Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Today in History - June 16
…Today’s Birthdays:
…Singer Diana DeGarmo (”American Idol”) is 20.
Crystal Bridges At The Massey Presents First Exhibition
Open House Coincides With Bentonville Art Walk
…Festival organizers have added several new attractions this year, including a Main Stage for musicians and a Kids Art Park.
The Main Stage performances begin at 11 a.m. and include performances by Patrick Hall of the 2006 American Idol contest, Sugar Creek Jazz Band, Take Cover, Burford and Miller, Kevin Bennoch, Bent Grass Green, Truth About Movie Starts, Drum Spirit and Bentonville High School Jazz Band…
Opera guy opens his mouth, listeners open their hearts
The Welsh cellular phone store manager wowed the judges of “Britain’s Got Talent” last week and is a YouTube hero.
…When Potts first steps onstage, the judges look skeptical, and the audience seems to be bracing for another William Hung-like “She Bangs” performance on “American Idol.” The singer has a face for radio: He looks a little like Mark Addy’s character in “The Full Monty” — a bit rotund, a tad hapless — and his suit doesn’t quite fit…
…Now while some are skeptical of Potts’ TV packaging as just a salesman (seems that he’s had formal opera training), masses from around the world are pulling for this opera underdog. Hmm. Could be a new reality TV show in there somewhere.
Studdard sings way into hearts
It was billed as “Lover’s Night” for a reason.
Ruben Studdard, season two “American Idol” champ, proud “Velvet Teddy Bear” and frequent presence on the R&B charts, seduced the women at last night’s Fridays at Sunset show — even the ones snuggling with male companions — with his easy charm and soothing voice.
He also generously gave up the stage for a few minutes so Richmonder Vance Hayes could propose to girlfriend Tia Wansley (she said yes) as the crowd cheered them on.
Studdard, 28, launched his 90-minute set with the uptempo “Ain’t No Party,” a song written by Richmond native Harold Lilly, who received several shout-outs from Studdard throughout the concert….
Kelly Clarkson Needs Publicity Help STAT!
…This week, we talked to two big publicists on both sides of the country; a New York old timer who handles A-list television, music, and film clients, and a major Los Angeles rep who has managed to diffuse even the most potentially damaging celebrity stunts. They both asked not to be named because, well, they both have clients linked to American Idol, and you know how it goes when you mess with that behemoth. Read on for their emergency remedies for the pop star, who both publicists admitted could use a lot of TLC (and Chinese herbs) at the moment.
Kelly Clarkson, you’re in the PR/ER!………..
A difficult week in Posh Angeles: A former Spice Girl takes on LA
As Britain’s top WAGs totter expensively down their aisles, the original celebrity footballer’s wife is trying to transfer from A-list to LA-list. So far, it’s been an imperfect pitch. But, reports Andrew Gumbel , there’s a steely professionalism behind the campaign to sell Victoria Beckham to the Americans
…Wishing for Victoria Beckham’s failure is a whole different thing from seeing it come to pass, of course. And there are plentiful reasons for thinking she won’t fail at all. The Beckhams, first of all, have some powerful allies. The man behind Victoria’s reality series is Simon Fuller, something of a marketing genius who turned Pop Idol - now rebranded as American Idol - into a worldwide sensation and has been the guiding hand behind the Beckham brand for several years…
Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire in a very gay-friendly duet.
The American Idol winner and country music icon Reba McEntire have dyked things up in a duet of Clarkson’s hit single “Since You’ve Been Gone”. You Tube
Don’t Miss Ayla Brown Perform on Opening Night
Wrentham, Mass. native Ayla Brown will kick off the Lobsters 2007 season on July 6th by singing the National Anthem and performing during halftime! !
With the realease of her new chart-topping album Forward former American Idol finalist Ayla Brown is bound to become a superstar. Don’t miss your chance to see Ayla sing on a beautiful July night. Tickets start at just $20! Visit our website for details .
Developer talking to ‘Idol’ winner about nightspot
A Memphis developer said his firm is in talks with former “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard about opening a nightclub in the planned Birmingham entertainment district….
Jon Bon Jovi: I’ve been no saint but my wife still rocks my world
…He recently appeared on an episode of American Idol as a coach to the acts (”I liked Simon Cowell - he was nice”), and admits that although it “works as a TV show, it’s important that the kids learn to write their own songs.
“With these kids, their first album goes multi-platinum, but where do they actually go to learn their chops?”…
Beckham Named Top Brit on Forbes Celebrity 100 List
…American Idol’s Simon Cowell, musicians U2 and model Kate Moss came in at 21st, 22nd, and 74th place, respectively…
Rob Thomas starting his own record label
Tired of a being a hired gun for Taylor Hicks, Mount Kisco rocker Rob Thomas has announced that he’s forming his own record label. Billboard reports that he’s creating R Tel Records with longtime friend Evan Lamberg, and the two already have a deal with Sony BMG’s Epic Records, which will provide funding for R Tel’s new acts and release the label’s records through either Epic or RED………..
