Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
New “Idol” Sex Tape: It Gets Worse for Jessica Sierra
Just when Jessica Sierra thought that facing eleven years in prison was the worst news of the week, the “American Idol” finalist learned that a major porn company has obtained a sex tape featuring Jess — and they’re preparing to distribute it……
Tampa ‘Idol’ finalist faces rehab
Former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a weekend fracas with three Tampa police officers outside a nightclub……..
Lawyer wants time to check out rehab options for fallen ‘Idol’
Former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra will remain in jail at least a couple of more weeks for her latest dust-up with police.
Sierra, 22, pleaded not guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges of disorderly intoxication and obstructing an officer without violence. She also denied violating the probation she began Nov. 19.
Defense attorney John Fitzgibbons said he doesn’t anticipate contesting the charges but asked Hillsborough Circuit Judge Daniel Perry for more time to seek out potential rehabilitation options.
“There’s a very significant drug and alcohol dependency issue here,” Fitzgibbons said……….
Branching out, but playing it safe
….Surprise omissions in the top categories included Grammy favorites Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, neither of whom was recognized for album of the year, an award Springsteen has never won. “American Idol”-spawned best-seller Daughtry was overlooked in the best new artist category. All three were recognized in other categories, however.
more stories like thisInstead of Daughtry, Grammy voters gave surprising nods to unsung soul singer Ledisi and youthful pop rock quartet Paramore. The other new-artist nominees - Winehouse, indie-gone-mainstream darling Feist, and wide-eyed country teen Taylor Swift - were shoo-ins….
Writers Talks Get Dose of Reality
….The guild announced Thursday it would picket FremantleMedia North America, producer of “American Idol” and other reality fare, to call for improved conditions for those working on reality and game shows.
A call to FremantleMedia for comment was not immediately returned…..
Awards look to West
N.C. artists also get Grammy love
….North Carolina “American Idol” alumnus Chris Daughtry heads up a large group of nominees with four each, a pack that includes Akon, Bruce Springsteen and Feist. Daughtry’s nominations include a nod for best rock album, but he was snubbed in the best-new-artist category.
Also on the North Carolina “American Idol” tip, High Point’s Fantasia picked up a nod for best contemporary R&B album….
Chuck Tilley heads to Hollywood
….Ever since childhood, Tilley knew he was interested in music.
“As a child, my radio was always on so I learned hundreds of songs at a very young age,” he said. “I could hear something once or twice and then have it.”
Twenty years later, Tilley is playing in many more places than his old stomping ground in Tuscaloosa.
Tilley and his Nashville-based band, Sixwire, are competing on the first season of Fox’s “The Next Great American Band,” from the producers of “American Idol,” in which 12 bands compete for a contract with 19 recordings and the title of the “Next Great American Band.” ….
‘COLOR PURPLE’ HEADED BACK TO THE BIG SCREEN?: Oprah’s considering adapting Broadway musical.
….Barrino has extended her stay in the Broadway production with vocalist Chaka Khan, R&B singer Bebe Winans and fellow “American Idol” finalist LaKisha Jones set to join in January. A national tour features Tony nominee Felicia P. Fields, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child and another “American Idol” alum LaToya London
“Breaking Anotha” Idol
….There were good aspects of the album that should not be overlooked. One of the main producers and writers for the album was One Republic frontman Ryan Tedder, who penned the salient hit “Apologize.” But none of the tracks reach the frankness of “Apologize,” instead quipping about Lewis’ ability to pick up a girl in a club. The effort should still be applauded, though. Two tracks did save the record from total oblivion: the catchy “Gots to Get Her,” which uses the melody of the Irving Berlin classic “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” and the dreamlike “How Many Words.” Unlike the other songs, Blake lets the music come naturally, skillfully utilizing contemporary elements to showcase his best assets. Despite these two tracks, Audio Day Dream will probably be left dusty and untouched on the shelves of Best Buy, next to those of predecessors Justin Guarini and Clay Aiken.
The Reliable Source
…..So, Francis Ford Coppola– who last weekend paid tribute to Kennedy Center honoree Martin Scorsese — phoned our colleague J. Freedom du Lac for a scheduled interview yesterday.
