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July 2009
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Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta Arrive in Portland

Published by mj July 2nd, 2009 in American Idol and AI Tour 2009. 18 Comments


Photo of tour stage construction in Portland twittered by tour drummer Aaron Spears…

Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta arrived in Portland Oregon today.

Kris Allen twittered: @adamlambert @Allison4Realzzz and I just conquered the skies…now time to take of America with the rest of the idols

They join the rest of the Top 10, in Portland since Tuesday, to get ready for their first American Idols Live Tour concert on July 5.

Bonus: Check out yet another video interview from last week’s Idol tour press day after the JUMP…

Video After the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta Arrive in Portland’

Allison Iraheta - Yahoo Interview - VIDEO

Published by mj July 2nd, 2009 in American Idol, Video and Allison Iraheta. 13 Comments

The Allison Iraheta interview with Lindsey Parker of Yahoo Music.

What’s most awesome about Allison is that she always stays true to herself: Watch her gab in this extremely enjoyable interview about being the anti-Miley, standing up for herself on American Idol, and her role as the baby of the AI 8 cast. This clip is evidence that her mom certainly raised her right.

Allison’s fake pageant wave is awesome. Also, newly-signed to 19R/Jive, she hopes to have her debut album released before the end of the year.

*I’ll have the Danny Gokey video up in a bit.

Video after the JUMP…

Continue reading ‘Allison Iraheta - Yahoo Interview - VIDEO’

Michael Jackson News Roundup: AEG Releases Rehearsal Footage

Published by mj July 2nd, 2009 in American Idol. 44 Comments

Update: And here it is…

AEG just released a snip of tape from Michael Jackson’s last rehearsal on Tuesday. I just watched it on CNN. He looked his typical freaky self, but he certainly doesn’t look close to death. I’ll post a link as soon as I have it, which will be soon, I’m sure.

In other MJ news:

  • According to Roger Friedman of the Hollywood Reporter (yes, he found another job), the Michael Jackson funeral is scheduled for 10 am on Tuesday July 7 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. AEG, who owns the arena (they were mounting Jackson’s concerts in London) will put gigantic screens outside the facilities for the thousands of people who will gather outside. (via THR)
  • The US Drug Enforcement Agency has now joined the investigation into Jackson’s death due to possible drug use (via Billboard)
  • Jackson’s brother, Jermaine speaks. He says he’d be hurt if it turns out Michael’s death is due to drug abuse. (via US) Jermain would like to see Michael buried at Neverland Ranch (via FOX)
  • The Jackson family has not yet spoken to Michael’s ex-wife, and mother to Paris and Prince, Debbie Rowe. (via US)
  • Debbie Rowe tells NBC LA that she will seek custody of her children. I wonder if this has something to do with being cut out of the will? (via MSNBC)

    • Chris Daughtry - Poker Face - Germany

    Published by mj July 2nd, 2009 in Video and Chris Daughtry. 49 Comments

    Check out Chris Daughtry performing an acoustic version of Lady GaGa’s “Poker Face” at a radio station in Germany where he is promoting his upcoming album, “Leave This Town” due to drop July 14.

    Hm. That was strangely compelling.

    • Chris Daughtry covers “Poker Face” - HERE.

    Danny Gokey in Talks with Sony Nashville

    Published by mj July 2nd, 2009 in American Idol and Danny Gokey. 161 Comments

    According to Brian Mansfield at USA Today, Danny Gokey met with a couple of record labels in Nashville on Tuesday, including Sony Nashville, home to Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood.

    Danny twittered about his trip to Nashville early this week and actually let the cat out of the bag about his upcoming meetings with 19R and Sony a couple of weeks ago.

    In a recent radio interview with Milwaukee’s 101 QLF, Danny said, “Ideally, I would like to do my own little fusion of R&B and Latin… but I would be open to do modern-soul country.”  Danny stressed that he would not be making a contemporary Christian album at this point in his career.

    “I’m planning on writing a lot for my album,” Danny says, “I’ve already started a few things.”

    Is a signing announcement for Danny coming soon? I’ll be watching for it…

    Upcoming Idol Releases

    Published by mj July 2nd, 2009 in American Idol. 38 Comments

    Brian Mansfield of USA Today’s Idol Chatter blog posted a handy guide to upcoming Idol album releases. 

