Taylor Hicks Selected as Grand Marshall for Mardi Gras Celebration & Endymion Parade

Taylor Hicks, the 29-year-old sensation and winner of the 2006 American Idol competition, will reign as the Grand Marshal in the Endymoin Parade in this year's Mardi Gras celebration. The parade will roll down historic St. Charles Avenue on Saturday, February 17, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana for the first time since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

Endymoin is one of New Orleans' largest parades with over 30 spectacular floats. Last year Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd served as Co-Grand Marshals for the event.

Taylor, a native of Birmingham, LA had visited New Orleans right before the hurricane hit the city. In fact, his flight out was cancelled and he had to hail a taxi to Monroe, LA where he continued on to the American Idol audition in Las Vegas, NV.

Now a household name, Taylor has released his first single titled, "Do I Make You Proud." It debuted at the #1 spot on Billboards Hot 100 with more than 190,000 copies sold the first week.

Taylor will also perform at the Endymion Extravaganza, a private black tie/formal function following the parade at the Louisiana Superdome.

Other headliners will include Journey, Styx, and Al Green. Local bands that will also be performing are Chee Weez, the WiseGuys and the Topcats.

Tickets are $150.00 each and can be obtained from Endymion via e-mail at tickets@endymion.org or by calling 504-736-0160.