As the Idol audition train is about to make it's final stop in Denver before FINALLY rolling into Hollywood week, the Idol news machine keeps a chug-chug-chugging along at full-speed. Today brings news of another Idol joining in the Super Bowl festivities, more on Idol involvement in charity singles for Haiti, and news on that black magic woman who you either love or hate, Carly Smithson.

First up, good news for Chris Daughtry fans and Super Bowl watchers. According to mjsbigblog  American Idol's beloved bald rocker will be opening the Super Bowl's Pre-Game Tail Gate party. If Daughtry's performance pans out, which seeing that he's participating in a Super Bowl press conference on Thursday seems like a pretty sure thing, he'll be in good Idol company. As we reported last week, Carrie Underwood will be singing the National Anthem for this year's Super Bowl.

Speaking of Carrie Underwood, she debuted her brand new video for "Temporary Home" yesterday. (Warning: have your tissues ready.) It's up on YouTube  for now, so watch it while you can, though this heart-tugger of a video  will surely be making the rounds on those rare music channels that still play videos. They exist right?

Carrie Underwood isn't the only former Idol releasing new material. Controversial (some might say ringer) season 7 contestant Carly Smithson and her band "We Are the Fallen" have a brand new single available today. "Bury Me Alive" is the band's first single and it features Carly's gothic gargantuan vocals, as well as ex-members of Evanescence. You can purchase the single on iTunes or Amazon.

Also making it's debut today is Simon Cowell's Haiti relief single. The Simon organized cover of REM's "Everybody Hurts" debuted on English radio stations this morning. As we reported yesterday, the single will be made available for sale in the UK on February 7th. Lucky for those of us not in the UK, someone has uploaded a video with the track. Take a listen for yourself.



Clearly, Simon's not the only person organizing star-studded singles for Haiti. We've told you about the remake of We Are The World, which former Idol stars Jennifer Hudson and Katharine McPhee have signed on for. From Twitter last night we can also confirm that season six winner Jordin Sparks will also be singing for on the single.

Also joining in song to help Haiti are Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh from season 6 and Mandisa from season 5. Again, thanks the mjsbigblog, we get word that these more soulful Idol singers have been tapped by Christian artist Michael W. Smith to record an original charity single for Haiti. YouTube video of rehearsal, including some quick interviews with the Idol particpants have been posted by Russ Mohr, who also sang in the charity choir.



The single will be available soon on iTunes. Now off to Denver with you. I'll see you there tonight!

(Image Courtesy of FOX)