Carrie Underwood Talks Hosting the CMAs, Idol and More!
During American Idol’s fourth season, Simon Cowell raised eyebrows when he predicted that Carrie Underwood would outsell any of the show’s previous winners. And, lo and behold, the Oklahoma native has done just that, selling nearly 10 million albums thanks to her country-pop crossover appeal. Come November 12, she’ll face her next great challenges — sweating out two nominations, performing live and soldierÂing her way through awkward banter — when she cohosts the Country Music Awards with Brad Paisley. The 25-year-old superstar, who’s currently on a national tour, talked to us about how she’s prepping for the big day.
David & David: What to Expect from ‘Idol’ Alums Debut CDs
“American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta’s debut album comes out today; “American Idol” champ David Cook’s debut album arrives Nov. 18. While the two are such completely different artists that it’s unfair to directly compare their music, many “Idol” fans will no doubt want to purchase both records — so here’s a handy preview of what you’ll get from each David’s debut:
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Defamer’s Track-by-track Review of David Archuleta’s Debut CD
We’ve already expressed to you how American Idol runner-up David Archuleta could literally save the world. How big an Archie fan are we? Let’s put it this way: You see that video above us? We’re the one in the orange shirt and glasses. Well, we’ve just downloaded his debut CD on iTunes, made available today, and have jotted down our thoughts on every track. Our occasionally tear-smudged first impressions follow:
‘American Idol’ Daily: Dawn of the David Archuleta
After years lost in the darkness, on Nov. 11, America at last wakes up to a new age. Hope. Change. For so long, they have been just words — especially to the vast legions of tween girls who watched “American Idol” season after season wondering when it might finally be their chance to lead.
At last that day has come. For on this Veterans Day, America faces the morning light to find that David Archuleta, the Chosen One, foretold by “Idol” prophecies, reared from the cradle on the works of Clarkson and Aiken, has released his solo album and begun his career at last.
Was America wrong about David Archuleta?
How did David Archuleta finish as runner-up on season seven of American Idol? asked August Brown in the Los Angeles Times online. His just-released debut album “is larded with awkward modernist R&B, Christian semaphore ballads,†and “warm-milk mewling.†The “best teen pop†often explores “dangerous ideas, yet Archuleta counts Tamyra Gray and Kelly Clarkson as influences in his liner notes—kids deserve more salacious pandering than that.â€
David Archuleta Takes Over TRL
David Archuleta gets the crowd going wild as he performs on MTV’s TRL in New York City on Tuesday afternoon.
The 17-year-old American Idol runner up’s debut album hit stores today just as his new song Desperate hits the airwaves. David was recently interviewed on The Billy Bush Show and said this about his self-titled album: “We experimented on this album and that way I didn’t get stuck in a niche. I wanted to make sure there was a variety.â€
Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley Get Ready To Host The CMA’s!
Get your cowboy hat on because the 42nd Annual Country Music Awards are coming straight for ya! CMA nominees Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are co-hosting the show, airing Wednesday, November 12 on ABC — and the twosome tell ET they are gettin’ ready to take the stage by storm!
“Hopefully you will not see any wardrobe malfunction,” jokes Carrie.
“I would tune in just in case,” says Brad.
Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood Earn Two People’s Choice Nominations
Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood have earned two People’s Choice Awards nominations each. Rascal Flatts’ “Take You There,” Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” and Underwood’s “Last Name” are vying for favorite country song. Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley will compete with R&B artist Chris Brown for favorite male singer. Rascal Flatts also received a nomination in the favorite group category with Coldplay and Maroon 5. Underwood is nominated for favorite female singer with Alicia Keys and Rihanna. The awards will be presented on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles.
Carrie Underwood obviously likes the finer things in life, at least when it’s borrowed.
I came across a press release this morning that told about the jewels little Miz Carrie would be wearing to the CMAs this year. I finally just got around to reading it - because press releases are so damn boring. You know, things are much easier for me to read if they come with colorful pictures. Press releases with pictures, that’s what I really need.
Oh my. I’m now drooling just a little, and more than a little fearful for the girl’s safety. Carrie’s jewels this year will be provided by the Jonathan Arndt Gallery of Jewels and the stuff she’s set to walk around that evening in will be worth over $60 million. Yeah, you read that right, $60 million, as in sixty, as in 6-0. Either the press release had a big-fat typo or that girl is gonna be very, very glittery. How in the world is it even possible to wear $60 million in jewels? Well let’s count the ways…
Carrie Underwood: What’s the Bakersfield Sound? Star admires post-Hag generation
What Bakersfield Sound? Like most country music lovers of her generation, Carrie Underwood grew up on the likes of Alan Jackson and George Strait.
