Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Blake Lewis, Jonas Brothers stay up late in Tacoma
…..Unfortunately by the time Lewis got to the stage, immediately after Jonas Brothers, the crowd had thinned noticeably and much of the anticipatory energy had drained. Lewis still made the most of his appearance, playing a set of songs from his new album. He danced around the stage, sang and beatboxed, while his band played funk jams behind him. He elicited his biggest roar from the crowd when he demonstrated his full voice modulation talents for an extended period of time, beatboxing while adding in turntable sounds and other effects…..
New recordings: Idol wannabe Blake Lewis bombs
Wake up, Blake. Your 15 minutes of fame are almost over. While his beat-boxing novelty act propelled him into the final two of reality-TV juggernaut “American Idol’s” sixth season, this album exposes his lack of actual singing ability. This sometimes shoddy production re-emphasizes his mouth-made percussion. Cool sometimes, but he overdoes it. And, actually, he is not as good at it as some originally may have thought……
Exclusive Interview: Blake Lewis, of ‘American Idol’
The album Audio Day Dream comes out December 4. Are you pretty pumped?
More than pumped. Ecstatic.
How would you describe the feel of the album, and the songs that are on the album, to someone who might not be a fan of yours yet?
Easy. Well, if they were born in the ‘80s they’ll get it. I call it my 2080s record. All of my influences are very ’80s derived: Michael Jackson, Prince, U2, The Police, The Cure, Erasure, New Order, Depeche Mode. All of my melodic tendencies are basically ‘80s driven, so the record has this very electro soul funk pop kind of feel to it, where every song transitions or doesn’t transition into the next song. Just like an electronic mix tape or a hip-hop mix tape. Yeah, there you have it. It’s called ADD, Audio Day Dream. Everyone thought I had ADD growing up just because I’m very high energy and focused…….
Lewis fails to focus talent on ‘ADD’
….Audio Day Dream is an appropriate title; the juxtaposition of Lewis’ fresh sound with several hackneyed pop songs give the album a disjointed feel.
The major problem with Audio Day Dream is Lewis simply sounds like he is trying too hard. Although he is obviously a talented vocal percussionist, his collaboration with boy band producer Clive Davis does not play to these strengths. Perhaps producers feared a hip-hop angle would be too sophisticated for Lewis’s “Idol” fan base of middle school girls; the result is an album that borders on edgy, but in the end remains mainstream-safe…..
Jordin Sparks ignites a frenzy
American Idol’s youngest winner is isn’t into ballads, but she is into really big shows
Jordin Sparks withstood bigger-voiced divas, a blond beatboxer and one ponyhawked nightmare to clinch the sixth American Idol crown. (Cue confetti and crying.)
But the young belter’s pre-Idol life was highlighted by a more modest, practical accomplishment.
“You’re going to laugh at me. Getting my braces off was awesome,” Sparks says. She’s calling from Los Angeles and punctuates almost everyone of her responses with a girlish giggle.
It’s easy to imagine her talking on a jewel-encrusted, pink cell phone on a bed covered with stuffed bears — and hard not to be charmed……
Simon Cowell’s baby split
Simon Cowell’s girlfriend predicts they will split up when she wants a family.
Terri - who is fast becoming a household name in America after presenting reports on celebrity TV station E! - has accepted her relationship with Simon will not last, because he has already told her he never wants children.
She told Britain’s Hello! magazine: “I’ve known Simon’s thoughts on marriage and babies from the beginning. He doesn’t want kids, full stop. But I would definitely love to have a baby………
….Meanwhile, Terri reportedly stormed off the set of a US chat show when Simon was asked which three people he would save from a sinking ship and said himself, his mother and his fellow ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul.
An insider said: “Terri looked really crushed when he said that, and stormed out. Simon didn’t realise he had said anything untoward.”
Blake Lewis’ Audio Day Dream is No Nightmare
….I’m not sure that’s how I’d describe it, but it’s certainly less of a new genre than a heavily-produced piece of listenable pop. If you can remember his lackluster performance in the Idol finale which was blamed mostly on having to sing a saccharine ballad way out of his range, it’s interesting to hear a progression on that front. According to the AP, Lewis co-wrote all but one song on the album.
