Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
‘Idol’ tour ready for A.C.
It’s all paying off for Gina Glocksen now. One of the top 10 “American Idol” finalists for 2007, the singer has been working hard since the reality show wrapped up on Fox.
She’s appeared on morning shows such as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Live with Regis and Kelly” and has been on the 56-city “Idol” tour since May………
Sparks basks in ‘Idol’ worship
…This girl’s got goals — among them, to “maybe win a couple Grammys … Maybe be happy with somebody. Maybe act in a movie. Maybe do Broadway.”
Sparks is still coming to terms with celebrity. Seeing her picture in glossy magazines is surreal. But she’d rather be in the spotlight than out of it….
D.J. Miller makes ‘Idol’ cut
…Darryl Miller had a few tense moments during the auditions. During the first round, D.J. sang behind a screen so all his father could see was the top of his white cowboy hat. He disappeared from sight for what seemed like hours, only to emerge from the winners’ side of the arena. During the second round, Darryl sat outside of a room and waited again. D.J. was in there a lot longer than most of the other would-be contestants.
“He had to sing four different songs,” he said….
Hicks moves beyond reality
‘Idol’ winner’s tour stopping in Charenton
…When Hicks performs Saturday night at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton, he certainly will look back at how Hurricane Katrina changed his life - in a way quite unlike how it changed others.
“I have a lot to be thankful for right now in my career, going back to New Orleans and playing around Louisiana, it’s just special to me,” Hicks said earlier this week. “I hope to get back as much as I can.
“Louisiana’s a special place. I try to make it special every time I play there.”…
Taylor Hicks finds his rhythm on tour
What does Taylor Hicks bring to Orange Beach this Sunday that he didn’t bring to Mobile in February? His answer is a bit surprising:
Rhythm………
BACKSTAGE PASS: From Alabama’s bars to America’s ‘Idol’
…At the end of the tour, Hicks went right into the studio to make his recently released self-titled CD.
Circumstances, though, were less than ideal for the project. Because of Hicks’ busy post-“Idol” schedule and the need to get the CD in stores in time for the holiday shopping season, Hicks had only five weeks to finish his CD.
Taylor accepted the need to meet the tight deadline.
“This album needed to be done in a timely fashion to really get it out there and strike while the iron’s hot,” Hicks said. “That’s definitely the broke musician’s mentality.”
The lack of time meant that Hicks had little time for songwriting and had to rely on covers for the bulk of his material on the CD.
Hicks feels he made the best of a challenging situation with the CD.
“I never lost my musical integrity on it,” Hicks said. “That’s something that as a 30-year-old singer/songwriter and musician, something that I really put my foot down and didn’t let happen. My fans, they really enjoy the record. I enjoy the songs on the record. And I think they’re great songs.”
Hicks is now on the road with a full band, and is performing songs not only from the “Taylor Hicks” CD and a newly released concert CD, “Live at the Workplay Theatre,” but from his two earlier independently released CDs. He is also excited to have taken a step up to nicer venues because of his “American Idol” success.
“I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I’m very excited about the opportunity to get out here and really tour these musical venues,” Hicks said…
Island says goodbye to summer with music and mullet
Pleasure Island says adios to summer 2007 with a Labor Day weekend filled with exciting events, including live music at The Wharf, art in Orange Beach, Ala., and a celebration of mullet.
The Wharf rocks with two superstars
It was just a few years ago that the bluesy, harp-blowing “American Idol” winner from Alabama was gigging at venues like the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key and Lester’s in Orange Beach, Ala.
The “old man” who beat out Katharine McPhee two seasons ago will visit his old stomping grounds Sunday, when Taylor Hicks performs for at The Wharf’s Amphitheater.
Unlike his old days performing with local favorite, guitarist extraordinaire Jon Cook, Hicks will be backed by a large band ? and nicer threads, to be sure. Still, no doubt Hicks will keep it real with the locals who supported him during that unforgettable season….
Bucks briefs for Aug 30
…”Idol’ Anthony appearance Saturday
LOWER SOUTHAMPTON - Season four “American Idol” finalist Anthony Fedorov will appear from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Brunswick Zone Bowling Lanes in the Feasterville section.
Fedorov, 22, who grew up in Lower Southampton, will sign autographs, meet and greet fans and sell tickets for his fan appreciation concert Sept. 6 in Philadelphia.
