Archive for July, 2009
American Idols Live – Atlanta, GA – 07/31/09
Videos
- Kris Allen: “Heartless”,
- Adam Lambert: “Bowie Medley”,“Slow Ride”, “Bowie Medley”, “Starlight”, “Whole Lotta Love”, “Mad World”,
- Allison Iraheta: “Barracuda”, “Cry Baby”,
- Matt Giraud: “Georgia”,
- Group Number: “Don’t Stop Believing”,
Your thread for tonight’s American Idols Live! Tour in Atlanta, GA. Here’s the drill’“you guys chat in comments, I’ll be posting links, videos and photos out front and in my brand-new live blog, posted after the JUMP…
If you are still looking for tickets for an upcoming show, check out: Ticketmaster, Ticket Liquidator, or StubHub.
If you’re going to a show and are willing to photograph, videograph, twitter and/or re-cap, email me at mjsbigblog at gmail dot com.
Thanks so much to all the peeps who have already participated!
Update: Sorry my live blog was a bust tonight…awesome family bonding kept me out longer than I thought it would! I’ll make up for it tomorrow, I promise….
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Daughtry AOL Sessions are UP!
The Chris Daughtry AOL Sessions are up!
Chris and his band Daughtry perform songs from their new album, Leave this Town, plus the Idol boot song “Home”, and a cover from 90’s post-grunge band, the Toadies.
After the jump, check out Daughtry’s cover of “Possum Kingdom.”
More from Daughtry’s AOL Sessions: “No Surprise”, “Everytime You Turn Around”, “Home” and “Ghost of Me”.
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Kelly Clarkson – Good Morning America – Video
Kelly Clarkson performed this morning in front of an enthusiastic Central Park crowd as part of Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Seres.
She sang the big hits–”Since You Been Gone,” “Walk Away” and “My Life Would Suck Without U”. But she also performed her controversial new single, “Already Gone.”
In a brief interview, Kelly talked a bit about touring, but her conflict with songwriter Ryan Tedder over the new single’s similarity to Beyonce’s “Halo” was not a topic of conversation.
I’m sure the “Already Gone” brouhaha was the #1 item on the label’s list of what NOT to ask Kelly this morning…
The version of the song Kelly sings is a pretty, stripped down rendition–”Halo” does not come to mind at all…
Watch Kelly perform “Already Gone” and “Walk Away” after the jump…
Mourners Say Goodbye to Alexis Cohen
American Idol’s Glitter Girl, Alexis Cohen, a victim of a hit-and-run driver last weekend, was laid to rest today.
About 100 mourners attended the traditional graveside funeral Friday in Allentown, Pa., of former American Idol contestant Alexis Cohen, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver last weekend in Seaside Heights, NJ.
“I was shocked, stunned and mortified when I found out,” says ex-boyfriend James Kern, 27, who dated Cohen on-and-off for the last nine years.
Daniel Bark, 23, is being held on $150,000 bail and on suicide watch in the Ocean County Jail. He was charged with aggravated manslaughter, death by vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident stemming from his arrest last weekend.
R.I.P. Alexis.
More at People magazine.
Michael’s American Idol Tour 2009 Tampa Re-cap
After an hour-long pre-concert loop of the same 4 Carrie Underwood/ Chris Daughtry videos, The show opens with Michael Sarver, who does an admirable job attempting to excite a tame Tampa crowd; they dutifully clapped and cheered at the start and end of each song, but were surprisingly lifeless during the actual performances. ‘We’re here for a party tonight! And c’mon, who sits down at a party?!’ asks Sarver. I’ll tell you who, Michael: the Tampa crowd, that’s who! Especially section 215 where I was sitting.
[Other recaps have since raved about the Tampa crowd, so from what I can gather, the floor section was way into it, but the stands- not so much. I was in the second deck, so I'm sure that was part of the problem.]
Rena’s American Idol Tour 2009 Tulsa Re-cap
First off, let me say that this was my first concert ever. I was really excited to learn that the top ten would be stopping in Tulsa during the summer. I would have gone last year, but I was in school when David Cook and the other idols came to T-town. Any who, the first thing I noticed was the BOK Center. It was big. And I’m sure that it wasn’t completely sold out. Before the show began, the overhead screens played videos from Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood and David Cook. The audience mainly consisted of teenagers and their parents. It was obvious who the favorite idol was: Adam. He had the biggest cheers whenever his face came up on the screen.
And I’m Off to Charlotte…
I’m posting headlines a little early today because I’m catching a plane to Charlotte, NC this morning.
Mixed in with a long overdue visit with my brother (he’s the creative director of the brand-new American Formula One team!) I’ll be checking out the Idols concert Saturday night.
So, watch my twitter account for updates. I should be settled into my hotel room in a few hours, so I’ll see you then!
