Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Hatcher to sing anthem for Bengals
…. didn’t start that way. He was sent home from the “Hollywood round” on “American Idol” in a February show, after having auditioned nine times for the Fox show.
But the 1998 Western Hills High School graduate hasn’t seen much of his Westwood home since the “America’s Got Talent” finale last month.
Hatcher’s in the middle of a six-week engagement in Branson, Mo., with the “America’s Got Talent” finalists. Hatcher sings seven songs nightly. He’s quit his Metropolitan Sewer District dispatcher’s job….
Night out at the salon is more than just pampering
…In Bethlehem, the event is getting more elaborate, with a goal of attracting 250 people.A silent auction will offer artwork, tee times at local golf courses, restaurant certificates and an amethyst and diamond ring with a retail value of $1,750. Marisa Rhodes, who lost out in February for the 12th and final female spot on ”American Idol’s” sixth season, will lead off the entertainment, and 30 local restaurants will contribute munchies…
Kevin Max Will Spill The Blood On December 26th
New studio album includes collaborations with Vince Gill, Amy Grant, ‘American Idol’ finalist Chris Sligh, Joanne Cash, Ashley Cleveland and a reunion of dcTalk….
Taking matters into their own hands
Women make strides in cultivating audiences
Ten years ago Sarah McLachlan launched Lilith Fair, “a celebration of women in music.” The tour was born of frustration - with radio programmers who wouldn’t play two women back to back and with tour promoters who balked at booking more than one female artist on a concert bill.
A decade later, gender bias is alive and well in the music industry. It’s the reason we still see annual Women Who Rock specials in magazines, the fuel for breathless coverage of Kelly Clarkson’s showdown over creative control with her male handlers, and the subtext of events like last week’s Estrojam in Chicago - whose mission to break down stereotypes and foster bold expression is not something men have ever needed to organize around……
Woman seeks healing in memorial service for mom
…She says Cynthia Malone, mother of “American Idol” finalist Kellie Pickler, is expected to come. Malone is a victim of domestic violence and speaks out on the issue…
‘American Idol’ competitor to perform at The Maryland Theatre
Elliott Yamin, second runner-up in the 2006 “American Idol” competition, will perform in November in Hagerstown….
Clarkson, Butler reunite
SHE might be put off by the likes of Dicko and Mark Holden but at least original American Idol Kelly Clarkson will have one mate when she performs on the local version of the talent quest on Monday night.
Confidential hears current contender Jacob Butler is an old friend - apparently through the US singer’s guitarist Corey Churko.
Rock-lover Butler spent time on the road with Churko and Clarkson when they travelled through London, Cardiff and Dublin in 2006.
Butler is reportedly stoked to be reuniting with his old gal pal when she hits the stage to perform Never Again.
Let’s hope some of Clarkson’s good fortune rubs off on the wannabe star, who is adrift with the bookies.
Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift Pen Cheatin’ Song
Kellie Pickler is looking forward to January, when she’ll get back into the studio to start recording the follow-up to her debut CD. She recently told Chicago radio listeners that she and Taylor Swift have written a song together for the next record. The pair wrote the song, which Kellie revealed is the true tale of a cheating ex-boyfriend, while they were on tour with Brad Paisley. “It’s got a lot of Swift and Pickler in it,” says Kellie.
Kellie says the song is about an ex she dated for four years, who fathered another woman’s child while they were dating. She also confirmed she’s no longer dating her most recent boyfriend, NHL hockey player Jordin Tootoo.
About faces
Teacher explains Chinese art of reading countenances
…The “American Idol” judges run the gamut of facial types, he said.
“Randy Jackson is water. He looks out for the feelings of others,” he said. “Paula Abdul is metal, and considering all of her physical problems and the medications she takes, she’s really a remarkable person.
“Simon Cowell is wood - tall and lanky,” said Yarborough. “He tells the truth and doesn’t care if it hurts. Ryan Seacrest is earth, and he’s a little bully.”
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Tattoo is up to #15 on iTunes and has broken into the Top 40 on radio play. This will be a much biger hit than Kat’s first single and of course Taylor’s. Jordin has that Top 40 voice that Kat just doesn’t have. I think Kat’s career in pop is done as they’ll just give all the good songs to Jordin.
The winners of AGT get a six week stint in Branson? What a joke.
Robert Hatcher didn’t win. He was one of the final 8 finalists.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bVRDvR7pjN4
The link above is to Terry Fator, the guy who won..he got 1 million dollars and a gig in Vegas. I found him to be quite talented.
Oopsie, I misread where you had “winners” rather than winner. Oh well, you all enjoy the Terry video anyway :P
I honestly don’t think Branson is a bad gig for anyone in the music business though. It is a great tourist area and people can make a living doing what they love even if they arent on the radio, selling a bazillion cds and touring internationally.
Fun Fact for those that may not know..Terry Fator and Chris Sligh are cousins. I think that has gotten to be common knowledge on here though :)
Anyhow, I am off to granny’s for the day…you all take care and I will see the chatters tonight!
Chris Rich just posted a myspace bulletin:
Tunes for a beautiful fall day….three of Bruce Springsteen’s songs from his new CD, Magic, dropping Tuesday.
GYPSY BIKER
YOU’LL BE COMIN’ DOWN
RADIO NOWHERE
ENJOY!
BSWD!!!!!!!!!
PPWD!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the links, Boulder! I think I’m going go put on Nebraska and forget my football woes. LOL. Baseball rules! Go Cubs! CCWD!
