Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Today in History - Nov. 8
Today’s Birthdays: Actress June Havoc is 95. Actor Norman Lloyd is 93. Jazz singer Chris Connor is 80. Singer Patti Page is 80. CBS newsman Morley Safer is 76. Singer-actress Bonnie Bramlett is 63. Singer Bonnie Raitt is 58. TV personality Mary Hart is 57. Playboy Enterprises chairman and chief executive Christie Hefner is 55. Actress Alfre Woodard is 54. Singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones is 53. Rock musician Porl Thompson (The Cure) is 50. Singer-actor Leif Garrett is 46. Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith is 40. Actress Parker Posey is 39. Rock musician Jimmy Chaney is 38. Actress Roxana Zal is 38. Singer Diana King is 37. Actress Gretchen Mol is 34. Actress Tara Reid is 32. Country singer/former “American Idol” contestant Bucky Covington is 30. Actress Azura Skye is 26. Actor Chris Rankin is 24. TV personality Jack Osbourne (”The Osbournes”) is 22.
Thought for Today: “Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” _ Margaret Lee Runbeck, American author (1905-1956).
A Mishmash Reflective of Country Music
….Often, it seemed the night belonged to the belters. Carrie Underwood, who won single of the year for “Before He Cheats” and female vocalist of the year, delivered a downright operatic version of “So Small,” a power ballad. Perhaps it should be no surprise that she’s great at singing on television: that’s how she won “American Idol.”
Jennifer Nettles, from Sugarland, showed off both power and restraint during “Stay,” a weeper. And whether Kellie Pickler’s teary performance was planned or not, it brought down the house…..
A Trade Publication Alters a Rule, Lifting an Eagles Album to No. 1
….A handful of other CDs exclusively sold by Wal-Mart, like the new album from the “American Idol” contestant Bo Bice, also now appear on Billboard’s main chart, too.
Still, the move was criticized in independent retail circles.
“This seems like a big ego play to me,” said Don Van Cleave, a merchant in Birmingham, Ala., who oversees the Coalition of Independent Music Stores representing more than two dozen independent merchants. “Somebody went through some arm-twisting or negotiations, at least, to have themselves reflected on the industry chart.”
Many record executives privately criticized the unexpected shift, and some expressed fears that the shift might provide new incentive for artists to sell straight to retail chains like Wal-Mart, Starbucks and others….
Country Music Association spreads the love
….The only thing that distinguished this year’s round of thanking God, the fans, and country radio was the lack of a Faith Hill-style controversy when Underwoood took the stage for her second award. (Reba McEntire refrained from expressing dismay, in jest or otherwise, when bested by the “American Idol” alum.)….
Nashville sings praises
Underwood, Chesney grab top CMA honors
Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year and Carrie Underwood took home female vocalist and single of the year honors Wednesday at the Country Music Association Awards.
“God has blessed me with so many wonderful things,” said Underwood, who gained fame by winning “American Idol.” “If you told me a few years ago I had been nominated with the people I’m nominated with, I would have called you absolutely insane.”….
Jonathan Storm | Stricken by the strike
A guide to picket-line TV: What it will look like without writers, what the issues are, and when it’s likely to end.
….If the strike goes beyond 1988’s 22 weeks, virtually all scripted shows will go to reruns. The biggest losers then will not be those who enjoy The Biggest Loser and other reality fare. Created outside the guild contract, reality shows could burgeon.
“Could American Idol get even bigger?” AOL Television editor Scott Robson asked rhetorically in a phone interview. “That’s a scary thought.”
Dancing With the Stars could return quickly after the current installment’s finale Nov. 27. NBC’s celebrity version of The Apprentice, reportedly featuring such lights as Pete Rose, Carmen Electra and Joan Rivers, is revving up. Though it’s doubtful he can push it to the blockbuster heights of his last big game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, CBS has signed Regis Philbin to host Millionaire Password, a modern spin on the old show that died in 1989.
