Taylor Hicks, the winner of this year's "American Idol," will be performing at the Stadium of Fire on July 1.

This is the first scheduled engagement for the gray-haired 29-year-old singer, who last week won the talent search competition in front of 50 million viewers. Mayor Jerry Washburn announced the news at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Friday morning; Freedom Festival coordinator Taylor Macdonald said Hicks' performance was confirmed Thursday night.

He will be joining country crooner Lee Ann Womack and three tribute bands on three stages in a battle of the bands setup, Macdonald said.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.