Record News | American Idol

« Older

Loading Newer »

Less

Excerpts Headlines Full Length

Archive for the 'Record News' Category

Chris Sligh - Debut Album “Running Back To You” Drops May 6

Published by mj May 6th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Chris Sligh. 6 Comments

Chris Sligh’s debut solo album, Running Back to You drops today…

And lucky me…I have an advance copy!

Chris Sligh was my favorite Season 6 male vocalist, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting his debut solo album “Running Back To You” from Brash records. I was a big fan of the record his band, Half Past Forever released last year, Take a Chance on Something Beautiful. Some of those songs are on the new album, and benefit from professional production.

The album has a Christian theme, but even this agnostic lapsed Catholic can identify with the themes of love and forgiveness found in the lyrics. The melodies are strong, which is usually the thing that compels me to listen to a record over and over again. The single, “Empty Me” is currently sitting on the Hot Christian Songs chart at #17 and the Christian Adult Contemporary chart at #18.

I’m going to do a track-by-track rundown…after the Jump…

Continue reading ‘Chris Sligh - Debut Album “Running Back To You” Drops May 6′

The Latest on Chris Sligh - Album Running Back to You Drops May 6

Chris Sligh Performs on the Gospel Music Channel

DAUGHTRY At The Viper Room, Los Angeles, CA

Taylor Hicks Preview

Ace Young Video Debut for his single “Addicted” - VIDEO

Published by mj April 30th, 2008 in American Idol, Video, Record News and Ace Young. 13 Comments

Ace Young

Ace Young’s debut album is set to be released in July.

Check out the debut of his video for his single “Addicted” after the jump!

Continue reading ‘Ace Young Video Debut for his single “Addicted” - VIDEO’

Ace Young Album Scheduled to Drop May 13 - Single “Addicted” goes to Radio in April

Ace Young - American Idol Extra

Ace Young Updates His MySpace Page - Album to Drop in May

Billboard Update - 2/17/07

David Cook’s Analog Heart Pulled From Amazon

Published by mj April 22nd, 2008 in American Idol, Record News, David Cook, AI7 Top 12 and S7 Top 12. 48 Comments

Hope you David Cook fans out there got a chance to download your copy of his pre-idol CD Analog Heart, ’cause it’s no longer available on Amazon. Go ahead and click the banner. The message you get is “Not Available.”

It looks like Roger Friedman’s article, posted Monday on the FOX website, has led to the album being pulled from Amazon. (Hello, Roger: David studied Chris Daughtry’s audition prior to his own audition before the judges–they aren’t actually buddies. And do your effing homework. David Cook isn’t the first Idol to sell a pre-Idol CD during a run on the show.)

Currently Carly Hennessy Smithson’s CD is still available on Amazon. Chris Sligh sold a CD through Amazon during last year’s competition, and Taylor Hicks sold his pre-Idol CD, Under the Radar through an independent record store in Birmingham.

Could it be that TPTB had the album pulled, because David’s CD was showing up on the Amazon rankings? Or that other media outlets were beginning to pick up the story? It’s not clear how many copies have been sold, but Amazon mp3 downloads only make up 2% of the total paid downloads in the US market. Hardly a “major” market, I’d say. Although Analog Heart was number #1, considering those stats, I can’t imagine it was burning up the sales charts. This CD has been available for awhile. If it violated the terms of his contract with AI, it would have been pulled months ago, one would think.

Friedman is a little late to the “ringer” controversy. It raged months ago, when it was discovered that Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook and Michael Johns had honest-to-goodness major record deals before they auditioned for Idol. David Cook is considered a non-ringer in the controversy. The fact that he released an independent CD two years ago that’s now available on rinky-dink Amazon mp3 downloads hardly elevates him to ringer status in my book. Nice, Friedman–making a mountain out of a molehill.

