Stars Banding Together to Record New “We Are the World” for Haiti
It’s been 25 years since Quincy Jones helped gather the biggest names in music to record “We Are the World, ” but the song is as relevant today as it was then.
Jones confirmed to me today that he’s helping spearhead a new recording of the charity song with the proceeds going to help Haiti. The new version will be recorded on Monday in Los Angeles.
The line-up may already include Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Will Smith, Jason Mraz, Sugarland, Sheryl Crow, Mya and teen sensation Justin Bieber, among others.
EXCLUSIVE: Simon & Ellen Not Talking To Each Other
While the singers have provided enough entertainment this season, the real show is behind the scenes where Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres are no longer speaking to each other, RadarOnline.com is reporting exclusively.
But a source who was at the taping says the reports of Simon’s late arrival are greatly exaggerated. “He showed up exactly 14 minutes late, ” said one person who was there.
The show started taping without Simon, a move that immediately polarized Ellen and Simon. “People were surprised the show started without Simon, ” said one observer.
The tension between Simon and Ellen escalated instantly due to the situation and quickly it became apparent that when the cameras stopped recording they were not speaking to each other.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Todrick Hall Made His Mark Long Before ‘American Idol’
Todrick Hall, a 24-year-old “actor/playwright” from Arlington, Texas, was one of the contestants seen auditioning in the latest “Idol” installment, earning him a golden ticket to Hollywood. But he is hardly a newcomer to the entertainment scene, with a résumé that could further endear him to “Idol” fans.
“You were with Fantasia in ‘The Color Purple’?” judge Kara DioGuardi asked him as he came out to audition, referring to Hall’s stint on Broadway with the winner of Season 3, in a show produced by Oprah Winfrey and undoubtedly seen by many “Idol” fans.
He sure was. In fact, Hall has also appeared in “High School Musical 2, ” and a “Beauty and the Beast” production at Disney World. The up-and-comer has also honed his craft in theme parks and on Disney cruise ships as well as wrote, choreographed and directed his own original production called “Oz, the Musical.” As fans can see on his MySpace, he’s a big fan of Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, and seems determined to follow in their footsteps.
Police: Argument over “American Idol” leads to stabbing, arrest
ST. PETERSBURG — Police said a St. Petersburg woman took a TV dispute too far Tuesday night when she stabbed and scalded her boyfriend over “American Idol.”
Police arrested Cynthia E. Bettis-Ware, 52, on a charge of first-degree attempted murder of Kevin Johnson, 47.
It happened at 11:22 p.m. at the Empress Motel, 1501 Martin Luther King St. N, which the couple listed as their permanent address, said police spokeswoman Jennifer Dawkins.
He awoke to Bettis-Ware wielding a 10-inch butcher knife. She stabbed him five times in the back and twice in the chest, an arrest affidavit states. Police said she also severely burned Johnson with hot cocoa.
Ashley Ferl, a.k.a. the crying girl, talks about her ‘Idol’ audition
Ashley Ferl is so aware of her American Idol legacy, that when she called EW today to talk about her auditioning experience, she introduced herself as: “This is Ashley Ferl, the crying girl.”
As we all remember, Ferl became famous back in 2007 after perceptive Idol cameramen caught her uncontrollably crying during Sanjaya Malakar’s season six performance of “You Really Got Me.” And, as we saw during last night’s L.A. audition episode, the former audience member tried out to perform on the Idol stage this season. (At 16, the Idol fan, who “had been waiting” to audition, was finally old enough.)
Italian Watch Phenomenon IO?ION! Launches in North America
Los Angeles, CA, January 27, 2010 –(PR.com)– IOION, the Italian fashion craze of innovative, waterproof watches in vibrant colors is now launching its already highly-coveted line “IOION Classic” for the first time in North America. Loved and followed by press and media, celebrities like David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Fergie, Adam Lambert, Kirsten Dunst and Lindsay Lohan find reason to wear these amazing watches all the time.
Danny Gokey teams with Clorox for flu-prevention campaign
Like Danny Gokey, your best days may be ahead of you. But they won’t be very much fun if you come down with the flu. That’s why Danny’s partnering with Clorox for the second I Don’t Want to Miss Music Video contest, a competition for school musical groups that’s designed to raise awareness about flu prevention.
