PROVO — Country star Lee Ann Womack will have to share the stage — and spotlight — at this year's Stadium of Fire.

A rising star — Taylor Hicks, the gray-haired, raspy-voiced, newly crowned winner of "American Idol" — has agreed to perform at the main event of America's Freedom Festival at Provo.

"He's this big, good-natured kind of all-American upbeat guy, and we thought he'd really be a perfect match for the Stadium of Fire," said Taylor Macdonald, executive director of America's Freedom Foundation, the nonprofit that puts on the show at LaVell Edwards Stadium each year.

"People sometimes say that the Stadium of Fire is stuck in country, and it's just not true. We're very pleased and think he will add a lot."

Word spread quickly Friday that the rhythm-and-blues singer was going to appear at the July 1 event.

Macdonald said the BYU ticket office reported a sharp spike in ticket sales since he first made the announcement on Doug Wright's talk show on KSL Radio Friday morning.

With Hicks on board, event planners are hoping for record sales. Before noon Friday, more tickets had already been sold than on any other day since going on sale.

"I think it's awesome he's coming to Utah," said Marcel Delgadillo, a self proclaimed "American Idol" lover. "No one comes to Utah — it's all country. Taylor's going to dominate. The gray hair, the deep voice — it'll be too hot to handle."

Hicks, 29, won fans across the country this year with his old-school singing style and wild dance moves. Some 43 million viewers tuned in May 24 to watch him sing what has become his first single, "Do I Make You Proud," during the show's finale.

"He's so cool," said Chelsea Robinson of Orem. "He's absolutely amazing. His singing takes my breath away. I'm so excited."

Not everyone is a fan of Hicks' stage antics and unconventional look, however.

Asked if he was excited for Hicks to perform, Jared VanHouten said, "Not really. ... He's pretty crazy. The dancing and everything."

Then, VanHouten pulled a face and shook his head.

So far, Stadium of Fire will be Hicks' only performance in Utah this summer.

"American Idol" finalists are starting a 54-city tour later this summer, but Utah is currently not on the docket.

Along with Womack, three tribute bands playing the songs of ABBA, Queen and the Beach Boys also will perform. Fireworks will close the show.

Stadium of Fire tickets

Stadium of Fire, which begins at 7:30 p.m. July 1 at BYU's LaVell Edwards Stadium, is the centerpiece event of America's Freedom Festival in Provo.

Tickets range in price from $20 to $100 and can be purchased by calling the BYU ticket office, 800-322-BYU1 (2981).

Tickets also can be purchased online at www.byutickets.com.

The Marriott Center ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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E-mail: alorimer@desnews.com