Idol Headlines for 03/23/11

By On 03/23/2011 · 114 Comments · In American Idol, Headlines

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Today’s Idol Appearances:

  • Lee Dewyze performs at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Before, he’ll perform at 96.5 TIC’s Acoustic Cafe
  • Lee DeWyze’s chat w @KC1013! http://bit.ly/g1lVcr. Submit questions now, chat is at 2pm EST!
  • Jennifer Hudson appears on The Wendy Williams Show
  • Ryan Seacrest interviews New X Factor judge, L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell on his KIIS LA radio show today
  • David Cook attends a party for Audrina Patridge at Drais Hollywood, sponsored by VH1 and Runway.

David Cook’s rehearsals are being filmed today by Jokerstyle productions, a company that has worked with 19E artists in the past. Read the tweet.  According to their Facebook page,  they are “working with American Idol winner David Cook today…..editing full “making of” mini documentary…”

Also,  VH-1 and Runway Magazine present Audrina Patridge at Drais Hollywood on March 23rd (TONIGHT) , special guests include David Cook and many more. David’s exclusive interview and photo shoot is in the Spring Issue of Runway, available on newsstands now. Nope. David tweets that he won’t be there.

New Daughtry concert dates: Rock USA 2011, Oshkosh, WI, 7/14 (Pre-sale begins today) and Divots Event Center, Norfolk, NE 9/04.   More info at DaughtryOfficial

Lee DeWyze performs a free concert at Texas A&M Reed Arena on Sunday March 27 at 6pm. Doors open at 4:30.

Kris Allen’s been working on some music!

@BigDRizzl (Derek White) tweets, “Listening to rough mixes of Kris Allen at Blue Chair.” (The Blue Chair is a recording studio in Arkansas)

@STACEYDanger: “Listened to a new @KrisAllen song he wrote w/ @hodgesmusic & @SteveMillerROCK. Really dig it.(That’s David Hodges and Steven Miller) …but it sounds phenomenal and isn’t even finished yet!”

@TheExies (Scott Stevens)
Writing last two days with kris Allen! Got a good one !!! http://t.co/0XjGPlb

Nigel Lythgoe tweets, “Mark Anthony has helped the kids this week. He’s brilliant. http://plixi.com/p/86113458

More Headlines after the JUMP…

Casey James gives Sugarland Advice on their Upcoming Idol performance!


Sugarland on WhoSay

Via Sugarland

Lee DeWyze Speaks Candidly About Life After ‘Idol’

THR: Of course, most people judge the success of a music career on album sales. Was your release week kind of ruined because you couldn’t just take pride in the accomplishment?

DeWyze: Definitely. It was interesting. They didn’t release the album on time [because] there was some sort of a mix-up at iTunes — it was supposed to be out at midnight, it didn’t get released until three in the afternoon — and just as it’s about to come out, the Beatles release their full catalog. So it was like, “Wow. Really?” Almost every album above mine was the Beatles, which is cool, but I got a lot of flack.

People wanted to bash on me and I was, like, “I don’t really f—ing care.” I don’t. I’m gonna do what I do because I love doing it and for the people that like my music. So for me, the album release wasn’t my best day. It was pretty upsetting. Not because of where it was or how much it sold, there were just so many things going against it…

It’s easy to sit behind a computer and blog about how much you hate somebody. It’s my job to get out there and perform, and it’s their job to try to tear people down.

Read more at THR

Lee DeWyze: Some people take pictures, I write songs

I’ll be honest with you — I was rooting for Crystal Bowersox to win “American Idol” last season. I was just so taken with her uniquely diverse sound and assumed that Lee DeWyze was a one-trick pony. Mistakenly so, as the winner’s first album, “Live It Up,” has proved to me over the countless spins it has warranted since hitting shelves in November.

