Idol Headlines for 07/23/07

Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦

‘Idol’ Producer: ‘We Made Mistakes’
At TV’s summer press tour, Nigel Lythgoe admits that last season suffered by focusing more on famous mentors than on contestants — and says the show can learn from ”So You Think You Can Dance”

At Sunday’s TCA press tour panel for Fox’s summer hit So You Think You Can Dance, a lively discussion about what makes certain finalists on the dancing show stand out from the rest turned into a much more interesting back-and-forth about what Dance can teach its bigger ‘  and much more powerful, in terms of ratings ‘  older brother, American Idol. Nigel Lythgoe, the executive producer of both shows who also serves as a sharp-tongued judge on Dance, said there’s plenty ‘  and that we should all expect some changes on Idol next season. ”We realized we made mistakes on Idol last season, ” he said. ”We were so engrossed with the mentors and didn’t really focus on the Melinda Doolittles of the show. We didn’t know them as much as the Kellie Picklers of last season.”……

EW.com

‘Idol’ journey begins with idle time

…What you probably won’t see are the wilting auditioners who forgot to eat breakfast. Or the flaky ones who didn’t know they had to get a wristband and a ticket before they auditioned. That process starts Saturday. Not to mention the sad folks who didn’t know they wouldn’t be singing for …Idol judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell in this first round of tryouts….

Sign On San Diego

Daughtry Performs at Grandstand

And tonight, thousands lined-up to file in for the Grand Stand’s first rock concert of the year.

Daughtry performed at the Fair this evening. The group is currently touring its first, self-titled album……

KXMC.com

Kellie and Me. Not long ago, I talked by phone to former American Idol…

Kellie and Me. Not long ago, I talked by phone to former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler, who is among the performers featured in CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, airing at 9 tonight on ABC. (She’s also scheduled for Good Morning America today.)

While riding on her tour bus and between bantering with her fellow travelers, Pickler said she had a great time at the festival, including a lot of time spent with a fan also named Kellie. Among other things, she took the fan over to her record company to talk to executives, since the fan wanted to know how to make it in the music business.

“I told her, `I don’t know anything. Don’t ask me, ‘ ” Pickler said. But the dumb-bunny act that was part of her Idol stint — remember her struggle with the word salmon? — just doesn’t fly anymore

Ohio.com

Pre-Paisley, Pickler performs like a pro
Ex-`Idol’ singer’s set an affecting opener for star

Brad Paisley may have been the star at Saturday’s concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, but Albemarle’s Kellie Pickler has proven she’s grown into a country star in her own right.

As the sun set, Pickler took the stage, her name projected on the plain black curtain behind her, to a heartwarmingly receptive crowd. From her sexy outfit to her mid-song expressions, Pickler looked as if she’d spent years absorbing Reba McEntire and Faith Hill’s star-making moves and mannerisms.

The former “American Idol” contestant worked the stage in painted-on jeans, a silver tank, and (of course) shiny “Red High Heels, ” belting out upbeat songs from her debut album, “Small Town Girl.”…….

Charlotte.com

Ore. cashier gets night off, thanks to Gracin

“American Idol” singer Josh Gracin not only made Michelle Williams’ night, he made her year.

Williams’ boyfriend, Nic D’Agostini, bought tickets for Gracin’s concert Saturday at the Linn County Fair, but Williams couldn’t attend because she had just started working at Joe’s sporting goods, and didn’t feel right about asking for the night off.

Enter Gracin, who told his crew he would make dinner that night. He found the ingredients at a grocery store, then went next door to buy a camp stove………..

Oregon Live

Guarini gets funky at Perani

He sang. He smiled. He conquered.

Justin Guarini got funky, and a little jazzy, during his one-hour performance Saturday, July 21 at the third annual Fox66 Bringing It Home festival at Perani Arena.

The crowd wasn’t huge. About 600 fans crowded into the seats in front of the stage or spread out bowl seating…………

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