LOS ANGELES, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! returns this summer for another hit tour to showcase this season's talented top 10 finalists. Launching the careers of many, the AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! Tour is the first chance to see your favorites in concert! The tour launches in Detroit, Michigan at the Joe Louis Arena on Friday, July 6th and wraps up on September 11th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 11th at 10am via www.AmericanIdol.com, www.ticketmaster.com and www.aeglive.com.  As presenting sponsors of AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! Tour 2012, CHIPS AHOY! and RITZ are thrilled to bring the excitement of the tour to their fans in a number of unique ways, from cookie and cracker coupons to a one-of-a-kind consumer promotion. The U.S. Air Force Reserve is an associate sponsor.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120426/LA96254)

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE!  gives fans the unique opportunity to be up close and personal with Idol finalists Colton Dixon, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Heejun Han, Hollie Cavanagh, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Skylar Laine, all of whom were announced on Thursday, March 15th on Fox.     

Iain Pirie, President, 19 Entertainment stated "Every year we are amazed at the extraordinary wealth of untapped talent that is discovered on American Idol and we couldn't be happier with this season's top 10 contestants. We are truly excited to bring our contestants on tour across America directly to our fans' hometowns."

The AMERICAN IDOL season finale will air on FOX May 23rd, but the fan-favorites will continue on with the 2012 live tour. Past tours have featured stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Cook, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery and so many more. Log on to AmericanIdol.com for full list of dates and links.

Tickets are subject to applicable service charges.

Event time and date subject to change.

For the latest tour and ticketing information please visit:

www.americanidol.com

www.ticketmaster.com

www.aeglive.com

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of globally recognized entertainment content. The Company's current properties include the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley and the operations of Graceland. Through its wholly-owned division 19 Entertainment, CKX owns proprietary rights to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television show formats which, collectively, air in more than 100 countries, as well as other television properties. Also through 19, CKX has relationships and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Haley Reinhart, James Durban, Casey Abrams, Pia Toscano, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, and Kris Allen, among others.  For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.CKX.com.

About AEG Live

AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance.  AEG Live is comprised of touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event divisions, fifteen regional offices and owns, operates or exclusively books thirty-five state-of-the-art venues.  The current and recent concert tour roster includes artists such as Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Justin Bieber, Leonard Cohen, Wisin & Yandel, Kenny Chesney, P!nk, Enrique Iglesias and Paul McCartney.  The company is also currently producing residency shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas including Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and Shania Twain opening in December and is the exclusive promoter at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. Our exhibition at portfolio boasts the most successful exhibition of all time, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, which has attracted more than 8 million visitors since 2005. AEG Live is also the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically acclaimed Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach Country Music Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. www.aeglive.com

About Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods Inc.  is a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love. Proudly marketing delicious biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese, grocery products and convenient meals in approximately 170 countries, Kraft Foods had 2011 revenue of $54.4 billion. Twelve of the company's iconic brands – Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Tang and Trident – generate revenue of more than $1 billion annually. On Aug. 4, 2011, Kraft Foods announced plans to divide and create two independent public companies: a high-growth global snacks business and a high-margin North American grocery business. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of 2012. A leader in innovation, marketing, health & wellness and sustainability, Kraft Foods is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index. Visit www.kraftfoodscompany.com and http://www.facebook.com/kraftfoodscorporate

About U.S. Air Force Reserve

President Harry Truman called for the formation of the Air Force Reserve in 1948, just a year after the United States Air Force was formed. Originally, the Reserve was conceived as a "stand by" force for emergencies. But in February 1997, the Air Force Reserve changed from a Field Operating Agency to a Major Command (MAJCOM). Since then, the 71,500-member force has evolved into the Air Force's Wingman, performing the same missions and working side-by-side on the same equipment. The Air Force Reserve is an exciting, vibrant part of the nation's defense. It offers similar benefits afforded to those on active duty, with one major addition: the benefit of time. Time to be with your family, time to work at your civilian career, and time to serve your country. An ideal option for those who have never been in the military and want to participate without being on full-time active duty, the Reserve is also a great way for those in other branches of the military to continue their benefits. Those include educational and retirement programs; starting their civilian careers with the stability of a second paycheck; and continuing the camaraderie and adventure only available through the service. http://www.AFReserve.com and http://www.Facebook/USAirForceReserve

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Stephanie Molina
310-854-8322
smolina@rogersandcowan.com

Gina Sorial
310-854-8181
gsorial@rogersandcowan.com

Jennifer Wilson
310-854-8198
jwilson@rogersandcowan.com

SOURCE 19 Entertainment