MEGAN JOY IS ELIMINATED FROM THE "AMERICAN IDOL" COMPETITION

TOP 8 FINALISTS PERFORM SONGS FROM THE YEAR THEY WERE BORN TUESDAY, APRIL 7, ON FOX

Kellie Pickler to Perform Wednesday, April 8

Finalist Megan Joy was eliminated tonight from AMERICAN IDOL after she received the fewest of America's more than 36 million votes. On Wednesday's show, finalists performed Top Downloaded songs, and Joy, 23, from Sandy, UT, sang "Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Bob Marley.

Next week, the Top 8 finalists � Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre and Lil Rounds � take the stage Tuesday, April 7 (8:00-9:01 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to perform songs from the year they were born.

Tune in the following night Wednesday, April 8 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to find out if the judges use their save or if America sends another finalist home. Also, Season Five finalist Kellie Pickler returns to the IDOL stage to perform her new single, "Best Days of Your Life."

Kellie Pickler's gold-certified album, "Small Town Girl," became the best-selling debut in 2006 by a solo country artist. Two of the album's singles, "I Wonder," and "Red High Heels," placed on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Top 15 chart. Pickler's self-titled sophomore album recently debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart, making her only the sixth country artist to have their debut and follow-up albums enter at the top of the charts. Winner of three 2008 CMT Awards, Pickler penned five of the album's tracks, including the hit "Best Days of Your Life," which was co-written with Taylor Swift. Swift, who also lends her background vocals on the record, will appear with Pickler on the "Fearless Tour 2009." The six-month tour will visit 52 cities in 38 states and provinces across the U.S. and Canada.

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; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos of the finalists as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.