New ‘Idol’ touched by mine tragedy

updated 11:39 a.m. ET May 30, 2006

NEW YORK - His fans are known as the “soul patrol.”

But American Idol winner Taylor Hicks admits he has a soft spot for one certain country song.

The silver-haired crooner says he started singing the old John Denver hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after the Sago Mine tragedy.

Hicks says he was so touched by the story, that he started singing the song for the people of West Virginia and for all coal miners.

Appearing on “Live With Regis and Kelly,” Hicks says his great-grandfather was a coal miner in Alabama.

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