The Idols comings and goings always have and always will be grist for the rumor mill (see: David Archuleta and his rumored stage daddy. That shiz can’t be easy for the kid as he tries to compete in this stress-filled contest), but it’s a little annoying to see something this innocuous blown up into a big deal. The upside of the CD being pulled–maybe the story will stop right here instead of growing legs.

Season 7 iTunes Top 10 - David Cook “Billie Jean” Still #1

Jon Peter Lewis New Single Now Available at iTunes and Amazon

New Ace Young Single “Addicted” Now Available on iTunes

Jon Peter Lewis Debuts Video for New Single “Break The Silence” Dropping March 18

Top 7 Studio Recordings are Now Available at iTunes!

Published by mj April 17th, 2008 in American Idol and Record News. 42 Comments

You can purchase by clicking the the banner here –>. You help support the site too if you click, so thanks in advance! My take on this week’s recordings:

1. David Cook — “Always Be My Baby”
2. David Archuleta — “When You Believe”
3. Jason Castro — “I Don’t Wanna Cry”
4. Brooke White — “Hero”
5. Carly Smithson — “Without You”
6. Kristy Lee Cook — “Forever”
7. Syesha Mercado — “Vanishing”

ETA: TPTB have take away the popularity bars for AI recordings, but the iMix thingy still works. You can check out the charts at Rickey’s . David Cook’s “Always Be My Baby” is #1 on the iTunes Top 100 right now… As of this morning:

David Archuleta - “When You Believe” - I didn’t like this song live. The recorded version of the song is even duller. Please, no more puppies and rainbows. Save it for the coronation song, Mkay?
Carly Smithson - “Without You” - I’m not loving the cabaret, Celine Dion version of this song. Not digging the background vocals, either. Carly would be right at home performing this in Vegas. Is this really Carly? Performing in Vegas? Just who is Carly Smithson? Will we ever find out?
Syesha Mercado - “Vanishing” - I love the recorded version of this song. Once her vocals on the high end are tidied up, she sounds fabulous. So pretty. Syesha chose her song well this week.
Brooke White - “Hero” - Eh. Not a great song to begin with. I hate the syrupy guitars and strings. I would have preferred the piano front and center. Brooke sounds fine, but the entire effect is rather dull.
Kristy Lee Cook - “Forever” - Kristy Lee has a good recording voice. Fewer strings and more pedal steel would have been nice, but overall I like the arrangement. With a little tweaking, I can hear this song on country radio. I think this is Kristy’s best performance.
David Cook - “Always Be My Baby” - The original version of this song does absolutely nothing for me, but I love love LOVE David’s arrangement of this song. Nothing can match the passion of his live performance, but this recorded version is very, very good.
Jason Castro - “I Don’t Wanna Cry” - I’d prefer Jason recorded without strings and background vocals, but it’s OK. His quirky vocals and exquisite phrasing still manage to draw the listener in. Just lovely.

David Cook Takes the Lead! Top 10 Performance Recordings Now Available on iTunes

Top 6 Studio Recordings are Now Available at iTunes

Idol Top 11 - Beatles Dos

American Idol Performances Available Exclusively at iTunes

New Ace Young Single “Addicted” Now Available on iTunes

Published by mj April 15th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Ace Young. 5 Comments

Ace Young - Addicted

And you can get it right here at iTunes: Ace Young - Addicted

“Addicted” is also available at Amazon: Ace Young - Addicted

Check out Ace’s You Tube Channel for the making of the “Addicted” video: You Tube. And his My Space.

Ace’s upcoming album drops this summer…

Ace Young Album Scheduled to Drop May 13 - Single “Addicted” goes to Radio in April

Ace Young - American Idol Extra

Jon Peter Lewis New Single Now Available at iTunes and Amazon

Blake Lewis Single “Break Anotha’” Available on iTunes

Season 7 Top iTunes Performances are UP!

