CLEVELAND -- Taylor Hicks will perform the national anthem before game 4 of the NBA finals in Cleveland.

The popular blues and R&B crooner, and winner of Season 5 of "American Idol," will perform his signature soulful rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" for Cleveland fans Thursday night before the Cavs-Spurs game.

The harmonica-playing singer is ramping up for a busy summer beginning with the launch of his tour on June 15, and the release of his book "Heart Full of Soul" on July 10.

Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens. After winning "American Idol" he was signed to Arista Records, under which his self-titled major label debut was released.

His stage performances and influences derived from classic soul, blues, and R&B music have earned him a following of devout fans, who are dubbed as the "Soul Patrol."