School groups can visit www.Facebook.com/Clorox to get details on how to submit creative videos with performances of a song written for the contest. A judges’ panel will narrow the entries down to five finalists that will be posted online, where the public will vote for a winner.
Rock of Ages Is Raising Funds for Haiti Relief
The cast of Broadway’s Rock of Ages, including Tony nominee Kerry Butler, will auction backstage tours of the musical to raise funds for relief efforts in Haiti.
Butler has teamed with ROA cast members James Carpinello, Lauren Molina and Mitch Jarvis to head the tours (which also include post-performance drinks) in order to benefit World Vision’s work in Haiti.
The rockers also made a Youtube video to let fans know about the package, which also mentions special tours with Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis.
GODSMACK, CREED, Others Help Send Supply Plane To Haiti – Jan. 27, 2010
GODSMACK, CREED and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello are some of the music luminaries who have partnered with multi-media company DC3 Music Group to raise enough money to pack an MD-80 airplane with supplies and medical personnel and send it to Haiti. According to a press release, the plane is scheduled to leave from Long Beach, California on Wednesday (January 27) and bring 10, 000 pounds of medical supplies, along with doctors and medical staff, to the city of Port-au-Prince, which was devastated by a massive earthquake two weeks ago.
Other artists involved in the effort, which raised over $1 million, include NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, JULIANNE HOUGH, EVE and DAVID ARCHULETA.
KELLY CLARKSON LOVES JUST SINGING IN THE RAIN
AMERICAN Idol champ Kelly Clarkson can’t wait to party in her favourite city, Manchester.
The My Life Would Suck Without You star kicks off a six-date UK tour next month and loves the grit, rain and famous Mancunian sense of humour. Kelly, 27, right, told me: “Manchester is one of my favourite places to play. “For some reason those people there are really rad and go nuts. They are easily my best audience. “This will be the first tour where I get some time off in between shows so I plan to check out the city properly.”
“I’m writing and recording new songs, ” she said. “I’ve written a ton with a bunch of songwriters I haven’t written with before. “It’s turning out differently, like nothing I’ve released before. Some of it is very 80s influenced and some of it is singer/songwriter.” But one thing she doesn’t want is a big name producer. She admitted: “I don’t like working with people who have worked with everyone.“Sometimes I get blackmailed into doing so by my label, but I prefer collaboring with people who aren’t on the grid. I don’t want to sound exactly like other people’s records.”
‘American Idol’ finalist Matt Giraud returns to Grand Rapids to perform with Sweet J Band
“There’s a lot of good songwriters in Nashville, ” he said. “I’m not writing country music, but there are a lot of gospel and blues influences here.”
The Kalamazoo native’s hope is that there will be a ripple effect to his being in clef cahoots with some respected songwriters.
“I can record my own music, co-written with these writers, who can show (the songs) to their friends, ” he said. “Because they have more powerful friends than I have.”
Anna-Wilson-album.pngListen to Matt Giraud’s first single, a duet with Anna Wilson, “You Don’t Know Me.”
“There’s a lot of good songwriters in Nashville, ” he said. “I’m not writing country music, but there are a lot of gospel and blues influences here.”
The Kalamazoo native’s hope is that there will be a ripple effect to his being in clef cahoots with some respected songwriters.
“I can record my own music, co-written with these writers, who can show (the songs) to their friends, ” he said. “Because they have more powerful friends than I have.”
In addition to writing and recording music for a demo, Giraud, who finished in fifth place on “Idol” last season, will release his first single, “You Don’t Know Me, ” Friday on iTunes. Recorded in October as a duet with jazz chanteuse Anna Wilson for her forthcoming album “Countrypolitan Duets, ” the song is produced by Monty Powell, who has written a bushel basketful of No. 1 country hits, including Keith Urban’s “Sweet Thing.”
Girl’s Dream
“American Idol” auditions are in full swing.
Think back two years and you just might remember Syesha Mercado wowing judges with her Miami audition, performing Aretha Franklin’s “Think.”