Published by mj April 10th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News, Season 7 and S7 Top 12. 39 Comments

ETA: Also, check out the front page of iTunes for a link to special Idol Gives Back performance downloads. The proceeds go to the IGB charities. Best Bets: Annie Lennox singing “Many Rivers to Cross” and Carrie Underwood’s “Praying for Time”. Plus, the Top 8 perform “Don’t Stop the Music” and “Shout to the Lord”.

iTunes are available! I just downloaded mine, and I’m listening now. You can purchase by clicking the the banner here –>. You help support the site too if you click, so thanks in advance! My take:

Michael Johns - “Dream On” by Aerosmith - I love the texture of Michaels voice. It’s like a gravel road, it’s got tons of character. I liked his performance Tuesday night, and I like this even more.
Syesha Mercado - “I Believe” by Fantasia - Eh. I’m just not digging this. The song is drivel and Syesha doesn’t bring anything new here.
Jason Castro - “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo - Lovely, lovely, lovely, even though I could have done without the background vocals. Jason’s voice records so well. It’s your loss, Randy.
Kristy Lee Cook - “Anyway” by Martina McBride - She records well. Her best performance
David Cook - “Innocent” by Our Lady Peace - If you didn’t care for his performance, listen to this download. The song didn’t lend itself very well to the Idol edit. There’s a world of difference in the studio version. Me likey!
Carly Smithson - “The Show Must Go On” by Queen - Hm. She really should have picked another song. She can’t bring this song to life in the studio either.
David Archuleta - “Angels” by Robbie Williams - Nice vocals from Archie. Not digging the song, though
Brooke White - “You’ve Got A Friend” by James Taylor/Carole King - I can hear Brooke on the radio right now. She’s got a slightly raspy quality to her vocal that sounds great recorded.

Click on the original artist for their iTunes version…

Idol iTunes Top 10 - Brooke White, David Archuleta and David Cook Dominate

David Cook Takes the Lead! Top 10 Performance Recordings Now Available on iTunes

WAGing Some Numbers

Season 6 Digital Song Compilations available at iTunes

Preview Clay Aiken Single - “On My Way Here”

Published by mj April 7th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Clay Aiken. 17 Comments

The Popeater blog has a preview of the new Clay Aiken single, “On My Way Here”, written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic. Clay, as usual, is in fine vocal form on this sentimental track. The single is the title track of Clay’s upcoming album, due to drop May 6.

Check it out HERE!

Clay Aiken on Good Morning America - VIDEO

Clay Aiken on American Idol Extra

Taylor Hicks Preview

Preview of Kelly Clarkson’s “My December”

Kelly Clarkson Demos Leak!

Published by mj April 3rd, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Kelly Clarkson. 14 Comments

Ha! I found this at the New York Vulture blog. Some Kelly Clarkson demos leaked at this blog. Probably for legal reasons, the blogger took them down. However, one of the blog commenters uploaded them to a download site. Warning - download site not exactly SFW. You’ll find those links in the comments section, plus a really interesting conversation. Hint: It’s very typical of blog comments when Idol fans ATTACK! Heh.

The demos are supposedly meant for her next album. I downloaded them and took a listen:

“Close your eyes” - I like this. It’s got a folk/country feel to it.
“One Day” - Pretty ballad. This is closer to what she did on My December.
“Ready” - Kind of Jewel-ish
“With a Little Bit of Luck” - Very catchy chorus-this could be a single.

Kelly’s still singing about tough times, but with some optimism. The tracks are rough, but they are promising.

Related Posts

This Week’s Idol Chart Positions

Kelly Clarkson Postpones Summer Tour

Idol Sales News - Week Ending 07/01/07

Kelly Clarkson at the Orpheum in Boston

Josh Gracin CD to Drop April 1

Published by mj March 27th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Josh Gracin. 4 Comments

Josh Gracin’s upcoming CD We Weren’t Crazy is set to drop Tuesday April 1. Happy April Fools!

You can listen to the album now at Clear Channel Music.

