Kris Allen sings for the President of Rwanda

Kris Allen, in Rwanda with TOMS to deliver shoes to needy people, sang for the president of Rwanda today. Kris tweeted, “just sang for the president of rwanda tonight! my life is insane.”

@Kris Allen

Tampa Bay Rays add Adam Lambert, Train and Dierks Bentley to concert series

The Tampa Bay Rays may lose flashy Carl Crawford real soon, so it makes sense that the ol’ ballclub just signed on an even flashier star to jazz up the Trop’s outfield. Well, at least he’s trashier. Now batting his guylinered lashes … Adam Lambert!

That’s right: American Idol’s controversial “Glambert,” the runner-up on last season’s show, was one of three big-name acts added to the Rays Summer Concert Series on Wednesday. Country fave Dierks Bentley and reigning iTunes champ Train will also perform free postgame gigs at Tropicana Field this year.

Lambert, with Michael Jackson’s guitar whiz Orianthi opening for him, will put on the glitz Sept. 18 after the Rays take on the Los Angeles Angels.

Tampa Bay

Trace Adkins Leads Latest Round of CMA Music Fest Performers

CMA’s next round of performers to the CMA Music Festival’s Nightly LP Field Concerts were announced today with Josh Turner and Trace Adkins leading the way. Blake Shelton, Easton Corbin, Danny Gokey, Randy Houser and Justin Moore all join the previously announced performers which include the Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Billy Currington, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban.

Roughstock.com

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

Siobhan’s meltdown, Didi’s awkward Seacrest moment, Tim’s gigglefest… your burning ‘Idol’ questions, answered!

And for the first time in eight seasons, we were able to briefly chat with the contestants about their performances after the show, which means we’ve got all the angles covered! Wondering if Didi Benami felt as awkward as her exchange with Ryan Seacrest looked? What was up with Tim’s gigglefest? Was Siobhan’s backstage breakdown as dramatic as it seemed? Read on for some answers and a few new questions. Namely: Who’s going home?

LA Times

Adam Lambert tops ‘Idol’ track sales again

Adam Lambert’s Whataya Want From Me led all American Idol alumnae’s track sales last week, selling more than 54,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That’s a seven percent increase over the previous week, bring his total to 756,000. (If he can maintain downloads in the 50,000 area, he’ll pass the million mark in five to six weeks.)

Being a mentor and a guest performer turned out to be much better than just being a guest performer last week. Downloads of When I Look at You more than doubled for Miley Cyrus, and two other tracks of hers got nice boosts as well. Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato, on the other hand, barely made a splash with Make a Wave: Week-to-week downloads actually decreased 37 percent after their Idol duet.

USA Today

Chart Beat Wednesday: Crash Kings, Carrie Underwood, STP

‘TEMPORARY’ HIGHER: Carrie Underwood collects her ninth No. 1 on Country Songs, as “Temporary Home” advances 2-1.

The song is Underwood’s second leader from “Play On,” following “Cowboy Casanova,” which topped the Nov. 21, 2009, tally.

She sent four songs – “So Small,” “All-American Girl,” “Last Name” and “Just a Dream” – to No. 1 from her sophomore set, “Carnival Ride,” in 2007-08 and three – “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Before He Cheats” and “Wasted” from her debut, “Some Hearts” in 2006-07.

Since Underwood’s first week at No. 1 on Jan. 21, 2006, with “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” only two other women have reigned: Taylor Swift (four No. 1s) and Reba McEntire (one). Underwood is the first solo female to release three consecutive studio albums each boasting at least two No. 1s on Country Songs since McEntire strung together four such sets – “Whoever’s in New England,” “What Am I Gonna Do About You,” “The Last One to Know” and “Reba” – that yielded two toppers each from 1986 through 1989.

Billboard

Lee DeWyze, Michael Lynche tied atop the latest Idol Meter rankings

Ken Barnes has updated the Idol Meter, and the Tuesday scoring finds Michael Lynche and Lee DeWyze tied at the top of the Meter, with 46 points each.

Lee had the week’s biggest point gain after his impressive performance of the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose’s Treat Her Like a Lady (“fresh for the show, not an overexposed standard, yet familiar to older viewers; ideally suited to his vocal abilities; and infectious in its own right”). Andrew Garcia (“must have been thrilled to get some positive feedback”) was the only other contestant that saw his point total rise this week.