“Are you still in Washington?” asked du Lac.
The director responded: “Was I in Washington?”
“Uh, yeah. Sunday. For the Kennedy Center Honors.”
“Right!” Coppola said. “I wasn’t really there. I got there and they said, ‘You’re on in two minutes.’ ” After his Scorsese speech, he said, he turned around and left town.
Seems that’s how it goes for a lot of the stars who turn out for the annual show. One exception: American Idol Jordin Sparks , who stayed past 1 a.m. to sing for the stragglers on the post-gala dance floor (”Crazy,” “At Last”). But she’s still new at this game . . .
Grammy nominations good news for West
….Many expected Bruce Springsteen’s muscular “Magic” to land on the list, but The Boss will have to be satisfied with his four nods for Best Solo Rock Vocal and Best Rock Song (”Radio Nowhere”), Best Rock Instrumental Performance (”Once Upon a Time in the West” from the “We All Love Ennio Morricone” tribute disc) and Best Rock Album (”Magic”).
In two of those categories — Rock Song and Rock Album — Springsteen faces tough competition from former Virginian Chris Daughtry. The “American Idol” castoff from 2006 has been the biggest-selling nonwinner in the show’s history, with the self-titled debut album from his band, Daughtry, moving more than 3.3 million copies. His family still resides in Fluvanna County.
Commercial success is now linked to critical acclaim, as Daughtry picked up four nominations: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (”Home”), Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (”It’s Not Over”), Best Rock Song (”It’s Not Over”) and Best Rock Album (”Daughtry”), where, along with Springsteen, he’ll compete against stalwarts John Fogerty, Foo Fighters and Wilco….
Jack-o still thrills after 25 years
….Pop stars today are not forged in the music scene, they are manufactured (ahem, “American Idol”). Performers, though the winners and runners-up may be, these new individuals are not molded from years of releasing singles and albums with the risk of them flopping, only to be dropped from a label a year later. Instead, they are automatically pushed to the front of the line via one of the biggest shows in TV history and have (relatively) no fear of failing in the music business….
Grammys love Kanye West, Amy Winehouse
….he Grammys are always a little curious, and Thursday’s nominations were no different. Among the major snubs were Springsteen, a Grammy favorite who was thought to be a contender in several of the biggies. Springsteen ended up with four nominations, but was shut out of the major categories.
Also overlooked was Daughtry, the “American Idol” contestant who earned four nominations — including Best Rock Album (”Daughtry”) and Best Rock Song (”It’s Not Over”) — but was bafflingly passed up in the Best New Artist category….
Real Winners
“Idol” worlds are colliding.
Two guys who didn’t win “American Idol” but who went onto huge music careers are both in concert here … on the same night.
But Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry won’t be sharing a stage. Which is a shame, because who wouldn’t want to enjoy the absurdity of Daughtry doing some serious vocal shredding on Aiken’s “Invisible” or Aiken turning, well, any of Daughtry’s rockers into odes to easy listening.
So, they will remain separate but equal.
Aiken will be crooning his Christmas cheer at a holiday concert at Mohegan Sun Arena. Daughtry will be doing his straight-ahead rock thing at Foxwoods’ Fox Theatre………..
Grammy nominations carry a Springsteen surprise
….I did get a chuckle over Daughtry’s “It’s Not Over” showing up in Best Rock Song, because the former “American Idol” contestant shares space with the Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen and the White Stripes, all critically approved.
Way to go, Idol Boy.
Franklin County’s Clark Brothers compete on reality TV
For seven weeks now, three Franklin County boys have been on prime-time TV.
But you probably didn’t know. Neither does the rest of the country.
The picking and singing Clark Brothers — Ashley, Austin and Adam — are trying to climb back to the upper limits of the music charts. They’ve been there before — back then, they were known as the Clark Family Experience. But a record label dispute ended with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, and the six-brother band eventually became three.
These days, the three are wowing judges and audiences on Fox TV’s “The Next Great American Band,” which airs Friday nights at 8. But ratings have been poor for the show, which was the brainchild of the producers behind monolithic “American Idol.”………
Interview With “Next Great American Band” Contenders Trés Bien!