A Straight-Ahead Rock ’n’ Roll Juggernaut: Are Y’all Having Fun Yet?
He stood onstage, bald and be-sideburned, facing a couple of thousand fans who seemed more pleased than thrilled to be there. He sang, he grimaced, he strummed a guitar, he sang some more. He angled for more applause. He pointed to one section of the crowd and asked, “Y’all having fun?” Yeah, pretty much. To another section: “Y’all having fun?” Sure they were.
On Tuesday night, at the first of two sold-out shows at the Nokia Theater, Chris Daughtry seemed hard working and humble, leading a competent band through a straightforward set of sturdy rock songs. But he scarcely seemed like what he really was: the biggest new rock star in America………
Stars Sing and Dance Up a Storm
….Three American Idol recording stars performed. Anthony Fedorov sang his original composition, “It’s Never Over,” that he wrote for his brother, who passed away last year: “You are the only one controlling your destiny.” La Toya London belted out a stirring version of Donnie Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free.”
Justin Guarini sang Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On,” with a timely plea for peace: “War is not the answer.” Guarini’s mellow falsetto was flawless.
David Burnham (Fabrizio Nacarelli in The Light In The Piazza) gave a brilliant rendition of “O Holy Night,” especially with that booming line: “Fall on your knees!” Jeannette Bayardelle sang the hell out of the number she sings in The Color Purple musical, “I’m here.” All that was just the first act….
Clay Aiken prepares 4th Yule show
When Clay Aiken’s record company proposed the idea of recording a Christmas album, he was hesitant at first.
“My first response was that I would love to do one, but not just yet,” said Aiken, who is bringing his Christmas in the Heartland tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday.
“I had just released my first album and thought we should give it a year, with another album in between,” said the popular “American Idol” finalist………
‘Idol’ show outshines stars
Singers launch careers that fizzle out quickly. The TV show, however, seems to go on forever
Can you feel it?
The excitement is building.
All over the country thousands of talented wannabes, delusional fruitcakes and all talent and mental stability points in between spent at least one full day of their summer standing in a ridiculously long line for the opportunity to be praised or dissed on national television.
Eventually, those thousands will be whittled to a dozen who will sing their heart out for (probably temporary) fame and (a modicum of) fortune.
Their back stories will be carefully prepared in heartwarming video segments to augment their performances, and viewers will get caught up in their triumph and tribulations, although they likely wouldn’t give those same contestants the time of day if they were sitting next to them at a bar.
If you still don’t know what I’m talking about, then you must not watch Fox or any of its affiliates (good for you) because the promos for the seventh season of American Idol have begun in earnest……….
Idol Hands on Deck
It seems the American Idol judges have been far from idle during the off-season.
Randy Jackson told E! News’ Ryan Seacrest Wednesday that he is prepping the release of a new CD featuring a duet with Paula Abdul.
“It’s hot,” Jackson said on Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio show, while declining to provide many specifics about the collaboration. (Listen to the full interview.)…………….
Oprah Helps Josh Groban Top Albums Chart Again; Jordin Sparks Slips To #18
Only two new releases enter the top 200 during steady sales week.
….Meanwhile, the self-titled debut from “American Idol” Jordin Sparks, which opened at a disappointing #10 last week, slipped to #18….
What Makes a Star Fall?
Going From the Limelight to No Light Can Take a Toll on TV Contest Has-Beens
America’s craze with contest shows like “American Idol” has a dark side of young people who enjoy a blast of the spotlight, then fall into trouble with drugs, the law or both.
Jessica Sierra is the latest example.
As a 19-year-old contestant on “Idol” Sierra told audience members that she’d always dreamed of being a star. She wowed the judges all the way to the Top 10, and later went on to tour the country in 2005 with the other season four finalists………
Kellie Pickler Keeps the Cleavage, Shows Off New Trim Look
Kellie Pickler has slimmed down. But her fans needn’t wory, she has kept the cleavage. The rising country starlet caught a lot of grief when she made her return to the American Idol stage about her new cleavage from host Ryan Seacrest earlier this year, but now she has a toned tummy to go with for a killer new look…..
