Gospel singer Matthew West has a lot going on
On his debut recording, West scored a top hit of his own. ‘More, ‘ a catchy tune with descriptive lyrics, was the most-played adult contemporary song on Christian radio during 2004.
Several other hits have followed over two more albums. But he has continued to write songs for other artists.
‘There’s a lot of Christian songs that focus on faith, which is good, ‘ he said. ‘But I’ve always written songs about everyday life simply from a Christian perspective. That works even for people who don’t walk through the doors of a church.’
West has a song on the upcoming release of country artist Jo Dee Messina, and another under consideration by ‘American Idol’ finalist Danny Gokey.
Kris-cross the USA: Idol hits Dolphins game
Football idols will compete for attention with an American Idol at Sunday’s Dolphins-Saints game.
The Dolphins’ continuing effort to surround football with show business glitz is bringing reigning American Idol Kris Allen to the Land Shark Stadium Tailgate Stage at 3 p.m. (Kickoff is 4:15.) There’s no additional charge for the concert.
Allen’s life has been a whirlwind for the past year. He’s just off Idol’s nationwide barnstorming tour. Since last January, when he reported to Los Angeles for the final Idol countdown, he has been home to Conway, Ark., “maybe three days.”
Carrie Underwood to Launch PLAY ON in NYC
Season 4’s American Idol, Carrie Underwood, will head to New York City to celebrate and promote her new album PLAY ON, due in stores November 3. While in the Big Apple, Carrie will perform on The Late Show with David Letterman, perform a special outdoor concert at Lincoln Center on Good Morning America, and will round out her week with a visit to Live with Regis and Kelly.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Iverson ‘longshot’ to play in Grizzlies’ opener; Griz edge Charlotte
Tip-in: The season opener Wednesday will tip-off with pregame performances by Three 6 Mafia, MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” winners the JabbaWockeez and “American Idol” finalist Lil Rounds. Three 6 Mafia will join forces with the JabbaWockeez for a performance during Grizzlies player introductions. Rounds will perform the national aThe JabbaWockeez also are scheduled to perform their stylized theatrics during halftime.
Carrie Underwood Warbdrobe Secrets
When the 43rd Annual CMA Awards air on Nov. 11, some fashionistas will be watching just to see what co-host Carrie Underwood is wearing. The country superstar regularly shows up on best dressed lists, striking the perfect balance between sexy and classy.
Carrie recently visited the GAC studio and we asked her to give us advice on the three items every woman should have in her wardrobe. She says ‘ some sort of tummy control device, such as Spanx, is really nice to have, because you never know when you might need them. I have many ‘ I am willing to admit that, ‘ she laughs.
Changes this week for outdoors shows
This weekend of outdoors on ESPN2 features a marathon of hunting and fishing programming on October 25th. With a reduced schedule on Saturday, October 24th, fans can catch all their favorite shows as late as 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
At 11:30 a.m. ET watch Browning Expeditions featuring former American Idol performer Kristy Lee Cook. She joins host and wildlife artist Stephen LeBlanc as they ramble into the Lonestar State for some good old whitetail hunting.
American Idol’s Iraheta Debut Single: Not Rock, Not Bad
‘American Idol’ fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta’s debut single, ‘Friday I’ll Be Over U, ‘ has been released to radio, and ‘ surprise! ‘ it’s not bad.
But it’s decidedly not the rock Iraheta has been promising. It’s more rock-pop that’s not that far from Avril Lavigne (whom she’s not as good as) or Disney’s Demi Lovato (whom she’s better than).
Big and hooky, the song sounds like a lot like what Lavigne did on her album ‘The Best Damned Thing.’ It’s rock-oriented, but has a very heavy pop production to make it uber-catchy.
Tuned In: Blake Lewis aims for distinction
Rather than attempt to be everything to everyone, like so many other “American Idol” contenders try to do, Blake Lewis is honing in on a specific sound.
