By Camilla Hodge
The very first performance of Taylor Hicks as an American Idol winner, will be at BYU in Provo”s Stadium of Fire July 1, 2006 as part of America”s Freedom Festival.
Event coordinators said they were thrilled to confirm Hicks” appearance.
“What more timely, popular act could you bring in?” said Jeff Sheets, the director of BYU”s advanced advertising lab.
According to Nielsen Ratings, more than 36 million viewers tuned in to watch the two-hour season finale, making it the most watched episode in the series” history.
“As soon as Taylor Hicks won, we sent them [American Idol managers] an offer to appear first at Utah”s Stadium of Fire,” said Doug McKinlay, a BYU advertising professor who oversaw the planning of the event.
Stadium of Fire will mark the debut of Hicks” career as a solo recording artist.
The annual America”s Freedom Festival is a nonprofit foundation with roots tracing back to 1870. The festival organizes events and activities celebrating patriotism and Americanism. The festival ends with a climatic Fourth of July celebration.
The festival sponsors the Stadium of Fire and has always tried to attract the best talent to Utah, McKinlay said.
Currently, Hicks” performance at the Stadium of Fire is his only scheduled appearance in Utah.
While the American Idols Live 2006 tour, which begins July 6, has performances scheduled in 29 cities, none will take place in Utah.
“This chance is one-and-only,” Sheets said.
This year”s program will also feature Lee Ann Womack, winner of the 2005 Country Music Association Awards for Single of the Year and Album of the Year.
The Stadium of Fire will be held in LaVell Edwards Stadium Saturday, July 1, starting at 7:30 p.m.
For ticket information, visit BYUTickets.com or call 422-BYU1. Stadium seating prices range from $25 to $50.
