UPDATE: 'IDOL' Star Adam Lambert's School Arts Funding Competition Raises Over $67K To Date

AMERICAN IDOL 8 season eight runner-up Adam Lambert has taken to his Twitter to share some exciting updated news about his charity:

adamlambert: Over $67,000 already raised!! Thank you all for making this charity a hit!

"Adam Lambert Fans! Join Adam and give a "Whole Lotta Love" to public schools on DonorsChoose.org. Click on your favorite Fan Group below (or give to the general group) and support a classroom project of your choice. Any donation amount can help students across the country get the resources they need to learn-or to thrive in music and theater, like Adam! Our top 10 most generous donors will receive signed photos by Adam AND the Fan Group with the most donations will receive an exclusive online chat session with Adam!"

"Thank you to those who have already given to DonorsChoose.org in lieu of gifts. The Fan Group competition runs from August 20th to September 20th, so give what you can to help these students thrive in the classroom!"

For more information and to make a contribution, visit www.donorschoose.org/adamlambert.

The American Idols Tour is "hitting the road" this summer. The top 10 finalists, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver, and Scott MacIntyre, all are taking the stage on a 50 city tour which began July 5th.

Adam Lambert signed a record deal with 19 Entertainment and RCA Recordings in JunE. Lambert is scheduled to record that album while on the road with the show's finalists for the "Idols Live Tour." The untitled album is expected for release in the fall.

Lambert was a true stand out on AMERICAN IDOL's 8th season - coming in second place in the finals behind winner Kris Allen.

The young Los Angeles based singer made every song his own with a soaring vocal style that thrilled week after week. Adam is also is no stranger to the theatrical stage having gotten his early start behind the footlights. Adam Lambert appeared in WICKED twice, once with the touring company in March 2005 for a six month contract, and then opening in the sitdown Los Angeles production in February 2007 and remaining with the show until October 2008. For both engagements in "Wicked", he was a ensemble member and understudied the role of Fieryo, the show's love interest. "

In addition to performing in WICKED, Adam Lambert also had a role in The Ten Commandments and appeared in The Zodiac Show.

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.

For more information visit, www.americanidol.com.

Photo courtesy of FOX TV.