LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST, KATY PERRY, LUKE BRYAN

Photo courtesy of ABC

It was announced today that star-maker competition series “American Idol” is welcoming back Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as celebrity judges and Ryan Seacrest as host for its sixth season on ABC airing next spring.  In celebration, five-time Entertainer of the Year Bryan will guest host “Live with Kelly & Ryan” with Seacrest next Monday, August 1st. Check local listings for times.

“Idol’s” season six auditions kick off Wednesday, August 3rd, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar. Auditions take place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C, and start with the annual First 500 event, where hopefuls can sign up to grab a VIP spot before anyone else. “Idol Across America” offers hopefuls the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an “American Idol” producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge audition round of the competition.

“Idol Across America” auditions will be held through August 31st. For information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America” and a chance to virtually audition in front of an “American Idol” producer, please visit www.americanidol.com/auditions. More details on specific dates, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions are available on the website. Contestants must be at least 15 years old to audition and may do so on any “Idol Across America” date regardless of your location.

About Luke Bryan

Since his debut, Bryan has garnered 29 No. 1 hits and has more RIAA certified digital singles than any other Country artist with 68.5 million. His worldwide global streams are 17.2 billion and he has sold nearly 13 million albums. His headline concert tours have played sold-out shows for 12 million fans inclusive of 36 stadium concerts, Farm Tours, Spring Break shows, and seven sold-out ‘Crash My Playa’ destination concert events. He launched his “Raised Up Right Tour” at the end of June and will tour through October.

This July, Bryan premiered a brand-new single at country radio, “Country On.” The song, written by Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, and Styles Haury, produced by Jeff Stevens and co-produced by Jody Stevens, featuring Sarah Buxton on background vocals, landed just in time for America’s Independence Day. Bryan teases this is the first of more new music he is currently working on. “Country On” is available at all digital retailers HERE.