Five days and counting...

Bucky and Kellie onstage in L.A.; photo by HeatherLovesAI of IDF.

Almost seems hard to believe, doesn't it? In just five days, the 2006 American Idols Live tour will be in the history books. Kathy at Team Covington has some intriguing thoughts about Bucky's future recording career--be sure to check out her latest post! At the Fox boards, they're sharing lots of concert photos--a talented fan posted great shots from Rochester and Syracuse; gotta love this smile and this "Patience" snap; another kind photographer posted these front-row pictures from the Reading show. There's a priceless, hilarious recap on the Bucky boards, as well. (The pick is photographed for posterity!) And at MJ's Big Blog, the mood is already a little nostalgic and wistful. (If you're looking for some not-so-nostalgic, snarky concert reviews, the TWoPpers can help you out. Even there, though, Bucky wins the "Idol I'd most like to have a beer with" prize.)

If anything, this sweet story of the Idols on the bus, enjoying Kellie Pickler's new single as it hits the airwaves on country radio, (congratulations, Kellie!) is enough to cause a pang of anticipation. How soon until we Bucky fans do the online group hug as Bucky's single makes its debut? The answer, my friends...well, it's not quite blowin' in the wind, but heaven knows we'd love a few more specifics...

In the meantime, the fact that the news from a few days ago has hit the Great American Country site (thanks, Becky!) is a good, good sign. No label mentioned yet, but the word is out now in country music media--there's a Bucky Covington album on the way, and there are a lot of happy people looking forward to buying it. (I wonder if Hazel Smith will be the one to break the news this coming Monday? She's more than likely still keeping an eye on Bucky's progress; helps to have friends in high places. And hey, isn't that Kellie on CMT's front page? No anti-Idol snobbery over there, thank goodness... )

Our DSL connection is still gone; I'm posting this via shaky dial up, so I'll have to cut this a little bit short. But come on back tonight--I'l be looking in the far corners for news and photos, and I'll write a full post even if I have to do it with two tin cans and a string. (I missed blogging about Bucky, dang it! This is addictive...) And as always, there could be some great last-minute seats to tonight's concert in Hershey, PA waiting for you at Ticketmaster. Good luck, and wave hello to Bucky for us!

See you later tonight!