USA Today

‘American Idol’ Experts Predict The End For Didi Benami Or Tim Urban

MJ Santilli, of the popular MJsBigBlog.com, had to agree, though she still held out hope that one of the show’s seemingly bulletproof, perpetually poorly performing finalists might finally be on the chopping block. “Either Tim Urban or Didi Benami is going home this week,” she predicted. “Both have made trips to the bottom and have struggled to please the judges.”

MTV

‘American Idol’ Top 10 Report Card: Who Scored High On R&B Night?

Lee Dewyze’s “American Idol” studying paid off. Crystal Bowersox showed she’s an honor student in more than one subject. And Didi Benami and Tim Urban might have been wise to sleep through Tuesday night’s test rather than show up and bomb so badly during their performances.

With Usher teaching the class for R&B week, there were students that continued to impress, and students that are in danger of flunking out. Let’s see how they all fared with another edition of our “Idol” report card. (And don’t miss Jim Cantiello’s “Idol” recap of their performances in the MTV Newsroom.)

MTV

‘American Idol’: Wendy Williams’ fave Casey James is ‘this generation’s Michael Bolton’

Wendy Williams tells Zap2it that she thinks Crystal Bowersox should finish second and Casey James should take the crown on “American Idol.”

Wendy is gracing Los Angeles with her boisterous presence this week. She previously told us she is stopping by the “American Idol” results show on March 31, so we had to ask her about her favorites.

Zap2it

Was Ryan Seacrest Being a Good Interviewer or a Meddling Bastard?

In the carefully orchestrated universe of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest plays the equal and opposite force to Simon and Kara’s mean-girl critiques: No matter how much the judges bash a contestant, Seacrest is there as a post-judgment palate cleanser, getting in the final, positive word to America, entreating us to vote for a singer regardless of his or her performance. But last night, something went terribly awry. Before Didi Benami performed “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted,” we saw a clip of her rehearsing with guest mentor Usher, during which the song moved her to tears. So after her live performance, Seacrest had a follow-up question. “I know this is going to go to a raw and emotional place,” he opened. Oh, dear, we thought, this can’t go well. And it didn’t.

NY Magazine

‘Idol’ Guest Blog: Elliott Yamin Returns To Idolator, Looks Into The Souls Of The Top 10

American Idol pressed the Top 10 contestants to reach a bit outside their comfort zones (which, for many, remains singer-songwriter/coffeehouse rock). Did guest coach Usher get them to stretch? Well, kind of, in our opinion. But if there’s anyone truly qualified to review Idol’s R&B/soul week, then it must be most “stank” soul performer (his word, not ours, and we mean it in the best way) Idol has ever produced — Elliott Yamin. We’re honored to have Elliott back in the house as a guest blogger today (especially after his excellent take last week on the Top 11). We hardly need to say it, but Elliott remains one of the standout talents from any Idol season. Check out his official site to see his glorious performance of “Free”, “Can’t Keep On Loving You” and more at the Generosity Water charity event, Night of Generosity, from earlier this month. See his review of last night’s Idol below:

Idolator

Exclusive: Paris Bennett Rates Fave American Idol Performances

Paris Bennett came in fifth place on the fifth season of American Idol (Taylor Hicks took the crown that year). Since then, she welcomed daughter Egypt, now 18 months old and released two albums (2007′s Prince P and 2008′s A Royal Christmas). She currently performs in the Minneapolis production of Rent.

Tuesday night was an overall good night, I think, on American Idol. There were some really great song choices: Anita Baker, Gladys Knight, India Arie. I love all of the artists the contestants chose.

US Magazine

Guest blogger Nick Mitchell breaks down the Top 10

As Justin Bieber’s My World 2.0 tops the Billboard albums chart, it’s starting to feel like the whole world has a case of Bieber fever. And in addition to the legions of screaming teen girls who love the 16-year-old, young celebrities appear to be succumbing to Bieber’s charms too.

“The Last Airbender” star Nicola Peltz gushed to MTV News about the pop star at the Kids’ Choice Awards, where Bieber performed over the weekend. “I’m feeling the fever!” she said. Former “American Idol” contestant Allison Iraheta is also feeling hot for the teen star these days. “I have Bieber fever!” she shared. “Who doesn’t?”

MTV

Kelly Clarkson Calls Crystal Bowersox Her ‘Favorite,’ Thinks Lee Dewyze Is ‘Yummy’ On Twitter

Kelly Clarkson busted out soul and R&B covers in five of her final eight weeks on “American Idol,” including tunes from Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. The show’s inaugural champ is well-positioned, then, to size up the stand-outs on Tuesday night’s R&B-themed “Idol.” Which, via her Twitter account, she did for the world to see.

