Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
“American Idol” Stars Studdard and Davis Will Likely Tour in Ain’t Misbehavin’
Big League Productions, the company that books Broadway musicals for touring throughout the world, is planning to launch a 30th anniversary tour of the Tony-winning revue Ain’t Misbehavin’.
According to the official Big League website, Richard Maltby, Jr. — who wrote and staged the original 1978 production of the Fats Waller revue — will direct the tour as well. Heading the cast will be “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and former “American Idol” contestant and Rent star Frenchie Davis.
The national tour is scheduled for 2008-09, although specific dates have yet to be announced. As of press time, calls left for Big League Productions were not returned.
Family Gras is beefing up the party menu
Like last year, Family Gras in Metairie will take place on the first weekend of Carnival parades, Jan. 25-27, on the Veterans Memorial Boulevard median in front of Lakeside Shopping Center. On the West Bank, the revelry will run over two days, Jan. 26-27, at the intersection of the West Bank Expressway and Franklin Avenue in Gretna.
Even the musical lineup is bigger than last year’s. Among those scheduled to perform are the Bangles, Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, country singers Billy Ray Cyrus and Taylor Swift, Kansas, “American Idol” finalist Elliott Yamin and local favorites Irma Thomas, Frankie Ford, Cowboy Mouth and Amanda Shaw.
Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler & Taylor Swift Cheer On The Nashville Predators
The young blonde darlings of country music, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, and Taylor Swift attended a hockey game over the holidays.
The twangy-trio were spotted cheering with raised arms, along with all the fans, as the Nashville Predators battled the Columbus Blue Jackets on the ice, Thursday at Sommet Center in Nashville.
‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ in Times Square, NYC
Ryan Seacrest, co-host of ABC’s special “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” joined “Good Morning America” to give a sneak peek at what’s in store for this year’s event. Teen sensation The Jonas Brothers and country music breakout star Carrie Underwood will also be performing.
Seacrest first met Underwood on the set of “American Idol” and knew then that she was headed to greatness. “I have to give credit to the judges. They said this girl will be a superstar. She’s won so many awards and she’s broken records in the country chart,” said Seacrest.
“I have a special place in my ‘Idol’ heart for Carrie,” Seacrest told ABCNEWS.com.
People in the News:
Carrie Underwood and Chace Crawford spent Christmas together with his family and a nameless source tells Us Weekly they think Carrie would be a great addition to the clan.Underwood, 24, and Crawford, 22, a star of “Gossip Girls,” have been dating for six months. They also shared Thanksgiving with his family in Dallas.
Album Review: Blake Lewis, “Audio Day Dream”
Where does Blake Lewis [ tickets ], runner-up to Jordin Sparks in last season’s “AI,” fit into all of this? His sound, if you can call it that, clashes with those of the aforementioned “AI” success stories, in that he beat out thousands to make the show’s final due largely to his winning charm and predilection to beat-box his way through almost any song, regardless of genre. It figures, then, that his debut disc is full of fits and starts, vocal bleeps and scratches. Millions voted for Lewis based on his Timberlake-lite approach to not-very-edgy fare by the likes of Maroon 5 and the Bee Gees, and on “Audio Day Dream,” he delivers more of the same.
Singing former Marine finds home on country charts
El Pasoan Christy Dominguez was never a country music fan.
Dominguez did not know the difference between Music Row in Nashville and Death Row in San Quentin.But all that changed in 2003 when “American Idol” contestant Josh Gracin went head to head with Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke and eventual winner Ruben Studdard.
“I could tell he was going to be successful,” Dominguez said. “Good music is good music, period. I never really liked country but for some reason, I fell in love with his voice.”
American Idol News
As 2007 comes to a close, it has been quite the year for Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood. Between the release and success of her second album Carnival Ride, nominations, and awards, you would think that it was good to call it a year. However, Carrie made it on one more “Best of” list before year’s end – ELLE Magazine’s 25 Best Dressed Women 2007!
