Diana is "At Home In Nashville"

Diana was quoted in a feature article by Brian Dugger in the Toledo (Ohio) Blade on Sun., May 25, that checked in with many past American Idol finalists that now call the music city home. Diana talked about how she decided to do Gone Country on a whim and why so many of the show's alums have settled in Nashville. Diana said the following:

"Within every six inches, there's someone with musical talent, whether it's an instrumentalist, songwriter, engineer. The city is just buzzing with musical energy."

As for why many fellow alums have moved to the city, Diana said:

"AI itself, the main demographic is middle class, hard-working America, and that is very close to the demographic for country music. Idol is a little broader, but it's a lot of the same people. I meet people all the time who say, 'I saw you on American Idol.' It's an honor that people accept us and are excited about us doing their favorite type of music."

Diana said she keeps in touch with her Idol friends, especially Bo Bice and Phil Stacey.

Diana to host Riverfront Grand Finale show at CMA Music Fest

Diana will host the Riverfront Grand Finale show from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the 2008 CMA Music Fest in Nashville on June 8. The event brings out the biggest stars in country music each year to perform over the course of four days. Highlights from the festival will air in a two-hour special on ABC on Sept. 8.

To buy tickets for any of the festival's concerts, see Ticketmaster.

Diana to serve as judge for National Anthem singer competition

Diana will be one of three judges to select from a group of children that will audition for the chance to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the opening ceremonies each day at the 2008 U.S. Open in Flushing, N.Y. from Aug. 25-Sept. 7. According to an upcoming event reminder posted on Diana's MySpace, the event will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 9.

Diana will also participate in the Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids Bowling Party at the Hermitage Lanes in Nashville, Tenn., on June 2. Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital presented by Great American Country (GAC).

"Right Back Where We Ended" on 'AI Extra'

An abbreviated version of Diana's performance of "Right Back Where We Ended" aired on tonight's episode of American Idol Extra on the FOX Reality Channel. Watch the performance below.

Diana's performance to [finally] air on 'AI Extra'

After a two-week delay, Diana's performance of "Right Back Where We Ended" is slated to air on tonight's episode of American Idol Extra on FOX Reality Channel at 8 p.m. ET. The performance, which was taped weeks ago, was originally scheduled to air on Thurs., May 1, but was bumped to make room for Paula Abdul to explain her infamous flub in critiquing contestant Jason Castro on two songs when he had only sang one.

"Dreams" still charting on Billboard Hot Single Sales

Diana's American Idol single Dreams / Don't Cry Out Loud / I Believe is still charting on Billboard's Hot Single Sales chart. Dreams, which was released on June 29, 2004, came in at #67 this week on the sales chart, after it surged 171.4% to 38 copies sold, up from 14 copies one week ago. The single has sold a total of 201,770 copies.

Dreams debuted at #2 back in July 2004, selling roughly 65,000 copies in its first week, and finally hit #1 on the chart in September.

Diana's performance cut on 'AI Extra'

Diana's performance of "Right Back Where We Ended," which she taped for FOX Reality Channel's original series American Idol Extra a few weeks ago, was cut last moment from Thursday's episode, on which the performance had been scheduled to air on.

The last minute cut was in order to make room for an interview with Paula Abdul conducted by co-host Constantine Maroulis, in which she tried to explain her erratic behavior on Tuesday's episode of American Idol.

It has not yet been made public whether the performance will be rescheduled for a later episode.