An interesting article:
Idols spring into a tourHot on the heels of a successful Christmas tour, another set of former American Idol contestants have hit the road. Billed as the “American Stars in Concert: Spring Break Tour,” season six finalists Melinda Doolittle, Gina Glocksen and Phil Stacey have joined forces with season seven’s Chikezie to tour 14 cities across the U.S. “It’s all I want to do — I find so much pleasure in entertaining,” Chikezie tells In Touch, adding, “And I am practically homeless!"
Since finishing with the show, no one on this tour has been idle. Melinda and Phil have both released CDs, Gina is a newlywed and Chikezie has been touring nonstop.
“It’s all I want to do, I find so much pleasure in entertaining,” Chikezie tells In Touch, adding, “And I am practically homeless! After all the touring, I decided to let my apartment go because I was never there. I’ve moved home with my parents, as it just made sense.”
Despite being a season seven alum, Chikezie does have a connection with his season six tour mates. “I actually auditioned for season six and got to know them all during Hollywood week,” he reveals. “So it’s a reunion of sorts. I am fan of all of them and watching them on the show, I thought I had to audition again next year — so I did.”
In addition to touring and working on his first album, the former Idol has been doing his part to give back, becoming involved in the Donate Life America organization. “They raise awareness for organ donation,” Chikezie says. “It’s such an important thing. I have been given a lot, and this is the perfect opportunity to give back.” Idol fans can expect a few Chikezie favorites on the tour ("I Believe to My Soul" and "All the Woman I Need") along with duets with Gina, Melinda and Phil. “Phil says I am basically a season six person,” he laughs. “So they have adopted me. I am the kid who went to high school with them and got held back a year.”
After being criticized by the judges for a lack of self-confidence, former background singer Melinda Doolittle is happy to be front and center stage. Her debut album, Coming Back to You, hit stores in February, and this tour is perfect practice for her own upcoming tour. “I have my own band and background singers now,” she tells In Touch. “So doing this tour right in the middle of getting my band to together for my summer tour is crazy. But it feels amazing.”
Concertgoers will get a taste of her debut with two songs from the album, "Declaration of Love" and the first single, "It’s Your Love." However, it’s the duets in the show she is thrilled about. “My dream has always been to sing a duet with Phil,” she says, “and it’s happening on 'If I Ain’t Got You.' He was my favorite voice on our season. I also get to do 'For Good' from Wicked with Gina — it’s amazing. When they asked me to do the tour, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to hang out with Phil, Gina and Chikezie, who we all met in Hollywood week of our season. We have a blast together.” And having to share a bus won’t change that, she laughs. “Being on a bus - it’s my favorite thing," Melinda says. "I have done two Christmas tours and been on the road as much as possible. I sleep the best on a bus because the bumps rock me to sleep. It’s my happy place.”
American Idol fans first got to know Phil Stacey when he rushed from his audition to catch the birth of his second child (now 2 years old), all on camera. “My wife shoved me out of the house for that audition,” he reminisces. “She had three weeks to go … but you just never know. Everything is cool at home, my wife still loves me and with a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old … they grow up too fast.” Phil is another who had no qualms about jumping back on the road to tour. “It’s always nice to get together with everyone. That’s what it’s all about — having fun,” he tells In Touch. “It’s spring break! We’ll be out meeting people and spending as much time with those who loved the show and say thanks for your support.” After a successful debut CD last year, Phil is thrilled his follow-up is near completion. His tour set includes songs from his CD and two Idol favorites – "Every Breath You Take" and "Tobacco Road." “I had to do 'Every Breath,'” he laughs. “The first nice comment I ever got from Simon was after doing that Police song, so I am sticking with that.” But there is one thing that makes him wince - those cheesy dances. “We’re doing some cheesy stuff in the group numbers,” he cringes. “I can’t dance to save my life. So if you want to see me make a complete fool of myself, there's no need to watch Idol reruns — come see us live.”
Life hasn’t stood still for rocker Gina Glocksen since American Idol. She became Gina Glocksen-Ruzicka last New Year’s Eve, after marrying longtime beau Joe Ruzicka in her hometown of Chicago. So the hardest part of the tour for her is leaving for it. “I hate leaving him,” Gina tells In Touch. “Being a newlywed, we haven’t really had a chance to experience the ‘newlywed time.’ But he is so supportive, and I can’t ask for anything more.”
Gina admits adjusting to married life and combining it with a career has its challenges, but the chance to catch up with some Idol friends and entertain audiences is something she just can’t pass up. “I was looking forward to this so much," she says. "I am usually at home when I am not recording, so getting the call to do this — I was all, 'Yes, please!'” For her part of the show, Gina performs Heart’s "Alone" (an Idol favorite), but did have some reservations. “I can’t not do that song,” she laughs, adding, “And I didn’t want to, either, because Allison Iraheta just did it this season and knocked it out of the park!” She’s thrilled with doing an original tune, "Just Me," a song with a great message. “It’s for young girls and it was the first song I ever wrote with my husband,” she says. “It’s cute and has a meaning.”
In addition to the tour, Gina is putting the finishing touches on demos and may go the independent route when it comes to releasing a long-awaited debut album. “I’ve succeeded in getting that techno Pink-type sound I wanted,” she beams, “and I'm so happy about it. If anyone wants to check it out, visit my web site” at Please click here
http://www.rocktheglock.com/1_1/home/ for more.
“It's funny, when I reflect on my time on Idol, I tear up." She says. "It was a point in my life that I never wanted to end, and it really never will. I will always have the Idol tag and I am fine with that. The show brought so many people into my life and I’d never change that for anything. Idol was like the college experience I never had.” Meanwhile, it’s time for fun on the road and help paying the bills, and Gina can’t be happier. “I guess marriage has made me grow up a little,” she reveals. “And having that 'wife' title is weird and scary. I just got used to saying 'husband' recently.”
The remaining “American Stars in Concert: Spring Break” tour dates are as follows: 3/18/09 – Panama City, FL at Marina Civic Center 3/20-3/21/09 – Dallas, TX at Dallas Symphony 3/25/09 – Lancaster, PA at American Music Theatre 3/26/09 – Kalamazoo, MI at Wings Stadium 3/27/09 – Dearborn, MI at Ford Center 3/28/09 – St. Charles, IL at Arcada Theatre 3/30/09 – Marion, IL at Marion Culture and Civic Center 4/15/09 – Worcester, MA at Hanover Theatre 4/16/09 – Springfield, MA at MassMutual Center 4/17/09 – Morristown, NJ at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts 4/18/09 – Glenside, PA at Keswick Theatre 4/24/09 – Boise, ID at Morrison Center 5/1/09 – Ivins, UT at Tuacahn Center for the Arts
http://www.intouchweekly.com/2009/03/idols_spring_into_a_tour.php