Earlier this year, soulful Alabamian Taylor Hicks of Birmingham was all over the Fox airwaves via the "American Idol" competition. These days, months after he won that contest, he's seemingly all over everybody's airwaves.

Last week, he was seen on ABC's broadcast of the American Music Awards from Los Angeles.

This week, he's on both coasts via two gigs for NBC. Look for him tonight during the prime-time special "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," which originates in New York. On Friday night, he'll be on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," which has its home base on the West Coast.

Tonight's live national telecast, starting at 7 p.m. on local affiliate WPMI-TV15, will feature the lighting of the famous Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.

Music will play a big part of the broadcast, as it has during eight previous holiday-season specials. Besides Hicks, the program will benefit from the vocals of Christina Aguilera, Enya, John Legend, Martina McBride, Sarah McLachlan and Lionel Richie performing current hits and holiday favorites.

Al Roker and Ann Curry of "Today" will serve as our on-air hosts.

NBC informs us the special will include "the artists' powerful performances from beautifully decorated stages located beneath the iconic statue of Prometheus and in front of the majestic tree."

Friday night on "The Tonight Show," which follows WPMI's late local newscast, Hicks will be Leno's musical guest.