In addition to slashing this year's judging panel, American Idol will also be eliminating nine concerts from their summer tour.

American Idol traditionally sends its top 10 finalists on tour every summer across the country for a series of American Idol Live! concerts. The tour was scheduled for 40 venues starting on June 29.

Today, however, a spokesperson for the tour released the following statement:

"Due to production scheduling changes, the American Idol 2013 Tour will now begin on July 19th and go through the summer until August 31st. The Idols look forward to performing in 30 venues across the country."

The cancelled tour dates include:

June 29 St. Louis, MO Chaifetz Arena

June 30 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center

July 2 Minneapolis, MN Target Center

July 5 Detroit, Michigan Joe Louis Arena

July 6 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena (rescheduled for August 12 in Trenton, NJ)

July 8 Tulsa, OK BOK Center

July 10 Broomfield, CO 1STBANK Center

July 12 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center

July 13 Ontario, CA Citizens Business Bank Arena

July 14 Oakland, CA The Oracle Arena

"You have to match the public's interest," said concert promoter Jared Paul, "Whether somebody will part with their hard-earned money is all talent-dependent."

American Idol has seen a decline in ratings over the show's 12th season, indicating that viewer interest in the singing competition is waning. The finale on May 16 was down eight million viewers from last season's finale.

Judges Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj have all announced that they are parting ways with the show, with Keith Urban's fate still up in the air. There has been speculation that next year's judging panel will consist of all Idol alumni.

The Idol tour will consist of season 12's top 11 finalists, including winner Candice Glover, runner-up Kree Harrison and finalists Angie Miller, Amber Holcomb, Janelle Arthur, Lazaro Arbos, Burnell Taylor, Devin Velez, Paul Jolley, Curtis Finch, Jr. and Aubrey Cleland.