    Read it HERE. 

    Check out the schedule below.  I added Allison Iraheta, also signed by 19R with her castmates Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, to the list–not sure why Brian left her off. She’s reportedly busy planning her album, co-writing with David Hodges among others.

    ETA: Adding a few more to the list. Thanks for the additions, peeps.

    • Michael Johns, Hold Back My Heart - 06/23
    • Various Artists, American Idol Season 8 (Walmart Exclusive) - 06/30
    • Cast Recording, Rock of Ages feat. Constantine Maroulis - 07/07
    • Daughtry, Leave This Town - 07/14
    • Jordin Sparks, Battlefield - 07/21
    • Brooke White, High Hopes & Heartbreak - 07/21
    • Phil Stacey, Into the Light - 08/25
    • Blake Lewis, Heartbreak on Vinyl - 10/06
    • Jason Castro, TBD (Fall)
    • Bucky Covington, TBD (Fall)
    • Adam Lambert, TBD (Fall)
    • Kris Allen, TBD (Fall)
    • Allison Iraheta TBD
    • Katharine McPhee TBD (Fall)
    • David Archuleta - Christmas album
    • Carrie Underwood - TBD  - She’s writing with Katrina Elam and Ashley Monroe

    Idol Headlines for 07/02/09

    Published by mj July 2nd, 2009 in American Idol and Headlines. 90 Comments

    Don’t stop believing: 10 Idols get ready to roll to 50 cities

    All season, American Idol finalists sang shortened songs in front of a few hundred people, and millions more watched on TV. When their 50-city Idols Live tour starts Sunday at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., they’ll expand the songs and the crowd, without worries about who goes home at the end of the night.

    “I didn’t know how you’d fit 10 people in one show, but it flows so smoothly,” says Danny Gokey. “And the energy of 10,000 to 15,000 people will take it up a notch.”

    The three-hour concert will be split between songs from the Fox series and material picked for the tour.
    A four-song medley will spotlight Michael Sarver, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy, Matt Giraud, Scott MacIntyre and Anoop Desai. “There are some duets in it, there’s a group number, there are a couple of solo spots, but each of those Idols is featured,” says tour producer/director Raj Kapoor.

    Also planned: a group performance of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing.

    The set boasts a 42-by-18-foot video-screen backdrop, as well as four smaller screens, each receiving separate signals. “We’ve created custom videos for each one of them,” Kapoor says. “Whichever Idol you like, you get to see them in their own light, with their own vibe.”

    USAToday

    Paula Abdul Will Drop In On Drop Dead Diva

    Paula Abdul will show off her acting chops in a guest role on Lifetime’s new original series Drop Dead Diva.

    “I am very excited to guest star on Drop Dead Diva,” Abdul says. “All of the people are extremely talented and it’s a charming, wonderfully written new show.”

    Broadway star Brooke Elliott plays the sassy lawyer lead in the dramedy about a shallow model who, after death, finds her soul inside the body of a smart plus-sized attorney named Jane.

    In a September episode, Jane will go before Judge Nina Hodge, played by Abdul, in a case about a store that refuses to carry plus-sized clothing.

    People.com

    American Idol finalists get ready to hit the road

    BURBANK, Calif. — Face to face at twin pianos, Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre strike the opening chords of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and playing in unison the two “American Idol” finalists start to sing the Journey classic.

    They trade lines about small town girls and city boys, and as the song unfolds the rest of this year’s Top 10 Idols join in more or less in reverse order of their finish.

    Michael Sarver and Megan Joy trade verses, then Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai, Allison Iraheta and Danny Gokey take their turns.

