BURBANK, Calif. — In a small, unadorned studio far removed from cameras, spotlights and songs ending with an instant review, the top 10 “American Idol” finalists are getting ready for a nationwide tour.
They're working on the intricacies of a group performance of “Don't Stop Believin',” with Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre singing and playing at dual pianos and the other eight, slouching comfortably on leather couches, adding their voices from the sidelines.
With so much behind them, and so much ahead, they manage to come across as friends who've gotten together for nothing more than a casual jam session.
“I'm not feeling the backup vocals,” Danny Gokey offers at one point, after Adam Lambert notes that a transition in the reworked song is sounding awkward.
“I'm open to suggestions. It's very much a collaborative effort,” responds musical director Dave Kochanski.
It's also, at least this morning, a relaxed one. At one point, Gokey delivers a full-blast note and, adding his own color commentary, declares the “crowd is in shock and awe.” Later, the former Milwaukee church music director playfully exhorts the room, “If God's been good to you, I want you to say yeah!”
Kris Allen, the mellow Conway, Ark., contestant who came out on top, said he expects the tour that begins July 5 in Oregon to be a welcome contrast to the weekly show experience.
“The energy is going to be better on tour,” Allen said, and it will be easier to loosen up and feed off the crowd's energy. And, he added, “no one's judging you.”
Read the rest: ‘Idol’ Finalists Prepare For Tour.



























What does ' mean? It’s all over the text here and I can’t figure it out!!! HELP!
Hi, vc! I don’t know WHY that happens, but I’ve seen it before whenever text from one document is copied onto another document. It’s always when there is an apostrophe in the text. Doesn’t mean anything at all, it’s just annoying….so just try to ignore it
Can’t wait to hear and see the tour!!
I want to know what adding his own color commentary, means =]
Twitter: Upsnodowns
Desiree: Color commentary is a term used in sports, like football. Color commentary is when announcers make comments right after a touchdown or some other important play. So when danny sang the big note he made a ‘color commentary’ after he sang it.
Ohhhhh ok what a goof ball LOL
That’s our Danny…..sounds like they are chilling out and
looking forward to the tour…..I know I am….
Practice is the key and taking time to enjoy the process is essential for any performer.
All the best with the tour.