Adam Lambert 24/7 News

Days before “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert would kick off his Glam Nation tour, he held a little party for 40 of so of his best friends.

OK, not friends, exactly, but reporters from around the country, gathered in one big conference call. And we grilled him on everything from challenges facing an openly gay performer — “You might as well own it,” he said, adding that honesty is the key — to his horoscope sign and his plans for after the show in who-can-remember-where.

Oh, and the incident at last November’s American Music Awards came up, too, wondering if the controversial interplay with his dancers set the tone for what we could expect when Lambert and his entourage came to town. He hits the stage with fellow “American Idol” finalist Allison Iraheta and guitarist Orianthi on Monday, July 12, at the Chesaning Showboat Music Festival.

Tickets, $29.50 and $10, are available at the Chesaning Showboat box office and all Star Tickets Plus outlets.

“I have some surprises coming, wonderful surprises visually inspired by turn-of-the-century New Orleans and psychedelic rock,” he said. “It’s very sexy, but it is tasteful.”

So is Lambert, who for more than an hour was articulate and confident as he fielded our queries. You sense right away that his successes, from the new album, “For Your Entertainment,” to headlining his own traveling version of musical theater, are not blind luck.

This is a savvy, smart performer who looks on the likes of Madonna and Michael Jackson and says, “Let’s put on a show!”

“First and foremost, I’m giving audiences something to look at,” he said. “There’s a theatrical timeline, with a big acoustic section in the middle.”

Call it Victorian punk, kitschy glam black magic with a spiritual quality that will connect with audiences. Working with creative directors, “we’ve made my visions a reality,” Lambert said.

It was working on the tour — and the show’s last-minute decision to include runners-up in this year’s “American Idol” finale — that kept him away from the festive farewell to judge Simon Cowell.

“I wasn’t invited,” he said, adding that it started as only previous winners and Kris Allen was his season’s top vote-getter. “When they expanded it, I knew I needed to work. There were no hard feelings.”

Lambert’s attention is full-ahead on Glam Nation.

“Conformity isn’t my thing,” Lambert said. “I need to be me. But I realize too that my audience has certain expectations, and I have choices to make … Right now, it’s all pretty amazing, conceptualizing a headlining tour and, coming from theater, knowing how live performances come alive on stage. It’s a very emotional experience.

“I think, ultimately, it’s a matter of trusting my instincts. It’s also business, and I’m learning a lot about that, working with very talented, experienced people.”

And his fans are right there with him, coming up with catchy labels, such as the Finnberts in Finland, and even adopting his look. It’s enough, he said, that they’re spending their money on tickets; those who want to give a little more should check out www.donorschoose.org rather than showering him with gifts.

“It’s surreal,” Lambert said of adoration. “It’s always flattering, and a little strange. This is all insane; who would imagine it two years ago?”

So what would he tell those who want to become the next Adam Lambert?

“Make your own opportunities,” he said. “Audition for ‘American Idol’ and get a launching pad. Take risks. Put your eggs in a lot of baskets.”

“American Idol,” it’s an amazing platform, he added, and an interesting introduction to the industry. As he would tell this year’s runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, “Get ready; this is serious work … Keep your eye on the prize.”

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