‘American Idol’ Runner-Up David Archuleta Works On Debut LP, Looks Forward To Reuniting With Ex-Rivals On Tour
The ink is barely dry on his contract with 19 Recordings/ Jive Records, but “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta says he’s already writing material for his forthcoming debut — he’s just not sure any of the songs will end up on the album.
“I don’t know about the songwriting stuff for me,” he said at Saturday’s premiere of Disney/Pixar’s “Wall-E” at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. “I love to write songs because it’s a way to express yourself. It’s cool. But I don’t know if any of my songs will be on [the album]. That would be cool if any of them did make it, but it’s a matter of finding the best songs. I definitely want to just write more and see if there are any songs that are suitable for it.”
Behind The Scenes Of The ‘American Idol’ Tour
When the 49-city “Pop-Tarts Presents American Idol Live! Tour 2008,” hits your city, David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Cook, Michael Johns and the rest of the Top 10 will be performing mini-concerts, with just a couple of group numbers thrown into the mix. So each time an “Idol” finalist comes on the stage, it will have an entirely new look.
“I am doing a few things. Actually, I am going to be doing the single, ‘Time of My Life.’ I have been blessed to have that song do as well as it has. I am really excited about it. We pushed it up a little bit to try to make it something interesting for the people coming to see the show and we have a few surprises.”
‘American Idol’ Redo?
Paula Abdul proved she’s still got the golden touch by releasing her own hit single this year. Now she’s telling “Extra” how she’d like to change the look of “American Idol.
Former ‘Idol’ Luke Menard Not Letting Cancer Interfere With Music Career
Former “American Idol” contender Luke Menard is continuing on with his music career despite his recent cancer diagnosis.
In May, it was revealed that the Top 24 contestant from Season 7 was battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and though he has been busy receiving treatment for the disease, he continues to work on new music.
Josh Bucky and Phil Sing Disney
Country music’s biggest stars including three Idol finalists have assembled for the upcoming Country Sings Disney project, in stores Tuesday, July 8. The fifteen song collection features classic and contemporary Disney tracks performed by today’s favorite country stars, including former Idols, Bucky Covington, Josh Gracin, and Phil Stacey.
Bucky Covington sings “You’ll Be In My Heart” and Phil Stacey performs “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” while Josh Gracin sings “When I See An Elephant Fly.”
Ruben Studdard to Have 20 Groomsmen at Wedding
Ruben Studdard is planning a big Southern wedding Saturday with fiancée Surata Zuri McCants – with at least 20 groomsmen at his side, a source tells PEOPLE.
The American Idol second-season champ will marry McCants, 30, at Canterbury United Methodist Church in the tony Mountainbrook neighborhood of Birmingham, Ala., according to the source close to the wedding. A rep for Studdard confirms he’s getting married this weekend.
Katharine McPhee Goes Back To ‘American Idol’ Roots With ‘House Bunny’ Sing-Along
LOS ANGELES — Katharine McPhee has a new song coming out, but you won’t be able to find the tune at your local record shop. It’s a cover song of the 1982 classic “I Know What Boys Like,” it has a “We Are the World”-worthy group of celebrities providing backing vocals, and you can hear it soon — at a theater near you.
“Yes, I will be singing, along with the other ladies,” McPhee said of the track when we visited the set of her August 22 flick “The House Bunny,” which back then was planning to name itself after the song. “[We’ll] be bringing back an old song to life. It’s a lot of fun.”
BLAKE IS LATEST CANNED ‘IDOL’
BLAKE Lewis, the “American Idol” run ner-up to Jordin Sparks last year, is the latest to lose his record contract, according to reports.
Lewis, the beat-boxing singer who was a fan fave during the competition, said in an internet radio interview posted over the weekend that his label, Arista, did not want to do a second CD with him.
Blake Lewis Beatboxes One Step Closer to Obscurity
No matter what b.s. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul managed to sucker America into believing during American Idol’s Season 6, faux-hawked dudes doing white-boy beat-boxing are never cool. Until now, Arista Records failed to get the memo. But since Arista’s finally awoken from its “beatboxing is totally the wave of the future” fever dream, Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis (the scat-man in question) is the latest former Idol to get the boot from a major label. Lewis joins Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee and Ruben Studdard in the pile of Idol cast-offs that not even a Claymate could love.
Blake Lewis dropped from Arista
Blake Lewis may have come in second place on season 6 of American Idol, but he won’t be seeing a second release on Arista Records. A rep for the major tells EW.com that the label “will not be picking up Blake’s option” for any future recorded projects. Lewis will, however, remain on Idol creator Simon Fuller’s 19 Recordings roster.
