Fans from across Alabama, Georgia and Florida draped in Taylor Hicks paraphernalia were anxious for Hicks’ performance on Thursday night at the Dothan Civic Center.

Sherri Clark had driven from Birmingham to watch Hicks for the 10th time. She was with her friend Mary Jolly.

Nineteen-year-old Jackie Ayala of Panama City, Fla., made a sign for Hicks, who her mother, Carla Hawkins, had paid for Ayala to see as a birthday present.

“I knew he was gonna win (‘American Idol’),” Ayala said. “We were in the military so we were overseas when American Idol was on, but we watched it faithfully — like we didn’t even get up for bathroom breaks or popcorn refills until a commercial came on. I just can’t believe I’m going to see this man in person. I’m so excited.”

Other devoted fans, like Billy and Getta Jones, had known Hicks for years. Their son was the base player in Hicks’ original band, Little Memphis Blues Orchestra.
Getta Jones wore a shirt that read “Soul Patrol, Do It Baby.”

“Taylor’s personality and the way he adapts to every situation — even before ‘American Idol’ — made him stand out,” she said.

Connie Edwards said she drove from Savannah, Ga., to see Hicks for the fourth time.

“I’m excited as always about the meet and greet — Taylor is so much fun,” she said. “I’m just hoping he performs ‘Right Place’ tonight.”

Al Eddy said he’d won the tickets off the Woof 99.7 Morning Show with David Sommers and Amy D a couple days before the concert, but he was just as happy as the next man to be there.

“Anybody can sing, but not everybody can win ‘American Idol,’ ” he said. “I just hope he’s as good live as he was on the show.”