American Idol

Idol Bits and Pieces - Theme for the Top 10 - Songs the Year They Were Born

Bits and Pieces

Season 6 Contestant Update Pt. 1

Published by mj June 20th, 2007 in American Idol, Ace Young, Elliott Yamin, Katharine McPhee, Kimberly Caldwell, Fantasia, Kevin Covais, Chris Richardson, Melinda Doolittle, LaKisha Jones, Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey, Blake Lewis, Lisa Tucker, Paris Bennett and Constantine Maroulis. 10 Comments

The Season 6 Top 10 begin the big Pop Tart tour in Fort Lauderdale, FL on July 6. At this very moment, they are in Los Angeles rehearsing for the tour. Here’s an update on how they’ve been keeping busy in the weeks since the finale. Part 1 starts with the Top 5 (after the jump).

Jordin Sparks - Jordin did the typical Idol media rounds after the finale, but since then, all has been quiet on the Jordin front, including any news about her record deal. Last season, Taylor Hicks’ signing with J Records was announced within a week of the finale, before the end of May. Rumor has it her parents are managing her, but that is, strictly a rumor at this point. She performed at the Walmart shareholders meeting on June 1. She recently sang the National Anthem before Game 2 of the NBA finals. She, Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle will be featured in NBC’s 4th of July special airing on the evening of the 4th. There are rumors that she’ll perform the National Anthem when the Super Bowl heads to Arizona in January 08. Want to know more about Jordin and her family? Here’s an illuminating article from the conservative christian website Worldnet.

Blake Lewis - No news of record signings for Blake either (Katharine McPhee’s deal was announced on June 7 last year). However, in this radio interview with KISS 106 in Seattle, Blake says that he will be managed by Simon Fuller and the peeps at 19 Management. Blake also did the typical media rounds. His most recent TV appearance was The View. (Jordin Sparks appeared on the same day in an earlier segment). He also took a little R&R in Las Vegas, where he unfortunately caught the attention the gossip columnists. Blake has been chosen by People magazine as one of the Hottest Bachelors 2007. The issue is on newsstands now. Of course, for all things Blake, check out Team Plaid.

Melinda Doolittle - Since leaving the competition in third place, Melinda sang the National Anthem for Game 5 of the NBA playoffs and did a press tour in NYC that included seeing Fantasia in “The Color Purple” with Jordin Sparks. Whether she’s picked up by 19R/M remains to be seen.

Lakisha Jones - Lakisha finally got her homecoming after the Idol finale wrapped up at the end of May. She was celebrated in both Houston, Texas where she lived for 6 years and her hometown in Michigan. You can read all about it at Mlive.com’s Idol Chatter Blog. Some of the festivities included an official Lakisha Jones Day in the State of Michigan on June 11, a performance at the State Capitol in Lansing, a rally in Flint, Michigan and a homecoming performance at the church she attended in Houston.

Chris Richardson - Did you know that although Chris and Phil Stacey were eliminated together during what was technically the Top 5, Chris was the contestant who officially came in 5th, while Phil came in 6th. That’s according to this interview with Larry King. Besides hanging out (and annoying little old ladies, presumably) in Las Vegas with Blake Lewis, Chris was also seen recently at the Elliott Yamin concert at the Roxy in LA along with Blake Lewis, Ace Young and Constantine Maroulis. He appeared with Ace, Paris Bennett, Lisa Tucker, Kevin Covais, Sabrina Sloan, Kimberly Caldwell and Will Makar at Summerfest 2007 on June 2 in Brea, CA. Check out his performances on You Tube here, here and with the entire Idol gang here.

Part 2 coming soon!

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More Idols Dropping Albums Soon

Published by mj June 1st, 2007 in American Idol, Record News, Ace Young, Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis. 12 Comments

I’m pulling this out front from another post where I had it buried after a jump. Just in case y’all didn’t see it.

Season 5’s Ace Young has been signed to S Curve Records. His CD is set to drop in September with a single released in July. The album is being executive produced by Desmond Child, with songs written by Diane Warren (who has written for many Idols including Taylor Hicks and Carrie Underwood) and Andreas Carlson. Ace says he is writing or co-writing all the tunes on the album. All Top 9 Idols from Season 5 have signed record/distribution deals at this point. Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennett, Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington have all released CDs. Mandisa’s album is due out later this year.

Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis from Season 4 are both working on new albums.

