"American Idol" Taylor Hicks to launch Vegas show

LAS VEGAS (AP) - "American Idol" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks is getting his own short-term show on the Las Vegas Strip.

Casino officials announced the Alabama native will headline an eight-week show at Bally's Las Vegas beginning June 26.

The singer's show in Las Vegas is a return to where his winning run began in 2005. Hicks had been in New Orleans the night before Hurricane Katrina struck and was given a free airplane voucher when his flight was cancelled.

He used the voucher to fly to Las Vegas, where he auditioned for "American Idol" and ultimately won over viewers with his renditions of southern soul, R&B, country and blues songs.

He's the first "American Idol" winner or finalist to secure a Las Vegas residency.