'Idol' Underwood Does Gulf Benefit

Syracuse, NY - September 12, 2005 - "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood, along with runner-up Bo Bice and the other eight Idol finalists closed their summer concert tour with a benefit for Hurricane Katrina relief.

The American Red Cross will benefit from Sunday's sold-out crowd of 6,000 that paid $35 to $45 for a seat at the War Memorial at Oncenter, as the Idols wound up a tour of 43 cities in 62 days.

"It's a very happy thing that we're doing to help people," Underwood said. "When (executive producer) Simon Fuller suggested the idea of putting on a special charity concert to help those in need, I and all the Idols on tour were happy to help."

Underwood, of Checotah, Okla., said she would donate the revenues from her merchandise sales at the benefit concert to the Humane Society of the United States to help pets stranded in the hurricane region.