Got my tix for Taylor Hicks

With just under a month left until "American Idol" Season Five winner Taylor Hicks comes to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, I just picked up my third-row tickets today for the August 16th show in Poughkeepsie.

I had managed to score this pair of tickets at the end of May, just days after learning of the show, and just a week after seeing former "AI" runner-up Bo at The Chance.

In the interim, though, I've got to say I was getting a little worried.

Just to gauge interest, I'd occasionally head over to the Ticketmaster Web site to see what seats were available. For the longest time, tickets were still available for as close as the middle of the center floor section.

With an earlier show on the Taylor tour already canceled, I was a little afraid. Living close to the Civic Center, I'd check the marquee every day to make sure they didn't take the show off the sign.

But rest assured, Taylor Hicks fans. Despite what the critics — including Journal music reporter John Barry — might think, the show is indeed on (they haven't taken down his name) and I'll be trying to talk to Taylor in the coming days to talk about the Poughkeepsie show and his tour.