Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
REVIEW: American Idols Live! Concert
Amid the crowds of prepubescent teens and Sanjaya inspired pony-tail-mohawks, there were many people you wouldn’t expect to see at an American Idol concert: Middle aged fans without children or grandchildren to pose as their reason for being there. There was the 60-something lady in the bejeweled, crushed velvet jumper; the grandpa with coke-bottle glasses dancing with only his arms and the mother who couldn’t get her daughter to hold up their “Chris is da bomb” sign….
Idol contestants keep toes tapping
America’s most recent idols mixed things up Tuesday night, keeping some fans waiting until the very end to see their favorite singers bring new flavor to famous hits.
Opening the show with a high-energy cover of the Black Eyed Peas “Let’s Get it Started,” some of the final 10 contestants from the sixth season of Fox’s hit reality show were welcomed by fans beside themselves with enthusiasm. Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones followed the intro with renditions of “Baby Love” and “Stop in the Name of Love,” resembling the Supremes. Complete with white satin gowns and synchronized dance moves, the two women delivered one of the most powerful duets of the evening….
American Idols Live Tour Hits Salt Lake
You saw them on television, and Tuesday was your chance to see them in person. Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar and several other “American Idol” stars visited Salt Lake City on Tuesday for their American Idols Live Tour. FOX 13’s Arikka Von takes us backstage at EnergySolutions Arena.
1,000 turn out for ‘Arizona Idol’ tryouts
Jordin Sparks did it - will another Valley singer rise to stardom?
At least 1,000 aspiring singers lined up early Tuesday morning near the AMC Theatres at Westgate City Center for a shot to become the next Arizona Idol - and perhaps American Idol.
Performers began to line up at 4 a.m. for the 6 a.m. registration and check-in….
Fox’s new ‘Idol’-like ‘American Band’ reality series to debut October 19
Fox has announced that The Next Great American Band, the network’s new American Idol-like reality competition series that will search for the country’s best up-and-coming musical group, will premiere with a special two-hour episode on Friday, October 19 at 8PM ET/PT.
The Next Great American Band will follow a similar format to Idol, which shouldn’t be a surprise since both were created by Simon Fuller and are productions of 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America…….
….Fuller and fellow Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe, Ken Warwick and Cecile Frot-Coutaz will serve as executive producers for The Next Great American Band. As part of its November 2005 deal that renewed Idol through at least an eighth season, Fox had agreed to order two additional new shows produced by 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia sometime during the next five years.
Hot Box: TV to talk about
New Film: Simon Cowell is making a movie version of U.K. talent show Pop Idol. The judge on American Idol told reporters “I’m producing a film. It’s going to be the modern-day version of Fame although set on a talent show rather than a talent college.” Cowell said he’s tiring of being a TV star and wants to quit as a judge. “I would give up being on camera tomorrow, I really would. I’ve thought about leaving a lot this year.”
Dow Jones deal caps lifetime of dealmaking Rupert Murdoch
….Murdoch has seized opportunities elsewhere where many saw only obstacles. In the early 1980s, he founded a fourth national broadcast network, Fox. It struggled for years and still has trouble in the fall season but has found a juggernaut in “American Idol.”
The move was considered risky at the time, going up against three established networks that were considered the behemoths of the media industry: NBC, ABC and CBS. NBC is part of General Electric Co., an industrial giant, while ABC is now owned by Walt Disney Co. and CBS is now the flagship property of Sumner Redstone’s CBS Corp….
Celebrity dish
Quick Bite
Corey Clark has been arrested on drug charges and an outstanding warrant from Arizona, authorities said. The former “American Idol” contestant was being held at the Pulaski County jail pending a court appearance Tuesday in North Little Rock, said John Rehrauer, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department. Clark was arrested near Interstate 40 at about 2:30 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Rehrauer said. A warrant had been issued for Clark after he failed to appear in an Arizona court on a summons stemming from an arrest last year for violating a court order and trespassing. Clark was disqualified after reaching the finals of the popular Fox TV show in 2003 for failing to reveal a previous arrest. He later accused “Idol” judge Paula Abdul of coaching him and initiating an affair. She denied his allegations, and Fox cleared Abdul of any wrongdoing.
A grander Graceland
Owners are thinking bigger and better
….The center will be equipped for the kind of technical wizardry that allowed singer Celine Dion to recently perform what appeared to be a live duet with Elvis on the “American Idol” TV show, which CKX also owns.
