GRAMMY® winning American Idol Taylor Hicks makes spirits bright this holiday season as he releases “Jingle Bells” today. The harmonica-wielding, platinum-selling recording artist delivers a soulful take on the Christmas classic. Released via Epochal Artists / TLG / INgrooves, “Jingle Bells” is available to stream and download.

The festive release wraps up a whirlwind year for Hicks who released his first single in 14 years this past February. Hicks debuted “Porch Swing” live on “The Bobby Bones Show” and also performed the ballad on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and “Huckabee.” Taste of Country described the song as “an easygoing, romantic soul melody that stays faithful to several of his diverse musical influences and home genres,” while People compared Hicks’ “bluesy and soulful sound” to Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton.

Hicks followed the release of “Porch Swing” with “Teach Me to Dance,” a sentimental waltz, timed perfectly with Father’s Day weekend and his Grand Ole Opry debut. Forbes deemed the song “certain to land on plenty of wedding playlists,” writing, “Showcased by Hicks’ soulful country vocals and signature thoughtfulness, ‘Teach Me to Dance’ is a country waltz that brings listeners back to the dance floor in a nostalgic and thoughtful nod to the power of relationships, first dances and wedding memories.”

The Alabama native has also maintained a busy touring schedule. Earlier this week, Hicks performed during “A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis. 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time” at the Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala. This year also found Hicks traveling to eight military bases on an Armed Forces Entertainment tour, where he entertained troops across the Middle East in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Djibouti. His upcoming tour dates include stops in Red Bluff, Calif., Birmingham, Ala., Columbiana, Ala., Franklin, Tenn. and Montgomery, Ala.