Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
‘Tis not the season for tumbling album sales
Still deep in the red after Black Friday, the music industry is facing its steepest annual losses to date, with hopes for a year-end holiday turnaround all but Scrooged.
While album sales for the week ending Sunday were up 19% over the previous week, the Thanksgiving week total of 14 million albums trails 2006’s take by 18%. So far in 2007, 415.7 million albums have been sold, down 14% from last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
“This won’t be made up by the end of the year,” predicts Geoff Mayfield, Billboard’s director of charts. “We’ve yet to have a week where album sales have beaten those of the same week the prior year.”……..
…….”I’m always one who complains there are too many releases in the last quarter, but we finally had one where perhaps a few more big names would have helped,” Mayfield says. “There were no huge releases for Thanksgiving week.”
Instead, Josh Groban’s seven-week-old Noel rose to claim Billboard’s No. 1 spot after selling 405,000 copies, and the highest debut is Jordin Sparks’ self-titled disc, at No. 10 with 119,000, the lowest start ever for an American Idol winner. Last Thanksgiving, five debuts cracked the top 10, including discs by Chris Daughtry, The Beatles, Snoop Dogg, 2Pac and Jay-Z……
Josh Groban rides Oprah spot to No. 1
…..The soundtrack to Disney’s High School Musical 2 rockets up 14-6 with a 130 percent sales increase to 183,000; with that, the set surpasses Daughtry’s self-titled set as the top selling album in 2007.
Carrie Underwood’s Carnival Ride (Arista Nashville) climbs 9-7 with 141,000 and a 25 percent sales bump, while Celine Dion’s Columbia album Taking Chances falls 3-8 following a 40 percent sales decrease to 128,000. Inching up 10-9, Chris Brown’s Exclusive (Jive) sells 121,000 (+10 percent).
Jordin Sparks, who was crowned the winner on American Idol earlier this year, starts at No. 10 with her self-titled 19 Recordings/Jive set, moving 119,000. It is the lowest start and smallest sales debut for any of the show’s winners on the tally….
Sanjaya Sings for Seattle, Counting Down to American Idol
It’s a good day to be a Sanjaya fan. At least, if you live in or near the greater Seattle metropolitan area. The former American Idol fan favorite is performing soon.
Sanjaya will sing in the Intiman Theatre’s production of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. He’ll be joined by two other former Idol-ites, Karma Johnson from season one, and Leah LaBelle from season three. All three will have solos in two performances of Black Nativity on Sunday, December 2nd.
And you thought Sanjaya’s 15-minutes were up?
Say what you want about his crazy hair and warbly renditions of Something to Talk About, the kid is still singing and he’s doing meaningful stuff. I think he might have a crooning career ahead of him………
Accidental Idol
Melinda Doolittle placed third on ‘Idol’ last May. Not bad for someone who didn’t intend to try out.
After excelling on “American Idol,” Melinda Doolittle is on tour with a Christian music idol — Michael W. Smith, who brings his Christmas show to Erie on Sunday with special guests the Katinas.
“I’ve been a fan of his — and the Katinas — for years,” said Doolittle, who placed third on “Idol” last May.
“I was really excited to get a chance to go on the road with both of them, and be a part of this show. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this Christmas tour. So what better way to get involved?”
Doolittle won’t just share the stage with Smith, she’ll share a microphone, too…….
‘Idol’ appearance opens doors for Doolittle
TV show finalist part of Smith holiday show tonight
Although there can only be one “American Idol” per season, that doesn’t mean the rest of the contestants have lost. The TV sensation offers exposure that’s tough to beat, often resulting in plenty of opportunity even for those who don’t win the show, such as Melinda Doolittle, a top three finalist from season six.
Doolittle is bubbling over with excitement about one such post-”Idol” opportunities — appearing with award-winning contemporary Christian music giant Michael W. Smith on his Christmas tour. Smith’s “It’s a Wonderful Christmas” tour, also featuring The Katinas, launches tonight at Binghamton’s Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena……….
