American Idol

Billboard Update 1/20/07

Billboard Update 1/13/07

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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TV Week Interview with Nigel Lythgoe: He thinks Jordin Sparks should be the next American Idol

Published by mj May 16th, 2007 in American Idol, Simon Cowell, Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Lisa Tucker, TV Week, Paris Bennett and Nigel Lythgoe. 28 Comments

This week’s TV Week interview with Nigel Lythgoe. Download here.

Nigel says he thinks it was the best Top 3 that they’ve ever had, and, “The most talent they’ve had on that stage in a long time.”
While Nigel was careful to spread the praise around evenly he said that the two females could split the vote to leave a male in the race.
He thinks Jordin Sparks should be the next American Idol and was a little disturbed at Simon’s critical attitude toward her last night.
Initially, the Maroon 5 song did not get cleared. Nigel claims they relented when Blake called them up personally to ask permission to sing the song.

Read a transcript of the interview after the jump. Continue reading ‘TV Week Interview with Nigel Lythgoe: He thinks Jordin Sparks should be the next American Idol’

TV Week Interview with Nigel Lythgoe

Nigel Lythgoe’s Weekly Interview

Michael Johns Interview: Ryan Seacrest blames his Cruel Elimination Trick on Nigel Lythgoe

TV Week Interview with Nigel Lythgoe: Top 9

Happy Paris Bennett Day!

Published by mj May 8th, 2007 in American Idol, Record News and Paris Bennett. 14 Comments

Paris Bennett’s debut CD, “Princess P” drops today.

The CD features guest spots by her mom, Jamecia Bennett, and her grandmother, Ann Nesby on the tune, “Best Friends.” Kevin Covais raps on the song, “Can I Rap.”

The album, includes production from Darrin Lighty, DJ SES and Jon Jon Traxx (Beyonce’s “Deja Vu”), who produced the first single, “Ordinary Love.” “Boyfriend Back,” which has been getting some spins on Radio Disney, may be her follow-up single.

The album is being released on Twin Cities-based indie 306 Entertainment and distributed by TVT Records, home to rap star Lil’ Jon and hip Scottish rockers the Cinematics.

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Billboard Update 05/12/07

Published by mj May 5th, 2007 in American Idol, Charts, Record News, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Paris Bennett. 3 Comments

Here’s YOUR Idol Billboard Update for this week. Follow along, if you’d like…

New on the Billboard charts this week–audio performances from last Wednesday’s Idol Gives Back, available at iTunes. The Idol Gives Back audio collection debuts at #4 on the Top Digital Albums chart. Carrie Underwood’s, “I’ll Stand By You” is #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the Pop 100, #50 on the Hot Country Singles and Tracks, #2 on the Hot Digital Tracks chart, and #2 on Hot Digital Songs. Kelly Clarkson’s “Up to the Mountain” is #56 on the Billboard Hot 100, #38 on Hot Digital Tracks and #35 on Hot Digital Songs. Josh Groban and the African Children’s Choir’s “You Raise Me Up” is #64 on the Hot Digital Songs chart. Josh Groban’s studio version of “You Raise Me Up,” enters the Hot Digital Songs chart at #67 and Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish” re-enters the Hot Digital Songs chart at #47.
Update on Kelly Clarkson’s new single, “Never Again”: It debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 at #8, the Hot Digital Tracks chart at #3, and the Hot Digital Songs chart at #4, It climbs from #58 to #49 on the Hot 100 Airplay, from #57 all the way to #5 on the Pop 100, from #23 to 21 on the Pop 100 Airplay, from #21 to #17 on the Hot Adult Top 40. RCA says, that contrary to recent rumors, Kelly’s album, “My December” has the record label’s full support. The album will drop July 24th.
Chris Daughtry’s new single, “What I Want” debuts on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart at #28.
Paris Bennett’s new album drops this Tuesday.

For more chart news, read Donna Reynolds’ chart watch from foxesonidol.com. More numbers, including Idols who are off the charts, can be found at USA Today’s Idol Chatter.

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Billboard Update 1/20/07

Billboard Update 1/13/07

Billboard Update 05/05/07

Published by mj April 28th, 2007 in American Idol, Charts, Record News, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Bucky Covington, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Lewis and Paris Bennett. 9 Comments

This week’s Idol Billboard Update, right here.

The big news this week–Bucky Covington’s first week numbers for his debut album are in and they are as sweet as sweet tea. Heh. His CD came in at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. It sold 61,042 units this week. According to Billboard, Bucky’s debut is the biggest on Top Country Albums by a new male artist since Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All” started with 90,000 in 1992. Awesome. Bucky’s single “A Different World” debuts on the Billboard Hot 100, Pop 100, and Hot Digital Songs at #63, #68, and #64 respectively.
Kelly Clarkson’s brand new single, the angry girls’ anthem “Never Again” was just released to radio, and of course, it’s currently all over the charts. Hot 100 Airplay-#58, Pop 100-#57, Pop 100 Airplay-#23 and Hot Adult Top 40-#21. Kelly also has a bunch of TV appearances coming up to support her single and upcoming tour. Tickets for the tour go on sale May 12.
Carrie Underwood’s unstoppable album “Some Hearts” received a nice bounce from her appearance on the CMT awards last week. The CD climbed from #14 to #9. Her single ”Wasted” sits at the #1 position on the Hot Country Singles and Tracks for the 3rd week in a row. Her single, “Before He Cheats” debuts on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart at #24.
Kellie Pickler, who presented at the CMT’s also benefited from her appearance. Her CD “Small Town Girl” climbed from #142 to #118. She also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry last Saturday night, so she should follow up with another good week.
Elliott Yamin’s single, “Wait for You” climbs from #91 to #78 on the Pop 100 and #48 to #42 on the Pop 100 Airplay charts. The cross-country radio tour Elliott is currently on is probably giving the single a boost. Check out Rickey.org to hear Elliott performing a sweet acoustic version of “Wait For You” at a Philly radio station.
As the Daughtry single “Home” climbs up the pop charts, another single from the album DAUGHTRY, “What I Want,” was released to rock radio this week.
Tim McGraw’s “When the Stars Go Blue” re-entered the Hot Digital Tracks chart at #37 and the Hot Digital Song chart at #39. Blake Lewis performed the Ryan Adams penned tune as his country song, Top 7 night.
Look out for Paris Bennett’s new album, due to drop May 8. She’s currently the spokesperson for McDonald’s American Idol themed Happy Meals.

Ken Barnes from USA Today has more numbers on his Idol Chatter Blog. And you can check out more Idols on the charts on Donna Reynolds’ Chart Watch at foxesonidol.com.

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Billboard Update 1/20/07

Billboard Update 1/13/07

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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