The Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year, Carrie Underwood was awarded with yet another accolade on Sunday when fellow Oklahoman and Opry member Garth Brooks presented her with her own Opry Member Award. "Nothing will last as long or be more important than this award right here tonight. Congratulations," Brooks told the beaming Underwood.

Since childhood, the Season 4 American Idol winner has loved the Opry and on June 10, 2005, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of debuting on its stages. Understandably, the televised awards ceremony was an emotional one for Underwood. "This is going to have a very special place in my awards case," Underwood said, voice breaking momentarily. "I want to thank everybody at the Opry for having me as part of your family because it is such a great family to be a part of. It really means everything to me. I am so blessed."

Underwood's latest award adds to her long list of accomplishments and professional activities. She is currently headlining her "Carnival Ride Tour" and her current album "Carnival Ride" features the #1 co-written smash hits "So Small", "All-American Girl" and "Last Name", which went double-platinum after only two months of its release.

Underwood will next appear at the Opry on Tuesday, June 3 alongside Montgomery Gentry, The Oak Ridge Boys and Luke Bryan.

Clearly Carrie Underwood has gone extremely far since she dominated the Idol stages. Why not take a peek back at her journey along Carrie's Transformation Gallery? To our dear friend from Checotah, we offer a great big, Congratulations, Carrie!

Good news for all fans of Season 3 finalist, Jon Peter Lewis: JPL will perform at The Mint in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18. So, if you live in area or will be visiting - - perhaps because you’re lucky enough to attend the Finale - - be sure to mark your calendar.

Jon’s new album, "Break The Silence" will be in stores on July 22 but you can buy it online now through his website.

While some will remember Rickey Smith for his catchphrase of "Hercules! Hercules! Hercules!", there is much more to the personality and talent of the man who took eighth place in Season Two. Prior to his achievement on American Idol, for instance, Rickey sang opera, performed comedy and worked as a teacher. Success on the show was hard won as he was placed by the judges in the Top 12 as one of the six wild card picks. The rest though is history. Not surprisingly, after Idol, Rickey has remained busy with entertainment, singing with Ruben Studdard and exploring opportunities on Broadway.

Happy Birthday, Rickey!

Between the rock 'n roll theme and Jason Castro's departure, this was one week of American Idol that is definitely worth taking another look at. The most entertaining way to do this is through our creative and funny photo recaps. And, if for some reason, you didn't manage to catch the Top 4 this week, we've also compiled video recaps and photo galleries you'll definitely want to check out.

As we head into the finale, your vote will help shape Idol history, so be sure to stay up-to-date with all your favorites' latest performances!

Jason Castro, a dreadlocked twenty year old with bright blue eyes, from Rockwall, Texas, will probably go down in American Idol history as being the most low-key, laid-back, contestants the show has ever seen. From the time he sauntered into his first audition, ever-present guitar slung over his shoulder, and beaming from ear to ear, he made his way into the fickle hearts of the American public.

There were no tears from Jason after his elimination the other night, but there was probably not a dry eye in many homes all across America, where people had reacted to his self-effacing charm and mellow personality.

In a phone interview after his departure Jason answered questions regarding many topics.

When asked how he felt when Simon said last week that he wasn’t the Jason they had brought into the competition, he responded, “Well, I was feeling the same thing, and I was just feeling me losing that power just because I couldn’t connect with the songs with, like, the given time. And, I really had a hard time when we picked it up to two songs. I just – like, I wasn’t committing to either one, and I couldn’t – I just couldn’t connect with them. I couldn’t fall in love with it. You need time for that”.

From the very beginning of the competition, Jason took everything in his stride, not really talking back to the judges, and even agreeing with them on many occasions. The week of his elimination, he had a particularly tough time with the judges, especially after he forgot the lyrics to his second song, Bob Dylan’s, “Mr. Tambourine Man”

Jason actually addressed the forgotten lyrics -- every singer’s worst nightmare. Here’s what he had to say: “Yes. I knew them. I just – I know – like when I got up on stage that day, it was really rushed, and like I had barely sat in my seat, and they told me to go. And so my mind was just kind of in a blur, and I just sang and got to that part, and I kind of – I think I kind of forgot where in the chorus I was, so I didn’t know which ending I was supposed to be doing.”