Retropop band Trés Bien! made it through five rounds of “The Next Great American Band,” and were eliminated before getting to play in last week’s Rod Stewart challenge. Their exit was the second surprise in two episodes for me: I’d expected big-banders Denver And The Mile-High Orchestra to go both times, but first Franklin Bridge and then Trés Bien! got the axe instead.
One advantage of being off the show, though, is that Trés Bien! are now free to do interviews and gigs as they please. I spoke with guitarist Michael James Crowe this morning, and although disappointed to have left, he said he was glad for the exposure his band has gotten…….
Carrie Underwood: ‘I Don’t Do Stomach… Nobody Wants To See That!’
Carrie Underwood has vowed never to bare her belly on stage.
In a new interview with Glamour magazine, the former “American Idol” champ said despite her slim figure, you won’t be seeing her flashing her tiny tummy…..
Local man hangs on in TV band battle
A local man is still hanging on. His band is in the top five on “The Next Great American Band.”
Justin Carpenter, 24, plays trombone for Denver and the Mile High Orchestra (DMHO).
The show airs today at 8 p.m. on FOX. Viewers will find out if DMHO will stick around for another week or be sent home.
Last week, the theme was Rod Stewart songs. DMHO played “Baby Jane,” which got mixed reviews…..
Sanjaya, Hannah Montana, 50 Cent, Kanye West And Others Had Us Fooled, In Our Year-End Top 10s
Radiohead and ‘The Sopranos’ also made sure we had more than our share of forehead-slapping moments in 2007.
You’d think in this age of instant Internet searches and round-the-clock news coverage, we’d all be super-savvy and cynical about the world around us. But in 2007, we had more than our share of forehead-slapping moments when we realized — oof! — we’d been duped again. Of course, politicians will always lie to our faces; world leaders will always deny the existence of nuclear weapons, human-rights violations, privacy laws and/or homosexuals in their countries; and Britney will always tease us with the hope that she will eventually pull it together for a real comeback. But for this list, we’ll concentrate on all those times the wool was really pulled over our collective eyes………
American Idol: Season Seven Starting Without Sparks
The scandal. The bad singing. The fierce competition. Last year’s American Idol had all the ingredients for high-ratings reality success, but will FOX be so lucky in Season Seven?
Sweet-faced, young Jordin Sparks was declared last year’s winner, but her new album has gained dismal sales. In fact, Sparks has released the lowest-selling Idol debut album in the entire history of the show. Have fans lost interest?…..
‘Idol’ runner-up Blake Lewis creates ‘album I wanted to make’
Not since Chris Daughtry has an “American Idol” contestant had a legitimate shot to break big after the season’s conclusion. Among Season 6 contestants, Blake Lewis appears to be the one—especially after winner Jordin Sparks’ album debut, “Tattoo,” sold an anemic 119,000 copies in its first week of release.
Why? While Sparks has the superior voice, she just doesn’t have “it.” Sweet, likable girl, but in no way groundbreaking…..
…..A quick warning for Lewis: Kelly Clarkson made the album she wanted to make, too, but it was by far her least successful.
Still, Lewis’ first single is the addictive “Break Anotha.” And much like his performances on “Idol,” it’s as infectious as it is difficult to ignore. In addition to bending his voice as if it were on a turntable, the song is signature Lewis: predominantly pop influenced by R&B, it’s even got a bridge that busts out some ska-influenced saxes. No “Idol” alum could or should ever attempt this song other than Blake.
Will it translate into something bigger? Only time will tell.
But if Blake fails to connect with a niche audience, even more pressure will be placed on Season 7 contestants, who are, of course, the “best” ever.
Review: Chris Daughtry at Nokia Times Square
In front of a sold-out crowd Tuesday night Chris Daughtry, erstwhile American Idol finalist and current rock juggernaut, took part in the most harrowing of concert rituals: He tried out new material on the road. The song in question was called “Back to You,” and, like many of Daughtry’s others, it was about breaking up - both romantically and emotionally. His introduction of it was noticeably guarded. “It would make me very happy if it ended up on the next record,” he said, “but if you guys think it sucks, I don’t want to hear any noise afterward.”