Cliff Wagner plays a little bluegrass for friends, family at the Blue Parrot
Former Greenwood resident Cliff Wagner enjoyed the national exposure his band got on “The Next Great American Band,” but he also relished being able to perform solo in Greenwood on Thursday.Wagner, the lead singer of Cliff Wagner and the Old No. 7, performed at the Blue Parrot Cafe.
“It’s always good coming back to Greenwood. It’s great to be able to come here and play,” Wagner said.
Related Posts
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My apologies if this has already been posted. This looks like an article released today:
‘Idol’ finalist Stacey signs with Lyric Street
According to Cindy Heath, Lyric Street Records publicist, “Phil has gone into the studio with producer Wayne Kirkpatrick to record music for his debut album.”
Wayne Kirkpatrick is the highly touted songwriter who co-wrote Eric Clapton’s “Change the World” and wrote Michael W. Smith’s “A Place in This World.” He co-produced and co-wrote Little Big Town’s debut CD and his songs have been recorded by Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and Garth Brooks.
Chattanooga Times Free Press
It goes on to say that Phil has recorded 4 tracks already and that the album should be released in April. Interesting that Lyric Records seems to like doing press for their new Idols just after Christmas. This is the time they started doing press with Bucky.
The article also has a rundown of what the other top 10 Season 6 Idols are up to.
Thanks Kirsten!
I was just surfing around the net and found the “official” Sixwire fan club. Andy Childs posts there and on Dec. 22nd, he posted that Sixwire has the same contract with 19 as the Clarks but now it’s in 19’s court whether or not to pick up the option. He also mentions that there is another television show that they may be playing a supporting role in this year (could it be another 19 production?). Here’s a link:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sixwire/message/952
Hopefully that works. It’s in a public section of the message board so I assume it’s okay to post the link.
That is great new for Phil
he was one of my favorites on AI6, so am looking forward to his album. He hit his stride too late into AI6, and as a result he left too early, imo.
Thanks for the Phil news, Kirsten! I bet that will be a great cd. I’ll pick it up for sure, and I know my mom will be really excited too. :)
Jersey, that’s interesting news about Sixwire. I hope they get a contract out of the show too. Thanks for the link.
I agree, jadore! Look forward to his album - his is the only one of Season 6 that I plan to buy. I knew he wouldn’t be standing at the end, but really had hoped to see him outlast Chris R and Blake. :(
Numbers have been thin but here are some download numbers for the week:
LW TW
8 9 SPARKS*JORDIN TATTOO 73350 11 66046 640046
41 48 DAUGHTRY OVER YOU 24628 9 22564 619183
AT40 (Ryans’s radio show) show has the Top 100 of 2007
6 It’s Not Over
12 Wait for You
20 Home
24 Before He Cheats
57 Over You
75 Never Again
93 Over It
It’ll be interesting to see if the Idols dominate radio as much in 2008. I think Jordin will have at least two more big hits after Tatto. Daughtry seems to be slowing down. Carrie’s new stuff may not cross over into Pop. So 2008 might have a smaller Idol representation.
Katharine’s “Over It” wasn’t on the top 100 of 2007? That seems strange since it had much more success at radio than Love Story did.
Sorry, of course it was Over It not Love Story. There were so many “overs” in the titles this year, I blanked.
Phil Stacy going country was intersting because from the get go was not protrayed as a country singer. What if he chose a country song that did not fit? Well it worked for others so why notbut then I sort of thought Taylor would go country also or more adult comtempory .
Mandisa was on the 700 club last night and I do not know if it was a repeat.
Yes I was not a big fan of American next band but it grew on me and I liked the judges more and the format where they had to sing one thier own songs instead of just others artists. It show the audiance a glimspe of them .
I think Daughtry’s new single will be huge next year. It hasn’t gone for adds yet and is getting decent play on HAC already. I heard it again today in the car. It goes for adds sometime in January, the video will be released sometime then too, and the Grammys should also give them a boost.
I also think it’s not over for Blake yet. I think if the song can make it into the top 40 on Top 40 it would really catch on. It’s so close right now.