The title track and single, “We Weren’t Crazy” is currently #25 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Pre-order We Weren’t Crazy here:

Phil Stacey Signs with Lyric Street Records

Jordin Sparks Album Clips and Other Odds and Ends

Billboard Update 6/16/07

Billboard Update (Issue Date: November 4, 2006)

Clay Aiken Drops New Album “On My Way Here” May 6

Published by mj March 22nd, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Clay Aiken. 44 Comments

Clay Aiken’s new album On My Way Here is set to drop May 6. It was produced by Kipper, best known for his work with Sting and Chris Botti. According to Billboard, “The album will likely include the title track and a song called ‘Ashes’ but no other details about the project have yet been made available.”

However, this congrats from the Treehouse Music Group, reveals that Ryan Tedder, from One Republic (the hit “Apologize”) who recently collaborated with Blake Lewis on his CD, co-wrote the title track, “On My Way Here”…

Preview Clay Aiken Single - “On My Way Here”

Clay Aiken Promotes his Upcoming CD on QVC - VIDEO

Clay Aiken on Good Morning America - VIDEO

Jon Peter Lewis New Single Now Available at iTunes and Amazon

Published by mj March 18th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Jon Peter Lewis. 2 Comments

The NEW single from Jon Peter Lewis, “Break The Silence” is the title track from his upcoming album due to drop June 3.

The song is available TODAY for download at iTunes and Amazon.com…

iTunes Link:
Jon Peter Lewis - Break the Silence

Amazon MP3 Downloads:
Break The Silence (Single)

The song. It is good. DOWNLOAD! Heh.

There is a video too. Watch it here.

***

New Ace Young Single “Addicted” Now Available on iTunes

Blake Lewis Audio Day Dream Set to Drop 12/4–Break Anotha’ Available on iTunes 11/13

Season 7 iTunes Top 10 - David Cook “Billie Jean” Still #1

Blake Lewis Single “Break Anotha’” Available on iTunes

Jon Peter Lewis Debuts Video for New Single “Break The Silence” Dropping March 18

Published by mj March 16th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Jon Peter Lewis. 15 Comments

CHECK IT OUT! The new video from Jon Peter Lewis. The single, “Break the Silence” will be available at iTunes and Amazon this Tuesday, March 18. YAY.

The video: It doesn’t really have a story line. JPL wanders aimlessly around Los Angeles. Whee! I kept waiting for the obligatory Hot Chick to show up, but she never did. The song itself - Me likey! I’ll be pimping this one until you get sick of me. Sorry! Heh.

Break the Silence

Pre-order at Amazon:

Sneak Peek of the New Single, “Break The Silence” by Jon Peter Lewis

Idol Billboard Update for Issue 12/01/07

Chart News from Billboard Magazine

Ace Young Album Scheduled to Drop May 13 - Single “Addicted” goes to Radio in April

Published by mj March 16th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Ace Young. 13 Comments

Check it out: The cover for the long-awaited debut album from Season 5 finalist Ace Young!

According to Billboard, the self-titled album drops on May 13 and is executive produced by Desmond Child. Child has worked with high-profile artists such as KISS, Cher, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin and Kelly Clarkson.

Ace wrote 11 songs, collaborating with Child as well as Andreas Carlsson. Diane Warren contributed a song.

The album will be released on Pazzo Music through Universal’s Fontana imprint. The single, “Addicted,” goes to radio April.

Check out to “Addicted” Ace’s MySpace. Or, you can listen at Rickey’s.

New Ace Young Single “Addicted” Now Available on iTunes

Josh Gracin CD to Drop April 1

Ace Young Updates His MySpace Page - Album to Drop in May

Idol Record News

Sneak Peek of the New Single, “Break The Silence” by Jon Peter Lewis

Published by mj March 4th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Jon Peter Lewis. 16 Comments

The new single from Jon Peter Lewis, “Break the Silence” drops next Tuesday, March 18. But you can get a sneak peek of the song on Jon’s newly designed MySpace page. Take a listen! The single features jangly guitars, an awesome hook and JPL’s sweet vocals.

