American Idol's Casey James Joining Sugarland on Tour

Casey James, a top three finalist from the ninth season of "American Idol," will perform on tour with Sugarland, beginning in March 2011. Sony Music Nashville and 19 Recordings/BNA Records made the announcement on January 27, indicating that Casey James would step in as the opening act for Sugarland - a few months before his debut album is launched.

"I am so excited," Casey James said. "I think it's an awesome opportunity to play in front of people that love great music. I can't wait to get back out there and share new music with the fans."

The Texas bluesman with the piercing blue eyes and slick guitar licks, labeled as eye candy by former "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi, will join Sugarland's 2011 The Incredible Machine Tour, opening for the popular country music superstar duo in eight U.S. cities. Sugarland includes Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush.

Which Sugarland concert tour stops will feature Casey James as the warm-up act?

"American Idol" alum Casey James will perform during Sugarland's 2011 The Incredible Machine Tour in these cities: North Little Rock, Arkansas (March 4); Tulsa, Oklahoma (March 5); Greenville, South Carolina (March 10); North Charleston, South Carolina (March 11); Jacksonville, Florida (March 12); Grand Rapids, Michigan (March 17); Bloomington, Illinois (March 18), and Sioux City, Iowa (March 19).

Who is "American Idol" alum Casey James?

Casey James (28) began singing in 2008 in Texas with the Casey James Band, which he formed with some local musicians (including his own brother). With no formal musical training, he tried out for "American Idol" in Denver during the summer of 2009. The long-haired slender singer turned heads and made headlines, taking his shirt off and loosening his blond ponytail for Kara DioGuardia and guest judge Victoria Beckham (formerly Posh Spice of The Spice Girls).

As a finalist in 2010, Casey James participated in the Top 10's "American Idols Live" tour last year. Casey James performed "Don't" by Shania Twain, "I Got Mine" by The Black Keys, "It's All Over Now" by Bobby Womack, and "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" by Bryan Adams (with fellow finalist Michael Lynche).

Gary Overton, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, jetted to New York to hear Casey James perform on the "American Idols Live" tour.

I was blown away with his voice, guitar playing and stage presence," recounted Sony chairman Gary Overton, "and so were the thousands of fans in the amphitheatre. [Casey James] has honed his skills as a showman with his years of performing live on stage! I can't wait to get him into the studio to begin recording his debut album."

Having signed with Sony Music Nashville and 19 Recordings/BNA Records in August 2010, Casey James is now in the process of recording his debut album, which is scheduled for release in the summer of 2011. Nashville songwriter Tom Douglas (who was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Coming Home," written for "Country Strong") is working with Casey James on the singer's first album.