The two-hour concert will include original songs that could appear on his debut album……..
The IdoLawyer: Is Carrie Underwood Above The Law?
Editor’s note: Aside from a few Clash lyrics, your Idolators know nothing about the law. Which is why we’re proud to present another missive from the IdoLawyer, an anonymous California attorney who will be weighing in on various music-related matters. While her column isn’t intended as legal advice, it is sage advice nonetheless, and this week she looks at the legally iffy video for Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”:
Is Kellie Pickler Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
Although Kellie Pickler endured some ribbing about her lack of sophistication during “American Idol,” her subsequent career moves proved her intelligence. Now she’s going to school on national TV to show just how smart she really is……..
Strait Talk at the CMAs
….As for the ladies, the Female Vocalist of the Year category pits American Idol alum Carrie Underwood (who is also up for Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Before He Cheats”) against Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire….
Daughtry rides success of best-selling album
…In the midst of touring, Daughtry will make time for a few television appearances: Sept. 12 on CBS-TV’s “Early Show” and “Late Show with David Letterman,” and Sept. 13 on ABC’s “Live with Regis and Kelly.”
Fans drool as ‘Idol’ rocks prefestival
A middle-aged blonde waved a sign at Chris Daughtry from the 22nd row at Davis Park Thursday night. One side said: “Daughtry, you guys rock!” On the other: “Backstage, please.”….
…Fans paid between $18 and $94.50 a ticket to hear Daughtry sing for slightly more than an hour.
Hunter Brucks and 12 Stones opened the Daughtry concert.
‘Idol’ loser keeps winning
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
Football Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi’s famous quote applies to the gridiron but not to “American Idol.”
In 2006, Chris Daughtry finished fourth behind “A.I.” winner Taylor Hicks, who’s probably working on his next Chevy commercial; and Katherine McPhee, who is the female Justin Guarini. But it’s Daughtry who’s having the last laugh as he tours behind his self-titled release, the fastest-selling debut rock album ever. Daughtry, who called from Lancaster, Calif., will showcase his rock tracks with his band on Saturday at the Oregon State Fair in Salem……..
Chamber To Stage Fall Festival Street Fair
…A fabulous added feature this year will be a singing competition for contestants ages 12 to 18 who are Garden City residents. The winner will be named “Garden City Idol”. Kevin Covais of American Idol fame will serve as celebrity judge. Details on how to register as a contestant, along with other event details, will be pub-lished in an upcoming issue of The Garden City News..
‘Idol’ alumnus Ian Holmes toasts friend
Allentown musician’s Cancer fighting drink of choice from Alex’s
….The concert, which Holmes describes as “an eclectic mix of pop, soul, R& B and gospel,” will be held 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot at Third and New streets.
Holmes, 31, was an “American Idol” top 44 finalist in season four of the Fox Network TV show….
Corey Clark F’ed Again
The train wreck that is Corey Clark is in trouble again. Shocker!
Clark, of failed “American Idol” fame, was in a North Little Rock District Court last week where he plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Arkansas judge fined him a total of $850 plus court costs, and gave him two years probation. He also waived his extradition rights — which means he can now face charges on two outstanding warrants he’s facing in Arizona. Sweet!…
Diverse group of artists set for Clemson’s Summer Dance
An “American Idol” contestant, two Disney stars, a young new rapper, an emo-Texan and more. Is it a music festival? No, just Littlejohn’s Last Chance Summer Dance at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The event will feature 10 artists, including Elliot Yamin, Sean Kingston, Rocket Summer, Aly & AJ, Quietdrive, Baby Boy (Da Prince) and Che’Nelle at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson. The concert costs $10, so it’s a buck per performer……..
Big-City Woes Hit Country
Album sales for country artists have held nearly steady. Until now
The signal stat for the music industry right now is not the one you’ve already heard. That one shows total album sales down about 15% this year. (You may recall the music biz was not exactly going gangbusters last year, either. Or the year before.) The signal stat shows country music album sales down almost 30% so far this year….
*Courtesy of Pulse and Nevada
Related Posts
Fat chance Hollywood will go big
…In fact, the only place where fat women have been welcomed is on daytime TV. Think Rosie O’Donnell, Roseanne Barr, Oprah (before the after), Star Jones (before the surgery), Carnie Wilson (before the surgery) – because, as the thinking probably goes, if you’re watching TV then, you too must be a slob.
