Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The American Music Theatre in Lancaster just announced eight new shows including … ready for this, Idol fans … a Thursday, Aug. 4, performance by Kellie Pickler.

Tickets for Kellie’s shows are $52 and go on sale Saturday, April 30.

Kellie has performed in the area before, as an opener for first Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts.

She’ll be the headliner for this gig, which also offers a far more intimate setting than those previous shows.

Kellie, known as much for her fun personality as her music, placed sixth in season five of Idol and has released two successful country albums since then — Small Town Girl in 2006 and her self-titled followup in 2008.

Which also means we should be due for new Kellie Pickler music in the not-too-distant future.

In fact, Kellie tweeted just yesterday:  “In the studio with the best musicians ever. I’m surrounded by brilliance, talent, & grace. New music is on the way, thanks 4 your patience.”

The other shows announced that the American Music Theatre:

* Herman Hermits and the Union Gap Band on June 12 (tickets on sale April 2);

* Merle Haggard on Aug. 2 (tickets on sale April 23);

* Darius Rucker on Sept. 2 (tickets on sale April 2);

* Vince Gill on Sept. 8 (tickets on sale April 9);

* Dennis Miller on Sept. 9 (tickets on sale April 2);

* Celtic Thunder on Sept. 28 (tickets on sale April 16);

* Silver, Wood & Ivory on Oct. 16 (tickets on sale April 23).

For more information on American Music Theatre shows, go here.