Long waits, different looks as 7,000 give ‘Idol’ a shot
Neither an endless line, pitiless fog nor the curious scent of sweet Mexican churros and portable toilets was enough to keep more than 7,000 American Idol hopefuls from the first Season 8 audition.
“This is an awesome experience,” says Tyler Aguirre, 27, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., bundled under a blanket next to his tryout-forged friend, Erin Shelton, 16, outside Cow Palace. “This is a way to say I was a small part of TV history.”
Thousands flock to Cow Palace for ‘American Idol’ shot
Several thousand “American Idol” hopefuls braved the chilly morning temperatures outside San Francisco’s Cow Palace today for their shot at stardom.
The crowd began lining up about 5 a.m. and snaked in a long line through the stadium’s parking lot by the time doors opened four hours later. The 7,000-strong crowd filled half the seats at Cow Palace for a full day of auditions. Danielle Najmeh, 25, of San Jose, who hoped her version of Oleta Adams’ “Get Here” would secure her a spot on the show that has launched the careers of the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and most recently David Cook. “Anything it touches turns to gold,” she said about the show. “Since the days of ‘Star Search’ we haven’t seen anything like this.”
David Cook’s Lessons From Life On The Road
When you’re the new American Idol, you’ve got to get to grips with the pop star lifestyle pretty fast.
And just three months after winning the contest, David Cook has already learned the true value of family, fans and… Lysol!
Right now, David and rest of the AI Top Ten finalist are two weeks into the American Idol Live summer tour presented by Pop Tarts, and David tells OK! he’s loving every minute of it.
More Idol Headlines After the Jump…
Cattle call hits Cow Palace
Dreams of reaching super stardom through the hit reality television show via the help of “American Idol” viewers ended for hundreds of hopefuls yesterday who waited for their chance to shine at an at the Cow Palace audition, but were ultimately turned away.
On Thursday, the first round of “American Idol” auditions were held at the Cow Palace but only a fraction of those auditioning moved closer to their dream. Participants were divided into sections and given wristbands that permitted them to enter the stadium at registration earlier this week. By about 8 a.m., when the auditions were scheduled to begin, the line of “American Idol” hopefuls stretched to the far corners of the Cow Palace parking lot.
Reality Check: ‘American Idol’ Kicks Off Season 8 Auditions
The Season 7 tour’s still on the move, we’ve just begun to forget that David Cook guy and record-label ejections have yet to begin, but a new season of “American Idol” is already under way.
For those of us looking to feed our post-”Idol” hangover, Season 8 auditions begin Thursday. First stop is San Francisco’s Cow Palace — an appropriate location, considering the process of driving potential pop stars to fame is reminiscent of driving a herd of cattle to the butcher.
Only this herd sings … all the time … everywhere. For anyone auditioning, there’s a plethora of places to find “Idol” “do’s” and “don’ts” on how to get past the judges. Here’s my little tip on how to get past the weekend: ear plugs. You’ll thank me.
American Idol’s David Domination Continues
American Idol champ David Cook lugs around his football, guitar and yoga mat while passing through LAX airport in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Runner-up David Archuleta arrived with his manager father Jeff. He just blogged why he’s in town, saying, “I’m in L.A. for the time we have off right now and have had a couple of meetings involving the album, which were fun. Our next show is in St. Louis, and I’m pretty sure I’ve never been there so it should be fun to see the big arch there haha. Anyway I’ll try to get that blog up, even though it’s not fancy or anything haha, so you guys can at least see it soon.
Can David Cook Help FOX Win an Emmy?
Sure, he’d rather win a Grammy, but could Blue Springs native David Cook help FOX win an Emmy?
American Idol’s latest season was nominated for an Emmy on Thursday for best reality show. The talent contest has had a hard time winning the golden statue. But, this year’s finale between the two Davids, David Cook and David Archuleta, generated a lot of buzz.
ABC Invites You to Summer’s Hottest Music Event, ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock’
ABC heads to Nashville to take you to the hottest music event, “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock.” Reigning CMA Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift, former “American Idol” finalist Kellie Pickler and Country Music Star/”Dancing with the Stars” champion Julianne Hough host the special airing Monday, September 8 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Filmed in Nashville June 5-8, the special features performances by some of today’s most exciting Country Music sensations in a four-day party and music celebration: Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam.
In addition to exciting, never-before-televised music performances, viewers will also get the ultimate Country Music fan experience firsthand. In exclusively shot segments for the special, the cameras capture the Festival’s behind the scenes moments between the artist and their fans and follow the stories of several passionate Country Music fans at the festival. Bucky Covington acts as tour guide around the massive CMA Music Festival and shows the festival experience through his eyes.
