Studdard is backing his debut album, "Soulful," with the run on the U.S. theater circuit. He is currently scheduled to wrap things up in New York City on April 13.

Released in December, "Soulful" debuted at the top of The Billboard 200 album chart, and has sold more than 1 million copies in the U.S., according to industry sources. The set includes the hits "Sorry 2004" and "Flying Without Wings."

Studdard--whom soul-singer Gladys Knight nicknamed the "Velvet Teddy Bear"--got his break during the second season of "American Idol," when he bested a pool of competitors that included Clay Aiken.

According to his website, Studdard's experience as a performer dates back to when he began singing at his church at the age of three.

"I got over stage fright early in life so I never got nervous doing the show, week after week," Studdard said in a statement. "Having a career in music is what I've always wanted to do so this is the fulfillment of my dreams!"

TOUR DATES

March 2004
11 - Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theater
12 - Washington, DC - Warner Theater
13 - Baltimore, MD - Murphy Fine Arts
14 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
24 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
25 - San Diego, CA - 4th & B Theater
26 - Los Angeles, CA - Pantages Theatre

April 2004
7 - Atlanta, GA - Symphony Hall
8 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum
9 - Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theater
10 - Detroit, MI - Opera House
11 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
13 - Cleveland, OH - Ohio Theatre
14 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
28 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall

May 2004
2 - West Palm Beach, FL - SunFest Music Festival
5 - St. Louis, MO - Pageant Theatre
7 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theatre
8 - Grand Prairie, TX - NextStage
9 - New Orleans, LA - Mahalia Jackson Theatre