Channeling the best parts of John Mayer and Taylor Swift (Lee’s musicality is matched by his superior songwriting) has resulted in one of the most dynamic debuts from an “Idol” grad to date. I caught up with Lee following his return to the “American” stage last week to find out what life has been like since winning TV’s most popular reality show and why “Live It Up” only scratches the surface of what he plans to do professionally.

Read more at the NY Post

Lee Dewyze interview with American Idol

Developing ‘Idol’ contestants appeals to producer Jim Jonsin

For Jim Jonsin, the appeal of producing the contestants of American Idol this season is easy to explain. “I like to develop artists,” says the Florida-based producer.

Not only has Jonsin produced big hits by established stars — Lil Wayne’s Lollipop, Beyoncé’s Sweet Dreams, T.I.’s Whatever You Like and Usher’s There Goes My Baby among them — he’s worked with several acts that have found recent success. Jonsin signed B.o.B. to his Rebel Rock label. He has produced Wiz Khalifa and helped Yelawolf get signed to Eminem’s Shady Records. He also has been asked to work in Justin Bieber’s next album.

Read more at USA Today

EXCLUSIVE DOCUMENT: American Idol’s Stefano Langone Arrested For Drunk Driving – Read The Police Report

Langone was released from King County Jail on $500 bail and eventually walked away without having to serve time on the condition that he keep a clean record for the next two years and attend an alcohol and drug information course.

Shockingly, just one year prior, Langone was the victim of an alcohol-induced car accident himself — an accident which left him with two broken arms that now have metal plates and screws in them and a broken pelvis.

Read more at RadarOnline

Idol Meter: Taking measure of pure talent

Subtract this week’s bottom-rated Haley Reinhart and Naima Adedapo, and we just may have American Idol’s best vocal lineup yet.

It’s so strong that our first Idol Meter leader, Lauren Alaina, and No. 3 Stefano Langone can’t even crack the top three based on pure talent.

Of course, singing skills alone don’t win Idol honors, but while we can, let’s look at this season’s most gifted.

Read more at USA Today

‘American Idol’ is jamming, thanks to the new judges

Many of us thought American Idol would survive without Simon Cowell. But who knew it would prosper?

Yet it has, not just in the ratings — which show some natural erosion but not the precipitous drop many expected — but also in critical and viewer reaction. Much of the credit goes to returning producer Nigel Lythgoe, whose tweaks lend the show a renewed energy, and to the contestants, a more varied and entertaining group than last year’s crew. But main credit goes to the judges who chose those singers.

Read more at USA Today

‘Cowboy’ Paul McDonald to perform Motown on ‘American Idol’

McDonald, 26, a Huntsville High School graduate, has also headed out West to Hollywood for “American Idol,” but, unlike Kid Rock, he’s not looking for booze and other assorted trouble at Hollywood and Vine.

Instead, he’s a modern-day cowboy looking for fame, fortune and a good time on this season’s “American Idol.” According to his mom, Susan McDonald, Paul was a cute little cowboy growing up, so don’t be surprised if he comes out on stage some night dressed up as a modern-day Roy Rogers.

Read more at AL.com

Casey James “Drive” Teaser Clip (From his official website)

Didi Benami performs the National Anthem at the Orlando Magic v. Cleveland Cavaliers game – 3/22/11

 
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  • fadetowhite

    I don’t know what Jimmy Iovine is doing behind the scenes, but as an onscreen presence he has the charisma of a boiled potato.

    I’m sure he knows his stuff, but it’s another case of skilled professional not meshing with TV personality.

    And I don’t like the producer interference/backing tracks on this season. I know it’s prevalent within the pop industry, but it makes for a kind of boring sound-a-like show. Which is a shame, because there’s some interesting/promising contestants this season…

  • Montavilla

    I don’t need someone to switch it up in their performance. I don’t give bonus points for slowing down the melody or adding a dance track or using bag pipes. I just want to see someone come out and knock it out of the park with vocals (which David C did, I’m not trying to denigrate his performances, just explaining why I don’t give a crap about the “innovation” on the show).