Dork chic
‘Idol’ alumnus Clay Aiken makes best of senior-citizen adoration
Clay Aiken — despite the stylishly shaggy ‘do — still isn’t hip.
“I’m never going to be, and I’m fine with that. We all must embrace our inner dork,” he said in July.
Aiken, who brings his Christmas show Friday to Palace Theatre, has still managed a successful post-”American Idol” career as the soundtrack of choice for enthusiastic grandmothers.
“People always come up to me and say, ‘My grandmother’s your biggest fan,’ ” said Aiken, who just turned 29. “There’s a misconception among these ladies that I’m cool and hip and now. And they think that by liking me, it makes them cool and hip and now.
“But shhh — we aren’t going to tell them that I’m not cool and hip at all.”…………
Caught in the Act!
Carrie Underwood, singing along during the Spice Girls’s San Diego concert. And the Carnival Ride singer was in the power seat – hanging next to American Idol creator and current Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller.
Regular December visitor bringing saxy back
….The saxophonist will be joined on the 10th tour by pals Jonathan Butler, a South African singer and guitarist; Kimberly Locke, an American Idol second-season finalist; and Wayman Tisdale, an NBA all-star turned bassist…..
Related Posts
Taylor Hicks will be performing for a Liberty Bowl pre-Gala at the Peabody on Dec. 28th. It is a black tie affair. Tickets are $175.00 each. The next day, Dec. 29th, Taylor will be doing the half time show at the Liberty Bowl Game.
That ABC News article raises an excellent point. With all the money that AI makes, they certainly could afford to offer a post-show mentor, guidance counselor type to the kids that don’t make it for some predetermined period of time. I honestly don’t think it is the show’s responsibility, but since they are drawing on such a large cross-section of the populace, they are bound to get contestants without the ability to deal with the possible and abrupt downfall. It would be a good thing for them to do for the kids who are making them all this money. Kids like Jessica had problems to deal with before they made the show and those problems will only be exaggerated if things don’t turn out well. There may be liability issues involved, but I think it is something they should consider.
We got it, yep yep, this has been posted at least 3 times now, so like I said last time–you can stop now, SP street teamers. Thank you!
As soon as there is an official announcement, I’ll post the info on the appearances page.
way to go taylor… not bad for someone who doesnt want to be successful :)
Can I still pay Taylor to clean my car after the performance ?
Never mind.
Grammy noms coming in: (so far)
Fantasia for R&B Female - When I C U
Carrie - gets two
Nothing for Daughtry and that’s about it.
Before He Cheats for Song of the Year
Chris, Ace and co-writers got nominated for Best Rock Song “It’s Not Over”. Congratulations guys.
Wow. Mandisa got a Grammy nod for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
Home
Daughtry
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
It’s Not Over
Daughtry
Best Rock Song
It’s Not Over
Chris Daughtry, Gregg Wattenberg, Mark Wilkerson & Brett Young, songwriters
Best Rock Album
Daughtry
Daughtry
http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_Show/list.aspx
Can’t get the link to work, Lisa…
Major congrats to Daughtry, Carrie, Fantasia, and Mandisa!
Kelly, Ace, and Jennifer Hudson all were nominated in sorts, too! Ace for co-writing It’s Not Over, Kelly for her duo with Reba, and Jennifer for Dreamgirls! Congrats to all the idols!
Wow! Congrats Daughtry, Carrie, Fantasia and Mandisa!
Oops. I only heard the noms for some of the awards not all. I’m surprised Chris didn’t get BNA. Anyway congrats to all Idol Grammy nominees especially Mandisa and Ace Young. Represent for S5 guys.
