PITTSBURGH -- There are a few days we here at WPXI.com look especially forward to each year. Just like the kickoff of Steelers season, it's always fun to mark down the American Idol tour on your calendar.

Usually, Carly Noel and I take turns covering the tour stop at Mellon Arena, but this year, seeing as we are both huge Adam Lambert fans, we decided to spend the sunny, summer Saturday afternoon together.

SLIDESHOW: See & Be Seen's Carly, Jessica Chat With American Idols
RAW VIDEO: American Idols Wave Terrible Towel, Rock Mellon Arena

While we didn't get to interview Adam, (the Idols alternate media hours from city to city), we did have the chance to talk with some of our other favorites, including Danny Gokey, Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds and Idol Season 8 winner Kris Allen.

---

Kris Allen

Any Idol fan knows that by the end of the season you feel like you really know the contestants. Kris, much like I imagined, was genuine and down-to-earth. Cool and casual in his William Rast jeans and red T-shirt, my interview with him felt more like a conversation with a friend.

Like many 23-year-olds, Kris told me that a year ago he didn't have a job. Then, he won American Idol.

VIDEO: Winner Kris Allen Talks Football, New Album

"This has totally been crazy, working every day, pretty much no days off, hard every day. But when I think about it, I'm doing the thing I love the most and that's what matters," Kris said.

Kris, along with the top 10 Idols, will have visited 50 cities in three months once the tour wraps up in September. Along with performing, Kris said he enjoys meeting the fans. Dozens were lined up outside of Mellon Arena more than five hours before show time.

"It's so flattering that people would spend a whole day...just to see us or shake our hand. It means a lot. American Idol fans are the best," Kris said.

Kris said many fans even bring presents for the Idols. So what's the coolest one he's ever gotten? A vinyl of the Beatles 'Revolver' album.

"I was freaking out when I saw that," he said.

Kris is a huge football fan. His team -- The Packers. He had no comment on Brett Favre's series of come-backs, but he was quick to bring up Ben Roethlisberger's recent ankle injury and even had some nice words about the Steelers.

"I watched the Super Bowl last year. I was happy for the Steelers. It was a great Super Bowl," he said.

So what's next for Kris? He told me to listen for his first single to hit the airwaves very soon, followed by his album set to be released in November. And who knows, maybe the album will have some Pittsburgh influences. Kris told me while working in his hotel room all day he enjoyed staring out onto the Ohio River and PNC Park.

Danny Gokey

A solid member of the top three Idol contestants was Danny Gokey; the soulful singer with an amazing voice and really cool glasses.

Danny told Carly that he has more than 50 pairs of glasses, including the pair he chose to wear in Pittsburgh. He loves eyewear so much that he is working on coming out with his own line.

VIDEO: Danny Gokey Talks Glasses, Late Wife

"I had a meeting with a large [eyewear] company and they're talking about doing an endorsement with my name on it, a line of glasses. I got a contract and we're working on putting the pieces together. So it looks like this might be a go. I hope so," Danny said.

To prove his glasses are for more than just his style, Danny had Carly try them on, and she can confirm, they are a very strong prescription.

Carly discovered something important about Danny from the moment he opened his mouth -- He has a very big heart.

His wife passed away just before his Idol auditions. Danny said the experience has helped him to heal.

"It gave me a focus again. I had already planned on trying out beforehand. Me and my wife agreed to it. It just so happens we went through a tragedy. What I like to tell people is life is no fun when you have no dreams. Dreams give you something to look forward to. And I really like to encourage people to dream like I did. Even in the midst of the worst situation you ever have to walk through. It gives you a reason for living," Danny said.

In addition to working on a new album, Danny told Carly that he is doing work for a foundation he started in his wife's name. It's called Sophia's Heart Foundation. He said he plans to incorporate the foundation into any tours he might do in the future.

Lil Rounds

Lil Rounds popped into the interview room at Mellon Arena in her bare feet. It was her first chance to paint her toenails since arriving in Pittsburgh yesterday. She told me the Idols kept busy exploring the city.

"I got a chance to go check out a movie. I saw 'The Goods.' It was really good! We went and ate a little bit and went to a jazz bar across the street from our hotel. So I got to enjoy some live music, have a few drinks. It was good," she said.

VIDEO: Lil Rounds Talks Name, What She Did In Pittsburgh

While she enjoyed her time in Pittsburgh, the Memphis-native told me there is one tour stop that really stands out.

"Going home and getting a chance to perform on that home stage. There's nothing like it. It was really, really great," Lil said.

Once the tour is over, Lil said she has several meetings lined up to hopefully work out a record deal. Her goal is to release an album early next year.

And in case you're wondering, Lil Rounds is not a nickname. Lil is named after her grandmother, Lilly, and her married name is Rounds.

Matt Giraud

Unless you haven't checked out any celebrity gossip news this summer, you've probably heard about the drama surrounding American Idol judge Paula Abdul's return to the show. At the time of this article being posted, Paula will no longer be on American Idol.

Matt was one of Paula's favorites, so Carly asked him about his take on the situation.

VIDEO: Matt Giraud Talks Paula Abdul, Piano Bars

"I love her to death. I don't know what she's gonna do but I even texted her yesterday to say 'I'll support you no matter what.' She said 'Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.' I think that she loves the contestants. She came back every year for us. She loved to nuture the new talent and watch us grow. So whatever she wants to do I'm behind her. I hope she's happy," Matt said.

After the tour, Matt will go on to host a new on-line show called 'Make The Cut,' a show that features aspiring singers and songwriters. Sound familiar?

"I'll be on the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of the contestant, I'll be the judge and a mentor," Matt said.

Matt told Carly he is also booking shows and hopes to work out a record deal.

---

Adam Lambert

Even though we didn't score an Adam Lambert interview, our quest to see the Idol mega-star was not lost.

On our way out of the building, I spotted a tall guy with stunning eyes, wearing a baseball hat, T-shirt and jeans, walking down the hallway for a meet-and-greet. No eyeliner or flashy clothes, but it was unmistakably Adam Lambert.

Feeling like a teenager, I poked Carly and quietly said, "Look!" Carly stopped in her tracks as the rest of our group headed out the door. She flashed him a smile, wave and "Hello."

She didn't get an interview, but she did get that million-dollar Adam Lambert smile.