Check out a snip of Elliott Yamin’s soon-to-be-released single on You Tube. The jazzy, neo-soul inspired “Movin’ On” will be digitally released on February 13. Elliott’s debut album will be released though Hickory Records, and RED distribution.
Last week, Chris Daughtry announced that his guitarist Jeremy Brady was “gracefully bowing out of the band”. DAUGHTRY started a major tour this week, so the race was on to find a replacement. Chris interviewed several new guitarists and has hired Brian Craddock. Brian is 30 years old and hails from Virginia. He’s written and produced for several indie artists.
Dumb Rumor Update: When I read this week, that Courtney Love had supposedly been asked to replace Paula Abdul on American Idol, I laughed out loud. I didn’t believe it for a second. First, no matter how loopy or incoherent Paula is, she’s an integral part of what makes the chemistry work between the three judges. Personally, I think Randy Jackson is more expendable than Paula. Secondly, Courtney Love replacing Paula? There are those who consider Paula a trainwreck. Comparatively speaking, Courtney Love is a Tsunami.
So, imagine my non-surprise when it was revealed that the whole thing was probably a hoax. Nigel Lythgoe released this statement:
I did not call Courtney Love and am afraid someone may have misrepresented me,” Lythgoe said in a statement. “Courtney Love is a very talented artist, but the judges for American Idol are Paula, Randy and Simon. We have no plans to add to or replace any of them.
Well, duh. Courtney says it’s possible she was duped by a prank caller. Oh dear.
Jennifer Hudson tells Essence magazine in their March issue that, “On ‘American Idol,’ you go through this mental thing; you’ve got to get yourself back together…you’ve been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think.” Jennifer adds, “You become a character — I became the girl in the turkey wrapping.” Remember the pink dress? Yeah, Jennifer had some fashion issues back then, but I still thought she was awesome. She says, ”I just knew I had to sing my way out of it.”
I think Jennifer is an abject lesson in Show Business. Simon Cowell told Jennifer week after week that she did not have that elusive “it” factor. Well, a Golden Globe, Oscar Nom, and many rave reviews later, it’s clear that Simon does not know all. And neither do the other casting agents, producers and music moguls who regularly say no to aspiring singers and actors.
Jennifer Hudson has been nominated for an Oscar, as Best Supporting Actress for her role as Effie White in “Dreamgirls”. She’ll also perform at the Academy Awards, which will be telecast on Sunday, February 25.
The rumor that Bo Bice has parted ways with RCA records has yet to be confirmed. Bo no longer appears on the roster at RCA’s website. When contacted, RCA’s publicist would not comment. The fans, at this point, are left to speculate and wonder. Bo’s album went gold, but by Idol standards was not considered a hit. The pop flavor of the album did not sit well with the fans who loved the southern rock vibe that Bo brought to Idol.
Okay, gang–here’s another lesson. It’s about allowing an artist to remain true to who they are, and true to what their Idol fans loved when recording an Idol debut record. It does look as if Bo will be parting ways with RCA. Wherever he ends up, I hope it’s a label that allows him to bring the thang that makes Bo great.
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As loopy as she is, I think Paula makes more sense in her critique than Randy most of the times. I agree, Randy is more expendable.
Thanks for posting about Elliott MJ. I love the pic that you picked. Movin On is incredible. Can’t wait for his CD in March. Thank you for all of your hard work.
JHud can say she was abused, but she was also given the opportunity of a lifetime and IMHO would not have even been in the running for her role of a lifetime if she hadn’t been through AI bootcamp.
Hi t2,
Couldn’t agree with you more. If it wasn’t for the judges, or at least Randy, she never would have even been in the Top 12. The public voted her out in the semifinals, she did not win the wildcard, and she had to be picked.
AI did all this for her, and she still complains. Yep, she sure is a diva with a capital D.
Jennifer doesn’t appear to be a diva at all, if you’ve watched her interviews…article headlines often take bites out of context of the whole interview for publicity sake. She makes humorous comments but she has been pretty much very gracious about it all.
