Second Cup Cafe: "Idol" Holiday Tour

Four former "American Idol" finalists are hitting the road for a 15-city cross-country holiday music tour, but before they did, Chikezie, Diana DeGarmo, David Hernandez and Kimberley Locke dropped by the "Second Cup Café" to spread some holiday cheer.

The "American Idol Stars in Concert for the Holidays" tour features the four top 10 finalists taking to the stage for an exciting night of solo, duet and ensemble performances. This production will be a great way to see and hear the Idols up close and personal in an intimate theatrical setting. Audiences will get a chance to relive their favorite former Idol moments as these talented artists perform an array of holiday favorites.

A little more about each performer:

Chikezie

Born Chikezie Eze, in Inglewood, Calif. to parents who emigrated from Nigeria, he began singing at the tender age of 13.

Chikezie first auditioned for "American Idol, Season 6." He made it through to Hollywood Week, where, unfortunately he didn't make the top 24. Undeterred, he returned and successfully auditioned again for Season 7 when the show made its rounds in San Diego. Chikezie made vast improvements, impressing the judges with, "All the Woman I Need" by Luther Vandross. This effectively earned his ticket to Hollywood. Once there, he beat the competition and became one of the prestigious top 24, moving onward to the top12 and making it to the elite top 10 American Idol, Season 7 tour.

Chikezie's musical influences are Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, John Legend, Sam and Dave, anyone that makes good music really. He loves performing. When he is performing, "it's always with the intention of lifting people's spirits and entertaining them."

Diana DeGarmo

Diana Nicole DeGarmo was named after the late Princess Diana of Wales.

By the tender age of 5, Diana was already used to the spotlight. Throughout her childhood, she made numerous appearances in singing competitions and pageants in and around the state of Georgia, even making it as far as performing at Nashville's legendary Grand Ole Opry.

Diana traveled to Scandinavia to try and pursue a career in music, but unfortunately nothing happened professionally and Diana's incredible talent was still unknown. It was after gaining recognition on the television show "America's Most Talented Kids" that Diana tried out for "American Idol."

Diana has continued to enjoy a fruitful career post-"Idol"; releasing an album, touring across the country and the world, and even acting on Broadway, all at the tender age of 18. Following her performance on "Idol," Diana released her single "Dreams" which became the third best selling single of the year. That summer, DeGarmo also recorded her debut album with RCA Records. Released December 7, 2004, "Blue Skies" showcased DeGarmo's amazing range and vocal prowess.

DeGarmo made her theatrical debut as Maria in the San Jose production of "West Side Story" in Nov. 2005. She impressed playing Maria with both her singing and natural acting ability.

While looking into the movie version of "Hairspray" in 2005, DeGarmo was asked to audition for the Broadway production of "Hairspray". Not expecting to actually be cast, DeGarmo returned to Atlanta after the audition, only to find out that she had indeed been offered the role as Penny Lou Pingleton in the production.

David Hernandez

David Hernandez and his younger sister, Alexandra, were raised by their single mom, Spring Hernandez. Growing up in Arizona, David began singing at age 6. His grandfather took him on his first audition for a local theater company. He got one of the lead roles and knew that singing and performing was the only thing out there for him.

He was also a young gymnast and won ten medals in the Grand Canyon Olympics during that time. Hernandez had some acting experiences and was in an independent film before his "American Idol" journey. He also once had aspirations of becoming an infotainment show host.

Before "Idol" he took various jobs to support himself, including singing on cruise ships, working as a server at a pizza bistro, and working at night clubs. Hernandez also used to sing with a local Phoenix cover group called Tribe 7.

Hernandez aspires to have a pop- and R&B-influenced album out by 2009, on which he would like to write his own songs. "It's definitely going to be an eclectic kind of vibe. I'd like to put a little bit of rock and R&B in it too. That's the kind of image I want to put out there. I'm more of an R&B, grit-and-grind kind of singer."

Kimberley Locke

In the past few years, Nashville native Kimberley Locke, a pop/R&B singer, has had eight Top 20 Adult Contemporary hits, three #1 Dance hits, and eight #1's across various Billboard charts.

She gained fame with her participation in the 2003 "American Idol" where she placed third, and in 2007 she garnered media attention for her participation in Celebrity Fit Club.

At the age of 9, she and three childhood friends formed a quartet named Shadz of U, which performed at many local churches. Locke went to Gallatin High School, where she was one of sixteen members to participate in its performing group. She remained in the group throughout her high school years. She was also selected twice as a member of the All-Middle State Chorus.

Locke has been active in many charities, particularly in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Locke's first exposure to working with children living with HIV/AIDS was through her work with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She has since worked with other organizations, including YouthAIDS, the Davy Foundation and Camp Heartland. In recognition of her extensive charitable efforts as an HIV/AIDS activist, Locke was presented with the Red Ribbon Award in November 2007.