Idol winner performing Friday

SANDPOINT — As Friday night's festival festivities begin to wind down for the evening, the "aftival" at The Hive will pick up the slack.

Season five American Idol winner and Alabama native, Taylor Hicks, will perform along with Jelly Bread and 45th Street Brass beginning at 10 p.m. Friday.

In an email to the Daily Bee, Hicks said he has been to North Idaho before, calling it "one of hte greatest secrets on Earth," — and he's not telling anybody.

Hicks again appeared on stage recently for American Idol's series finale — 10 years after nearly 37 million people tuned in to watch the 29-year-old with salt and pepper hair win the 2006 season. More than 63 million votes were cast during the season five finale. He said being back on stage was nostalgic. He felt a sense of gratitude for Idol, for the fans, and comtemplation on how much he has grown in the last 10 years.

"I've been very lucky to do TV, Broadway, music, to publish my life story, have a residence in Vegas," Hicks said. "All of that came from that stage."

Hicks' most recent album was "The Distance" in 2009. He is currently working on a new album while filming for his new show, "State Plate," where he brings together his love of food and travel as he tours the country and works on the new album. Although he is not filming while in the area, he is filming in a different state almost every week.

"We explore local food, how it's made and the culture," Hicks said. "It's got heart and, of course, moments of extreme hilarity."

He said he always wanted to travel to all 50 states and try the local dishes. The show premiers Oct. 21 on the INSP Network. The title and release date of the new album are still under wraps.

The night at The Hive will feature solo performances and jam sessions with the featured artists. Jelly Bread describes their music as "a blend of desert twang meeting the urban tones of funk and rock," and 45th Street Brass is a "horn-centric project that just makes you want to dance."

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10 p.m.