Song Of The Year
Before He Cheats
Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
When I See You
Fantasia
Best R&B Song
When I See U
Louis Biancaniello, Waynne Nugent, Erika Nuri, Kevin Risto, Janet Sewel & Sam
Watters, songwriters (Fantasia)
Best Contemporary R&B Album
Fantasia
Fantasia
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
Because Of You
Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson
Oh Love
Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood
Best Country Song
Before He Cheats
Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
True Beauty
Mandisa
Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
Love You I Do (From Dreamgirls)
Siedah Garrett & Henry Krieger, songwriters (Jennifer Hudson)
http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_Show/list.aspx
Thanks, Lisa. Maybe it’s just not working for me.
Congratulations to all the Idols nominated! :D
Congrats to all nominees! They worked hard to get it.
AIWD!! Woo Hoo!!
Chris was not submitted in the category of BNA, Daughtry was. I can see why the voters might be a little squeamish about nominating the band in this category after Milli Vanilli won it. When 80% of the people nominated have nothing to do with the album, it’s tough to call them Best New Artists. I know that the band members helped to push the album by all the touring that they have done, but so did Carrie’s tour band and they didn’t nominated with her. Just because you call it a band on the album, doesn’t mean it is.
If Chris has submitted himself, I think he would have been nominated in the BNA. Of course, the band was nominated in some other categories, but those seem less squicky than Best New ARTIST and don’t have the history.
Please, I’m not saying Daughtry sucks. I’m just saying that Chris is the one that deserves the award since the Grammys are for “Recording” artists. Not live performing artists. Those other four guys did not record the album. Sorry to be pedantic about that. I’m not slamming Chris at all.
That said, the BNA nominees are a head scratcher this year. Amy and Feist have been around for years and I’ve never heard of the other two (Taylor is new and she is well known). LOL. I hope Amy wins (and if you read the rules, she is technically a new artist)
Congrats to the nominated Idols, especially Daughtry. But if he beats out John Fogerty, I’ll never pay attention to the Grammys again.
(Who am I kidding? I don’t pay attention to them now.)
If Amy wins BNA, I wonder who will accept for her. From what I have read she is barely lucid and canceled her latest tour. So I don’t feel like she will be making an appearance.
I love seeing Ace and Mandisa’s names in the list of nominees! SWEET!!
LOL at simons saying he would save paula instead of his girlfriend. Ive always thought there was something there between those two, maybe just not acted on it. For me, the question is why is Terri wasting all these years with Simon when she knows the outcome and its not what she wants? Ive heard him make remarks not flattering to Terri on the red carpet interviews before and wondered why she stayed with him. From what we see and read about simon, I dont think he will ever love anyone as much as he loves himself lol.
Second verse to that is that I don’t think anyone could ever love “him” as much as he loves himself. :)
Ace and Mandisa — F-A-B-U-l–OUS
More Ace news (finally).
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/dec/06/boulders-ace-young-scores-first-grammy-nod/
I guess the thing with S-Curve fell through. Probably for the best. They haven’t changed their website since the press release that they were back in business this summer. Ace has said his album is done, so I suspected the label was the hold-up.
Also, his 2008 Calendar is available from http://highrollerswithheart.org. All proceeds go to Denver Children’s hospital.
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley did a great job on the song ” Oh Love”. I hope they win it is a beautiful song.
Can’t stand the droning collaboration of Kelly and Reba although I like them both. That song leaves me cold and annoyed. Kelly’s solo version is much better.
My advice to Terri ” Leave Simon ASAP , your treading water and going nowhere. You seem like a sweet gal and deserve better than a “dickwart” like Simon !
Here u go ..
http://www.libertybowl.org/navigation-content-gala
Entertainment by American Idol winner Taylor Hicks
So Ace is going indie???
Looks like it, Lu! I just want some music from him at this point. LOL.
Another coup for Bucky. According to CMT, he is one of 5 country singers that will perform at Country Radio New Faces Showcase March 5-7. According to CMT, this performance is often considered a make or break performance for the artists. Radio programmers attend this showcase, so its a good way for Bucky to get more airplay if they like him. He will sing Different World.
Thanks for the confirmation, KTINTN!