Here's his story.

T. Boone Pickens Tonight!

It’s been 4 days since oil stopped gushing

from the damaged well in the Gulf.

Does the legendary oilman think the

disaster is finally over?

T. Boone Pickens on what must happen next!

TAKE OUR POLL: How does Obama rate on his response to the Gulf oil disaster?

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President Obama defends himself and his administration in the wake of what’s become the worst oil spill in U.S. history!

He said “I take responsibility” and tells his critics that he’s “fully engaged” in the response effort.

But is enough being done?

We’ll have the very latest on the spill and the status of the “top kill” effort to stop it.

Plus – legendary oilman T. Boone Pickens joins us tonight to rate the president’s response to this unprecedented disaster.

We want to hear from you:
Do you approve of Pres. Obama’s response to the oil spill?

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Bo’s new album, “3,”  was released last week and his single, “Long Road Back,” is being used to raise money for flood victims.  All proceeds from the single will be donated to a variety of flood assistance programs for people in Nashville as they recover and rebuild.

Bo recently spoke to us at the Larry King Live blog about his time on "Idol," why he loves it and how Nashville is doing these days…

LKL:  "American Idol" – it’s an exclusive club that you guys have been through...

Bo Bice: I was hanging out with one of the "Idol" folks this year.  A lot of us live in Nashville and you know that conversation came up.  There’s been a decade of "Idol."  Next year’s going to be the 10th anniversary.  Thinking about the big picture in the world, there’s only 100 people who know what its like to be in the top ten come next year. And that out of all the people that have tried out and worked hard there, I think that’s a really cool perspective on the true greatness of the show.

It’s nothing that I did.  I was just in the right place at the right time. I think the band – I wouldn’t have gotten so far without them being on the show. There are just all kinds of stars that lined up for me where I really give credit to the show and the producers who do a great job and the crew. It just made my job easy –got out there and pick songs that I love and go out and do my best to perform it.

LKL: I mean you must have had a little bit to do with it, too…

Bo: Well I mean I got to hold the microphone stand. [Laughs]  But it’s not really anything different than what I was doing 15 years before I went on the show.

LKL: But it’s obviously changed your life?

Bo: Oh goodness gracious!  It’s changed everything.  All the goals that I’ve accomplished, I’ve been able really do them plus a million.  From having my own recording studio and record label to doing the production myself with friends I trust who understand what I do and who I am as an artist.  The cool thing for me is that "Idol" has helped me accomplish more than those dreams I had.  I probably wouldn’t have been able to indulge myself had I not had the success I did from the show.

LKL: Do you still watch "Idol?"

Bo: Yeah I watch it every year. You have to realize I don’t get a lot of free time with being a dad, husband and playing rock star on TV [laughs].    I get the opportunity to watch it with my wife or she watches it and fills me in - because every year I get to go back to the finale and just like to see my friends.  I mean there’s some people that kind of run from that.  I’ve had so many people talk about me and my ego.  Everything from a sell-out to a has been or ‘never was’ I’ve been called.  

And I’ll tell you something, when people ask advice for this business I say have thick skin and I say work hard.  Practice all the time.  It’s just people being critical.  But I think at the same time when you love what you do you really enjoy it and you put your best foot forward and you’re proud of the product you’re putting out – that’s what "Idol" has been for me.  

People can bash it and they can bash people from it.  I see people bash it and bash it and bash it and then they go on and perform.  I love those hypocrites because at least I stand firm in the fact that I’ve always loved that show.  I love what it’s given me.  I’ll never turn my back on the show because they provided a career for me.  I’m really proud to be a part of its alumni.  That’s why I continue to keep up with the show. 

LKL: You’re just outside of Nashville, right?

Bo: Yeah, we’ve been here five years outside of Nashville. Where we lived we were blessed not to have lost stuff [in the recent floods].  We had minimal damage in comparison I don’t even care to talk about it.

LKL: How are things going down there?

Bo: Well I don’t want to downplay it, but I don’t want to over say anything.  The main thing is I continue to tell people Nashville is open for business.  We’ve had a really rough past couple of weeks. It’s not fixed.  There are a lot of lives lost.  And there’s been some devastation to some beautiful landmarks that were part of our music history.

I want you to know I’ve been in this town for 5 years but I grew up around this city. It’s more than just country music city.  My sons were born here and I love the community.  This is a wonderful town. I’m so proud to be from Alabama, but Tennessee is my adopted home.  I’ve got a newfound inspiration of this city. It’s truly beautiful seeing these people doing what they’re doing.

LKL: And you’re donating profits from [your new single] “Long Road Back,” right?

Bo: That’s right. “Long Road Back,” it’s a song I love and I felt it fit the situation.  And we’re going to get back through this together. I think that that’s what’s going to inspire people is that relationship that we have to move forward.  So I contacted some friends at the record label partners and they worked with iTunes and they were nice enough to give us an exclusive iTunes run to give these proceeds from long road back to the victims.  We’re going to help out the Red Cross and Salvation Army.  And also we’re doing the benefit during fanfare week. That will be on June 12th. And all the proceeds from that show are going to go to help Music Cares, which is a program that helps out music victims all around.

