It was a rough year for the American Idols franchise. In its 12th year, the show that launched such pop stars as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson seemed frayed and stale, lost viewers to glitzier talent shows (e.g., “The Voice”) and looked rigged to produce a female winner (after years of triumphing boys-with-guitars including last year’s Phillip Phillips).

Candice Glover (Ray Mickshaw/FOX)
But that didn’t stop the eager young contestants from giving the vocal horserace their all. The top 11 finalists, including new Idol champ Candice Glover, were rewarded with a spot on the national Idols tour, which kicked off its 30-city run on Friday at Kent’s ShoWare Center.
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