American Idol Taylor Hicks turns 36 today, and starts his birthday month off with a big bang, signing a year-long extension at Bally’s Las Vegas starting the 17th!

This agreement marks the first time in history an American Idol has secured a long term residency in Las Vegas, where he began performing this past June.

Previous to his engagement with Bally’s, Hicks - who was dubbed People Magazine’s “Hottest Bachelor of the Year” in 2006, topped Billboard’s Hot 100 with his debut single “Do I Make You Proud” as well as commanding the #2 slot on the Billboard Top 200 with his self-titled platinum selling album. You may have also seen Hicks starring in the Broadway tour of Grease in 2008 playing the character “Teen Angel”.

We wish Taylor a happy Birthday and can’t wait to see him light up Vegas well into 2013!