Bo Bice is recording the album with country producer Frank Liddell, and features Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman, legendary session guitarist Waddy Wachtel and bluegrass icon David Grisman. It features songs co-written with A.J. Croce (son of Jim Croce) and Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”). Bo wrote 31 songs for the album and is narrowing down the list to 10-12.Rumor has it that Bo has left RCA. It looks like Bo has gone back to his Southern rock roots with a vengeance and is doing his own thing.

Bo recently cancelled 3 shows in order to make a mid-September release date. “In order to make the now scheduled mid-September release date for his forthcoming CD, BO BICE will immediately return to the studio to complete recording.”–from a press release.

Unfortunately, Bo cut his Tuesday night Anaheim, CA show short due to illness. I hope it’s something innocuous and not a flare-up of the intestinal troubles he’s battled the last few years.

Constantine Maroulis’s album “Constantine” will drop August 7th on his own label with distribution from Sony/Red (distributors of Elliott Yamin’s CD). The album features songs co-written with Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas, and Nashville songwriter Angie Aparo. Two songs, “Everybody Loves” and “A Girl Like You” are being featured on “The Bold and The Beautiful.” Constantine currently has a recurring role on the CBS daytime soap.

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Billboard Update 06/02/07

Published by mj May 27th, 2007 in American Idol, Charts, Record News, Ace Young, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Lewis and Constantine Maroulis. 11 Comments

Here is your Idol Billboard Update. Better late than never.

The Highlights:

Elliott Yamin’s appearance on the Top 3 Results show to sing his single “Wait For You” paid off in a big way. His album Elliott Yamin climbed from #67 to #20 on the Billboard 200. It also climbed back to the #1 spot on the Independent Albums Chart, from #49 to #20 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, and re-entered the Top Digital Albums chart at #14. The single, “Wait For You” climbed from #80 to #31 on the Billboard Hot 100, entered the Hot 100 Airplay at #72, climbed from #45 to #23 on the Pop 100 and from #28 to #24 on the Pop 100 Airplay. The single also entered the Hot Digital Tracks and Hot Digital Songs charts at #19 and #26 respectively.
As Clive announced on the American Idol Finale, Carrie Underwood’s album “Some Hearts” has gone 6x platinum. The album has shipped 6 million units. Good for Carrie. The album charts at #8 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top Country Albums chart.
Daughtry’s single “Home” continues to climb the charts, from #13 to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #26 to #21 on the Hot 100 Airplay, #11 to #7 on the Pop 100, #12 to #9 on the Pop 100 Airplay, #7 to #4 on the Hot Adult Top 40, #10 to #4 on the Hot Digital Songs, and #7 to #3 on the Hot Digital Tracks chart. Daughtry’s appearance on the finale could bump the single into the #1 position on key charts next week.
Reba McEntire’s duet with Kelly Clarkson “Because of You” enters the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart at #42. Her single “Never Again” is stalling on the charts. Her appearance on the Idol finale should give her a bump next week.
Fantasia, who is currently winning rave reviews on Broadway in the “The Color Purple” also has a single out that’s currently climbing the charts. “When I See You” has climbed from #71 to #62 on the Billboard Hot 100, from #46 to #36 on the Hot 100 Airplay, from #14 to #8 on the Hot R&B Hip Hop Singles and Tracks chart and from #14 to #8 on the Hot R&B Hip Hop Airplay chart.
Maroon 5’s “This Love,” sung by Blake Lewis on Top 3 night, has re-entered the Hot Digital Tracks and Hot Digital Songs charts, both at #41. Maroon 5’s album “Songs About Jane” re-enters the Top Pop Catalog chart at #5.

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Check after the jump for Idol Record News! Continue reading ‘Billboard Update 06/02/07′

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Idol Bits and Pieces

Published by mj April 30th, 2007 in American Idol, Ace Young, Anthony Fedorov, Sanjaya Malakar, Clay Aiken and Jessica Sierra. 7 Comments

Bad news for Season 4’s Jessica Sierra. She was arrested early Sunday morning in Tampa, FL for allegedly hitting a man on the head with a heavy glass. She faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was also charged with the introduction of contraband into a detention facility and possession of cocaine after officers found a small amount of coke while searching her. She was released on $11,500 bond. She looks pretty rough in the mug shot… More details here, and the police report here.

On a happier note–Jessica’s season-mate Anthony Fedorov joins the cast of ”The Fantasticks” in New York City. His debut, playing the character Matt, begins tomorrow night. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

Congratulations to Ace Young and his fan-fundraising group High Rollers with Heart. They recently met their fundraising goal of $100,000. The charity benefits The Children’s Hospital of Denver. Ace received The Chair Award at a recent dinner honoring hospital volunteers. The group passed the $100,000 mark 8 months ahead of schedule. Well done!

