(AP) - A large crowd waits in the early morning Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 in East Rutherford, N.J., to register for the next American Idol television show try outs this week. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

In our ongoing conversation with last season's top 10, we had the chance to speak with Carly Smithson this past weekend.  After all, Carly is a little bit more than half way through with the summer tour, so we figured we'd check in to see what she thought of her experiences thus far. Carly was thrilled to be in Manchester, but not because of the rain that greeted her.  Instead, it was only about an hour from their previous stop in Worcester, Massachusetts, which means it was a fairly easy bus ride for them.  Typically, they're on the buses for several hours a night, but because Worcester is so close to Manchester, they were on the road for only about an hour and were able to hit their hotel rooms at a reasonable time (for them) of around 1:30am. Thus far, Carly boasts that "it's been great being on the road with all her friends" and that it's "a wild trip [she] never could have expected."  The best thing, for Carly, has been the nightly "Meet and Greet's".  In these regular sessions, Carly and the other Idols meet with a small group of kids in each city. A lot of the times, these kids are going through tough health issues or facing other obstacles and it's just a thrill for them to see their heroes up close and personal.  As much as it's a thrill for them, it's even more of a thrill for the Idols.  To emphasize that, Carly noted one such time, in Worcester, where she "met this great girl and took her around to the buses and gave her a teddy." Carly also mentioned that it's just really great to perform for all the fans who voted so often.  Interestingly enough, apparently there are a bunch of Uber fans who travel from concert to concert, all across the country.  They're kind of like the old Grateful Dead fans who used to follow the Dead from city to city.  The bottom line, though for Carly, is that she "wants to really thank the fans". Without them, of course, there wouldn't be an Idols Summer Tour. In regard to what's coming up for Carly after the tour, she is going to pursue making music, to nobody's surprise.  She's not sure if it will be a major or Indie label or self-produced, she just knows that she'll put one out as soon as possible.  Asked what kind, she shared with us that it would be "kinda like Celine Dion mixed with Heart. Pop Rock, you know?"  She laughed out loud when she thought about a previous interview when another writer wrote that she will be putting out a heavy metal album.  Carly exclaimed, "Yeah, I'm gonna be opening for Slayer!" Overall, in addition to the support from her fans, Carly's thankful for the great reviews she's received on tour as well as the fabulous reviews she got while on the show. She singled out L.A. Times entertainment reporter, Richard Rushfield, for the incredibly descriptive way he writes about the show, Ryan Seacrest and all of the contestants. We're sure that we'll be hearing more from Carly once the Summer Tour has concluded. Check out Carly's Transformation Gallery!

Billboard Magazine's Jonathan Cohen is reporting that Daughtry's four-times platinum self-titled 19/RCA debut will be released in expanded form Sept. 9, led by a newly recorded cover of Foreigner's "Feels Like the First Time."  The original album will also have acoustic versions of "What About Now" and "Home" as well as a live version of "It's Not Over."  A bonus DVD includes videos for "It's Not Over," "Home," "Over You," "Feels Like Tonight" and "What About Now," along with live clips for "Breakdown" and "There and Back Again." Daughtry is embarking on a month's worth of live dates starting Friday, August 15 in Las Vegas. Watch again our emotional Exit Interview with Chris Daughtry from season 5.

(AP) - In this Jan. 10, 2008, file photo, Clay Aiken is shown in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)

Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta is releasing his first post-Idol single, "Crush", digitally today and great reviews are pouring in.  In fact, Entertainment Weekly notes that the single sounds "hip and contemporary".  EW goes on to gush, " 'Crush' is good news for David, for his fans, and for the general health of the Idol Franchise." Congratulations David! Check out the latest photos of David and the rest of the Top 10 on Tour this summer.

(Reuters) - Singer Clay Aiken arrives at the 2006 American Music Awards on November 21, 2006 in Los Angeles. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

(AP) - Clay Aiken is shown in this file photo as he is interviewed in New York, Thursday Jan. 10, 2007. The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of 'American Idol,' has made his Broadway debut in 'Monty Python's Spamalot,' in creator Eric Idle's old role as Sir Robin. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

(AP) - Clay Aiken is shown as he is interviewed in New York, Thursday Jan. 10, 2007 in this file photo. The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of 'American Idol,' has made his Broadway debut in 'Monty Python's Spamalot,' in creator Eric Idle's old role as Sir Robin. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

(Reuters) - Actor Brad Pitt salutes fans at the 'Idol Gives Back' show at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood, California April 6, 2008. The 'American Idol' special charity event benefits relief programs for children and young people in extreme poverty. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

(AP) - American Idol's David Cook signs autographs during batting practice at Shea Stadium before the New York Mets play the San Diego Padres Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)