The sixth-season “Idol” contestant, who finished second to Jordin Sparks, follows his moderately successful 2007 release, “Audio Day Dream, ” with a “Heartbreak on Vinyl” that zeroes in on what “Audio” did best — electronic dance music. And although Lewis’ trademark gimmick on the TV show was his beat box vocals, he graciously offers little of that on either of the releases.
Lewis seems quite comfortable in his genre of choice, and he finds a way to poke through the heavy machinery with stylish singing. He’s no Justin Timberlake, but he’s working on it.
Interview: A Conversation With Bucky Covington
Since appearing on season five of American Idol, 8th place runner-up, Bucky Covington has been keeping himself very busy. Shortly after the show Covington released his first album, Bucky Covington, which debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and at number four on the Top 200 Albums chart.
Covington also appeared in Hannah Montana: The Movie, and toured with the GAC Country Music Christmas Tour. His time on Idol is being featured on this season of American Idol Rewind. Covington is preparing to release his new album, I’m Alright, in Spring of 2010. He just released a new single, a countrified version of Nickelback’s ‘Gotta Be Somebody.’
Events on Long Island
BAY SHORE Boulton Center for the Performing Arts Guy Clarkand Elizabeth Cook, folk. Friday at 8 p.m. $40. ‘A Night at the Rock Show, ‘ with Constantine Maroulis. Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. $20 and $25. Edwin McCain, singer. Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. $35 and $40. Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main Street. (631) 969-1101; boultoncenter.org.
Hollywood Celebrities Will Don Their Denim and Diamonds this Saturday to Help Raise Autism Awareness and Funds for Children in Need
LOS ANGELES, CA, October 24, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ — The Stars and ACTivists for autism care and treatment will shine bright this weekend at ACT Today’s 4th Annual Denim and Diamonds fundraiser, benefiting children with autism. Denim and Diamonds 2009 will be held at a private equestrian estate in the exclusive community of Hidden Hills, California on Saturday, October 24th from 6-10pm, co-hosted by Jerry Penacoli, senior reporter of the syndicated entertainment news show, “EXTRA”, and ACT Today’s Executive Director, Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson.
Celebrities scheduled to attend include Tom Bergeron of “Dancing With the Stars”, actresses Nicollette Sheridan, Linda Gray, and Denise Richards; Race car driver / model Ashley Van Dyke, singer Carly Smithson of “American Idol”, Grant Reynolds of FOX Reality show “Househusbands of Hollywood. ” In addition, pro- athletes will be on hand to offer their unique talents for the auction including private football coaching by Former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Chris Hayes, riding lessons from champion jumper Ashlee Bond and private dressage lesson from Olympian Leslie Morse.
Simon Cowell and Jamie ‘Afro’ Archer in ‘screaming match’
Simon Cowell was involved in a “screaming match” with his X Factor protege Jamie “Afro” Archer, a report has claimed. The 34-year-old singer was said to be “shell-shocked” after coming to blows with the entertainment mogul in a row during rehearsals for this week’s Big Band themed show.
Sources told The Sun that production staff were shocked to hear Simon tell Jamie to ditch his choice of song during the dress rehearsals.
Cowell was reportedly unhappy with Archer’s performance of the Elvis hit `If I Can Dream’.
He told Jamie: “That was well below par. You are finished if you sing that.
Simon Cowell takes a £3m pay cut to stay at ITV – Exclusive
Simon Cowell is to sign a new ITV deal tying him to the channel for another two years ‘ after agreeing a £3.5million pay CUT.
Instead of earning around £6.7million a year for producing and starring in X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, he will get an annual salary closer to £5million.
But Simon, 50, who is poised to sign the contract in days, is delighted, saying: ‘I wouldn’t work anywhere else.’
The acid-tongued judge is proud that the sixth series of X Factor has topped last year’s ratings. And he’s ‘cock-a-hoop’ after Britain’s Got Talent became the most watched show of the last five years when 19million tuned in to see May’s final.