Josh Gracin At JMU
James Madison University got a special visit from a former American Idol finalist Wednesday night.
Second season’s Josh Gracin was on campus singing to hundreds of fans.
He shared the stage with a couple of other country music artists, and he even took the time to speak with News 3 about his fans, and how it felt to be in Virginia.
“They’re the greatest fans in the world. All country fans are. They really support country music, and are really loyal.
A country singer could have one huge album and be touring ten to fifteen years off just one album.
Its amazing how loyal country fans are,” says Gracin who was a fourth place finalist during the second season of american idol.
For the Record
JORDIN SPARKS ‘JORDIN SPARKS’ (19 RECORDINGS/JIVE)
There are some notable firsts associated with the winning debut of this year’s “American Idol.” Sparks, who is nearly 20, is the first victor to join the producer’s label rather than Sony/BMG with a championship disc not exec-produced by Clive Davis.
Maybe Clive’s scared to get into a Kelly Clarkson catfight with Sparks. Maybe the one-time Christian balladeer with the powerful lungs and the relaxed R&B melodic style had her own ideas. Everything from the tender trap of “See My Side,” with its subtle vocal harmony flourishes, to the tremors of “God Loves Ugly” shows Sparks’ mark.
Her debut’s most potent display — she was 17 when she recorded this — is the teen-pop-hop of “No Air,” a breathlessly silly thing she did with Michael Jackson clone Chris Brown. Then there are dear electro-pop tracks like “Shy Boy” (produced by the same team that did most of Britney Spears’ “Blackout”) that manage to show the soulful sweet side of Euro-dance that Britney can’t ever entertain again. It’s a charming effort. Sparkly, even.
Debut makes Sparks fly
America got it right with Jordin Sparks when they voted her the next “American Idol.”
She is living her show-winning single “This Is My Now.”
Sparks made her awards show debut on the American Music Awards/American Idol Awards show. She was a presenter on the telecast, but all she needed to do was smile to win over the audience.
I say “American Idol Awards Show” because “AI” alumni dominated the categories and acceptance speeches. Jordin should have taken notes because she may very well be up on that stage next year.
Sparks’ self-titled debut CD on Jive Records is exactly what it should be - a pure pop record. It’s not flashy, nor out of her league. I would describe “Jordin Sparks” as the perfect teen/tween album. She definitely knows where she belongs in regards to her music………
No Spark For Jordin
Completely vindicating what some have called my irrational hatred for Jordin Sparks, her album debuted this week to what could only be generously termed a luke-warm reception. According to early unofficial numbers, Jordin Sparks’ self-titled debut album will pop into the Billboard charts at number ten this week, selling just over one hundred thousand copies. That’s less than half of what Taylor Hicks’ album moved last year……….
Simon Cowell planning to give ‘Talent’ the ‘World Idol’ treatment
That’s the question Simon Cowell is apparently planning to ask a worldwide audience via The World’s Got Talent, a World Idol-like global competition that will assemble different Got Talent winners from various countries and pit them against one another to find the most talented person on the planet, the U.K.’s The Sun newspaper reported Tuesday.
“We have been thinking about doing this for a long time,” Cowell, who created the America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent concept that has also spawned editions in numerous other countries including Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, and Sweden, told The Sun. “The planet has been crying out for a world talent competition.” ……….
BNA Recording Artist Kellie Pickler to Entertain Troops on USO Tour to Persian Gulf
Country musicsinger/songwriter Kellie Pickler will soon travel to the Persian Gulf toperform for service members as part of a USO/MNC-I entertainment tour. Thisis the first USO tour for Pickler, who will show her gratitude to troops byperforming songs from her current album, posing for pictures and signingautographs. Pickler will also visit with armed forces personnel and share herexperiences since her days as a contestant on Fox Network’s “American Idol.” …………
Blake Lewis: ‘I Love Older Women’
Blake Lewis is bonafide cougar prey according to a new interview with the “American Idol” runner-up.
