American Idols LIVE! 2011 Tour Dates

It's here! The American Idol LIVE Tour is coming to a town near you this summer. See Season 10's Top 11 perform at a town near you. Locations have been announced. Check out the full schedule below!!

New for this year! VIP Packages are available!
LIMITED QUANTITY!
SUPERSTAR PACKAGE - $250.00
*One top price reserved ticket in the first fifteen (15) rows
*One Meet & Greet with select members of American Idol Tour**
*One Exclusive autographed American Idol Tour photo
*One Official American Idols Tour Program
*One Official SUPERSTAR American Idol VIP laminate & matching lanyard

**Please note American Idol Member Participation in meet & greets can vary by show

Here are the tour dates and locations for 2011:

July 6 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
July 8 – Everett, WA – Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center
July 9 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden
July 11 – Sacramento, CA – Power Balance Pavilion
July 12 – Oakland, CA – The Oracle Arena
July 13 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion
July 15 – Los Angeles, CA – NOKIA Theatre LA Live
July 16 – Ontario, CA – Citizens Business Bank Arena
July 17 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Arena
July 19 – Oklahoma City, OK – Cox Convention Center
July 20 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
July 21 – Houston, TX – Reliant Arena
July 22 – New Orleans, LA – Lakefront Arena
July 24 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
July 26 – Duluth, GA – Arena at Gwinnett Center
July 27 – Raleigh, NC – RBC Center
July 28 – Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Arena
July 30 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
July 31 – St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
August 2 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
August 3 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
August 4 – Milwaukee, WI – Bradley Center
August 6 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
August 7 – Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Arena
August 9 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
August 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
August 11 – Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena
August 13 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
August 14 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
August 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
August 19 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
August 20 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Coliseum
August 21 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
August 23 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Coliseum
August 25 – Bridgeport, CT – Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard
August 27 – Providence, RI – Dunkin Donuts Center
August 28 – Albany, NY – Times Union Center
August 30 – Portland, ME – Cumberland County Civic Center
August 31 – Manchester, NH – Verizon Wireless Arena
September 1 – Worcester, MA – DCU Center
September 3 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
September 6 – Syracuse, NY – War Memorial at OneCenter
September 7 – Reading, PA – Sovereign Center
September 9 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
September 10 – Rochester, NY – Blue Cross Arena

The Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina Pre-American Idol Finale Interview

American Idol Season 10's Top 2 Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina take questions in the press room prior to the Grand Finale and the naming of the 2011 winner! Lauren, who is under doctor's orders to rest her voice, writes her responses to the media's questions, while her best friend Scotty reads them.

 Lauren, ever the clown, hams it up when someone in the crowd says, "They're getting married." New this year, former Idol contestants choose one of the songs for the Top 2 to sing, instead of producer Simon Fuller. Lauren was given Pam Tillis'' "Maybe it was Memphis", which must have been intimidating as it was a song she had never heard before.

American Idol Winner Scotty McCreery Answers Rumor of Dating Lauren Alaina, or Does He?

It was the kiss -- or kisses -- that sparked a thousand romance rumors.

When Scotty McCreery was crowned "American Idol's" Season 10 winner, the audience was more shocked by the kiss runner-up Lauren Alaina planted on him than the outcome of the competition.

Talking with reporters after the show, McCreery says he wasn't at all surprised by the smooch. "Everybody keeps asking me about the smooch," he said with a laugh. "She told me she was gonna do that before the show. She's a sweetheart."

Lauren, 16, shrugged off the kiss, but played coy when asked if she was dating the 17-year-old country crooner, offering a cute "Ask Scotty!" As she was walking away, she eyed Scotty and yelled down the red carpet, "They asked me if we're dating. I told them to ask you!" After he laughed off the comment, Lauren said, "I mean, I'll never tell! Secret's safe with me!"

Being the serious journalists we are, we followed Lauren's instructions to ask Scotty. In the press room, Scotty addressed the rumors head-on, saying, "She's a character, isn't she? We're really close friends...I don't know about the dating part. She's just being funny."

He also added, "She's such a sweetheart. We've grown so close. It's a special relationship we have."

Though they may not be dating, Scotty hopes they will record some music together in the near future. "I hope so. We've talked about it. She's a great girl. I can't say enough nice things about her," he gushed. "I think we sound great together so I think it would be a wise choice."

Source: Zap2It

American Idol Final 2 Hopeful Scotty McCreery Singing “Gone” at the Finale

Scotty McCreery – the last man standing - opens the American Idol Season 10 Finale with a very lively “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry

For the first round of songs, the Final 2 choose their favorite song from all of their past Idol performances.

Once again, it was like being at a Scotty McCreery-headlining arena concert, not watching a reality TV show. "Scotty works the crowd in his typical fashion. What’s there to say? A solid performance from Scotty. If you liked this performance the first time he did it, you’ll love it the second time."

