Sixty-three million people voted 30-year-old Birmingham, Alabama native Taylor Hicks this year's "American Idol." He just appeared on NBC's "Christmas at Rockefeller Plaza" TV special; he'll be on tonight's "Billboard Music Awards" (Fox)and tomorrow's "Good Morning America" and his album, produced by Grammy winner Matt Serletic (Santana, Matchbox 20, Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Courtney Love) is due Dec. 12.

Hicks was online Monday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. ET to talk about it all.

A transcript follows.

Taylor Hicks: Happy Holidays and hope all is well.

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Crown Point, Ind.: Taylor, what's on your iPod?

Taylor Hicks: The Dave Chappelle Show, lots of music and I've been listening to Paul Simon lately.

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Chicago, Ill.: Are you at the awards tonight?

Taylor Hicks: No, unfortunately with scheduling of appearances it was not possible.

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Eureka, N.C.: I know you are extremely busy, but have you spoken to any of your fellow idols since the tour ended?

Taylor Hicks: Yeah, I've talked to Elliott and I left a message for Bucky and I saw Katharine at the AMAs.

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New Castle, Del.: Taylor, what was it like working with John Mayer?

Taylor Hicks: John Mayer is an extremely talented musician and singer I learned a lot from him. He's a great songwriter and musician and we both come from the same soul and blues playground.

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Arlington, Va.: The track record for former American Idols or other contestants has been pretty good. There are a lot of you doing things. Why do you think that is?

Taylor Hicks: I just believe in the American vote for talent and the way America sees talent so therefore I think that the more America votes for you or sees your talent the more exposure you gain from the weeks on American Idol allows you to be more visible in the entertainment business.

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Bay Shore, N.Y.: What's your pet peeve?

Taylor Hicks: People being late. Punctuality.

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Irvington, N.J.: You kind of described your CD as [an] "old school funk" modern day sound. Have you been listening to any of today's artists and did any of today's music have any influence on your direction for this CD?

Taylor Hicks: I think John Legend's and John Mayer's influence and some of Coldplay.

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Brooklyn, N.Y.:

Did you get to meet Sting at the Rockefeller Christmas Tree fest?

Taylor Hicks: Unfortunately I didn't but I did get the catch the tree being lit and that was great for me.

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Rutherford, N.J.: Fill us in on this "Modern Whomp" music. How did this come about and it's connection to you?

Taylor Hicks: An example of modern whomp would be "Runaround." It's got a Cajun beat with some modern beats and soulful horns. It's got that "whomp sound."

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Easton, Mass.: Taylor -- If you could speak to the music critics (who appear to be biased against "American Idol" before they review your album, what would you like to say to them?

Taylor Hicks: It always helps to be open-minded.

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Danbury, Conn.: How did you decide on "The Runaround" for your first single?

Taylor Hicks: I'm not sure it's the first single but it's the song on the album that I really think I can perform well live. But it's not decided yet.

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Washington, D.C.: Vibe magazine said you were the "embodiment of of the last fifty years of popular music." That's quite a compliment. What do you think about that? Do you feel pressure to live up to all the praise?

Taylor Hicks: I thought that was really cool that they said that about me. I'm trying to capture the embodiment of the last 50 years of music with my sound.

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Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada: I notice you don't wear rings, bracelets, watches, neck chains, etc. Is that a personal style/comfort choice, or is it because of allergies?

Taylor Hicks: Wow, you've really done your homework to know I have allergies. I guess, I like to keep thing free; I do have one bracelet that I wear but I like to keep my hands free for musician purposes (harmonica, guitar).

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Fairfax, Va.: What do you think of Jennifer Hudson getting that part in "Dreamgirls"? Do you know her?

Taylor Hicks: No, but I was really glad to hear that she got that part and I hear she's quite a talent.

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Seattle, Wash.: Taylor, you've turned a lot of your fans on to the blues. Would you ever consider making a true blues album such as Eric Clapton's "From the Cradle"?

Taylor Hicks: I would definitely ponder the thought.

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Danbury, Conn.: Do you see a difference between a touring band and a studio band. If so, what is the difference?

Taylor Hicks: Great question. The studio band does not have to bring a certain visual aspect to the performance Basically, the touring band has to have an aspect of visual as well as musical stimulation (entertaining value), whereas the studio musicians are basically concerned with laying the music on the tracks.

