‘Idol’ tour starts without runner-up McPhee

Katharine sidelined with severe bronchitis and laryngitis

Richard Drew / AP

"American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee appears on the NBC "Today" television program on June 1. The singer has been sidelined with bronchitis and laryngitis.

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updated 9:46 p.m. ET July 5, 2006

MANCHESTER, N.H. - As the young finalists from “American Idols Live” kicked off their U.S. tour Wednesday, word that runner-up Katharine McPhee was sidelined with severe bronchitis and laryngitis disappointed fans.

“It bummed me out,” concertgoer Gail Johnson said.

Manchester’s Verizon Wireless Arena announced McPhee wasn’t performing at the concerts Wednesday and Thursday night; her doctor, Sean Nassari, ordered “total voice rest.”

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McPhee said in a statement that she was disappointed she couldn’t perform, but “I need to follow my doctor’s orders to recuperate and reunite with the rest of the idols.”

She said her doctor told her she needed to remain silent. “That’s the most difficult part, not talking!” McPhee wrote.

McPhee, 22, lost the most recent round of the super-popular singing competition to Taylor Hicks.