PJ Harvey also has an album coming out on Tuesday (entitled “White Chalk”) and according to the Trib’s music critic, Greg Kot (also of “Sound Opinions”), it’s a huge departure from her other stuff. I love PJ Harvey so I’m pretty curious.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-0923_harveysep23,1,1270506.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
DCD, I agree that being able to make music for a living on any scale is probably a dream come true for a lot of peeps.
Effin’ UGH. So torn on this. Like Jordin just fine and want her to succeed; think “Tattoo” is a piece of carp and am disappointed that yet another bland and formulaic POS is going to become a hit. This is exactly how I felt when Elliott’s “Wait For You” became a hit. And now I’m wondering if Taylor’s “Just To Feel That Way” wasn’t bland ENOUGH to make it on Top 40 radio.
Meh. I still don’t think she’ll do well in record sales, though, unless they promote her like a Disney star.
I think Kat had stronger material than Jordin seems to, and fresher, more modern production. The difference is that Jordin, even in a bland MOR song like “Tattoo,” can put some life into the vocals. Katharine’s singing on her album, while proficient, is devoid of any personality, soul, or point of view. In my book, Kat was about as convincing on her album as Clay Aiken was on his debut.
I’m not going to address the relative merits of “Wait for You” or “Tattoo” vs “Just to Feel That Way,” but there are some songs on Top 40 radio that aren’t bland, IMO.
I do hope Jordin gets better material than “Tattoo.” I actually think she might do quite well in sales. I guess time will tell.
True enough. I’m not saying that everything on the Top 40 is bland, but it does seem like the more canned and formulaic your song is, the better chance it has of becoming a hit. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love for Jordin to have a successful recording career and sell a bajillion albums because I like *her*, but at the same time, Tattoo becoming a smash hit would just be depressing.
I dont like Tatoo at all but I do like Jordin. I’m thinking at least one of my girls will be asking for her cd at some point. I’ll just grab the ipod and the headphones… :)
I just don’t think Kat gives a hoot about a carer in music. I think her goal all along was to get her name out there and start a career in film. It looks like it’s mission accomplished for her.
Jordin? Tootoo? Why did I read this as Jordin Tattoo?
Well, technically he got 1 million dollars.
He gets $25K a year for 40 years…(or he can take a lump sum of whatever the principal is that produces 25K…something between 350K-500K depending on what interest rate they are getting…they never say what the lump sum would be).
May I say that I think it’s CRAZY how little these contestants win for being on these shows. Sure, $25K a year is better than getting nothing, but these shows make millions of dollars for the producers.
American Idol got 606-705K per 30 second ad (depending on the day of the week) in 2005/2006 (more in 2006/2007). So, for example, on Top 12 Guys night there were 67 commercials. At $606K per ad, that’s $40.6 million. In one night. And what does the winner get? A mustang and a $1 million recording contract (which may or may not be recoupable). Better than nothing, but pretty chintzy compared to how well the show does. It reminds me of the robber barons of yore.
Boulder,
Thanks for putting up the Bruce tunes!
But I’m still in the CDWD camp. Sawry.
Do you mean “Do I Make You Proud” which went gold and debuted at #1 on the billboard Hot 100 chart, or “Just To Feel That Way”, which the record company never bothered to release to top 40 radio?
I was referring to the non-coronation singles. The coronation singles were an automatic #1 as souvenirs until Jordin. I can’t remember how TIMK did on the Hot 100 but I’m sure it didn’t go to #1. I don’t know how big a hit Tattoo will be but Jordin’s voice is very suitable for Top 40 music.
Do I Make You Proud went gold as a single (I think) and probably hit #1 just for that reasons. I don’t think it got played on the radio very much. BB has changed the Hot 100 though and radio play counts a lot more than downloads.
“This is My Now” peaked at 15 on the Hot 100 during it’s first week. Then it went 25-72-95-off.
That first week, it had the 9th most popular download with 74,303 units. That combined with almost non-existent airplay got her to 15 on the Hot 100. She has lower relative sales this week, but higher airplay, so we’ll see how that turns out (that Hot 100 combines all airplay numbers, though, so you have to compete across formats).
DIMYP did chart mainly based on sales, but it did manage to make the airplay charts. It peaked at #14 on BB Hot Adult Contemporary chart and stayed in the teens for much of the summer (at least the first 10 weeks)
You are most welcome. :)
That’s fine—no accounting for taste— ;) but, IMO, in no way, shape, or form does little d™ even come close to the greatness that is THE BOSS. No where near the same league and, I could easily argue, not even in the same breath. The ONLY similarity is, presumably, they both have penises. LOL
Not sawry. :)
BSWD!!!!
Very interesting, Kirsten. Thanks for those numbers. I was unaware that was how the prize money for AGT worked!
Yes, that breakdown IS very interesting. Makes even more sense why Taylor tried to “organize” the Season 5 contestants, doesn’t it. Can you just imagine what AI would have to pay those contestants if they weren’t amateurs but members of a union like the UAW or AFL-CIO. Would they be members of the screen actors union. What a dirty shame!
The contestants are members of an acting union…the top 12 are part of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
Thanks to those stupid Ford commercials, the union was able to argue that they are acting, so they get paid for every episode that they are in. They get paid at least $921 per one hour show (plus residuals for those Idol Rewind shows).
Here is an old article from USA Today about this:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2007-03-14-union-idol-usat_N.htm
So, they aren’t making the wages of the “Friends”, but they do make some money.
I had no idea about that but it makes sense. So if they decide to concentrate on their music careers without regular employment they can get great health care coverage as long as they pay their dues to AFTRA. That is a very nice bonus I think (considering we don’t have national affordable health care for everyone like most other civilized countries but that’s another story).