Country superstar and "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood will perform at the Dane County Coliseum, according to her official Web site, but no need to clear the calendar yet — the show won't be until Dec. 4.

It's part of Underwood's yearlong Carnival Ride Tour, which included co-headlining shows with Keith Urban last spring, several concerts this summer, then the upcoming non-stop trek from Sept. 23 to mid-December.

Ticket information for the Madison gig is not available yet — and probably won't be until early fall.

Underwood, 25, has sold nearly 10 million copies of her first two albums, her debut "Some Hearts" and 2007's "Carnival Ride." She's enjoyed seven No. 1 songs: "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Don't Forget to Remember Me," "Before He Cheats," "Wasted," "All-American Girl," "Some Small" and "Last Name."

Her fall tour, including the Madison stop, will feature opening act Little Big Town.

Seacrest in

Beginning Monday, "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest's syndicated radio show will become part of Z104's lineup from 1-4 p.m. each weekday. The program features highlights from Seacrest's morning show in Los Angeles and his cable TV reporting.

Z104 program director Jon Reilly said that Madison will be among the first markets to hear the new syndicated show. Reilly added that music will be played as much as it is during other times of the day.

Still, Reilly is eager to add Seacrest's show-biz chat to Z104.

"No one is more connected than him," Reilly said. "It's very entertaining."

Fest moves Forward

Wow. The half-dozen 20-something organizers of Madison's Forward Music Fest, Sept. 19 and 20, have put a first-rate event together. Using numerous Downtown Madison club venues, Forward will highlight quality Midwest acts and emphasize fan-friendly atmosphere.

Singer Neko Case gives the fest star power and a headline act likely to fill the 1,700-seat Orpheum Theatre. (Her show is set for 8 p.m. Sept. 19.) But Forward isn't just about filling seats. The organizers want to bring festgoers out to many clubs and encourage support of independent live music.

More power to 'em. Go check the fest's terrific site at www.forward musicfest.com.

So move to Wisconsin

Veteran Chicago Sun-Times entertainment writer Dave Hoekstra slammed the Taste of Chicago and gave Milwaukee's Summerfest rousing support. The two mammoth events run concurrently now through July 6.

Wrote Hoekstra: "(Taste of Chicago is) a mess of sweaty people in Grant Park stuffing themselves as if they are on a collective Death Row. ... Summerfest is what Taste should be. Summerfest lines are shorter, the lake breeze is cooler and the music bookings are more adventurous."

Another APT boost

American Players Theatre in Spring Green has good taste in hired help. APT selected Todd Rosenthal to design the set for its adventurous version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which opened the theater's season. Recently, Rosenthal won a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design for the play "August, Osage County."

Launchpad winners

Madison soul and pop band Alton Kelly won the fifth-annual Launchpad state high school battle of the bands contest. The group — Austin Douse, Rob Rodriguez, Ricci Fisher and Bill Van Wagner of Edgewood High School and Madison Memorial High School — receive studio recording time and a noon-2 p.m. gig at Summerfest on July 4.

Return each Sunday to A&E for more news, opinion and mayhem by Tom Alesia, talesia@madison.com. Until then, go to www.madison.com/wsj/home/entertainment for the State Journal's other offerings and Madison's most complete guide to upcoming shows in Coming Attractions.