Idol Headlines for 02/20/09

By On 02/20/2009 · 67 Comments · In Uncategorized

Taylor Hicks reups with ‘Grease’

“Americal Idol” winner Taylor Hicks has reupped his contract with the national tour of “Grease,” with the performer now appearing on the road with the show through the 2009-10 season.

Hicks, who plays the cameo role of Teen Angel in the tuner, has played in the tour since it went out in December. He also had a stint in the Broadway incarnation, which shuttered in January.

“Grease” will make stops this spring in San Diego, L.A., San Francisco and Portland, among other cities.

Variety

Idol Worship: Jason Mraz On “I’m Yours” Group Number

Jason Mraz: “When watching it, I felt like I woke up from a dream, disoriented, and the TV was still on, playing a movie-musical Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d never seen à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  a mash-up between Xanadu, Saved by the Bell, and Grease 2. But donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get me wrong, I am honored to play a role in this festival of enthusiasm. And Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m always open to hearing new interpretations as it gives me renewal, offering new suggestions for my own live take on it. I love how the ladies held lengthy whole notes through the end choruses. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m likely to start doing that. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll also ask more of my band members to start singing, because I love the group participation, although our audiences do a keen job at singing louder than we do. ”

Billboard.com

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

Photos: WGA Protests American Idol

Deadline Hollywood

American Idol: Bring Back Tatiana!

When yesterday we called for the immediate dismissal of American Idol’s Tatiana Del Toro, we didn’t want it to be like this. We knew that last night only three contestants could make it through to the top twelve, but, naturally, we figured if Tatiana went home, that meant deserving contestants Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, and Anoop Desai would advance. Sadly, we were only two-thirds right.

NY Magazine

American Idol First Results: Danny Gokey Advances! But Nooo. . . Tatiana’s Sent Home?

I’d been waiting all day for the first results show of the season, because an entire hour of fluff, recaps, dramatic musings by Ryan, and group singing are all I live for. So first last night we got the judges’ commenting on the initial round of the semi-finals–and all pretty much agree it was so-so. Kara says a few stood out: Stevie Wright and Casey Carlson in particular. I love when Biatch Kara tells it like it is. Then they go into an extended joke about judging one another’s “performance” “after the show”; apparently Kara is the new love interest for Simon–or so the producers would like us to believe. Until now, dutiful Paula always carried that burden with a few raunchy sex jokes thrown in every now and then. Here’s hoping this all leads to a catfight.

Village Voice

‘American Idol’ winner performs at UW-EC

As performers were being axed from the eighth season of the hit reality TV show “American Idol” on Fox Wednesday night, seventh season Idol winner David Cook was preparing to take the stage at UW-Eau Claire.

But Cook wasn’t prepping to play for a crowd of thousands in Zorn Arena. It was no matter that the men’s Blugolds basketball team already had that location secured.

Leader-telegram

Lines form to see Syesha sing at her home place

PALMETTO à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  An hour before a fund-raising concert featuring à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  star Syesha Mercado was to begin, lines formed at the Manatee Convention and Civic Center.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Everyone has welcomed me back with open arms. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s really good to be here,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  she said at the center a couple hours before the show.

Bradenton.com

Tyler Perry Wants Jennifer Hudson to Star in His Film

Tyler Perry hopes Jennifer Hudson will continue performing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ and even star in a film he wrote specifically for her.

“I just wrote a movie for her that I’m really excited about,” the filmmaker, 39, told PEOPLE Wednesday’s New York City premiere of Madea Goes to Jail, which opens to the public Friday. “I’m hoping she’ll be able to do it.”

People.com

FIRST LOOK: Katharine McPhee on CSI: NY

Katharine McPhee guest stars on an upcoming episode of CSI: NY playing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ what else à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ a singer, and PEOPLE has an exclusive sneak peek. The American Idol Season 5 runner-up is pictured alongside the show’s star, Gary Sinise, at the Feb. 18 shoot on the CBS Radford Lot in Studio City, Calif. McPhee, 24, takes on the role of a crime victim who resorts to murder as revenge. The episode is set to air in mid-April on CBS. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Marisa Laudadio

People.com

Caught! Keanu Reeves Shaves It, Works It

Kara DioGuardi, skipping out on her AI duties to hit a recording studio in Burbank. The songstress did have a job before Idol, folks. Another musician there said our girl Kar was even more “real and down to earth” than she seems on the tube but is much “edgier” in person. Guess edgy doesn’t go with the “normal” persona American Idol is trying to pitch us with DioGuardi. After a long day in the studio, K said she couldn’t wait to get a much-needed drink. Another girl who is supposedly staying away from the nastyass booze isà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

EOnline

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” is jazzy way to spend the night

There’s no mistake who the star of “Ain’t Misbehavin’à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ °” is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ it’s the music.

