Singer Constantine Maroulis [ tickets ], one of the contestants featured on the fourth season of Fox-TV's "American Idol" television series, sets out next month on a tour of the Northeast.

Maroulis' schedule launches Aug. 1 in Richmond, VA, and he'll hit 13 cities throughout the region by mid-month. Details are included below.

A fall run on the West Coast is in the works, according to a press release, but details for that outing haven't been announced.

Maroulis, who previously fronted the New York-based rock quartet Pray for the Soul of Betty, is currently working on his first solo album, and will be hitting the road with a new backing band this time around.

"Rehearsed with the new band today and they are amazing," Maroulis wrote in a recent blog entry posted at his MySpace.com website. "Ladies ... you are gonna love these guys! Sexy! Can't wait to see you all in August."

In addition to keeping a blog, Maroulis has also posted at his MySpace site demos of two new cuts that he's been working on for the new album: "Girl Like You" and "Everybody Loves, Everybody Cries." No release date for the disc has been announced.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Maroulis trained at the Boston Conservatory, and got his start as a theatrical performer. His resume includes the lead role of Roger in the Broadway International Touring Company's production of the popular musical "Rent." He has also appeared on the television series "Law & Order: SVU," as well as in several independent films, according to a press release.

Pray for the Soul of Betty was basically unknown outside of a few New York City-area bars before Maroulis made an impressive run at the title of 2005's "American Idol." The singer finished sixth in the talent competition, behind runner-up Bo Bice and eventual champ Carrie Underwood, among others.

With Maroulis' sights set on a solo career, Pray for the Soul of Betty is forging ahead as a three-piece outfit.

Editor's note: The original version of this story erroneously stated that Maroulis finished in third place on "American Idol." The singer actually finished in sixth place.