Photo SpecialIdol Scrapbook: Taylor Hicks

See why the newest American Idol earned his own Soul Patrol – from his audition to the road ahead. By Julia Wang

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SWEET HOME ALABAMA

Hicks had said that if he won Idol, his first thanks would go to God. But when he returned home to Birmingham, Ala., on May 12 to sing for more than 12,000 fans, Hicks made another allegiance clear: "I'm going back to Hollywood and win American Idol for Alabama!"

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