It’s produced by Chris Garcia (Santana, Michelle Branch) and features drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, Indigo Girls) and guitarist Nick Lashley (Alanis Morissette, Natasha Bedingfield).

Regular blogsters already know that JPL is one of my very favorite Idol alumni. His debut CD, Stories From Hollywood, released November 2006 was over 2 years in the making, and worth the wait. Fans won’t have to wait as long for the sophomore effort, Break the Silence. It comes a mere 18 months later–due to drop in May.

As soon as the link to the new single is available, I’ll post it here. So check back…

ETA: Jon and his friends started a blog…

Jon Peter Lewis Debuts Video for New Single “Break The Silence” Dropping March 18

Bucky Covington Sneak Peek

Blake Lewis Audio Day Dream Set to Drop 12/4–Break Anotha’ Available on iTunes 11/13

Bits and Pieces

Ace Young Updates His MySpace Page - Album to Drop in May

Published by mj March 2nd, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Ace Young. 8 Comments

Finally! Check out Ace Young’s video message and a clip of his new tune, “Addicted” from his MySpace page. Ace promises to keep us updated. Better late than never! The album, says Ace, will be drop in May.

Related Posts

Elliott Yamin Checks In

Annoucement from HaloScan

Listen to Chris Sligh’s Upcoming Single

Blake Lewis: Live Updates from Dallas, TX

Elliott Yamin Katharine McPhee duet “Real Love” from Randy Jackson’s Music Club

Published by mj March 1st, 2008 in American Idol, Record News, Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee. 48 Comments

Here’s Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin’s duet from Randy Jackson’s upcoming album “Randy Jackson’s Music Club, Vol. 1,” dropping March 11.

It’s called “Real Love” Listen here! I like it…

Related Posts

Randy Jackson on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Billboard Update (04/28/07)

Billboard Update 04/07/07

Billboard Update 06/02/07

Paula Abdul’s New Song

Chris Richardson Single from the Dreyer’s/Edy’s CD

Published by mj February 23rd, 2008 in American Idol, Video, Record News and Chris Richardson. 15 Comments

It’s called “All Alone”:

American Idol Extra Top 11 - Amanda Overmyer - Chris Richardson

Dreyer’s Promotional Idol CD in the Works?

Chris Richardson - Manchester, NH

Chris Richardson and Melinda Doolittle to Host Dreyer’s Ice Cream Promotional Parties

Chris Sligh Releases CD “Running Back to You” May 6

Published by mj February 19th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Chris Sligh. 3 Comments

Chris Sligh’s debut solo CD, “Running Back to You” drops on May 6. The album will be released by Brash records and produced by Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, MercyMe, Steven Curtis Chapman, The Afters), with guest co-production from musicians Will Owsley and Stephen Leiweke

The first single, “Empty Me” officially impacts Christian radio on the 22nd.

Chris will also be a guest commentator for Entertainment Weekly, along with Nadia Turner and Jon Peter Lewis.

Launching a promotional tour this week to support his first radio single, “Empty Me,” Sligh will hit markets including Dallas, Houston, Tulsa, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Orlando, and also kicks off the week as an official American Idol commentator for Entertainment Weekly online. Operating on a three week rotating schedule with our two other commentators (Jon Peter Lewis and Nadia Turner), Sligh will write commentaries through the lens of his experiences on American Idol; from comments about the singers, the judges, the set, and more, including any relatable anecdotes or stories from personal Idol experiences.