Source: mjsblog

American Idol's Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina Prep for Idol Finale Performances

By JUSTIN GRAY/myfoxatlanta

LOS ANGELES, CA - Idol finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina will give the biggest performances of their young lives on Tuesday night, and both teens say they're ready. The Top 2 talked to reporters in L.A. on Monday, and FOX 5 was the only station in the country to talk to Lauren Alaina one on one.

Scotty McCreery, Haley Reinhart or Lauren Alaina: Which Two Made American Idol History, Twice in One Night?

On Thursday night, Ryan Seacrest announced to American Idol viewers that 95 million votes came in, setting a record for the most votes of any season. However, getting the most votes was not the only Idol "first" achieved this week. The Top 2 finalists also made American Idol history, not just once, but twice over.

As the show began, the three remaining contestants knew this was it. Everything they had worked for all came down to this day. One final contestant would sing a goodbye song and the stage would be set. The remaining two would find themselves on the biggest stage yet, singing their hearts out for their families, their friends, the thousands of fans who turned out for their homecoming visits and the countless others who faithfully voted each week. But first, they had to get through an hour long show, wrought with the by now expected commercial breaks before Ryan Seacrest would announce the winners.

If anyone thought Scotty McCreery would make it into the finale, they could probably predict that the American Idol producers would have his name called first, leaving the girls, Haley Reinhart and Lauren Alaina pitted against each other as the cliffhanger moment. And as fate - or votes - would have it, that is exactly what played out. When Scotty's name was called, he seemed genuinely relieved, excited and dumbfounded all at once. He took his seat off to the side while he awaited the moment that would reveal whom his finale competitor would be.

After the usual build up of suspense, Ryan Seacrest announced that Lauren Alaina would join Scotty in the finale next week, in that one moment, making American Idol history. In 9 years of American Idol, we've had Rockers, R&B singers, Pop Stars and contestants with enough screech to keep even the Metal-hungry happy, but never before have two Country artists faced off on the American Idol finale stage. If that wasn't enough to get Country fans tuning in to the finale next week, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina made yet another mark in history, one that may lure in teen voters by the masses. Season 10's Top 2 contestants are also the youngest pair of finalists to ever compete for the title. Scotty McCreery is 17 years old while Lauren Alaina is just 16.

So, after months of grueling schedules, hard work and life-changing experiences, it all comes down to two teenagers trying to absorb all that has happened to them and keep their composure for one more week. It should be a very exciting finale, so make sure you don't miss it. Idol will air on a different night this week ~ Tuesday. The winner will be announced during the two hour live results show on Wednesday.

If you're a country music fan, now would be the perfect time to nab your American Idol Live Tour tickets. No matter which way it goes next week, Country comes out on top. For fans who have wanted a Country winner ever since Carrie Underwood took the Idol crown and became a Country genre mega-queen, you're finally getting the finale you've been waiting for, with double the excitement for your wait. The American Idol Live Tour kicks off on July 6th. Tickets are on sale now, but act fast! Several cities have sold out already, and there's a $10 off coupon code that's only good through Wednesday!

by: Jaelyn Jamik
St. Louis Country Music Examiner

American Idol Top 2 Finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina's Funny, yet Pious, Extra Interview

American Idol Top 2 finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina ~ The Prom King and Queen of Idol ~ talk to Extra following the Final 3 Showdown Results Show that placed them in the Season 10 Finale. These kids are very funny together and show off their great chemistry while being interviewed about how it feels to be in the Final 2. Anyone who has doubted the rumors of Scotty and Lauren dating only has to see the way Lauren looks at Scotty so adoringly. She's smitten!

 Scotty gives Lauren a few of those googly-eyed looks too, so if they're not dating yet - there's obviously a mutual crush happening - they'll start after the stress of the show ends. Religion, along with their Southern roots, is something that has brought these two young contestants closer. "We pray a lot together at the shows. That helps both of us," says Lauren. They tell each other, "Pray for me. Lord help us, Jesus." "He's the reason we're here," adds Scotty. "I have always loved Scotty because he knows that," says Lauren. "I always knew Scotty was going to be in the Top 2."

"Idol has gone minor-Country," jokes Scotty after the interviewer mentioned that neither Lauren nor Scotty were legal yet. "I have a feeling it's going to be a big Country finale, since we're both Country," giggles sweet, innocent Lauren.

Lauren says her Homecoming was the best day of her life. And Idol playing the footage of their hometown visits "reminded us it wasn't a dream," added Scotty.

The finalists talk about working with celebrity guest mentor Beyonce, saying, "She has a little bit of Country Soul in her."

American Idol's Scotty McCreery Singing “She Believes in Me” on the Final 3 Showdown

Scotty McCreery, American Idol Season 10's Country Crooner, sings “She Believes in Me” by Kenny Rogers as his third song ~ the 'Judges Choice' ~ on the Final 3 Showdown.