Jason continues to look on the bright side. He is extremely excited about the upcoming American Idol tour which kicks of in Glendale, Arizona, the home of last years winner, Jordin Sparks, on July 1st.

Always the philosopher, Jason remarked on his Idol experience, “Well, I’ve learned that I can do a lot more than I thought. Before I did this, I wasn’t really confident as a performer, and I wasn’t doing it a whole lot. And well, now, I did it for a few months straight on TV. And so I just gained a lot of confidence and learned that I can do it, and it’s cool”.

Watch our Exit Interview with Jason.

Season 4 runner-up Bo Bice is back on the American Idol stage tonight and will be performing his new single, "Witness", off his latest album, See the Light.

Find out more about what Bo's been up to by visiting his official site, bobice.com, where you can see recent photos, videos, tour info and more.

And, don't forget to check out this series of photos of Bo from season 4!

There's still time to donate to the Idol Gives Back Foundation through iTunes. It's easy, but time is limited. Here's how.

Supporters can donate by purchasing and downloading performances by artists such as Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, and of course, the American Idol finalists. Idol Gives Back content will only be available until this Saturday, May 10.

So, download those amazing performances from Idol Gives Back and help children in the U.S. and across the world!

The Idols literally rocked the house this week as they performed the music of their heroes commemorated at the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame. The variety of Rock song selected by our Top 4 ran the gamut as you can see in the song choices below:

David Archuleta

"Stand By Me" - Ben E. King

David Archuleta

"Love Me Tender" - Elvis Presley

David Cook

"Hungry Like The Wolf" - Duran Duran

David Cook

"Baba O'Riley" - The Who

Jason Castro

"I Shot The Sheriff" - Bob Marley & The Wailers

Jason Castro

"Mr. Tambourine Man" - Bob Dylan

Syesha Mercado

"Proud Mary" - Ike & Tina Turner

Syesha Mercado

"Change Is Gonna Come" - Sam Cooke

Each Thursday, Fox Reality Channel broadcasts a new episode of Idol Extra at 7p and 10p ET/PT and often they grab some great exclusives. In just the past couple of weeks, Idol Extra has featured the following:

Season 6 finalist LaKisha performs "Just As I Am".

Brooke White speaks emotionally after being eliminated.

Kristy Lee Cook's husband reenacts his marriage proposal.

Remember, Idol Extra is all-new each Thursday on the Fox Reality Channel at 7p and 10p ET/PT.

The Sarcoma Foundation of America will be hosting their annual fundraising gala on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 583 Park in NY from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Anthony Federov will be performing. Anthony's brother died from sarcoma two years ago, so this is a cause that is near and dear to his heart. Monies raised from the gala will go toward research to find a cure for sarcoma, a rare cancer of the connective tissue which accounts for 20% of all childhood cancers diagnosed each year. On Sunday, May 4th, the foundation’s Annual Educational Conference, New Frontiers in Sarcoma, will be held at the New York Marriott East Side.

The mission of SFA is to act as an advocate for increased research to find new and better therapies with which to treat patients with sarcoma. The SFA also interacts with public, private for-profit, and private non-profit organizations to raise awareness of the treatment needs of sarcoma patients.

In addition to Anthony performing, Kris Carr, a sarcoma survivor, filmmaker and star of Crazy Sexy Cancer, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Bob Woodruff, ABC News Anchor, will present Nancy Levin, PhD and Jon Levin, on behalf of Miles Levin, with the Leadership in Courage Award. The gala will also honor Roger Altman, CEO of Evercore, with the Vision of Hope Award; and Bob Benjamin, MD, of M.D. Andersen Cancer Center, with the Nobility in Science Award. Courage Awards will be presented to Anne Belk, Leslie Heyison, and Patrick Mortimer, who have bravely fought or are currently fighting sarcoma. The gala will also feature an exciting “Deal or No Deal” style live auction with "Deal or No Deal" actress Marisa Petroro, who is the 2008 SFA spokesperson and a sarcoma survivor.

To purchase tickets, please visit the Cure Sarcoma website.