Canadian Idol Folks Look To Future Now That Fifth Season Ends

Canadian Idol wrapped up its fifth and most successful season on Tuesday night, and now the three finalists hope they can draw big numbers when they take their show on the road this fall.

Nearly five million votes were cast to decide the winner, up 22 per cent from last year, which brought the season's total up to 37.32 million. Monday night's episode drew 2.23 million viewers, making it the most watched of the season (although Tuesday night's ratings aren't yet in).

When asked what could be done to make the show better, executive producer John Brunton joked, "We're going to bring Elvis back. We're thinking Janis Joplin might make an appearance next year."

Brunton was pleased with the diversity of this season's finalists, especially the top three, with Carly Rae Jepsen representing jazz bars across the countyr, Jaydee Bixby holding down the western plains and winner Brian Melo becoming Canada's "working class, alternative rock guy."

"We were looking for that great singer-songwriter," said judge Sass Jordan. "And Brian represented that."

"I don't want to be a one hit wonder," insisted Melo. "I want longevity."

Sony BMG Canada co-Presidents Shane Carter and Neil Foster welcomed Melo to the family by immediately signing him to a one-year recording contract. "All I Ever Wanted," which he sang on the show, is his first single.

"We're thrilled Canadian Idol continues to serve as a launch pad," said Carter.

Melo said that he first wants to launch into buying furniture for his new pad. Melo, Bixby and Jepsen will embark on a cross-country tour where they'll sing both alone and together, backed by a band.

Here are the dates:

Nov. 18 Charlottetown, PEI @ Confederation Centre Of The Arts
Nov. 19 Moncton, NB @ Capitol Theatre
Nov. 20 Halifax, NS @ Rebecca Cohn Centre
Nov. 22 St. John's, NF @ Mile One Centre
Nov. 28 Gatineau, QC @ Casino Du Lac-Leamy
Nov. 29 Belleville, ON @ Empire Theatre
Nov. 30 Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
Dec. 1 Hamilton, ON @ Hamilton Place Theatre
Dec. 3 North Bay, ON @ Capitol Centre
Dec. 5 Thunder Bay, ON @ Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
Dec. 6 Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
Dec. 7 Saskatoon, SK @ TCU Place
Dec. 8 Red Deer, AB @ Red Deer Memorial Centre
Dec. 10 Surrey, BC @ Bell Centre For The Performing Arts
Dec. 12 Edmonton, AB @ Winspear Centre