THE COUNTDOWN TO THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL CONTINUES; FOUR GO HOME AND THE REST KEEP ON SINGING! MELINDA LIRA, SARAH MATHER, JUDD HARRIS, JARED YATES ELIMINATED FROM THE "AMERICAN IDOL" COMPETITION

TOP 10 GUYS TAKE THE STAGE NEXT MONDAY, FEB. 28, FOLLOWED BY TOP 10 LADIES' NIGHT ON TUESDAY, MARCH 1, AND FOUR MORE GO HOME ON THE WEDNESDAY RESULTS SHOW, MARCH 2 ON FOX

The phenomenal fourth season of AMERICAN IDOL continues its "singing" ways, as almost 40 million votes were cast after Monday and Tuesday's performance shows. AMERICAN IDOL delivered its most heart-wrenching episode this season as the four contestants who received the lowest number of votes were eliminated from the competition. It was revealed last night that the AMERICAN IDOL journey ended for Melinda Lira, Sarah Mather, Judd Harris and Jared Yates. Lira, from Hanford, CA, sang "Power of Love," while Mather had the audience on their feet with "Get Ready." Harris, who currently resides in New York, entertained the audience with "Travelin' Band," while Yates, from Danville, IL, sang "How Could I."

Next week, the Top 10 guys (Bo Bice, David Brown, Anthony Fedorov, Constantine Maroulis, Joseph Murena, Anwar Robinson, Scott Savol, Nikko Smith, Travis Tucker, Mario Vazquez) will take the stage once again, singing live for America on Monday, Feb. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT). Then it's ladies' night on FOX, as the Top 10 girls (Amanda Avila, Celena Rae, Lindsey Cardinale, Janay Castine, Mikalah Gordon, Aloha Mischeaux, Jessica Sierra, Vonzell Solomon, Nadia Turner, Carrie Underwood) perform live in hopes of winning America's vote on Tuesday, March 1 (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT). Tune in the following night to see who receives enough votes to stay in the competition, and who goes home. Another two males and two females will be eliminated on the live results show Wednesday, March 2 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Eight-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Television; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Chief Operating Officer, Production, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

Go to www.idolonfox.com for all of your AMERICAN IDOL news. Check out the photos from the different audition cities, along with special, behind-the-scenes information on AMERICAN IDOL.