    Much as I loved how Cook re-arranged songs, he blew me away the one time he didn’t change it up. That was “Music of the Night.” He sang that completely straight, but it was still powerful, emotional, and undeniably David Cook.

  • windmills

    sma11ie: I don’t see much of an edge, personally. Is it just because he used the F word twice in that interview? Cuz he seems like a pretty boring, nice guy to me…? I don’t mean to denigrate him, cuz I do like his voice, but it’s just my impression.

    No, I just detected more world weariness in this interview. It made me remember the guy who at the beginning of last season was kind of cynical about AI and a misfit (but a likable upfront one) before he got turned into the bland paint salesman who got propped up by the judges as an amazing Idol story (that the show promptly blocked out from its memory as soon as it could). I liked the Lee we 1st got introduced to better.

  • car3278sweet

    I just detected more world weariness in this interview

    This. World weariness is exactly the right word. I think Lee is a great guy and things have just not spinned in the right way for him.

    Serendipity. And that wasn’t snark.

    In my life, when things don’t “spin correctly”, I’ve learned there’s something better in the future. For example, I was in a perfectly fine job, bored out of my mind, making good money… and got laid off. Not because I didn’t do a good job, but because the biz was floundering. And they kept the old crew instead of taking a stab at changing (one of the reasons it was floundering, but I digress). And what happened? I landed a ‘job’ I LOVE. It all flowed perfectly. If that makes sense. LOL

    When something seems to be eternally crappy… or just eternally blah…then you are in the wrong place and need to move on. IMHO – Lee needs to be released into indie land where he can bloom as the angsty, edgy, interesting, growly guy he is. Which is not SS crap. Thank God.

    Ah. Can some Danny Gokey fan tell me if this Casey/Sugarland love happened last year? Not as a HEY MY GUY IS BETTER crap but merely as a ‘who bonds with who and isn’t that interesting’ crap. ;-)

    And finally… this current season. Which is currently boring me out of my mind. If someone doesn’t shut Jimmy up and bring me some MOMENTS…. for the first time in 10 years, I’m gone.

  • steph6449

    Ah. Can some Danny Gokey fan tell me if this Casey/Sugarland love happened last year?

    Danny had ~20 dates with Sugarland, seemed to have a positive relationship with them from anything I’ve seen about it. But it was pretty much behind the scenes. The most revealing comment I ever read was Danny saying he loved the Sugarland tour for the food. lol!

    As far as what has been seen publicly with Casey, idk. Maybe Sugarland or at least Kristian hit it off with Casey personally. (Jennifer seems pretty private to me, but don’t follow her closely.) There’s also the connection where Casey’s reputed manager is involved in promo for the Sugarland tour.

    I don’t think you can compare much. Danny last year was in a totally different (almost opposite) timeline / situation than Casey’s case this year. When AI9 was on last year, Danny was in non-stop promo mode for his album and first single, both of which had been released and MBDAAOM had been charting for a while. Danny’s touring as a Sugarland opener started after his album had been out a couple of months, and ran through early August. Danny’s focus then was to put across his new music, improve his stagecraft as a live performer (watching Sugarland backstage being part of that learning process), and sell his CDs. Danny’s songwriting phase was well after his summer touring season last year, so did not overlap with his opening dates for Sugarland or any of the other artists he opened for in 2010.

    If Casey is appearing in the AI studios this week in connection with the Sugarland visit, it’s interesting. Maybe if they don’t feel his own new music is ready to feature to an AI10 audience, he will have a cameo in the Sugarland performance or get onscreen some other way during the show? Seems like a long way to travel just to sit in the audience.

