Melissa McGhee
News

As new American Idol contestants - such as Sundance Head, Chris Sligh and Brandon Rogers - try to make a name for themselves, past singers from the show will grace your TV screen in the near future.

On Friday, February 9, past finalists Kevin Covais (pictured), Melissa McGhee, Diana DeGarmo, Ryan Starr, LaToya London, and Frenchie Davis (the disgraced, disqualified finalist) will be guests on The Dr. Keith Ablow Show.

According to a blurb on the official American Idol site, the finalists will "reveal the inside scoop about the hit reality show and share their opinions about Simon Cowell and the great success of fellow Idol Jennifer Hudson."

This hasn't been the best of weeks for our Idols, health-wise.

Earlier in the week, we learned of the emergency surgery Bo Bice needed, and how the Season 4 runner-up has endured a history of intestinal issues.

Now, sources tell American Idol Worship that a Season 5 finalist, Melissa McGhee, had surgery Monday to remove polyps from her vocal cords.

McGhee, who turned 22 last month, is a native of Tampa, Fla., and was the 12th-place finisher this spring in the competition ultimately won by Taylor Hicks.

That's expected to knock her out of action for between two and three months, and all of us would like to wish our American Idol friends a full recovery.

American Idol's second season winner, Ruben Studdard, and the first season runner-up, Justin Guarini, will be taking part in a mini-tour in Texas the first week in October. The tour will be called, fittingly, "Superstar Idols Live!"

The concerts will be sponsored by several Texas radio stations. Joining Ruben and Justin will be Olivia Mojica (Season 2), Anthony Federov and Lindsey Cardinale (Season 4), Kevin Covais, Brenna Gethers, Will Makar and Melissa McGhee (Season 5), along with the incomparable William Hung.

Here are the dates and ticket info:

San Angelo, TX
October 3, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Foster Field Stadium
Tickets: $25-90; 325-942-6587 or Etix.com

Laredo, TX
October 4, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Laredo Veterans Field
Tickets: $25-90; 956-723-BASE or Etix.com

Edinburgh, TX
October 5, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Edinburgh Stadium
Tickes: $25-90; Etix.com

Corpus Christi, TX
October 6, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
Concrete Street Amphitheater
Tickets: $35-85; Ticketmaster.com

Beaumont, TX
October 7, 2006
Beaumont Civic Center
Tickets: $30-50; 409-833-7747 or Ticketmaster.com