If the strike drags, it’s likely the late-night comedy/interview shows, now all in reruns, will return in the next few weeks, minus writers, with more interviews and less comedy….
VIDEO: Kellie Pickler Breaks Down at CMA Awards
Kellie Pickler broke down crying during the CMA Awards on Wednesday night while performing “I Wonder,” a song about her estranged mother, who abandoned her when she was 2.
“Oh, I hear the weather’s nice in California,” the former American Idol finalist sang at the end of the song, as the tears began to fall down her cheeks. “And just in case you’re wondering about me/ From now on I won’t be in Carolina/ Your little girl is off to Tennessee.”
Pickler’s mother, Cynthia Malone, has said that she was forced to leave her child because of an abusive relationship with her then-husband. “I knew God had to have a purpose for [Kellie] because there was too many times I would have miscarried because of all the hitting and beating on my stomach,” Malone told the Charlotte Observer in July.
Pickler, 21, struggled to finish the song and spoke the final word, “Tennessee,” as the Nashville crowd rose in applause to support her.
Elliott Yamin spins some holiday tunes
For every “American Idol” star who experiences massive success — such as Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood — still more — like Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks — don’t seem to click with audiences.
Soul singer Elliott Yamin, who finished third to Katharine McPhee and winner Hicks last year, falls somewhere squarely in the middle. He said the experience proved one thing.
“This is what I’m supposed to be doing — I was meant to do this,” a yawning, tired Yamin said from a tour stop in South Carolina. Hopefully he’ll be more rested when he performs tonight with openers Josh Hoge and The Last Goodnight at Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center.
“I think ‘American Idol’ really proved it was the right timing, the right place in my life. I’ve been singing my whole life, so it just validated my artistry as a singer,” Yamin said.
Was it better not to have won?
“I just don’t know because I didn’t win, so I don’t know what it’s like to win,” he said.
“Would I change anything? Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not. Where I am today, I’m very happy with how it ended, even from the day I got voted off,” he said.
Yamin’s second and latest album is “Sounds of the Season,” a Christmas collection of varied material available exclusively at Target stores. It’s a rapid-fire follow-up to his March self-titled debut, which came out at No. 3 on the Billboard album charts…….
CMAs: Country music’s biggest night
….Carrie Underwood, who gives country a contemporary glow just by walking on-stage because of her roots in “American Idol,” clearly has listened to a few rock tunes in her day.
It surprised no one when she was named Female Vocalist of the Year, or that she and Paisley were the only double winners.
The Eagles performed “How Long,” a new tune that sounds a lot like their old ones. They fit nicely into the current country sound, though they themselves look more than a little, well, weathered.
The fact that Paisley sang a song about Internet dating, and this isn’t the first country song about the Internet, suggests how far the music has traveled lyrically since even Hank Williams Jr., never mind Senior….
Live blogging the CMA Awards
….7:33: Kellie Pickler, performing “I wonder,” one of the more heart-aching songs of the evening. Indeed, the mother/daughter tear-jerker has Pickler to tears, needing the support of the crowd to get through the tune. Cut to her brother Eric, who’s also in tears. Can’t knock the outpouring of emotion … and now Kid Rock! Whoo! Giving a shout-out to J-E-S-U-S.
7:28: Local news just teased a story about a child’s toy that can be manipulated into a date-rape drug. Don’t they know country awards are for families?
7:20: Chesney, performed “Don’t Blink.” A woman from Nashville who works for one of our other sites just came by, wanting to point out that Chesney does not make her list of top-100 country artists performing today. After listening to “Don’t Blink” again, he doesn’t make this writer’s list, either.
7:17: Actress Kimberly Williams introduced Kenny Chesney, but not before comparing country singers to newborn babies (her and husband Paisley celebrated the birth a son earlier this year).
7:09: Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood. Don’t thank “American Idol.” Don’t thank “American Idol.” Don’t thank “American Idol.” Don’t thank …. you thanked “American Idol.” But hey! Predicted this one right. But Lambert still shoulda won. And Lambert was still the best performance of the night. (See 5:10 p.m.)…..