Also, the judges, mostly Simon who knows what he’s doing often plants images/ideas in the public’s mind..and a ‘lot’ fall for it and then see the person in that image good or bad for the end result he wants. Example…planting the drunk grey haired dad image, which stuck w/a lot of people. I personally DID want Fantasia to win that year, but recognized supreme big talent in Jennifer, and so happy for this success. If you’ve watched her appearances she has been gracious along w/good humor about it all and does seem to realize that AI gave her the public eye, but good naturedly jokes about Simon. Those headlines says she said she was abused…but she didn’t phrase it like that…that was for headlines sake. She’s been exceptionally nice, poised, funny but always gracious.
Lovin Elliott!
Can’t wait for Elliot!
I’m not saying JHud’s a diva, and I did see her on the Today Show and she was very gracious and sang beautifully. I just wish she (and other ex-idols) would thank AI in their acceptance speeches. Not thanking Idol, which put her on the map, I find ungracious.
Everyone who benefits from their appearance on Idol should be gracious enough to acknowledge it publicly. And many have done so. If you are talented enough you don’t have to win the contest to become a musical success. All you need is to be seen by the right people who recognize talent.They can’t all become superstars but I’ll wager that most of them have advanced far beyond anything they could have done without the exposure on Idol.
I have heard Jennifer Hudson express appreciation for the opportunity AI gave her in interviews. But they always have to ask how tough it was etc etc, so she has told how it was. But honestly has been gracious with humor. I can’t see a reason to think her ungracious or that she hasn’t acknowleged them. She has.
mj: “Simon Cowell told Jennifer week after week that she did not have that elusive “it” factor. Well, a Golden Globe, Oscar Nom, and many rave reviews later, it’s clear that Simon does not know all. And neither do the other casting agents, producers and music moguls who regularly say no to aspiring singers and actors.”
so true. and i remember how miffed i was at what i called simon’s airing waving of the hand attitude in rejecting taylor hicks right out of the gate because of the way he looked, the genre he sang in, etc. And i was just thinking today, this is what makes AI such a great show. i lived and worked in LA and knew a lot of people who were so gifted — actors, singers, dancers, writers, comedians, etc. — who just never got that break. maybe for some of them, it wasn’t meant to be. but there are plenty of people in LA who are just great and who we’ll never hear from because some know-it-all producers and casting agents just didn’t get it right. what’s great about AI is that it cuts right to the viewers and gives them a say. you never really know what’s gonna happen next, and that’s great.
case in point, this year already: simon said someone or another had a “really really really great voice.” and by and large, the public just shrugged their shoulders. there were one or two others they let slip who was at least as good as the ones they let thru, and the public has had something to say about that, too. and the people who have some kind of “it” factor, like antonella barba, were not pointed to by the judges as if to say, here people, she has “it.” people just remembered her, so much so that she already has a fansite and the comments on her youtube audition have been turned off already. you never know. and i don’t think the judges do, either. that’s the cool thing about the show.
i’m glad jennifer held her head up and moved forward. another thing about jennifer. i voted for fantasia and taylor. jennifer and chris were great belters with amazing, strong voices and had something else in common: they were very self-possessed, a bit diva-esque; they didn’t have the warmest personas. and they didn’t have the most unique sounds, either. they deserve all their success and more, and i root for them as i do all idol alums, but that doesn’t mean they should have won AI. nobody “should have” won AI. it is what it is. i agree with randy: the viewers know what they’re doing. and lately, what they’ve been saying to a large extent is, give us some more straight-up soul music. three of the five winners so far have been soul singers. i wish tptb would give soul music more credit.
JHud had some major ‘tude when she was on AI. That’s why she got the boot early. She hasn’t changed much since. She was cast in Dream Girls and got a Golden Globe. So what? She was supposed to be a singing star and it didn’t work out. Now she is going to be a screen goddess instead? I just don’t see it happening. Can anybody remember last year’s Golden Globe and Oscar winner for best supporting actress? She just got the break of a life time, that’s just about it. One year from now, she will be history once again. And what’s the deal with Dream Girls? Is it a huge box office success? If so, is it because of Beyounce or JHud? Are people going to see it because JHud in it? I don’t think so.
gosh, jobbix, that was really kind of sour. i mean, it’s not every day someone new comes along and is favored for a best-supporting oscar. it is a big deal. i mean, i’ve never gotten one and probably neither have you! i’m impressed. she has such a strong buzz about her, there’s no reason to expect that she won’t be able to translate that into some kind of solid recording and possibly acting career from here on now. she didn’t go anywhere with her recording career before, that’s true, but things are different now, and major record producers are probably lining up to make her a great album. anyway, it’s a major accomplishment, this big splash she’s made, there’s no way around it. so clap your hands and say, yeah!