Rock-Critically Correct: “Spin” Parties Like A Rock Star
…In the first story, former Entertainment Weekly chief rock critic David Browne opines that the likes of Chris Daughtry, Nickelback and Three Days Grace–all heirs to the unapologetically mainstream rock tradition–aren’t particularly charismatic and don’t do decadent things. His principal interviewee is Butch Walker, an extremely well-connected renaissance bro who hangs out with old-school Sunset Strip dudes and writes and produces Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne. Poison’s Bret Michaels is also interviewed regarding faceless rockers, and your correspondent can’t help but remember that the late ’80s/early ’90s Spin considered Michaels and his ilk as less of an august avatar of “the way rockers should be” and more of a scourge upon music itself…
Album Reviews: Paris Bennett’s ‘Princess P’
…This album is not a “grown folks” album. The beats are mostly up-tempo, “snap music,” style of instrumentals. The songs, though random in order, are the thoughts and emotions of a young woman, expressed from the point of view of a young woman. Going through it is almost like going through that awkward phase we call puberty. There are points you’ll love and want to go back to, and there are points you’d want to forget ever happened. But overall, it’s worth experiencing at least once.
Related Posts
For Radname
Mel C confirms Spice Girls reunion
…The band are said to be planning six live shows around the world with gigs in London, Tokyo and Las Vegas, to support their Greatest Hits album due out at the end of the year.
They are likely to begin rehearsing for the shows after Baby Spice Emma Bunton gives birth to her first baby later this summer.
Daily Mail
For Boulder
Potts insists: I’m no opera pro
…Far from being a shy amateur, Paul has received extensive singing training.
He was a regular with Bath Opera, where roles included the lead in Verdi Don Carlos.
He spent two summers touring northern Italy with a major opera school and took master classes with top stars.
He even got to sing in one hosted by his idol, Luciano Pavarotti.
Paul isn’t even a newcomer to TV talent shows. In 1999 he won £8,000 on Michael Barrymore’s My Kind Of Music…
The Sun
Britain’s Got Talent - Paul Potts among the favourites
Here is the latest full list of competitors and their betting odds to win the 2007 “Britain’s Got Talent”:
http://www.ogpaper.com/news/news-0548.html
For DCD and crew
HANNAH MONTANA ROX THE NATION!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7XbzkXLBVww
I watched the Reba/Kelly duet (twice) and I don’t get the “gay-friendly” remark.
At the 27th second of the song, Kelly sings “It wasn’t long till I called HER mine,” instead of him.
Ho-hum
I agree with that article. Kelly needs to give it a rest. She has a lot of people, both in the media and out, giving her the thumbs up for standing up for what she believes in. But, don’t let it get out of control. Know when to hold up and when to fold up. It would be wise on her part not to let her ego write a check her body won’t be able to cash. Don’t be like Britney. Who had the media and public in her corner during her marriage. Only to end up losing it all in a world of self destruction…
I loved the Paul Potts audition on youtube. The judges’ faces were priceless.
I liked the advice of the crises management publicists for Kelly Clarkson.
Lay low, re-group, keep mouth shut, and get thee to the gymmery.
There’s good news for Elliott fans on today’s VH-1 countdown! :)
Lu - I just turned it on. Is he coming up or did I miss Elliott?
Thanks for those links on Potts, Lisa B. Always more than meets the eye on some of these competitors. I guess it would have surprised me if he had been a complete rookie.
Nice to see Big Ruben is stirring up some news of late. He seemed to disappear for awhile, but looks to be back in the spotlight a bit.
Allison… no you didn’t miss him. You’ll be happy but you may have to watch a while if you get my drift!
I realize that they are implying things in the youtube of Kelly and Reba singing SUBG, but I have to say Kelly was in fine voice that night. She sounded really great.
deleted
Elliott was a countdown contender last week and VH1 has been playing his video quite a bit this week. Today he was #1 on the countdown. The VH1 site is all about voting for you favorite vids so lots of people other than Elliott’s old fanbase have been seeing it and voting for it. I’m sure Elliott’s existing fanbase voted but Elliott’s single has hit #10 on mediabase top 40 so I seriously doubt it’s just his old fanbase. People will think what they want but I truy feel that Elliott earned this because Wait for You is a good song.
FYI - This was a reposnse to a deleted post…
I heart LisaB!
MJ-Have fun tonight!
Sorry for the driveby-off to a family reunion for the day :)
Nervous about the M&G tonight…
Breathing into paper bag…
Abily - Don’t be nervous just have fun! I’m so happy for you. Give Taylor a little “Soul Patrol” shout out for me and see if you can snag me a M&G pass when he’s in Richmond, Va! :)
I was going to say something about Kelly C and the Pr and Rueben thing but decided not to post…
Elliot is number 1 that is good for him because I watched the vh1 today and know allot of people vote. He is doing well.
