"AMERICAN IDOL"
     LOS ANGELES (AP) - The "American Idol" finals could be guy-versus-guy. That is if Paula Abdul's hunch is right. Last night, Abdul was downright apologetic when she told Syesha her performance might be good enough to get into the finals. Simon Cowell likened David Archuleta to a Chihuahua when he should have been a tiger. As for David Cook, Simon says he won the night. But Randy Jackson thought Cook was just OK and predictable. Tonight, well know which two will be singing next week to win "American Idol."

TAYLOR SWIFT SWIFT TO BE FACE OF L.E.I.'S BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
     NEW YORK (AP) - Taylor Swift is the new face of L.e.i. jeans. Swift will be featured in the company's Back-to-School ad campaign, to be called "This is L.e.i. Country." The L.e.i. line will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores beginning in July.
 
TAYLOR SWIFT HAS HER PROM
     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Taylor Swift has gotten her senior prom after all. Country Weekly reports Swift celebrated her latest successes at a prom-themed industry party at a Nashville club this week. Taylor had to skip her own prom this year. Guests at the party wore prom attire and Swift sported a blue prom dress and a tiara with the words "Our Song" across the top. The party celebrated Taylor's recent Number-1 hit, "Our Song," and the triple platinum success of her self-titled debut album.
 
"THE ADVENTURES OF SLIM AND HOWDY" IN STORES NOW
     UNDATED (AP) - Brooks and Dunn can add author to their resumes. Their first novel is now in stores. "The Adventures Of Slim and Howdy" is based on the two western characters that have been traditionally featured in the liner notes of their albums. The book finds the character's engaged in a series of dangerous encounters as they chase musical success.
 
GONE COUNTRY PERFORMANCE
     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The new cast of CMT's "Gone Country 2" will be performing today in Nashville. The contestants will be singing brand new songs they wrote themselves. The gathering at the Wild Horse Saloon is free and will be taped to air later on the show. The second season of "Gone Country" premieres in August. The new cast includes former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, singers Irene Cara and Jermaine Jackson and actor Lorenzo Lamas. John Rich is again hosting the show.
 
HELEN CORNELIUS CREDITS POSITIVE ATTITUDE FOR BREAST CANCER RECOVERY
     HANNIBAL, Mo. (AP) - Singer Helen Cornelius believes her positive attitude helped her make a quick recovery from breast cancer. She was diagnosed two years ago. Cornelius says she cried for a week, then decided, "I have cancer, it doesn't have me." Cornelius had surgery and two weeks of radiation, then was back on the road within five weeks.
 
SERVICES FOR EDDY ARNOLD
     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Fans in Nashville have begun to bid farewell to Eddy Arnold. A public viewing was held yesterday in the Country Music Hall of Fame rotunda. The viewing continues this morning. Arnold's funeral service is scheduled for this afternoon. It's also open to the public. The funeral service is being held at the Ryman Auditorium. Burial will be private. Arnold died last Thursday at a care facility in Nashville. He was 89.
 
DOTTIE RAMBO FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
     UNDATED (AP) - Gospel singer Dottie Rambo will be laid to rest next week in Nashville. She died this past Sunday when her tour bus crashed in southwest Missouri. She was 74. A memorial service for her is planned for Monday at Christ Church. A visitation will be held this Saturday and Sunday at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home in Nashville. The visitations and memorial service are open to the public. After Monday's memorial service, there'll be a private entombment for family only.
 
CARTER'S CHORD DIGITALLY RELEASES DEBUT JUNE 17
     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Carter's Chord will release its self-titled debut album digitally on June 17th. The actual physical album comes out later this year. Toby Keith helped produce the album. Carter's Chord will tour with Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry and Trailer Choir on Keith's Biggest and Baddest Tour, running June through this fall.
 
DONNY AND MARIE ANNOUNCE WORLD-WIDE SEARCH FOR TALENTED AND ASPIRING DANCERS
     LAS VEGAS (AP) - Donny and Marie Osmond are searching for dancers to be part of their all-new headlining show at the Las Vegas Flamingo. The show opens in September. A team of judges, including Donny and Marie, will sift through what is expected to be thousands of taped submissions. The contest concludes with a live audition of the finalists that will take place early next month.
 
TODAY'S BIRTHDAY
     Guitarist Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys is 30.
    
     By Myra Lopez

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