Liberty bowl—halftime did not show Taylor and The same happened to Kellie P did not show her either.
Thier is a good chance Katherine McPhee (orange) andPhil Stacy (gator) will not be shown..but it depends on what network.
I guess espn and some networks want to talk about the game. The exception is Jordan on the super bowl.(will be shown)
So far sports 1 idols o
I guess thier always is youtube ….maybe I find them thier.
Wait being a sports fan probably will show them for the higher bowl games such as the orange and maybe gator. Thier pimping Phils appearance on the main Ai board also a good sign.
Then again I watch the game not the idols when it comes to sports . I only notice if the change the NA or fall down sorry……….
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20166849,00.html
Ryan Seacrest Ready to Find Romance in 2008
SATURDAY DECEMBER 29, 2007 06:00 AM EST
By Kimberly Lansing and Nicholas White
Gee……I wonder why more rockers?
Oh dear ….if there are more rockers I will have to keep the ole tums handy……..I MUST be getting old! TeeHee Pix
I agree; Blake definitely shouldn’t be counted out. He might surprise some people. I think both “Know My Name” and “How Many Words” could do really well on radio.
If Blake performs Break Anotha on NYE in front of a big tv audience, that’s probably all he’ll need to give that song the push it needs to get going…
Pop, Phil performed several country tunes on the show, and I think that’s the genre where he received the best response. So, I welcome a country CD from him. Lyric Street has done a good job with Bucky. I am looking forward to Phil’s CD. :)
As for Blake, I may be drinking plaid kook-aid, but I also think Break Anotha could catch on. In addition to the NYE gig, he’s doing Kimmel (scheduled) and Leno (rumored) in early January. He may get more than one song, too.
I just wish they could do the NYE gig live, but I guess it will be fake. They weren’t happy, according to the group email from his guitarist. It wasn’t clear to me whether Blake’s singing would be canned or just the music.
As for “Know My Name” and “How Many Words,” well, they both have great potential. “How Many Words” was my favorite on first listen and has done well on iTunes, even though it’s not a single. “Know My Name” is another fave, and the addition of Lupe Fiasco (who has a new album out, too) may help market that song. I know Lupe is not as “hot” as Chris Brown, but he’s well respected and, IMO, far more interesting.
Anyway, I’ll be back in Chicago tomorrow, weather permitting.
ETA: I’m not going to edit “kook-aid.” LOL. I did mean kool-aid, though. ;-)
You mean lip-synched? Wasn’t happy about what?
Help PJ!
Lu, the music will be canned. :( The guitarist was saying he was going to wear boxing gloves to let the audience know. I hope not! Best not piss off the suits!
ETA: I guess they always do it that way on the FOX NYE show? Was Daughtry canned last year?
ETA2: Re-read the email. The music will be from the CD, as dictated by the FOX network. Didn’t say about the singing. It’ll be easy to tell, though.
Incredibly weird if true: According to Chris Sligh the song that Taylor refused to do as his coronation song is Feels Like Tonight which Daughtry recorded and will become his 4th single. Sligh posted this on Vote for the Worst. I looked it up and Daughtry didn’t write the song. What a crazy story if it’s true. Writers of the song are Dr. Luke, Martin Sandberg (aka Max Martin), Shep Solomon.
And Chris’s source would be….?
Here’s Daughtry’s performance from the Fox NYE special last year. I think the music is a track and the band is faking it, but Chris is really singing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rKlYlM7VRA
“Just a little trivia…the song that Taylor turned down as his coronation song was a song that was recorded on another AI 5’s album. Care to guess which one?
Answer below:
It Feels Like Tonight recorded by Daughtry”
He says people on the show told him the story.
Wow - that’s unbelieveable. Taylor - is this true??????????
“And Chris’s source would be….?”
Exactly.
When asked if the trivia was true, Sligh responded “Not sure…I just know multiple people involved with the show told me that, including someone at 19.”
I’m getting the distinct impression that MJ is doubting the story about It Feels Like Tonight…
Not doubting it. Just find the whole premise funny. lol.