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Alexandria, Va.: Did Weird Al Yankovic's parody of your "Do I Make You Proud" upset you?

Taylor Hicks: Not at all. I was very flattered and laughed a bit at it.

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Vancouver, Canada: Taylor, you seem to be quite happy with the producer of your album, Matt Serletic. Did you have any struggles in getting the kind of sound you wanted for the album, or was it all smooth sailing in that respect?

Taylor Hicks: Nothing's smooth sailing when you're trying to put an album together in six weeks and there was some give and take, you know, creatively. We did a really good job of balancing that out.

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White Oak, Tex.: Do you play the piano at all, and will you ever consider wearing a head mic when singing? Thanks!

Taylor Hicks: I so play a little bit of piano; not enough to play live. I don't know, the head mic thing depends.

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Temple Hills, Md.: If you could perform anywhere in the world, at what venue would you most like to perform, and if you could have one person in the whole world in the audience, who would you choose?

Taylor Hicks: Sidney Opera House. My great grandmother that has passed away.

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Worcester, Mass.: Taylor,

I have noticed you've been going non-stop since "American Idol" and wonder what do you do to unwind during your hectic schedule.

Taylor Hicks: Exercise a little bit. I really don't mind my hectic schedule. I love performing so much that the schedule doesn't bother me too much.

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Washington, D.C.: I read somewhere last week that you wanted to forget about "Idol" and move on. What exactly did you say?

Taylor Hicks: First of all, my words were completely taken out of context to sell newspapers. What I said is that the torch for me is being passed on to the "American Idol," season six. I was basically saying that "American Idol" for me is beginning to fade because season six is starting in a month. I was completely taken out of context. I'm very grateful for the show.

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Huntsville, Ala.: Taylor, would you ever consider doing a bluegrass album?

Taylor Hicks: Funny you ask. My great aunts were a female bluegrass duet out of Oakridge, Tenn. So that is definitely a thought.

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Wetumpka, Ala.: How did you persevere (stay focused on your musical goals) all those years before "American Idol"? You had to have watched friends and family your age going the more traditional route in their career choices.

Taylor Hicks: Self-determination and deep belief in your music and your craft.

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Catskill, N.Y.: You did absolutely amazing on Leno. How did you feel after that performance?

Taylor Hicks: Out of breath (Ha Ha).

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Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: Taylor,

What's the best advice you've been given since you won "A.I." and who gave it to you?

Taylor Hicks: Enjoy the ride and I was given that by a lot of people. I'm definitely thankful to all who voted and I'm definitely enjoying the ride.

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Memphis, Tenn.: Do you see yourself now as a role model for the younger generation as well as those who are trying to "break" into the music industry?

Taylor Hicks: Hopefully I'm a musical role model for the younger generation.

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San Jose, Calif.: Taylor -- I've been a huge fan since the beginning. Do you plan to produce any music videos -- either live at one of your concerts or specifically produced for MTV?

Taylor Hicks: It's definitely in the works. Thank you for asking.

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Santa Ana, Calif.: If you could go back to another time in music history, would you? What era/time do you think you would want to have been in or is this the best time in music?

Taylor Hicks: I would say '67-''70 and '74-''78. '67-'70, the soul music era and '74-'78, the AM gold era, i.e., Dion, Don McLean, Van Morrison, etc.

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Kingsport, Tenn.: How are your dad -- and other family members -- reacting to your immense success? I recall your quoting your dad as saying "Work in a bank, Taylor."

Taylor Hicks: (LAUGHS) I and my family are very grateful for the show and what it's done for me. Everybody's pretty cool.

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Palatka, Fla.: Many people have different perceptions of what "success" is to them. What goals do you feel you need to attain in order to define yourself as successful?

Taylor Hicks: I think first, artistically, you're always learning and striving to be the best artist you can be. I think as a musician you just want people to come and hear your music in any capacity.

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Edmond, Okla.: What is your most-prized possession?

Taylor Hicks: My Taylor acoustic guitar.

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Taylor Hicks: I'm very excited for my album that comes out Dec. 12 and to all Soul Patrol members here and far. Thank you for your questions and a very, very happy holiday season. Be looking for my TV schedule in the month of December.