From any other musician this would be empty banter, but Daughtry has good reason to defer to his audience. While most of his peers struggle to sell into six digits, Daughtry’s debut has moved well over 3 million copies. Last month, those same fans took up the perilous hobby of Internet voting, and as a result Daughtry - both the man and the band that shares his name - ended up with a trio of American Music Awards. Where many of his contemporaries play to niches, Daughtry casts his net wide. There’s no such thing as a typical Daughtry fan: He appeals to teenagers and to their parents, to men and to women. Above all, he appeals to couples (and, based on their behavior Tuesday night, he helps the members of those couples appeal to one another). He’s the lug with the cotton heart, instilling lumbering hard rock with relentless vulnerability.
Which doesn’t make for riveting listening. There’s nothing wrong with Daughtry’s songs, but there’s nothing much right about them, either……..
Q & A: Richmond’s favorite Idol, Elliott Yamin, speaks
Tonight in Norfolk, American Idol hero Elliott Yamin will join a set of tennis stars at AnthemLIVE!, a fundraiser for cancer research.
Racket masters James Blake, Serena Williams, Mardy Fish and Tatiana Golovin will be part of the event starting 7 p.m. at the Ted Constant Center at Old Dominion University. Yamin will provide the night’s only musical moments. Co-star Gloria Gaynor had to cancel her appearance in Norfolk due to illness.
Last week, Yamin called from Los Angeles and answered questions about his developing career as a blue-eyed soul singer. Yamin’s self-titled debut CD has gone gold. His song “Wait For You” is at No. 8 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and his new Christmas album is currently a strong seller………
Strange Grammy Nominees: Barack Obama, Tia Carrere & More!
Sure, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse are this year’s big Grammy nominees. But which former Dancing With the Stars contestant is nominated for best Hawaiian music album? (Hint: It’s not Drew Lachey!) And it looks to be a big year for American Idol at the Grammys. Here’s our shortlist of some of the more interesting, offbeat nominations and Grammy tidbits.
Idol Rules!
American Idol continues to dominate at the Grammys. Seven former contestants earned nominations this year, including frontrunner Chris Daughtry with four nods (including co-writing honors with Brett “Ace” Young for “It’s Not Over.”) Meanwhile, past champs Fantasia and Carrie Underwood made the list, as did Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, who was nominated as a songwriter, for “Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls. Mandisa is nominated for best pop/contemporary Gospel album for “True Beauty,” and Kelly Clarkson is up for best country collaboration with Reba McEntire for “Because of You.”….
Kanye drops the Ball: your opinion?
What do you think: Should we sympathize with Kanye West and let him slide for dropping out of tomorrow night’s KDWB Jingle Ball at the last minute? Or should we bash him over the fact that he’s skipping us but has been performing in Europe since the death of his mother?
And what’s your opinion on the rest of the Jingle Ball? Does the addition of “American Idol” beat-boxer Blake Lewis even come close to filling the hole left by Kanye? What about the rest of the lineup: Are Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte, Jordan Sparks and Timbaland and his cronies enough to justify the $37-$127 prices?…………
Disc debuts: ‘Audio Day Dream’ by Blake Lewis
A TRUE MTV ‘IDOL’: As the runner-up to Jordin Sparks on the last season of American Idol, Blake Lewis showed promise as a shameless (some would say aimless) ham of all urban-music trades. From beatboxing and scat singing to plucky hit reinterpretations and alter-ego parading, his confident eclecticism endeared him to many, including the judges. The challenge after season six was to bottle up Mr. Lewis’ dervish sonic wanderlust and present it as a visionary teen-pop manifesto……….
How the field stacks up
….Let’s move to the best-new-artist category, always a Grammy wild card. Relatively obscure acts Ledisi, Paramore and Feist join Ms. Winehouse and teen country sensation Taylor Swift. Most people probably read Ledisi’s name and exclaimed, “Who?” The New Orleans R&B singer’s major-label debut, Lost & Found, followed two independent releases. Lost & Found made a bit of noise, peaking at No. 78 on Billboard’s pop albums chart and No. 10 on the R&B list, but it hardly established her as a well-known name.
