Studdard won a $1m (�630,000) record deal

The "Believe in Alabama" concerts have been arranged to promote Governor Bob Riley's tax increase referendum on 9 September.

The Republican Governor is one of Studdard's biggest fans, although the pop star has not said whether he supports the politician's proposals.

The first concert in the town of Mobile on 2 September saw 8,800 tickets run out in half an hour.

And in Studdard's hometown of Birmingham, all tickets for the second concert on 5 September were gone in 17 minutes.

The American Idol's band, Just a Few Cats, and comedian Ced Delaney are also due to perform.

The R&B star - dubbed the Velvet Teddy Bear - beat fellow finalist Clay Aiken in The American Idol final in May.