You cannot stop "American Idol," and you sure as heck can't escape it. At a time when the music industry seems incapable of developing breakthrough acts, "American Idol" produces a bumper crop each season.

This year, North Carolina's State Fair has three "Idol" acts among the 10 headliners of the nightly Dorton Arena arena shows. Ruben Studdard, who edged out Raleigh homeboy Clay Aiken to win season two, performs Oct. 14. Then come two native-born finalists from season five: Albemarle's Kellie Pickler on Oct. 16, and Daughtry, the band led by McLeansville's Chris Daughtry, on Oct. 20.

Pickler, whose debut album topped the country charts in November, and Daughtry, who boasts the top-selling album of 2007, represent the spectrum of ticket prices for the Dorton Arena shows -- Pickler at $5, Daughtry at $20.

Meanwhile, the annual "American Idol" tour -- featuring season-six winner Jordin Sparks plus ringer Sanjaya Malakar and the other finalists -- hit a string of state fairs. Before their performance Tuesday in Greensboro Coliseum, the singers will have entertained state fair crowds in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa and New York.

Here's the lineup for the Raleigh fair. For details see www.ncstatefair.org.

OCT. 12: Mercy Me, contemporary Christian. $10.

OCT. 13: Sara Evans, country. $15.

OCT. 14: Ruben Studdard, soul. $10.

OCT. 15: Josh Turner, country. $10.

OCT. 16: Kellie Pickler, country. $5.

OCT. 17: Paula Deen, television food show star. $20.

OCT. 18: Anthony Hamilton, R&B. $15.

OCT. 19: Steven Curtis Chapman, contemporary Christian. $10.

OCT. 20: Daughtry with Day of Fire, rock. $20.

OCT. 21: Trace Adkins, country. $20.

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