ENTERTAINMENT BEAT - American Idol Shines - May 2006

(Business Wire photo) Prince 1st Corinthians 10:14

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Friday May 26, 2006

Taylor Hicks takes title - Recording Artists including PRINCE, TONI BRAXTON, DIONE WARWICK, MARY J BLIEGE, MEATLOAF, LIVE and former Idol contestants CLAY AIKEN and CAREY UNDERWOOD, spiced up the show

American Idol's Idols

After five months of decision-making, audience voting and eliminations American Idol, in its fifth season has a new champion. Taylor Hicks 29, won out over Katherine McPhee, 21.

Hicks hails from Birmingham Alabama. He is a seasoned performer having worked with his band as a singer/musician in nightclubs and bars during his professional music career.

His stage presence, vibrant personality and professional entertainer maturity seemed to have won over the voters.

Over 200 million viewers worldwide were tuned in to the two-hour telecast from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood California (USA) according to the shows host Ryan Seacrest.

Seacrest noted that 63.4 million votes were called in to the American Idol voting phone numbers. He also mentioned that no American president in history has ever received that many votes.

All twelve of the shows finalists of six boys and six girls performed on the show with guest recording stars that included Dione Warwick, Mary J Bliege, Toni Braxton, Meatloaf, composer Burt Bacharach and former American Idol contestants Carey Underwood and Clay Aiken.

The contestants sang songs with the stars providing a brilliant aspect to the production. They were up to the task as they all represented themselves well while displaying their growth as performers since they first auditioned.

A unique twist to the show was an appearance by the Brokenote Cowboys. They were losers in the audition stage of the contest. At the time of their elimination they supported each other in defeat.

Their positive attitude in losing was rewarded as they were featured singing together on the telecast after winning the Male Bonding Award a humorous addition to the program.

With twenty minutes remaining in the show Seacrest said, "That does it for all of the guest appearances." He was lying…. there was more….

Prince wowed those in attendance and the international television audience to a surprise live performance.

The hall of fame rock icon nearly stole the show with his trademark brand of mesmerizing rock and funk, thrilling 'Idol' viewers who have been waiting for months to find out who will emerge victorious in the final episode.

An email blast released by Prince on the eve of the show further fueled speculation, with news entities receiving a photo of Prince with the inscription First Corinthians 10:14.

The exact text for the biblical passage reads: 'Therefore my brothers, have nothing to do with the worship of idols.' Industry bloggers have already mused whether the artist was 'urged' to perform by his record company, Universal Republic.

Its no secret performances on American Idol by other rock giants have reaped tremendous public exposure.

Prince has been enjoying unprecedented acclaim of late due to the multi-format success of his new album 3121, recently garnering a nomination for the 2006 BET Awards in the category of Best R&B Male Artist.

The artist is still basking in the global commercial and critical acclaim for the new disc, (the album hit #1 both here in the U.S. and on the European chart), and recently announced two surprise Las Vegas shows for fans eager to see him perform live renditions from 3121's repertoire, to be held on May 27 and May 28.

Inspired by Prince's numeric majesty, and billed as an evening with Prince and special guest Tamar Davis, The Empire Ballroom in Las Vegas has temporarily re-named the intimate hall The 3121 Club (1,500 seats) in honor of the Minneapolis native.

Tamar Davis is the often buzzed about Prince protege who appears on the 3121 duet with Prince, "Beautiful, Loved, & Blessed," which will also be featured on her August 29 Universal Republic debut CD, Milk & Honey.

Cited by fans and critics as a return to 'vintage' Prince, 3121 has been hailed for its peerless blend of Prince styles, including "Beautiful, Loved, &Blessed," the hit single Black Sweat," the catchy funk of "Lolita," and the R&B-tinged "Incense And Candle."

(Busiess Wire contributed to this story)

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