Lauren Alaina News

"American Idol" runner-up Lauren Alaina and winner Scott McCreery perform on NBC's "Today" on June 2, 2011, in New York City.

About a year ago, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina faced off on American Idol for the title.

The real American Idol shocker Wednesday night wasn't the announcement of the winner but the surprise engagement of two former Idol contestants.

'American Idol' has not only served as the venue for brand new talents but also as a popular outlet for many famous artists in the industry to launch their albums or give their most important announcements.

It's been nearly a year to the day that Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery took the 'American Idol' stage together for the last time, but that doesn't mean the Season 10 finalists have drifted apart due to their hectic schedules since competing on the popular reality competition.

The CMA Music Festival has announced the country stars set to perform acoustic sets during the nightly concerts at LP Field in Nashville.

In just two days a new American Idol champ will be crowned. Many are hoping to hear Ryan Seacrest call Phillip Phillips name when the Idol title winner is announced.

Sixteen-year-old Lauren was the runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol. A record-breaking 122.4 million votes were cast for Lauren and winner Scotty McCreery, and 38.6 million viewers tuned in to see the finale.

Jennifer Lopez, the American Idol judge who also stars in What to Expect When You're Expecting , passed the half-million mark last week for her latest single, Dance Again .

Chris Young , Scotty McCreery , Montgomery Gentry , Joe Nichols and Lauren Alaina are among the stars lined up to sign autographs for fans in the CMA Music Festival's Fan Fair Hall next month.

Riverbend pins are now on sale for $32 at area Kangaroo Stores until midnight, June 7. Pins will cost $45 if purchased at the festival gates from June 8-16. A one day armband will be available at the Riverbend gates for $26. Riverbend opens on June 8, with Eric Church headlining the Coke Stage.

America watched 17-year-old Lauren Alaina rise to stardom throughout the tenth season of American Idol and now we're seeing her graduate to new honors.

Russ Harrington/Special to the Ledger-EnquirerAlan Jackson, known for hits like "Chattahoochee" and "Remember When," performs at the Columbus Civic Center Saturday night.