Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Lame Idols show spurs longing for an escape
Last year’s season of “American Idol” was considered lackluster by many, with the season finale drawing nearly 20 million fewer viewers than in 2005. Some blamed it on the talented Melinda Doolittle being unfairly voted off, while others lost interest when the incredibly average Sanjaya Malakar survived weeks of lame performances. His hair, apparently, garnered more votes than his singing.
I’d like to think that the series is losing viewers for a more noble reason: It’s an embarrassment, and ultimately an insult to the tens of thousands of musicians who labor over their writing and performing skills while “American Idol” contestants snap up recording contracts based on a few months of karaoke……
American Idol Stars Sing at Missouri State Fair
The top 10 American Idol contestants sang their way into the Missouri State Fair on Saturday. FOX 4’s Megan Cloherty reports from the concert.
SPARK-ING A CHANGE
‘IDOL’ IS FREE FROM SONYBMG DAVIS’ INFLUENCE
WHEN “American Idol” songbird Jordin Sparks makes her major label debut later this fall via Sony BMG, she’ll be the first winner of the smash show not signed to the RCA/Arista/J Records system, the usual home base for music mogul Clive Davis’ pet projects.
Instead the 19-year-old Sparks will be signed to another label under the influence of the powerful BMG U.S. chairman: Jive Records, home to Justin Timberlake, Usher, Ciara and Britney Spears.
Davis is the key validator of the “Idol” franchise, driving multi-platinum hits for past contestants Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood. And Sparks’ chief competitor on the show, runner-up Blake Lewis, signed with Arista last month…….
An Inside Look: The ‘American Idol’ dream
Local residents try out for season seven of the hit show, and reveal what the auditioning process is really like
American Idol” in the past six years has taken the United States — heck, the whole world — by storm.
The first season winner, Kelly Clarkson, is consistently on the top of the pop charts, season four winner Carrie Underwood has taken control of the country music scene and Chris Daughtry, a finalist in season five, is leading a rock revolution.
But have you ever wondered what actually happens before these stars make it to the stage in Hollywood? Have you thought, “Do Simon, Paula and Randy really audition those thousands of people?”
Well, on Tuesday “American Idol” auditions hit the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and many of these questions were answered for contestants from all over the country, including several local hopefuls. ……..
Aiken more than singer he’s a showman
Clay Aiken, whether or not you are a fan of his, is pretty much considered a good singer by most people who have ears.
You also may be aware that he has a gigantic following of fans, mostly female, who might best be described as enthusiastic. But until you have seen Clay Aiken, who has described himself as Opie-like, shake his slack-clad hips and belt out Naughty By Nature’s extracurricular cheating classic OPP … well, you just don’t know anything about Clay Aiken……….
‘American Idol’ auditions search for next Clay, Fantasia
The were plenty of cheers, tears and aching feet at FOX 50’s “American Idol” auditions Saturday, where more than 300 Idol wannabes lined up to win a guaranteed audition with the producers of the popular reality show.
Only the first eligible 100 singers were allowed to perform onstage at Crabtree Valley Mall in front of four judges and hundreds of spectators.
The event was not for softies. Most of the contestants had been in line since before 6 a.m., when they were allowed to enter the mall. Some arrived much earlier…..
Sweating it out for the dream
It wasn’t even 6 a.m. but “American Idol” hopeful Alisha Coker already was sweating in the 80-degree pre-dawn heat.
“It’s just disgusting,” said Coker, 28, a Columbia mother of two. “I brought extra makeup so I could touch up before I go in.”
By 7 a.m., nearly 9,000 people from all over the country were in line at the North Charleston Coliseum for the chance to follow in the footsteps of Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks……….
Our final day of Clay: Meet Helene Lunden!
….The real “American Idol?†- There is a huge contingent of Clay Aiken fans who believe that he really earned more votes and is the true winner of the second season of “American Idol,†not Ruben Studdard. Says Helene: “I think that the votes were counted correctly. But did some get jammed up in the phone lines? Possibly. I think he’s much more popular because he didn’t win. His loss gave fans resistance to push against. They were supporting him far beyond what they would have. But God has a path for Clay.
‘American Idol’ hopefuls follow their dream to Miami
Thousands of contestants are expected in Miami this week, hoping to win a spot on American Idol. It won’t be easy.
Dallas drew 12,500. San Diego attracted 12,000. Even Omaha corralled 8,000.
