(UPI) - "American Idol" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks announced Tuesday he has partnered with the firm Artist to Market to release his next album.

The CD is slated to drop Feb. 10, 2009.

The platinum-selling singer-songwriter said he will be releasing the new title with complete control of direction and ownership of his masters on his solely owned and operated, Modern Whomp Records label.

Hicks is currently in the studio with producer Simon Climie.

"In this digital age, when artists can connect more directly with audiences, this is a partnership that makes a lot of sense," Hicks said in a statement. "I'm very much enjoying being in the studio with Simon working on the new album and look forward to releasing it through A2M early next year."

"We at A2M are very excited to be working with the team at Modern Whomp Records on this release," added Paul Ignasinski, general manager of A2M. "As the industry continues to evolve, it's exciting to see significant artists approach the marketplace in a new way, and truly take control over their own destiny. This is exactly why A2M was built in the first place -- to provide a service platform for these artists to prosper on their own terms."

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 American Idol runner-up David Archuleta will make his acting debut in a hit kids' show.

The "Crush" singer, who came second in the popular talent show earlier this year, will star in Nickelodeon's iCarly show.

But Archuleta won't have to reach too far to find inspiration for his new role - he is playing a talent show contestant in the one-off appearance.

The show focuses on high school students who start their own Internet show.

Executive producer Dan Schneider tells Usweekly.com, "iCarly is all about super-talented teens so David Archuleta is an ideal fit."

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Clay Aiken graces the cover of People magazine's new issue, telling the mag that he is gay.

"I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things," he is quoted as saying.

Aiken became a father to son Parker Foster Aiken in August. His longtime friend Jaymes Foster, 50, became pregnant through in vitro fertilization.

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