'Idol' odds 'n ends: Jordin Sparks sings at White House tree lighting

The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:

>Jordin Sparks was in Washington, D.C., last night to sing at the 86th National Christmas Tree Lighting, which took place at the White House. Watch Jordin sing "Walking In a Winter Wonderland" with other guest performers and the entire audience to close out the show below:

The event was hosted by Randy Jackson and performers included Sheryl Crow and Celtic Woman among others. Then entire program can be watched here.

>Jennifer Hudson performed on Oprah's first ever Holiday Music Extravaganza, which aired Monday, in which she did a duet of "Silent Night" with country music duo Sugarland. Watch the performance below:



Jennifer will have her very own Christmas special on ABC, as Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home For Christmas will air on the network on Mon., Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. A preview of the special can be viewed on ETonline.com.

>This week two Idol alums from the show's eighth season announced record deals, as it was revealed on Monday that Lil Rounds has signed with Bungalo Records, while today it was made public that Michael Sarver signed with Dream Records. Below is an excerpt from Michael's press release:

Los Angeles, CA–Dream Records/Universal Music Group announced today the signing of American Idol’s Top 10 finalist of the 2009 season MICHAEL SARVER with plans to release Sarver’s debut country music CD in the spring of 2010. Sarver’s first single from the new album titled “You Are,” will be released nationally and on itunes this coming Tuesday, December 8. Michael is currently available for interviews in support of the upcoming singles and his current Holiday Tour with other A.I. finalists.

There are now a total of six finalists from the previous season that have confirmed record deals.

>Megan Joy posted some original tracks on her official music MySpace page earlier this week, including "Feel Love" and "Incomplete." She tweeted that she wrote all the lyrics on her own.

>David Archuleta began his tour promoting his new album Christmas From the Heart last week. Watch his performance of "Ave Maria" from his show at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, Calif., this past Monday below:



Arch's tour continues on Sunday at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, Co., and wraps up at the Capitol One Bank Theatre at Westbury in Westbury, N.Y., on Sun., Dec. 20. For full tour cities and dates see here.