Idol Headlines for 04/03/09

”At the close of the interview, Cook expressed his belief that he has the most amazing fans in the world.”

Oh, Cookie.. :blush_tb:

^^^ He IS special, isn’t he? Sigh…

I was wondering what had become of Josiah. Good to know that his label are giving him the time and space to develop – patience is a rare commodity in the music industry these days, it seems.

Regarding NY Post article above: I would love to see Cat Deeley fill in for Ryan on AI. I really like her on SYTYCD. It would be interesting to see how she would do on Idol.

Nice article mj!! Do you think TPTB told her not to disclose why she was doing this?

MJ, the NY Post should be kissing your *%#. Your piece should so get picked up by the major news outlets for breaking that VFTW shout out.

^^Yes, I absolutely believe TPTB have gagged Megan and/or others re VFTW. They probably take the position that it’s covered by a broad non-disparagement clause in their contracts. (And they’re probably right. )

Great article MJ, I really dislike Megan “Joy”,and IÂ ´m really “joyfull” she is out of my tv…I feel bad for the poor people that are going to go to the Idol Tour and have to listen to her flats notes,when they could have listen to the awesomenes of Jesse Laghley, Ricky Brady or Alexis…

and I really love Jim Cantiello, like “seriously”…

Oh Josiah…*sigh* Oh by the way, did he sell any EPs?

^^Yes, I absolutely believe TPTB have gagged Megan and/or others re VFTW. They probably take the position that ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s covered by a broad non-disparagement clause in their contracts. (And theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re probably right. )

When Chris Sligh did his little “Hi Dave” shoutout on the show Season 6, he told me the producers were BULLSHIT. As in, he’s lucky he didn’t get kicked off the show.

So, I think the kids know better than to court VFTW publicly.

And actually, trying to contact them or suck up to them during the show could be considered an unfair advantage if VFTW ultimately chooses them as their pick.

Sure, the kids get made fun of, but a vote is a vote.

mj, when does Michael Slezak do his idolatry of the week clip? I keep looking for this weeks but the last one is the 28th. You are always up to date on these things. I am hooked on him as much as I am hooked on you!

And Cat on AI for Ryan?? NO way, she is a sweet girl but not very bright or that professional. Her career was going nowhere in the UK, children’s presenter, and she was lucky to be picked up in the states. I am thinking it had a lot to do with her cute accent and being a sweet pretty girl.

Ryan is annoying sometimes but I have to hand it to him for his professionalism, he is a very good presenter.

…I really dislike Megan à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Joyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ,and I ´m really à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“joyfullà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  she is out of my tvà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I feel bad for the poor people that are going to go to the Idol Tour and have to listen to her flats notes,when they could have listen to the awesomenes of Jesse Laghley, Ricky Brady or Alexis…

Aww. I want to be one of the poor people going to the Idol tour to hear Megan’s notes, flat or otherwise. Ahh…my mileage obviously varies… :tongue1_tb:

A recent review of a Cook concert from someone who I thinks makes some interesting points:

http://blogs.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=2358960

When Chris Sligh did his little à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hi Daveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  shoutout on the show Season 6, he told me the producers were BULLSHIT. As in, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s lucky he didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get kicked off the show

Which is why I think the ptb threatened to kick her off the tour if she didn’t make up some excuse for the bird call. Have to say, it’s the first interesting thing to happen on a result show this year.

.

I absolutely love Kat Dealy. I think she is a total professional, and I like the fact that you feel like she really cares about these kids.

jpfan
Apr 3rd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
A recent review of a Cook concert from someone who I thinks makes some interesting points:

http://blogs.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=2358960

Whatev. The dude was trying so hard to be a music snob. He had to start out by saying he hates American Idol and everything about it. But then he begrudgingly said some nice things about David. So he’s still our American Idol and sold platinum. The great majority of David’s fans aren’t concerned about one opinion…certainly not this one anyway.

There were over 6,000 people at yesterday’s show? Cool beanz! Was this a college show or a festival or what? I only heard about the Terry shenanigans so far.

ETA – That review is hilarious. It’s so clear the guy was there to slam everything he saw, but he ends up being quite complementary. Unwanted Cookification is awesome.

Cat would be a great sub for Ryan, she always does a good job on SYTYCD.

Good on you MJ for calling out the VFTW-”Caw!” connection. And I dunno if you pick the accompanying photos too, but yay for bonus!Kris!

Idol in 60 Seconds was hilarious.