    Boston Herald

    More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

    Continue reading ‘Idol Headlines for 07/02/09′

    So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 Top 14 - Performance - VIDEO

    Published by mj July 1st, 2009 in So You Think You Can Dance. 86 Comments

    *Watch This Space for Updates*

    Music:

    • Jeanette and Brandon - Cha cha cha - “Hush, Hush, Hush by the Pussycat Dolls - iTunes
    • Kayla and Kupona - Jazz - “Eyes on Fire” by Blue Foundation - iTunes
    • Randi and Evan - Broadway - “Rich Man’s Frug” (2005 Broadway Revival Cast) from Sweet Charity - iTunes
    • Caitlin and Jason - Pop Jazz - “Creator” by Santogold - iTunes
    • Jeannine and Philip - Hip Hop - “Love Lockdown” by Kanye West - iTunes
    • Karla and Vitolio - Quickstep - “Puttin’ On the Ritz” by Rufus Wainwright - iTunes

    Karla and Vitolio may have bought themselves another week with that incredible quickstep.  Caitlin and Jason may be on the chopping block tomorrow night…

    Mia Michaels is guest judge tonight, and she says she’s changed her opinion on Brandon since the green mile episode.  It’s all part of the story arc, peeps!

    Special announcement coming later on in the show–maybe about the Michael Jackson special. Yay! No it’s about Nigel’s Dizzyfeet Foundation, that will fund dance programs for underprivledges children. Plus, the 100th episode of SYTYCD will air on July 23rd, featuring the Katie Holms Tyce DiOrio-choreographed tribute to Judy Garland.

    Video packages are about the highs and lows of the competition so far… 

    Live blog and videos after the JUMP…

    Continue reading ‘So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 Top 14 - Performance - VIDEO’

    Kevin Jonas Engaged

    Published by mj July 1st, 2009 in American Idol. 48 Comments

    In case any of you care, Kevin, the oldest Jonas Brother at 21, just got engaged.  Jordin Sparks will be congratulating him when she sees him on their next tour stop…

    Kevin Jonas surprised his girlfriend Danielle Deleasa by showing up at her doorstep in New Jersey early Wednesday morning and dropping down to his knee to ask her to marry him. Presented with a cushion-cut diamond ring that Jonas designed with Jacob & Co., Deleasa couldn’t believe what was happening.

    Then, “She said yes, yes, yes like 500 times super fast in a row,” the oldest of the Jonas Brothers tells PEOPLE exclusively.

    Matt Giraud - Yahoo Interview - VIDEO

    Published by mj July 1st, 2009 in American Idol and Matt Giraud. 30 Comments

    Matt Giraud tells Lindsey Parker from Yahoo music in this interview from Idol tour rehearsals that along with “Georgia” from Hollywood Week, he’ll be singing something more “old-school musician type” and he’ll be “jamin’ on the keys” like he never did on the Idol stage. Watch the video after the jump.

    Video after the JUMP…

    Continue reading ‘Matt Giraud - Yahoo Interview - VIDEO’

    Michael Jackson Will Filed in Court: Mother, Diana Ross appointed as Guardians, No Public Memorial at Neverland

    Published by mj July 1st, 2009 in American Idol. 54 Comments

    The will Michael Jackson filed in 2002 is now part of public record. From MTV.  In it, he appoints his mother Katharine as guardian, and long-time mentor Diana Ross as backup.  He specifically omits his ex-wife Debbie Rowe from the will.  Jackson appointed his long-time lawyers as co-executors.  (read more at AP). 

    Plus, the family has announced there will be no public memorial at Neverland tomorrow as previously reported.

    I would expect the family to contest the will.

    LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson’s 7-year-old will was filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles court, giving his entire estate to a family trust while making his mother the guardian of his children and cutting out his former wife Debbie Rowe. The will, dated July 7, 2002, estimated his estate at that time at more than $500 million.

    It names his mother, Katherine Jackson, as a beneficiary of the trust and the guardian of Jackson’s children, who are also named as beneficiaries of the trust.

    It also names entertainer Diana Ross as a successor guardian for the children and their estates if something happens to Katherine Jackson.

    Jackson’s longtime lawyer John Branca and John McClain, a music executive and a family friend, are named in the will as co-executors.

    The executors moved quickly to take control of all of Michael Jackson’s property, going to court Wednesday to challenge a previous ruling by the judge that gave Katherine Jackson control of 2,000 items from Neverland.

    American Idol Tour Update!

    Published by mj July 1st, 2009 in American Idol and AI Tour 2009. 248 Comments

    The Idols arrived in Portland, OR yesterday to get ready for their first concert on the American Idols Live! summer tour, Sunday July 5.

