Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Interesting news from Melinda, did you know she was a buddy of Laura Bush?
Watch this interview
Melinda Doolittle - Good Day Live LA
More details? Check out this article
Bush to Seek Extension of AIDS Effort
President to Ask for $30 Billion to Double U.S. Contribution
…The president will also announce that first lady Laura Bush will travel to Africa in late June and visit AIDS-related services funded by the program in Zambia, Mali, Mozambique and Senegal, officials said…
Thank you to Kirsten
Jordin adjusting to fame
After a nationwide media tour that sent her from Los Angeles to New York City twice in one week, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks returned home to Glendale for some rest and relaxation earlier this month. Now back in Hollywood, Sparks is prepping for the AI summer concert tour which rolls through her hometown, stopping at Jobing.com Arena, on July 18.
For the first time since her Idol win, Sparks spoke exclusively with The Glendale Republic about criticism over her weight, her new life in the spotlight and her reunion with the other Idol contestants….
In this off-Broadway musical, Clay’s the thing
When “Idol: The Musical” hits the stage in New York next month, Clay Aiken won’t be there in person. But there will be a bust of Raleigh’s hometown “American Idol” star onstage, and someone singing “Burnin’ Hunk o’ Clay” to it.
Yes, Aiken is coming to the theatrical stage, but only as inspiration. “Idol: The Musical” is billed as a musical farce about a “delusional group of ‘Idol’ fans in search of fame.” It begins previews at New York’s off-Broadway 45th Street Theatre on July 5.
Aiken himself is not involved with the project. Janice Riley, his personal assistant in Raleigh, declined to comment….
MONEY ROLLS FOR ‘PURPLE’
LUCILLE Goldsborough, 82, was touched by the movie version of “The Color Purple” when she saw it back in 1985. But she was moved to the point of tears when Fantasia won “American Idol” in 2004.
So when her church, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal in Fort Washington, Md., offered a seniors’ trip to see Fantasia on Broadway as Miss Celie in “The Color Purple,” Goldsborough was among the first to sign up….
Idol Sex-Harassment Suit Sent to Arbitration
Memo to prospective American Idol staffers: Read the fine print.
A California judge has ordered a lawsuit brought by a former Idol employee against the show to be decided by arbitration in accordance with the contract the man signed with producers of the Fox talent contest….
Checking in on our homegrown celebs
Maybe I’m spoiled, because one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, the late Jimmy Stewart, hailed from my hometown of Indiana, Pa. But I’ve also lived in the Tampa area a couple of decades. And while we might not be able to boast any Hollywood legends yet, it’s not like we lack for talent. And goodness knows it’s unfair that the latest celebrity to make news out of Tampa Bay - outside of Hiccup Girl, that is - was Tampa native and former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra…..
Afternoon Fix: Celebrity Birthdays, the latest news, and more
…Chris Daughtry has seen his fair share of the limelight. As one of last year’s final American Idol contestants, Chris was seen on TV sets across the globe. Now, he and his band Daughtry have had a number one album that has currently sold over two-million copies. So what has Chris learned about the music business so far? “You never know what you’re getting into until you fully dive in and then it’s not all fun and games, it’s not all everything that people make it out to be, like it’s all just fun and glamour. There’s actual work involved and a lot of sacrifice and that’s okay though because anything worth having is worth working hard for.” Daughtry will be playing in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 1st with Nickelback…
SHORE BETS
Hicks’ hot licks
A perusal of “American Idol” Taylor Hicks’ Web site (www.taylorhicks.com) makes it seem like the most fan-friendly,or maybe the star-neediest. He blogs - signing off “Later, Tay Tay” - pleads with fans to write to him (”Taylor wants your questions!”) and provides an endless jukebox of his recordings. No 800 number for votes anymore, though….
Summer on Square offers lunchtime entertainment
…Themed events start at noon featuring broadcasts on the giant video boards and a café-style setting for brown-baggers to eat lunch outside.
