Music 3: Kelly Clarkson, Shawn Colvin and Miley Cyrus in town

Clarkson still kickin'

Because she skyrocketed to fame by winning the first season of a little reality show called "American Idol," some figured Kelly Clarkson would be a flash in the pan. Seven years later, she's still belting out tunes that mix R&B and pop to huge crowds. She's touring behind her most recent record, "All I Ever Wanted." Take that, doubters!

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont; $25-$59.50; call the box office at (847) 671-5100 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 to charge by phone.

Special Colvin show

Witty and expressive singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin makes a stop in the suburbs for a special acoustic show in Skokie. Her current tour comes shortly after the release of her well-received live record, "Shawn Colvin: Live."

8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $39-$55. Call (847) 673-6300 or visit northshorecenter.org.

Plug your ears

Tween and teen sensation Miley Cyrus performs Tuesday in Chicago, and the screams from her fans should be deafening.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago; $39.50 to $79.50; call (312) 455-4500 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.