Yet where’s Daughtry, the former American Idol finalist who earned modern-rock cred and crossed over to pop with “It’s Not Over,” the huge single from his group’s 3 million-selling debut CD? Sure, he has four nominations in lesser categories but he should have been named for best new artist, too. And for that matter, where’s Bucky Covington, another Idol contestant who released the best country record from that franchise?….
Greenhill man nominated for two Grammys
Chris Tompkins was in the Charlotte, N.C., airport when he heard the news Thursday that he has been nominated for a coveted Grammy Award.
Tompkins, a songwriter and Greenhill native, was nominated for the award for his work with the Carrie Underwood hit, “Before He Cheats.”
The song, which Tompkins co-wrote with Josh Kear, has been nominated for two Grammys……
……..Tompkins said he’s been in Los Angeles writing with former American Idol contestants Chris Daughtry and Kelly Pickler, as well as Jessica Simpson….
Idols and indifference
Daughtry stands with both hands clasping the microphone, staring intensely upwards as if projecting every ounce of his being towards a distant row of seats high in some cavernous arena. A powerful roar emanates from him. It’s the sound of Daughtry singing. “It hurts like a runaway train,” the Vin Diesel look-alike cries as -guitars and drums bawl along in -sympathy.
The song, a deafening hard rock -ballad, ends with the pumped-up Daughtry bellowing, “We want to hear your voices, London.”
The room fills with cheers. The American singer and his band are -performing a master class in stadium rock, even though the setting, incongruously, is a tiny venue in central London, the Scala.
Daughtry, with well over 3m album sales in the US but scarcely 400,000 anywhere else, is trying to crack the UK market.
Success is not guaranteed. US pop may straddle the globe but its biggest names are not always exportable. In spite of the impression that the world is an avid consumer of all things American, there are certain US rock stars whose popularity evaporates once they set foot outside their -homeland……..
Related Posts
Daughtry was left out of Grammys as “new artist” while Carrie was nom’d? Hmm….is Daughtry a new “recording” artist? How do they determine who’s “new”?
New blog from Blake.
Flew to NY, got off the plane, went straight to Fuse, where I met up with my Hommie Jarred Cotter and talked about the album. Today, I woke up at 4am and went straight to the Early Show and chatted it up with Hannah and Harry, then the band and I played a couple tunes. From there I went to Pop Burger and did a photo-shoot/ Interview with OK magazine and went right to rehearsals and had a showcase for Clive Davis. He was thrilled. loved the show!! Rock, Rock on!!
And he added “How Many Words” and “Whatcha Got 2 Lose” to his page. I hope HMW is being considered for the next single. It’s such a pretty song, and it’s performing really well as an individual download on iTunes.
Thanks for all the articles, Lisa. Wow on the number of NGAB articles. The show is almost over and they wait ’til now to do the media blitz?
Grammy’s anouncement only one surprise for me that was Mandisa being nominated because I did not expect it. Ken Barns about sounding famililar about Daughtry and Elliott no surprise there. The writting and co-writting and high cd sellings probably helped the later. Some artist in the top 40 sounding familar who would of thunk.
The Uk article was interesting I wonder how Elliott is doing over thier since his cd is on Amazon Uk? I guess it is not a given if your pop in the USA not in the Uk also. People are surprised..
Oh by the way Mcleans magazine had an article about the Spice Girls. Thier was a contest for cities and Toronto won .I found this interesting from the article “Thier was a high volume of voting from soldiers in Iraq apparently so they would not have to sit threw another USO concert” Sarcasm from a Canadian magazine who would of thunk.
Grrr….WHY should that matter…but, of course, it does.
I’m sure Daughtry was eligible, but maybe it has something to do with the fact that the musicians who recorded the album are not the musicians currently in the band. Maybe the Grammy voters felt comfortable extending the song and album nominations, but not necessarily the “artist” nom.
Or maybe there were just five other new artists who the Grammy voters thought were better. :)
Oh, by the way, I took my Trusts & Estates exam last night, and half the questions were in the form of “Paula has two sons, Ryan and Randy. Randy is also Simon’s son. Simon and Paula were never married as Simon left a long time ago to pursue his career in the music business. Simon married Carrie and they had a son, Ruben. Simon dies intestate. How is his estate distributed?”
