'American Idol' delivers surprising results ahead of finale, tour >> Tour dates and concert ticket info >> LiveDaily

'American Idol' delivers surprising results ahead of finale, tour

Published May 17, 2007 12:24 PM

By Kym Kilgore / LiveDaily Contributor

Following a results-show shocker last night (5/16), FOX-TV's "American Idol" is gearing up for its finale next week and is one step closer to launching the American Idols Live [ tickets ] tour.

Of the top three contestants on the reality show, 29-year-old backup vocalist Melinda Doolittle [ tickets ] was considered, by all accounts, to be the hands-down best singer. But the television audience voted her off last night, leaving 17-year-old beauty Jordin Sparks to duke it out next week with 25-year-old beatboxer Blake Lewis [ tickets ].

Outspoken judge Simon Cowell, who has backed Doolittle throughout the contest, hung his head in his hands upon hearing the news.

"Congratulations to you," Cowell told the ousted contestant. "You are one heck of a singer."

Judge Paula Abdul added, "You already have made it," which could certainly be the case, judging by the success of former "American Idol" viewer-rejects like Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken.

Fans can take heart in knowing that this isn't the last time they'll see Doolittle in conjunction with "American Idol"; she'll join the top 10 finalists this summer on the American Idols Live tour, which is set to kick off July 6 in Sunrise, FL, and visit 55 cities in the US as well as Toronto. Dates are listed below. Ticket sales start this Saturday (5/19).

In addition to Doolittle, Sparks and Lewis, this season's top 10 is rounded out by previously eliminated contestants LaKisha Jones, Phil Stacey, Chris Richardson, Sanjaya Malakar, Haley Scarnato, Gina Glocksen and Chris Sligh.

Last year's American Idols Live tour, which featured winner Taylor Hicks, swelled to 60 dates when strong ticket sales prompted additional nights in several cities.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]

July 2007
6 - Sunrise, FL - BankAtlantic Center
7 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
8 - Jacksonville, FL - Jacksonville Veteran Memorial Arena
10 - Greenville, SC - Bi Lo Center
11 - Nashville, TN - Nashville Arena
12 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Arena
13 - North Little Rock, AR - ALLTEL Arena
15 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
16 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
18 - Glendale, AZ - Jobing.com Arena
19 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena
20 - Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center
22 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center
23 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center
24 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion at San Jose
25 - Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
27 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome
28 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden
30 - Nampa, ID - The Idaho Center
31 - Salt Lake City, UT - Energy Solutions Arena

August 2007
3 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center
4 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
5 - Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center
7 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
8 - Moline, IL - MARK of the Quad Cities
9 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
11 - Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
12 - Auburn Hills, MI - Palace at Auburn Hills
13 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center
14 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
16 - Indianapolis, IN - Indiana State Fair
17 - Louisville, KY - Kentucky State Fair
18 - Sedalia, MO - Missouri State Fair
19 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair
22 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena
23 - Rochester, NY - Blue Cross Arena
24 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
27 - Hartford, CT - Hartford Civic Center
28 - East Rutherford, NJ - Continental Airlines Arena
30 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center

September 2007
1 - Allentown, PA - Allentown Fair
2 - Syracuse, NY - New York State Fair
4 - Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center
5 - Worcester, MA - DCU Center
7 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
8 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall
9 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
11 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
12 - Duluth, GA - The Arena at Gwinnett Center
13 - Memphis, TN - FedExForum
15 - Huntington, WV - Big Sandy Superstore Arena
16 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena
18 - Hampton, VA - Hampton Coliseum
19 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
20 - Bridgeport, CT - Arena at Harbor Yard
22 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena