‘Idols’ Tour Rolls Through D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rabid ‘American Idol’ fans flocked to D.C.’s Verizon Center on Thursday night for a chance to hear their Season 7 favorites perform live and in person.
They had their favorites, from David Cook to David Archuleta, and everyone in between. The top 12 contestants from the most reason season of the hit FOX reality show made their way to the nation’s capitol as part of their nationwide tour.
Click on each Idol’s photo to see their raw interview with FOX 5 before the show
Ex-Idol Guy’s a Cook Fan
At the Tropic Thunder red carpet, ex-American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe didn’t seem all too sad to wave buh-bye to the Fox cash cow—much happier to promote his competish So You Think You Can Dance? instead.
You’ve overestimated the U.S.—how else do ya explain Sanjaya’s sixth-place existence on the show? Reasoned Lith: “I have voted when I was the executive producer.†Oh, really? So which David didya favor this last season? “Cook,†he stated, without a moment’s hesitation.
More Idol Headlines After the JUMP…
“American Idol” tour stops in D.C.
The screams said it all.
At 2:30 p.m. sharp, a shrill, collective squeal rose from the sidewalk outside the Verizon Center – a sound heard from INSIDE the building.
The “American Idol” tour buses had arrived.
Six weeks into its cross-country trek, with another month to go, this “Idol” tour has incited the same type of fan frenzy as its six predecessors.
Exclusive Carly Smithson Interview
In our ongoing conversation with last season’s top 10, we had the chance to speak with Carly Smithson this past weekend. After all, Carly is a little bit more than half way through with the summer tour, so we figured we’d check in to see what she thought of her experiences thus far.
Carly was thrilled to be in Manchester, but not because of the rain that greeted her. Instead, it was only about an hour from their previous stop in Worcester, Massachusetts, which means it was a fairly easy bus ride for them. Typically, they’re on the buses for several hours a night, but because Worcester is so close to Manchester, they were on the road for only about an hour and were able to hit their hotel rooms at a reasonable time (for them) of around 1:30am.
Backstage At ’08 Teen Choice Awards Stars & Gifts In Spotlight With Backstage Creations
At the super-hot Fox TV Teen Choice ’08 Awards, both American Idol Davids, Cook and Archuleta, took home awards thanks to their Goliath-like talent and super-cool personalities. Cook won the title of Choice Male Reality/Variety Star, and Archuleta, got the Choice Most Fanatic Fans trophy.
“I’m here because of my fans. I can’t tell you how much I love and appreciate them,†Archuleta gushed as he stepped out of his limo and was rushed along the star-studded blue carpet leading up to the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Studios Hollywood. “I am blessed with so much in my life.â€
Top iTunes Downloads get their own radio show
Like many iTunes Store customers, we often find ourselves tired of the same boring Top 40 played over and over on mainstream radio. Hell, you don’t even have to turn to the iTunes Store for relief—there are tons of Internet radio stations out there to cater to every taste. Premiere Radio Networks thinks it can combine the two, however, to create a master race of Internet radio: the iTunes Download show.
The recently-announced show (thanks to our friends at Macworld for tipping us off) will air between 7pm and midnight Eastern Time on Fridays and between 6pm and midnight on Sundays and Saturdays. You can access the show by going to the link above, and the description reads like this: “The iTunes Download is the next evolution of countdown shows, revealing the 30 most downloaded tracks in America every week, with radio veteran and iTunes Director of Music Programming, Alex Luke.”
Idol’ follies: Lawrence singers test their voices at TV auditions
When David Cook won this year’s “American Idol,†much national attention was brought to his hometown: Kansas City.
Consequently, the “Idol†juggernaut decided to select KC for the first time as one of its eight audition sites.
Last Friday, thousands of wannabe stars filed into venerable Kemper Arena (not the new Sprint Center, since “Idol†is sponsored by AT&T) seeking their instant ticket to stardom.
Music Review: Taylor Hicks - The Early Works
Taylor Hicks’ The Early Works is a compilation of two independent albums Hicks recorded before appearing on - and winning - American Idol in 2006. With a couple of exceptions, Hicks’ post-Idol debut Taylor Hicks (released in late ‘06) did not represent what kind of singer/songwriter/musician he really is. This album does.
Hicks has hinted that an album of new material should be coming out soon. It wouldn’t surprise me if he is using this compilation as a preview of the musical direction he is headed for. The Early Works contains twelve tracks, ten of them Hicks’ originals: six songs each from 1997’s In Your Time and 2005’s Under The Radar. Both albums were recorded on a low budget - especially In Your Time, which was recorded live as a money saving tactic. This release has been remastered and the sound quality is very good.
