Idol Worship

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Going through 'American Idol' withdrawl? Come see the crew at Boardwalk Hall.

By Lori Hoffman

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jul. 20, 2006

Season four was the year I finally gave American Idol a chance and got hooked during the final weeks. That was when winner Carrie Underwood battled it out with Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis (both coming to the House of Blues, Sept. 9 and Aug. 11 respectively). While still unimpressed with the ongoing wave of reality TV -- Survivor, The Amazing Race, Wife Swap -- American Idol was about finding undiscovered talent.

This past season, Idol-maker Simon Cowell's assessment that this group of performers was the most talented ever in the competition, was spot on. Yo dawg, wasn't Will Makar adorable? Melissa McGhee had the right attitude to be a diva, but not the vocal chops. Teen Kevin Covais had that Clay Aiken vibe, but needed more seasoning. And while Kellie Pickler's dumb blonde routine was tiresome, she was surprisingly effective with a Patsy Cline tune.

Those dynamite teens Lisa Tucker and Paris Bennett grew up before our eyes, and Ace Young was a sexy devil. I never quite understood the fascination with Elliott Yamin, despite a fine singing voice, and like many I was shocked and dismayed when heavy-duty rocker Chris Daughtry didn't make it to the finals.

Taylor Hicks and his herky-jerky "white men can't dance" moves, combined with his blue-eyed soul patrol voice, took the crown from the woman with the biggest talent, Katharine McPhee. It came down to Taylor's seven years of experience as a performer vs. McPhee's killer voice.

While McPhee's skills selling a song improved dramatically during the season, in the end Hicks' balance of talent and charisma edged out McPhee.

As of this week, McPhee has not been on the Idol tour because of throat problems. Her absence has kept the Internet rumor mill humming. However, in a statement posted on the site KatharineFans.com last week, McPhee wrote, "I have heard a rumor that I will be missing the entire tour -- I can assure you that that is completely false. I am looking to join the tour around the 21st. That is the doctors [sic] orders, not mine."

That is good news for McPhee fans hoping to see her at Boardwalk Hall as American Idols Live! rolls into town. If all goes well, she will return to the tour in Rochester, N.Y., followed by Philly the next day, then she'll hop on the bus -- there's one for the fellas, one for the gals -- to head for Atlantic City on Sunday, July 23.

American Idol was not only the No. 1 rated television show according to the Nielsen ratings for 2005-2206, it earned its best numbers ever. The show averaged 31.2 million viewers for Tuesday's performance show, and 30.2 million for Wednesday's announcement of who was voted off the competition.

Here is a look at the 10 Idol finalists, all of whom (with the possible exception of McPhee) will be performing at the Boardwalk Hall concert.

American Idols Live! at Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, July 23, at 7pm; tickets are priced at $72.50, $52.50 and $38.50.

Lisa Tucker

From: Anaheim, Ca.
Age: 16
Finished: 10th place
Record deal: No
Songs on tour: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," "Your Song," "Someone Saved My Life Tonight."
More info: Competed on Star Search in 2003 at age 13 and advanced to the finals of the Junior Singers division, losing to South Jersey-based singer Tiffany Evans.

Mandisa

From: Antioch, Tenn.
Age: 29
Finished: 9th place
Record deal: No
Songs on tour: "I'm Every Woman," "If I Were Your Woman," "I'm Your Angel" (w/Ace Young).
More info: An experienced gospel singer, Mandisa Hundley was a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers and has performed with Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, and Take 6.

Bucky Covington

From: Rockingham, NC
Age: 28
Finished: 8th place
Record deal: No
Songs on Tour: "Superstition," "Drift Away," "You're The One That I Want" (w/Kellie Pickler), "Patience" (w/ Elliott, Chris and Ace).
More info: The rumor continues that William Joel "Bucky" Covington has talked with members of Sawyer Brown about joining the band. Bucky's twin brother Rocky is also a musician.

Ace Young

From: Denver, Co.
Age: 25
Finished: 7th place
Record deal: No
Songs on tour: "Father Figure," "Harder To Breath," "I'm Your Angel" (w/Mandisa), "Patience" (w/Chris, Elliott and Bucky).
More info: Brett "Ace" Young has performed at the House of Blues and opened for Brian McKnight. He did a single with rapper Tha Vill, "So Fly." Along with Taylor, named one of America's hottest bachelors by People magazine.

Kellie Pickler

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