Sept. 5, 2007

AUBURN - Arista recording artist and former Auburn University student Taylor Hicks will be featured during the Auburn University Marching Band's show during the Mississippi State at Auburn football game on September 15.

The Auburn University Marching Band, under the direction of Dr. Corey Spurlin, will perform a medley of songs with Hicks during halftime of the game set to kick-off at 11:30 a.m. CT.

Taylor's artistry was reaffirmed and validated, as he won the fifth season of FOX's American Idol after a lifetime steeped in the blues and soul and R&B of his native Southern heroes - Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown and Sam Cooke. Hicks' win on American Idol in 2006 was viewed by 36.4 million households with some 63.4 million votes cast for the eventual champion.

Hicks enrolled at Auburn in 1995 where he studied business and journalism for three years. His life as a working musician was established while at Auburn.

A native of Birmingham, Hicks is currently touring the country performing tracks from his latest CD entitled, Taylor Hicks.

Tickets for the Mississippi State at Auburn football game are available and may be purchased by calling 1-800-AUB-1957, ext. 1 or on-line at www.auburntigers.com.