‘American Idol’: Rock of Ages
If you had told me a month ago that in this week of the American Idol finals, Jason Castro or David Archuleta would be in the bottom three ‘ while Kristy Lee Cook, Syesha Mercado, and Michael Johns looked on from the comfort and safety of those hideous blue chenille couches ‘ I’d have said you were crazier than the bespangled, black-leather half gloves that Paula pulled out from the back trunk of her closet tonight.
And, yeah, while the above scenario is about as likely to happen as Simon wearing a rainbow-hued button-down to Wednesday night’s results show, it wouldn’t be the most shocking turn of events ‘ not after a bizarre set of performances on the bizarre ”Songs From the Year You Were Born” theme night.
Kristy Lee Cook surprises on ‹American Idol
After two weeks of John Lennon and Paul McCartney tunes, …American Idol finally and mercifully retired the Beatles theme. That made the contestants, the audience and Heather Mills all very happy. Instead, the theme for the week was birthdays, with everyone singing songs released in the year they were born.
The big beneficiary of that was Kristy Lee Cook, who may survive for another week based on the luck of sharing a birthday with Lee Greenwood patriotic anthem …God Bless the USA.
‘American Idol’: The Wave of the Past
A Very Special Night on “American Idol.” The traditional Pimping of “‘Til Death” is back, only this time Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher & Her Incredible Shoes all have turned out to pitch in.
Judge Paula Abdul is wearing what’s left of a sparkly silver outfit, the left shoulder of which apparently was torn off in a scuffle. Ditto the fingers on her black evening gloves. And yet, miraculously, her attackers did not make off with the layers of diamond bracelets around her wrists. What luck!
Each Idolette has been challenged to find a song to sing from the year he or she was born.
American Idol: Top 10 Perform
Watch the Top 10 perform songs from the year they were born tonight, and be sure and come back tomorrow when former contestant Kimberly Locke performs.
American Idol: Chikezie Cheesy
Last things first. If you’re going to close out the show, it’s a good idea to bring your ‘A’ game, and David Cook did just that tonight, with an intense, tightly wound performance of Billie Jean ‘ yes, you read that right ‘ that cut across generational boundaries, gender boundaries and any other boundaries you care to name.
David C. may not win this thing ‘ but then again, he just might. And if he does, tonight’s performance will go a long way toward explaining why.
American Idol Finalist Michael Johns Touching Tribute to Heath Ledger
Michael Johns has a shot at the top five of American idol and the soulful singer would love to win for the glory of Australia ‘ and the memory of his hometown friend Heath Ledger, Star Magazine is reporting. Johns, already an American Idol fan favorite Michael Johns has an extra incentive to capture the Season 7 crown: The Australian-born rocker was pals with countryman Heath Ledger – and an Idol win would honor his late friend.
Idol Meets the Beatles
That’s a lot of Beatles songs. Don’t get me wrong, I was psyched when I heard that American Idol finally acquired the performing rights from Sony/ATV. But four hours, 23 solos, two medleys, and a Katharine McPhee/David Foster collaboration later, I’m ready to let the singers get back to their regular Idol fare. It wasn’t all bad’ though it’s maybe not their thing. The Top 12 worked the hard-won Lennon-McCartney songbook two weeks ago in some innovative and fairly satisfactory ways. And then the producers couldn’t just “Let It Be, ” so there was a second Beatles night last week (this time including songs by the Other Beatles!). Has this ever happened before’ two successive weeks of the same theme? The answer is no, and now we know why.
Reality Check: It’s All About the Attitude on ‘Idol’ and ‘Dancing’
During a Sanjaya-less season, I think we can all agree on the fact that “American Idol” is first and foremost a talent competition. But right after singing ability on the list of what matters is attitude.
Ramiele Malubay gets an A in this department: she sobs profusely when her friends get kicked off, talks about how grateful she is to be in the competition, and when she gets criticized, she doesn’t fall apart.
Celebrity judges Idol-ize Goshen Elementary
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson of “American Idol” fame made a low-profile visit to Goshen Elementary School to meet students and shoot video for the upcoming “Idol Gives Back” fundraiser show.
The stars visited 40 lucky Goshen students, asking their names and ages, and giving each a hug. Abdul even led them in a dance routine in the cafeteria.
“The students were very excited” about the March 14 visit, Principal Marty Frolli said.
“She showed it could be fun way to work out and get exercise.”
American Idol: new Jason T’s?
Jason Castro T-shirt creator Brandi Patterson now has a PayPal account set up, making it more efficient to process out-of-town T-shirt requests. She’ll be introducing new Jason T’s next week – with the proceeds, again, going to a good cause.
Cast off ‹Idol, Overmyer banking on momentum
Nobody was buying it when Amanda Overmyer, the Harley-riding, rock n roll nurse who got voted off …American Idol last week, said she prepared to go back home if that how things work out.
Appearing on Rockefeller Plaza on Tuesday with TODAY Matt Lauer, Ann Curry and Natalie Morales, Overmyer said she hopes that making it to the popular show final dozen will be enough to kick-start her musical career. But she understands it might not work out that way.
