American Idol Watch

– The 8th season of American Idol will kick off Jan. 13.  The 36 semi-finalists will be revealed Feb. 11, viewers will start  voting Feb. 17 and the top 12 will be revealed March 5 after the wild card round.

– Carrie Underwood’s  Carnival Ride Tour was named the top country female tour of 2008.  She played 137 shows to 1. 2 million fans.

– Season 6 contestant Gina Glocksen married her high school science teacher Joe Ruzicka on New Year’s Eve.

– Since he was dropped from his record label J Records, season 5 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks has created his own label Modern Whomp Records.

– Season two contestants Ruben Studdard, Treynce and Frenchie Davis just finished their month-long run on the musical “Aint Misbehavin.” The show was performed in Scranton, Pennsylvania.