Weekly events include: Idol Mondays, broadcasting hilarious audition moments from the first four seasons of “American Idol 
Kelly Clarkson, My December
Kelly Clarkson has made enough of a career for herself - her last album sold 11m worldwide - that she no longer needs the prefix “American Idol winner”. This has given her the authority to dictate the shape of her third album, and she has opted for rock. That’s not rock as in “ROCK”, obviously, but the wipe-clean kind that begs your pardon for making noise…
Soul food for thought
Feted by everyone from Kanye West to Paul McCartney, John Legend could easily rest on his laurels. But the cerebral singer/producer tells Angus Batey he’s not ready to let up until he is truly taking care of business
…One Grammy was for the song Ordinary People, which has achieved the ultimate in widespread, sublime-to-ridiculous approval. Everyone from Paul McCartney to Stevie Wonder has told Legend how fine a piece of songwriting they think it is, yet with its accessible register and deceptive simplicity, it has also become a staple of American Idol auditions. “It’s right in that sweet spot of songs that everybody thinks they can sing, so they all try,” he laughs. “But it doesn’t matter to me if it’s bad - it’s flattering every time.”…
Junior high student makes melodious history
…Cami has been influenced by favorite singers Nicole C. Mullen, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson, the latter two who are of “American Idol†fame. She’s already planning to audition for the hit show’s ninth season, which takes place when she will be old enough to meet the program’s age minimum of 16.
Mayberry said she thinks Cami has what it takes to someday be an American Idol…
How To Sell Products And Avoid Kids At The Same Time
…A Kaiser official suggests, for example, no lewd ads during “American Idol†— which Kaiser seems to feel is a kids’ show.
Well, “Idol†isn’t a kid’s show — it’s a show for everybody. All demographic groups watch “Idol,†the highest-rated overall network TV show. Look at the numbers.
Unless a show is on a narrowly-targeted network, such as Nickelodeon or MTV, most on broadcast are going to have a variety of commercials. That’s why they still call it broadcasting. Demographics groups — 18-49, 12-24, 25-54 — still cover a sizable range of ages…
Nunavut hockey star introduces American Idol girlfriend to family
Rankin Inlet has been abuzz this week with sightings of a celebrity couple — hometown hockey hero Jordin Tootoo and his girlfriend, American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler.
The NHL player has been dating the country singer since January and has brought her home to Nunavut to meet his family….
….Pickler has never been to Canada before. She was earlier quoted as saying she was hoping to build an igloo on her visit. That didn’t pan out, but the Tootoo family is making sure she goes home with her share of truly northern experiences, like fishing and sampling local food….
Kelly Clarkson — Desperate to Breakaway
Kelly Clarkson just can’t catch a frickin’ break these days.
The singer, who just canceled her concert tour over low ticket sales, had the misfortune of getting locked out of her car last night just as she was engulfed by a paparazzi storm. Damn childproof locks!…….
Former ‘Idol’ finalist Sanjaya Malakar thinks judges “gave up” on him
Sanjaya Malakar may not have taken on the entire world as one of American Idol’s sixth-season finalists, but the 17-year-old Federal Way, WA-native apparently believes he at least had to overcome the Fox mega-hit’s three judges to make it where he did…
Cool stuff to do in the coming days
July 4
IDOLS AT THE SPRINGS: Silver Springs will celebrate Independence Day with American dreams - or runners-up to such dreams. “American Idol” finalists Justin Guarini, Anthony Fedorov and Melissa McGhee will perform at the nature park that day. There also will be strolling entertainers. The park’s Independence Day Celebration will conclude with fireworks. The party is included in regular park admission:
Good goth!
Kelly Clarkson turns moody
KELLY CLARKSON
My December
(RCA)
Will America accept an apple-cheeked Idol as a snarling goth girl?
Kelly Clarkson is about to find out in a decisive way. And, apparently, she can’t wait.
Yesterday she, and her record company, leaked the entire contents of her uber-controversial, and far darker, new album, “My December,” to MTV.com. You can’t download it, but you can stream every second of it until Tuesday, when the album hits those ancient things called stores……..
