(6 December 2005 5:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The fourth American Idol Bo Bice is all set to release his debut album, "The Real Thing," on 13 December.

Produced by Clive Davis, the album teams Bice with Chad Kroeger, Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, Ben Moody, John Shanks, and Swedish producer Max Martin.

"It's so cool to be surrounded by people like that. You just feel grateful every day," said Bice, who hails from Birmingham, Alabama.

There will be two editions of "The Real Thing." In addition to a regular CD, there will be a DualDisc version with bonus material, including three extra songs written by Bice.

The DualDisc version will include the full album in enhanced stereo; a 22-minute video of "A Day in the Life" of Bo; an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Bo in the studio, at promo appearances, photo shoots and meeting his fans; the three bonus audio tracks "Cinnamon & Novocaine," "Sinner in a Sin" and "Whiskey, Women and Time"; and acoustic performances of "Changing for the Better," "Whisky, Women and Time," "Sinner in a Sin" and "Papillon."

Bo will support the release of "The Real Thing" with multiple television appearances, including The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Billboard Music Awards (6 December), The Today Show and Live With Regis and Kelly (both 9 December), Ellen (13 December), The Tony Danza Show (15 December), The Early Show (16 December), The Radio Music Awards (19 December) and Jimmy Kimmel Live (20 December).

On 11 December, the Oxygen Network will air A Holiday Custom Concert Special -- Featuring Bo Bice and Special Guests. He'll wrap up the year with a one-hour special, In the Moment With Bo Bice, airing 13 January, 2006 on CMT.

There will be three opportunities for Bice's fans to watch him perform live. Bo will give an outdoor performance at Rockefeller Center for the 9 December appearance on The Today Show. They can also attend the taping of the Oxygen Network special in New York on 7 December and on 20 December, fans can watch Bice perform live on the outdoor set of Jimmy Kimmel's show.

"Bo Bice is indeed 'the real thing'. The album's title is so very accurate in not only reflecting its first single but also the extent of who and what Bo and his talent represent," said BMG US chairman and CEO Clive Davis.