Also receiving an award–Clay Aiken was honored by the National Center for Learning Disabilities. He received the Children’s Advocacy Award for his work with UNICEF and the Bubel/Aiken Foundation.

Yoo Hoo, Sanjaya, your hometown is looking for you. Har.

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Idol Bits and Pieces - Theme for the Top 10 - Songs the Year They Were Born

Bits and Pieces

Idol Update

Published by mj April 23rd, 2007 in American Idol, Ace Young, News, Elliott Yamin, Taylor Hicks, Kelly Clarkson, Simon Cowell and Paris Bennett. 10 Comments

Taylor Hicks hits the stage on his current tour at about the same time American Idol starts, so he has not been able to keep up, he tells Billboard. Besides, the tour, Taylor is working on his autobiography, “Heart Full of Soul” due out in July.

Ace Young has been added to the “faculty” of this summer’s American Idol summer camp.

Katharine McPhee’s video “Over It” is #1 for the second week in a row at the VH1 Countdown

It had to happen. McDonalds introduces American Idol themed Happy Meals with Paris Bennett serving as their spokeskid. According to the press release, ”For three weeks, from April 20 through May 10, 2007…young guests will receive one of six superstar toys inspired by AMERICAN IDOL.” The “superstar” toys include, “… a guitar, headset, microphone, MP3 player, sunglasses and an applause meter with clapping hands.” Uhhh…

Speaking of Paris, she sent a bulletin to her myspace friends apologizing for her recent comments about American Idol:

Hey guys I know this week yo’ve all heard some not so nice things about me… I just want to say I give my up most respect and honors to American Idol… without them I wouldnt have met you all and you all would have never known me…. Im not a mean person by any means….Im grateful for each and everything i get and every new opportunity I get I thank American Idol cause thats why that opportunity flowed my way…!! As for all the sanjaya fans I have lots of respect for him he reminds me of myself with the hair changes etc…. i never meant to come off like I hated him cause thats not what kind of person I am…. What I’ve learned from this week is that your words may mean one thing to me and another to other people….! I truely apologize….Love Always,Paris Bennett aka Princess P
“You’ve Officially Beeen Princessed”

Whoopie Goldberg now knows what the rest already know about Elliott Yamin. That boy can sang… Whoopie said, after Elliott performed on a radio show she was guest-hosting in Kentucky, “You can sit down and sing a song. That’s what singing is supposed to be. Nobody is turning buttons and trying to sweeten the sound”

Congratulations to Kelly Clarkson for winning Song of the Year for “Since You Been Gone” at the recent ASCAP awards.

The AV Club answers this musical question, “Is American Idol bad for music” The answer is surprisingly pro-Idol. According to a recently conducted survey, Idol is the most discussed TV show around office water coolers. Well, duh.

Hmmm, there is still such a thing as an Idol attorney? I’d think by now the Idols are savvy enough to find and hire their own counsel…

Did you know that tragedies like the Virginia Tech massacre can be laid at the feet of Simon Cowell? *eyes roll*

And, finally, is Paul McCartney too nice for American Idol? According to producer Ken Warwick, “[McCartney’s] a nice guy. He doesn’t like Simon saying, ‘You’re horrible. You’re the worst I ever heard. You shouldn’t be singing.’ So the chances of Paul coming on the show were pretty slim.”

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American Idol Bits and Pieces

Published by mj March 5th, 2007 in American Idol, Ace Young and News. 33 Comments

The always obsequious Chuck Ross has resumed his weekly interviews with the producers of American Idol. Nigel Lythgoe’s Top 24 interview had a couple of interesting bits in it. He revealed that Blake Lewis would be singing a Jamiroquai song that week, and he and Ross had an interesting exchange about this so-called AI special “surprise”:

TVWeek: OK, and last thing, and I don’t mean to embarrass you, and please if you don’t want to answer this, feel free, but we’ve gotten a lot of emails and a lot of folks said ask him this, so I’m going to go ahead and ask you, that maybe the big news is that Paul McCartney is coming on the show, so I’ll throw it out there.
Mr. Lythgoe: No, the big news is not about an individual. I’ve been asked about that, if Paul McCartney’s coming on the show-no. Does that mean Michael Jackson’s coming on the show? No. We gave out last night all the stars that are coming on the show.