Interestingly, it is mostly women of colour who are allowed chunk in the trunk. Sara Ramirez and Beyoncé can have cans. Cameron Diaz cannot. Queen Latifah fronts for Cover Girl. Kirstie Alley pushes Jenny Craig.
Maybe it’s because, as the wonderful Canadian documentary Black, Bold and Beautiful posits, white women are obsessed with their bodies while black women are slaves to their hair. Or perhaps it’s Hollywood’s way of showing that it’s hip to other cultural norms.
This is no thin edge of a Hollywood fat wedge.
Proof? Let’s see how many magazine covers Hairspray’s dancing dynamo Nikki Blonsky lands before, as original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson did, starving herself into a size 2 before regaining her weight and getting slammed for looking healthy again.
I’m not sucking my breath in.
The Star
Leona Lewis News
Leona has been talking about working with executive producers Simon Cowell and Clive Davis, who have been finishing work on her debut album.
‘I’ve been treated as my own person. I’ve not been given a formula to follow. I had the time to find my feet and co-write a lot of material. I’ve learned a lot and Simon and Clive really listen to me.’
‘Simon always said to follow my instincts and be true to myself. Clive said exactly the same thing and he also gave me the opportunity to write. I wanted to sing great songs and we have loads that I feel a connection with. The album is classic songs with a contemporary edge. There’s a few ballads and there’s some up-tempo stuff too. I’ve been experimenting, we used up and coming producers like Fernando who have added some really cool electronic 80s sounds.’
‘It’s important to me that they’re all proper songs. They’re not just beat driven or following the latest sound. For me, songs need to work acoustically. I used to go out and gig acoustically, I like songs that work even when they’re broken down.’
Leona’s as yet untitled debut album is due for release on 5th November.
Leona Lewis Music
Simon Cowell Defends Leona Lewis Chart Absence
Simon Cowell has defended Leona Lewis absence from the charts since she won The X Factor last year.
Leona who is 22 years old has been putting her debut album together with several high profile US producers which include Mariah Carey’s long term collaborator Walter Afanasieff since she won the TV show.
Simon has said that Leona’s LP will be worth the wait he said that “We’ve spent ten months in a recording studio with Leona in LA and England he went on to say that this album, in my opinion, is as good as early Whitney, early Mariah. I think it is a stunning record.
Louis Walsh added “It’s like early Mariah Carey. I think Leona’s the best female star from the UK in maybe 20 years.”
I must admit that she is a fantastic singer and I think that she will do very well in America as well as the UK.
Product-Reviews
Good morning, Lisa!
Saw some discussion in yesterday’s thread about Jordin’s appearance on Regis & Kelly today. It is a repeat. They are doing their nominations for Relly awards this week (pre-taped so they can be off this week and not have it be completely obvious) and are probably showing her former appearance as part of that. Maybe she’ll be on again if she wins the award.
Haven’t seen that many articles on Taylor in a while. Makes me pine for the “good old days”.
As Carly Simon would say…
“…these are the good old days…”
Idol Chatter Revisionist Poll Results
1. Elliott 2. Chris 3. Taylor 4. Kellie 5. Mandisa 6.Bucky
Kat came in at #7. I guess Taylor’s fans didn’t feel it was worth the trouble to put maximum effort into a meaningless poll (Bo won S4 :() Taylor seems content to be a successful touring musician with a lowkey (rather boring) media footprint. Re,the current champ - Jordin. Her single is getting good airplay on the Pop channels and Z100 is playing it alot. The days when Idols didn’t get played on the radio are long gone. The song is still meh to be but she’ll do much better in the Pop world than Kat.
Wow, quite a bit of news this morning. Nice! Thanks for the links, Lisa! :)
“Really enjoy?” Not all of us, bro…
I don’t care what Idol is involved. That screams pathetic…
Early Mariah Carey is *so* early 90’s though. Plus, I just don’t see anything in the Mariah/Whitney mold selling like it did back in the day…jmho. Besides, PPWD11!!1!!1 ;)
Best & Worst of Idols Live!