I’ll be picking up this CD went it drops. I’ve heard many of the songs when he played them live New Years Eve in Westerly, RI. Good stuff…

Chris Sligh - Debut Album “Running Back To You” Drops May 6

Chris Sligh Performs on the Gospel Music Channel

Mandisa, Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh Perform on the Dove Awards - VIDEO

American Idols Tour: Greenville SC

New Melinda Doolittle Single - My Funny Valentine - Available at iTunes

Published by mj February 11th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Melinda Doolittle. 15 Comments

Music from Melinda! Her first single “My Funny Valentine” has been released to iTunes. You can download your very own copy right here: Melinda Doolittle - My Funny Valentine

A message from Melinda:

Okay, so my first recording is being released…digitally…tomorrow! I am way excited and a little nervous too. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it and I hope you like it…definitely let me know either way…I think. :-)

So, since the release is built around one of my absolute favorite days of the year (please go back and read that last bit with as much sarcasm as you can muster), I thought I would share some of my answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding Valentine’s Day…ready?

Check out her MySpace Blog for the rest…

Listening now…

I love it!!! Melinda is so cool…so old-school…so AWESOME. Happy Valentine’s Day…

Phil Stacey Signs with Lyric Street Records

Season 6 Digital Song Compilations available at iTunes

Dreyers Ice Cream Idol Album Cover

Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle on Macy’s 4th

Listen to Chris Sligh’s Upcoming Single

Published by mj January 29th, 2008 in American Idol, Record News and Chris Sligh. 14 Comments

Chris Sligh (Season 6) has just posted his upcoming single on his MySpace. It’s called “Empty Me” and will be released to the Christian radio market on February 22, although many stations will add it as early as February 15.

A bulletin sent from Chris’s My Space today:

My first single, all mixed, all mastered, all finished is up on my space! You, yes, you fair friends, can head to my page right now and listen to it. It will both rock your face off and melt your heart. As my page says, it is like psychotropic drugs while experiencing Chinese Water Torture…yes, it’s that good.

Anyway, before I overhype it, you should listen and form your own opinions of it. Hopefully there are good opinions.

Also, remember the album will be coming out May 6. This is a must have for your vinyl collection. Well, it won’t actually be coming out on vinyl. But it will be a good add to your collection of musical masterpieces, including, but not exclusive to: Milli Vanillii, Jump5, *Nsync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Hannah Montana. Don’t pretend like you’re not impressed.

Just buy the album.

But first listen to the single. You will not be disappointed. Unless you are.

Actually, I’d go with the “melt your heart” option. “Empty Me” is a deeply-felt power ballad, about how fame can screw up your head if you don’t hang on to what’s real. Chris sings like he means it. Definitely, Check it out…

Blake Lewis Signs with 19R/Arista and other S6 Record News

Happy Kimberley Locke Day!

Chris Sligh Signs with Brash Music

Season 6 Update!

American Idol

Archive for the 'Record News' Category

Chris Sligh - Debut Album “Running Back To You” Drops May 6

Ace Young Video Debut for his single “Addicted” - VIDEO

David Cook’s Analog Heart Pulled From Amazon

Top 7 Studio Recordings are Now Available at iTunes!

New Ace Young Single “Addicted” Now Available on iTunes

Season 7 Top iTunes Performances are UP!

Preview Clay Aiken Single - “On My Way Here”

Kelly Clarkson Demos Leak!

Josh Gracin CD to Drop April 1

Clay Aiken Drops New Album “On My Way Here” May 6

Jon Peter Lewis New Single Now Available at iTunes and Amazon

Jon Peter Lewis Debuts Video for New Single “Break The Silence” Dropping March 18

Ace Young Album Scheduled to Drop May 13 - Single “Addicted” goes to Radio in April

Sneak Peek of the New Single, “Break The Silence” by Jon Peter Lewis

Ace Young Updates His MySpace Page - Album to Drop in May

Elliott Yamin Katharine McPhee duet “Real Love” from Randy Jackson’s Music Club

Chris Richardson Single from the Dreyer’s/Edy’s CD

Chris Sligh Releases CD “Running Back to You” May 6

New Melinda Doolittle Single - My Funny Valentine - Available at iTunes

Listen to Chris Sligh’s Upcoming Single

Search

Latest Comments

Latest Posts

Stuff

May 2008
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« Apr
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31

Archive for the 'Record News' Category

Search

Latest Comments

Latest Posts

Blogroll

Stuff