Mercado would go on to become the third runner-up in that seventh “Idol” season, setting the stage for a faceoff between the Davids — Cook vs. Archuleta.
Judge Simon Cowell did point out that Mercado’s voice might be too Broadway for pop music. And the creative team behind the international tour of “Dreamgirls” would have to agree: They cast Mercado in the show as Deena, the role played in the 2006 Academy Award-winning film by Beyonce.
The day she got the part remains crystal clear in Mercado’s mind. It was a dream come true.
From ‘Idol’ to lunchroom troubadour
Pop stars, particularly when they’re on tour, follow a different schedule than the rest of us.
It’s 11 a.m., but for Jason Castro it feels like . . . well, it feels a lot like fourth period.
That’s because on this morning, the distinctively dreadlocked singer, a top-four finisher on American Idol in 2008, is performing three short sets in the cafeteria at Haverford High School for groups of students on their lunch breaks.
Try the Sloppy Joe; don’t forget to tip your hall monitor.
Castro, 22, is promoting his self-titled debut album, due in April, with a 31-stop tour that will take him to the World Cafe that night. But here, as in many cities, he is preceding the show with an appearance at a local high school.
‘Idol’ star inspires students at Haverford
HAVERFORD — Former “American Idol” contestant Jason Castro made a stop at Haverford High School Tuesday, striking chords of inspiration for many students.
On a nationwide tour with Matt Hires and Caitlin Crosby, the 22-year-old singer/songwriter performed in West Commons at the school during lunch hour. His ebullient blend of acoustic-folk-pop music, along with his warmth and unassuming manner, were enough to make even those who didn’t know him put down their sandwiches and give a listen.
Castro, who ended as third runner-up on the Fox phenomenon in 2008, played original compositions, including “Love Uncompromised” and “Let’s Just Fall in Love Again, ” the title song of an upcoming album due to be released in the spring.
PREVIEW: Rent at the Lab Theatre
Minneapolis theatergoers will be able to see as much for themselves through the first local, professional production of Rent, which opens on February 3 and runs through February 21 at the Lab Theatre (formerly the Guthrie Lab), located in The Warehouse District near Acme Comedy Club and the former site of Theatre de la Jeune Lune.
Another element that sets this performance apart are the performers themselves. Some of the cast has musical theatre experience-Jamecia Bennett (Joanne) has been seen at the Guthrie, Ordway, and Penumbra Theatre; Reid Hermsen (Mark) at The Children’s Theatre Company; and Kinaundrae Lee (Angel) has been part of an Ivey Award winning show. Others have a very different background. Maria Isa (Mimi) played a sold-out hip-hop show at First Avenue this past summer. Harley Wood (Roger) is the lead vocalist in local rock band Far From Falling. Ensemble member Paris Bennett is an American Idol alumnus. Each cast member brings unique experience, talent, and style to the table, and Rasmussen denotes that this is a perfect fit for Rent, a show about a variety of artists coming together to form a community.
‘American Idol Rewind’: Daughtry, Paris and Ace look back at Millennium Week
As “American Idol” season 9 barrels through its audition weeks, “American Idol Rewind” returns this Saturday (Jan. 30) with all new episodes.
Taking a look back at season 5’s Millennium Week, the stars of the fifth cycle reminisce about what it was like taking the stage to sing the songs of their own generation.
Though some, like Paris Bennett — as you’ll see in the clip below — felt completely comfortable, others like Ace Young delivered what he felt to be “the cheesiest moment in ‘Idol’ history.”
Jessica Sierra Drunk While on American Idol
Former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra (left) admitted to being drunk while performing on the fourth season of the hit reality show.
Her downward spiral began when her mother died during the audition process, she tells Dr. Blogstein’s Radio Happy Hour.
“I couldn’t function for a day without being drunk.” Sierra said about her time on AI, “The drinking part, I think I could hide that pretty well, but I was a mean person. I was really mean to everybody. I just didn’t care.”carrie-underwood
“I think I was particularly mean with Carrie Underwood (right). Our personalities just didn’t click. She was such a happy person all the time and I was so miserable and I had to take it out on someone.”