The national tour, which plays at Kingsbury Hall until Feb. 22, stars “American Idol” ‘s Ruben Studdard, Trenyce Cobbins and Frenchie Davis, who had an understudy on opening night due to an illness. (There’s no word on when she’ll return.)

A revue of the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller (with a few other notables thrown in), “Ain’t Misbehavin’à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ °” features more than 30 songs and is mainly a vehicle to showcase and salute a great American musical era.

Deseret News

Kellie, Kid Rock, Chuck: Beyond the Music

Kellie Pickler had a front-row seat right next to Paris Hilton during a show this week at Fashion Week in New York. Paris and Kellie were both sending text messages during the event, according to The New York Daily News, and Kellie was invited to Parisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ birthday party at the trendy Manhattan celeb hangout Butter. Kellie was so “fashion”-ably late that she never arrived at Butter.

GAC TV

Q&A with Melinda Doolittle

With the release of Coming Back to You, Melinda Doolittle completes the transition from backup singer to front woman. For her debut album, American Idol’s third-place finisher in Season 6 and producer Mike Mangini (best known for his work with Joss Stone) crafted an album that draws on classic R&B traditions and includes songs by the likes of Macy Gray, blues legend Robert Johnson and Tin Pan Alley great Sammy Cahn.

“We had so much fun doing it,” says the 31-year-old singer, who returned to her home in Brentwood, Tenn., after her run on Idol. “I was hoping it was as much fun to listen to. Being able to work with Mike Mangini and have live instruments was an experience Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll never forget.”

USA Today

Doolittle of ‘Idol’: Let me sing with Steven Tyler

NEW YORK à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  When accomplished backup singer Melinda Doolittle auditioned for the sixth season of “American Idol,” she told the judges she was there to “get over the fear of standing in front of people.”

On “Idol,” Doolittle did more than learn to take the lead. She became a fan favorite and ended up in third place. Many said she should’ve won, including Simon Cowell.

Two years later, Doolittle is no longer anyone’s backup. Her first album “Coming Back to You” is in stores now.

In recent interview, the 31-year-old talked about her music, her “American Idol” background, and the “guilty pleasure” songs on her iPod.

Chron.com

Album Review: Freedom, Mandisa

Out from the American Idol shadows and into the forefront of modern gospel is Mandisa with her latest endeavor, Freedom. Freedomà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first single, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“My Delivererà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  introduces us to this album as ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a nice combination of pop, R&B, soul and rock with the chunky grooves, cranked up melodies and her voracious alto that soars out like an angel praising God as this track is almost like a party anthem, but is still suitable for a contemporary service. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“How Muchà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  continued this runaway train of soft tones and chirping harmony from her backing vocalists as this cut is quite inspirational showering us with love.

Cleveland.com

‘Idol’ alum LaToya London in Toronto for ‘The Color Purple’ musical

TORONTO à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  They were dubbed “the three divas” of “American Idol.”

Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London consistently brought down the house five years ago on Season Three, which Barrino ultimately won.

No crop of finalists since then has produced such a powerhouse female soul/R&B trio, surmises London, who is in Toronto playing Nettie in the smash touring production of “The Color Purple” musical.

“It just hasn’t, honestly, touched my season, I think. None of the seasons have,” the singer-actress said Thursday in an interview.

The Canadian Press

Academy of Country Music Announces Events Surrounding the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards April 3-6, 2009 in Las Vegas

Julianne Hough, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, George Strait, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts & More Participate In ‘The Week Vegas Goes Country’

Divas Downtown on Fremont Street – Featuring performances by Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, and LeAnn Rimes, this free and open-to-the-public concert will begin at 6:30pm on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. Specific show times, additional performers and stage location to be announced at a later date.

PR Newswire

Joan Baez talks ‘American Idol’: ‘You really can’t stop watching it once you start’

Nobody’s yet invited Joan Baez to be a voice coach on “American Idol,” but one of the most celebrated singers of the last half century does have a word or two about the show. And as it happens, she sees it fairly regularly when she’s hanging out with her son and his family up in the Bay Area.

