On Tuesday, April 26th, the top six American Idol contestants of 2005 were given the freedom to sing a song from the turn of the millennium to the present.

A number of celebrities were in the house to cheer on their favorite contestants. Clay Aiken came with no socks on. And Heather Locklear brought her daughter, Eva and her daughter's friend, Hannah.

The hundreds of others in the audience brought signs, lots of signs, to show for whom they were routing.

Only two women remain in the competition.

Carrie Underwood and Vonzell Solomon are those women.

Meanwhile, four guys attempted to rock the stage on Tuesday night. Or at least earn the most votes from the 30+ million Americans who tune into FOX every week.

And Judge Paula Abdul was on her best behavior of the entire season.

Bo Bice, Anthony Fedorov, Constantine Maroulis and Scott Savol chose songs they either were' "dying to sing" or numbers with which they already felt comfortable tackling.

Bo Bice - A True Rock Star

Bo Bice Wearing Lenny Kravitz-Style Sunglasses

Bo Bice rocked the house on Tuesday night.

Of the remaining six-pack of contestants he also gets the "most rugged elegant" award. We always like his look, long hair included. But tonight's colorful shirt and Lenny Kravitz-style sunglasses, which he said, "Looked like they were worth $600 but cost only $6" and added much color to a rather drab evening of performances.

He sang Gavin DeGraw's I Don't Want to Be from DeGraw's album "Chariot."

Of our five family members, Bo was the only contestant who got five votes.

It took a while to get beyond the busy signals, but finally all five votes were cast in Bo's favor.

Bo also got the best and longest applause of the whole season, as well as the "highest ranking" of the night from Simon. Simon didn't like his 1988 has-been shades, but Cowell gave Bice kudos for being the strongest contestant two weeks in a row.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood returned to her country roots by singing a song by her favorite artist, Martina McBride.

Underwood's selection: One of Martina's greatest hits, When God Fearin' Women Get the Blues.

Carrie had all the moves but pitch and performance-wise she wasn't her strongest. Nonetheless, Cowell said,

I personally don't understand this kind of music (afterall, I'm English). But I think the people who are voting for you are going to love it.

Vonzell Solomon

Vonzell Solomon sang a Christina Aguilera ballad called I Turn to You from her signature CD "Christina Aguilera."

Solomon chose the most difficult song of the night. And as Randy Jackson said, "I'm proud of that performance because you sang that."

We always love her look, as well as her voice. Our girls especially loved her makeup this week.

Oh, the important things in life...

Anthony Fedorov

Anthony Fedorov selected a song he has wanted to try for the entire competition. He sang Celine Dion's I Surrender from her album "A New Day Has Come"

Fedorov gets our vote for "most improved" over the past two weeks.

His father's tears brought tears to our eyes. Tim said, "That was the only performance of the night that sent chills down my spine ..."

One Fedorov fan who voiced her allegiance -- with a little help from mom -- was Eva, Heather Locklear's adorable daughter.

Locklear can next be seen in Mark Rosman's film The Perfect Man together with Hilary Duff.

Locklear's daughter was not the only one cheering for Fedorov on Tuesday night. The entire audience was behind him, as well as many at home. Where previously we expected to see him voted off, this week we are hoping he will make it at least to the Top Five.

Fedorov received four votes out of five from this one American family.

Simon Cowell said:

I personally hated it. But there's good news to come. The whole point about being a successful artist is to sing the kind of songs that are going to appeal to the people who like you, who are going to vote for you.

And that is exactly what you did with that song.

I think you nailed it.

Host Ryan Seacrest also complimented Anthony. Seacrest made note of the fact that Fedorov has been hitting the gym two times a day. "Check out those arms," Ryan said. Fedorov responded, "Thanks for embarrassing me." Seacrest had a quick, perfect comeback. Ryan said, "I didn't embarrass you, buddy. Chicks love that."

These four chicks have certainly noticed.

Keep up the good work, Anthony -- not just vocally!

Constantine Maroulis

Constantine Maroulis put on his rocker hat this week. This New Yorker, who was born in Brooklyn to Greek Orthodox parents, has been singing for most of his life. Constantine's brother said that at his sweet sixteen party, he grabbed the microphone and blew people away.

Tonight, Maroulis sang the only song these forty-something parents recognized.

While Randy and Simon didn't offer the compliments Maroulis had hoped for, Constantine's rendition of Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" got a vote from every female in this household.

Scott Savol

Scott Savol chose Luther Vandross' Dance With My Father.

Simon told him after the performance that he should pack his bags.