A recent review of a Cook concert from someone who I thinks makes some interesting points:

http://blogs.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=2358960

To be fair to David Cook, I don’t think that reviewer would have liked him no matter what kind of show he put on. I mean, a couple of the reasons he said he didn’t enjoy the concert was (1) he hates American Idol, and (2) he didn’t like the fact that the audience was of many different ages and types (weird reason for disliking a show). The guy seems like one of those pretentious rock fans (or music fans) who remember the “good old days” and can’t accept newer music regardless of quality.

Now, I’m not a particular fan of post-grunge rock (Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Hinder, etc.), and so I get when somebody says they’re not into it. But concert reviewers should attempt to put their personal preferences aside and put themselves in the place of the intended audience. If you were a fan of that music, how would you like the show? I think the reviewer thought he was doing that by saying the crowd enjoyed the show, but the review was too infused with his own personal bias about the music of today for any of his attempts to be unbiased to be meaningful.

That writer/reviewer had some really great passive-aggressive snobbery going on there and was amazing at handing out backhanded compliments.

A review is someone’s opinion. Nor more no less and I don’t see how the word unbiased has anything to do with a review. If reviewers make intelligent, amusing or interesting arguments, I enjoy reading them. I don’t care that he hates American Idol. Lots of reviewers do but it’s up to the artist to overcome that stigma.

However, I appreciate the replies because I was worred posting it that I’d just get COOK OMG 111!! greatest Idol ever.

A review is someoneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s opinion. Nor more no less and I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see how the word unbiased has anything to do with a review. If reviewers make intelligent, amusing or interesting arguments, I enjoy reading them. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care that he hates American Idol. Lots of reviewers do but ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s up to the artist to overcome that stigma.

I think there are different ways to be unbiased. A review is supposed to be informative. It’s supposed to tell people how the artist performs. When somebody goes in there and is too blinded by their own musical tastes to give the artist a fair chance, it’s a meaningless review. The artist didn’t have any shot to get a decent review–regardless of how he or she did. Billboard is great at putting themselves in the shoes of the intended audience, and any bias is expressed as a member of that audience. Would a pop fan like this, since this is a pop concert? Would kids like this since this is a concert for kids? Good move reviewers do the same thing. Do you really think that Roger Ebert’s personal taste is Barbie Princess movies? Probably not. But he would fairly review a Barbie Princess movie by thinking about what a kid would want to watch.

Oh Josiahà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦*sigh* Oh by the way, did he sell any EPs?

You’d think that article about how he and David Cook are playing one of the same venues would tout the dozens of EPs that Josie sold. You gotta spin what you gotta spin.

However, I appreciate the replies because I was worred posting it that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d just get COOK OMG 111!! greatest Idol ever.

Hee! Speaking only for myself, I’m kind of over the reviews that aren’t so complimentary. Not everyone is going to like who we like. Fans just have to deal.

soundscene – your posts are great. Agree 100%.

Snarky, I can take. I can even concede that underneath all the disdain, there are some points to be noted. I’m just turned off at the “I’m too cool for school” bitchery. I’ve read that commentary here at MJ’s and TWoP, and most often times, better and wittier.

Sorry if this has been linked before and I missed it, YouTube has an HD version of the CBTM video from OfficialDavidCook.
I think it’s better quality than any other version I’ve seen so far.

WOW!!! Great numbers on iTunes:

DCTR is #9 and CBTM is #15 in music.

DCTR is #3 and CTBM is #7 in pop.

CBTM video is climbing too – #22 right now.

I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s better quality than any other version Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen so far.

Yes it’s even better than the iTunes one LOL.

Yes the quality is superb!

This version shows that David is actually in sync with the song, as I said in other comments it’s impressive how he leart almost the whole song backwards.

Yes ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s even better than the iTunes one LOL.

Yeah, I was kind of disappointed by the quality of the iTunes one :/ But I guess it’s meant for little 2-4 inch screens, heh.

WOW!!! Great numbers on iTunes:

DCTR is #9 and CBTM is #15 in music.

DCTR is #3 and CTBM is #7 in pop.

Climbing at Amazon too, #9 in Music

I guess I don’t see reviewers all doing the same thing. This is one man’s opinion of a concert he went to. I don’t expect an unbiased consumer report.
But I found it an interesting read especially the part about the return of 90s music and the lack of real edge in Cook’s music.

