Right now, Taylor Hicks is here - but he probably doesn't know it.

Since February, the fifth season winner of "American Idol" has arrived in a new city every almost day. Currently on a tour promoting his first major-label album, the salt-and-pepper-haired singer had a little trouble last week when he was asked during an interview to name the town where he was. After a few minutes, he narrowed it down to: Milwaukee or Green Bay, Wis.

"Milwaukee, I think," said Hicks, 30.

Traveling is hardly new for Hicks. For years before he did "Idol," he toured the Southeast in a minivan playing every bar, club and frat house that would let him in. In those days, he played for dozens. These days, he plays for thousands. Tonight, he'll perform for a crowd at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in Hampton, N.H.

"It's a dream come true," said the singer who is sometimes referred to as the "Gray Charles," for both his vocal similarity and affection for the late blues legend Ray Charles. "Now I get to ride in a tour bus and that is really cool."

Hicks' show features songs from his self-titled album, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts when it was released in December 2006. So far, it's sold 700,000 copies. The CD includes a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Wherever I Lay My Hat" as well as several new songs, including the Diane Warren ballad, "Places I've Been" and Bryan Adams' "The Right Place," originally written for Charles.

"Bryan Adams is a great songwriter; that song just fit my style so perfectly," Hicks said. "It was great fit for my album and for the stage."

Fans of Hicks, known as the Soul Patrol, will see a different side of the singer from his appearances on "American Idol." In concert, Hicks gets to show off his guitar- and harmonica-playing, something he taught himself as a teen. This new side of Hicks has increased the number on Patrol since the fifth season "Idol" finale last May.

"The Soul Patrol is definitely growing in size," Hicks said.

Soon, they'll have even more reason to increase their numbers: Hicks is writing a memoir, "Heart Full of Soul." He described the book, scheduled for release later this year, as inspirational tales from his life before "American Idol" and "some of the stuff you learn on the backroads, perseverance being the main thing."

While Hicks has been on the road, he hasn't caught much of these season's "American Idol." However, he does feel for the current contestants on the receiving end of the "Cowell Scowl."

"I have a lot of sympathy for that," he said. "I just think you have to stay grounded and stay true to who you are."



If you go

* What: Taylor Hicks in concert

* When: Tonight at 8 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

* Where: Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, 169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton, N.H.

* How: Tickets cost $26 to $60. Visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the Casino Ballroom at 603-929-4100.