The news first broke on popular Idol online destination MJ’s big blog, which featured an audio interview with Lewis where he said that, as of three days ago, he was informed he’d lost his recording contract.
American Idol Runner Up Blake Lewis Dropped by Arista
The post-American Idol curse continues, as season six runner-up Blake Lewis revealed in an interview that he has already been dropped by his label, Arista. Lewis signed with the label last August and released his debut album Audio Day Dream in December. The album has sold roughly 300,000 copies since and has not charted any singles. In the interview with Maximum Threshold, Lewis expressed that he never really wanted to sign with a major label but that his second place win behind Jordin Sparks required it.
Jordin Sparks is growing into the music business
Sometimes it’s easy to forget Jordin Sparks is only 18.
She has the big, powerful voice and poise under pressure of singers twice – maybe, three times – her age. She has a natural ease at being onstage, at being in the spotlight.
But catch her behind the scenes or talk to her about real life, like wanting to go to her prom or struggling to keep her room clean, and the teenager comes out.
Do Something and BusRadio Announce New Public Service Partnership
DoSomething.org, one of the largest not-for-profits for teens and social change in the US, and BusRadio, a
national radio network that brings age-appropriate music, news and public service messages to 1 million kids during their daily bus ride, announced a new partnership today. Do Something’s original PSAs featuring top teen celebrities, including Jordin Sparks, Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen, and ways for teens to take action in their communities will be broadcast to BusRadio’s expansive young audience of elementary, middle and high school age youth.
Daughtry to Play Paramount
Guess who’s set to play a special acoustic performance at the Paramount Theater July 21. It’s Chris Daughtry, some guy who lost on some TV show that now sings in some band that’s sold a shitload of CDs.
Can you tell I’m a fan?
Daughtry is a big deal around here since he attended Fluvanna High School. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
Nice rebound for Fox
Fox’s “Kitchen” (8.3 million, 4.0/11) and “Dance” (8.9 million, 3.3/10) continued to perform well, though the Finals pushed “Kitchen” to a season low.
After several weeks in fourth place, NBC jumped to second to edge ABC and was No. 1 in total viewers.
NBC was boosted by its third-season premiere of “America’s Got Talent”(12.8 million, 3.7/10). The reality competition went head-to-head with the NBC Finals and “Kitchen” yet was only down 14% compared with last year, when it faced repeats. Still, that marks the lowest-rated “Talent” launch to date.
‘America’s Got Talent’: The talent is Next II None
People have pointed out the similarities between some contestants on America’s Got Talent and some on Britain’s Got Talent. To channel my favorite character from A Chorus Line, “I never heard of Britain’s Got Talent, I never saw Britain’s Got Talent, I don’t give a hoot about Britain’s Got Talent!” I’m just going to focus on what we’ve got here in America. The few, the proud, the talented… people willing to go on reality TV and possibly be humiliated in front of their friends, family, the First Lady of Rock, a stuffy Brit, a Baywatch star and millions of people.
‘Nashville Star’ recap: Britney & Rihanna get countrified!
Confession country buffs: If I had to whip out my iPod right now and construct Lisa’s Country Playlist, it would contain little more than the obligatory Gretchen, Carrie, and Shania. (Would it be too much of a stretch to include “Sweet Home Alabama,” too?) But even though I’m no country connoisseur, the more I’ve read about Nashville Star through Mandi Bierly’s weekly posts and your astute PopWatch comments — sexual harassment allegations? excessive butt shots of a talentless pretty boy contestant? Billy Ray Cyrus’ facial hair? — the more I’ve contemplated adding it to my DVR lineup. And with Mandi on vacation this week (and a pop-goes-country theme in effect), I decided it was the perfect time to test the waters.
Canadian Idol Recap: The Top 24 Perform, Part II
Is it just me or does Ben look like he stole that shirt and jacket from Zack’s closet? Anyway, we’re on our way to the second half of the Top 24’s performances.
Canadian Idol Recap - Tuesday Night
(andPOP) - Last night, twelve singers gave it their all to fight for the public’s vote and the second group of twelve will do the same tonight.
Jesse Cottam is the first to perform with “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol. The arrangement is what it would sound like if The Bravery did a cover version of the song. His vocals are shaky throughout most of the song. “You chose the wrong song. That song has nothing to do with the way you sing or your pipes. I don’t know what to say except for next,” says Zach.
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Jason Cook, ETonline?
YEA! Congrats, mj, on the EW.com prop. You deserve it , girl.
Whoo Hoo! MJ got props :)
And seriously, ET Online needs an editor. Jason Cook? WTF?