“People will actually think Elvis is there,” Sillerman said. “It’s going to be, ‘Oh, wow,’ I can tell you that.”….
…The plan is to take CKX private, with a small group of big-dollar investors including Sillerman and “American Idol” creator Simon Fuller, and continue its focus on intellectual property and entertainment content.
Fuller is chief executive of CKX subsidiary 19 Entertainment, the company’s biggest revenue source and owner of the “American Idol” franchise. After the buyout, CKX would become 19X….
Loaded concert lineup is a key draw for 154th Ohio State Fair
Lineup includes George Jones, Merle Haggard, Pat Benatar, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and Rascal Flatts.
The Ohio State Fair amps up today with the first in a concert series that seems to be resonating with fairgoers.
Former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry performs rock ‘n’ roll with his namesake band Daughtry tonight at the WCOL Celeste Center…
TV Talent Contests Help Launch Country Acts
One has to look no farther than the recent success of “American Idol” alumnae and labelmates Kellie Pickler (19 Recordings/BNA Records) and Carrie Underwood (19 Recordings/Arista) to document the impact talent competitions provide in launching new artists. However, FOX-TV’s “American Idol” isn’t the only such vehicle to jump start aspiring Country Music artists….
American Idol Alum Mandisa’s Debut True Beauty Hits Today Amid Rave Reviews and Appearances
Artist’s Debut Ties in with Ongoing Campaign for Positive Self-Image
Just over a year ago Mandisa shot to instant fame when millions of TV viewers across the nation were captivated by her winning smile and powerhouse vocals as she sang her way into the final rounds of “American Idol’s” fifth season. Today everyone can hear Mandisa again as her debut project, TRUE BEAUTY, releases nationwide.
“Mandisa is powerful and has tremendous breath and pitch control, and there’s no reason that woman should be working as anything other than a singer,” Daily Variety associate editor Phil Gallo told USA Today after watching Mandisa’s performances on “Idol.”…..
Mandisa, “True Beauty”
Carrie Underwood may have been the first American Idol to put out a song out that crossed over into Contemporary Christian Music territory with her breakout hit, “Jesus Take the Wheel”, but it’s Mandisa who has gone headlong solely into the CCM market with her music with her new CD, True Beauty……
Dismay at Idol waste
THERE are national Idol franchises in 34 countries. Meanwhile, American Idol and the original British Pop Idol, which first screened in 2001, are beamed across the world, spawning World Idol and many spin-offs and copies.
Australian Idol is one of the Ten Network’s big three anchor programs along with other reality TV franchises Big Brother and The Biggest Loser.
As season five draws near, another set of hopeful warblers line up for their ticket to stardom – or as lambs to the slaughter. It depends on your perspective. It seems to have captured the hearts and minds of the 12- to 16-year-olds who vote and buy the records. But what do members of the local music industry think of the search-for-a-singer talent quest?……
THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS, THE MCCOURT FAMILY, CITY OF HOPE AND CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES LAUNCH THINKCURE CANCER RESEARCH FUND
…Tonight’s National Anthem will be sung by Sherman Pore. Pore, who was 36 years over the “American Idol” age limit when he showed up at auditions with a signed petition requesting to be an “American Idol” contestant, lost his wife of 20 years to ovarian cancer just two days before his audition. Pore charmed the judges and won the hearts of millions of American Idol viewers singing in memory of his wife. A record company executive contacted Pore, and a year later he has released a CD of standards entitled “For My Lady Love.” Proceeds from his CD will support cancer research at City of Hope…
Competitions dominate TV ratings
‘America’s Got Talent,’ ‘The Singing Bee’ continue to bring in viewers.
…Even without “American Idol,” Fox has continued to keep its grip on youth. Last week was the 25th straight it has won among the 18-to-49-year-old demographic advertisers pay a premium for…
“American Idol” grooms kids at camp
…Welcome to the first Idol Camp, a 10-day performance arts retreat run by the producers of “American Idol” for 12- to 15-year-olds with budding dreams of Hollywood fame, a zeal for being on stage and — in many cases — an encyclopedic knowledge of the highest-rated U.S. television show…
…”The talent ranges but I think there is a group of very elite musicians here,” said Jon Peter Lewis, a singer who finished eighth on “American Idol” in 2004 and teaches singing and other performing arts at the camp.
