Hicks Hits the Streets

they say nearly 64 million voters made taylor hicks their "american idol" last season. that means if those fans get the bug to buy this week, hicks' self-titled debut album is gonna be a soul patrol blockbuster.

six months after his "idol" triumph, hicks, 30, is bringing what he calls his take on r&b to the masses. a seasoned bar band singer, alabama-bred hicks will probably go on tour early next year, playingl theaters and clubs.

bloggers either love hicks or hate him; opinions range from "talentless" to "one of the all-time greats." early reviews of the album from buyers on amazon are five-star raves, claiming the silver-haired singer, who wrote some of the disc's dozen songs, has come up with a real charmer.

here at the daily news, the jury hasn't heard all the evidence yet.