“My daughter-in-law loves that show,” she told me during our recent chat in conjunction with her UCLA Live show tonight at Royce Hall. “It’s sort of funny … but you really can’t stop watching it once you start.”

“Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all a little Hollywood in my thinking,” she said. “It encourages the idea that you can get anything you want if you sing the right song at the right time; that the world will open for you. It’s hazardous suddenly to be thrown into the spotlight like that. It was hazardous for me, and at that time it was a much slower process.”

LA Times

Fremantle picks up Original Prods.

FremantleMedia has landed a big catch in the nonscripted TV world.

The U.K.-based-FremantleMedia has laid out an estimated $50 million for a 75% stake in Original Prods., home of male-magnet cable hits such as “Deadliest Catch,” “Ice Road Truckers” and “Ax Men.”

Deal calls for Original Prods. chief Thom Beers to continue as CEO of the shingle he founded in 1999. Beers, who owns the remaining 25% of Original, is known as a prolific creator and producer of reality-based shows focused on guy’s-guy occupations and pursuits such as deep-sea fishing, hazardous long-haul truck driving and logging.

Variety.com

X Factor searches for girlfriend for Simon Cowell

Executives for The X Factor are planning to create a programme to find a new love for Simon Cowell.

The 49-year-old has been a single man following his highly-publicised split from Terri Seymour in the autumn of 2008.

Show bosses plan to use The X Factor auditions to search for a potential new girlfriend for the music mogul, says the Star.

They will select suitable ladies to go on filmed dinner dates with the X Factor supremo and these will be shown on The Xtra Factor spin-off show.

STV.com

Kara Dioguardi Doesn’t Watch or Read About ‘American Idol’

She’s the new judge on the block, but does Kara Dioguardi think she is doing well at the new gig? Well, she wouldn’t know à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  she doesn’t listen to feedback.

“Well, I guess I hear it’s good. I try to not read too much because I don’t want to be affected by it and maintain my life. Im still writing and I work at a record label and a publishing company and I have my personal life,” Dioguardi told Tarts at Friday’s MusicCares Pre-Grammy Dinner, adding that Simon Cowell is always “nice” to her and she wishes the now-infamous “Bikini Girl” the best with her future endeavors.

Speaking of bikini bods, it seems wannabe “Idols” need to accept being in shape is simply part of the package.

Fox News

 
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  • tinawina

    Clips from Kelly’s album are up at the Norwiegen ITunes store. I don’t know how to link to it.

  • yf7184

    Jason Mraz is so polite!

  • jjcoolgal891

    I don’t know the full dates yet, but the Co creator of ALTNOY just announced that Archie will be touring in Asia from April 2nd to 14th!! He is there to do acoustic sets with David.

  • tinawina

    Alright, here’s a link to the TWOP post where I saw the Kelly news.

  • elisad

    Awww, my poor Jason Mraz.

  • http://cookiesanon.livejournal.com BuckeyeGal007

    HA! I think I love Jason Mraz.

  • J.S.G.

    So how does ‘I’m Your’s’ get cleared for Idol use when there’s 99,999 songs out there(better than the current roster of recycled fare} that can’t be used on Idol?

  • poporange

    Speaking of Taylor Hicks they showed his Date from “Dating with The Stars” from “Regis and Kelly”. It was Pr and it was also quite sweet. Oh also Randy was a guest host. Video the shows webcite probably.

  • elisad

    Jason clears his songs for Idol, Chris R. sang Geek in the Pink during season 6.

  • hypertwink

    I love Jason because he could have easily been bitchy about the epic fail of a group sing but chose to be diplomatic.

  • windmills

    Here’s the direct link to the Kelly clips from Norway i-Tunes. Just click Change Store if you don’t live in Norway.

    Already Gone sounds like a smash. The clips sound very produced but there’s a lot of good songs and definitely a few hits there.

  • t2

    Quote from the Jason Mraz clip:

    “But donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get me wrong, I am honored to play a role in this festival of enthusiasm.”

    Heh…festival of enthusiasm…O.K…if you say so sweetie.

    Also, Joan Baez probably also likes to watch automobile accidents and trainwrecks…

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    HA! I think I love Jason Mraz.

    IMHO every woman should love him just for his sense of humor… Plus he loves to eat Aguacate ;D!!!!

