown, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Robert Randolph, Keb' Mo' and Widespread Panic among others, and released two independent albums "In Your Time" and "Under The Radar." These albums were compiled and released by Vanguard Records as "Early Works."

For more information and updates, please visit www.ballyslasvegas.com or www.taylorhicks.com.

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