AMERICAN IDOL to Kick Off 'Idol Across America' Relay, 3/1

Related: AMERICAN IDOL, FOX, Reality TV

American Idol will kick off IDOL ACROSS AMERICA, a cross-country relay of the IDOL microphone, traveling from New York City to the IDOL stage in Los Angeles. Sponsored by Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T, the "mic" will start its journey in New York City on Friday, March 1, when host Ryan Seacrest will launch the two-week, 5,000-mile trek to the IDOL stage. The "mic" will arrive just in time for the Top 10 live performance show on Wednesday, March 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Track the Route Online at americanidol.com

Local "Idols" - fans, inspirational heroes, local officials and former IDOLs - will walk, run, bike, row, drive, skateboard, line-dance, roller-skate, skip, scooter and fly the "mic," among other means of travel, from state to state with their friends and family cheering them along the way. One lucky relay team member will win tickets to the IDOL finale.

From New York, the Epic journey continues on to Boston, MA (March 2); Philadelphia, PA (March 3); Washington, D.C. (March 4); Atlanta, GA (March 5); Nashville, TN (March 6); Detroit, MI (March 7); Chicago, IL (March 8); Oklahoma City, OK (March 9); Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (March 10); Phoenix, AZ (March 11); Las Vegas, NV (March 12); and Los Angeles, CA (March 13). The relay will take the IDOL "mic" to iconic American landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Fenway Park, the Liberty Bell, the Washington Monument, the Grand Ole Opry, the Grand Canyon, the Las Vegas Strip and finally, the American Idol stage.

The nationwide tour, produced by Civic Entertainment Group, will allow fans to celebrate the cultural phenomenon that is AMERICAN IDOL.

Beginning, Tuesday, Feb. 19, fans interested in joining the IDOL Relay Team should visit americanidol.com.Also on the IDOL site, fans can follow the "mic" and the Relay Team in real time via an interactive map as they make their way across the country. Throughout the trek, exclusive videos, photos and updates will be available on americanidol.com, as well as on Facebook (facebook.com/AmericanIdol), Instagram (instagram.com/americanidol) and Twitter (@AmericanIdol). Join the conversation using #IDOLusa.

IDOL ACROSS AMERICA will pass through The Following cities on its trek to the IDOL stage in Los Angeles. Check out americanidol.com for additional details and locations.

City Date

New York, NY Friday, March 1

Boston, MA Saturday, March 2

Philadelphia, PA Sunday, March 3

Washington D.C. Monday, March 4

Atlanta, GA Tuesday, March 5

Nashville, TN Wednesday, March 6

Detroit, MI Thursday, March 7

Chicago, IL Friday, March 8

Oklahoma City, OK Saturday, March 9

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Sunday, March 10

Phoenix, AZ Monday, March 11

Las Vegas, NV Tuesday, March 12

Los Angeles, CA Wednesday, March 13

Tune in to American Idol tonight Thursday, Feb. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), when, at the end of the final "Hollywood Round," only the Top 40 contestants - 20 males and 20 females - will remain.

American Idol is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of Core Media Group, and FremantleMedia North America. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, FremantleMedia, Trish Kinane, FremantleMedia North America; Ken Warwick, FremantleMedia North America; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions also serve as executive producers. "Like" American Idol on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion at #idol. Follow host Ryan Seacrest at @RyanSeacrest, and follow the judges: @MariahCarey; @yo_randyjackson; @nickiminaj; and @keithurban.