American Idol Top 10 are touring the country this summer as part of their obligation and solicitation of fame and fortune in the music industry. But how hard is life on the road of the American Idol Tour? Is it all fun and games, glamor, what it was expected to be? TV Guide caught up with Kristy Lee Cook and Carly Smithson in a recent interview. As a media partner we have permission to give you their interview story below

It’s been barely over a week since the American Idol tour got underway, but life on the road is already presenting its shining moments and its tougher aspects for the top ten singers. Two of the Idols, Kristy Lee Cook and Carly Smithson, talked to TVGuide.com about the mixed bag of hitting the road all summer long.

One of the main challenges so far, each confided, is staying connected to their main squeezes. Kristy Lee, who got engaged during Season 7, said she hasn’t seen her man at all. “I get to see him on the 10th, but I don’t know if he’s going to any of the other shows,” she lamented, adding, “It’s tough. We’ve had a few ‘moments,’ because he doesn’t understand what’s going on, but he’s starting to get the picture when I’m like, ‘I can’t handle this!’ But he’s getting the picture that he needs to be supportive. He’s starting to come around.”

More after the Jump

Carly also admitted that her grueling tour and rehearsal schedule has been hard for both her and her husband. “The whole [thing of] not being able to hang out with him as much is just awful. For me, [L.A.'s] my last city where I’m going to get to see him,” she said. But Smithson also sees the humor in some of the Idols’ whirlwind lives. “He’s been amazingly understanding. Like ‘I can’t talk to you right now. I’m putting on an eyelash.’ Weird things like that!”

But of course, even with their heavy hearts, these two songstresses love to put on a good show, and they’re savoring little perks of the tour — like four whole hours in a hotel bed before it’s time to pack up the bus again. Of their stage time, Kristy Lee beamed when she described how grown men cry during her performance of “God Bless the USA,” while Carly’s eyes got big as she gave her set list run-down, including “Crazy on You” by Heart: ” It’s my favorite song eeevvver,” she said.

By now, these ladies are no strangers to the stressors of stage life, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t savor a day off, too. Now that Kristy’s done recording her country album, she said she’d go ride horses — no question — if she had 24 hours to play. And Smithson? “I would go hang out with my husband and take a nap,” she said, but added, “Wait, that sounds lame. I’ll have to think about something funner than that!” — Anna Dimond
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Here is American Idol David Archuleta Live in concert with the American Idol Tour in San Diego

PS: for Idol-Fan-Addict Michelle

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The American Idol Tour made it’s stop in Las Vegas as the Thomas & Mack Center this past Saturday.  According to one music review critic, Doug Elfman he pretty much trashed the night but said the fans seemed to love the show.  Isn’t  that what it’s all about?

With comments like “”American Idol” winner David Cook stood there on stage, trying to look cool with his big guitar and a scarf hanging by his belt.
And as fans screamed, Cook opened his rock-guy beard mouth to eke out his first horrible song, which they loved: a cover of Lionel Richie’s “Hello.”

and  “It’s frustrating that “Idol” singers waste good voices resurrecting the past. Cook is a fine mimic. But he didn’t sound fresh with Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” in his mouth, and he certainly couldn’t match Dave Grohl’s growl while covering Foo Fighters’ “My Hero.”"

His review also included snide remarks about Brooke White, Carly Smithson and David Castro.

One Fan that attended the show wrote up a review on MJ’s Blog she loved it:

On David Archuleta for instance she wrote “He then sang a stellar version of Josh Groban’s “When You Say You Love Me”. I have to say that even though I always thought he had a beautiful voice, I found him a bit boring during the show. But, in person? His voice is even better and I enjoyed his set a great deal more than I expected to.”

and about  David Cook she said, “The moment we’ve all been waiting for… especially me. The American Idol himself, David Cook, takes the stage in a dramatic fashion singing his gorgeous version of Lionel Richie’s “Hello”. His voice is even better in person and the guy just oozes stage presence and charisma all over the place. His next song is Magic Rainbows… er, I mean “Time of My Life”.”

As with any critic you take from it what you want, obviously Doug Elfman was not happy with the assignment to cover the idols, and it showed in his review. The Fans loved the show, so that’s all that is important!

If you attended any show and want to write a brief review send it to me at  idol  at idol-mania.com and I will feature it here on the site.

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Here is American Idol Season 7 Winner David Cook performing the song “My Hero” during the American Idol Summer Tour during their concert in San Diego

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Who says they always save the best for the last? American Idol’s Season 7 top ten finalists kicked off their tour in Glendale, AZ at the Jobing.com Arena.