Blake told MSNBC since he shot to fame on the reality competition show, the older ladies have sought him out romantically.
“I got a little bit of that, some cougars definitely . . . I love older women so it was fantastic,” he told MSNBC….
Dave Koz helps bring the frosty glow to Florida
….This year’s band includes contemporary jazz singer and guitarist Jonathan Butler, basketball pro-turned-bassist Wayman Tisdale and American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke. Koz tapped Locke, the Season 2 runner-up to Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, to sing Please Come Home for Christmas on the Memories album. Live, she also performs The Other Side of Christmas, a less rosy picture of the holidays. Koz described Locke’s stage presence as commanding — “She’s just belting it out,” he said — and he praised her “great ears and great work ethic.”….
Jordin Sparks’ debut album sells only 119,000 copies in first week
Jordin Sparks’ self-titled debut album has debuted at No. 10 on this week’s The Billboard 200 album sales chart after selling only 119,000 copies during its initial week of release, according to Nielsen Soundscan data for the week ending November 25.
The American Idol sixth-season champ’s debut album sales numbers represent the lowest first-week debut album sales of any former Idol winner. “Jordin Sparks’” No. 10 ranking also ranks as the lowest initial Billboard 200 chart placement for any former Idol winner’s debut album, according to Billboard…..
Country star, Larry the Cable Guy coming to Johnstown
…Known for hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “I Left Something Turned on at Home,” Adkins will be joined on stage by “American Idol” finalist Bucky Covington and new country artist Justin Moore….
The Nightmare Before Xmas: Sanjaya to Sing Again
Dust off those pony-hawks and put on your earplugs, because “American Idol” wannabeen Sanjaya Malakar (’memba him?!) is about to start “singing” again!………
Holiday shows fill the airwaves
Here is a partial list of programming — including old and new shows — for network and cable stations.
…Christmas in Washington, Ne-Yo, Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Jackson, Andrea Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Heather Headler and Katharine McPhee, with Phil and Robin McGraw, hosts, 9 p.m. Dec. 12, TNT…
Aiken molds his own way
‘Idol’ singer, set to perform his holiday show in D.C., embraces his lack of cool in an effort to just be himself
….”If I tried to be cool,” Aiken says, “it would be like your parents using slang and sounding weird.”
He’s fought with managers over his image and argued over song choices, saying that many of the songs that were proposed to him were great, but they were better suited for Justin Timberlake or Maroon 5.
Aside from an occasional change in hairstyle and wardrobe, Aiken says he hasn’t tried to reinvent himself or his music to compete with pop music’s edgier leading men.
And he admits that it would be odd for people to bump and grind to one of his songs…..
Related Posts
pj posted the link to Blake’s official website near the end of last night’s thread…the bio on there has a lot of new information about his album for anyone that’s interested.
Oh & here’s a new myspace bulletin from him:
You can hear 30 second clips of Audio Day Dream: here
I think his voice sounds like shit (which is why I could never get into him). It sounds so amateurish. All of the ballads sound like a reprisal of “This Is My Now”.
The ONLY track I like is “Here’s My Hello”
It’s great that Kellie Pickler will be doing a USO tour. Elliott’s USO tour will start February 11, 2008.
I’m very proud of them for doing this. The service men and women really appreciate the visits and shows.
ok i’ve listened to the clips of blake…and quite frankly what is it thats so “new genre” about it?
sounds just like a rehashing of justinT, maroon 5 and others but with much much poorer vocals and odd noises
good luck to him but not my cup of tea
Thanx Tony.
I don’t like Break Anotha, but I actually do quite like the sound of some of Blake’s other songs from these clips (like “Hate 2 Love Her”). He may not have the strongest set of pipes but I think he’s as good as some other male pop singers out there. I’d buy at least a few of these tracks anyway.
