Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
American Idol Winner to Perform at Z100’s Jingle Ball Friday
American Idol fans lucky enough to get tickets to the sold out Jingle Ball hosted by Z100 this Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, are in for a treat. Season six winner Jordin Sparks will be taking the stage, alongside chart-toppers such as Avril Lavigne, Fall Out Boy, Timbaland, Alicia Keys, Jonas Brothers and Boys Like Girls….
CDs mark a first Noel for these artists
….Elliott Yamin, Kimberley Locke. Former American Idol finalist Yamin takes the contemporary route (including a couple of new songs and a staple by his idol Donny Hathaway) on The Elliott Yamin Collection, while Locke’s Christmas (a digital-only release) is more traditional (albeit including Wham!’s neo-standard Last Christmas).
Yamin’s eight-song package is part of Target’s Sounds of the Season series, along with six-song mini-LPs by teenage country sensation Taylor Swift (who covers Eartha Kitt’s Santa Baby) and U.K. hitmaker KT Tunstall (more into hipper seasonal favorites by The Pretenders and The Pogues)…..
Daughtry Shows Just How Limited His Talent Really Is
…..Bounced off the show as one of four remaining finalists in May 2006, he fit the image well enough to land a record deal, and his self-titled 2006 debut has sold more than 3 million copies. Last week, he was nominated for four Grammys.
Yet his performance Sunday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino was never more than a wan rehashing of conventions cribbed from the past 20 years of hard rock, with a particular (and unfortunate) emphasis on the late ’90s and early ’00s. His songs have all the dour angst of nu-metal, but without the bite.
In fact, the 75-minute concert felt at times like Daughtry was still trying to impress the “American Idol” judges as he strove to demonstrate his range, which is limited.
With a shaved head and scruffy cheeks, he looked the part. But Daughtry is an average vocalist — and not much of a songwriter, either, if you prize originality…..
Phil Stacey Signs to Lyric Street
American Idol season six finalist Phil Stacey is working with producer Wayne Kirkpatrick (Little Big Town) on his debut album. After his stint on the hugely popular show, Phil embarked on a 55-city summer tour with fellow contestants, then moved to Nashville with his wife, Kendra, and their two children.
Phil grew up singing in his father’s church in Fairfield, Ohio, and studied vocal performance at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. In 2003, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Musician Third Class at Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, Fla.
Phil’s album will be released on Lyric Street Records, the label that is also home to Rascal Flatts and American Idol finalist Bucky Covington.
Scoop: Britney’s Five-Finger Discount
…..Britney, Clay Aiken are most-searched celebs
Another day, another year-end list. This one comes from search engine Lycos, which says Britney Spears was its third most-searched term in 2007, and was the No. 1 most-searched woman on the site. Dubious as the honor might be, even more fascinating is that former “American Idol” winner Clay Aiken was the engine’s most-searched man in 2007. Aiken topped the likes of the late Tupac Shakur (No. 2) and pretty boy Zac Efron (No. 7)….
“C” Is For Corny
Last year’s “American Idol” runner-up Blake Lewis has just released the video for his first single, “Break Anotha.” I know, right? But honestly, I’m kind of into the song. The video, however, looks like it cost less than my last trip to H & M.
Franklin Desperate for Berry, Hudson, or Fantasia
Soul diva ARETHA FRANKLIN is desperate to secure HALLE BERRY, JENNIFER HUDSON or AMERICAN IDOL star FANTASIA to play her in a movie of her life.
The Respect singer insists the three women are in the running for the lead role in a forthcoming Franklin biopic, but she can’t decide who would best fit the part.
She says, “I’m still thinking of several people (to star as the singer), and that would be Halle Berry, possibly Fantasia, she’ll be through on Broadway in January, and it could be Jennifer Hudson - you never know. There’s no final on that yet.
“I’m still observing them and their projects. Dreamgirls I’ve watched a couple of times lately, and I’m still just trying to arrive at the right decision.”
Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood to perform CenturyTel Center
Country music superstars Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood will perform March 2 at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City.
The Love, Pain and The Whole Crazy Carnival Ride tour will hit 24 cities and will feature hits from both the Grammy Award-winning artists. The tour name combines the titles of each artist’s most recent album — Urban’s double platinum “Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing” and Underwood’s No. 1 debut second album “Carnival Ride.”……
TV program notes — week of Dec. 23
….Monday, Dec. 24, 10-11 p.m. EST (PBS) “Christmas at Belmont.” The “Christmas at Belmont” concert is a holiday tradition at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., whose music school features outstanding choral and instrumental ensembles that have received high praise nationally and internationally. This year, the annual concert comes from Nashville’s new Schermerhorn Symphony Center as “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle hosts a festive musical collage that includes a Christmas repertoire ranging from traditional carols to classical masterworks to lighthearted secular songs…..
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Aretha’s movie: I doubt it will be made…it’s all in her head and she’s slow to make a decision, hope she decides before the dirt is dug up.