In the comfort zone: What ‘American Idol’ says about society
Jordin Sparks is the sixth American Idol. Stand back and pretend to gasp.
On May 23, “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest crowned the tearful Sparks, who gave another rendition of the sickeningly appropriate song “This Is My Now.” The 17-year-old Arizona beauty won the hearts of millions and became the youngest idol yet, through her big voice, charming smile and glory-note ballads.
You know, just like how every other American Idol won…
Thin pickin’ and Katie’s all cut up
…Kelly Clarkson has revealed that she was bulimic in high school. Wait, let me get this straight. She used to throw up, but was able to keep her food down AFTER she met Ryan Seacrest?
I find it interesting that Kelly’s eating disorder confession comes immediately after she received bad reviews for her latest song, fired her manager, fought with her label and canceled her summer tour because no one bought tickets. I’m NOT saying that it’s not true - we all know that no “American Idol” contestant would ever lie about their past - I’m just saying that the timing seems a bit … coincidental…
Country USA crowd waits to see their ‘Idol’
Fans stake out seats early to see Carrie Underwood
Christine Young estimates that she ate about 8,000 calories Thursday night.
Young, 20, had cheese curds, pizza on a stick and funnel cake, about six hours worth of food and the amount of time she sat on the grass waiting for Carrie Underwood to take the stage.
“We drove six hours to get here yesterday,” the Minnesota native said. “And I just want to see Carrie.” ….
The Hot List
Our picks of the week’s top events
Saturday, June 23
Former “American Idol” crooner George Huff will be at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Saturday, June 23 as part of the amusement park’s annual Gospel Fest at 6 p.m. Park patrons can also kick back to performances by Grammy winners Hezekiah Walker and Israel Haughton and New Breed…
Had to chuckle at the title of this article… I know - I have the maturity of a 13 year old!
Dan Akroyd speaks about the Niagara Wine Festival, 6/23/07 and Taylor Hicks appearance. Dan and Taylor might perform a song together.
Go to the right of the screen, click on the box with Dan Akroyd’s photo and wait for the tap to roll.
Comments at 2:30 of the tape.
http://www.ctv.ca/canadaam
My two cents..
I’m still having a hard time see Constantine as a rocker..
It’s great seeing all of these Idols doing well but I wish they would just be consider artists and lose the AI tag.. Would make for less comparison, IMO..
Dan and Taylor might perform a song together.
Since we’re at it …
Why not perform SWEET HOME CHICAGO with Taylor playing the part of John Belushi ? Just saying…
BTW, Dan Akroyd said in the interview that the event with Taylor Hicks is completely sold out.
Hopefully someone tapes it if it is shown on Canadian TV.
Dan and Taylor???? COOOL!!!!! Do Soul Man and then sell the video. I know I’d buy it!
I’m so jealous of those going to the wine auction. I can just imagine that it will be a lot of fun to see. Sold out and a song with Dan…
Yes, Lu…coool….way coool…
Chris is going international, I don’t think playing to 150 people in another country is a bad thing for him right now.
oh man, oh man, oh man !! Taylor and Dan doing “Soul Man”? Can you imagine ???? That would be…I mean to say …. wow….just wow…. and WINE !!!!????well, doesn’t get much better than that.
Who are you telling..Man, I wish I was there just for the wine. Taylor is the icing on the cake..
sexygirl
..that’s all I have to say about that !! This is a feel good day. I hope Kelly Clarkson gets thru all this bull $%#@ !! And.. I have to get some work done… quit making this blog so interesting ! Stop !
There had BETTER be a video of Dan Akylroid and Taylor Hicks doing SOUL MAN!! wooooo weeeeeeeee!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea9mV9EhPvE
I can see Dan and Taylor doing Soul Man. It would be fantastic and they probably would have a blast doing it.
I posted the chart because how often does the WSJ write about idol.