“I am sorry for being such a bitch.” she wants Underwood to know, “It wasn’t anything that she did other than being happy all the time. “
Randy Jackson sounds off on all things ‘American Idol’
And then there was one. Next season, barring any last-minute twists and turns, Randy Jackson will be the only original “American Idol” judge left sitting. Paula Abdul is now gone and in a blockbuster development earlier this month, Simon Cowell announced he was leaving the nation’s most popular, if aging, television series to start his own show, “The X Factor.”
“Idol” made Jackson a household name and the former session bassist turned pop producer leveraged his fame to expand his brand beyond the hit show. He’s the creator of “America’s Best Dance Crew, ” which is in its fifth season and takes over “Jersey Shore’s” 10 p.m. time slot tonight on MTV. He even has his own line of eyewear.
Jackson was happy to chat about Ellen DeGeneres’ judging style and “Idol” without Simon. But on the looming question of whether the last sitting member of the original Simon-Paula-Randy trifecta is committed to a future on the “Idol” bench or is ready to join his buddies and bolt, Jackson may just keep us guessing.
Five more questions with Randy Jackson
It was so nice to catch up with Randy Jackson the other day and gain a little insight into his own open-ended future (read the story here). Of course, there was plenty more to talk about: like Paula Abdul’s next move (“She’s got some surprises going on, ” he said, “people will definitely be seeing a lot of her!”), this weekend’s Grammy Awards (“It’s all about Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift”), and his new favorite band (that he also happens to manage), North Carolina’s Paper Tongues. Here, five more interesting tidbits from our interview with Dawg, the talent hunter — and a follow-up.
‘American Idol’ recap: Whips, Smarts
An American Idol audition episode is like a can of Diet Coke ([un]official sponsor of this late-night writing session): No matter where you pick one up — Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Los Angeles, or Dallas — it’s going to pretty much look and taste the same as the next one.
Things will kick off with a grim joke of a tryout. There’ll be at least one crying montage in which a third of the weeping rejects will be full-figured women. Any soul who is revealed as ”the last singer of the day, ” or whose intro package contains sentimental music, a story about triumphing over adversity, and/or a phrase that sounds like it could end up appearing in the season 9 victory anthem (i.e. ”the odds were stacked against him”) will make it to Hollywood. And Randy will defy basic mathematic principles (”one billion percent yes, dude”) and the laws of grammar (pick a critique, any critique).
‘American Idol’ Recap: Katy Perry To The Rescue In Los Angeles
It was Los Angeles’ turn to strut its stuff in front of Randy, Simon, Kara and Paula’s Seat Filler on Tuesday night’s “American Idol, ” and as expected, a lot of out of work actors showed up to get some primetime shine from Fox. (Shockingly, Lindsay Lohan stayed home.)
The fame-whoring from the army of untalented made for frustrating lows throughout Tuesday’s broadcast, but luckily there were a handful of auditions that made me sit up in my seat and start brainstorming ways to bedazzle names with terrible puns on giant poster-board.
‘American Idol’: The Audition Episodes Are Almost Over (Yes, Really)
Last night, the endless parade of ‘American Idol‘ audition episodes continued in Dallas, where Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi were joined by the resurgent Neil Patrick Harris and the teen idol Joe Jonas. Can you guess which judge had insightful, sharp critiques of the contestants, and which one was so quiet, it made me wonder if the producers had actually told him “Just smile and look pretty — you’re going to be great for our numbers in the post-tween demo” before he was led into the audition room?
Yes, the judging styles, as they were, of Harris and Jonas were starkly different from one another, with Harris drawing on his . (Some of the contestants he really liked were a little too musical-theater for my personal tastes, but at east he gave reasons for them beyond “I like you” most of the time.) Jonas, for his part, seemed cowed by the cameras, although maybe he was just distracted because he was thinking about his brother’s then-impending solo debut.
‘Idols, ’ listen up! No bikinis, no cowboy hats
Over the past eight seasons viewers have gotten to know what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to “American Idol” wannabes. As those lucky golden ticket holders head to Hollywood, there are a few things they might want to keep in mind.
Getting a ticket doesn’t mean you won’t get cut right out of the gate. As we’ve seen from the atrocious auditions, often the judges let people move on even if they don’t deserve it based on their vocal talents.