Hapi,
That was a quote about abuse. She did say it just like that unless she was misqouted, which I seriously doubt. If she is such a big star now, then how about learning some PR skills like not throwing around words like “abuse?”
She and Kat either don’t care who they offend or are just plain inarticulate. I don’t know which one.
That is a really HOT pic of Elliott. Elliott just gets hotter and hotter.
Great picture of Elliott and I love his song,
Thanks for posting the link, MJ
Kudos to Jennifer! I didn’t care for most of her musical choices and performances on Idol, I was for Fantasia. But her movie work was inspired.
I wish her the best. She may have a hard time replicating the Oscar “bullseye” with a mainstream singing career, since her voice and style are out of favor. Hopefully she becomes a successful “niche” artist.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Chris either. He seemed so one- dimensional and devoid of personality. I liked Kat’s voice, looks and nerdy loopiness at the start of the show, but grew to dislike her airheaded, thoughtless way and inconsistent singing.
Taylor feels the music, but TPTB are not supporting him, it’s obvious. I wish they could see how a return to heartfelt ’soul’ music would be a plus to the music-loving public.
I hope Elliott’s music hits a groove, and pleases us all. His voice is heavenly.
alison, i agree with everything you said, down to the last detail! we rule!
i can’t wait to download elliott’s cd. i love what i’ve heard and am really glad for him right now. it’s nice to look forward to a musical treat like this.
Hi Patty, nice to meet a like-minded person!
I have to say, loving that clip of Elliott’s son! I guess I’m a jazzy, neo-soul inspired type!! How many more days until I get to hear it all??? :)
allison, well, i’m glad i stopped by here today! i lurk on the daily thread here and there and sometimes comment, but even though i am a taylor fan, there’s only so much one can say and i think i’m all talked out, at least for now. i do like to follow a few of the singers from seasons past and am watching this year as well. like many others, i do like this cheesy show; it’s nice to know that by voting, we are helping, in our tiny way, to make some big dreams come true. anyway, i’m thrilled for elliott and will definitely buy his CD.
After winning the SAG coupled with the Globe, Jennifer is a solid fav to win the Oscar. From AI to the Oscars!
Thank you Bo Bice! Enough of being their first rocker guinea pig from the show!
And I just saw Jennifer Hudson on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and she said that she was misinterpreted and that she thinks its a great show. I think it can be both, it can chew you up and spit you out, and it can be great for you as well. She said that the show gave her “tough skin”, and it did. And if that means being honest about the show as well, then so be it. And the whole thing about the brainwashing she eloborated on as well. She meant those who were bad, since you go through three rounds before the judges see you, they brainwash all the really bad ones into thinking they’re good so they’ll audition still.
I think the media just wants past contestants to slip up and say something bad about the show if they’ve succeeded from it. Any “Idol” new is big news, and they’ll take what the can get. And what they can’t get, hey, they’ll make up. (See: Jennifer Hudson misquoted, Taylor misquoted and spliced, and the Courtney Love thing).
*Also, I think that Taylor says a lot of negative things about Simon, but no one ever mentions that, or is harping on him they way they are Jennifer. A little unfair. I know that Simon harps on Taylor as well, but that doesn’t mean he has to do it in return. Jennifer is just telling it like it is. And I think that she has a right to. She was critized by the show on national tv, why can’t she critize it? What are they going to do now? Take away her golden globe or the nomination or her record deal? I don’t think so. Not that they even have control of her record deal. She’s just being honest, the show’s hard, for everyone, period!
I just heard Elliott’s new song. I really really like this. It’s just the song for him and just shows off that sexy side of him. Go Elliott!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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when dreamgirls is over and all the accolades is done with, I wonder if JH will receive the same hype and accolades in future endeavors..time will tell. Will she be a one hit wonder??Who knows. She has a great voice, but so did Jennifer HOliday, so does patti labelle, so did whitney houston. Time will tell. Let her enjoy it for now…by summer everyone will forget about her like they did all the others.