‘American Idol’ notes: Jennifer Hudson at Aretha’s funeral, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Simon Cowell

Originally posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Jennifer Hudson will be performing at Aretha Franklin's funeral August 31, according to CNN.

Others scheduled to sing at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit

include Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and Jennifer Holliday.

Public viewings are scheduled for August 28 and 29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

Franklin passed from pancreatic cancer last week at age 76.

Legendary producer Clive Davis said he is planning a tribute concert to honor Franklin at Madison Square Garden in New York City later this fall. The concert had been in the planning stages preceding her death.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 22:  Carrie Underwood attends the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards at Loews Hollywood Hotel on June 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

Credit: Rich Fury

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Credit: Rich Fury

Carrie Underwood's sixth studio album "Cry Pretty" is coming out Sept. 14. 
The 13 track names have been released, including previously released singles "The Champion" and "Cry Pretty." The latter single just peaked at No. 7 on the Mediabase 24/7 airplay charts. A third single has not been announced yet.

According to Billboard.com, this is Underwood's "first time in the producer's chair, co-producing the LP with David Garcia (who also co-wrote six of the tracks). Underwood's frequent collaborator, Hillary Lindsey -- who wrote 11 of the country star's 14 Country Airplay No. 1s -- penned seven of the 'Cry Pretty' tracks."
Underwood is pregnant with her second child and that is delaying the start of the tour, which will begin in May, 2019.

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NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 10:  (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Scotty McCreery performs onstage during the 2018 CMA Music festival at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on June 10, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Credit: Jason Kempin

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Credit: Jason Kempin

Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery is coming to Buckhead Theatre January 17, 2019 as part of his first solo tour to support his album "Seasons Change."

“Seasons Change” was his fourth release and it hit No. 1 on the country chart. He also landed his first No. 1 single “Five More Minutes.”

Seasons Change Tour Dates:
 
Nov. 29 Dallas, TX House of Blues
Nov. 30 San Antonio, TX Aztec Theatre
Dec. 1 Houston, TX House of Blues *
Dec. 7 St. Paul, MN Myth Live
Dec. 8 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room *
Dec. 9 Chicago, IL House of Blues
Dec. 13 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
Dec. 15 Grand Rapids, MI 20 Monroe Live
Jan. 17 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
Jan. 18 Charlotte, NC Fillmore
Jan. 19 Raleigh, NC The Ritz
Jan. 25 Boston, MA House of Blues
Jan. 26 Westbury, NY NYCB Theatre at Westbury
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Adam Lambert said he is thrilled to see "Mr. Robot" star Rami Malek play the late Freddie Mercury in the upcoming biopic on the late Queen star.

“I don’t look like Freddie.  I don’t sound like Freddie. I sound like me,” Lambert told “Entertainment Tonight.” “Rami looks amazing. He's a great actor.”

Lambert has been part of Queen since 2011 and touring as the lead singer with the band since 2014.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” will hit theaters November 2. It follows Mercury’s rise with Queen and his personal travails including his AIDS diagnosis.

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Simon Cowell has signed a deal to continue to be a judge on his show "America's Got Talent" for several more years. No surprise there. He also remains an executive producer of the show he created in 2006.

He joined the panel season 11, spelling Howard Stern.

The sturdy variety show continues to pull in strong ratings and remains by far the most popular summer show. It averaged 14.6 million viewers in Live+7 Nielsen Media ratings with a 3 rating 18-49. It’s currently in the midst of the live quarterfinals.

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Kelly Clarkson and Hudson will encompass half of this fall's coach's panel on "The Voice." Here's the first promo with both of them in it.

Show returns September 24 for its 15th incarnation.

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Clay Aiken Tweet of the Week

He honors Georgia's own Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.