Upon return to the Strip, Taylor Hicks is moving (closer) to Paris Las Vegas

By John Katsilometes

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 | 1:55 p.m.

Officially, it's a move to Paris. But, in reality, it's sort of en route to Paris.

Taylor Hicks is moving out of Indigo at Bally's to Napoleon's Dueling Piano Bar, which leads into Le Boulevard, which connects Bally's to Paris. The lounge and bar is, technically speaking, part of the Paris L.V. lineup of entertainment venues. As the name indicates, Napoleon's Dueling Piano bar has for years served as the hotel's home of regular dueling piano entertainment.

Hicks, who plays a nifty guitar and is an accomplished singer-songwriter, returns to Las Vegas on Jan. 21 and resumes a nightly schedule (dark Wednesdays and Sundays) at 8 p.m. Tickets are listed at $67.49.

Hicks was unavailable for comment today, and Caesars Entertainment officials still have not formally announced his new venue and schedule. The Season 5 champion of "American Idol," who topped Katharine McPhee in the finals, had been headlining at Indigo, the lounge just off the casino floor at Bally's, since arriving last summer.

Hicks' contract was extended to a year in September, and late last year he returned to Indigo with his thundering Soul Patrol backing band (in one memorable appearance, John Popper of Blues Traveler joined him onstage.)

Hicks has become a well-liked and highly regarded performer in the city and has made innumerable personal appearances, such as singing the national anthem to open the annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December.

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