TVWeek: Right, I heard all that, yes.
Mr. Lythgoe: But no, I’m so sorry that I can’t talk about it. It’s so annoying and I know I started the tease of it so I’m silly to myself. But it is something very special, and I did say it does involve “American Idol” and it also involves America. It involves the viewers, it involves a whole big issue here. It’s something that I know we’re all very proud of. We’re going to be the first program that will talk about this sort of thing and.well, it will have to wait until next time. But I can’t wait to tell you.

TVWeek: My guess.
Mr. Lythgoe: Because I’m going to need your help and everybody else’s help.

What could Nigel be talking about?

This past week, Ross interviewed Ken Warwick about the Top 20. You can read what Ken had to say about each contestant here.

It was American Idol night at the Museum of Television & Radio’s 24th annual William S. Paley TV festival on Thursday. The panel consisted of Ryan Seacrest; judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson; and executive producers Ken Warwick and Cecile Frot-Coutaz. Journalist, Lisa Morales, was there. Here are a few excerpts from her report:

The gang recalled how in the show’s first season, not so many people auditioned and stars stayed away from the guest-judging idea. Now the show is fighting them off — both auditioners and professional singers. Exec producer Warwick said Janet Jackson wanted to be on “Idol” this season but they couldn’t squeeze her in.

The Beatles night we’d been promised this season is a bust because Paul McCartney can’t make it. “Ringo was available,” Simon cracked. Instead, “Idol” is planning a British Invasion night.

As we were reminded by the gang onstage, whenever a singer appears on “Idol,” his or her catalogue sales go through the roof. “Except Neil Sedaka,” Simon said. “His went backwards.”

Simon also said he did not like the inclusion of Prince on last year’s finale because he declined to sing a duet with the finalists, insisting he perform alone.

One last article: American Idol is, for the first time, aggressively launching off-air promotional programs with advertisers. Freemantle and 19E have recently signed deals with McDonald’s. The promotion involves “Happy Meals” but no specifics yet.

Pringles potato chips will be offering, “limited edition Idol-branded cans, an Idol-themed 15-second TV spot…and a national sweepstakes offering…a trip to Los Angeles for the Idol finale.”

Dreyer’s Ice cream is featuring American Idol themed flavors. Fans can vote for their favorite flavor and enter a contest. The winners will be treated to a surprise visit at their homes by Idol Ace Young who will perform a private mini-concert.

Dreyer’s parent company, Nestle, will offer specially marked packages of Nestle chocolate bars that will include one of eight letters. The five fans who collect the series of wrappers that spell the phrase “Go to Hollywood” will win a trip for two to Hollywood, including tickets to the American Idol performance and results finales.

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Idol Bits and Pieces - Theme for the Top 10 - Songs the Year They Were Born

Bits and Pieces

Idol Update

Published by mj March 3rd, 2007 in American Idol, Ace Young, News, Jennifer Hudson, Elliott Yamin, Bucky Covington, Jon Peter Lewis, Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin and Kelly Clarkson. 14 Comments

Elliott Yamin is on a roll. His debut CD drops on March 20. He debuted his single “Wait For You” on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show. Check out a clip from his upcoming video here. You can listen to “Wait For You” at Elliott’s My Space. Good stuff.

Jennifer Hudson was the recipient of an NAACP Image Awards Friday night. Jennifer won Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in “Dreamgirls.”

Ace Young will be the spokesman for the next two months for the Dreyers Ice Cream American Idol campaign. He’ll be doing radio spots, TV Ads and personal appearances promoting Dreyer’s American Idol Ice Cream Flavors.

Bucky Covington new video debuted ”…in the #1 position atop CMT’s fan-voted CMT Pure Country video playlist. Additionally, the video debuted this week at an impressive #36 on Yahoo Music’s all-genre video chart, putting Covington in the company of fellow American Idol alum Carrie Underwood as the only two country artists with videos in Yahoo’s Top 50.”

You can now download Jon Peter Lewis’s excellent self-released CD, “Stories from Hollywood” at Americanidol.com. This CD is my favorite ex-Idol album release of all time. No lie.

Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington are among the performers of this summer’s CMA music festival. The festival runs from June 7-10 in Nashville, TN.

Great news for Bo Bice fans. Bo will be singing the theme song to the new Will Ferrell movie Blades of Glory. Producer Ben Stiller has been a fan of Bo’s since his Idol run and invited him to work on the song. You can listen to the tune at the official Blades of Glory My Space.

Kelly Clarkson announced on her website that she just finished recording her latest CD “My December.” No word yet on a release date.

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