American Idol 2014 news from Fox Entertainment: Keith Urban, Jr, will be back to judge the next batch of American Idol contestants alongside fellow musical icons Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick.  And yes, Randy Jackson will be back on the show.

Host Ryan Seacrest shared the news on Twitter, "Alright guys ur new @AmericanIdol gang is @JLo, @HarryConnickJr, and @KeithUrban w/ @Yo_RandyJackson back as mentor! #Idol2014"

Alright guys ur new @AmericanIdol gang is @JLo, @HarryConnickJr, and @KeithUrban w/ @Yo_RandyJackson back as mentor! #Idol2014

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) September 3, 2013

Fox announced in its website:

Grammy Award-winning and platinum-selling recording artist, actress, movie and television producer and entrepreneur Jennifer Lopez returns to AMERICAN IDOL XIII as a judge. Lopez will be joined by Grammy and Emmy Award-winning multi-platinum singer, musician, songwriter, composer and film/television and Broadway actor Harry Connick, Jr. The two will sit on the IDOL judges' panel with previously announced judge Keith Urban, the four-time Grammy Award-winning country artist who has sold more than 15 million albums.

Rounding out the team is IDOL veteran Randy Jackson, who will lend his industry and IDOL expertise to the contestants as an in-house mentor. Once again, the team will be led by Emmy Award-nominated host Ryan Seacrest, who has guided the IDOL contestants and judges through each season's incredible journey.

Entertainment Weekly quoted a statement released by Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly, "American Idol has always been about discovering the next singing superstar, and next season our judging panel will deliver a most impressive combination of talent, wisdom, and personality to do just that."

Urban is the only judge to come back from last season.  Washington Post quoted him as saying, "I think this season of 'Idol' is gonna be a blast.  New team, new energy and a whole new field of artists to be discovered and given a chance!"

Jackson was also a judge last year, but this time, he will take on a different role - that of an in-house mentor.  He is quoted in the same article, "Surprise, surprise! I am so happy to be back as part of this amazing show that started it all.  The original talent show is back with a vengeance and ready to discover the best talent in America."

Lopez sat in the judge's table for two seasons, in 2011 and 2012; while this will the first time for Harry Connic, Jr.

JLo twitted, "#IDOL2014TheRemix ...see ya soon"

#IDOL2014TheRemix ...see ya soon

— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) September 3, 2013

American Idol had been a stepping stone for a number of now-successful recording artists, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Daughtry, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, Jordin Sparks, and Jennifer Hudson.

 The thirteenth season of American Idol will begin broadcast on January 15, 2014.