Blake has a new My Space blog. I’ll excerpt the section on hearing the news:
My Space
Hey — Melinda Doolittle just sang for her cousin on the Today show — you know how they marry some “lucky” couple on their show every year? Melinda was the surprise music for the wedding. She really is talented.
Can’t imagine getting married on live TV, but I suppose I’d do it for a great honeymoon trip!
Here’s some breaking news — Melinda Doolittle just sang the first dance song on the Today Show for the “Today Show Throws a Wedding” thing!! The bride is her cousin! The performance was a surprise to the wedding couple.
ETA: Haha, I see I’m not the only one watching it, wfowfowfo! She’s singing a Dreamgirls song now. I’m guessing the video will be on the Today Show website later.
What did she sing? I hope they post it online, asap.
She’s singing again if you turn in now.
“You’re the perfect man for me, I love you I do”
Never heard it before, but it was really good.
How was Blake Lewis voted over this classy and talented lady is going to be a mystery to me. Now Blake, if you didn’t want to be forced into a major label contract, why don’t you just give the opportunity to Melinda?
ET, it’s Jason Castro. There are only two Cooks going on tour.
In DC’s spare time he went to Kimberly’s hairdresser for a new “do”.
http://offtherack.people.com/2008/06/24/david-cook-love-is-in-the-hair/
It s called the way they look or thier appearances Simon Cowell was right “looks” do matter to some degree. If Jason C and Daivd C chubby with gray would they get as far as they did?I hope they would. Simply put it is either society look at Eastenders vs Gerneral Hospital or another explanation. Some fans go on looks while those who do not have the “in” look either have to be very good singers or have another way to grab attention.
Daivd C openly asked Kc for a date which was sweet unfortunately for him he opened a can of worms in the process ..by handing the media a juicy story..
Awww, I liked Blake! But I loved melinda. Still, I am not mad at him. He belongs somewhere that will let him make great dance music.
But I will say that one of the most heartbreaking things about season 6 is the fact that no one picked up Melinda. She is so talented, and so deserving, that it makes me sad just thinking about how screwed up he industry is. How can she NOT be making music somewhere where they can spend real money on her? It’s absurd.
The video of Melinda singing the wedding dance song (”Never Felt This Way”) is up at the Today Show website:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25367117#25367117
ITA. I’m still sad and bitter LOL I still think she’s one of the best vocalists this show has ever had. Loved her so much.
OK, I’ve never listened to Blake, I haven’t watched his season, but just reading his blog entry has clued me in to where the negativity about him is coming from.
I don’t think he’ll be with 19 very much longer with this entitled attitude.
She is very talented, but I think you could tell that she wasn’t going to get picked up. It’s the same reason Jordin/Blake beat her out to the finale. It’s the same reason Blake got a record deal off the bat and Melinda didn’t. Making good music for a label means nothing if you a) can’t find a niche and b) are difficult to market. Let’s face it…image does count. Sadly, in this day and age, being simply nice doesn’t count for an image.
I wouldn’t say that the industry is screwed up. It’s just that video killed the radio star.
based on the description, is the song ‘Love you I do’ from Dreamgirls? I can’t watch the vid. I’m at work
I just don’t think Melinda has the “hunger” you need to become a big star. She’s probably perfectly happy with her life as it is. Blake got a record deal because all #2s get them. That’s a policy they need to revisit since the runners up have a horrible track record. At this point, TPTB have enough on the plate just turning the winners into platinum selling artists. The music biz ain’t what it used to be.
It was nice to hear Melinda again, but, what I boring song.
Yeah, I didn’t care for that song either, but maybe the wedding couple picked it so she had no choice. The second song, “Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls was much better! Click on the video called ‘a song for the newlyweds.’
I thought his blog was very honest and endearing. I don’t know, I didn’t see anything negative in it at all. He seemed very thankful and grateful to everyone.
I also really liked Melinda during Season 6. Awesome voice. I don’t think it is any of the other contestants fault if they made it further than Melinda. I feel the same as other posters here in that it is a shame she was not given a record deal.
Jason Cook? Did he and DC get married recently?
Well, in my opinion, that’s why its screwed up! Think of all the people from the 50’s through 70s that would have never made records if it depended on thier looks. We would be out of some great music. That’s what’s so horrible about hte industry today. IMO. What great talent are we not hearing because they are not wrapped in pretty packages?
So true, so true.
Melinda should go to Japan where r&b artists (and 3rd place finishers) get respect. From an article today on AOL Black Voices blog:
“Artists like Yummy Bingham who never came out in America have product in stores there. And singers like Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, Sean Garrett, Elliott Yamin and others are megastars in Japan .”
While he’s been MIA in the States lately, Elliott’s album is moving towards gold on the Japanese charts. Here a classic artist like her has a tough time and it’s sad.