The show was everything and more that I could ask for especially for an Idol fanatic (or Fan-addict) like me. It was a blast!

What I love and admire about the concert is that you could take everyone from your baby to your grandma. Seriously, the show caters to every race, to every age, and plays a variety of all genres of music.
They begin by counting down each Idol contestant from the first one voted off to our Idol winner “David Cook“. Everyone did well. But here is my little run down of how each of them did.

Although I was never a huge Chikezie Ezie fan. I have to say that he was a great opener and impressed me more than he has ever in the season. It seems he has stepped up his game dramatically with his smooth falsetto and soulful runs. Ramielle Malubay was next and although you could sense her nervousness and see there was plenty room for growth it was all too fun watching her give it her all and doing what she does best. By the way she loves to shake it if you know what I mean.

Next Michael Johns wooed the crowd and came across as very very likeable. Seriously you would have thought this guy was in the top 3. And all the while I could hear whispers in the crowd of how he got voted off “too early”(Agreed here). His performances came across as confident and yep this guy is ready to make his album. He is on his way my friend.
Kristy Lee Cook came to touch Arizona with her country filled voice and everyone joined her by waving their hands from side to side as she sang “God bless the USA” and warmed the hearts of Arizonans.

But there came Carly Smithson and wow all I can say is that her vocals are pretty much amazing. Although I wish there was better song selections to go along with those vocals. Carly is a true crowd pleaser and sang her guts out. By the looks of her she is seasoned and ready to go on with her music career.

Brooke White gave it her all and AZ loved to the fact that one of their very own was once again in the spotlight. To me she could have done without the song “1234” but Brooke can’t go wrong here. She is Arizona’s very own Idol sweetheart!

Jason Castro was up next and started out with the song that we all love and that he has got the best rating on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. He definitely could speak up in talking on the microphone but hey he has nothing to lose with the thousands of female fans he has here.
The chicks went absolutely wild for him.

Then came Syesha Mercado looking as gorgeous as ever and performing as professionally as we will ever see her. Her singing was almost immaculate and she wowed the crowd with all her songs.

Next there was no need for an introduction because David Archuleta is absolutely loved by all the teens and 20 year old women who would love nothing more to give him a hug. His fans had everything in good fun from “Recount” posters to “CTR (choose the right) David” to Mrs. David Archuleta t-shirts. All I know is the crowd went wild and it was extremely loud that even if this shy kid wanted to say something you wouldn’t even be able to hear it. You could tell he started out with a little bit of nervousness but that he worked his way up into being the delight we all know he is.

Last but not least our winner, David Cook came and again the crowd went bananas and all you could only hear were screams and whistling mainly by the cougars. Seriously I thought my ears were going to fall off. Cook has a genuine and cool way with the people. Even letting us in on the good news of his brother’s tumor growth stop. If hasn’t become evident as to why he won you will see it at one of their concerts. But after this concert I figured out everyone loves them some David. Some love one more than another, others couldn’t choose that day. Bottom line it is well worth seeing and it made AZ hotter than it could ever be.

By Michelle Lara
“Idol Fan-Addict”

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The American Idol Live tour Kicked off last night in Glendale, Ariz. Our very own special commenter “Idol Fan-Addict” will give us a full review. She was at the show. Look for that review shortly. She said it was a Blast. ( If you want to do a review for any of the shows you see send it to me to idol at Idol-mania.com)

The American Idol tour consists of the top 10 performers from Season 7. They include David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay and Chikezie Eze.

Spoiler Alert of the songs you will hear on the Tour After the Jump

The Songs the Idols will sing on the American Idol Tour and the performance order are:

Chikezie Eze:
“I Believe to My Soul” (Ray Charles)
“Caught Up” (Usher)
“So High” (John Legend)

Ramiele Malubay:
“I Want You Back” (Jackson 5)
“Love Will Lead You Back” (Taylor Dayne)
“If I Never See Your Face” (Rhianna)

Michael Johns:
“We Will Rock You”/”We Are the Champions” (Queen)
“It’s All Wrong, but It’s Alright” (Dolly Parton)
“Dream On” (Aerosmith)

Kristy Lee Cook:
“Squeezing the Love Outta You” (Carolyn Dawn Johnson)
“God Bless the USA” (Lee Greenwood)
“Cowgirls”

Carly Smithson:
“Bring Me to Life” (Evanescence)
“Crazy on You” (Heart)
“I Drove All Night” (Celine Dion)

Brooke White
“Let it Be” (Beatles)
“1234″ (Fiest)
“Yellow” (Coldplay)

Jason Castro:
“Over the Rainbow”
“Crazy” (Gnarls Barkley)
“Daydream” (Lovin’ Spoonful)

Syesha Mercado:
“Umbrella” (Rhianna)
“If I Aint Got It” (Alicia Keys)
“Listen”

David Archuleta:
“Angels” (Robbie Williams)
“Apologize” (One Republic)
“Stand by Me” (Ben E. King)
“When You Say You Love Me” (Josh Groban)

David Cook:
“Hello” (Lionel Richie)
“Time of My Life”
“My Hero”
“Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson)

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It was announced that American Idol season 7 contestant Kristy Lee Cook Signed a record deal.

