Now that American Idol 8 is underway, it’s time to catch up on some of our former contestants:

Taylor Hicks: The Season 5 winner is just over a month away from waking up the Soul Patrol. On March 10, Modern Whomp Records, Hicks’ own label, will offer up The Distance. The CD will drop just six weeks after “What is Right,” the album’s first digital release, is made available. Taylor Hicks, the 32-year-old’s last major-label offering, sold 703,000 after debuting in 2006.

Justin Guarini: The Season 1 runner-up has moved on from 2003’s laughable From Justin to Kelly and is now hitting the small screen. This weekend, audiences got to see the 30-year-old in the premiere of Gone Country 3. Guarini, who will become a groom this July, is currently competing against Taylor Dayne, George Clinton, Richard Grieco and several others for the chance to have a John Rich-produced single. The CMT show airs Saturday nights @ 8:00.

Ace Young: One of Hicks’ direct competitors will also be resurfacing shortly. Season 5’s Ace Young has just been named the newest host of American Idol Extra. The Fox Reality Channel program - which has also featured Gina Glocksen, Constantine Maroulis, Mikalah Gordon and Matt Rogers on the mic - will film its fourth season on the actual Idol stage. The first installment will premiere on March 26.