"We see footage of Scotty in Garner receiving his song pick. Really judges? This song is ANCIENT. Jimmy’s pick was way better than yours. This is way too old for Scotty. He’s doing a solid job, however, telling a sweet story. He does a beautiful job hitting the big notes in the chorus. Steven Tyler: That’s the first big chorus in a big way. You put it over the top for me.

Jennifer Lopez: We wanted to see if you could hit that chorus. You showed us. It’s about you stretching yourself at this point. It was a little different for you...you were so sweet and tender in the front, you hit the chorus...very nicely done. Scotty’s dad tells him, from the audience, how proud he is of him. “Very proud of you song.” Dad sings a snippet, "Baby Lock them doors" (imitating Josh Turner)...Scotty laughs."

source:mjsblog

American Idol's Scotty McCreery Asks “Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not” on the Final 3 Showdown

American Idol Season 10's Scotty McCreery ask “Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not” by Thompson Square..and all the girls in American answer "Hell YES!!"

A recap of Scotty’s first audition in front of the judges. BABY LOCK THEM DOORS. Scotty says his audition feels like it happened 10 years ago. Jimmy says the song reminds him of the Tom Petty records he worked on. Scotty strums his guitar. Good song choice for Scotty, although I wish he would have added a little more of a rock feel to it, like Jimmy Iovine suggested. The tune’s got a GREAT chorus. Is this what Scotty will sound like when he records his record? If so, he’s definitely moving in the right direction. Steven Tyler: I never heard you deliver a chorus like that before. Real character shown through.

Jennifer Lopez: There was so many moments in there I liked so much. That’s what the zone feels like – you feel so comfortable in your skin. Will you shave your head for the finale? Randy Jackson: Jimmy picked a good song for you. It had a great chorus. I felt like  Garth Brooks is such a great performer – you were approaching that Garth level. I felt like I was at your concert again. Guess what I’m going to say again Ryan? SCOTTY’S IN IT TO WIN IT. Drink! Drink! Drink!

source:mjsblog

American Idol's Scotty McCreery Sings “Amazed” on the Final 3 Showdown

American Idol Season 10's Scotty 'The Hottie' McCreery sang “Amazed” by Lonestar as his 'Personal Choice' song on the Final 3 Showdown. Tonight the Idols will sing three songs each, and the guest celebrity mentor is Beyonce (who, surprise, surprise, has a new album coming out ~ like everyone else on the show!).

"He really does have such a charm, and it's so innocent. And he's such a cutie pie," says Beyonce of Scotty. Beyonce questions whether Scotty is comfortable and confident going into his high range, since he normally sticks to the lower register. Looks like Scotty's been hiding a few tricks up his sleeve to pull out at the end when he really needs to shine!

Scotty does it again ~ drawing the entire audience to him just by standing still. He's such an extremely skilled and accomplished professional on stage, I am still shocked by his age, week after week. Scotty did what he does best ~ tell a story. He has such a full and warm voice, it was lovely to hear him expand his range and hit some high notes. The judges and audience give Scotty an extended ovation and really seemed to have enjoyed his performance.

 Steven Tyler praised, "I think you just keep getting better and better with your melody. Did I hear you get angry there during that modulation when you went upstairs and kicked that song into the middle of next week? (Like always, Scotty looks bewildered by Steven's strange questions and comments.) That's really beautiful. You really did take that song up a notch."

 Jlo said, “It's great to see you over the weeks, and how much you've grown. You’ve grown so much as a performer. It's just great. A great way to start the show. I'm sure there's a million girls out there wishing you were singing that song to them.”

 Randy Jackson added, "It was a great song choice for you. I recorded it, and produced a version with Boyz II Men. It's an amazing song, and that's the thing I love you do. You're picking smart things, knowing who you are and where your lane is. There were a couple of pitchy spots, but the end of the song, wow you put a period on the end, like "Oh my God". You looked into the camera. That’s money. Scotty’s got money!" Scotty says he put a little “Casey growl” into the songs’ modulation, rather than getting angry like Steven suggested.

American Idol's Scotty McCreery 94.7 QDR Radio Interview During his Final 3 Homecoming

American Idol Season 10's Scotty 'The Body' McCreery showed up at his favorite radio station 94.7 QDR Radio, 'Home of Today's Best Country', for an interview during his Final 3 Hometown visit.

Fans had been camped in the radio station parking lot since 7pm last night ~ through the thunder and rain ~ to see Scotty this morning.

Scotty admits to actually 'kissing the ground' when he got home, which he had told host Ryan Seacrest he'd do if he made it to the Final 3.

The biggest secret Scotty revealed...Rebel Rocker James Durbin likes Country music! Scotty thinks he and James worked out Brad Paisley's "Start a Band" pretty well.