I decided not to post because it was not worh repeating. Thanks for jumping on me tells me that I am not welcome here.
Congratulations Elliott!!! I know there were a lot of Chris fans that were voting for Elliott as well. Hopefully “Wait for You” will be a Top 10 single on the Billboard charts. It is a great song and I hear it all the time on the radio.
Pop - If you’re referring to me, I wasn’t jumping on you - just responding to your post with my opinion just as you responded to mine with yours. We’re all friends here - I hope.
Yes Squishy you’re right - Chris fans have been awesome. It’s nice when fanbases can support each other. :)
Thanks, Lu! I’ll mention your pass if I can get a word out before I hyperventilate!
Everyone involved needs to give it a rest. Kelly didn’t START this in the media, she’s just responding to it. Clive and his minions need to STFU themselves. Period.
ETA: It’s not good BUSINESS to demonstrate publicly that you don’t have confidence in the product you’re promoting. It’s Clive’s JOB to make the best of a situation whether he believes in it or not. This is a fight he should have had months ago and NOT MADE PUBLIC.
This media shit is as much his fault as Kelly’s.
Thanks lisab! Hannah Montana Roxs!
Oh, Abily and MJ, have SO much fun tonight! :)
I agree with Sarah. Both Clive and his minions as well as Kelly need to STFU!
CD comes out in a week and a half. It is time for all hands on deck and make it as successful as it can be.
Have fun meeting Taylor. Elliott hitting #1 on VH1. Wow. What can I say. It took a long time but I guess me and my fellow Elliott fans finally learned how to power vote. I’m a big Chris fan too and hope his fans don’t start hating on E like they did on Kat when she beat him out on that countdown. Thanks for the votes Chris fans who voted for E. I know there’s alot of you out there.
AI people have a huge advantage on charts where voting is involved. Their fans know how to vote. But E def belongs
somewhere on the chart. I would have been happy with #10 :)
Great news for E fans about the #1 at VH1.
Hillsborough Hog Day brings food and fun
Barbecue lovers are in for a tasty treat this weekend in Hillsborough, N.C.
The Hillsborough Hog Day Festival is underway. It is Orange County’s largest event for both adults and children.
Former American Idol contestant Heather Cox will be on hand to perform Saturday.
Organizers said they expect more than 100 vendors, along with an antique car show, arts and crafts booth, and lots of barbecue ready to eat.
The festival runs Saturday until 6 p.m.
News14.com
To all my Chris fans here on the blog -
I don’t want to get all sappy here but endulge me for a minute…
I’ve been reading on some of the other boards today and Chris fans have been amazingly supportive of Elliott’s vid being #1 on Vh1 COuntdown this morning. I personally thought it was amazing to see Chris and Elliott back to back on VH1 countdown - 1 and 2 - pretty validating for AI I’d say. Anyway, it’s great that we can support people when they do well - even if they aren’t our favorite. I know a lot of Chris fans here have taken a lot of ribbing and I just want to say thanks for being so great about this - I have a feeling that’s exactly how Chris and Elliott would want it. Chris fans - you rock!
Yet another Kelly article, this time from Australia:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21906731-5006016,00.html
“Clive and I literally sat in a room and when he finally heard the record he said, ‘Well I don’t hear hits’ and I said, ‘Dude, let’s just sit down and talk it through — tell me what you don’t like and let’s see what we can do’.
“It was quite rational — we are both not yellers. So we just sat down and disagreed. I say that there are great songs on the record and he doesn’t think that. But I said, ‘Well, you didn’t think so on the last two — and they were successful, why should I stop myself now?’.
Carolina: Thanks lisab! Hannah Montana Roxs!
Oh dear Lord… Hannah Montana is a fixture in my house… Heaven help me.
LIVE: One funky white boy
Shortly after 8 p.m., Elliott Yamin lit up a cigarette as he and some girl walked out of the Marriott Courtyard on Sixth Avenue. He and the girl (I only saw her from behind but later deduced she was most likely his model girlfriend Jamie Paetz) headed toward the House of Blues……..
Street Scene
It was great to see Elliott #1 on VH1. I’m an Elliott fan and I’ve never voted for any video on VH1, so I’ve got to believe he’s expanded his fanbase. It is, indeed, a good song.
Yep = re that One Funky White Boy article - I LOVED it when A Song for You became A Song for Y’all! We Richmonders thought it was supposed to be that way!
Top 20 countdown had Kellie P in first, Carrie U in third, and Bucky C in fourth place! yayyyyyyyyyyy! I also saw Constantine as a presenter last night on the Daytime Emmy awards show. He mugged the camera at least twice lol. Some things never change lol.
Taken from an article at cmt online.