Clarkson’s favs? Crystal Bowersox, Lee Dewyze, Michael Lynche and Andrew Garcia. But it was Sox — and her piano-led rendition of Gladys Knight and the Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia” — that really blew away the ex-contestant.

MTV

American Idol’s John Park: Life on America’s #1 Show

When American Idol guest judge Shania Twain complimented contestant John Park on his “great low end” on Fox in January (among other bizarre but complimentary innuendo) I couldn’t help but agree. Not about the innuendo, but about the compliment.

I sang with John for a year when I was a senior and he was a freshman in our Northwestern University a cappella group, Purple Haze. So it was with incredible pride and only traces of envy that I watched John make it past the American Idol judges through to Hollywood (with an assist from Shania), through the next round, and the next, and the next, all the way to the Top 24 live episodes and into the top 10 guys–until he was cut. Today, as American Idol continues to whittle down its ranks, I caught up with my old singing mate to talk about a week in the life of a contestant on the number one show in America.

The Atlantic

Carrie Underwood: Ready for Motherhood?

Carrie Underwood may not be hitched to fiance Mike Fisher just yet, but it doesn’t mean she hasn’t already started thinking about babies!

“I definitely think I have some motherly instincts,” she tells People magazine, crediting her dog Ace for preparing her for motherhood, but admits kids aren’t in the future, “anytime soon!”

The “American Idol” and Grammy winner says her Rat Terrier will be taking part in her upcoming nuptials.

“He’ll be one of the ring bearers,” she said of Ace. “I don’t know if I’ll put the ring on him. I don’t know if he’ll run away with it or eat it or something!”

Gawker.com

Carrie Underwood’s Wedding Dress: “Girly, Simple and Glamorous”

Carrie Underwood and her fiancé, NHL hockey player Mike Fisher have been busy planning their nuptials since getting engaged in late December. And while the Grammy-winning country singer’s fans have been lapping up every detail–including her preference of cupcakes over traditional wedding cake, and her dog Ace as the ring bearer–we’ve all been waiting for her to spill on “The Dress”. “It’s in the works,” the bride-to-be told reporters at the Pedigree Adoption Drive yesterday at the Bideawee animal shelter in NYC. “It’s really pretty. It’s very in the beginning stages and it’s very me. It’s just girly and pretty, and it’s simple and glamorous at the same time.”

People

Paisley, Underwood to perform for W.Va. PGA event

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) — Country music artists Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will perform at a private concert in July during The PGA Tour’s tournament at The Greenbrier resort.

The resort said Wednesday that weekly badges giving the public access to the Greenbrier Classic will include admission to the July 31 concert.

Prices range from $147 for a grounds badge to the $5,000 sponsorship table.

Thirty percent of the proceeds from each badge sold will be given to charitable organizations in West Virginia and Virginia.

The $6 million Greenbrier Classic will be held at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs from July 29 to Aug. 1.

Resort owner and chairman Jim Justice says both Paisley and Underwood are both active in charitable efforts.

USA Today

Jason Castro Announces First Ever Headlining Tour; Dates Kick Off April 17th in Dallas,

Atlantic recording artist Jason Castro has announced plans for his first-ever headlining tour. The dates herald the release of his much-anticipated debut LP, “JASON CASTRO,” which arrives in stores and at all online retailers on April 13th.

Castro will kick off his first headlining tour in his home state of Texas with an April 17th show at Dallas’s The Loft. The trek will then traverse the US through mid-May (see itinerary below). A further slate of summer tour dates will be announced shortly.

“JASON CASTRO” is highlighted by the new single, “That’s What I’m Here For,” which is currently scoring at Hot AC radio outlets nationwide.

As if all that isn’t enough, Castro was recently named the inaugural “Stayin’ Alive Ambassador” for Malaria No More, a non-profit organization aimed at ending malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. Castro was introduced to Malaria No More and their efforts while still an American Idol finalist through the organization’s involvement with Idol Gives Back. Castro joins an impressive list of top celebrities involved with Malaria No More, including Ashton Kutcher and Will Smith, among others. The “Stayin’ Alive” program is Malaria No More’s flagship grassroots movement, focused on empowering American students to fight malaria through school dances and other events.

