Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard’s ‘Timeless’ Tour

Former “American Idol” rivals Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard are set to hit the road together this summer. Seven years after they first shared a stage on the hit FOX reality show, this time around the singers will join forces as co-headliners rather than competitors.

The second season finale of “American Idol” came down to the two singers with more than 24 million votes cast. Studdard, the R&B crooner lovingly nicknamed “the Velvet Teddy Bear,” ultimately walked away with the crown with a slim margin of about 130,000 votes.

The duo’s “Timeless” tour will take the singers to 17 North American cities. The trek marks the first time the artists have toured together.

Photo: AP Photo

Progress Energy Ctr. For The Perf. Arts, Raleigh, N.C.

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

The tour kicks off July 23 at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., and wraps up Aug. 14 at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss.

Additional stops include King Center For Performing Arts in Melbourne, Fla. (July 25), Club Nokia in Los Angeles (Aug. 1), Caesars Windsor ‘The Colosseum” in Windsor, Ontario (Aug. 5), American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Pa. (Aug. 8) and Hammerstein Ballroom in New York (Aug. 11).

Aiken and Studdard will put their own spin on classic tunes from the past five decades with solo performances as well as a few duets. The singers have also promised fans some special surprises throughout the tour.

“It is truly a blessing and an honor to be on the stage with my friend,” Studdard said. “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.”

Studdard has released four studio albums, including his most recent, 2009’s Love Is. In 2008 Aiken released his fourth studio album, On My Way Here.

Click here for Clay Aiken’s Web site.

Click here for Ruben Studdard’s Web site.