Adam Lambert Maps Out his International Tour Plans
What have you got coming up in the near future?
I’m on tour here in the States until September and then we go international. We go over to Asia, South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and then we do Japan and then we go over to the UK.
Casey James has a sinus infection
Casey James is not starting the American Idols Live the way he would have liked. He has picked up a sinus infection, and it trying to nurse his voice back to health before the tour starts Thursday night in Detroit, Michigan.
“It started as allergies, ” Casey James says, “and now my throat has swollen up.”
Crystal Bowersox could be collaborating with Michael Franti
One song that’s in the very early stages is a potential collaboration with Michael Franti, who recently lit up the charts with his band Spearhead and the singles Say Hey (I Love You) and The Sound of Summer.
“I came up with a song, and all I could hear on it was Michael Franti, so I sent it to him, ” Crystal says, who has publicly proclaimed her admiration of Franti’s music. “We’ll see what happens with that. I’m not really sure if it’s going to make the album or not — it’s just a project in the works. Regardless of whether that particular song makes it or not, I’d love to work with him anyway.”
Other possible collaborators: musical hero Melissa Etheridge and Linda Perry, a top songwriter/producer that also used to front 4 Non Blondes, whose What’s Up Crystal recently performed on The Tonight Show.
The Idols get their first look at the tour set
When the top 10 for American Idol’s season 9 arrived at the Palace in Auburn Hills to start tour rehearsals this past weekend, the people in charge of the production took them into the arena via one of the entrances the audience will use tonight, as the American Idols Live tour launches in Detroit, Mich.
“We were at the very back of the arena, ” Tim Urban says. “We were looking dosn from as far away from the stage as you could get.”
Australian Idol, Guy Sebastian tweets, “I’ll be joining the amazing Jordin Sparks to sing our duet together at her shows throughout the West Coast. Can’t wait!!” Jordin recorded a duet “Art Of Love” for Guy’s last album Like it Like That.
Headlines after the JUMP…
Lee DeWyze: ‘There’s going to be bras flying through the air’
The American Idols Live tour starts Thursday night in Detroit, Mich. But when the 10 Idol finalists take to the road, they’ll be on two buses — one for the four women and one for the six men.
“The girls’ bus will be much cleaner and smell a lot nicer, ” claims Katie Stevens.
Lee DeWyze says he’s willing to debate that point.
Crystal Bowersox kicks into high gear for ‘Idol Live’
Crystal Bowersox is pulling double duty this summer.
While performing on the “American Idols Live!” tour, which kicks off tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills, she’ll also be recording her debut album, which will arrive around Thanksgiving.
On “Idol, ” the rootsy rocker — part Janis Joplin, part Melissa Etheridge — was a favorite to win the season, right up until she lost to bashful paint salesman Lee DeWyze in the May 26 finale. But on “Idol, ” even the losers are winners; and last week, Bowersox inked a recording deal with 19 Recordings/Jive Records.
‘American Idols Live’ comes to Grand Rapids this weekend
GRAND RAPIDS — Casey James doesn’t take anything for granted.
The 28-year-old, who will roll through town Saturday night along with his other “American Idol” season nine Top 10 compadres, including winner Lee DeWyze, knows it can all be gone in a second, and he’s not talking about something as fleeting as fame.
Seven years ago, the Cool, Texas native was rounding a corner on his motorcycle when he realized in a flash that he was about to be killed.
Casey James: ‘You have to amplify everything’
Even though the first concert of the American Idols Live tour isn’t until tonight, playing a big stage in a big hall like Michigan’s The Palace of Auburn Hills is already changing the way Casey James performs.
Seeing the show’s video introductions and watching the other performers’ rehearsals from the back of the hall really made an impression on Casey. “You try to think about how you’re going to be seen and taken from that view and use that in your performance, ” he says. “I had them record my set, then I went back and watched it. You immediately start thinking about that stuff when you walk in and see it.”
Katie Stevens looks ahead to home-state show
Katie Stevens is eager to start the American Idols Live tour tonight.
“I can’t even picture all those seats with people in them, ” she said before Wednesday night’s dress rehearsal.
But Katie’s especially excited about performing in her home state of Connecticut in a couple weeks, when the tour stops at the Mohegan Sun Arena, where she’s seen a lot of concerts from the audience perspective.
Michael Lynche can’t wait to get back in front of an audience
Michael Lynche says he approached his three-song set for the American Idols Live tour the same way he did the performance on the TV show. After all, it’s something he’s been planning for most of his life.
“I’ve always kind of had a big, overall view of who I am and what I want my message to be, ” Michael said Wednesday just before he and the other nine singers on the tour did their final run-through before Thursday’s tour launch. “For me, I’ve had a lot of time to get experience gigging in New York City. If you don’t get yourself right in New York City, you don’t work anymore. So I’ve had a lot of time to think and plan.
Andrew Garcia looking forward to full-length songs
Performing second during tonight’s American Idols Live tour launch in Detroit, Mich., Andrew Garcia will sing a pair of songs that he did on American Idol. But this time, he’ll get to do full versions of the material, instead of the truncated minute-and-a-half edits necessitated by the TV show’s format.
“The songs that I picked, they have more of mainstream pop/R&B vibe, ” Andrew says. “The singing makes it R&B, because I love R&B. But I also like the mainstream. I want them to get that that’s what I do.