“Alan Jackson would have grown up on that kind of sound,†she says. “They’re my Merle Haggard. They’re my George Jones.â€
Purist fans of our raw homegrown country would say the 25-year-old “American Idol†winner, coming to Rabobank Arena Friday evening, represents everything they stood against: slick Nashville production, shiny Hollywood packaging. The warm and easygoing singer takes it in stride.
Carrie Underwood excited, nervous on co-hosting CMA Awards
Oklahoma singing sensation Carrie Underwood didn’t make the Country Music Association work too hard to rope her into co-hosting tonight’s CMA Awards with fellow star Brad Paisley.
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“They didn’t have to do much roping,†the Checotah native said with a laugh during a recent phone interview. “Brad and I have been paired together on a lot of stuff, and we have a really good chemistry. He’s definitely a good friend of mine, so they didn’t have to talk me into it very much. I was in from the start. I’m nervous, and I’m excited about it.â€
CMAs: Random Notes From Nashville
NASHVILLE - The first voice I heard upon arriving at the airport here yesterday was Kellie Pickler’s.
The “American Idol” dingbat was singing “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” on a video screen at the CMT store, right around the corner from the guitar-themed Gibson Cafe and across the concourse from a display of Marty Stuart’s black-and-white portraits of a bunch of old-time country stars, including Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner.
Report: Travis Stork relative confirms Carrie Underwood relationship
They may be keeping it quiet, but Carrie Underwood and Travis Stork are apparently indeed an item.
The fourth-season American Idol champion and former The Bachelor: Paris star have reportedly been confirmed as a couple by one of Stork’s relatives.
“They have been dating. They are a lovely couple,” Martin Pavell, the father of Stork’s brother-in-law, told Us Weekly in the magazine’s November 17 issue. Pavell also stated that the two had made a point to keep their budding relationship “hush-hush” since its inception.
‘Big Fan’ Of Paula Abdul Found Dead Near ‘Idol’ Judge’s House
A woman was found dead on Tuesday evening, near a home believed to be owned by Paula Abdul, Access Hollywood has learned.
A 30-year-old woman was found dead in a parked car in the Sherman Oaks, Calif. community the “American Idol†judge reportedly resides in. The woman was found sometime after 6PM on Tuesday after the Los Angeles Police Department received a tip from a neighboring agency, according to LAPD spokesperson Officer Karen Smith.
Jennifer Hudson Films Ad Before Family Tragedy
In sharp contrast to the tragedy that has befallen Jennifer Hudson, a holiday ad the Oscar-winning actress did prior to the shooting deaths of her mother, brother, and nephew captures a happier time in the star’s life.
ET caught up with the ‘Dreamgirls’ star getting into the holiday spirit at a photo shoot for GAP’s new winter clothing line.
The “American Idol” alum modeled GAP’s new winter wardrobe along with other celebrities including: Rainn Wilson, Jason Bateman, and Selma Blair. Jennifer was ecstatic to be working with the clothing company: “I’ve always wanted to be part of a GAP ad so I’m excited about that and I love the holidays,” she said during the photo shoot.
‘Dancing With the Stars’: Fantastic Four
Maurice’s ouster was probably the least climactic elimination of the season, since we knew either he or Cody Linley would go home. And when practically the entire hour of filler revolved around Cody’s partner Julianne having valiantly returned from an agonizing two-week absence (seemed like three!), wasn’t the writing pretty much on the rhinestone-encrusted wall? Even Mo and Cheryl gave off a sense that they’d made peace with their fate all night. Or were they just relieved that they wouldn’t have to suffer the to-be-determined worst of season 7’s endless list of injuries. There could be a coma with Cody’s name on it, y’all!
‘Dancing With the Stars’: Maurice Greene dashes off into the sunset
Dwts_7_8_2_2 One thing is for certain: Maurice Greene’s elimination from “Dancing With the Stars†will result in headlines chock-full of running-related verbs. It came as no major surprise that he and Cheryl were eliminated tonight, and I can’t tell whether it’s satisfying to have my expectations met or disappointing that nothing outrageous transpired. Perhaps this season used up all of its allotted surprises early on, like Toni Braxton’s premature elimination, Cloris Leachman’s unanticipated resilience and, of course, the rash of injuries and diseases afflicting pros and celebrities alike. Yes, perhaps the semifinals and finals will merely be an orderly series of dances in which Brooke Burke consistently outperforms her competitors on the key criterion of somehow becoming ever hotter despite (a) having four children and (b) aging. Or maybe something shocking will happen … LIVE
Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams ready to write his own future
Theo Tams appreciates all the fame and notoriety that Canadian Idol has brought him since winning the popular reality show in September.