*Shameless Self-plug*
Buying iTunes tracks? Click the links on my site! I get a commission. Thank yew!
*End of shameless self-plug*
And I found Carrie & Jordin’s SoundScan numbers and posted them at Pulse:
UNDERWOOD*CARRIE CARNIVAL RIDE 141,406
SPARKS*JORDIN JORDIN SPARKS 119,119
I like Whatcha got to lose better than break anotha.. and I like the intro and outro better than some of his other songs…i.e., surrender…
I ptefer Josh Groban over Ellliott because I think he can sing better and has more of the It factor. I prefer Elton John or Bruce than any of them. I did not think any of season 5 were they greatest singers of american idol and the reminded of passed contestants. People have diferent tastes and opions on music or art it does not make them worng at all. Blake and Jordan time will tell the same with the others it is only thier first cd out.
Last Season they may have payed more attention to the guests but it was more focued on singing and music than backstores or anything else than 5.”Singing contest”(thier are better singers out their than jt.) “I can find 12 singer better than the ones on AI” one seems to contradict but like politics find a quote to support your argument.
Blake’s CD: I love the intro and outro, and I love the clip I heard of “How Many Words”! So far that sounds like it might be my favorite song on the cd, can’t really say until I hear the whole thing, but I love the sound. I do like “Break Anotha” and “Know My Name” too.
Are all these journalists joking about this like we did during idol. I think this is the third time I’ve seen her age referenced in an article in the past two weeks. Do they know that Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers - you know, the ones with the sold out tour, are all younger? I’m not for one second saying they’re better than Jordin but for Lord’s sakes STOP TELLING US HOW OLD JORDIN IS!
Kelly Clarkson got an excellent review from her performance last night in the Atlanta, GA area:
http://www.myajc.com/post/idolblog/1129_kelly_clarkson_rocks_cobb_energy.html#comments
I am tackless but to give kudos for a “Queen” Elliott did a good job with his second place for me would be Bo singing accapelo. Thier was only one Freddy Mercury though …I will wait and see how the contestants cds comming out are like.
HSM2 just surpassed Daughtry for the album of 2007..Man disney knows what thier doing..I saw Ashley Tisdale sing shw was fun to watch .
Corrections—>A song by the band “Queen” …
I am waiting to see the upcomming first and second cds of contestants.
Off to vacation now and some typing lesson is a must .. I need to clear head of season 5 stuff going on which making a bad taste in my mouth.
Apparently Elliott had a great appearnace on Montel today. I haven’t been able to see it yet… It comes on at 1 am here - geesh!
Off topic but wondering… where’s Lisa Tucker? And Ace - where is your cd?????????
Elliott was amazing on Montel’s show, Lu. You will be proud.
Gabam - I dont doubt for a minute that he was amazing. I can’t wait to see it! :)
‘American Idol’ loses its juice, Sparks album tanks
The latest “Idol” winner Jordin Sparks is selling worse than Taylor Hicks, the previous year’s winner…
Sparks was the youngest winner of the series. She secured a deal with Jive, which has a track record of breaking young R&B/pop superstars, including Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.
But the magic has stopped…
m & c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rw2nGFYC38&feature=related
Since there are some Josh Hoge fans here I thought you may appreciate this. I think it’s about 2:20 in… yep, he’s the gecko.
Done!!! Downloaded tonight. I download quite a bit from itunes. Now that I know you get a commission, I’ll always use the link from your site! Cool!
Lu, Thanks so much for the clip. I loved seeing Sway so into the music. It’s sweet to think that two years after their Hollywood week these two have stayed friends. Boo, to AI for dropping the groups. One of my favorite parts of the show.
Glad you enjoyed that jpfan! It was really something being there - everyone was having so much fun! I agree with you about the groups… boo.
Triple boo! on doing away with the groups! What are they going to replace it with, anyway?