Finalists Rehearsed with Music Mogul Tommy Mottola


Last weekend the four AMERICAN IDOL finalists visited Graceland, the home of the original American Idol, Elvis Presley. Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley welcomed the finalists to the famed house, where music mogul Tommy Mottola offered advice to the Top 4 as they prepared for tonight's Elvis-themed AMERICAN IDOL performance show, Tuesday, May 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The show will feature highlights from the finalists' first meeting with the Presleys and Mottola, and a tour of Graceland. On tomorrow's AMERICAN IDOL results show (Wednesday, May 10, 9:00-9:32 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), "It's Now or Never" as the Top 3 finalists will be revealed.

Elvis Presley, arguably the most celebrated singer of our time, is estimated to have sold over 1 billion records, more than any other artist. A seminal figure in the birth of rock and roll, Presley remains hugely popular decades after his music first hit the airwaves. During their visit to Graceland, the IDOL finalists were given the opportunity to rehearse their Elvis songs at the world-famous home of "The King of Rock and Roll" under the tutelage of Mottola. Additionally, Priscilla Presley gave the finalists a private tour of the historic home.

Tommy Mottola grew up on Elvis' music and ultimately his love of "The King" led him to enter the music industry. He started his career as an artist with Epic Records, and later began managing and publishing artists and ultimately running one of the top music labels, Sony Records. He has worked with many of the biggest names in music, including Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Harry Connick Jr., Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Lopez and, most recently, Shakira.

Currently, Mottola presides over his own record label and management company and is in search of new talent with the whole package: look, style and most importantly, voice. No other industry executive has signed and developed more of music's top global superstars.

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

For photos of the finalists at Graceland, please go to www.FOXFLASH.com. Go to AmericanIdol.com for all of your AMERICAN IDOL news. Check out the special, behind-the-scenes photos and information on AMERICAN IDOL. For additional information on the Idols visit to Graceland, please go to www.Elvis.com.