'Idol Across America' kicks off Friday, March 1, in New York

Register to become part of the "Idol" Relay Team at americanidol.com

"American Idol" will kick off "Idol Across America," a cross-country relay of the "Idol" microphone, traveling from New York City to the "Idol" stage in Los Angeles. Sponsored by Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T, the "mic" will start its journey in New York City on Friday, March 1, when host Ryan Seacrest will launch the two-week, 5,000-mile trek to the "Idol" stage. The "mic" will arrive just in time for the Top 10 live performance show on Wednesday, March 13 (8 p.m.), on FOX.

Local "Idols" - fans, inspirational heroes, local officials and former "Idols" - will walk, run, bike, row, drive, skateboard, line-dance, roller-skate, skip, scooter and fly the "mic," among other means of travel, from state to state with their friends and family cheering them along the way. One lucky relay team member will win tickets to the "Idol" finale.

From New York, the epic journey continues on to Boston (March 2); Philadelphia (March 3); Washington, D.C. (March 4); Atlanta (March 5); Nashville, Tenn. (March 6); Detroit (March 7); Chicago (March 8); Oklahoma City (March 9); Dallas/Ft. Worth (March 10); Phoenix (March 11); Las Vegas (March 12); and Los Angeles (March 13). The relay will take the "Idol" "mic" to iconic American landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Fenway Park, the Liberty Bell, the Washington Monument, the Grand Ole Opry, the Grand Canyon, the Las Vegas Strip and finally, the "American Idol" stage.

The nationwide tour, produced by Civic Entertainment Group, will allow fans to celebrate the cultural phenomenon that is "American Idol."

Beginning, Tuesday, Feb. 19, fans interested in joining the "Idol" Relay Team should visitamericanidol.com. Also on the "Idol" site, fans can follow the "mic" and the Relay Team in real time via an interactive map as they make their way across the country. Throughout the trek, exclusive videos, photos and updates will be available on americanidol.com, as well as on Facebook (facebook.com/AmericanIdol), Instagram (instagram.com/americanidol) and Twitter (@AmericanIdol). Join the conversation using #IDOLusa.

"Idol Across America" will pass through the following cities on its trek to the "Idol" stage in Los Angeles. Check out americanidol.com for additional details and locations.

City/Date

• New York/Friday, March 1
• Boston/Saturday, March 2
• Philadelphia/Sunday, March 3
• Washington, D.C./Monday, March 4
• Atlanta/Tuesday, March 5
• Nashville, Tenn./Wednesday, March 6
• Detroit/Thursday, March 7
• Chicago/Friday, March 8
• Oklahoma City/Saturday, March 9
• Dallas/Ft. Worth/Sunday, March 10
• Phoenix/Monday, March 11
• Las Vegas/Tuesday, March 12
• Los Angeles/Wednesday, March 13

"Like" "American Idol" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion at #idol. Follow host Ryan Seacrest at @RyanSeacrest, and follow the judges: @MariahCarey,@yo_randyjackson,@nickiminaj and@keithurban.