Cool and the Gang
Stephen King sizes up who’s cool…and who’s not
….American Idol was never cool. It says sad things about the coolness quotient of our young people that any of them like this warmed-over Las Vegas meatloaf….
Kellie Pickler’s Mother Talks About Why She Disappeared From Her Child’s Life
For the first time, Kellie Pickler’s estranged mother is coming out of the shadows and speaking publicly about why she disappeared from her daughter’s life years ago.
Pickler, whose childhood in Albemarle has been well-documented, went on to become an “American Idol” finalist and now has a successful career in country music. She was two when her mother abandoned her, and her father was in and out of jail, so Pickler’s grandparents raised her.
Her mother told Eyewitness News domestic abuse was behind it all. She spoke exclusively with anchor Erica Bryant to help other women who might be suffering………..
Cowboys, skaters ride into downtown Dallas
EVENTS: Rodeo and skateboarding competitions bring diverse music to town
…..’Idol’ worship: Both events are banking on the mass attraction of former American Idol contestants. Chris Daughtry (fourth on season five) is the obvious one for Texas Stampede; emerging country sex symbol Kellie Pickler (sixth on season five) is the other (both happen to be North Carolina natives, too). The ASC booked beat-boxing rocker Blake Lewis, runner-up on the most recent AI season, as its Saturday afternoon performer…..
Our Critics’ Picks
…
Our American Idol
AN EVENING WITH MELINDA DOOLITTLE AND FRIENDS After winning our hearts—and experiencing a shocking early exit—on last year’s American Idol, Melinda Doolittle keeps on trucking. The Brentwood gal and former backup singer will put her celebrity, saucy pipes and pitch-perfect stage presence to use in a one-night performance benefiting the Boiler Room Theatre. A Boiler Room alumnus, this woman has proved that the aw-shucks, down-home girl we loved is more than just a reality-TV persona—we’ll even forgive her for wearing that “Nashville Is the New L.A.” T-shirt last time she was in town. 8 p.m. in Factory at Franklin’s Liberty Hall —LEE STABERT
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Kelly Clarkson
An American Idol follows her gut
At the moment, Carrie Underwood is the reigning spawn of the American Idol factory. But while Carrie’s country success has earned her fame, her music still sounds… planned. Enter Kelly Clarkson, who of all the Idols who’ve made it big has the most interesting story and career path. She started out making hook-heavy records like the big record execs wanted, but by her third and most recent album, My December, she followed her gut and took her sound in a new rock-centric direction. While many critics and fans think her previous album was better overall, Clarkson can still be commended for fighting the power-holders and making a decent guitar-rock record. Seeing her perform live would not only be a good way to gauge how well her new style works, but also a good place to meet college-age chicks with attitude (if you’re into that sort of thing).
Ryan Seacrest’s Entertainment Empire
The Media Mogul on Simon Cowell, His Own Idols and Producing Pop Culture
….Rivalry With Simon Cowell
Seacrest believes that Cowell only begrudgingly supported him because the two are extremely competitive, butting heads on air frequently. During the fifth season of “American Idol,” Seacrest responded to Cowell’s criticism of winner Tyler Hicks with a jab at his lavish lifestyle………..
Nicky: Simon’s bigger than Brad
THEY have sold 40million albums and this week are on course to notch up their seventh No1 album with new release Back Home.
But WESTLIFE heart-throb NICKY BYRNE insists it is their boss who is the real star — a certain SIMON COWELL.
In an exclusive interview Nicky, 29, told me: “Simon is bigger than BRAD PITT in America. Ever since he started American Idol he’s become a megastar………
Network scorecard: The fall of the season’s new shows
….
Fox
Season to date average: Live: 9.4 million (+9 percent); Live+7: 7.7 million (unchanged).
So-so: “Kitchen Nightmares.”
Struggling:” K-Ville,” “Back to You,” “Next Great American Band.”
Canceled: “Nashville.”