  • Kirsten

    Jason clears his songs for Idol,

    Yay! for Jason allowing us to have up to date songs (even if the poor song did end up getting murdered). In a related topic, I really don’t think AI should allow artists to pimp their latest CDs on the show unless they agree to clear their songs for the rest of eternity on the show. If the show is good enough for you to schill your song on, it’s good enough for others to sing it on.

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“But donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get me wrong, I am honored to play a role in this festival of enthusiasm.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    Wow. That’s really nice of him. I like this guy more already.

  • sma11ie

    Jason is awesome, all the time. That is all.

  • EmmaJK

    “Festival of enthusiasm”. Jason Mraz… I love him!

  • miknge

    I love Jason Mraz’s diplomatic and polite side! LOL! But IMO, they’ve murdered one of his best songs yet. Now I can’t listen to I’m Yours without thinking back of the horrendous group performance LOL!

  • widz

    Jason Mraz is awesome! Tickets for his show in Singapore and Indonesia sold out in January – the tour is in March. LOL

  • JeanCo

    I think Taylor is a perfect fit for the grease role. During Idol I found him to be the most entertaining of them all, and his style is definitely a throw back to yester-years.

    As for Jason Mraz and “I’m Yours”….that song plays continuously in my head! But I’m talking about Jason’s version, didn’t see the Idol one. And, if miknge’s assessment is correct, so glad I didn’t. Hate to ruin a great song!

  • Niall

    I love Jason Mraz and Joan Baez. Jason for bringing the funny regarding the disastrous group sing and Joan for admitting she likes the show but also making a great deal of sense about the perils of instant fame.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    I’ve always loved Jason Mraz. That interview just makes me love him more. :)

  • jersey

    Add me to the Jason Mraz love train. I’ve always loved the guy but the interview seals it!

  • sma11ie

    New (I think) Q&A with DC.

  • ozarka

    I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know the full dates yet, but the Co creator of ALTNOY just announced that Archie will be touring in Asia from April 2nd to 14th!! He is there to do acoustic sets with David.

    That’s awesome news! You can listen to the interview with Mike Krompass using the link below. He talks about what it was like to work with David. Apparently, he will be touring with David as the guitarist. He hopes to get in some more writing sessions with David while on tour. He mentioned that they may perform one or more of David’s unreleased tracks during the tour.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4IcgZCICUA

  • jpfan

    An interesting interview with the President of Sony/ATV about the Hickory label which has Elliott and Ruben on its roster. Who knows, maybe other dropped Idols will end up here?

    http://hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news07463m01

  • ozarka

    There is an awesome banner ad at the top of the Radio & Records website with the following revolving messages:

    After playing the hit à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Crushà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , we knew our listeners were waiting for the next track. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A Little Too Not Over You,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  not only reacted immediately, 1st week in callout was outstanding!
    - David Morris, APD/MD WPRO

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A Little Too Not Over Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  sounds fantastic on the air, and the phones are through the roof! Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re not even at 150 spins yet and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s top 5 phones, we will be playing this song for a long time to come!! The early research indicates a hit record all the way! Even with 35% of our audience unfamiliar the potential score is in the top third of our callout.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
    Shannon Steele, Music Director à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ WKSE, KISS 98.5 FM Buffalo

    DAVID ARCHULETA à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A Little Too Not Over Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 
    www davidarchuleta.com ON SOLD OUT TOUR THIS WINTER WITH LESLEY ROY

    Good Research at WPRO!
    WPRO, WKSE, SIRIUS/XM 200N20, WBHT, WKRZ,
    WFBC, KZHT, KJYO, WEZB, KSMB, WNCI, WJBQ

  • Jabkmc

    ^^^ yay!

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    ^^^^^^Double yay!!!!

    quote:Archie will be touring in Asia from April 2nd to 14th!! He is there to do acoustic sets with David.

    Archie take me with you to Japan… I will do whistle for Your Eyes Dont Lie…How cool is that he will be in two continents in less than a year…

  • Dr. Tracey

    Executives for The X Factor are planning to create a programme to find a new love for Simon Cowell.

    Oh pick me! Pick me!!!

    No not really LOL can you imagine………..

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“You’re useless, I’m bored – yes or no?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or “that was utterly horrendous. I’m being serious.”

    awwww LOL I love Simon, he’s great. :wink_wp:

  • dreamr

    I was wondering if anyone else was going to comment on the Simon love show. OMG. I almost want to watch that. XD

  • jnd1221

    Ah, that quote proves why Jason Mraz is my absolute favorite musician right now. He’s awesome.