"Scotty The Body" was visibly jolted by the comment. But then, who wouldn't be?!

The best part of the one-hour show was getting to know the contestants. The producers returned to the Top Six favorites' hometown where they interviewed family and friends.

Their comments were either well scripted or straight from the heart, and effective in getting the audience to cheer on their guy or gal.

Carole, Carrie's mom, got teary-eyed which got us teary-eyed. At least us girls.

The animal-loving, baby of the Underwood family, Carrie is one contestant you couldn't help but hope would do well for her parents and her fans.

Another highlight of the show was the substantive comments Paula Abdul made during the competition. She gets our vote for the best dressed, "most rugged elegant female" of the week. Her wavy hair, her leopard blouse, her turquoise top and her jewelry was one of the best looks Paula has worn in awhile.

More significantly, Paula was lucid this week and willing to be critical when appropriate. Her "performance" was refreshing from past weeks which have left us tired of the "same old same old cheeriness."

Way to go Paula!

Maroulis' Band "Pray for the Soul of Betty" To Release First CD

Also in the news this week ... Constantine's bandmates have capitalized on Maroulis' newfound fame on American Idol.

On May 10th, Koch Records will release their first CD. However, Maroulis will be busy until the fall with commitments he has made to the producers of American Idol whether he wins or not.

Koch Records is the same label that signed Idol wannabe William Hung.

Pray for the Soul of Betty is the New York band that Maroulis was the lead singer in before he tried his hand ... and voice ... in the fourth season of American Idol.

So far, his efforts have paid off. Out of over 100,000 contestants Constantine has made it to the Top Six this year, thus far.

Stay tuned on Wednesday for the "elimination show" where one of the six goes home.

The final episode takes place this year on May 24th.

American Idol Top Ten on Tour This Summer & Fall

Four days before the final, tickets will go on sale for this summer and early September's American Idols Live tour.

The Top Ten contestants from 2005 will perform around the country.

To follow are the current tour dates:

7/12
Sunrise, FL
Office Depot Center

7/13
Tampa, FL
St. Pete Times Forum

7/15
Birmingham, AL
BJCC Arena

7/16
Duluth, GA
The Arena at Gwinnett Center

7/17
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Coliseum

7/19
Reading, PA
Sovereign Center

7/22
E. Rutherford, NJ
Continental Airlines Arena

7/23
Long Island, NY
Nassau Coliseum

7/24
Philadelphia, PA
Wachovia Center

7/26
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wachovia Arena

7/27
Washington, DC
MCI Center

7/29
Hartford, CT
Hartford Civic Center

7/30
Worcester, MA
DCU Center

7/31
Manchester, NH
Verizon Wireless Arena

8/2
Cleveland, OH
Wolstein Center

8/3
Columbus, OH
Value City Arena at Schottenstein

8/4
Detroit, MI
Joe Louis Arena

8/6
St. Paul, MN
Xcel Energy Center

8/8
Chicago, IL
United Center

8/9
St. Louis, MO
Savvis Center

8/12
San Antonio, TX
SBC Center

8/13
Grand Prairie, TX
NOKIALive at Grand Prairie

8/14
Norman, OK
Lloyd Noble Center

8/16
Glendale, AZ
Glendale Arena

8/17
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center

8/18
Las Vegas, NV
Thomas & Mack Center

8/20
San Jose, CA
HP Pavilion at San Jose

8/21
Sacramento, CA
ARCO Arena

8/23
Everett, WA
Everett Events Center

8/24
Portland, OR
Rose Garden

8/26
Salt Lake City, UT
Delta Center

8/28
DesMoines, IA
Wells Fargo Arena

8/30
Green Bay, WI
Resch Center

8/31
Milwaukee, WI
Bradley Center

9/2
Albany, NY
Pepsi Arena

9/3
Pittsburgh, PA
Mellon Arena

9/4
Norfolk, VA
Constant Convocation Center

9/8
Providence, RI
Dunkin Donuts Center

9/9
Portland, ME
Cumberland County Civic Center

9/10
Syracuse, NY
War Memorial at Oncenter

We would have two very happy little girls if we succeeded at getting six seats at the Manchester, New Hampshire performance on July 31st.

Tickets will be available for purchase beginning the weekend of May 20th - 22nd.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful "voting for your top dawg" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

Anwar Robinson

P.S. We miss Anwar.

Fortunately, he will join the current top six contestants, in addition to Nadia Turner, Nikko Smith and Jessica Sierra, on stage around the nation from July 12th - September 10th.

Bo Bice Rocks On While Constantine Maroulis Rolls Off American Idol IV - April 28th 2005