…Hopefully, Ive created enough momentum out of this to gain a career out of it in music, said the woman who dared to challenge the …Idol pop-music audience with some old-fashioned, hard-driving rock n roll. …But if not ‘ if my 15 minutes are up ‘ Ill be back in Indiana, doing what I do.
Danny & Ramie show
MANILA, Philippines’ The …C hand signal that Filipino-American Top 10 finalist Ramiele Malubay flashed for Danny Noriega when he was ejected from …American Idol stands for corazon’ Spanish for …heart.
Danny revealed this in a phone interview with journalists from around the world arranged by Star World, which airs the popular talent search in Asia.
…It a cute little half-heart thing that we just do, he explained, referring to Ramiele as his …best friend in the show. On the …American Idol website are various photos of the two hugging and goofing around.
American Idol Hopeful Brooke White Has a Reality TV Secret
Many American idol fans have fallen in love with Brooke White. She is an adorable blonde that comes across as honest and has a great stage manner with her folksy style and unlike many of the younger performers that have plagued idol for the last few years, she feels the music and delivers.
But she does have a reality television secret according to a report from In Touch Weekly, though it likely has nothing to do with her presense on the stage or her performances. In fact, it is more of a connection than a secret.
David Hernandez Has Broadway Ambitions
David Hernandez may have fallen short on his bid to be American Idol champ, but the Arizona native has now sets his sights on Broadway. TMZ.com reports that the former gay stripper recently arrived in New York City to audition for the cast of Rent. Hernandez made headlines after making the cut for this season’s Idol when it was revealed that he’d once worked as an adult entertainer at Dick’s Cabaret in Phoenix. He was allowed to compete, but was voted off the show March 11th.
Even if Hernandez gets a part, Rent will be ending its 12-year run on June 1st.
‘American Idol’: The 10 Worst Performances Ever
Not every number gets a standing ”O” from us. Here are the trainwreck moments that, for better or worse, are burned in our memory forever. And, yes, Sanjaya’s in the house…
Idol’s Songwriting Competition Returns
Songs must be submitted online between today and March 31. The entries will be narrowed down to 20, and the winner will be chosen by fans through an online vote that begins April 10. The winning track will be announced and performed at the Season 7 finale on May 20.
Carrie and Chace Are Dunzo!
Another one bites the dust! The short-lived relationship between Carrie Underwood and Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford is officially dunzo, reports trent.blogspot.com.
Carrie reportedly confirmed the split on a radio show this morning but there’s no official confirmation from either camp.
Atlanta Braves celebrate Opening Night at Turner Field on Monday, March 31
The Atlanta Braves will host the Pittsburgh Pirates for Opening Night 2008 on Monday, March 31 with a 7:10 first pitch. Pre-game ceremonies beginning at 6:30 p.m. will feature a video tribute to the Braves storied franchise, the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. After full squad introductions, recording star Diana DeGarmo will sing the National Anthem and pilots from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans will perform a fly over in F-18 Hornets. Nationally touring country band Whiskey Falls will perform their song “Load up the Bases”, written for the Braves 2008 season, pre-game in Fan Plaza, and will sing God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch. Country music star Eric Church will lead fans in Take Me Out to the Ballgame following God Bless America, as the Braves celebrate the start of the 2008 season.
Paris Bennett, other alums sign up for ‘American Idol’ summer camp
The latest American Idol alum to sign up for the franchise’s summer camp extension? Season 5 finalist Paris Bennett, who will join Season 4 runner-up Bo Bice, Season 5’s Ace Young and Season 3’s Jon Peter Lewis as a mentor to 150 Idol hopefuls.
Carrie Underwood, Sugarland Strike New Gold
Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Big & Rich and the Wreckers have each scored gold singles for more than 500, 000 digital downloads, according to the latest report from the RIAA. Underwood was awarded two certifications — for “So Small” and “Wasted.”
Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban Talk About Touring
It’s not as though Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood have any problems selling tickets to their individual concerts, but additional level of excitement and anticipation began building ever since their co-headlining tour was announced late last year. The two acts have been exceeding expectations from the time the tour launched in January.
In addition to their shows together, Underwood is continuing to headline her own North American tour with Josh Turner, and Urban is now in the process of finishing up an Australian tour that ends Saturday (March 29) in Sydney. Underwood and Urban will reunite on April 9 in Baltimore, but CMT Insider caught up with them earlier this month in Denver to talk about their Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride tour.
myfoxkc.com Exclusive: American Idol’s Phil Stacey
Season 6 American Idol alum and Wichita-native Phil Stacey was at Jared Allen’s Bar and Grill in Kansas City on Tuesday night watching the show with some Q104 radio fans. myfoxkc.com caught up with Phil and asked him some questions that you can only find the answers to on myfoxkc.com,
Jon Peter Lewis Unplugged in Vegas
This just in ¦ Jon Peter Lewis will be performing at the New Borders Books & Music in Las Vegas a week from Saturday( April 5th).