FWIW, I didn’t mind that blogger’s opinion (because, really, who cares?) as much as I did his writing. Whew! Check this –> “I find it boring, pedestrian and of infinitely unoriginal.” Seriously, if you’re going to write, learn to write. Also annoying? That the bulk of his review told us what he was NOT (as opposed to what he was) saying or feeling or thinking. Curious approach…

Yay for rising sales ## for Cook!

Which is why I think the ptb threatened to kick her off the tour if she didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t make up some excuse for the bird call.

How would TPTB even know that was what she was doing unless she admitted it? So far, she has not. They can’t accuse her of something without proof.

Climbing at Amazon too, #9 in Music

Yay! I didn’t check Amazon, he’s now #8 in music, #7 in Pop and #4 in Rock.

However, I appreciate the replies because I was worred posting it that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d just get COOK OMG 111!! greatest Idol ever.

I totally loved that review, jpfan. IMO, it’s a pretty realistic representation of how music snob types will receive DC at this point in his career. It’s always nice to get a dose of realism to maintain perspective of what DC’s up against, and I’m just pleasantly surprised whenever the reception is a better than what it could be! Those reviewers will always bitch some whenever they write– that’s not unique to DC. I’m not bothered, and rather grateful for the backhanded compliments, haha. I’ll take it!

Hmmm, I’m not quite sure what to make of the 90′s music comment since I never followed it. I like the idea of DC being part of the first wave of something though.

And speaking of ’90s rockers STP, David Cook is among the first wave of a phenomenon I’ve seen coming for a while now: the return of ’90s-style grunge rock.

Bolded mine. Perhaps I’m simply missing something there. Oh well, I know what I like and that’s what matters to me. Too bad he didn’t stay for the entire show, maybe he could have talked about some other things he tried not to like about DC.

jpfan, thanks for the article, I found it an interesting read.

Yay for rising sales ## for Cook!

Yep!!! Yay! Even if it’s an AI boost. I’m looking forward to seeing how CBTM does on the charts.

I guess I don’t agree that thinking that artists off Idol aren’t very creative or edgy means you’re a musical snob. I thought that was the CW (conventional wisdom). A real music snob would have been way more negative in that review IMO. Anyway I appreciated reading an actual newspaper review of Cook since the college tour hasn’t provided very many.

Even if ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s an AI boost.

Hell yeah! In this climate and slumping music industry, seems very few now snub their noses at an AI sales boost anymore. Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Motown, Miley, Brad Paisley… AI’s one of the best sales platforms around these days. Hummm… another “wave of a new phenomenon?” LOL

Eh I don’t care if the writer liked him, is a music or AI snob or what but i do appreciate him saying there were 6,000 people there WOOT!! I think that’s the biggest crowd he’s played to on this tour.

Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d think that article about how he and David Cook are playing one of the same venues would tout the dozens of EPs that Josie sold. You gotta spin what you gotta spin.

I bought one of those dozens of EPs and I’m just as likely to buy a ticket to see Josiah as I am to buy a ticket to see Cook. I prefer Josiah’s music, too. Cook is my favorite Idol winner along with Kelly, but both of them fit into my “guilty pleasure” box, musically. I am a little skeered about “Top 40″ Josiah, I have to admit.

I guess I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t agree that thinking that artists off Idol arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t very creative or edgy means youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re a musical snob. I thought that was the CW (conventional wisdom). A real music snob would have been way more negative in that review IMO.

Haha, you win. I’ll edit my comment to say that I’m pleasantly surprised that a CW reviewer didn’t tear DC apart, as I’m sure a music snob would’ve. Still, I’ll take it!

There were over 6,000 people at yesterdayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s show? Cool beanz! Was this a college show or a festival or what? I only heard about the Terry shenanigans so far.

It appears to be a 5 day, annual festival. I looked it up – but the tip off was the mention of the beauty queens in their tiaras. Every good southern festival has a big ass beauty pageant to go along with it.

Every good southern festival has a big ass beauty pageant to go along with it.

It looks like this year’s “Queen” knows some moves. Cute video of her dancing on stage while Cook plays. I think she made quite and impression on Cook. LOL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A-4LV0s-U8

I just finished listening to NPR do a 30 minute piece on the return of early nineties grunge, which might be an even easier transition for someone like Cook and possibly even DAUGHTRY for their second cds. It seems that music tends to co-opt past trends in 15-18 year cycles. My brother, who teaches music business and merchandising, also pays attention to music trends. He saw the mid-80s hair bands influence on glam rock start around 2001. He believes that the 80s music and its fashion (skinny jeans, etc) has reached its peak ( and has turned to Eurotrash Lady Gaga) and will now trend down and by next year will phase out a bit more to be replaced by a stronger neo-grunge influence. We’ll see.