Okay, Sligh may be misinformed. Latest update from another poster:
“I just asked my Daughtry fan friend about this and she said that Chris D. recently gave a radio interview saying that “Feels Like Tonight” was supposed to be HIS coronation song if he had won. Yes, Daughtry himself said it was his song, not Taylor’s.”
So I guess Chris Sligh’s story may not be true. Well it was a cool story. So in S5 everyone got a different coronation song while S6 only had one. Well, at least I’ve kept busy while everyone else is watching football. ;)
Lupe may not be as “hot” as Chris Brown, but he’s got a couple of Grammys that help his credibility a bit. ;)
I knew that song was my least favorite on the album for a reason. Heh. That’s funny, if it’s true. But… even I have to admit that it sounds better live than on the album
I actually like “Feels Like Tonight”. To my ears, it’s the poppiest song on the album. It works for me, ’cause I don’t really think of Daughtry as a rock act to begin with. The song has a killer hook.
ETA: Hmmmm. “Feels Like Tonight” just does not suck enough to be an Idol coronation song, imo.
Meanwhile, over in the blue corner, Disney is claiming that they commissioned “Feels Like Tonight” as an original song for a movie and then ended up ditching it because it didn’t work out.
Source? You bet: Variety
The song was written by Martin Sandberg, Lucasz (Dr. Luke) Gottwald, and Shep Solomon. All of these guys have had past Idol experience. Solomon has previously written songs for Clay Aiken while Sandberg/Gottwald have written songs for Kelly Clarkson and Bo Bice.
Lots of stories swirling about this song. I wonder if this is just PR guys trying to get people to chat about it.
As much as I think Chrith Thligh is a butt-speaker, I suppose the rumour still could be true. I mean, once little d was eliminated the song could have been pushed Taylor’s way.
The Variety story makes no sense because it says Disney commissioned an original song from Daughtry. IFLT wasn’t written by Chris unless they mean commissioned to sing on the soundtrack. I think Taylor’s original coronation song was written by Nick Leachy. Anyway, nice to know AI had a good coronation song for Chris. I like it alot. If it becomes a hit(sure thing really), I wonder if they’ll mention its history.
Good to know Chris got to sing on the NYE gig.
I don’t like “Feels Like Tonight” and I don’t doubt it could’ve been a coronation song for someone.
Sligh will never stop, will he?
As for Lupe, I stumbled across this interview recently when checking out the Sound Opinions website for something else.
http://soundopinions.org/archive/2007/feb.html#guestlupefiasco
For music lovers, there’s a lot more there. :) I heart Sound Opinions, especially when they do interviews.
I am looking forward to Season 7, but can’t decide if I want to listen first or not. I feel like I got burned last year with Brandon. I may just wait until Hollywood. I hate the auditions.
I hate the fact that the auditions take up so much screen time while the time in Hollywood will have limited presentation.
I really do love Phil’s voice, especially the rock/pop genre. But if Country Music gets him on the charts, so it be. He deserves the best!
I agree with you. Grammie Kari. I have listened to several idol hopeful’s songs and would love to hear more from them than the silliness of the auditions. The show seems to have turned to a new premise…having so many experienced and talented people to participate this year…(that is if everything *spoiled* so far is accurate!)
I love seeing young talented people perform so it is win, win for me!
Happy New Year, everyone! Pix
So I wonder if we’ll ever know what Taylor’s original coronation song was?
With no real facts whatsoever I think that IFLT was not the original Taylor coronation song which seems to have been written by Nick Lachey. However, it is possible that after Taylor rejected the original song he had his pick of Elliott’s or Chris’ song and chose E’s. That makes some sense and means Chris Sligh isn’t completely full of it when he says T rejected IFLT.
I think the fact that all four in S5 had different songs shows the real competitive nature of S5. TPTB really didn’t know who would win and weren’t stacking the deck.
I’d still love to hear Elliott’s version of DIMYP… I’m really curious. Maybe some interviewer will ask Taylor what his original song was…