American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook has signed with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. Her first single, 15 Minutes of Shame, arrives Aug. 11, and the album follows in the fall. The album is being produced by Brett James, who co-wrote Jesus, Take the Wheel for former Idol champion Carrie Underwood. The signing marks the return for Cook, 24, to Arista Nashville. She was signed to the label as a teen but dropped before recording anything. Cook will record her album while touring with American Idols Live, which kicks off Tuesday in Glendale, Ariz., and runs through Sept. 13.

So I guess with her record deal and the Idol’s Summer Tour, Kristy will be able to Buy Back Her Horse, she had to sell to make it to the Idol contest!

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What do you get when you mix in a 1980’s New Wave Band, American Idol Marketing Executives and McDonald’s Happy Meal?

If you said a ” Mac Whip It“, there might be a job for you in marketing some day, but it appears it is a case for a MAC Lawsuit.

The New Wave 1980’s group DEVO recently filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s over their new happy meal toy. Included in the new Happy Meals were American Idol-themed toy representing different music genres McDonald’s had issued “New Wave Nigel,” a toy figure sporting a red cap that looks like an inverted flowerpot, similar to what Devo had dubbed “energy domes” in the 1980s and wore in their “Whip It” video.

“Well now isn’t that special!” as the SNL Church Lady of the same genre decade would have said!!

Sorry for that nostalgia break but back to the story:

Devo bassist Gerald Casale said, “This New Wave Nigel doll that they’ve created is just a complete Devo rip-off, and the red hat is exactly the red hat that I designed, and it’s copyrighted and trademarked.”

From the picture to the right, it actually gives them props. If you have ever seen a DEVO video it would be hard to tell the little plastic guy for the real plastic guys!

Sorry this is just to funny, But in all Honesty the DEVO guys do have an issue if it is trademarked, copyrighted, dipped in a sealed mayonnaise jar and all legal and Shitzitzs.  Give Devo it’s due.  We haven’t heard from them since what 1985? 

Come on Hamburgerler and Mayor MacCheese get with Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell and fork over some Extra Cheese and Fries to the Devo boys!!!!

Ok More on the Real Story after the JUMP:

In April the fast food chain released a series of American Idol Happy Meal toys in the US based on a range of music genres, including Disco Dave, Country Clay, Rockin’ Riley and Soulful Selma.

Devo’s complaint relates to New Wave Nigel, a toy kitted out in an orange jumpsuit, pink shades, and Devo’s “energy dome” hat.

The band also allege that the toy plays a “Devo-esque song”.

Bass player Gerald Casale said the band were taking legal action against McDonald’s for using their copyrighted hat without permission.

“We are in the midst of suing them,” Casale told AAP.

“This New Wave Nigel doll that they’ve created is just a complete Devo rip-off and the red hat is exactly the red hat that I designed, and it’s copyrighted and trademarked.

“They didn’t ask us anything. Plus, we don’t like McDonald’s, and we don’t like American Idol, so we’re doubly offended.”

Comment was being sought from McDonald’s.

Devo, who formed in Akron, Ohio, in 1974, are famous for their 1980 hit Whip It, and are credited with helping to usher in the synth pop sound of the 1980s.

The name Devo comes from “de-evolution” - the idea that instead of evolving, mankind has actually regressed.

Casale said it was ironic the world’s largest fast food chain should appropriate the image of a band known for taking aim at the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society.

“The very same people that wanted nothing to do with Devo and looked down on Devo and condescended (to) Devo… enough time’s gone by that they go, ‘Hey, you know those guys are synonymous with what was new about New Wave,”‘ he said.

“‘So if we’re going to do New Wave Nigel what do people recognize iconically better than Devo and the red hat?”‘

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David Cook the Season 7 American Idol winner is getting ready for the American Idol Concert Tour that start in July.  David is attempting to keep in touch with his fans through Video Cast or Vlog.  Here is the latest video cast from David Cook.  Pretty Cool Huh?

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