Apparently, attending the American Idols Live! concert is a shameful thing, as evidenced by the looks and comments I got when I mentioned it to folks outside the EW walls this morning. Who knew? Not me! I’m honestly not embarrassed to admit that I caught the show at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. last night and thoroughly enjoyed myself. So without further ado, the best, worst, biggest, and most of last night’s super-fun festivities:
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2007/08/best-worst-of-i.html
Blake Lewis Has ‘ADD’
Somewhere between stealing the show on the American Idol tour and spending hours in the studio, season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis — who recently signed with 19 Recordings/Arista Records — had the time to phone EW for a quick chat about his in-the-works album, tentatively titled ADD (Audio Day Dream). Lewis describes the disc, which is set to drop in late fall, as ”my Michael Jackson Bad album,” with each pop track featuring a completely different sound. And then, of course, there’s that whole beat-boxing thing, to tie it all together. Read on for deets about his beats.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So where are you with the album? Are you currently in the planning and writing stages, or are you in already the studio?
BLAKE LEWIS: All of the above. I’ve been writing and recording. Every day I have off [from the tour], I’m in the studio somewhere. By the time the tour ends Sept. 23, I’m going back to Seattle, and the producers I’ve been working with are going to come out to Seattle. We’re gonna start recording.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20053992,00.html
LIFE AFTER “IDOL”
Elliott Yamin takes breakthrough CD on the road
Like several “American Idol” runners-up before him, soulful singer Elliott Yamin is trying to make the most of his experience and exposure on the blockbuster reality show.
Yamin, who has been touring in support of his self-titled debut CD, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, La Toya London, Kellie Pickler and Bo Bice, who all have parlayed finishes in at least the top six into successful record deals.
“The exposure that you get from the show is just out of this world,” says Yamin, who finished third last season…..
Asbury Park Press
American Idol Live
ALBANY — It’s possible that people have been charged steeper prices to see high-production-values karaoke than the approximately 7,000 reality-show fans paid for American Idols Live at the Times Union Center on Thursday night. (Average ticket: $55.) It’s possible — but it’s also depressing to think that anyone might have, and baffling as to why they would…
Times Union
I can see Jive releasing “Tattoo” to Radio Disney, and I’m sure that will help her a lot. I still haven’t heard the single on the radio though (although every time I’m in my car my iPod is plugged in).
Blake said he can die tomorrow and be very happy. I’d rather hear his album first, and then he can die after that (not that I’m wishing he dies, just saying.)
For some reason this did not show up in the Albany review posted above.
Tells the size of the crowd and the highlights of the show.
Those Idol Chatter results surprised me a lot. I’m thrilled Elliott won but I really thought Chris would run away with it. Mandisa was my favorite female last year so I loved seeing her up there, but again suprised. I thought Ace would have made the Top 6 since I thought he had a decent size fanbase.
I don’t think anyone’s all that worked up over the results, Trina. I did vote and put Chris at #1 of course but he’s done so well since the show that I don’t care anymore. Ace made my top 6 just because I like him.
I enjoyed Blake’s interview. I’m glad he’s so pumped about his album. Me too.
Wow I loved that review from Albany. Very flattering towards Blake.
GO Blake!
RIAA faces serious piracy lawsuit
Music org’s stern policy in jeopardy
A lawsuit recently filed against the Recording Industry Assn. of America could ultimately force the org to drop or dramatically change the way it uses its principal weapon in the fight against online piracy, according to experts and observers.
The case — filed in Oregon and asserting claims under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act — details the RIAA’s alleged use of “illegal and flawed” methods when investigating people for downloading or swapping copyrighted songs without paying for them………
Variety.com
LaToya?
LaToya London - Love and Life [09-20-05] - 60,000 (as of 10-08-06 Billboard)
I guess it’s all about perception. I saw this on another blog earlier:
Band of Gold
KIMBERLEY LOCKE
Producer(s): Michael Lloyd, Mike Curb
Genre: AC
Label: Curb
Freda Payne’s 1970 No. 3 hit “Band of Gold” may have been done to death, but a refresher course with ignition control of Kimberley Locke turns “Gold” green again. As with every song she has delivered, the “American Idol” alumnus–who earned high marks with her performance of this track on season two of the series–has commanded an enduring love affair at AC radio, with six hits and two No. 1s, including previous No. 6 “Change” from current CD “Based on a True Story.” With a firm base in the gay community, the Bimbo Jones remix will only extend Locke’s reach. So many seasons into the show, fewer original victors maintain relevance. (That’s the way of the pop world.) But Locke has drop-kicked Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken as the season’s real winner.