  • ozarka

    The Ryan Seacrest YouTube channel just recently put up the videotape of Ryanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s radio interview with Archie when they were in Orlando. He was cute as always:

    David Archuleta Disney World Interview Part I
    David Archuleta Disney World Interview Part II

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Add me to the Jason Mraz love train. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve always loved the guy but the interview seals it!

    Ditto. That was hilarious.

  • Jocelin

    I liked Mraz’s quote but, seriously, aside from his first album, his talent as a lyricist is the equivalent of an adolescent rhyming potty humor. My friends and I walked out of a Mraz concert when he started injecting any words that had to do with gas, farts, toilets and hard ons. I’m not kidding. It went on for stretches at a time. Okay already.

  • Little Boy Blue

    RE: Taylor Hicks reups with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Greaseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢

    What the heck is Taylor still doing with Grease ?

    He’s a blues/soul singer and has an album to promote. Does he want to do Broadway for the rest of the next 2 years ?

    Somebody tell him to get his ass off Grease and resume touring. This is what he is made for !

    Sheesh !!

  • http://emmarude65embarqmail.com carroll

    Now I’ll finally get to see Taylor in Grease. I’m so happy.
    Did you see the promotion on Regis and Kelly this morning? All through Taylor’s date they were playing HIS music. Wonderful.

  • soundscene

    Jive is really pushing DA internationally early on. But I always suspected he could have that international appeal. It would be great if he can have some success in Japan. They embraced Elliot, and DA has those same kind of smooth vocals. Plus he’s cute and small. lol.

    Already, google trends indicate that David is popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Singapore, and other smaller Asian countries (plus non-Asian countries like Peru and Portugal). He has the #1 song in The Philippines, so I hope he makes a stop there.

    I’m wondering when they’re going to try and push him in the Latin market. Arguably, he could have a lot of appeal there beyond the residual US-based marketing that leaks down. There’s been talk for a long time about David recording songs in Spanish (and a rumor he already did record at least “Crush” in Spanish).

    International success will go a long way in keeping DA making records for Jive. We’re talking about Clay’s situation with RCA lately, and articles have come out about DA being the last runner-up on his original label, but there’s a lot of ways to make money that were not implemented for the other runners-up (although I don’t think it matters where people place in a reality show competition; the music business is tough, period, and tons of artists get dropped from their labels).

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been talk for a long time about David recording songs in Spanish (and a rumor he already did record at least à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Crushà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  in Spanish).

    Oh please Jive, Azoff, David , Jeff or whetever intern that is keeping up with this blog DONÂ ´T DO CRUSH IN SPANISH… THANKYOUVERYMUCHBYE

  • soundscene

    ^^^ Why not? lol

  • SpenserJ

    Add me to the Jason Mraz love train. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve always loved the guy but the interview seals it!

    Ditto. That was hilarious.

    Double Ditto. I think the guy just has a great attitude in general.

  • Michelle

    Another interview with David Cook from the Green Bay tour stop.

    LOL at the lace-up pirate pants reference :)

  • soundscene

    There is an awesome banner ad at the top of the Radio & Records website with the following revolving messages:

    There’s a huge ad on Mediabase today as well. It’s prettier than the last ad he had on Mediabase the week ALTNOY went for adds. It’s got an extra quote from the PD of WEZB, and that his album and single (ALTNOY) increased 34% in sales this week. Also mentions the sold-out tour and the UK tour with McFly.

  • cmom

    Well, as long as we are on the topic of Jason Mraz “I’m Yours”, and the group performance, here is the now famous Archuleta “earphone karaoke” (or whatever it is called) – I love how he is so worried about doing this when he can’t hear himself to see if he is staying in key:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur0OqF6VyPc

  • frogcooke

    Nice, so david will be doing his tour, then asia, then off to the uk. Busy busy guy… he just doesnt seem to stop does he??

  • sma11ie

    Great questions and answers from the Green Bay interview!

    Everybody likes to compare the success of the latest “American Idol” winner with those who have come before them. How do you deal with that?

    The only way I can say that I deal with it is I don’t. I guess I’ve been around enough to know it’s all relative. I just look at the fact that we’re all successful. You look at somebody like Daughtry who has sold 5 million records, I’m not anticipating selling 5 million records. If I do, awesome. Those kinds of numbers don’t come along very often, so I’m not chasing anything that feels like a pipe dream right now.