If security doesn’t nab me, I’ll have video and photos to share, so be on the lookout for that…
PS: Kelly Clarkson is on Good Morning America this morning…I’ll put up the video later…
Idol Headlines for 07/31/09
‘Idols Live’ Meet Lil and Megan!
I’m still recovering from last night’s ‘American Idols Live’ show at BankAtlantic Center – I didn’t go to sleep until 2, and am writing this at 10 a.m., which is technically when I’m supposed to be waking up. Looks like that didn’t work.
But my body’s lack of sleep means I’m passing on the savings to you, in the form of two more interviews from the Idol Top 10. (Kris Allen won, so he gets his own post. That’s how it works.) America, meet Lil Rounds and Megan Joy Corkrey!
Megan Joy: Backstage At L.A.’s Staples Center
Just when I thought awesome American Idol runner-up Megan Joy couldn’t get any awesome-er, she showed up recently backstage at L.A.’s Staples Center for the Idols’ pre-concert OFFICIAL PRESS JUNKET wearing curlers in her hair. Curlers! On camera! Of course, most women don’t look as lovely with a headful of wire coils as Megan did that day, so it’s understandable that she wouldn’t be too neurotic about letting a fleet of reporters see her in her preshow-prep state. But I still found her could-give-a-damn attitude so very refreshing…and so very Megan Joyful.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Phil Stacey: Idol Isn’t Rigged, Contestant Contracts are Fair
Season 6 Idol, Phil Stacey weighs in on Season 8 Top 36 contest JuNot Joyner’s charges that Idol is rigged in a blog posted on his MySpace page. (Pssst…he’s also plugging his new album, Into the Light, due to drop 8/25).
Phil doesn’t believe Idol is rigged. He also thinks the contracts the contestants sign are fair.
He also swears the lawyers Idol provides are working on behalf of the contestants. In fact, he continued to work with them beyond his Idol stint. (I side with JuNot here–I wouldn’t trust an Idol provided lawyer–a total conflict of interest there…)
Read more at Phil’s MySpace. Excerpt below:
OF COURSE we’d like to think the show’s rigged! We lost! Haha’ ¦ But unfortunately, in my personal experience, there is no reason to believe it is.
Are the contracts reasonable? Yes. They are more than fair. In fact, I guarantee that if the contract were offered to any of my friends that are trying to break into the business, they would gladly sign it’ ¦ And on a side note, all respect intended, if you ‘understand’ the music business and ‘understand’ how recording contracts work, become an entertainment attorney instead! There’s far better money in it! As an artist who has experienced and benefited from three major deals, I still have no idea how they work’ ¦ A recording contract is full of technical jargon that is meant for lawyers… That’s why they get paid the big bucks.
So You Think You Can Dance – Season 5 – Top 6 Results – VIDEO
Jeanine Mason, Brandon Bryant, Kayla Radomski and Evan Kasprzak move on to the final! - VIDEO
Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi are Eliminated
I got all my pool points for the first time in many weeks. But I won’t brag, because tonight’s results were a no brainier. On to the finale for Jeanine, Brandon, Kayla and Evan. I’ll be rooting for Jeanine and Brandon, but would not be surprised if Evan took it all. I could live with that, too.
Tonight’s reprise of those wonderful Emmy-nominated performances from Season 4 was not only a fantastic idea, but a very sweet treat as well.
Live blog and Videos after the JUMP…
Which 4 dancers move on to next week’s final? Stay tuned to find out!
Group Dance by Tyce Diorio: “Send in the Clowns” by Judy Collins – The dancers are dressed as clowns. I hate clowns. Aw. Sad clowns. – VIDEO
The 4 Emmy nominated routines from last year will be performed tonight! Yippee!
YAY.
Plus, reggae superstar, Sean Paul.
