John Legend Hedley Brian Melo Jully Black

Mariah Carey to perform live on finale

Updated Mon. Aug. 25 2008 12:25 PM ET

Mariah Carey will bring her incredible voice to the Canadian Idol stage performing live on the star-studded two-hour finale Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 8 pm ET.

The most successful female artist of all time will be joined by John Legend, Hedley, reigning Idol champ Brian Melo and Jully Black.

"Viewers are in for a treat in what is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular Canadian Idol finales ever," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.

The Results Show will reveal the winner of Canadian Idol, after the Top 2 battle it out one last time Monday, Sept. 8 at 9 pm ET. For the second year in a row, Canada's new Idol will be male, with four men remaining in the competition.

It's the conclusion to a season that many fans are calling one of the best ever.

Mariah Carey is a multi-platinum, award-winning superstar who has been making hit songs since her album debut in 1990. With worldwide sales now exceeding 160 million albums, she is the biggest selling female artist of all-time. Carey has recorded 18 #1 singles, surpassing Elvis Presley's previous record of 17 #1 singles, and is now positioned as the only active recording artist with the potential to surpass the Beatles (with 20 #1's).  Carey's current album E=MC², which is her eleventh studio album, debuted at #1 on the Nielsen Canadian Soundscan Album Chart upon release.  It is the follow up to her 10 million-selling, multi-Grammy winning The Emancipation of Mimi.

Carey joins a long list of internationally renowned musical guests who have hit the Canadian Idol stage this season, including former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, rockers Simple Plan and the legendary Tom Jones. Legendary songstress Anne Murray will mentor the Idols and perform on the Top 4 Results show (Aug. 25), along with American Idol champ Jordin Sparks. Canadian icon Bryan Adams mentors and then performs on the Top 3 results show (Sept. 2).

Also performing during the Canadian Idol finale are:

John Legend

Since leaving his role as an in-demand studio session player and stepping into the spotlight in 2004, John Legend has built his reputation as a premier singer, songwriter, pianist and performer. His debut album, Get Lifted, was a critical and commercial triumph, earning eight Grammy nominations - of which Legend won three - and sold more than three million copies worldwide. Legend's second release, Once Again, followed suit, winning him another Grammy.  Legend has also released Live From Philadelphia, won his fifth overall career Grammy in 2006 and launched the Show Me Campaign. Legend is currently putting the finishing touches on Evolver, his first full-length studio album since 2006, which will be available online and in stores on Tuesday, October 28.

Hedley

Hedley's road to rock n' roll stardom kicked off in 2005 with their self-titled album that was deemed the most successful domestic debut rock album of the year. Hedley garnered five hit singles, ("321," "Gunnin'," "On My Own," "Trip" and "Villain" - four of which went to #1 on MuchMusic), multiple JUNO nominations and an MMVA for Best Pop Video ("Gunnin"). Leading up to the release of their second album, Famous Last Words, in October 2007, the band gained two years of road experience in Canada and the US, headlining as well as supporting the likes of Bon Jovi and Nickelback. Famous Last Words is approaching double platinum status, and still in the Top 20 on Soundscan after 42 weeks. The album garnered four MMVAs and produced three #1 videos on MuchMusic and two on MuchMoreMusic. The band, comprised of lead vocalist Jacob Hoggard, bassist Tom MacDonald, guitarist Dave Rosin and drummer Chris Crippin, are gearing up for a cross-Canada theatre tour beginning in October.

Brian Melo

It's been a whirlwind year for Hamilton, Ontario's Brian Melo. After winning last year's Canadian Idol crown, Melo went straight into the studio. While Melo enlisted the help of some of Canada's premier music composers and lyricists to work with him on the record, he played an instrumental role not only in recording the album, but also writing and composing it. Melo also takes great pride in delivering a memorable live show and insists that onstage is where he feels most at home. With his constant touring over the past year, and singles "All I Ever Wanted" and "Shine" having already climbed the Canadian singles charts, it's no surprise that the aptly titled debut album, Livin' It, is well on its way to being certified gold.

Jully Black

Since releasing her compelling debut, This Is Me, in 2005, Jully Black has firmly established herself as one of Canada's most revered music stars. Joining the cast of Canadian Idol as a mentor, champion and confidant for the Idol hopefuls has been an exciting experience for the Toronto native and is yet another item on her long list of successes to date. Featuring infectious singles "Seven Day Fool" and "Queen", her sophomore album Revival earned numerous accolades including a win for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and nomination for Single of Year at The 2008 JUNO Awards. Black has penned songs for Destiny's Child and Nas, shared the stage with Bon Jovi, Josh Groban, Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Usher and collaborated with countless influential Canadian artists and songwriters, including Ian Thornley, Dallas Green and Hawksley Workman.

Watch for more details about Canadian Idol's sixth season finale to be announced in the coming weeks!

 

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