I still think the numbers for Elliott and Chris are off but maybe smaller clubs/bars don’t report. It’s not that big a deal either way.
As an Elliott fan, I kind of loved that they included him in the chart. Probably left Kat off because I don’t think she’s ever headlined a show (I could be wrong). Or maybe someone there is a closet Yaminion.
I still can’t believe Clay sold that many albums. I know it was over two mil for his first album. How many did his second album sell?
I know his latest album has sold a little over 500,000. I can’t remember the exact total tho.
Is Elliott playing small clubs? All the boxscores I’ve seen have been for mid-sized to large clubs (800-1000 people). I suspect his numbers might have been low because his tour is fairly recent and all of the numbers would not have been reported (I’ve seen concert reports come in 6-8 weeks late).
Daughtry’s low numbers are probably reflective of the size of clubs he played (some reported to be as small as 150-200 people) and the low cost of tickets ($15-$25 at most places). His biggest concerts have been free (e.g. his hometown concert they taped the video at), included with another event (where tickets are to the entire event and not specifically for the concert…e.g. Universal and Riverbend) or radio promo events (which feature many performers). Add up all the numbers, and $400K seems to be in the right range. Those small venues who might not have reported would have generated such small amounts of revenue they are statistically insignificant (to make an even 150K difference, that’s 50 concerts which is as about how long the spring tour was, so any unreported revenue from a small venue is not likely to make much of a difference).
But, as his management says, the spring tour was more about the band learning how to play together and getting their stage legs. That is how the success of that tour is measured. Money earned is not significant because that was not the goal of this tour. Money earned by the success of the album can be used to pay for the costs for the band to travel, eat and other expenses. Sounds like Daughtry is right on the track they want to be on. So, it’s all good.
On the other hand, Elliott and his team have a slightly different strategy and it is not entirely focused on just album sales. So far, it looks like he is doing well according to his plan. So, again, success!
I don’t believe she has headlined, she has co-headlined a few but other then that nothing.
Kat has headlined a couple of shows, but those were private events which would not report to Pollstar or Billboard (e.g. the Vegas event and that Clive/Whitney event last fall…plus some for companies). She has been involved in a lot of radio concerts, but not as a headliner.
So we’ve moved on to tours???
*Throws sales charts back in virtual filing cabinet*
No, no. We’re just filling time until you were ready with your big sales chart you’ve been teasing us with.
It was either that or run with the Jordin/Blake romance story. Perhaps we should move the Cake wedding to the Utah concert and have a double wedding. The bride can wear white and the two grooms can wear tennis shoes with their tux/hoodie combo outfit (actually, they could all recycle their IGB outfits…got to save those pennies for when the reality of recoupment sets in). Nigel can arrange a special dance tribute featuring 6 seasons worth of Idols. Think of the great dance routines from The Music Man, Oklahoma and the Mickey Mouse Club all rolled into one. They’ll end it by creating three pyramids topped by the three marriage participants (Sanjaya will sneeze causing his pyramid to fall down and create a domino effect with the other two. Hilarity will ensue. I’m sure we can talk Fox into creating a Reality program of all of this…we’ll be as rich as Simon in not time!)
I have a new weakness this summer….yes, I’ve been suckered in by “America’s Got Talent” after watching this week’s episode from the Chicago auditions . Hey, what can I say? The show’s got a little something for everyone.
LisaB listed an article today about a beatboxer named Butterscotch. She truly is amazing. Watch out Blake! Here is video of her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzKo3_heX_g
Another beatboxing act who made it through to the next round (this band is great - a beatboxing rock band!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzu4CK8Ek-c
Then there’s my favorite so far, Cass Haley (a white Bob Marley perhaps?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f11vWRZ3yTc
Guilty pleasures:
Second Story Guys (adorable guys dancing on stilts): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uebX_6Anhw4
Sideswipe (extreme martial arts group - more hot guys!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ns8PHWISQk
And then there’s Boy Shakira (another Sanjaya perhaps?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIr3gaqefXg
FYI: Hasselhoff left the judge’s table in a hasselhuff over this guy getting through to the next round. LOL
Nevada — we’ve been having a day long to and fro about ticket sales vs album sales vs number of tour dates and comparisons.
