Sometimes, a little bit of soul just isn't enough. It's a good thing, then, that Taylor Hicks has a whole evening of music planned for Thursday at the Paramount Theater.

If you're a member of Hicks's faithful Soul Patrol fan base, you probably already have your tickets, but if you're just discovering the 30-year-old singer from Birmingham, Ala., there's still time to save one of a few remaining seats.

The winner of the fifth season of "American Idol'' has a platinum-selling eponymous album, an in-demand summer tour and even a memoir slated to hit shelves just days after his performance at the Paramount, which is presented by Starr Hill.

Ask him what has changed in the past year since he captured the "Idol'' crown, and it's clear how he stays grounded.

"The surroundings have, the energy level has, but the people I surround myself with haven't,'' Hicks said. "The grounding influence has been the experience of working ten years in clubs, dreaming about a dream I had an idea about.''

Unlike many of his fellow "Idol'' contestants, Hicks had been a professional musician for years, belting out soul, blues and rhythm and blues music. He released his first independent CD, "In Your Time,'' while studying at Auburn University and a second, "Under the Radar,'' in 2005 before he auditioned for the reality television competition.

Hicks had no illusions entering the contest that a life in music would be a breeze. That's why he has been savoring the delightful moments, such as getting opportunities to perform with idols Willie Nelson and the Allman Brothers.

"These kinds of things just don't happen,'' Hicks said. "I've been so blessed.''

So who else is on Hicks's collaboration wish list? "Paul Simon,'' Hicks said. "He's one of my favorites.''

Hicks said audiences have been responding to what he calls "a modern approach to soul music'' on his current tour. He enjoys seeing a wide range of ages in the audience - "from 7 to 70,'' he said.

Heading back to the "American Idol'' finale in May - this time as a champion with a year of national exposure under his belt - was a satisfying experience.

"I was very happy I could sing and perform and see all this year's contestants,'' Hicks said.

The baritone soon will be juggling his busy touring schedule with book signings. "Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way'' will be released July 10. Hicks worked with writer David Wild, who has written for Rolling Stone, said he enjoys "any kind of writing'' and found penning the book to be "therapeutic.''

"It's a good summer read,'' Hicks said.

In the book, Hicks relates "the trials of the road'' - some of the challenges life has tossed his way - and explains how he responded to them and how they influenced him. He addresses his parents' divorce, his struggle to make a name for himself in endless nightclub gigs and the death of a close friend - and how all those events helped shape his resilient philosophy.

"My situation has been that if you keep working on something, the work and the self-confidence lead to an opportunity,'' Hicks said. Of self-confidence, he said, "I think it's the most important. I think faith, and determination.

"Believe in a higher power, and believe you can make it.''

The process of writing the book helped Hicks gain new perspectives on many of the events he wrote about.

"I think I laugh at my stories now,'' he said. "I think it's been therapeutic.''

As much as he enjoys writing, Hicks isn't likely to find a lot of time to craft new songs on the road. "This is a pretty grueling summer tour,'' he said. "The way I write, I like to be in one place.''

If you missed all the "Idol'' hoopla last year and aren't familiar with Hicks's sound, there's plenty of time to pick up a copy of "Taylor Hicks'' and savor some blue-eyed soul from a brown-eyed singer with a ruggedly been-there tone.

"Heaven Knows,'' the latest single, was released May 28. Another track on the CD has a sentimental tie. "The Right Place,'' penned by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, had been written for the late Ray Charles. For Hicks, whose combination of prematurely silver hair and soulful style earned him the nickname "Gray Charles'' from some fans, recording a song meant for Charles was an honor.

Tour dates and book signings will be keeping Hicks busy, but he hopes to have time to think about the future at some point. One thing he'd like to do is help other folks with musical dreams get a foot in the door. "I understand what it's like to not have a break,'' he said.