For more information on Bo Bice, visit his website.

Editors note: More than 20 million people have died of HIV/AIDS in Africa, despite the fact it is now a preventable and treatable disease.  “The Lazarus Effect” campaign features dozens of celebrity artists helping to raise awareness of the value of 40 cents – the cost of antiretroviral medicine needed for people with HIV/AIDS in Africa to survive – by comparing trivial items worth the same amount (a stick of gum, a smear of lipstick, etc).  

I recently went on a trip to Africa and came back with the need to get involved and help raise awareness about AIDS.  I was familiar with the (RED) campaign and the remarkable work they have done and are currently doing and wanted to be a part of it.  One of our initiatives is to raise AIDS awareness through “The Lazarus Effect.”  This inspiring documentary airs tonight on HBO. If you miss it there, you can see it on YouTube afterwards.

“The Lazarus Effect” addresses one of the world’s worst epidemics—AIDS in Africa. It focuses on the transformative effect of antiretroviral medicine and shows us how someone who is severely suffering from AIDS can regain their health in as little as 40 days by simply taking two pills a day that only cost 40 cents. The narrative of the documentary is told from the perspective of patients and doctors who are battling AIDS in their every day life. The story that unfolds in this documentary does not focus on the devastation and despair, but on survival. It shows what the human impact of smart aid programs has been.  

Just eight years ago there were only 50,000 people across the continent who could access ARV (antiretroviral) treatment as it cost over $10,000 a year. Treatment was virtually impossible since the majority of people living in Africa make less than $2 a day.  At that time, AIDS was a death sentence and more than 6,000 people were dying each day from a preventable and treatable disease. Today, that number has been nearly cut in half. Thanks to the efforts of global health organizations the cost of these pills is less than $158 a year. This means that programs offering aid can afford to get them to the millions of people who are in need.

Three million people are on ARV treatment today in Africa, but there are still millions of people across the continent who don’t have access to the basic treatment needed to fight AIDS. They are dying, and the worst part is that treatment is available. This documentary shows what is possible when there is access to treatment.  

I hope people watch the documentary and are inspired to help raise funds to support the incredible programs that ultimately save lives. I urge people to visit JOINRED.COM and learn how they can get involved.

Less than 24 hours after being voted off AMERICAN IDOL, semi-finalist Casey James says he’s feeling elated.

“I never really thought a guy like me would make it so far,” explains the 27-year-old Texan native. “I’m still soaking it all in, being grateful for all I experienced.”

Was he surprised to be eliminated? “Surprised?” he echoes. “Like I expected to be in the finals? No. You can’t really ‘expect’ results on AMERICAN IDOL. You’ve got to be prepared for anything. I went into a bunch of Wednesday nights thinking I might be packing up and going home.”

James cites his performance of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” as one of his favorites, partly because it let him show a different side of himself. He hesitates when asked which performance he’d most like to have as a do-over, then finally settles on “Blue Skies”, which he did during the Frank Sinatra theme week mentored by Harry Connick, Jr.

He says it was a challenge to put down his guitar and sing with a hand-held microphone, so he’d like a shot at trying it again. “But you know,” he laughs, “I could probably do it over a whole lot of times and still not get it right.”

As for what he’s learned from his IDOL experience, James is still working that through. “So much,” he says. “To have this kind of chance…I learned a whole lot.”

James drove all night to IDOL auditions in Denver at the prompting of his mom, Debra. When it comes to the stir he created during those auditions when he took off his shirt, he has no regrets. “I probably wouldn’t have made it through if I hadn’t done it,” he admits wryly. “I really hadn’t shown them much with my music.”

He claims he didn’t think much about shedding his shirt until hours later during a call to his mom as he was driving home. “She said, ‘You do know this is going to be on TV,’” he recalls. “And that’s when I when I realized…”

Next week’s showdown pits Crystal Bowersox against Lee DeWyze. It will be IDOL’s first mixed-gender finale in four seasons. Casey James sidesteps when asked for a prediction about who will win. According to him, there’s no way to tell what’s going to happen. But he adds, “I’m just looking forward to being there for a really great show.”

As for what’s he’s most looking forward to: “Making my music. Just making my music.”

The Lings shared some behind-the-scenes photos from the plane ride with President Clinton, who led the envoy to North Korea to ask for their release.

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET / 6pm PT to hear what really happened...

The crew of TV’s “Deadliest Catch” takes you inside one of America’s most dangerous jobs as they battle against nature’s fury and deal with the loss of a beloved captain.  What do YOU want to ask the captains? Send us your questions!

Plus, Pamela Anderson!

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THURSDAY: ANN COULTER

Ann Coulter sits down with Larry! She takes your calls and email questions!  What do YOU want to ask Ann Coutler?

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FRIDAY: WILLIE NELSON

Music icon Willie Nelson! He's on the road again and stopping by to see Larry!

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