Or, as Katy Perry chided fellow judge Kara DioGuardi when Kara gave a thumbs-up to orphan Chris Golightly largely based on his sad tale of life in foster homes: “This isn’t a Lifetime movie.” Well Katy girl, sometimes it is.
‘Idol’ in Dallas: originality (and NPH) rules
Thankfully, Wednesday’s Dallas auditions episode was far more stimulating than Tuesday’s hour of (mainly) mediocre hopefuls. And you can thank three initials for that: NPH. On the other hand, Joe Jonas, who guest-judged the second half, was a man of few words, and even less airtime, which just goes to show: sitting on that panel doling out advice is not as easy as it looks!
So let’s hand it to Neil Patrick Harris. The “How I Met Your Mother” star was gentle, yet critical, enthusiastic and professional, just the way we like our guest judges. And the talent was impressive too. So much so that we had a tough time choosing a top five. Giddyap for our picks….
Idol Does Dallas: The Texas Auditions
OK, I was fearful when I first learned that, hot on the stiletto heels of Paula Abdul’s resignation, Simon Cowell will also be leaving American Idol after this season–and that Paula’s replacement, Ellen DeGeneres, might not stay on for season 10 without Simon by her side. But now that I’ve watched the guest judges in action at this week’s Idol auditions, I’m much less concerned. There’s definitely some fantastic untapped judging talent out there: Really, just have Fox recruit last night’s star judge, Katy Perry, and tonight’s judging genius, Neil Patrick Harris, and the show will be saved for many seasons to come.
Neil Patrick Harris shines in Dallas for ‘Idol’
It’s a shame that Neil Patrick Harris has a pretty good day job, what with that “How I Met Your Mother” show and all, because he was the best of the guest judges to grace the “Idol” stage so far this season.
Harris has already hosted the Tony and Emmy Awards, so it’s not like hanging out in Dallas and judging singers for a day would be a big challenge, but he was both entertaining and helpful as the occasion warranted. Plus, he snapped at head judge Simon Cowell, which is always a big hit with the viewers.
Susan Boyle in stalker terror as weirdo strikes ‘for second time’
Susan Boyle was in terror last night after a male stalker broke into her bedroom – in his second suspected attack on her home.
She had just returned at night from recording the Haiti charity single when she disturbed the man who barged past her and fled.
Shaken Susan, 48, is convinced he was the same weirdo who tried to break in just before Christmas.
Yesterday TV mogul Simon Cowell phoned to comfort her – as she was given a guard of private minders. Susan was previously targeted by a suspected female stalker and on Christmas Day she found men peeping through her windows in Blackburn, West Lothian.
Susan Boyle’s Idol Gets Nasty, Calls Her a ‘Virus’
Susan Boyle has always always professed a deep love for songstress Elaine Paige, with whom she shared the stage last year as they sang Paige’s hit ‘I Know Him So Well’ together. It seems that the adoration is a bit one-sided though, as Paige has fired back at Boyle’s rise to stardom and what it took to get there. “‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘The X Factor’ just take a bunch of people from real life who think they can sing and try and turn them into overnight “stars” with a couple of songs … Ha ha. It’s not entertainment, ‘” Paige said following an awards show.
According to Britain’s Daily Mail, Paige spoke about Boyle’s career at the South Bank Awards. When asked about Boyle’s rise to stardom and the fact that the internet phenom often cites her as her key influence, Paige said: “I don’t particularly feel any pride for her – I’m sure she is proud of what she has done.”
Oscar auditions have dancers, judges on their toes
LOS ANGELES — An auditioning dancer in the classic 1975 musical A Chorus Line bemoans being judged thusly: “Dance, 10; looks, 3.”
But the key number at dance auditions for the 82nd annual Academy Awards show was 847.
That’s how many hopeful hoofers tried out last weekend for a chance to pirouette, plié and bust a move on the March 7 Oscar telecast. On Friday alone, 430 men and women braved a heavy downpour, the long line snaking for blocks, for a chance to step and kick before Oscars producer/choreographer Adam Shankman and a panel of judges.
