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Briefly: 'American Idol,' Gretchen Wilson, Johnnie Wilder, Staind
The fifth season of the Fox-TV talent show "American Idol" is down to its two semi-finalists: Taylor Hicks of Birmingham, AL, and Katharine McPhee of Los Angeles.
The two singers will perform head-to-head one last time Tuesday night (5/23), during the final performance episode of the program.
This year's "Idol" will be crowned Wednesday (5/24), based on the results of a public vote. Reigning "Idol" Carrie Underwood will perform her single "Don't Forget to Remember Me" during the finale.
The life story of country music star Gretchen Wilson will be laid out in "Gretchen Wilson: I'll Tell You What a Redneck Woman Is," a book she co-wrote with author Allen Rucker. The book is scheduled to reach stores in November.
"More than anything else, I wanted to write this book just to be able to connect on a different level with my fans," Wilson said in a press release. "I haven't had a chance to talk to them like this yet!"
Johnnie Wilder Jr., who fronted the '70s R&B group Heatwave , ("Boogie Nights," "Always and Forever"), reportedly died May 13 at his Canton, OH, home. He was 56; the cause of death hasn't been revealed.
Wilder had been paralyzed from the neck down since a 1979 car accident, but he continued to serve as the group's lead vocalist.
Rockers Staind will give a live performance at the upcoming 90th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The group will be featured on ABC-TV's pre-race telecast, which begins at noon ET on May 28, and will play two songs: one live during the broadcast, followed by an additional song for fans inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
