As Billboards Michael Paoletta learned from his interview, Taylor Hicks is more than ready for his major label close-up. In fact, the winner of the fifth season of "American Idol" has been preparing himself for just such a moment. Hicks and music producer, Matt Serletic, have a major mission ahead"to create and complete an album in time for a Dec. 5 release. The as-yet-untitled disc, at this point without a confirmed lead single, is surely a priority for the powers that be at Arista. As Paoletta points out, Hicks isn't exactly starting from scratch; he already has a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit to his credit with the double-A-sided single "Do I Make You Proud"/"Takin' It to the Streets." But having held off recording until the completion an extensive run with the American Idols Live! Tour 2006, Hicks knows time is now of the essence. "I want this record to be a stocking stuffer, which is why we're putting in 13-hour days," he says. Serletic admits the work schedule is intense, but he adds that the project is moving quickly forward. Billboard reports that, according to Hicks, the album's sound will be his take on modern soul music. "I wanted brass with ass, and that's what will be on the album," he says. Hicks says one song on the album"which will focus on original material penned by himself and others"will be a cover of an obscure Charles song, recorded in Charles' studio. "It's my way of saying 'thanks,' " he says. The complete story is in Billboard magazine!

And the hits just keep on coming! Check out where your Idols are on the Billboard charts this week: Taylor Hicks: * "Do I Make You Proud": #6 Single Sales Katharine McPhee: * "Somewhere Over the Rainbow": #7 Single Sales Kellie Pickler: * "Red High Heels": #37 Country Carrie Underwood: * "Some Hearts" CD: #6 Country, #22 Top 200 * "Before He Cheats": #2 Country, #22 Digital Song, #24 Hot 100, #45 Pop 100 Ruben Studdard: * "Return" CD: #2 R&B/Hip Hop, #8 Top 200 * "Change Me": #2 Adult R&B, #23 R&B/Hip Hop Clay Aiken: * "Thousand Different Ways": #52 Top 200 Kelly Clarkson: * "Because of You": #8 Adult Contemporary Josh Gracin: * "I'll Keep Coming Back": #55 Country

On the Red High Heels of her tour and the release of her first music video, one would think that Kellie Pickler might rush a phone interview to get back to her busy life. But in the true Southern way, she was nothing but polite. She gave Americanidol.com her full attention. First upthe tour, which Kellie said was great but very long; doing 60 shows over three months. However, it was wonderful for her to be able to perform for all the fans that had been voting for her during the American Idol season. Like most of the other Idols on the tour, Kellie got sick, but she said that this could be expected considering all the time spent on planes and shaking peoples hands. She is absolutely ecstatic about the success of her single, Red High Heels.? In fact, Kellie just had a chance to watch the video on CMT, and she and her management team are thrilled with the results. The director treated the video as a collaborative effort, allowing her to watch their united vision to come to life on TV. Its exciting to know that I get to live out my dreams but also do what I want.? Kellie says that the single, which is about a woman who is jilted but walks way triumphant in a pair of sassy red high heels, is reflective of a relationship that shes had in the past. In fact, she said, all the songs she chose for her first CD include pieces? of her life. Some of the songs were co-written by her and others were simply chosen by her for the new album. Song-writing is a new talent of hers that she discovered while on the American Idol tour. In the past, she admitted trying it but that it didnt quite come together. But now, with her contributing her own lyrics, she feels that she plays a more intimate? role in her work. A case in point is the song, I Wonder?, which was written by her as a kind of letter to her mother. Kellie called it the most personal and hardest to record?, but said it was nice to put her feelings into lyrical form. She had some pretty insightful opinions on her personal life being revealed to a nationwide audience during the course of the American Idol season. First of all, she said that, in choosing a profession in entertainment, you dont really have a choice. Your life pretty much has to be an open book. Second of all, honesty is the best policy for a few different reasons. Not only will the media discover the information anyway, but Kellie feels that she can teach other people going through something similar not to be ashamed. According to her, life is about the choices you make and she is proud of the choices she has made thus far. There certainly was no bitterness from Kellie towards the judges regarding their occasionally harsh critiques of her performances on the show. She said that Randy, Paula and Simon are total professionals. For her or any of the other Idols to disregard their advice would be, as she stated, ignorant.? She was very careful to take their advice and constructive criticism and apply it to her performances on the show and even her performances to this day. Kellie was also quick to say that the chemistry between all of her fellow Idols was just great. In fact, Kelly continued, we were like a big family? and that there was no animosity between any of them at all. She also had nothing but good things to say about the guest celebrities on the show, calling Kenny Rogers the best, most down-to-earth sweetheart? and the same for Barry and Rod. She gushed that the Queen guest spot was legendary? and admitted that she is a huge fan. She was impressed that they took the time to do American Idol the very same night that they had a show. Like most performers, Kellie saw her wardrobe as a way to change up her personas on the show. Her favorite outfit was the leather boots and leather jacket that she wore on Queen Night because she was able to step out of character.? As far as her favorite performance night, she loved doing the Reba song on Country night, as she is a long-time Reba fan. Kellie is an old soul when it comes to the musical influences in her life. Shes definitely a sucker for the legends, including Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and June Carter Cash. She also called herself the biggest Dolly fan?, saying that shes always wanted to write and perform with her. That is when she says shell know shes arrived! At this point, there is no decision made on what single will be the follow-up to Red High Heels.? Kellie said that the choice will most likely be left up to the fan reaction and what songs get requested most on the radio. The CD, "Small Town Girl", is going to be released on Halloween and she couldnt be more excited. While some might have questioned Kellies sophistication, our interview with her reveals that this young woman has a very good head on her shoulders. Dolly or no Dolly--Kellie has arrived!