American Idol Finalist Jon Peter Lewis Releases New Album July 22nd With Bonus Track ‘Crazy Love’
American Idol season 3 top ten finalist, Jon Peter Lewis, will be releasing his album Break The Silence on Cockaroo Ent / Adrenaline Music Group July 22nd.
JPL (as he is known by Idol fans) auditioned for the show with a rendition of the Van Morrison classic ‘Crazy Love.’ After the audition aired in 2003, Jon’s fans began asking for a recording of the song and haven’t stopped hoping for a release. JPL recorded the track and will offer it as an exclusive bonus bundled with the album on iTunes, which is now available for pre-order. The CD will be in stores July 22nd.
Can “Idol” finally win the top Emmy?
Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood Fill the Wisconsin Air With Country Music
There must have been some mistake. Clearly, Taylor Swift should have been the headliner at Country Thunder USA’s opening night. And yet Carrie Underwood somehow ended up on stage at the end of the night instead.
It’s not that Underwood can’t sing, perform or attract an audience. Those facts are undeniable. But Swift was, by far, the Wisconsin festival’s main attraction Wednesday (July 16). She owned the stage, the crowd and the entire sundown performance. And in her typical fan-appreciation mode, she stayed past closing time to sign autographs for the hundreds of fans willing to miss Underwood to wait in line to meet Swift.
But for those who stayed in their seats and/or lawn chairs to watch Underwood’s set, she certainly gave them plenty to listen to.
Carrie Underwood Rocks Out in Twin Lakes
Never one to disappoint with her live performances, Carrie Underwood took the stage - dazzling concertgoers in Twin Lakes, Minnesota last night (July 16).
Without a doubt one of today’s hottest country superstars, Carrie recently told press that, despite her busy schedule, she wants to make sure that she documents her amazing journey so that she doesn’t forget any of her amazing experiences.
Blake Lewis to perform in Mill Creek
Blake Lewis plans to celebrate his birthday by playing a 21 and over show at Mill Creek’s Jet Bar and Grill on July 25.
Tickets are available for $20 at the venue, 800 164th St SE, Mill Creek, or for $26.61 online at www.brownpapertickets.com. The show starts at 9 p.m. Call the club at 425-743-4593 for more details.
Randy Jackson To Launch Diet Book!
But, honestly, how many of us have seen him sitting behind that famous desk and longed to know the secret of his svelte figure?
Well, we’re going to find out anyway, when the Dawg himself publishes his own diet book, The No-Nonsense Guide to Getting Fit, Eating Better, and Living Longer, this November.
Randy, 51, who announced this year that he has Type II diabetes, says he has tried every diet under the Sun, and he swears that his new approach holds the key to the “new you”.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Partnering Is Such Sweet Sorrow
You’ve got to hand it to Jessica. After five weeks of the near-relentless drumbeat of ”you’re not good enough, you’re not as great as Will, you’re not good enough,” she makes it to this season’s So You Think You Can Dance final 10 — only to be felled by some busted ribs. Then not only did Jessica have to sit in the audience and watch Comfort — a.k.a. her replacement, a.k.a. the dancer with at least five lives — give her best performance of the season; she also had to witness the judges rhapsodize over her former partner’s two numbers with by far the best female dancer on the show. If it were me, I’d probably run screaming from the studio
Destination ‘So You Think You Can Dance’: What you missed
During our weekly “So You Think You Can Dance” chat today, inquiring chatter “Leee” asked a very good question: “Why hasn’t Gev gone shirtless yet?” “maybe he has modesty or a third nipple?” offered fellow chatter “SafeTinspector.” But before we could solve the riddle of the overclothed Mr. Manoukian, it was time for me to rush off to the show. “we’ll save that for next week,” chat-leader Claire Zulkey assured us. And we were content with that. Because nobody expected for Gev to leave this week.
But he did leave. Along with perky blonde Kherington Payne, who seemed like a fan favorite from the get-go. In our chat today, it was pretty much accepted as fact that Mark Kanemura and Comfort Fedoke would leave us tonight. When I – a longtime Comfort-supporter – told the group that I would cry if I had to watch Comfort sent home twice in two weeks, kerouac9 sagely advised, “Bring tissues.”
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Kher-Less
The exuberant Bollywood number that opened last night’s So You Think You Can Dance results show was pretty much everything I’d hoped it would be (except, next year, it really ought to be the top 20 group number if it’s ever going to look like this). And Mia Michaels continued her season-long therapy session with an anguished all-girl group number about, um, milkmaids keening in grief over, um, something really, really, really sad. So probably not spilt milk. I kid; even if that anguish was so severe that it left me unable to catch up with it, the number was still pretty stunning.