Toby, Clint Lead “Troops” Special
No genre has sent more artists to the Middle East to perform for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan than country music, and a number of the format’s biggest stars — including Toby Keith, Joe Nichols and Clint Black — are slated to appear in a September ABC special, “America United: In Support Of Our Troops.”
They’re joined in the two-hour event — cobbled together from shoots at a variety of military bases — by Jessica Simpson, ZZ Top, Snoop Dogg, Janet Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Jordin Sparks, comedian Kathy Griffin and Sam & Dave singer Sam Moore, among others.
Former ‘Idol’ finalist throws cowboy hat in ring on CMT reality music show
The brunette got booted off the season of “Idol” won by Carrie Underwood, but not before building enough popularity to co-host a season of “American Idol Extra” and serve as a “Tyra Banks Show” correspondent.
Now, Gordon appears on the second season of “Gone Country,” the Country Music Television reality series in which B-list celebs room together while competing to write and record the best country song. (The winning tune, as judged by Nashville hitmaker John Rich, gets released to country radio.) The new season premieres at 8 p.m. Friday on CMT.
Idol Alumni Congratulate New Dad Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken’s fellow American Idol stars are thrilled for the new daddy – and one even has her own baby news.
“Congratulations! I am very happy for him,” Rickey Smith, 29, told PEOPLE. “He has great morals and ethics, and I think his baby will be brought up in love.”
Pop and Rock Listings
JORDIN SPARKS, JESSE MCCARTNEY (Tuesday) The victor of the sixth season of “American Idol,†Jordin Sparks offers smooth, pop-perfect vocals with a vague R&B tinge. The actor and singer Jesse McCartney recently released his third LP, “Departure†(Hollywood), which, conveniently, marks a departure from his pop beginnings and a move toward a more urban, dance-oriented sound. With Prima J. At 8 p.m., Nokia Theater, 1515 Broadway, at 44th Street, (212) 307-7171, nokiatheatrenyc.com; $39.50. (Petrusich)
For those Republicans about to rock, we welcome you
Other private RNC gigs in downtown Minneapolis include country singer Gretchen Wilson at Trocaderos, “American Idol” rocker Chris Daughtry at Epic and “All Star” band Smash Mouth at Aqua.
Full Tracklisting of ‘Now That’s What I Call Country’
Tracklisting of “Now That’s What I Call Country”:
In the hype of country music that garner larger fans each day, Now That’s What I Call Music! series will release for the first time in U.S., the ultimate compilation of country hits. Boasting tracks from the genre’s icons such as Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Carrie Underwood among others, the album will hit the stores on August 26.
1. Carrie Underwood - “All-American Girl”
18. Kellie Pickler - “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind”
American Idol producer unveils wine in Paso
Nigel Lythgoe, an American Idol producer and producer/judge on the Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance,” poured wine from his Villa San-Juliette Winery at Albertson’s in Paso Robles this afternoon.
Lythgoe, fellow American Idol producer Ken Warwick and their exploits learn about owning a vineyard and making wine at the San Miguel winery are the subject of “Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes,” a Fox Reality channel show.
Dance floods TV; Amateurs soft shoe to studios
Turn on the TV: There’s Comfort, lunging backward like it’s the forward thing to do, and Gev twirling on his head, b-boy style. Kourtni pirouettes bare foot as smooth as a turntable.
Switch channels: Football star Jason Taylor and his partner square off against figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi and her partner in a fast-break cha cha.
And if you graze again, you might find Mario Lopez introducing the kinetic moves of MTV’s dance crew competition.
So You Think You Can Dance Joshua Allen Wants To Meet Michael Jackson
So You Think You Can Dance Winner Joshua Allen has a bright future ahead of him. Joshua faced one of the most talented casts ever on So You Think You Can Dance on his route to becoming the first hip-hop dancer to ever win the show.
Now, that the So You Think You Can Dance season is over, Joshua shared some of his plans for the future during a recent conference call. Joshua said, “Living, accomplishing more goals in life, just doing everything I’ve always dreamed of doing, really, that’s what it means to me. Keeping my name out there, and just having so much fun, and everything I want to do, I hope it comes true for me because I worked so hard, and I’m a hard worker.â€
Exclusive Interview: Twitch Boss of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
A few weeks before the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance, I posed this question to Comfort Fedoke: Is it possible for a hip hop dancer to win this thing? Not only was it possible but Twitch Boss and Joshua Allen, both hip hop dancers, were the last two standing. Josh may have been crowned the winner but Twitch will be just as well known. He came into this season with a built in fan base, after losing the last spot in Vegas last year to Hok Konishi. Twitch left the show with no regrets and proud of the way that he represented hip hop. Today, he spoke to BuddyTV in an exclusive interview.
