Chikezie

Photo courtesy of Scott Stander and Associates

The “American Stars in Concert for the Holidays Tour” comes to The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall for one show, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.

Former “Idol” contestants Chikezie (season 7), Diana DeGarmo (season 3), David Hernandez (season 7) and Kimberly Locke (season 2) will take the stage to sing holiday classics and other tunes. The four will sing solos, duets and as an ensemble.

The touring show, which will have made its way into just 15 cities before it finishes Dec. 21, came about after the success of this year’s “American Idol” tour. Among the participants in that was Chikezie, who said in a telephone interview he jumped at the chance to tour again with fellow “Idol” stars.

The singer, who came in 10th place in the last season, said the holiday show has been greeted warmly by fans.

“The audiences have been wonderful,” Chikezie said. “We’ve gone to a lot of smaller cities, so it’s pretty cool for us and for the people there. The ‘Idols’ tour was mostly in larger cities, and a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to go.”

The set list features about 80 percent holiday music, Chikezie said. He sings two Stevie Wonder songs, “Someday at Christmas” and “What Christmas Means to Me.”

“My whole thing is I wanted to sing songs that are fun and enjoyable and Christmasy,” he said.

He also duets with Locke on the song “Last Christmas.”

The tour has so far attracted sizable crowds, Chikezie said. He added he thinks the current state of the world makes people want to hear holiday music.

“It’s nostalgia, especially at this time, when things are so bleak,” he said. “We’re at war and in a recession. Everything is so tough right now. Some of the best things we have right now are memories of when things were happier.”

But he adds he’s happy with the year he’s had.

“I’m so blessed,” he said.

The coming months should continue to keep him busy as he finishes up recording an album. He’s also going to take acting lessons and would like to pursue musical theater. And he doesn’t rule out doing another “Idol” tour someday.

“I’m having a lot of fun with this,” he said. “I had fun with the original ‘Idol’ tour. The show is such a powerful thing.”

He said he and his fellow performers are enjoying meeting so many fans at tour stops.

“Every show we go out and sign autographs and meet with people and hear their stories,” he said.

The California native said touring at this time of year has been fun because of the chance to see so much snow.

“It’s really cool,” he said. “While we were doing the summer tour we never saw it, and living in L.A. I never get the opportunity to see snow.”

Tickets for the “American Stars in Concert for the Holidays Tour” are $25, $30 and $35 and are available at all TicketMaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, in person at the Thomas Hall Ticket Office or by calling (330) 972-7570.