Utahn Megan Joy, who placed No. 9 in the past season of "American Idol," says she is looking forward to performing on the tour, especially at the E Center.

"I have always hoped I would have this kind of opportunity to sing for my friends and family," Megan Joy said during an interview with the Deseret News. "I can't believe that I will be able to do this."

Megan Joy is the latest Utahn to go on the "American Idol" tour. Murray's David Archuleta placed second last year in the TV singing competition.

Megan Joy of Sandy said the concert will showcase all of the performers.

"Those who finished in the Top 10, but not the Top 2, will get to do two solos and then a group number," Megan Joy said. "The top winners will get to play longer."

Still, Megan Joy, who cited Mariah Carey and Bjork as her vocal influences, said she was overwhelmed at the prospect of touring with the group on a cross-country jaunt from Portland, Ore., to Manchester, N.H. The tour lasts from July to mid-September.

"When I think about it, I get a little nervous," she said, with a shaky laugh. "But I have always wanted to have a career in entertainment and this is a good start."

Megan Joy is joining the other season 8 "American Idol" contestants — winner Kris Allen, runner-up Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre.

"It's exciting to know that I'm going to be on tour with these people who have become my friends," she said. "They have become like my family."

Speaking of family, Megan Joy said she will miss her 2-year-old son Ryder while she is on tour.

Still, Megan Joy said, "American Idol" has been a big help for her financially in supporting her son.

"Thanks to my appearance on the program, I know that I can take care of my son by myself," she said.

During her most famous appearance on "American Idol," where contestants paid tribute to Michael Jackson a few months before his death, Megan Joy sang "Rockin' Robin" and interjected a "Caw Caw" at the end of her performance.

"I did the 'caws' on the spur of the moment," she said with a laugh. "Ever since I was a kid, I liked doing animal noises. And I felt that since the song was 'Rockin' Robin,' a bird sound would be funny."

Megan Joy said she plans to tune into the next season of "American Idol" every now and then.

"But I really don't have a lot of time," she said.

When she was in Salt Lake City in May, she went with her sister to give a little assembly at her sister's high school in Taylorsville.