    The Idols told E! Online a little bit about each of their sets, (read more HERE)

    Michael Sarver reveals that the performance order will go in the order of elimination–he’ll be opening the show.  Megan Joy will wear a skin-tight pink dress, “I’m going to be the skanky one” she says. Scott MacIntyre describes his set, “along the lines of singer-songwriter, pop-rock, British pop and very acoustic rock.”  Matt Giruad is singing “Georgia” for his fans, Anoop Desai says his performance of Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” will be a lot cooler than it was on the show, Lil Rounds calls her set, “the party set,” Allison Iraheta is doing the rock thang, Danny Gokey looks forward to singing a longer version of  Michael Jackson’s “PYT”, Adam Lambert is psyched about his custom-made “blue, metallic silver bomber jacket with tails and spikes and studs” and Kris Allen says he since he doesn’t go on til later, he’ll be watching everyone from the wings.

    List of tour spoilers so far:

    • Kris Allen: “Heartless”, “No Boundaries”, “Hey Jude”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”,  possibly Matchbox 20’s “Bright Lights”
    • Adam Lambert: “Mad World”, “Whole Lotta Love”, Muse’s “Starlight”, Bowie Medley: “Life on Mars”, “Fame” and “Let’s Dance”, “Slow Ride” (with Allison)
    • Danny Gokey: “P.Y.T”, “My Wish”
    • Allison Iraheta: “Cry Baby”, Heart’s “Barracuda”, “Slow Ride” (with Adam), a Pink song
    • Matt Giraud: “Georgia”
    • Anoop Desai: “My Prerogative”
    • Megan Joy: Amy Winehouse’s “Tears Dry on Their Own”
    • Group numbers: Madcon’s “Begging” and “Don’t Stop Believing” with Matt and Scott on piano

    If I missed any let me know, or I’m sure Matt Giraud will alert the twitterverse. Heh.

    Blake Lewis Set to Release Dance Pop Album, Preview “Sad Song” July 21

    Published by mj July 1st, 2009 in American Idol and Blake Lewis. 29 Comments

    Season 6 runner-up, Blake Lewis is readying his sophomore album, Heartbreak on Vinyl, set to be released on October 6. People magazine will host a preview of the first single “Sad Song” on July 21. Except from People (Read the rest HERE)

    American Idol’s season 6 runner-up will release his second album, Heartbreak on Vinyl, on Oct. 6 via Tommy Boy Entertainment. Shifting from pop-rock to dance-pop, Lewis says his new album, “the culmination of over 10 years in the dance scene,” will be “filled with electro pop goodness with melodies I cherish.”

    Currently in the studio finishing the record, Lewis called on producers Rodney Jerkins (who’s worked with Britney Spears and Lady Gaga) and Dave Aude (who’s worked with the Pussycat Dolls) to craft his new high-energy sound.

    “The music in the dance scene gets me out onto the dance floor to lose my inhibition,” Lewis says of the inspiration behind his new project. “The title is an ode to all the record stores that have been closing down due to my industry eating itself. These are the stores that brought inspiration to all of us music lovers and have led me to make the music I create today.”

    Blake arranged all his own material on Idol, and with all the talk of the show turning into “song-arrangers Idol” he doesn’t get much credit for being one of the pioneers of that shift. While not one of the best singers Idol produced, I’d argue he was one of the most creative of the Idol graduates.

    I hope the dance/techno thing works out better for Blake than his foray into pop music… I think it will.

    American Idol Los Angeles Auditions: Winners and Losers

    Published by mj July 1st, 2009 in American Idol and AI S9 Auditions. 18 Comments

    Richard Rushfield of the LA Times attended the American Idol Season 9 in Los Angeles Tuesday, where 11,000 hopefuls lined up at the Rosebowl in Pasadena for their shot at competing on the next Idol.

    He interviewed kids as they walked out of the auditions, both the losers, and the lucky few who snagged a golden ticket to the next step–auditioning in front of the producers for a chance to sing in front of the judges. The second and third rounds will take place in July and August…

    Videos after the JUMP…

    Continue reading ‘American Idol Los Angeles Auditions: Winners and Losers’

    Idol Sales News - Week Ending 06/29/09

    Published by Kirsten July 1st, 2009 in American Idol and Charts. 57 Comments

    Idol Related Sales Numbers after the jump (Billboard issue date 07/11/09)

    Continue reading ‘Idol Sales News - Week Ending 06/29/09′