Another challenging fall, as Fox has not successfully launched any new series, unscripted drama “Nashville” is already gone, and “Next Great American Band,” from the “American Idol” producers, is tanking. But last year was even worse. Fox is backing “Back to You” for a full season, expecting the Kelsey Grammer sitcom to blossom once “Idol” (and “24″) rejoins the schedule in mid-January, when Fox mounts its perennial rebound.
…
Related Posts
Breaking News: “Exclusive” Wal-Mart Eagles Album Not So Exclusive
When the Eagles announced that they would exclusively sell their new double album Long Road Out of Eden for an entire year at Wal-Mart (and their own Web site), fans across the nation — especially those in Wal-Mart-less towns like New York City and Los Angeles — wondered how they’d get their hands on copy without journeying to the retail giant. But then we heard whispers that people were finding the new “exclusive” album at small mom-and-pop record stores and, remarkably, big chains like Virgin Megastore. We investigated these claims and discovered that the CDs are indeed being sold outside of Wal-Mart. Not only that, it didn’t take speakeasy tactics to secure a copy; some stores were boasting the album by the dozen in front display cases, where new releases are usually showcased (see above, a shot from a New York City Virgin Megastore boasting a price sticker of $18.99). “We’re aware of that — I’ve heard that some stores here are selling imports,” Billboard charts editor Geoff Mayfield tells Rolling Stone. “Someone told me it was the third-best seller for Virgin.”……
RollingStone
LATimes Blogs
“But Lambert still shoulda won.”
But Miranda is out of her depth vocally competing w/ Carrie, Reba, Alison, and Martina for best female vocalist. All four also leave her far behind in radio hits and album sale prowess.
Here’s a photoshoot video of Jordin…you can hear some of her songs playing the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ydi5lOwJ8
That’s her song “Permanent Monday” playing at the end but it’s not Jordin singing it. It’s like a demo version or something, I guess.
Rumors from another site have this guy listed as heading for the Hollywood rounds. He looks about 12 but what a voice…
http://www.myspace.com/briandavidmiller
http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/071104/071104countrymusic.html
Having an interview in the Boston Globe saying you despised the Celtics wasn’t Elliott’s smartest move. They booed him doing the NA at the Celtics game last night. Hopefully, the concert he did after the game went better but I doubt it.
Any more Hollywood week spoilers. Hwood week is my absolute favorite part of AI and they better not shorten it like they did S6.
The article above is an interview with Martina Mcbride and Josh Turner about the CMA awards show.
I admit I snarked on that on the blog but knew it was just a minor slip up he ment no harm. Booing was very very wrong thing to do I lay my sports fan hat down in shame..You get a concert plus a basketball game in one..(surprised by me defending do not be I like his single but think the guy can do better I saw the pbs specail)speaking of E he reminds me of..
Paul Potts fans
He was on Operah check it out.
Sigh. I KNEW that would happen. That’s Boston sports fans for you. They are worse than the worst Idol fans…
Upon reading that interview, my first reaction was “Oh, no, Elliott…you’re heading for a train wreck.”
Nice little article about Elliott’s Christmas album, and I’m looking forward to hearing it on the Christmas stations which will be gearing up soon. However this article is another example of sloppy Idol revisionist history.
“For every “American Idol” star who experiences massive success — such as Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood — still more — like Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks — don’t seem to click with audiences.
Soul singer Elliott Yamin, who finished third to Katharine McPhee and winner Hicks last year, falls somewhere squarely in the middle.”
So, if I’m understanding this correctly. This writer is claiming Elliott, by “falling squarely in the middle” is less successful than Kelly, Jennifer, Carrie,and Daughtry, but more successful than Ruben Studdard or Taylor Hicks? LOL not so fast there.