Josh Gracin releases his new single, "I Keep Coming Back," to country radio on Monday at the same time that one of the song's co-writer's, Jeffrey Steele, was just awarded the NSAI Songwriter of the Year trophy for the third time in four years. "I Keep Coming Back" can be found on Josh's upcoming sophomore CD, scheduled for release in early 2007. Check out our music page to hear one of Josh's other hit singles, "Favorite State of Mind!" On the live music front, Josh will perform "All I Ask Of You" from Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom Of The Opera during Monday's CMA Broadway Meets Country event at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

Kellie Pickler's new single has been in stores for a few weeks now and, according to Billboard's review, it's a sign of great things to come. According to the review, she "makes a run at the country format with the lively little up-tempo number." She wrote the song with hit writers Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo and Karyn Rochelle and the industry magazine calls the result "a frisky anthem about a woman not just surviving, but thriving as she leaves her ex in the dust and steps out in her red high heels." Billboard continues, "Kellie has an engaging voice and loads of personality, and both shine on this single." We can't wait to hear her what comes next! Listen to the single now!

On October 13, PEOPLE releases its first-ever Country Music Special Issue, a newsstand-only edition dedicated entirely to the country music scene. The issue names the 25 Hottest Country Stars including Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson and American Idols own Carrie Underwood, who the magazine has dubbed The Ingenue.? Carrie opens up about the ups and downs of becoming an overnight success. On the upside, shes gotten lessons in performing from none other than country legend, Kenny Chesney, with whom she toured this summer. On the downside, she misses her family. I was always close to my parents. So being away from them has been pretty hard,? Carrie says in the article. Homesickness aside, the issue highlights what a difference a year can certainly make. In addition to the news on Carrie, the issue also features an entire Idols Gone Country!? article on former Idols, Josh Gracin and Kellie Pickler. Much like Carrie, Josh dishes to PEOPLE about the benefits and drawbacks to his relatively newfound fame. He thrives on the audience interaction and being able to hang out with fellow country boys? Rascal Flatts but he misses his family when on the road. Kellie talks to PEOPLE about her difficult past and the obstacles shes overcome, along with her weird way with words.? While many have alluded to the fact that she has been dating another former Idol, Constantine Maroulis, Kellie sets the record straight in the article. I have a boyfriend now whos from my hometown. Hes a real good down-to-earth country boy whos very supportive of my career.?

Bo Bice is recovering in a Nashville hospital after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery on Thursday. The procedure was not easy or routine, but after a setback the following day, Bo is improving under the supervision of his doctors and is expected to make a full recovery. Bo has been battling intestinal problems since last summer, when he had urgent surgery in Las Vegas and was forced to leave the American Idols Live Tour. Since then, Bo has seen the inside of emergency rooms in several cities across the country and was forced to cancel his performance at the Radio Music Awards in December. Bo's medical team recently diagnosed his ailment as intussusception, an intestinal condition that occurs when one portion of the bowel slides into the next, causing swelling, inflammation and decreased blood flow. The disease is mostly found in young children and Bo's doctors believe he may have had it since birth or infancy. The latest surgery will obviously impact the remainder of Bo's tour, and currently dates in Cumming, GA, Panama City, FL and Anaheim, CA have been cancelled, but the effect to dates following those is presently unclear. The singer's doctors are hopeful this will be the final resolution to his health problems.

Kellie Pickler will return to her home state of North Carolina on Saturday night, Oct. 14th, to perform the national anthem. Her performance will mark the opening of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Pickler, who grew up approximately 20 miles from the speedway in Albemarle, N.C., recently hit the airwaves with her debut single, "Red High Heels." Her first CD, "Small Town Girl?, will be released on Oct. 31 by 19 Recordings/BNA Records. Kellie recorded the CD between her commitments to the American Idols Live Tour 2006, which took the Idols to 55 cities during a 10-week span this summer. The CD contains several songs that she co-wrote, including her debut single. "I'm so excited to sing the national anthem at the race in Charlotte," said Kellie. "The national anthem is a challenging song and when you sing it you have to start off low so you can hit that high note. I'm proud and honored to have been asked to perform it for such a prestigious event." "With her small-town charm, Kellie caught the imagination of the American public during the 'American Idol' competition," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, President and General Manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Her popularity will rival that of many of the drivers when she performs for the Bank of America 500. She represents all that is good about Americana."

American Idol Rewind features all-new interviews and never-before-seen footage from American Idol's first season and we've just added recaps of each weekly episode. Read them and watch them. Don't miss a note.

Jon Peter Lewis and his band will be hitting the road next week, playing in Rexburg, Idaho at Club Strata on October 13th, and in Provo, Utah at Club Velour on October 14th. You can also catch Jon live on October 12th appearing on Fox TV's morning show, Good Day Utah with Kerri and Dan. Look for Jon to perform during the 7:00 hour. And, be sure to tune in and hear Jon in Salt Lake City, from the B987 radio studios on Friday the 13th, at 7:00am. You may catch a new song or two from Jon's soon to be be released debut album, "Stories From Hollywood." Following those shows, Jon will be back in Los Angeles playing the Viper Room on October 18th. Listen to JPL's most recent single!