Melissa Lawson Knocks Down Milestones
Just 10 days after she was proclaimed the winner of NBC’s “Nashville Star,” Melissa Lawson has experienced an amazing conversion from housewife to jet-setting celebrity.
She headed off to Beijing, where she performed at the Olympics; her first single, “What If It All Goes Right,” went to No. 1 on the iTunes country chart and immediately debuted in Billboard; and she’s made plans to record further material for her debut album. Meanwhile, she’s set to make her debut on the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday.
Nice to see a good review for Taylor’s Early Works.
I agree calimari, I am so happy that we are getting a break from all the bad press. It got weary.
I just listened to a radio show with Archie. My respect for him just grew tremendously. One of the DJ’s tried his best to embarass him and get him to talk bad about other idols or former schoolmates and David just stuck to what he is about. I wonder if the DJ was a little rougher because they were angry with him yesterday or if this DJ is normally like that? Anyway, David is just a really really good kid.
*tidbit* He is in NY today working on his album.
MJ, I don’t have a link for this but it should be online later to link.
Me too — So glad to read such an excellent review of Taylor’s Early Works. He has a lot of talent and I hope he’ll keep on letting it shine.
Haven’t bought Taylor’s CD yet, but I will. I too was disappointed to hear that Hell of a Day isn’t included. But glad the reviewer added that there really wasn’t much of anything else to be disappointed about.
Crossing my fingers that Taylor’s upcoming CD will be a hit, meaning that it will be “more” Taylor than the one released under AI’s aegis.
IGC: What did Archie do to make them angry? sorry I’m behind the news.
I just watched those raw interviews on the Fox site. Ramielle is funny as hell. Jason was hillarious for just being Jason. I don’t think the interviewer knew what to do with him. And that was the nicest I’ve ever seen Syesha. Archie is a cutie, and his face looks like its maturing. And Brooke was her usual self. Interesting stuff.
I was just going to ask the same thing. looks like i’m behind too. i would like to hear this interview!
Great reading such a nice review of Taylor’s EW. Since it is exclusive at Target, does anyone know if the sells numbers will be reported?
E, he was supposed to have a call in interview yesterday morning. They had been advertising it pretty heavily and then he was a no show. At the end of the interview today David appologized saying that he was doing several “phoners” and that he just didn’t get put through and had no idea he was even supposed to call in. His PR screwed up. (pages my former PR friend.. your needed! )
LOL He said some of the other guys have gotten bras and panties but thankfully he hasn’t!
Thanks IGC :)
For some reason I can’t access the raw interviews. hope someone uploads them on youtube.
This was just posted on the BB…Ace Young the new Kenicki in Grease 090708…according to this blogger Natalie (she plays Rizzo part time & danced with Taylor during curtain call) http://mormoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/
During my search for clips from last night’s Idol show in D.C., I found a clip of Constantine Maroulis from his show last night at the Rrazz Room in SF.
Thanks for the raw interviews. Who knew Archie could be so talkative?
Archie and Jason were adorable as usual. :)
OMG I seriously spit on my screen when I saw Jason singing doodoodoodoo while getting his mike fixed! That is so him! ROTFDL I want him for a pet.
LOVED Ramielle’s interview! The girl time was kinda funny! This goes to show you how print interviews can be skewed. I thought she came off unappreciative and a little snotty in the print version but hearing her talk, she is just homesick.
Good for Ace!
I went digging and found this link for the ARchie interview this morning. Thanks to the fan who nabbed it!
http://www.sendspace.com/file/cpkmho
ETA Who called Archie a liar at the end of the interview?? Jason? ROTFL
Carly, Archie, and Taylor. All so different, but I love each of them in their own way.
Am I missing something? Where are these “raw” interviews? Is there a link that I’m overlooking?
Very interesting news about Ace joining the cast of Grease. Is Taylor still in it, too?
Speaking of Ace, he’s also going to be one of the co-hosts of the MDA Telethon this year.
http://www.mda.org/news/080804telethon_co-hosts.html
Popular “American Idol” vocalist and MDA Celebrity Ambassador Ace Young will make his first stint as a co-host. Young, who recently released his debut CD, Ace Young, was a contestant on the fifth season of the hit TV talent show. Young has performed as a guest on MTV’s “Total Request Live” and hosted a solo concert at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
PJ, click on the pictures at the bottom of the page for the raw interviews.
My Fox DC
Thanks, MJ! Found them.
I wonder if the DJ’s in that Texas radio interview realized how stupid they sounded. Did they really expect Archie to say, ‘Yeah, I go to strip clubs whenever I can.’ No class DJ’s, no class.
I find it interesting that David cannot bring himself to talk in the first person “It’s so nice for me to see fans because it just makes me realize how much they appreciate my hard work.” He switches up to make it more general -you. He is so unassuming it’s painful.