I was tempted to write “No Taylor?” on the back of the exam, but I didn’t want the professor to take off points for street-teaming.
Blake fans the big Jingle Bell concert here Kenye West dropped out and his replacement is Blake.
Kat:: I’m guessing the extra credit section of the exam was dedicated to determining how Simon’s illegitimate son, Chrisd, would inherit his portion of the estate?
Kat!!
At least your prof has a sense of humor!
LOL, Kat!
Blake interview. I guess he’s given up on making his own pants.
http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=18067§ionId=2
Per HDD, Blake’s sales are trending up! He’s going to debut in the top ten with 95K - 100K.
YOUR WEAKEND CHART PREVIEW: Caroling Christian Josh Groban will once again run away with next week’s chart with his Noel album (Reprise), with a projected 550-575k. Looks like Tom Whalley needs to send David Foster a Christmas card. Still surging as well are Alicia Keys (J/RMG), who should finish up with 225-250k, and the Eagles (self-released), who won’t be far behind at 200-225k. Disney’s Hannah Montana 2, trending toward 125-135k, has a slight edge over the same label’s High School Musical 2 and EMM’s Now 26, running neck and neck toward 120-130k. Garth Brooks (Pearl) should be next with 100-110k, a 10-gallon hat brim ahead of Carrie Underwood (Arista/RMG) and fellow Idol vet Blake Lewis (J/RMG), next week’s lone noteworthy debut, both in the 95-100k neighborhood. Fighting it out for #10 are Taylor Swift (Big Machine) and Celine Dion (Columbia), who should finish at 90-95k, with the edge going to the kid in the wake of her Grammy nom for Best New Artist. Next week we’ll begin to see how significant the initial Grammy effect will be this year. (12/7a)
And, Blake’s AOL Sessions are up, sort of. Ugh, I *love* “Know My Name.”
I’m amazed at Josh Grobin’s sales. I know they won’t last past Christmas, but still. Wow.
Good for Blake. Hope those numbers hold over the weekend. :)
Official ..
Taylor will be in Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He will receive the America’s Music Award in february 22 2008. He will also be performing as well. For more info ..
http://www.alamhof.org/banquet.htm
Kat-
Did Simon qualify as the “fertile octogenerian”?
Josh Groban could sell 3 million before Xmas at this rate. Oprah looks like she’s trumping AI. Interesting the HDD upped Blake’s numbers. He might even do better than that.
Alabama loves them some Taylor. :) (and Bo Bice!)
ahhhhhhhh..I just love Whatcha got to lose!! I think this album is growing on me :-)
Ealbino, that’s the song C Rich co-wrote. He also co-wrote “Human,” which is really good. It’s only on the iTunes version, though.
I’m listening to the Josh Groban CD at this very minute. It’s good, but not unbelievable. I guess I’m one of the many Christmas-CD junkies.
Blake Lewis’ ‘Day Dream’ a nightmare
Jim Abbott | Sentinel Pop Music Critic
December 7, 2007
I’ll never make fun of Clay Aiken again.
OK, I can’t keep that promise, but Aiken sounds like Pavarotti compared with the derivative tedium that fills Audio Day Dream, the debut album from Blake Lewis.
Lewis was the beat-boxer finalist on the sixth season of American Idol (the one with Sanjaya) and that, as it turns out, is all it takes to subject the masses to an ill-conceived vision of “weren’t the 1980s awesome?”
Some of the ’80s were awesome, but none of that translates in these tired, tinny songs.
Orlando Sentinel
Thanks pj, then I’m off to buy the itunes version too!
I just downloaded Blake’s CD off itunes and I really like it. My Target was sold out of it so I was glad I ended up downloading because IMO the best song is the bonus track.
Elliott joins Rob Thomas and John Mayer in a Special Children’s Hospital concert on 12/20. This is only for the kids in the hospital but they’ll simulcast on the radio.
http://www.wplj.com/Article.asp?id=486220&spid=
It’s looking more and more like Oprah>>>>>>AI when it comes to selling records. Groban looks like he’ll sell more CDs this week than all the Idols on the chart combined.