Related Posts
Brooke posted a new blog but it’s not a very big deal I suppose. LINK
She’s just explaining why Archie is not part of her top friends coz apparently she’s been getting lots of comments and questions about it. Some people seriously need to chill :lol:
I posted this late last night but it’s a clip of Lisa Tucker (from Season 5) sounding really great singing a John Mayer tune with Elliott harmonizing. It appear’s she’s working on his new album:
http://www.themidimafia.com/
Here’s a clip that Jermaine Dupri posted today working with Elliott on the new album (warning F bombs)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_opMKxjI67M
Sorry for posting something twice but if it’s a no, no delete at will. Lisa seems like another artist when she’s playing the guitar.
Shows you how instruments change the whole vibe somehow.
thanks for the link, jpfan. lisa sounds great. you’re right about including instruments. they add a higher level of artistry.
auditions already!! yay season 8!! in about 5-6 months we get to start all over again!!
Thanks JPfan, I’m going to use that bit out front.
So Elliott is going pop R&B route? No I really do not like Lisa song that much and it sounds quite generic to me. I wish Elliott luck as I said in the past I will buy it if I like the music of most of the cd. It is an uncomfortable position because to some you have to luv all music from an artist .the artist themselves or it is the highway.
I drove by the *David voice* Big Arch last night. I kept craning just in case they were already there hanging out. I’m 14.
I hope JPL has good luck with his cd this time around. I love his first single.
LOL that Elliott/JD video is hilarious. My brother and my dad would hate that since they hate the Lakers (especially Kobe).
Regarding Brooke’s blog, I cannot believe people are actually wasting their time worrying about such nonsense. People really do need to get lives. I only wish Brooke would either darken the background she uses on her blogs or not use white print. The contrast isn’t strong enough and it hurts my eyes to read her blogs. I always have to highlight them so I can read them.
Lisa Tucker sounds great; amazing what a couple years can do, but she was really young during AI5.
The vid with Jermaine Dupri and Elliott made me laugh (in a good way!). E can shoot some hoops apparently. He seemed so happy in that clip: energized, healthy, excited…and just happy. So nice to see.
I wonder if that’s about how many they were expecting. It will be interesting to see if the number of auditioners is up or down from past seasons.
I’m trying to link to an article about the Davids that’s on Yahoo. Wish me luck, cuz you know I haven’t conquered this linking stuff…
It’s a quick read…
David Archuleta put up a new blog. It’s right before his set in the second Utah show in the dressing room.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sLhByiDTFTs
ianamy, probably a good idea to link it to his myspace. Since thats where he posts them.
http://www.myspace.com/davidarchuleta
Has this been added yet? Sorry if it has and I missed it…
Ken Barnes reviews the tour setlist for each performer:
Dissecting The Set List Pt. 1
Dissecting The Set List Pt. 2
Yeah, right, Cookie! LOL
That is the cutest facial expression. Oh, Cookie. I suddenly see where the Bromance talk is coming from.
LOL
Purplesmile, that’s a sweet photo. I’ve never seen that one before. I think he trusts MJ too much, lol.
I guess this is a headline of sorts: in the Billboard update post for today, TOML is listed as #6 on AC (Adult Contemporary), but it has moved up to #5.
OT, but The Daily Show did a segment on “Cougars” last night that cracked me up:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=176795&title=cougars
The Mayer tune Lisa was singing reminds me so much of this cool song by Johnny Rivers — anyone remember him? Or if you aren’t old enough for that, do give a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmCtkLefRSI
Cookie and Michael. They always make me smile.
That pic…purplesmile… David looks loving at Michael..
Absolutely adorable.
You’re welcome. I’m sorry I don’t know for sure who to credit for that photo. Anyway, speaking of Michael…the guy finally shows his myspace some love by sending out this bulletin:
Date: Jul 18, 2008 7:16 PM
Subject: Thank you
Body: Hey everyone! Well we are 12 shows in. I am having the best time meeting you all. I had no idea i was going to enjoy the signing and photo’s so much. All the gifts and cards are so sweet too. I am working my butt off too on the record front. I will have something out this year for sure so be patient.
I am sorry i don’t write more i promise i will get better.
Love you guys and your support is amazing!!!!
MJ
Jennifer Hudson bulletin
Date: Jul 18, 2008 3:07 PM
Subject: Catch Jennifer Hudson on Good Morning America!
Body: Don’t miss Jennifer Hudson performing “Spotlight” on Good Morning America this upcoming Monday July, 21 on ABC.
Thanks for the Michael update, Purplesmile. Love the bromance pic.