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!