MJ I apologize if this was posted somewhere here but it just popped up in my google alert
Guitar Hero® Hits the Road with the American Idols Live! Tour 2008
Do not have a beverage in hand when you open the picture that’s included
Archie’s wig omg! and Cookie looks like a 70’s porn star.
Everyone heed that warning seriously!
American Idols of the 70’s?
Wtf?? I looked at the HiRes version, and enlarged it — the group shot, right? Isn’t that the strangest picture you’ve ever seen? What’s with Cook — 1/2 out of the picture and the hair? Whose hair is that coming out to the left side of his head? If they were going to put a wig on him, shouldn’t it cover all of his head?
Strange shit that.
Oh my gosh that picture is funny. What amuses me most is that Brooke looks right at home in her 70’s getup. She can totally pull that look off LOL.
OMG. Thanks for bringing that over. The pic is hilarious, I’m posting it out front!
From that press release
Is Jordin still with 19 or is she just not being singled out? Weird that Kelly who is no longer with 19 is though.
I guess they’ll only name the platinum selling artists that still have record deals.
I didn’t think that Melinda would get a big recording contract coming out of her third-place finish, but I had hoped for a recording contract from someone, maybe Blue Note or something like that. She’s good enough, and with a smaller, more independent or niche label, I think that she could have been a success and put out a string of gems. Sigh.
Maybe Kelly re-signed with 19 and made a new deal with the devil.
I didn’t know where else to put this so I’ll put it here.
I’m watching “I Love the New Millenium” on VH1. Constantine has a gig as one of the commentators on this version of the show. Anyway - they’re currently doing 2004 and they just had a bit on William Hung. Constantine says “He sold more cds than me”. LMAO!
Cookie is ready for ya’ll to lick… ;)
Limited Edition David Cook Postage Stamps
LOL!
Oh, the stamps are worth it just to get to say stuff like that!
Uh-oh, Kim Locke…
Combination Locke
WCT: Of course, I have to ask about “American Idol.” What I want to know, though, is if you caught this past season [ which David Cook won ] ?
KL: I thought this past season was very boring. I was very unimpressed with most of the contestants.
WCT: I’m still wondering how Jason Castro made it to the final four.
KL: He’s cute; that’s all. He looks good in a pair of jeans—you gotta give it to him. But he was as dumb as a box of rocks.
WCT: Yeah, and that’s usually how I like ‘em [ Locke laughs loudly: “I love that!” ] , but not on “AI.”
KL: It’ll be interesting to see what they do next year. I’d like to see them go back to the basics and stop giving them so much in the beginning. It’s like they have nowhere to grow to. Make [ the contestants ] sing the track; when you have a 20-piece band behind you, anyone can sound good.
WCT: It might be interesting if they incorporated a little choreography.
KL: Hmmm. But those people—did you see them in the finale?
WCT: Yes. Poor Brooke White …
KL: They looked a mess…
LOL. I couldn’t resist. ;)
(I just wish I knew where to properly put my apostrophe…ugh! Heh.)
Linked to from a myspace blog by Carly…
‘Idols’ will find worship at Sports Arena
…Once in the finals, life for the contestants literally changed overnight – even when it came to everyday things such as doing laundry.
“The first thing David Cook asked when they told us to put all our laundry in a bag was, ‘Is there any way we can bring our own laundry to a Laundromat?’” Smithson recalled, laughing.
Cook was politely informed that he wasn’t going to have any time to do his own laundry…
Kim Locke? Wow, bitch! *snap* You did NOT just say that? Brooke and Jason? Sheesh. She’s a catty little thing, isn’t she?
grrrr…. Do you think Kim Locke even bothered to meet Jason when she was on the show this year? Frankly I think this interview makes HER look dumb.
(Sorry, haven’t had coffee yet this morning. Although I don’t think those comments would be any more palatable after my coffee.)
And I didn’t watch Season 2, but was THEIR dancing that terrific?
KLo is the new Blake.
What she doesn’t realize is that this season wasn’t about karaoke-style belting.
Maybe she doesn’t understand that and it doesn’t matter to her, but for the first time it wasn’t about belters, but by bringing different musical styles to the table.
I’ll take that any day over the karaoke-fest that was her year. No way could she have pulled off what Cook was doing pretty much every week.
Wow, now that was a side of Kimberly Locke I’d never have thought to see, she always seemed to come across as sweet. But damn. That was really rude and uncalled for.
Kim Locke can be quite the bitchy little thing but one thing she has that can’t be denied. She can sing circles around anyone on S7. I don’t even like the girl but fair is fair.
Actually, most of s7 can sing circles around Miss Locke. But I digress.