American Idol Tickets Information
Joining them on stage will be the 10 other finalists: Brooke White, Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, Chikezie, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, and Syesha Mercado.

The 7 th season of America’s number 1 hit show saw some of the greatest talent yet. Host Ryan Seacrest (E! News Live, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve) and judges Grammy-winning singer/dancer/choreographer Paula Abdul (Straight Up, Opposites Attract, Rush Rush, Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up), genius producer Simon Cowell (Britain’s “Pop Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “The X Factor”), and music veteran for over two decades Randy Jackson (the former bassist for Journey who recorded and toured with Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, NSYNC, Madonna, Destiny’s Child, and Elton John) had their toughest time critiquing yet. And the performances were some of the shining-est moments in television history to date.

Nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, American Idol got its foot in the philanthropy door starting last season with the creation of “Idol Gives Back” raising money to fight poverty in the United States and Africa. So far, the organization has raised more than $75 million for the cause.

Each week of the competition is based on a theme, generally a particular artist (Elvis, the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stevie Wonder), though at times a genre (country, Broadway, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, songs from the contestant’s birth year, golden oldies, etc.). And each week an already-established superstar and idol in their own right (Jennifer Lopez, Tony Bennett, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf) visited the contestants to help prepare them for another moment in the spotlight.

The world’s biggest singing competition is nothing if not a launching pad for great talent. In fact, many former American Idol contestants who did not win the big prize nonetheless went on to achieve incredible fame, most notably Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry.

This season, David Cook took home the crown at Los Angeles, California’s extravagant Nokia Theatre with a record-breaking 56% out of 97 1/2 million votes. His first single as the American Idol is The Time of My Life. Prior to his appearance on American Idol, Cook has already released an independent solo album, “Analog Heart,” the sales of which predictably skyrocketed during his tenure on the program.

The Pop Tarts Presents American Idols Live Tour 2008 kicks off on July 1 at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona and plays throughout the United States, ending on September 13 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tickets for the star-studded event are on sale now!