Expect Miami, a haven for reality shows of every conceivable stripe — including one focusing on wannabe authors writing a book — to draw ….
AMERICAN BANDSTAND
MUSICIANS FLOCK TO REALITY-TV
…And who do they have to thank for all this? The gold standard, “American Idol.”
“It’s become the benchmark,” says Minor, who is also “Idol’s” bandleader. “We have 22 players on that show. So once you hear that, you want to hear it that big all the time.”
Early birds flock to front of line for crack at ‘Idol’
Meghan Hinton of Lockport had her father to thank when she took the stage Saturday afternoon in front of hundreds in the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls.
Hinton’s father, Tom, had spent the night outside in a sleeping bag making sure his daughter got the 36th spot in line for the local tryouts for the popular network television competition “American Idol.†…….
….John Stevens of Amherst, an “American Idol†contestant in Season 3, also sat on the panel……..
Tamyra signed a management deal BEFORE Kelly was named American Idol:
08-26-2002
Ousted ‘American Idol’ Tamyra Gray Gets Another Shot
Fan favorite singer signed to management contract
Just a week after her shocking exit from “American Idol,” 23-year-old Tamyra Gray has signed a management deal with one of the show’s producers, her first step on the path to a music career.
19 Entertainment has picked up an option to manage the Atlanta singer, who was considered by fans and the judges to be a shoo-in for one of the final slots, if not the potential winner.
As for her record deal, that followed fairly quickly:
10/16/2002 5:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
‘American Idol’ Finalist Tamyra Gray Joins Kelly & Justin At RCA Records
(10/16/02, 5 p.m. ET) – American Idol finalist Tamyra Gray is the latest member of Fox’s American Idol cast to sign with the show’s executive producer Simon Fuller’s 19 Recordings Limited, which will license Gray’s solo album to RCA Records in the U.S.
Nikki is another story. For some reason, official word of her signing is extremely hard to come by. Imagine how the Nikki fans must feel; still no official news release nearly 5 years later.
Looks like I won’t be chatting tonight, Lu. It turns out my wireless adapter wasn’t the cause of my Internet problems; the router is fried.
I’m on dial-up until it’s replaced, so no chat for me.
Awww Nevada. Did you see the Elliott vids? MJ is the hero of all Elliott fans today. I wonder if she’s feeling the love cause she sure is getting it at his fansites!
Anyone who has ever had broadband can never really go back to dial-up; it’s the land of perpetual buffering.
The Elliott videos will have to wait until I’m back in the highspeed lane.
ETA: mj is always my hero…
sigh….well let me know when you see them - you’ll be pleased
Hey everyone….I just saw this and looked through today and yesterday to see if had been posted. But, ummmmm, this is interesting, to say the least. Among other things, it just might explain the electric blue tracksuit. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. :)
Not So Blind Item
What well-known music mogul (in his 70s) is secretly gay??? The record label honcho, who got into a big fight with one of his idolized starlets this year, has been married and has like four kids….plus a boyfriend on the side. This comes from an impeccable source very close to him.
from Perez. page 2.
Clive Davis?
Lol. I knew that from the book MJ recommended to us. Please Kill Me. Refer to Iggy Pop.
Missgirl, come to chat!
PJ….is this old news to everyone but me? lol
I’ll try AGAIN to get into chat…I almost crashed last weekend trying.
ETA: I’ll try in 10 mins…doggie break.
Well, phone call from MissBrother….and now it’s past my bedtime. Sigh. Hopefully, I’ll catch ya’ll later this week. It’s too hot to do anything but stay inside at my computer anyway. lol
Night everyone!
I cant get the Elliot link to work! Waaa!! It says user unknown.. can anyone tell what is wrong?
I couldn’t get the Elliott videos link to work for me either. But I had bookmarked MJ’s videos before. Try this link instead:
http://www.gofish.com/my/videos.gfp?gfid=26-145277
Okay, I get it now. He’s shooting for a Kenny G thing. He’s almost got it.
Thank you for the videos, MJ. You did a great job. So did Elliott. He looked as if he was having a wonderful time. Hope that you did too.
marco5ny
Aug 20th, 2007 at 12:04 am
I couldn’t get the Elliott videos link to work for me either. But I had bookmarked MJ’s videos before. Try this link instead:
http://www.gofish.com/my/videos.gfp?gfid=26-145277
Thank you that one worked fine. : )