ALEXIS GRACE IS ELIMINATED FROM THE “AMERICAN IDOL” COMPETITION

NEXT WEEK’S “AMERICAN IDOL” SHOWS TO AIR ON SPECIAL NIGHTS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, AND THURSDAY, MARCH 26, ON FOX SMOKEY ROBINSON AND BERRY GORDY TO HELP CELEBRATE “50 YEARS OF MOTOWN” WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

Smokey Robinson and Ruben Studdard to Perform Thursday, March 26

Finalist Alexis Grace was eliminated tonight from American Idol after she received the fewest of America’s over 31 million votes. On Tuesday’s show, finalists performed songs popularized by members of The Grand Ole Opry, and Grace, 21, from Memphis, TN, sang “Jolene” by Dolly Parton.

On a special Wednesday, March 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) performance show, the Top 10 finalists (Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Megan Joy, Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds and Michael Sarver) will return to the Idol stage to celebrate and pay tribute to “50 Years of Motown” as well as perform classic Motown songs.

Tune in the following night Thursday, March 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to find out if the judges use their save or if America sends another finalist home. Also, Smokey Robinson will perform, and American Idol winner Ruben Studdard will return to the Idol stage to perform his new single, “Together.”

Smokey Robinson has been synonymous with the Motown sound since the late 1950s when he first met Motown founder Berry Gordy in Detroit. Gordy took Robinson and The Miracles under his wing, and in 1960, signed them to Motown. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles began turning out a string of hits in the early 1960s, including “Shop Around,” “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby” and “I Second That Emotion.” Robinson quickly became involved in every facet of Motown’s operations, writing and producing his own work as well as that of Mary Wells & the Supremes, and he helped establish The Temptations. Robinson left The Miracles in 1971 to concentrate on his role as Vice President of Motown, and the following year, he launched his solo career. Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. A familiar face on the Idol stage, he performed a medley of his hits with the Top 6 male finalists on the American Idol Season Six finale.

Songwriter, producer, director and entrepreneur Berry Gordy is the man behind the Motown sound and acts such as Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie & the Commodores, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and Gladys Knight & the Pips, Chris Clark, Rick James and Teena Marie. Under his leadership, Motown achieved one of the most significant musical accomplishments and stunning success stories of the 20th century by creating music that broke down barriers in a segregated country, touching all people, regardless of color. Starting out in a house that came to be known as Hitsville, USA, he built Motown into a record company with one of the most impressive rosters of artists in the history of pop music. In the 1960s, Gordy booked his artists on television shows including “American Bandstand” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” and in clubs such as New York’s Copacabana, paving the way for other Motown artists and R&B acts. What Berry Gordy and Motown accomplished in music, television and film had never been achieved before; their contributions to music past, present and future are truly immeasurable.

The distinctive, upbeat and uplifting music of Motown Records brought together pop and soul, white and black, old and young, like never before and continues to this day. Motown broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American owned business in America. Today, the label is part of the Universal Music Group, with its classic recorded music catalog managed by Universal Music Enterprises, and the timeless songs of Motown from 1959 to 1985 are represented by EMI Music Publishing. Through the end of 2009, Universal Music Group and EMI Music Publishing will mark the 50th anniversary of the historic Detroit label’s musical achievements with a series of initiatives, including monthly music releases.

Since winning the second season of American Idol in 2003, Ruben Studdard’s impact on the music charts has been impressive. His single “Flying Without Wings” debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100, and his version of “Superstar” peaked at No. 2 on the R&B chart. In December 2003, his first album, “Soulful,” had advance orders of over a million copies, which automatically qualified it for platinum certification and allowed the record to enter The Billboard 200 at No. 1. His follow-up single, “Sorry 2004,” reached No. 9 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B chart. Studdard’s new album, “Love IS,” helmed by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, is scheduled for release on May 19 through a joint venture with Hickory Records and 19 Recordings. The album is a collection of love songs featuring original recording as well as covers of classic hits.

The AMERICAN IDOL Top 10 finalists are:

Kris Allen (23) – Currently lives in Conway, AR, but grew up in Jacksonville, AR. Allen is a student at the University of Central Arkansas. He has been singing and playing the guitar since he was 13 years old. Yahoo Group – Kris Allen

Megan Joy Corkrey (23) – Corkrey lives in Sandy, UT, with her 2-year-old son, Ryder. She has been singing since age 3, and is a self-professed “foodie.” Yahoo Group – Megan Corkrey

Anoop Desai (22) – Born and raised in Chapel Hill, NC. Desai is working on his master’s degree at the University of North Carolina. During his undergraduate years, he was a member of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella group. Yahoo Group- Anoop Desai

Matt Giraud (23) – Currently lives in Kalamazoo, MI, but grew up in Ypsilanti, MI. Giraud is a life-long resident of Michigan who graduated from Western Michigan University in 2007. He sings and plays piano in local clubs and hotels. Yahoo Group – Matt Giraud

Danny Gokey (28) – Raised and currently lives in Milwaukee, WI. Gokey is the president and founder of a non-profit organization. In addition to singing, he plays the piano and loves salsa dancing. Yahoo Group – Danny Gokey

Allison Iraheta (16) – Currently lives in Downey, CA, but originally from Los Angeles, CA. Iraheta is a junior in high school who began singing at age 5. She also enjoys playing the guitar. Yahoo Group – Allison Iraheta

Adam Lambert (27) – Lambert grew up in San Diego but currently lives in Hollywood. He began singing at age 10, and has been involved with musical theater for the past eight years. Yahoo Group – Adam Lambert

Scott MacIntyre (23) – Born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ. MacIntyre earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University at age 19, and attended graduate school in London, England. He also plays piano, guitar and drums. Yahoo Group – Scott MacIntyre

Lil Rounds (24) – Rounds was raised and currently lives in Memphis, TN, with her husband and three children. Music has always been a part of her life, and she began singing when she was 3 years old. Yahoo Group – Lil Rounds

Michael Sarver (27) – Raised and currently lives in Jasper, TX. Sarver is married with two children and works on an oil rig. He has always dreamed of being a singer/songwriter. Sarver also plays the piano, drums and guitar. Yahoo Group – Michael Sarver

American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

Source: FOX Press Release