Sing that funky music

Carrie, Bo and Vonzell are back in Los Angeles, preparing for Tuesday's final three performances.

If you're new to American Idol this year, the final three show is often called "free choice." There will be no theme.

Each of the contestants will sing three songs. Normally the first is the song of the contestant's choice. The second song is traditionally the judges' choice -- each judge selects one song for one contestant. And the third song will be hand-picked by record executive Clive Davis, who will undoubtedly be part of the panel to offer his critique of each performance. (If you don't know who Clive Davis is, find out here.)

It's always interesting to see what songs are pulled from the different hats. But some of the suspense was (gratefully) ended Friday when the kids hit the friendly skies and landed in their even-friendlier hometowns.

Simon is choosing for Vonzell, and has selected the Donna Summer hit On The Radio. Good selection for Vonzell, who has proven that she was born 30 years too late. Disco suits her style perfectly, and she has, more than once, channeled the queen of disco.

Randy gets to pick for Carrie. And they must have pulled out the big checkbook to land the rights to a Shania Twain song, after years of adamant refusals. Randy's choice? Man! I Feel Like A Woman. This will either really allow Carrie to prove that she can sell a song, because it's the perfect vehicle to perform, not just sing. Or it won't. But it will be interesting to watch.

Well, that leaves Paula, of course. Paula has been known to pull some interesting song choices for the most interesting reasons. Remember, she is the judge who told Clay she chose his song so he could prove once and for all that he was not merely a lounge-type singer. And then she chose the ultimate lounge singer song, Mack the Knife. Ah well. She was in pain. Or with Corey. Whatever.

But it seems Paula has selected for Bo one of the ultimate rocker songs, The Rolling Stones' (Can't Get No) Satisfaction.

No word yet on Davis' choices or the kids' own picks, but if I find out, and can verify or personally feel confident in the information, I'll pass it along.

Seems the kids had grand times having days proclaimed for them. (But, think about it, if there was one day proclaimed in your name, would you really want it to be a Friday the 13th? If that's a curse, though, it's gonna curse all three of them, which could cause all of us to curse Tuesday.)

Carrie was dodging questions about her relationship with Anthony Fedorov after her tearfest on Wednesday, Vonzell was evading questions about her waterworks display on Tuesday, and Bo wiped his own tears after being cheered by over 300 city employees at City Hall.

Carrie sang the national anthem and signed autographs at the local high school. Vonzell sang two of the songs she's performed on the show and got to take over DJ duties at the local radio station. Bo sang Sweet Home Alabama with Lynyrd Skynyrd and then sang over the loudspeaker at the Wal-Mart. Gee, when I'm at the Wal-Mart, the only thing I hear is a bunch of people in the ladies underwear section spelling out the word WAL-MART. Bummer.

Remember Tuesday is the sale date of the CD. But, if you don't want the entire CD, it will be available for individual song download. Where? You guessed it! Walmart.com! (And you thought they all just got in their FORDS, drinking their COKES and went to the Wal-Mart for the fun of it.)

It's all about the endorsements!