Lay it on us please.
That TMZ gossip specualation made me think of Jordin’s “purity” ring and a NYT article published today. Sorta maybe kinda on topic in a daisy-chain-thinking kind of way:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/22/world/europe/22cnd-britain.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin.
Information about the Silver Ring Thing organisation is HERE. And yes, I am curious if Jordin has an affiliation with this specific group, or just stuck any old ring on her finger — but not curious enough to read fansites, however. (Are there any fansites for the Season 6 winner?)
Pollstar reports world wide. Clay’s should be higher because he was already at 28 million last year and he had another tour since then.
CarlaD,
My favorite so far is Cass Haley too from America’s Got Talent.
My husband and I got a kick out of Boy Shakira. I agree that Sanjaya now has competition with is hula dancing.
RE:
OK, let me get this right…she is a member of an American-based evangelical movement, known as the Silver Ring Thing, and her name is Ms. Playfoot?
This is a joke, right?
ROFLMAO
Okay, where is everyone tonight? CarieB and I were in chat by ourselves and then she left.
Here are your Top 20 Idol albums; unless otherwise indicated, all numbers are from Nielsen SoundScan, with the date of the last update in parenthesis. Since I am not an MFE, I won’t speculate on sales for albums which haven’t been updated since 2006.
1. Kelly - Breakaway - 5,730,967 (05-29-07)
2. Carrie - Some Hearts - 5,660,163 (06-19-07)
3. Chris - Daughtry - 2,779,675 (06-19-07)
4. Clay - Measure of a Man - 2,742,989 (04-23-06)
5. Kelly - Thankful - 2,621,238 (03-13-07)
6. Ruben - Soulful - 1,780,823 (05-02-06)
7. Fantasia - Free Yourself - 1,687,346 (05-02-06)
8. Clay - Merry Christmas WL - 1,400,000 (01-16-07 Billboard)
9. Taylor - Taylor Hicks - 688,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
9. Bo - The Real Thing - 688,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
11. Josh - Josh Gracin - 677,000 (11-07-06 USA Today)
12. Kellie - Small Town Girl - 559,406 (06-19-07)
13. Clay - A Thousand Different Ways - 513,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
14. Ruben - I Need an Angel - 437,114 (05-02-06)
15. Fantasia - Fantasia - 412,581 (06-19-07)
16. Katharine - Katharine McPhee - 338,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
17. Elliott - Elliott Yamin - 273,606 (06-19-07)
18. Ruben - The Return - 229,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
19. Kimberley - One Love - 212,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
20. Bucky - Bucky Covington - 177,254 (06-19-07)
* Kelly’s total for Breakaway has been reported at 5.8 million for months by USA Today, a demonstration of the evils of number-rounding. She’s more likely at about 5,760,000, selling in the 7000-7500 range per week.
Hey - I’m not that old! I think the first Billy Joel / Elton John tour was in 1998, and the second was in 2001. I might be a year off here and there - but I think I’m close. And, both tours kicked some serious a$$ :)
So, how’s everyone been? I’m back to my normal routine now - no more family in town and no more going out of town for me for a while. I’ve missed you guys!
Appreciate the list, Nevada. Great to see Taylor at #9.
The gig Dan Akroyd’s throwin’ sounds exciting. It’d be great if they could play some dual harp ;) One can hope.
On a completely different note, (playing catchup at MJ’s) - congrats on Daughtry for hitting the triple platinum mark.
Question, what were Blakes and Jordin’s numbers for their cd singles? Or is AI not releasing them this year. I don’t keep track of those things but the thought ran across my mind, that it was around this time last year that Kat and Taylor dropped their cd singles.
I just thought I’d mention this, I was attending a football game today and the winner of a contest they had was Taelyr Hicks. No joke.