Siobhan Magnus, Aaron Kelly shaping up as Idol tour highlights
Listen to the participants on this year’s American Idols Live tour talk about watching each other’s rehearsals, and two names keep popping up: Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly. It’s sounding like the sets in them middle — Siobhan finished sixth on American Idol this season, and Aaron finished fifth — could be highlights of the show.
“Have you seen Siobhan?” Andrew Garcia asks excitedly. “The full number, with the dress and everything?”
Crystal Bowersox leaves her mic stand at home
Idols have to pack light when they take to the road for the summer tour. After all, they’ve got to fit four girls on one bus, and six guys on the other.
That didn’t stop Katie Stevens from piling up her bunk with pillows.
“I sleep with a lot of pillows, ” she says. “I don’t know why; it just gives me a sense of security.”
Fantasia celebrates her 26th birthday and introduces her new music video on BET’s 106 and Park
via Toyaz World
Reuben Studdard Speaks at John Hay
CLEVELAND – American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard came to town for a free community event Wednesday, June 23, at John Hay High School, 2075 Stokes Boulevard, hosted by Open Doors Academy. Annemarie Grassi, Executive Director of Open Doors Academy introduced Wayne Dawson, Fox 8 anchor. He was emcee for the evening.
Prior to the onstage presence, in a quiet room away from the auditorium, Reuben spoke for two hours to the children about the importance of education and how we can best support our youth today. Later in the auditorium, friends and families attended this family event.
City News Ohio
AYLA BROWN TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT NASHVILLE?S ?MUSIC CITY JULY 4TH: LET FREEDOM SING!? INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
BOSTON (July 1, 2010) Recording artist Ayla Brown will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” accompanied by the Grammy Award-winning National Symphony at the “Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!” Independence Day concert and fireworks celebration on Sunday, July 4 at 7 p.m.
Nashville’s Independence Day weekend festivities culminates in the concert, which features musical acts taking to the Riverfront Park stage beginning in the afternoon and leading up to one of the nation’s most eye-popping fireworks displays. Artists slated to perform in addition to Brown include Trace Adkins, Calico Trail, Damien Horne, Julianne Hough, Jessie James, Jordyn Shellhart and Jaci Velasquez.
More information about the concert HERE.
Recent “American Idol” contestant returns to hospital that treated him
For Thaddeus Johnson, one of Oklahoma’s most recent “American Idol” contestants, and many of the patients at The Children’s Center in Bethany, Independence Day was celebrated a few days early. On Wednesday, the patients and Johnson performed a concert for friends, family and staff members at the hospital for children with complex medical and physical disabilities.
The Treble Makers Patriotic Celebration started with Johnson’s vocal rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Johnson auditioned for season nine of “American Idol” during summer of 2009 and remained in the contest throughout “Hollywood Week” in January.
‘SYTYCD’ Top 9: Alex & tWitch Make Hip Hop/Ballet History
Wow. We caught up with Alex moments after his big moment and with his heart still racing he told us, “I didn’t think I could do it. I’m overwhelmed that I got that feedback…I feel like I got lucky.” And how about that standing ovation? “Crazy. Crazy. There aren’t even words to describe it. Just crazy, ” he beamed.
Needless to say, tWitch was super proud of his partner. “I’ve never seen a ballet dancer do hip-hop to that magnitude, ” tWitch told us post-performance. “It was just a matter of getting out of your mind and going for blood.”
tWitch too said the response was “overwhelming” and that “it was one of my favorite performances ever because it was my first time dancing with a ballet dancer and I think it was his first time dancing with a hip hop dancer so we made history for each other. He definitely held his own as a hip hop dancer. Alex has swag for days.”
So You Think You Can Dance Recap: Just Breathe Everybody!
”Breathe, everybody, breathe!” That’s what Cat Deeley said just before the final recap of last night’s (mostly) stellar episode of So You Think You Can Dance, and I don’t really blame her, what with Alex’s showstopping hip-hop routine, Kent’s hungry jazz face, Jose’s apparent ability to always satisfy the judges, Billy’s apparent inability to ever satisfy the judges, Lauren’s wardrobe malfunction, Melinda’s quiet evisceration, Robert’s Starlight Express pants, Ashley’s purple hurricane, and AdéChiké’s long overdue introduction of his winning personality. [Gasps] So much [pant] happened [wheeze] last night! [Faints] [Gets up again] It was almost [puts head between legs] too much [exhales into paper bag] to take!
‘SYTYCD’ Alex Wong: ‘I didn’t think I could do’ hip-hop
“I didn’t think I could do it, ” he says backstage. “I’m overwhelmed I got good feedback.”
He credits his teachers for successfully pulling off the dance, in which he plays a man who receives therapy from a psychiatrist (played by tWitch). The routine is set to “Outta Your Mind” by Lil Jon and LM*AO. How appropriate.
Jane Lynch: It Feels Different to be Married
Lynch wed partner Lara Embry at Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland, Massachusetts this past May. Embry has an eight-year-old daughter named Haden.
“It does feel different to be married. … I feel like I belong to somebody and somebody belongs to me, ” the “Glee” star tells ET. “We have a little family unit, I love it. … I’m really lucky. I got a good one. I got a good family.”