While there are no talent scouts from music labels at the camp, he said, “there’s definitely going to be some connections that these kids are going to be able to make for their benefit.”
“But they are minors and all that would be dependent upon them and their families,” Lewis said. “That’s not an aspect to the camp that I think is emphasized, but it’s there.”
Hometown hero shares ‘Idol’ encounter
Brad King knows he can sing. So do directors who have cast him in “Grease,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and other stage musicals, and so do patrons at the Hotel Aiken and other local nightspots who cheer for him on karaoke night.
But when this hometown hero met the star-making monster of FOX-TV’s “American Idol” two summers ago in Austin, Texas, the encounter struck a sour note.
“It was amazing. I heard just incredible voices getting bypassed at the door,” King said.
King traveled more than 600 miles from Mobile, Ala., where he was working at the time, to Austin for less than a minute of audition time in front of three anonymous members of the “Idol” production staff…..
Eric Cantor and Elliott Yamin join to fight juvenile diabetes
Congressman Eric Cantor (VA-07) will join recording artist and American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin to kick off the “Promise to Remember Me Campaign,” Wednesday, August 1, 2007, at 11 a.m., on the Cannon House Office Building Terrace in Washington, DC….
Caregiving: Clay Aiken to expand camps
Long before appearing on Fox’s “American Idol” in 2003, Clay Aiken had a dream that did not involve being a pop star.
As a YMCA camp counselor, it saddened him that children with developmental disabilities had to be turned away from not only the fun of camp, but from the experience of being with other children, and he promised himself that this was something he would try to change.
“American Idol,” several hit tours and 4.3 million album sales later, the pop star announced earlier this month that his dream is becoming a reality with the goal of raising $1 million to expand the Bubel/Aiken Foundation’s “Let ALL Play” initiative so that 100 camps in 2008 would become inclusive to children with special needs….
Basketball Idol: Ayla Brown guest at local basketball camp
Every summer there are numerous basketball camps for kids of all ages to attend and enhance their hardwood skills.
Many of those camps bring in college basketball players as instructors. But how many camps can bring in a college basketball player who also was on one of the country’s most popular television shows.
Ayla Brown, who placed 13th in the fifth season of American Idol in 2006 and a sophomore on the Boston College women’s basketball team, was a guest instructor at the recent Berwick Academy Sports Spectacular Summer Camp….
Related Posts
Very interesting about Baylee Brown…
I always thought the judges were too quick to dismiss contestants who forgot lyrics in the Hollywood round during Season 6 (they were more forgiving in previous seasons).
I would have taken Baylee Brown over Antonella Barba.
Taylor’s album was quite good. Not a masterpiece but a great start for someone under a tight deadline. Taylor’s problem was his record company which did not prioritize the album’s promotion. They never even released a single from that album to top 40. Also when comparing the former idols, there’s the issue of factoring in overall album sales in general over the last five years.
Wait a minute, didn’t Sundance forget his lyrics during the Hollywood round or was it the he just sang terribly offkey.. How much was paid for him to go unto the Top 24 round and embarrass himself some more? LOL
Yep Sundance forgot his lyrics yet he got a pass but they passed up on Baylee Brown who I thought had a lot of potential.
Baylee was 16 or so, wasn’t she? Maybe the difference was that they felt she’d be able to come back and Sundance either couldn’t or might not? I also remember that they had a surplus of girls, didn’t they? Seems they sent a lot of females home right away.
Wow, there is an unmistakable stank around here. Wonder what it…oh, I see…it’s from that pile of beaten dead horses over there.
There ya go. Another letter bites the dust. I guess they have something really big in mind to use the letter ‘Z’ for.
I’ve listened to the partial versions available of two of Mandisa’s songs and I enjoyed them. Eminently listenable, Christian label aside. The right songs, style and production really showcase her voice. The market for updated and contemporary Christian-themed music is strong and growing and she might just do very well in that genre.
And a note about the off-topic topic above: A USA Today interview (and something else I read where I can’t recall the source) indicates that the Plain White T’s song ‘Delilah’ was included (rereleased) on their major label debut ‘Every Second Counts’ because it was so insanely popular with the fans at live performances and their new label saw the hit potential. As Kirsten indicated, they promoted it accordingly.
I see this as a very different scenario than a track, or even an entire CD, rising from the ashes of a cold, dead album release.