Marketwire

American Idol Star Melinda Doolittle Reveals Timeless Truth and Overcoming Personal Hardship in New Book to Release May 4, 2010

Melinda Doolittle, acclaimed recording artist and American Idol favorite, releases her new book project, Beyond Me, which reveals how her own success and personal accomplishments poignantly impact her often challenging investment in surprisingly, encouraging and nurturing others. The book reveals how she he learned “the hard way” on Idol and how she has overcome very tough times through her own life experiences, with the support and insight of a single mother, making it work. Beyond Me will be released in bookstores nationwide on May 4, 2010 and features a foreword by American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks.

Benzinga.com

Danny Gokey Credits Country Career to Awesome Advice

Placing third on ‘Idol,’ Danny joins the ranks of several country artists who got their start on the show, including Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler, Josh Gracin, Phil Stacey and the most successful ‘American Idol’ winner so far — superstar Carrie Underwood.

“She is a very good friend,” Danny says of Carrie. “She reached out, giving me advice when I needed advice. And she’s just an awesome stand-up girl. I haven’t been able to get in contact with anyone else. I mean, I don’t try to knock down people’s doors, but when the time comes and when the time is right, I’ll do it.”

The Boot

Kara DioGuardi Debuts New Music, Announces Live Shows [AUDIO]

n her freshman year on “American Idol”, judge Kara DioGuardi frequently flirted with the idea singing on the show, most memorably with aggressive contestant Katrina Darrell (a.k.a. Bikini Girl) during her audition in Phoenix, AZ. But now, we get to hear Kara belt every high and low note in two new recordings by the accomplished songwriter and record executive.

In the interview, Kara also exclusively announced her first solo live performance taking place April 9 & 10 in Atlantic City, NJ at Borgata Spa & Resort! Click here to buy tickets!

Ryan Seacrest.com

‘Dancing With the Stars’: Kate Gosselin and Tony to create ‘Jon & Kate’-themed routine

Wow. ABC is wisely milking Kate Gosselin’s tabloid infamy for all it’s worth, plus a heap of mismatching rhinestones. According to E! Online, Kate and her professional partner, St. Tony Dovolani, will create a routine inspired by Kate’s marriage to Jon Gosselin for week 3 of Dancing With the Stars. Look at her. She’s thrilled. I’m sure DANCMSTR (head judge Len Goodman) will appreciate the “light and shade” of Jon and Kate’s tumultuous marriage personified.

Popwatch

‘Glee’ Exclusive: New details on the crazy upcoming Lady Gaga episode

We already knew that the Glee kids would be tackling Lady Gaga in their back nine episodes, set to begin airing on Fox April 13. But now we actually can tell you which Gaga tunes to get the choral overhaul: “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face.” The latter of the pair will be tackled by Lea Michele’s Rachel. Says creator Ryan Murphy, “Lea does a very stripped-down version of ‘Poker Face.’” Meanwhile, “Romance” sounds like a much more elaborate number, with the glee club actually donning Gaga-esque wardrobe for the performance. “I do know that we’re all different Lady Gagas, and at one point I am the Kermit the Frog Lady Gaga,” says Michele, referring to this crazy ensemble worn by the pop star. “I saw a picture of the Kermit the Frog Lady Gaga with a Post-It on it that said ‘Lea.’ I was like, oh, great. Everyone else has incredible Lady Gaga outfits and I have that one.” And it sounds like producers are making sure the costumes are up to par with the real Gaga’s eccentric wardrobe choices. Says Chris Colfer, who plays Kurt, “The outfits are gonna be incredible. All the costumes are outrageous and legit. I actually went to the tailor this morning who makes the real Gaga outfits. They’re going all-out.”

EW.com

‘Glee’ cast goes wild for Rolling Stone

The newest issue of Rolling Stone features all the dirt you didn’t know about your squeaky clean “Glee” favorites.

For instance, did you know goody two-shoes Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) has tattoos in real life?

According to Rolling Stone, the “Glee” feature uncovers “the stories behind stolen car stereos, illegal substances, Facebook-revenge fantasies and more.”

We’re intrigued! Tell us more!

Lea Michele delves into the aforementioned tattoos, while Cory Monteith says he had some childhood arrests for offenses that “didn’t hurt people.” Monteith is also apparently quite the fart prankster on the set.

Zap2it

PHOTO CALL: Hair Celebrates One Year on Broadway

The cast marked the event with an onstage photo op following the matinee.

The current company features Diana DeGarmo as Sheila, Ace Young as Berger, Kyle Riabko as Claude, Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked, Legally Blonde) as Jeanie, Jeannette Bayardelle (The Color Purple) as Dionne, Vanessa Ray as Crissy, Wallace Smith as Hud and Jason Wooten as Woof.

Here is a look at the onstage celebration:

Playbill.com