    DC is so damn self-aware it’s almost scary. How does he manage to convey this astute sense of everything he’s up against, and yet show that he can face it with the right perspective on just about everything– at least in interviews? As a fan, I needlessly worry about a lot of little things, but so often, I just need to hear some such words from him and I realize, this guy is so smart, he really knows what’s what. He’ll be alright.

  • twinklestar

    Jive is really pushing DA internationally early on.

    Is he the first AI’er to be promoted internationally this early on? When did Kelly, Daughtry, Carrie, Jordin, and any others start promoting their music internationally?

  • soundscene

    Is he the first AIà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢er to be promoted internationally this early on? When did Kelly, Daughtry, Carrie, Jordin, and any others start promoting their music internationally

    Jive had about the same timeline for Jordin in the UK–around April/May or so. I think they tried to release “Tattoo” once there, it didn’t hit and they shot the new version of the video. After that it did better. “No Air” was a bigger hit in the UK. Jordin never toured there, but she did do promotion there last year. I don’t believe she was really pushed in Asia. She’s pretty big in Australia though, which tends to have some of the same taste in music as the US.

    Carrie isn’t really pushed internationally, likely because her core genre is country. She may be popular in Australia where country music is decently big, but I’m not sure.

    I don’t know the timeline of Daughtry and Kelly, but obviously Kelly is the biggest international success to come out of Idol. She’s pretty big in the UK.

    The only other former contestant to hit it big internationally is Elliot in Japan.

    I think part of the reason they’re doing an early push internationally in multiple countries is because pop radio in the US is dominated by female voices, rhythmic songs and rap right now. It’s tough for a solo male artist who isn’t any of those. In other countries, it’s different. Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc., love their pop. As does the UK. DA’s got a lot of potential overseas, and there’s a lot of money to be made there.

  • Jolene

    That DC interview from Green Bay is so great. I love that he’s so grounded through it all.
    Oh, and seeing him call the tour pants “pirate pants”, which is a term made up by the fans, is ridiculously funny and awesome.

    I heard a rumor that he was calling the band “the EEB” while in Iraq. If that’s true, I think he just needs to come out of lurkdom and say hi over at DCO.

    LMAO

  • jdanton2

    interview with Jordin Sparks today on the Johnjay and Rich show . she plays some clips of songs that might make her 2nd album which she says could come out in September . there is the before heard Faith ,Let It Rain,Walking On Snow and Papercut. for those who dont want to listen to the whole interview 3 of the clips are on You Tube.

    http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/TUCSON-AZ/JJAR-IP/JORDIN_SPARKS_2-20-09.mp3

    Let It Rain

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChDQzx3O-o

    Walking On Snow

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVUHEETNaFk

    Faith

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upGusVWZyNE

  • oceana

    Kellie Pickler and Paris Hilton, I can’t quite picture it. LOL

  • nomi

    An interesting interview with the President of Sony/ATV about the Hickory label which has Elliott and Ruben on its roster. Who knows, maybe other dropped Idols will end up here?

    This quote (within the article) is proof enough for me (finally) that Hickory is NOT an indie label. Good for Ruben that he’s associated with a label (what is it called an “imprint” type label … something like that?) that might give his album a boost.

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    Has anyone read anything that has clarified whether or not they can use instruments this year and if so, when they can begin? I’d be shocked if they didn’t allow it but I haven’t heard or seen anything confirming that fact.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    ^^^ Why not? lol

    Sorry being “working” ;D…

    Because if there is anything that I hate from labels in US is the fact that think they can take a song in English and traslated and put it to the simple minded Latin Market and we will eat it like there is nothing better in the world… Crush is a good song, good melody and good hook but this elements work in English… I have said before there isn ´t a word that can be used to translate Crush…

    David have a great chance to meet famous Latin Speaking artist during the Latin Gala, I could name at least 20 great singers songwriter that Jive can use to work with David… Marc Antonhy and Alejandro Sanz were both in there, they both are very popular in Latin America and both have had long and strong careers so David can follow their steps… David and Jeff have also mention Franco De Vita who is a singer songwriter very popular in Latin America and Archie have said he likes Juanes so why can he work with this awesome guys instead that try to translate Crush… so please no thank you I will keep Crush in English in my iTunes and iPod… not this nor other song translated from English to spanish will made it for me…

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    What the heck is Taylor still doing with Grease ?