The new issue of PEOPLE magazine rates Blake’s cd 3/4 stars. They picked “Hate 2 Love Her” as the best song.
People gave Daughtry 3/4 stars as well, and we all know what happened after that…
Last year this time, Elliott could not have imagined that he would be performing at the same event as Rob Thomas and John Mayer a year later. Pretty cool. Great cause.
People keep saying this, but I don’t think it is so. It’s not like Josh was an unknown before he showed up on Oprah. Josh has had several hit records. I’m not a fan of the dude, but I have to admit that he has the voice for Christmas Carols. Many of his fans did not appreciate the new direction of his last CD, and they were ready for someting in his old style. It’s the Christmas season. A perfect storm.
Yes, Oprah can boost sales of almost anything, but she frequently has musical guests. They don’t all go on to monster sales for weeks afterward. Most seem to get something like a 40-50K jump. Maybe 80K.
Josh is on target to be the number 1 album of 2007 within a couple of weeks (he was at 1.54M last week and if the predictions hold, he’ll be at 2.1M by this week. HSM2, the current leader, is at 2.4M and selling about 120K/week).
I’m giving Josh the credit for this one. Right album. Right sound. Right time.
And while people are in picking up Josh’s CD, they might throw a few other goodies in their baskets. Some good news finally for the industry.
Ha, with Terri as an unborn widow? Nah…luckily Florida’s RAP allows a noncharitable trust to run for 360 years, so no such nonsense appeared on our exam :)
Well shit. My hometown newspaper panned Blake’s album. I guess I’ll have to just email that dude and tell him how it is! ;)
Kat, thanks for the snark about street-teaming as I was recently put in that category. I’ll add it to my resume. 75 yr. old fan now seasoned street-teamer.
Grammies thing I ment I could see the point Ken Barns or the voters may have taken. Elliott and Chris may sound simila but so do allot of aritsts..Maybe sales or whatever else is the cause why one not the otherwho knows.
I do want to know if Elliott did release in England I know he went thier for type 1 thing. Why a big thing about daughtry not him.
I like Elliott I just do not agree with some things or misunderstanded actions .I appologize for things said I was a jerk and should of thought it out more.
I just finished watching Movies Rock. Jennifer Hudson sang “Somewhere” from West Side Story and Carrie Underwood sang “The Sound of Music.” Both of these ladies held their own with some very big names in music: Elton John, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige were among them.
I think Jennifer tried to force it a little too much at the end, and Carrie’s voice sounded like it was giving out in parts but they were still among the best performances of the night.
MOVIES ROCK :The dude who “tried” to sing Jailhouse Rock tonight was horrible . Mr. Hicks performance of the song on AI5 was soooo much better than the catterwalling tonight. Yikes , that was soooo bad.
Not to worry. The Blaker Girls already have it covered (the guy is taking on-line feedback). It’s like clockwork. All fan bases are the same. We share more in common than our differences. In a warped way, it’s kind of heartwarming. I feel a song coming on…
xoxoyc
Dec 7th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I just finished watching Movies Rock. Jennifer Hudson sang “Somewhere” from West Side Story and Carrie Underwood sang “The Sound of Music.” Both of these ladies held their own with some very big names in music: Elton John, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige were among them.
I think Jennifer tried to force it a little too much at the end, and Carrie’s voice sounded like it was giving out in parts but they were still among the best performances of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed that show! Very entertaining.
I think Usher deserves an Emmy for his performance of Singing in the Rain.
Kirsten - I really hate it when fans descend on a critic with claws out like that… especially one of a small(er) paper like the Orlando Sentinel. And especially because that dude actually liked Blake on the show. I read his column online every week during the season, and it was almost always positive about Blake. So it’s not like he’s some big, bad, awful, jellus h8r to begin with. He just didn’t like the album, an opinion that he’s totally entitled to.
The dude who tried to sing Jailhouse Rock was Chris Brown. I thought the worst performances were Fergie’s and Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
I finally listened to some more of Blake’s album last night- I thought because it was 80’s stuff I might like it since I loved the 80’s. I just don’t care for the album, and I really didn’t like the Puttin On the Ritz type song.
Oh well…