Even though he is small, D is definitely a well-built young man. His father is not much taller than he is, so it may not be in the cards for him to grow anymore. When they get their growth spurt, boys that age grow taller seemingly over night. The fact that he is already broadening, makes me think he’s not getting taller any time soon.
Love those raw interviews. They must have all been feeling good that day.
Shhh! Elle, your gonna make us have to hear all that high pitched screaming from the teens!
I wonder if her being on the girls bus will change their dynamics and I wonder if she can be as laid back as Jeff with all situations.
So we aren’t the only ones that notice. hee
I’m posting too much today. MJ put a gag on me.
IGetCranked, you saw those shoulders! I’ve even hugged them, so let the screaming continue!
I personally don’t think the Texas radio interview sounded too much different from other radio interviews I’ve heard. DA handled himself quite well IMO. I like how he stands strong in his character without sounding self-rightous is any way. Good Job DA!
elle, No I haven’t seen him IRL but if I do, I’ll bring some earplugs. LOL
Yes he did handle himself well. I’m just not used to Archie being asked about bras , panties, strip clubs , girls saying they want your babies and being teased about girls in his room all in a few minutes. Usually he is handled more carefully since he is underage. The mischievous part of me thought it was funny but the responsible part of me cringed.
cookcricket, you are right about the DJ’s sounding pretty much the same. Maybe they learn it in DJ school?! He is underage however and if they had the slightest inkling of his character, they would know it would make him uncomfortable. That’s why I think they do it on purpose. He was awesome though in the way he handled it.
It was interesting to hear Archie talk about what really excites him in music right now, and it clearly isn’t the pop stuff like “Crush”. That is more something he’s going along with because the people around him feel its where he needs to start. I liked hearing from David, unfiltered. And I have the strong impression that he is still finding his voice and authority in using it. So that his first record will reflect that. I’ll just say that as far as my personal tastes go, I’m looking forward to the second and third album, and I’m glad that there are many of you out there that will help to make this a real possibility.
No Mj - dont put a gag on Igetcranked - cranked, you are too funny
I loved the Archie Raw Interview. Boy, can that kid talk when he’s excited! lol
He wants to see Mraz on tour? Well, you and I both, Archie! ;) I’m *heart*ing this kid more and more.
In other mattters…I’m missing my regular Jasonnn fix.
Justin, Gina, Brandon and Nadia just completed a USO tour of Qatar and Afghanistian.
Article from one of the USO tour stops.
http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/news/x1806342119/American-Idol-visits-Task-Force-Warrior-Headquarters
From Archie’s RAW interview: “Sara Bareilles. How do you pronounce her name? I know how to spell it: S-A-R-A, SPACE,….”
You make me smile, dear Archie. Simply adorkable.
Brooke White is lovely…
Brooke’s blog - FULL CIRCLE
…We then traveled a short distance to the venue, Wachovia Stadium, my starting place. When we arrived I walked out to the parking lot to meet and greet the fans, the very same parking lot where I stood in line in the darkness of the early morning at 4:30 am. After press and the indoor meet and greet, we were standing on the stage for soundcheck and thats when it really hit me. That night as I was waiting underneath the stage to make my entrance on the piano for my set, I could hear Carly sing “I drove all night”, I turned to one of the crew members and said “this is where it all began”… Suddenly I felt a surge of excitement and nervousness to get on that stage and perform. Right after I had finished Let it Be, I turned and pointed to the very top of the stadium in section 221A where I had waited nearly twenty hours for my audition for American Idol, and I said, “and to think that in a years time, I have gone from sitting up there to performing here on this stage, is very surreal”… Truly I felt overwhelmed, and grateful for this unbelievable experience that had in fact come FULL CIRCLE !! Wow, I’ve said it before, and it won’t be the last time, I can’t believe that I have come this far, that I have been blessed with such an opportunity! It has been a journey both amazing and challenging… I am thankful to all who helped me to make it possible. There are still somedays that I find myself unsure of my own abilities to arise to the challenges that come with fulfilling your dreams, but I am filled with gratitude for faith, family, friends and fans that provide me with strength and the support that I need to keep on moving! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you…
I watched Archie’s interview……i love it! he sure was talkative!!! lol. i loved the part when they were talking about how he had never thought about the fact that he had gone to 2 AI concerts and now he was performing them and how great it was to see people with his shirt on it…his reaction was so genuine!
ETA: is it my imagination or does he look older??
Wow…had Archie just had a couple of Red Bulls or something? I don’t recall ever seeing him talk a mile a minute like that!!
I loved that he said his sister playing Backstreet Boys and ‘Nsync all the time “drove him nuts.” LOL