New Mexico’s Chevel Shepherd talks preparation for The Voice finale – ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- New Mexico’s Chevel Shepherd is excited to be in the top four on The Voice. “Hearing my name called to be in the finale was crazy,” Chevel said. “I’m thankful for this opportunity to just sing and show my passion on stage to everyone and share the country music roots that I love to do. So, feel very blessed.” Chevel’s life is busy ahead of the finale. She still has school work to do in between practice sessions. Chevel is trying to stay positive, knowing she’s already made a lot of people proud. “I don’t think it really changes at all because all of us, no matter what happens, we’re all winners because we all got the opportunity to stand on this stage and sing for America,” she said. – Read more at KOB.com
Maddie Poppe talks Skin Care with Proactive
Plus snippets of an acoustic performance with Caleb Lee Hutchinson
At the @Proactiv Patio Sessions, @MaddiePoppe discussed winning American Idol, gaining confidence as a performer and learning to accept herself as she is. pic.twitter.com/aA2SbCEtZd
— AXS (@axs) December 14, 2018
Former American Idol Finalist Ayla Brown Named New Morning Show Co-host at Beasley Media Group’s Country 102.5 in Boston – Beasley Media Group Boston announces Ayla Brown has been named as the new Morning Show Co-host at Country 102.5 in Boston. Jackson and Ayla Brown can be heard weekdays from 5:30 to 9am on WKLB-FM beginning on Monday, December 17, 2018. The former American Idol Season 5 finalist and Boston College basketball star has been living in Nashville, Tennessee performing and writing music for the past several years. “Country music has brought me all around the world and back to Boston again,” said Brown. “Many have seen me perform, but I am so excited for our listeners to get to know me in a whole new way. Thank you to the Country 102.5 team for this incredible opportunity!” – Read more at BBGI.com
This is cute!
This is my kind of mama ?? #ThatKidIsNotHavinIt ? https://t.co/eGCxTKYAsv
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) December 12, 2018
Why Lauren Alaina Is Proactive About Giving Back: ‘We All Have Moments in Need’ – In the seven years since Alaina was welcomed into the country music family since gracing the American Idol stage, she’s made it her mission to put as much passion into helping others as she does her music. She channeled this energy into her charity, My Kinda People, named after her song of the same name that celebrates our unique differences. Friends Life Community, a program for teens and adults with special needs, fulfills this same mission and was the first recipient of Alaina’s charity in 2017. “I write songs about my flaws, my setbacks and my moments in need, but I wanted to do more,” Alaina shares with Taste of Country via email. “My Kinda People was created to teach my fans about all different people from different walks of life. We all have a story. We all have setbacks in life. We all have moments in need.” – Read more at Taste of Country
David Archuleta’s ‘Winter In The Air’ Album Brings a Universal Feeling – David Archuleta is fresh off the release of his new holiday album titled Winter In The Air. The singer-songwriter’s twelve track collection has brought fans a solid balance of both sacred and classic Christmas tunes. Winter In The Air marks Archuleta’s second Christmas album to date. It follows Christmas from the Heart which was released just a year after the 27-year-old competed for the hearts and ears of the country on American Idol in 2008. “With Christmas you’re trying to capture something that everyone experiences. It’s like this universal feeling that everyone shares together,” Archuleta told RADIO.COM. – Read more at Radio.com
Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard have fixed ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ – Could Aiken have imagined back then that “Apprentice” host Donald Trump would go on to become president? “I don’t think any people imagined it,” says Aiken. “I don’t feel like I was working with the same person that is the president right now. I feel like they’re two very, very different people.” In the only politically minded moment of Ruben and Clay’s Christmas show, the words to “Baby, It’s Cold Out Outside” have been revamped in response to recent controversy about the original lyrics suggesting sexual misconduct. “It’s a great song,” says Studdard, who performs it with cast member Farah Alvin, “and getting the opportunity to change the lyrics and bring it more up to date .?.?. is really fun.” – Read more at NYPost.com
Josh Gracin Sets New Platform With Hit Single “Good For You” – After taking some time off, Josh Gracin’s new single “Good For You” is setting a new platform for his music moving forward as he steps back into the industry. “I’ve always wanted to go way back in my roots and do something [with an] R&B and soul feel,” Gracin told PopCulture.com. “So when I heard this [song] at the right time, I was like, ‘I’ve got to do this, especially with the lyrics.’ The lyrics tell a story, and to me that’s what country music has always been about.” – Read more at PopCulture.com
Bobby Bones Says He’s ‘Never Dancing Again’ After Winning Dancing with the Stars: ‘I’ve Retired’ – Despite taking home the coveted Dancing with the Stars mirrorball trophy last month, season 27 winner Bobby Bones has already retired from dancing. “I’m never dancing again. I have retired from dancing,” the radio show host, 38, tells PEOPLE. “The dancing thing was crazy because I went into it not knowing how hard it actually was. Being around the pros and actually seeing them do their thing, they’re professional athletes.” Despite having no dancing experience, Bones credits his seasoned partner Sharna Burgess for the big win. – Read more at People.com
America’s Got Talent’s Jackie Evancho Is All Grown Up! See Her Chic Makeover – Jackie Evancho has entered the club of adulthood! The opera prodigy — who rose to fame in 2010 when she was the runner-up on America’s Got Talent at the age of 10 —says she’s grown older and wiser since turning 18 earlier this year, but she’s still very much a kid at heart. “It feels kinda the same as 17 at first, but then all the responsibilities come hitting you all at once and I suddenly wish I was 17 again,” the “Pedestal” singer tells PEOPLE. But, she says of adulthood, “I love it, I get more control of my career now which is amazing.” “Fans can expect new material early next year that I think caters to both young and old,” Jackie says about continuing her success. “I finally get to have full control of the direction I want to go in now that I’m 18.” – Read more at People
New Emmy Rule Shuts Out Shorter TV Movies – ther changes announced by the TV Academy include the addition of a new category: Outstanding music composition for a documentary series or special. The organization has also restructured the choreography categories with two separate juried awards: Outstanding choreography for variety and reality programming and outstanding choreography for scripted programming. The 71st Emmy Awards are scheduled to air live on Fox on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. – Read more at Hollywood Reporter