But the 23-year-old is also looking forward to a future away from the show as he makes his own musical identity with a debut album set to be released in late March.
“It’s kind of hard on the show when you have a minute and 30 seconds each week to show what you’re about,†Tams said in a recent phone interview from Toronto. “I think the album is going to be a little bit of a throwback. There’s going to be some tunes that are a little more Motown, a little bit retro. We’re just playing with beats and really, really cool vibes.â€
Reviews are out(as lame as it is…I don’t mean the grade, it’s just poorly written). Doesn’t that mean the album will leak any minute now? No?
ETA：Nickelback got a C plus but I don’t like this Leah Greenblatt person. Chris Willman’s Hinder review is way more interesting.
There’s a crapload of them.
^Cook is againts Nickelback…I´m sure of that one,since I want that album… ;D
A bunch, but Beyonce and Nickelback will be the two big ones.
LK08 - Cook is up against Beyonce and Nickelback on 11/18, so I’m looking for a #3 at best for him.
Archie is presenting in this one…
All in all, it was a pretty positive review—according to metacritic, this is the equivalent of 3 stars out of 4. It sounds like his “husky, expressive” voice gets highlighted, which was one of the things that I know that I’d hoped for, especially once Rob Cavallo signed on as producer. (Yeah, there was that factual error of citing the Hinder guy, who was a co-writer on one of the two songs that DC didn’t write, but….) I wish that she hadn’t felt the need to bring in Daughtry, but given the AI context, that sort of thing is inevitable.
Also, the same woman reviewed Nickelback’s CD and gave it a lower rating and was much more negative in her description. So, yeah. I’ll take it.
True true. Then again I would have never thought the Archster could pass T-Pain so I suppose anything could happen.
They extrapolate based on the first day of sales. I don’t know what formula they use, but most of the time they’re pretty close.
Cookie’s competition for next week:
upcoming releases for 11/18/08
Beyonce
Dido
Foo Fighters (Hits)
Ill Divo
Mudvayne
Martin. Ricky (Hits)
Nickelback
Yeah, Cook should be able to pass everyone except Beyonce and Nickleback. Maybe Ill Divo too, they are one of those Josh Groban type acts that come out of nowhere and sell a ton of records.
I think the boogaloo comment is a reference to an 80s breakdancing movie actually! There was a movie called “Breakin’” and then the sequel was called “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” - thus the “Daughtry 2: Post-Grunge Boogaloo” comment. I’ve never seen these movies, but only know this cause my aunt mentioned the movie once and I thought that title was too hilarious not to remember!
^Wow!!! Foo Fighters that one is going to be difficult to beat….
LOL, Il Divo doesn’t come out of nowhere, they come directly from Simon Cowell… And my brother, bless his heart, accidentally got all of their albums, ewww.
lol elisas, I know where they came from. I didn’t mean it like that. haha. I meant like they are one of those acts you don’t hear on the radio or see a video - in fact, you didn’t even know they have a record out - yet they pop up in the #1 pot on the Billboard chart selling an obscene amount of records. Heh.
I’d love for him to kick Il Divo’s butt - just because their Simon’s other baby. I never could quite get into them, but they were on Oprah after all.
That’s exactly what it is (I’m a child of the ’80s so I remember the Breakin’ movies-my youngest uncle and cousin used to pretend they were Turbo and Ozone
).
Looks like a great opening week for Archie! Good on him-I’m really rooting for him to pull a Jordin and prove all of his naysayers wrong. Number two seems to be Archie’s number. Not surprised by T-Pain’s estimate, never expected him to pull in huge numbers even though he’s a hip-hop artist. I’m happy with the B review for Cook’s album from EW. I don’t care about the Daughtry 2.0 references-as long as his album is well received by the music buying public and sells decently, I’m happy.
Well, the way my bro bizarrely got those albums would explain why they secretly sold so much. He’s nicer than me he said “it’s actually good if you only listen to it once.”
No, actually they’re really famous worldwide, were on World Cup and all that. But I can’t stand that “See how exotic we are? Which type do you like the most? There must be one.”
Great news for Jennifer Hudson (god knows she needs it right now!). Obama has asked her to sing at his inauguration.
Well, impressive competition DC is going to play against.
USA Today said that the woman found near Abdul´s house is a AI reject from season 5:
People Choice Awards are up…you have to be a member to vote…
Nomination for Idol:
Favorite Competition/ Reality Show
Favorite Female Singer: Carrie Underwood
Favorite Country Song:Last Name
Favorite Pop Song: No Air Sparks/Brown
Favorite Combined Forces: No Air Sparks/Brown
Well, there is one other competitor in the mix, but it’s an odd one. Guns N’ Roses are going to release their LONG awaited “Chinese Democracy” album on November 23rd. That’s a Sunday. So, it will get one day’s worth of sales. But it is long awaited (fans have been waiting 14 years for this puppy). But, it’s exclusive to one store (Best Buy) so that won’t help.
