Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard tour plots ‘Timeless’ summer concerts

“American Idol” alums Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard have come a long way since their Season Two finalist showdown. But the two will relive a bit of their early glory days when they reunite this summer for the Timeless Tour.

The 17-date venture begins July 23 at Biltmore Estates in Asheville, NC, and wraps August 14 at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, MS. The three-week routing will stick close to the East and West Coasts, with just a few forays into the nation’s Midwest.

Highlights on the calendar include concerts on July 26 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL; August 1 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA; and August 11 at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, NY. Canada’s provinces will also see a bit of tour action with an event on August 5 at The Colosseum in Windsor, ON.

Ticket prices and onsales have not yet been announced for the entire tour. But two dates are currently listed on Ticketmaster.com: a July 31 concert is already on sale in Reno, NV, and an August 12 engagement goes on sale April 9 in Verona, NY.

This is the first co-headlining tour for the two “Idol” competitors, whose career paths have varied greatly since their 2003 showdown.

Runner-up Aiken has enjoyed the greatest commercial success with his four full-length records and a fifth planned for sometime this year. Despite winning the second season of “Idol,” Studdard’s record sales have lagged in recent years, with the “Velvet Teddy Bear” turning to acting most recently.

A press release quoted the tour’s co-headliners:

“I couldn’t ask for a better tour mate. To be able to share the stage with him again is so exciting,” said Clay Aiken. “He is such a talented artist. He inspires me daily and I think that respect and admiration will truly be reflected in our show.”

“It is truly a blessing and an honor to be on the stage with my friend,” said Ruben Studdard. “The relationship that we have built over these past eight years will definitely translate into a great show for our fans. And I’m really looking forward to singing the timeless classics every night.”

Timeless Tour itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)