TAYLOR HICKS - Liberty Bowl Gala Had Look Of Winner!

Entertainment for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Presidents Gala was a winner -- literally.

Taylor Hicks, the featured performer, was the fifth-season "American Idol" champion. When he took the stage at the recent event at The Peabody, audience members hit the dance floor almost immediately.

Former Memphian Andy Childs, who sang during dinner, came in second place with his Nashville band, Sixwire, on Fox Network's "The Next Great American Band."

The Liberty Bowl was a family affair for Taylor. His brother, Sean; father, Brad Hicks; and stepmother, Linda Hicks, were in Memphis.

"I'm always just amazed how much talent he has," said Sean, 21, who attended with Katie Taylor.

The Gerry Finney Trio -- Gerry Finney, Jerry Dean and Freddie Kirksey -- performed for the cocktail portion of the evening in the Continental Ballroom.

A couple of others who know a thing about show biz were in the audience. Marguerite Piazza and her daughter, Anna-Becky Redlich, attended.

Marguerite performed at 27 Liberty Bowl football games. She sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and performed at some of the half-time shows. "Sometimes it was so cold, you couldn't move," she recalled.

One year, when Marguerite was recovering from an automobile accident, Anna Becky filled in for her, singing the national anthem.

Bill Ray was the 2007 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association president. Charlotte Neal, who attended with her husband, Bob, was gala chairman. Steve Ehrhart, who attended with his wife, Mary, is AutoZone Liberty Bowl executive director.

Source: Commercial Appeal