So, who knows?
Nickelback vs Il Divo vs Guns n’ Roses vs Beyonce vs Cookie … we’re in for a bumpy ride.
Oh, and here are your instructions to pick up your free Dr. Pepper should Guns and Roses succeed in releasing on that day:
HOW TO GET YOUR FREE DR PEPPER
1. On the Nov. 23, 2008 release date, go to www.drpepper.com
2. Register your information to receive a coupon for one free 20-oz. Dr Pepper.
3. When your coupon arrives, redeem it wherever Dr Pepper is sold.
4. Drink your Dr Pepper slowly to experience all 23 flavors. Dr’s orders.
From Jenny on FOD
I’m going to admit that until today, I had no idea who Deliliah was. She seems like a very nice lady, although after visiting her website and learning more about her show, I’m not sure Delilah is exactly my thing. That was, until I learned that David Archuleta was joining her for one of her “star-studded Thanksgivings at the Farm.†David S. sent me this information from the Delilah Loyal Listener Newsletter:
http://www.delilah.com/home/home.html
Star-Studded Thanksgiving at the Farm
It’s that time of year again - the annual turkey event at the farmhouse! This month family, friends and a few special guests will be joining me around my table for Thanksgiving. Included in my guest list are: Faith Hill, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Michael McDonald, Wayne Brady, David Archuleta, James Taylor and my good friend Jim Brickman.
I think DC himself mentioned the GNR release when talking about November being a big month for rock releases, so it seems like he’s anticipating it too! But the Best Buy-only/Sunday release/random Dr. Pepper tie-in strategy is an odd one, haha. Watch it kill.
MJ- not sure where to post this but I just got an email that DC’s album will be streaming from his official website starting tonight at midnight!
In case some fan missed it…
Looking forward to finally hearing it!
yeah thea since tomorrow is when the iheartmusic is doing the album preview
I’ll “B” happy with EW’s review of DC ;)
Yeah, Cook should be happy with a “B” from EW. That actually makes me feel a tad bit better about the C-plus they gave Archie’s album, since they have a long and distinguished history of hating anything and everything about the kid.
Archie is going to be at an event with Delilah? That’s kind of awkward for a young teen. She’s the syndicated radio host that plays the cheesy love songs. However, she has a very large radio audience, so hey, I’m not gonna complain too much. Plus, David will get to see his buddy Wayne Brady again. :) The lineup is quite interesting to me because several of them are amazing vocalists and David will fit in quite well, IMO. Ironically enough, I’ve always thought David’s voice reminded me a bit of a young Michael McDonald.
Supposedly DAvid will be performing at the hard rock cafe in times square on jan 12th..
Now I have the Delilah theme song in my head…
DeLIIIlaaaaah.
She’s never once played Crush so I don’t know why David is all of a sudden at her Adult Contemporary Thanksgiving Day bash, but I’m sure it’ll be fun for him meeting all those folks.
Not sure where to put this, all courtesy of DCO:
(1) From HDD: From HDD vibrator: “A.I. Winner added this week to: KSCF, KZZO, WKGS, WSNX more. Top 20 bound at HAC, just breaking into T40. Huge pre-orders set stage for massive debut next week!”
(2) From folks at the David Wright Gala: DC and band played seven songs off of the new CD: Heroes, Mr. Sensitive, Declaration, Life on the Moon, Lie, Light On, and Bar Ba Sol.
Do you hear that sound? That’s a pack of DC fans praying for HDD to be right and for folks to post videos from the gala.
Review From Both Davids´ albums form Asia:
It’s David vs David, again
Reuters has an article about David Cook:
“Idol” David Cook says CD comes out “guns blazing”
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE4AB9N820081112
Really? David Cook is going to be there again after the 2 performances already scheduled?
I think Archie is the one there on Jan 12th.
Isn’t Cook in the Middle East around that time?
WLPJ radio interview, courtesy of Fans of David. At the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, look for Archie on the “green dog” float. LOL.
David Cook on HDD Vibe-Rators
http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/vibe/vibe.cgi?rank5
Brought over from DCO: First pictures from tonight’s David Wright gala. The one linked is cute, but the one before it is ridiculously cute.
Archie is featured in the teen magazine Twist. Courtesy of Fans of David.
From EW Hollywood Insider
Kelly Clarkson producer says her new single could be out by December
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/11/kelly-clarkson.html
“My Life Would Suck Without You”?
OK… I like Dr. Luke way more than Ryan Tedder, so it’s good~