The numbers were daunting, despite Shankman’s theatrical efforts to relax those putting their best foot forward.
“It’s hair-ography, baby, ” he yelled at a room full of eager women, urging them to use every move they’ve got.
Edited to Add:
Adam Lambert and Miranda Cosgrove Smile For the Camera in Today’s Daily twitpic
This certainly isn’t the most unusual Daily TwitPic we’ve had. In fact, the person who posted the image even refers to it as “random.” But I’m betting that a lot of you readers will at least appreciate who the players are.
To the right you’ve got Miranda Cosgrove, star of “The School of Rock” and “iCarly, ” and owner of the pic’s tweet. And to the left… well… I’m guessing you recognize this guy. Adam Lambert may have been runner-up in the eighth season of “American Idol, ” but he finished first in the hearts of his fans. And Lambert’s star has certainly been on the rise in the months since the “Idol” season ended, with the pop star attracting equal amounts of fan fervor and controversy. You can see him here with Miranda Cosgrove after the jump.
Kara DioGuardi’s Cousins Offer to “Smack Down” Katy Perry
“People actually think that I was upset by this — like there was tension, ” DioGuardi, 39, said on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio show.
“I think that it’s really good that she disagreed with me, ” continued DioGuardi. “I think that it’s important that people have different opinions or else who wants to watch the show? It’d be boring.”
The songwriter-producer, who has worked with Perry, 25, added, “It’s Katy. I’ve known Katy for a long time.”
Still, her family wasn’t so convinced the sparring was in good fun.
“My Italian cousins back home wrote me texts like, ‘Does she need a smack down?’ I was like, ‘No. You’ve got to chill out, ‘” DioGuardi joked.
Michael W. Smith Gathered Artists To Record “Come Together Now” To Benefit Haiti Relief Efforts
On Wednesday, January 27th from 7:00pm to 10:00 pm, Michael W. Smith gathered with artists from the Nashville community, and beyond, at Ocean Way Studio singing “COME TOGETHER NOW” – a song written to remind people of our obligation to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
Artists slated to lend their voices include: Aaron Shust, Alathea, Amy Grant, Ashley Cleveland, Austins Bridge, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Chris McClarney, Chris Sligh, Don Poythress, Dorothy Savage, Duane Allen, Echoing Angels, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, Jaime Jamgochian, Jared Anderson, Jody Davis, John Schlitt, Kate Lazar, Katinas, Kevin Max, Kirk Sullivan, Lee Greenwood, Manic Drive, Margaret Becker, Mark Hall, Matt Dowley, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Meredith Andrews, Michael Tait, MIKESCHAIR, Mike Weaver, Paige Armstrong, Phil Stacey, Point of Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Restless Heart, Selah, Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac, Wynonna, and Yellow Cavalier.
Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler Among Other To Perform At Benefit Concert
Only $500 VIP tickets remain for the third annual Gift of Music benefit concert featuring Rascal Flatts and Kellie Pickler, as well as Jason Michael Carroll, Keith Anderson, Little Big Town and a host of surprise guests.
The already sold-out show – except the VIP tickets – will take place at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville on February 22. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the W.O. Smith Music School, a school that has provided music lessons at a charge of 50 cents to Nashville’s under-privileged children for 25 years.
Avril Lavigne, Neil Patrick Harris, and the Ultimate Idol Contestant
After nearly a decade of watching American Idol auditions, I think I am finally close to mapping the genome of the ultimate contestant. And I’m convinced that deep in the bowels of Fox’s secret laboratories, mad scientists are currently using DNA from this week’s cast of characters to engineer the perfect Idol storm: a girl named Christian (No … no special symbolism, why do you ask?) from a Southern farm ghetto (because with the recession and all, it’ll just be more efficient to have all the poor folks in one place) who has survived cancer, or at least a really bad papercut, and also the divorce of her gangsta parents to become a dock worker and “worship pastor” (Are there other kinds of pastors? Pastors for online shopping, maybe, or scuba diving?) raising her 14 beautiful children. Christian will have the voice of Melinda Doolittle, the legs of Carrie Underwood, and the eyeliner of Adam Lambert, and she will know how to work a hoodie with little devil horns.