Ruben and Taylor have both sold more records and concert tickets than Elliott at this point.In fact the Birmingham duo have also both sold more than Jennifer Hudson. Fantasia has still sold more records and tickets than Jennifer Hudson. Not to pick on JHud and Elliott, I like them both (and voted for Jennifer) but lets get real here. There is no need to sing the praises of a good artist by falsely comparing them to the American Idol winners. They should stand on their own merits and Elliott certainly can.
hoodathunk, I was confused by that too. I thought that album sales were the sole mark of success and talent. But this writer essentially says that Elliott is more successful than Taylor, even though Taylor outsold him. And it can’t be concert audience sizes or tour revenues, since I think Taylor’s got him beat there, too. So maybe the mark of success and talent isn’t money, but how high your single goes on the pop charts? Because that’s where Elliott comes in. Or maybe it’s all about “expectations.”
Gosh, I’m so confused. I wish the media would just come up with a simple formula for who is popular and talented and who is not. That way I could just apply the formula to figure out whose music I should like, and I wouldn’t have to bother with forming my own opinions — which takes a lot of effort.
Game Notes: Nuggets at Celtics
…- They’re booing Elliot Yamin. Seriously, don’t we have more important people to worry about? He’s not, like, Roseanne or anything…
Slam Online
Dang. I didn’t expect to come to work this morning and be made to cry, but Kellie’s performance was so moving - definitely did some damage to the ol’ mascara.
Big congrats to Carrie!
Happy birthday, Bucky!!!!
Tyler? Hmm. Taylor must be so far off the A-list that they repossessed the “a” from his first name.
Yes; he’s obviously too broke to replace the vowel. He’s headed towards oblivion and bankruptcy at breakneck speed, and he’ll soon be spelling his name Tylr Hcks.
Alright, this may have already been posted elsewhere, but I’m too tired to read posts from the past few days and I’m SO excited I bouncing off the walls. Here’s my HAPPY news:
From www.daughtryofficial.com:
We are proud that DAUGHTRY will be opening for Bon Jovi for the US leg of dates running from February through April 2008! Tickets go on sale to the general public for all dates on Saturday, November 10th at 10am, local time.
The guys will be hitting the following cities:
OMAHA
DETROIT
MILWAUKEE
CHICAGO
WASHINGTON DC
PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH
DENVER
SAN JOSE
ANAHEIM
LOS ANGELES,
DALLAS
OKLAHOMA CITY YES! YES! YES!
DES MOINES
KANSAS CITY
NASHVILLE
FT LAUDERDALE
TAMPA
ATLANTA
More details at http://bonjovi.aeglive.com/vcard/
Ticket pre-sale tomorrow, regular sales for all shows on Saturday.
I just hope that TPTB and the “well-informed” media don’t start taking away his consonants but letting him keep all his vowels. I would sure hate to see him referred to as Taylor Icks.
That could be coming…rumors keep circulating that Clive told Taylor to “Get the ‘H’ out.”
ETA:
little d™ better not have a unit slide with his Sophomore effort. If he does, Clive may start taking his consonants, too. Yet, somehow,
little a really works for him.
Hmm, all of little d’s™ efforts have been sophomoric in my estimation, but you’re right…the way things are going in the music industry, Clive will “d”-capitate him quicker than you can say Kelly Clarkson.
Don’t you mean Elly Clarkson…or is it Kelly Larkson?
Right, Kelly Larkson…remember she was on that horrid Idol Xmas special with Ruben Tuddard and Antasia. I know she toured with Clay Iken, and wasn’t she a fan of Bo Ice?
Ah, memories!
BB #’s are in at Pulse, folks!
BB….BOBBY BENNETT has numbers? ;)
Ruben Tuddard -
I got this on my mail -
THIS JUST IN - SEASON PREMIERE A TWO-NIGHT EVENT
After waiting with bated breath, we now have the highly anticipated season premiere info! We’ll get things rolling with a two-night, four-hour event, Tuesday and Wednesday, January 15th and 16th, at 8/7c, only on FOX! Make sure to watch both nights for a glimpse of the season seven hopefuls (and hopeless!), Ryan Seacrest, and the AI judges you’ve surely missed!
:D