Taylor Hicks, winner of the 5th season of the staggeringly popular TV show, "American Idol," performs 8 p.m. today at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. A native of Birmingham, Ala., Hicks was signed to Arista Records by the label's legendary founder, Clive Davis.

Hick's "American Idol" appearances spawned a legion of fans, known as the "Soul Patrol." And since the show, he's released a popular self-titled Arista debut and penned his memoirs, "Heart Full of Soul."

Hicks, 32, spoke by phone from Vicksburg with the Sun Herald earlier this week. Here are excerpts of that conversation."Well, I'm in the middle of a summer tour, and also a book tour. So I'm kind of doing both right now."

How's the tour going? "Great. Everything is going great. The Soul Patrol is out in full force."

That's got to be a salve to the ego? "Oh yeah. I love it. I love it."

Before I ask a few questions, is there anything you'd like to get out there first? "Well, just thanks for the interview. I appreciate it."

What's the biggest challenge, or challenges, in making the post-'American Idol' transition?

"Well, I just think staying true to your art. You've got to stay true to who you are as an artist, and be who you are."

How would you describe your music? "Pop soul."

Who would you consider your primary influences in the beginning, and then these days? "Well obviously Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and then, you know, towards the end I like John Legend and Amy Winehouse, Van Morrison, it's all across the board."

Your music has a lot of Southern soul to it. Do you find a difference between playing your brand of music for crowds up North, versus down South? "I think they love it. All over, I get a great response everywhere I go."

Ever been down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast before? I know you grew up in Birmingham. "Oh yeah. Definitely. I used to play a lot at the Flora-Bama, and I used to play all different places down around the Coast."

How old were you when you started playing publicly? "About 18."

What prompted you to take that leap? "I guess learning guitar by myself. And learning harmonica by myself. And writing, too."

Who do you enjoy listening to these days? "Amy Winehouse, and Joss Stone, and a little bit of Frank Sinatra."

Have you had an opportunity to meet any of the people you admire? "I met Stevie Wonder. That was great. I had a blast."

Ever, as a kid, think you'd have an opportunity like that? "Never in a million years. I pinch myself every morning."