Chuck Taylor
I mean none of them are exactly burning up the charts or airwaves. If I am not mistaken those Latoya numbers look like something Klo might aspire to this time around. As we all know AC radio doesn’t always sell cds.
Ruben’s album sales:
Soulful [12-09-03] - 1,780,823 (as of 05-02-06)
I Need an Angel [11-23-04] - 437,114 (as of 05-02-06)
The Return [10-17-06] - 233,000 (as of 08-28-07 USA Today)
Clay’s album sales:
Measure of a Man [10-14-03] - 2,742,989 (as of 04-23-06)
Merry Christmas With Love [11-16-04] - 1,400,000 (as of 01-16-07 Billboard)
A Thousand Different Ways [09-19-06] - 517,000 (as of 08-28-07 USA Today)
Kimberley’s album sales:
One Love [05-04-04] - 212,000 (as of 06-19-07 USA Today)
Based on a True Story [05-01-07] - 15,000 (as of 08-28-07 USA Today)
There are also concert revenues to consider, but evidently in Chuck Taylor’s corner of the world, radio airplay rules. I like Kim a lot, have both of her albums and her single, Eighth World Wonder, but she’s yet to come into her own.
And speaking of singles:
Flying Without Wings [06-10-03) - 737,000 (as of 06-20-06)
Bridge Over Troubled Water [06-10-03] - 960,000 (as of 06-20-06)
Eighth World Wonder [03-09-04] - 78,000
Came across this on the Velvet Rope; this fall preview mentions Jordin & Carrie:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2007/08/26/2007-08-26_battle_of_the_bands-1.html
Sustaining a pop career is like storming Normandy Beach on D-Day - all by yourself. Every time an artist releases some music, they’re besieged by the industry’s equivalent to heavily armed soldiers (i.e. unsympathetic radio programmers, fickle consumers and cutthroat competing artists), all firing bullets that could end their career at any moment.
Never is this peril greater than in the fall. That’s when the heaviest guns come out (i.e., the most starry competition), making the potential for failure that much more common - and public.
I hope a class action suit is against the RIAA is certified. It’s time they were taken to task for their shabby tactics.
And then there’s the
Recording Artists Coalition with consignees including President Don Henley and Vice President Sheryl Crow, as well as RAC members Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Bonnie Raitt, Sam Moore, etc.
Oops. I posted this in yesterday’s thread. I’ll repost here.
I don’t usually bring stuff over from Team Plaid, but since this features all the Idols, I am.
What a strange gig…
http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/200708/market_close_083107.stm
And there were vids:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2vmdh_nasdaq_music
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2vmi3_nasdaq-2_music
For anyone interested, here’s a link to the recent Daughtry concert at the Red Rocks Resort in Vegas. I really enjoyed it, but then you probably knew I would. Email me if you want a seekrit, seekrit detail. Heh.
http://music.aol.com/videos/live-concerts/daughtry
Came across this on the Velvet Rope; this fall preview mentions Jordin & Carrie:
Taylor got a mention on here also under concerts as opening for Earth,Wind and Fire. He needs to keep his name out there as radio doesn’t seem to want to play his music. I have a hard time with this as I feel it better than a lot they do play. Clay was a favorite of mine too and he seems not to get air play, Is it me or are they (radio) crazy.
And another look at coming releases, this time from Daily Variety:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117971142.html?categoryid=16&cs=1
The recorded music biz traditionally treats September the way movie studios do November and December, issuing high-profile releases that can win awards, polls and land in critical top 10s. But while plenty of Grammy hopefuls are on release schedules, the diskeries are also bulking up on potential blockbusters.
As the industry attempts to make up a 14% dip in album sales vs. last year, Sept. 11 and 25 will see major square-offs for rappers, rockers and last year’s biggest-selling group. September may be recovery time for the biz before the fourth quarter starts.
*waves to Nevada and pj*
Corrected link, hopefully this one works
Recording Artists’ Coalition
http://www.recordingartistscoalition.com/
Thanks for the link, Carie B.