Next…recap of last night’s performance show! Or, in other words–time wasting filler…
The Top 3 girls are center stage. Cats recites the dancer’s deets, first Jeanine, next Melissa and then Kayla. Cat will send one dancer to the final–not necessarily the dancer with the most votes. And it’s Jeanine! Melissa and Kayla will dance solos later. Lil C says Jeanine is worthy and “deserves this.” – VIDEO
- Next, the Emmy nominated “Silence” (by Unfaithful) – by Tyce Diorio featuring Jessica and Will. – VIDEO
After the break, the boys are center stage. Cat recites the dancers deet’s starting with Ade next is Evan and then it’s Brandon. Cat send one dancer, not necessarily the highest vote getter, to the finals, and it’s…Brandon! Mary reminds Brandon that she believed in him from the beginning (unlike Lil C and Mia!). Evan and Ade will perform solos tonight. – VIDEO
- The second Emmy nominated routine: Mercy (Duffy) by Mia Michaels featuring Katee and Twitch - VIDEO
- After the break, the next Emmy nominated routine – A Los Amigos (Forever Tango) by Dmitry featuring Chelsie and Joshua. (both of Chelsie’s routines are live, the others were taped ahead…) – VIDEO
Solos: Melissa, next it’s Ade – VIDEO
Next, it’s the dance crew, Jabbawockeez – “Freak a Zoid” by Midnight Star – Entertaining, and freaky – VIDEO
- And last but not least, my personal fav of the four, Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis) by Napoleon and Tabitha featuring Chelsie and Mark – VIDEO
Solos: Kayla, next it’s Evan – VIDEO
Next, Sean Paul performs “So Fine”. Hip Hop Reggae! Uh. What the hell was that at the end? – VIDEO
Elimination! The girls are first….Kayla goes on to the finale! Melissa is eliminated. Next are the boys…Nigel says “we don’t have losers on this show.” He mentions the passing of dance legend Merce Cunningham. Evan moves on to the finale! Ade is eliminated. Melissa and Ade get their big video goodbye…and we’re out. – VIDEO
Safe (and on to the finale):
- Jeanine
- Brandon
- Kayla
- Evan
Eliminated:
- Melissa
- Ade
Who Will Be Eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance? Plus, iTunes!
Who do you think will go home tonight on So You Think You Will Dance?
I put all my pool points on Melissa and Ade. Evan is unstoppable, at this point. Brandon got a standing ovation for his solo last night, and danced beautifully in his pairs routines. Jeanine has slowly been gaining momentum in the past few weeks, and Kayla is right there behind her. I’ve been pretty meh on Kayla, but I can’t deny that she’s a beautiful dancer.
I don’t think Melinda and Ade, though both talented, are as popular as the rest of the Top 6. Plus, the criticism they both received last night (trashing Ade for his samba, Nigel telling Melissa in a round-about way she could be in trouble), could hurt them.
What do you think?
Bonus: After the jump, check out the list of songs from last night’s SYTYCD. There’s a handy iTunes link for each if you like…
Chris Daughtry Acoustic “No Surprise” – Plus, Daughtry set to Tour Arenas this Fall
The Sirius Satellite peeps sent me a link to a video of Chris Daughtry performing an acoustic performance of “No Surprise” in their NYC studios recently.
I genereally enjoy Chris unplugged…
Daughtry will follow an upcoming 14-city club tour with their first arena tour this fall.
Check it out after the JUMP…
Paula Abdul – Still Working Out the Details of Her Return to Idol
With Kara DioGuardi’s new Idol contract just about a done deal, she’s all set to to join the judges’ panel for American Idol Season 9.
But, where does that leave Paula Abdul? The judges’ round auditions begin in less than two weeks and still no word of a new contract for Paula.
She’s been quiet lately, but she emerged today, via twitter, to let her fans know that she and her team are still trying to hammer out a deal:
@PaulaAbdul: Hi everyone. I’ve been quiet as we are trying to work out details of how I can return to #Idol.
Will Paula return to Idol? I think she will. She’ll compromise on her salary demands while still getting a nice raise. The 4-judge panel will return…
UPDATE: More Paula tweets:
- Your support & encouragement means so much to me. I hope you understand I can only return to #Idol if the deal is fair.
- Whatever happens with #Idol, I love you guys and am so happy we have this way to stay in touch.
- I will give you updates on how things are going, to the extent I can. I know your attention is very powerful & can help a lot.
Michael Jackson’s Mother Retains Custody of His Children
Custody of Michael Jackson’s three children has been settled. Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine will retain custody, and Debbie Rowe will retain visitation rights to Jackson’s two elder children, who she bore: From the LA Times:
The mother of Michael Jackson will retain custody of his children, and the biological mother of the two elder children will visit and maintain her legal parental rights under an agreement reached by both sides, The Times has learned.
Katherine Jackson, 79, the late pop icon’s mother, and Debbie Rowe, 50, who bore Jackson’s two older children, also agreed to mutually hire a child psychologist to advise them on how, when and where Rowe’s visits should take place, a knowledgeable source said.
The agreement will go before a Los Angeles judge Monday, and both sides expect the judge to approve it, the source said. Rowe did not ask for custody. ‘Debbie is really happy’ about the arrangement, said the source, refusing to be identified because the agreement has yet to be announced.
Beth’s American Idol Tour 2009 Tampa Re-cap
First, let me begin by saying that I have been an American Idol fan since the first show. I’ve only been to one other Idol concert, the year Carrie Underwood won. I was nonplussed by that one. Just a bunch of standing and singing of the same old songs we heard on the show. But this concert was entirely different. American Idol is learning how to do it right. The previously unheard songs, digital backdrop, lighting, and trap door/lift in the stage really made it more of a spectacle. And of course, Adam Lambert doesn’t hurt for creating spectacles. The sound also seems improved from the last Idol concert (which I also saw in the St. Pete Times Forum.)