Uh oh. Sir Elton wants the Internet closed down.
‘Wha????’ you say? Me too. He sort of tries to make a rational point about the state of the music industry.
Put down that mouse mj! LOL.
Never mind.
Hezzer, I never find you rude, just honest.
I didn’t think Baylee was all that good although she was very cute. Talent wise, Sundance was much better imo but maybe not Antonella or Alaina. I could have lived without any of those 3 girls. I do think they should have kept a country singer although they did end up with one once Phil got with it.
For you Elliott and Taylor fans -
On Aug 7, 2007, the Live At WorkPlay CD will be released as a 2 CD set they recorded with the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra. The write-up on amazon reads:
Product Description
The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (LiMBO), once faced with possible extinction upon the American Idol win of their former leader, Taylor Hicks, has successfully regrouped and recorded their first on-location CD, Live At The Workplay Theatre. Recorded at Workplay on August 7, 2006 in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, AL, LiMBO rocked the sold-out venue with their tight delivery of heart-pounding, get-up-and-boogie Southern Rock and funk as well as touching the audience with its classic, sweet soul sounds and rhythm and blues in the form of both covers and originals. As an added treat, both Taylor Hicks and Elliot Yamin dropped in to jam with the band and are featured on Disc 2 of this 2-Disc CD. Standard Jewel Case.”
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Workplay-Theatre-Taylor-Hicks/dp/B000SQJ2L4/ref=sr_1_1/002-9815258-9845609?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1186014130&sr=8-1
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/hicks__taylor/1576463/album.jhtml
Okay, back to the Kelly “cd failure” label. I can why some would consider this cd a failure only as a comparison to the success of her previous two cds but not so much as a AI Idol. The bottomline is, will Kelly go the way of Britney Spears, who is looked upon as just a commercial artist or will she go the way of her mentor Reba. An artist who is respected for her talent and not so much for her cd sales. Only time will tell.
Ruh-roh. Verbal sparring with Hasselback is on the horizon…should make for some interesting debate. I think Whoopie will be more level-headed and laid back than Rosie was.
ITA. No reason why Taylor can’t be a success as a “pop” artist. His style, which is a melding of many musical influences, including gospel, blues, soul, country, jazz, zydeco, etc., would be a refreshing change in the pop world.
On his freshman CD, he did the best he could though, given the material he had to work with. Of course, the canned, pro-tooled production didn’t help matters.
This pile?
“Baylee was 16 or so, wasn’t she? Maybe the difference was that they felt she’d be able to come back and Sundance either couldn’t or might not? I also remember that they had a surplus of girls, didn’t they? Seems they sent a lot of females home right away.”
That’s right, but also, she was another “blond” Carrie Underwood and they weren’t looking for another Carrie or Kellie. She was stiff and naive, definitely not ready. It’s one thing to have a powerful voice, but do you have personality with it? Baylee impressed me as being very naive and shy.
As for Sundance, I always suspected that Randy knew his father, since Randy knows everybody in music. That’s how Sundance got through IMO. And then he went on his exit interview and talked about Sanjaya and hinted that Blake was a ego-maniac. He just didn’t do it for me. He acted “privileged”.
the judges and the public always get it right. Look at who the winners are and where they are at. All of them successful in their own right.
As for Sir Elton John and closing the internet - I’m all for it as an experiment. It would crush commerce though. Businesses would go out of business. But he has a point. We blog too much, and now everybody and their mama can make a CD and stream it on the internet. And that’s not good, because mediocre sh*** is being created.
People need face to face socializing, and creativity needs to be done by hand again.
Congrats to Sundance and Sabrina..hope they do well. I wish all the idol singers the best and hope they are all successful. IMHO there is a big audience out there waiting for some music they can relate to. So much of the “carp” you hear today is just noise that is very hard on the ears. The more music that’s out there maybe we folk who are searching for something that we can enjoy can actually find something.
You know the old saying ” the more ” the merrier”. I have bought more music in the past year than I have in ages. I bought Taylor , Bucky , Kellie , Carrie and various artists that I have learned about by reading the posts on MJ’s . I hope all the idols produce some great music.
Congrats to Carrie Underwood for having the best-selling Idol album.
WTG, Carrie!
I love Elton John and was amazed to read in the link above that he barely sold 100,000 copies of his latest CD “The Captain and the Kid”.