    He’s traveling around the country on someone else’s dime and doing a shadow tour in each city they hit.

  • gabam

    Hickory is an Indie label. Sony/ATV is not the same as Sony/BMG. Sony/ATV is a publishing company.

  • jimmyboyd2

    Cruzceleste,

    Every market comprised of the average citizen is a “simple minded market.” You don’t market to trained musicians or finely discerning people. You market to the average person on the street.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    Every market comprised of the average citizen is a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“simple minded market.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  You donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t market to trained musicians or finely discerning people. You market to the average person on the street.

    Please listen to these this links:

    English     vrs. Spanish

    or this

    english vrs. spanish….

    even this:
    english vrs spanish

    so , tell if I shouldn ´t feel a little offended of these bad versions…so Thanks but no thanks to a spanish version of Crush of any song…

  • jpfan

    A very nice video of Melinda Doolittle doing her single It’s Your Love in Borders.
    I like it. So far, her album isn’t doing too badly in sales either. I hope Idol has her back this year.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNiXjOW9Pik&feature=related

  • ozarka

    Here is Archie being interviewed by Jennette McCurdy, the blonde girl who plays the role of Sam on iCarly…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjrgqGuv9hM

    Or you can download the high resolution version from iTunes as a podcast. Just CLICK HERE, then click on the iCarly icon, then select the episode titled à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hurry Upà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s totally FREE and a very cute interview!

  • E

    Wow looks like Archie won’t have any break… his own spring tour, then the Asia tour and then the McFly UK tour, and in between the radio stations tour and taping some more guest appearances (at least those are the ones we know). So I guess this probably means we won’t see Archie featured on AI so soon, at least not till middle May lol. Hope he is getting enough rest.

    Archie’s album has a European sound imo. Won’t be surprised if he becomes big there. I believe the south east Asia region loves good pop vocalist, and as for Japan, marketed rightly, he’ll sell there.

    … and after all the tours, Archie go work on the Spanish album! :D

  • Jabkmc

    ^^^ Don’t forget the Christmas album! haha!

    I really like the new Crush remix for the Japanese album. I usually don’t like remixes…but this is addictive.

    And I’m liking the interviews of the new band members on FOD. Loving Eli the drummer! haha! Can’t wait to hear them together. And the thought of Mike Krompass and David writing more songs together while on tour….gah!

  • Layla

    Jason Mraz: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“When watching it, I felt like I woke up from a dream, disoriented, and the TV was still on, playing a movie-musical Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d never seen à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  a mash-up between Xanadu, Saved by the Bell, and Grease 2.

    Love this quote! Cracks me up! He was being very diplomatic considering that group number was one hot mess.

  • frogcooke

    E, yeah he doesnt have much of a break till at least in mid May, and who knows what other stuff he’s going to be doing that we dont know about yet. He seems to keep uber busy all the time, its kinda crazy lol

    Theres a UK teen mag that has an interview with him, they talk about idol.

    American Idol Returns (heres a few questions):

    Which Idol winner would you duet with?

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Kelly Clarkson was the first-ever winner and she motivated me to start singing, so she’d be great! But then Jordin sparks is amazing, too.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    Who’s your favourite judge and why?

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I don’t have one! They’re all cool. Sometimes they have to give a strong opinion but that doesn’t make them evil, just honest! They all motivated me in different ways and Simon Cowell the most, ’cause he made me want to try harder all the time.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

  • oceana

    I like all the group numbers even when they make me cringe. They’re fun. :) I wish I had a dvd of all the group numbers from every season. Part comedy part nostalgia.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    ^Here is a link to the transcript, since the image is so small…

  • noctem seizure

    Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a huge ad on Mediabase today as well. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s prettier than the last ad he had on Mediabase the week ALTNOY went for adds. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got an extra quote from the PD of WEZB, and that his album and single (ALTNOY) increased 34% in sales this week. Also mentions the sold-out tour and the UK tour with McFly.

    So now they’re putting another round of Mediabase (and such) ads up? Well, I hope this is the genuine push this time. If the song is going to land, it needs to do so now. Good luck to him.

  • Easy

    Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s traveling around the country on someone elseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dime and doing a shadow tour in each city they hit.

    Yeah. He’d have to be an idiot to turn that down.

    Probably the easiest and most profitable gig he’s ever had.