  • ri

    Ah. Can some Danny Gokey fan tell me if this Casey/Sugarland love happened last year? Not as a HEY MY GUY IS BETTER crap but merely as a ‘who bonds with who and isn’t that interesting’ crap.

    i would like to know the answer to that as well…

    And finally… this current season. Which is currently boring me out of my mind. If someone doesn’t shut Jimmy up and bring me some MOMENTS…. for the first time in 10 years, I’m gone.

    i would like more Moments too please!

    hey fellow CaseyJ fan CAR3278SWEET, thanks for doin all the work for me. lol. (oh and glad your job is workin out for ya).

  • ri

    If Casey is appearing in the AI studios this week in connection with the Sugarland visit, it’s interesting. Maybe if they don’t feel his own new music is ready to feature to an AI10 audience, he will have a cameo in the Sugarland performance or get onscreen some other way during the show? Seems like a long way to travel just to sit in the audience.

    did i miss something? is Casey in the AI studios? and if so, from your lips to God’s ears!

  • sma11ie

    No, I just detected more world weariness in this interview. It made me remember the guy who at the beginning of last season was kind of cynical about AI and a misfit (but a likable upfront one) before he got turned into the bland paint salesman who got propped up by the judges as an amazing Idol story (that the show promptly blocked out from its memory as soon as it could). I liked the Lee we 1st got introduced to better.

    Oh okay. I think I missed the beginning when he was a cynical but likable misfit. But I think I get what you’re saying.

  • karenc

    I think the thing with David Cook, is that he really didn’t change the basic melody of the songs he sang. But through his voice, and changes to the instrumentation, he could change the mood and style of the song.

    I know he said in interviews he would take the song, strip it down , and then build it back up to his own style.

  • ri

    thank you STEPH6449 for the Danny/Sugarland info.

  • steph6449

    thank you STEPH6449 for the Danny/Sugarland info.

    Always happy to talk about Danny, lol :)

    Thinking about it, the most chatty anyone was about the Sugarland tour with Danny was actually his labelmate Jake Owen who made some very nice comments in a random radio interview, saying he and Danny used to hang out by the tour bus and sing for fun. He commented that Danny could “sing the phone book” and he was proud to be on the same label, aww.

    The Sugarland tour plan was different last year, with both the first and second openers rotating. This year, Little Big Town is the middle opener all year. Last year, Danny did shows with LBT, Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, and Julianne Hough ( :shock: ) .

    All but one of whom, were really good, haha ;)

    There was also a cute photo tweeted by LBT at one of their dates with Danny. It’s in this roundup post from this site, with some videos from different stops along the way for Danny last year.

    http://mjsbigblog.com/danny-gokey-completes-his-run-as-opener-for-sugarlands-incredible-machine-tour.htm

    (Not Sugarland-related, but I forgot about those rodeo guys. Lol!)

  • ri

    STEPH6449, you were right about Casey being at AI. MJ said Casey was in the audience tonight but i didn’t see him. hope he’s back tomorrow night when Sugarland is there and i hope they at least show him….unless i missed him tonight.

    whoa, great pics of Danny. btw, is Danny going to perform on AI this year?

  • steph6449

    whoa, great pics of Danny. btw, is Danny going to perform on AI this year?

    I’d forgotten (even though that was my post, lol) but yeah, there were some nice professional quality photos in that group :)

    Danny said in interviews last month that he expects to be able to perform on AI this season as long as his team picked a single on time, but nothing confirmed.

    He’s been pretty much in silent mode this month between vacation and other things going on. Silent Danny tends to foreshadow a raft of news coming out later, sometimes unexpected news like the tv-movie that’s about to air, or the Taylor Swift tour dates.

    My guess is that we may see him emerging after the ACM week events, with promo gearing up on a new single and for more touring plans. His first spring tour date seems to be April 8th in Myrtle Beach SC, and then it picks up from there. No concerts this month though he had some in January and February.

  • steph6449

    did i miss something? is Casey in the AI studios? and if so, from your lips to God’s ears!

    Lol, my secret source was mj’s Evening Headline thread tonight ;)

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