Billboard singles reviews: Underwood, Kingston
NEW YORK (Billboard) – Country radio programmers have been eager for new Carrie Underwood music, and the singer doesn’t disappoint on this feisty admonition to avoid Mr. Wrong. The highly anticipated lead single from Underwood’s November 3 release, “Play On, ” had to be rushed to country radio when an unfinished version leaked. “Cowboy Casanova” gives her the chance to display the sassy side of her musical persona, which made previous hit “Before He Cheats” such an impact record. Blessed with a versatile set of pipes that make the best of any tune, Underwood shines on this steamy upbeat number, which she wrote with Brett James and Mike Elizondo. Mark Bright’s production is taut and packs a punch in all the right places.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Hope and Regret, Recorded and Live
KRIS ALLEN The aw-shucks winner of ‘American Idol’ has the benefit of reasonable expectations as he tackles his major-label debut; compared to this season’s runner-up, Adam Lambert, he seems very much like the underdog. Of course he’ll be working with top producers, pitching in with some songwriting and exuding his unassuming charm. Nov. 17. 19/Jive. (N. C.)
CARRIE UNDERWOOD All the country star Carrie Underwood knows are juggernauts: first ‘American Idol, ‘ which she won, and then a pair of albums, both multi-hit and multi-platinum. And she’s a versatile giant: roots-rock stompers, smoldering ballads, chipper pop. Her third album, ‘Play On, ‘ will likely be dripping with ambition, but not risk. Nov. 3. 19/Arista Nashville. (J. C.)
ADAM LAMBERT Will the flamboyant runner-up of last season’s ‘American Idol’ manage to throw a wrench in the blanding machine operated by 19, the multimedia outfit connected to the show itself? Will he opt for a different touring concept, one that includes burlesque revues and ‘Rocky Horror’ singalongs in B-markets, amid the usual Ticketmaster shed-shows? Will he tame that outrageous falsetto? November. RCA. (B. R.)
David Cook’s NFL Picks Prove He’s a Hometown Boy
KANSAS CITY, MO. – American Idol and Blue Springs, Missouri native David Cook is more than just a singer and musician. He’s also a big football fan.
FOX Sports asked Cook to pick a few games for them for opening weekend. And, Cook couldn’t bet against his hometown team. He picked the Chiefs over the Ravens on Sunday.
He also threw his support behind Minnesota, Jacksonville, Atlanta and New Orleans. You can watch his reasoning behind his picks in the video below.
American Idol alumus David Cook fits in time for plastic chickens and ficus plants
ALLEGAN — There’s a video that rock singer and “American Idol” alumnus David Cook had uploaded to his Web site in August featuring Cook, a ficus plant and a small rubber chicken.
One in the series of videos from the road titled “Pork Beans, ” the video — “A Ficus Flows Between Us” — shows Cook and the chicken in their own respective armchairs with the ficus plant between them on an end table.
Smarter than a fifth Grader
On the syndicated CMT version of the show’s upcoming country music-themed week, which kicks off Mon., Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. central, country performers Big Kenny, Jack Ingram, Heidi Newfield, Bucky Covington and Emily West will endure the 5th Grader quiz questions in hopes of bringing winnings to their selected charities. Odds are, that means these musical successes get to spend an episode tearing out their follicles over stuff folks in short pants tear through handily on any given school night. Good fun.
Beatlemania Hits Retail, Big Sales For Re-issue CDs
The much-anticipated reissues of the Beatles’ catalog hit stores on Wednesday (Sept. 9) are doing brisk business.
According to SoundScan’s Building Chart data, more than 235, 000 albums were purchased in the U.S. on Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 10). The Building Chart’s panel of reporters is made up of seven merchants that SoundScan estimates represent more than 70% of all U.S. album sales: Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, iTunes, Starbucks, Borders, Target and Anderson Merchandisers.
That 235, 000 figure is a mighty impressive number, considering in the week ending Sept. 6, the band’s entire catalog shifted a total of 21, 000.
“Abbey Road” was the band’s bestseller in those two days, shifting 32, 000 copies while “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club” was in second-place with 27, 000. Next up were “The White Album” (22, 000), “Rubber Soul” (21, 000), “Help!” (16, 000) and “Revolver” (15, 000).
Kerry Butler, Sutton Foster, Cheyenne Jackson, Beth Leavel, Michael McKean, Aaron Tveit, et al. Set for Broadway on Broadway
Kate Baldwin, Daniel Breaker, Kerry Butler, Ben Crawford, Jennifer Damiano, Sutton Foster, Anya Garnis, Deirdre Goodwin, Cheyenne Jackson, Chad Kimball, Pasha Kovalev, Beth Leavel, Caissie Levy, Constantine Maroulis, Christiane Noll, Laura Osnes, Alice Ripley, and Aaron Tveit are among the stars who will join host Michael McKean as part of Broadway on Broadway, the annual free concert presented by the Broadway League and the Times Square Alliance, which will take place in Times Square at 11:30am on Sunday, September 13. For the event, Times Square will be shut down from 43rd to 47th Streets.
Susan Boyle coming to ‘America’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Susan Boyle is bringing her act to America.
The Scottish sensation of “Britain’s Got Talent” will make her U.S. TV debut on the season finale of “America’s Got Talent, ” according to a person close to the series. The person, who lacked authority to release the information, spoke Friday on condition of anonymity.
The dowdy Boyle surprised viewers of “Britain’s Got Talent” with her soaring rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream.” But she herself was taken aback by her sudden fame, which she has said hit her like a “giant demolition ball.” She was hospitalized for exhaustion after the British show.
The two-part finale of “America’s Got Talent” airs Sept. 14 and Sept. 16 on NBC, both at 8 p.m. EDT.
Simon Cowell Cowed? Mr. Mouth Buckles to Beatles Backlash
Some people just can’t take a joke. Others just can’t tell them. Simon Cowell falls into the latter category.
“I hate saying this, but Paula’s a star. When she came on the show, she was a star, is a star, will always be a star.
“And then you’ve got to remember that with all the people lining up, they want to be a star on American Idol. You’ve got to sort of try to concentrate on them and not think about yourself, which is difficult.”
Dancing’s Edyta: It’s Gonna Be Awkward With Maks & Karina
Talk about uncomfortable situations!
Dancing With the Stars professional hoofer Edyta Sliwinska says she’s not looking forward to being on set with Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff when the new season kicks off later this month.
“It’s going to be kind of awkward to work with them, because we all have to be in the same environment and very often in the same room or even sitting next to each other on the same couch, ” Sliwinska told us this week when she and her celeb partner, Ashley Hamilton, stopped by the 9Planet Universe event in Los Angeles.
“It’ll be awkward because I’m friends with both of them.”
Dancing’s Cheryl Burke: I Had to Google Tom DeLay
While the rest of the world was buzzing about Tom DeLay’s casting on Dancing with the Stars, Cheryl Burke was busy doing her homework on the former House Majority leader. “I didn’t really know anything about him. I’m not kidding, ” Burke tells TVGuide.com. “But I totally think it is better not to know much about your partner beforehand. I’m not starstruck ‘†ever ‘†and I don’t treat them any differently.” And she’s hoping Dancing fans won’t treat DeLay any differently on the show. See what else the two-time champ has to say about her partner and find out why she’s no rule-breaker.