The show is in support of the former American Idol’s new album Break the Silence, which is scheduled to hit stores on June 3rd.
According to his publicist, this will be an acoustic performance. He also has various other appearances lined up for the remainder of this month and in April.
GMA Music In The Rockies Plans New Experiences
At night, registrants will hear Soundstage Concerts from Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman, Nickel Creek’s Sean Watkins, MercyMe, Hawk Nelson, Mandisa, Israel & New Breed, Shane & Shane, Jaci Velasquez, Trin-i-tee 5:7, pureNRG, Chris Sligh and more. Add to that, excursions into the Rocky Mountains and late-night jam sessions and GMA Music in the Rockies offers an …unequaled experience of a lifetime for any creative person at any stage of their life who shares a passion for music inspired by the heart of God, said John W. Styll, president and CEO of GMA.
Jordin Sparks to perform at Assembly Hall
…American Idol champ Jordin Sparks will bring her spring tour to Central Illinois via the University of Illinois Assembly Hall in Champaign.
Sparks concert is set for 7:30 p.m. April 25, with tickets, priced at $33, going on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Assembly Hall box office and area Ticketmaster outlets.
Accompanying Sparks will be special guest Flo Rida.
‘Idol’ finalist Kevin Covais gets cheeky in ‘College’
From Grammys and gold records to college and day jobs, life after American Idol is a mix of the ordinary and the entertaining. USA TODAY catches up each week with a former finalist:
Kevin Covais, arguably the sweetest-cheeked guy ever to grace the Idol stage, will make his big-screen debut this fall in College. His co-stars include Nickelodeon star Drake Bell and Andrew Caldwell, a guy who has done a few episodes of Hannah Montana.
“People might run down the cast, ” Covais says, “and think, ‘Possible Disney flick? PG?’ ”
They’ll be in for a surprise: Chicken Little has hatched.
“A lot of things people might not expect it to be, it is, ” Covais, 18, says with glee.
‘American Idol’ star Kevin Covais sings in Medford
“American Idol” alum Kevin Covais, the teen balladeer from Levittown, performed for about 700 students at Tremont Elementary School in Medford Tuesday, in a concert that rewarded the children for helping to raise the most money for a new diabetes center for their community.
Wearing jeans and blue-and-white sneakers with a light blue buttoned-down shirt and pink plaid tie, the bespectacled crooner ran through several pop tunes, including newer ones such as BBMak’s “Back Here Baby” and classics like Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
Springtime Jingles: An American Idol Christmas in May
On May 19, 2008, Chenoa Records proudly announces a CD launch party celebrating American Christmas and American Christmas 2; a two-disc soon-to-be classic that will be released November 11′ just in time for the 2008 holiday season.
The event is already generating a buzz in Hollywood, with media from Access Hollywood to Extra! already planning their coverage. Participating former AI contestants include Alexis Stone Lopez (Season1 Finalist), Angela Peel (Season 1 Finalist), Ayla Brown (Season 5 Finalist), Frenchie Davis (Season 2 Contestant), Jasmine Trias (Season 3 2nd runner-up to Carrie Underwood), Joe Murenas (Season 4 Finalist), Julia DeAmato (Season 2 Finalist), Lindsey Cardinale (Season 4 Finalist), Lisa Leuschner (Season 2 Finalist), Maynard Triplets (Season 4 Contestants), Melissa McGee (Season 5 Finalist), Mikalah Gordon (Season 4 Finalist), Nikki Mckibbin (Season 1, 2nd runner-up to Kelly Clarkson), Perla (Season 6 Contestant), Ricky Smith (Season 2, 8th Place Finalist), Trenyce (Season 2, 5th Place Finalist), Vonzel Solomon (Season 3, 5th Place Finalist), and RJ Helton (Season 1, 5th Place Finalist).
The Sean Maxwell Project Presents a Diversity of Talents Fashion Show Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer. Special Performances by Diana DeGarmo of American Idol.
Special Performances will be made by Diana DeGarmo of American Idol and others such as 1. Ashley Rivera and Blackjack Ketchum (Ashley was awarded the title of Georgia’s Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year in 2007) 2. Senona (Their EP …Lost in Translation has already received early critical acclaim) 3. Nazeem Allayl Middle Eastern Dance Company (they are known throughout the United States for their electrifying and expressive performances) 4. The Vega String Quartet (Vega Quartet has won numerous international competitions and performed in all three halls in Carnegie Hall) 5. Monica Matthews (she landed a 2003 Grammy nomination for her vocal contributions on the highly acclaimed ” Second Nature” album)
Suburbarazzi Week in Review on RNN: EXCLUSIVE chat with ‹American Idol star Kimberley Locke
Why would a celebrity choose North Salem as a place to live and open a restaurant? What a downside to living with Clay Aiken? And what does it feel like to know youll be singing your new song on the …American Idol stage during this week results show?
These questions in an exclusive Suburbarazzi interview with …Idol contestant Kimberley Locke were the ones to make the cut for tonight extra-special segment on RNN.