And to mention Halle Berry in the same sentence as Jennifer Hudson & Fantasia — well, that shows you she’s hallucinating.
SQUEEE!!!! Go Phil!!! I could not be happier for him (or me because I love his voice)
Blake is soooo crazy.
According to this Taylor Hicks related blog site,
The 49th annual Auto Zone Liberty Bowl will be played Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. CST at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis.
In addition to Taylor headlining the Liberty Bowl half-time show and the Liberty Bowl President’s Gala the night before, Taylor will be receiving the Bowl’s LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD that night !!
Now, I am a Taylor Hicks fan as you might well know, but at 31, I think it’s too premature to give him the Lifetime Achievement Award ( he still needs to park a lot of cars in the meantime). I’d be happy if they gave it to say, Wayne Newton instead and wait another 25 years to give Taylor his.
Katharine has an exclusive Christmas song coming out on itunes only. I didn’t see the story posted so here ya go…..
It’s really great!
Katharine Christmas song
LBB -
Seems the news release you read misstated the name of the award. It is apparently called the “Outstanding Achievement” award; last year’s recipient was Leeanne Rhimes (age 26??)and “This award is presented each year to an individual or group who has exhibited excellence in their chosen field and service to community. Past recipients include B.B. King, Lou Rawls, Clint Black, Little Richard, Alabama and The Beach Boys.”
http://www.libertybowl.org/navigation-pressreleases-pressrelease20061021
Hope this clears up the matter.
While this is a better range for her, I was put off by the myriad breathy, loopy, come-hither tone to her voice. On “O Come All Ye Faithful?” Seriously? Well, congratulations, Katharine, on turning a song about Christ into your own personal vocal burlesque show. I wouldn’t have expected anything less.
Incidentally, it’s the same reason I’m none too fond of Christmas songs by Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. You want to go sexy, stick to “Santa Baby.”
Who woulda thunk that someone could do a sultry rendition of the Christmas classic O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL ? But there it is !
Wasn’t this Kat song already previewed last year? I seem to remember listening to a clip at Rickey’s before, or is that a different Christmas song?
Re: Taylor Hicks Live in Manila, the Ayala Malls website already put up the promo for the shows on its front page -
http://www.ayalamalls.com.ph/content/ayalamalls.asp
I’m really unsure as to what the audience turnout would be like, though, since the shows will be held on weeknights (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday here) - people here have work or classes (that day and the next), and it is the period of Christmas parties everywhere! - and there is very little time left to widely promote. Oh, well…I just hope Manila shows Taylor some love. :)
Purple,
Malls are the place where a lot of people go to and hang out for shopping and the rest…and at Christmas time, I’m sure there’s bound to be more people than average. The size of the audience will alsp depend on the PRICE of the tickets. If they are affordable ( i.e., not outrageous) and people find it worth purchasing to listen to his music, they will go.
That again will depend a lot on the marketing team in Manila. We’ll see if they’re better than Taylor’s handlers here.
Sure was they remastered and are re-releasing it as a single. She will be performing it at Christmas in Washington tomorrow night.
That clip is what 30 seconds long??? I think it’s beautiful, Kat has a sultry voice, not a crime in my opinion, but whatever different strokes I guess.
Maybe you can judge it again when you hear her sing it tomorrow, or maybe when the entire single comes out, or maybe just don’t listen to it all all. I don’t really care. I’m just posting Kat news!!!
I never knew O Come All Ye Faithful could sound so whiny.
Nanny: Thanks for dropping by to post the Kat news. However, please stick to stating your own opinions rather than commenting on the opinions of your fellow posters. Thank you.
Everything I said says in my opinion or different strokes, I never said anyone had to like it, I didn’t really expect anyone to.
Sorry MJ.
Later Everyone, I think I’ll just stop posting Kat news, it’s probably for the best anyway.
LBB, that is true…there are going to be lots of people at the malls (not as many in Glorietta as there would normally be, though, because of the explosion). However, one show, at least, would be held outside the mall; the Glorietta 4 Park, I understand, is located outside the shopping area (maybe Greenbelt 3 Park, too). But you may be right…maybe my “fears” are indeed unfounded. I truly hope they are. :) I’m probably just anxious because I know/heard of a number of Taylor fans here who won’t be able to make it to the shows, mainly for the reasons I cited above. It’s really just a bit all too last-minute, you know? :s
And oh, if this is anything like in the case of Elliott’s Manila shows, there isn’t going to be any ticket-purchasing; the shows would be free and open to the public, except that the seats would be limited. I was told by the Glorietta concierge people earlier today that they aren’t even sure yet as to whether they would be distributing tickets in the morning of each show (as the mall opens) or seating would be on a “first come-first served” basis (just before the actual show starts).
