Idol Finalists Happy To Cash In On Summer Tour

Only one person can win American Idol, but making the top ten still has its perks: a spot on the show's lucrative summer tour.

"I didn't know my situation if I had to go back home without the tour... things are not easy right now," finalist Michael Sarver told the AP. "This says I have work this year. It's a blessing."

The tour, which usually encompasses 50-60 dates over the course of three months, begins following the show's May 20 finale.

Lil Rounds, the 24-year-old mother of three from Memphis, Tenn., said her children understand why she will be away from home for awhile, and are proud.

"I went from singing at a church in front of maybe 70 to 80 people to a national tour," she said. It's absolutely amazing."

Adam Lambert, favored by many to capture this year's top honors, said he was going to use his earnings from the tour to buy a condo. He said that, despite the rock star treatment touring with the lavish bus and throngs of screaming fans, he doesn't foresee asking roadies to remove the brown M&Ms (ala Van Halen) anytime soon.

"I only like to play the part of the diva when I'm actually performing, but I don't like to act like that otherwise," he said.