With over 63.4 million votes that were casted, Taylor Hicks won AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 5 last night.
Hicks, 29, of Birmingham, Alabama beat out runner-up Katharine McPhee, 22, of Los Angeles, California. With a star studded finale last night that included major pop stars such as Prince and Mary J Blige, Fox TV is celebrating as preliminary overnight ratings indicated that the finale will set record ratings for the network.
Also, a Compilation Album - AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 5 ENCORES Hits is currently in stores.
AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 5 ENCORES features the top 12 finalists singing their best performances from this season. Rocker Chris Daughtry offers his take on Bon Jovi′s "Wanted Dead or Alive." Kellie Pickler contributes her special version of Patsy Cline′s "Walkin' After Midnight." And AMERICAN IDOL Season 5 Winner, Taylor Hicks sings the classic, Doobie Brothers′ "Takin′ It to the Streets.".
Other performances include 17 year old, Paris Bennett, granddaughter of gospel singer Ann Nesby, uniquely updates Gladys Knight & the Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia." Also 16, Kevin Covais impresses with his interpretation of the Nat King Cole classic, "When I Fall in Love." Katharine McPhee, lauded by the judges for her beauty and talent, sings Aretha Franklin′s "Think." Elliott Yamin, excels on James Moody′s "Moody′s Mood for Love." Dubbed "Man-Diva," Mandisa is outstanding on a song that was a hit for Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston, "I′m Every Woman." Heartthrob Ace Young does a turn on George Michael′s "Father Figure." Known for his country pipes, Bucky Covington sings the Stevie Ray Vaughn with Double Trouble arrangement of Stevie Wonder′s "Superstition." Teenager Lisa Tucker also turns to the Stevie Wonder songbook, with a perfect rendition of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I′m Yours." And Melissa McGhee sings a song the judges raved about, her version of Heart′s "What About Love."
The first four AMERICAN IDOL compilations have sold a combined total of 2.4 Million copies. Counting all of the contestants who have released albums since the series debuted in 2002, the AMERICAN IDOL franchise has sold over 19 million albums and 4.5 million singl