He sure is. That is truly funny. ;D Did that first thrown shoe hit his face? LMAO
Just for the record, Nanny, I remember liking what I heard before, and I still pretty much like this one…I just said I might have already heard the song before. LOL ;)
Thanks purps, it’s not a big deal. I just think it’s time to move on to season 7. There is no need for me to post news about Kat where it isn’t wanted. It is a beautiful song though. IMO!!!!!!
Peace.
And oh, if this is anything like in the case of Elliott’s Manila shows, there isn’t going to be any ticket-purchasing; the shows would be free and open to the public, except that the seats would be limited
So, it is the Ayala Mall management Christmas gift to the public for their year-long patronage !!
A FREE CONCERT ??
Why can’t we have something like that here ??
The podcast of Elliott’s Atlanta interview is up. Unless he’s misinformed he talks about the second Idol Gives Back show in February. His participation with it is “iffy.” It’s about a ten minute interview and he mentions it towards the end.
Elliott interview in Atlanta
Thanks jpfan. If it’s in February, It’s likely during the Auditions or the Top 24…
I think he says they’re filming the “B” stuff in February which I assume are the filmed clips they use. Maybe they’ll do a what your $ did plus inspirational songs show. Or maybe they’re doing a second telethon. I’m sure this is one thing they’ll announce early in the season.
HDD Final:
9– Blake Lewis 98,017
I downloaded the new Katharine song for my ipod. It’s my favorite recording of hers- her voice is amazing. I can’t wait to hear her sing this tomorrow night.
Those numbers for Blake aren’t too bad- he got a big boost from downloads I think.
Other HDD numbers:
#7 Carrie Underwood Carnival Ride 105,529 15%
#24 Jordin Sparks Jordin Sparks 52,276 8%
#33 Daughtry Daughtry 43,043 28%
I just read the headline about Taylor receiving a “LIFETIME” achievement award.
LMAO! Are you fucking kidding me???
Those numbers aren’t bad for Jordin. She’s not doing a swan dive down the charts so the success of Tattoo is helping her.
It will be interesting to see what they do after the Christmas sales have come and gone.
Tony — in case you missed the note to LBB posted at 11:58 a.m. today the “headline” is another case of selective journalism — see below.
Or a rising tide floats all boats. CD sales look to be up this week.
HDD is predicting sales increases for most artists in the top 50. Only 7 CDs showed a drop in sales (with the largest being the Eagles who had had a big surge the week before due to a 60 minutes special). Increases range from 3 to 63% (and no, not all of them are Grammy related).
Having a hit single doesn’t hurt, but I’m not sure that her sales stability can be completely attributed to that.
That said, good job Jordin on not slipping this week. These next two weeks will likely be the biggest two weeks of sales followed by the lean month of January. Best to rack up those numbers now.
So thier kissing Elliotts but now for the overproduced charity event..
He did not win or make them millions or on the A list anywhere..so thier just kissing his butt.Welcome to Ai good side enjoy. Along with Carrie U and Daughtry.
wow i really kat’s version of that song..
*like
They may be puckering up but it doesn’t sound like they’re kissing… There’s nothing definite here at all… :)
Lu — Elliott is above thier butt kissing ways so are most.
I just find American idols kissing to be either money or deed motivated to show off thier products. I do not think thier finished with Daughtrys or Carrie U portrait yet..allot of smouch marks..Both of them find it creepy I hear.
Have a Merry Christmass lu…..
lol pop :)
I’m pretty happy with Blake’s HDD numbers, although I confess I would have liked to see Blake reach 100K. Still, 98k is closer to 100K than 95K, the updated range given this weekend, so I’m pleased.
It’s good to see Jordin holding steady. I hope Blake can do the same.
Taylor Hicks Bulletin:
Date: Dec 11, 2007 12:30 PM
Subject: Asian Idol
Body: Taylor will be appearing on the Season Finale of Asian Idol in Jakarta on Sunday December 16, 2007. (Asian Idol TV broadcast can be seen on the following channels: RCTI Indonesia, Sony Entertainment TV India, TV8 Malaysia, Channel 5 Singapore, GMA7 Philippines, and HTV9 Vietnam).
Elliott wants to do musicals? LOL. OK.
I hope he does get to go back on Idol on this upcoming season. It would only seem fitting for Idol’s “nicest” alum to collaborate with them during their Idol Gives Back segments.
VH1 did “Top 40 videos of 2007″ tonight. Each video had a little tag line, Wait for You (#19) was “Whitey can Sing “and It’s not Over (#2) was “If you going to lose any contest, lose American Idol.” Before He Cheats was in the Top 20 also but didn’t have a funny tag.
2007 was very good year for radio/video play for Idol. Tattoo will give them a hit in 2008 but it’ll be very tough to match 2007 IMO.
I don’t want to confuse anyone. No definite plans for Elliott to appear on S7 as far as I know. I just posted the interview because he talks about AI doing Idol Gives Back again and wanting to do something with them in Angola.
I listened to the interview. I just think it would be great if he and Idol DID manage to hook up again.
And thanks for sifting out all of the Idol videos in that VH1 video special.