Hmmm, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not quite sure what to make of the 90à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s music comment since I never followed it. I like the idea of DC being part of the first wave of something though.

cookcricket, DC has a very 90′s grungepop sound, which came from the Seattle bands like Soundgarden/Pearl Jam/Alice in Chains. I don’t know if I would call David part of the first wave of a revival though as that sort of sound emerged quite soon after the scene in the late 90′s. Well, that is what I thought with Creed and Nickelback. DC probably has a bit more of a pop edge to that though. I mean, at least from my point of view. In context I can see what the reviewer is getting at.

It looks like this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Queenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  knows some moves. Cute video of her dancing on stage while Cook plays. I think she made quite and impression on Cook. LOL!

That dancing is hilarious. I laughed when she put down her crown, thinking, what the hell is this chick going to do? Then of course, I saw why the crown could have been an impediment.

Spens, please make me laugh. I’m so damned bored today, I need a pick-me-up.

Oops, headlines, headlines. So, I hope Miley helps Allison get more votes. Still don’t like the hair though. I guess since I graduated high school before these contestants were born makes me old………………

Come Back To Me would be perfect for New Moon!! (it would sell millions in return)

That reviewer compared David’s music to Contemporary Christian? That can’t be taken seriously. I thought it was a lame review. I don’t mind if someone doesn’t like David’s music, but at least give us some intelligent reasons or criticisms. Definitely someone who is “too cool” for anyone from AI.

I listen to a lot of music, a lot of genres, and I’m not ashamed of any of them. A little rock, alternative, jazz, new age, classical, country, Indian, I’m open to music that speaks to me. I think it’s sad when people are self-conscious about what music they like and feel the need to show that they are musically-correct and acceptably cool. It gets in the way of pure enjoyment of music for what it is, communication from one person to another.

He believes that the 80s music and its fashion (skinny jeans, etc) has reached its peak ( and has turned to Eurotrash Lady Gaga) and will now trend down and by next year will phase out a bit more to be replaced by a stronger neo-grunge influence.

Oh, please please. I’m so ready for 80s Redux to be over.

I think there are different ways to be unbiased. A review is supposed to be informative. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s supposed to tell people how the artist performs. When somebody goes in there and is too blinded by their own musical tastes to give the artist a fair chance, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a meaningless review. The artist didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have any shot to get a decent reviewà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’regardless of how he or she did. Billboard is great at putting themselves in the shoes of the intended audience, and any bias is expressed as a member of that audience. Would a pop fan like this, since this is a pop concert?

I don’t get what all the fuss is about with the review. Reviwers are always biased and snarky about people- even the ones they like. I personally love reading reviews about my faves. Especially the bad ones. Like, I want to see how bad they can get. It’s always interesting to see different people’s perspectives.

Have you read other artists reviews? Why should they mention Kelly’s weight in an album review? Or Kanye’s tantrums? Or Pete Wentz’ penis? Those don’t have anything to do with the music or the concert, but yet they manage to slip those little facts in. It happens with everyone in every genre. It’s not about Idol, Cook…. or Archuleta, for that matter. Critics are always going to put their own spin on things- and get “personal.” That’s why reviews are interesting to read. And frankly, I don’t want that to change, so they can just blow smoke up people’s arses, ala Billboard.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get what all the fuss is about with the review. Reviwers are always biased and snarky about people- even the ones they like.

I don’t think Billboard blows smoke up people’s ass–I think they’re attempting to be actual, real journalists. They actually don’t give everything a good review. They don’t go looking for something irrelevant to snark on, but aren’t afraid of pointing out weaknesses. For singles they have a system whereby they mark songs they think will go top 50 in their format with an arrow, and mark songs that are great, regardless of hit potential, with a star. Some songs get no designation at all, indicating that they probably won’t hit and they’re not that fabulous either. I’ve seen written reviews that will say a song or album or concert didn’t live up to what it could have been and, frankly, that’s not all that unusual. It’s not overly snarky or negative like some web “journalists” believe they need to be in order to draw an audience.

What you’re talking about sounds more like a blog-culture review with very little journalistic integrity. I’m not saying you can’t find that fun or interesting, but IMO, that’s not real journalism. And to be a legitimate concert/ album/ song review, it needs to be real journalism. Everything else is just some dude’s opinion, which may be fun to read if the writer is a good writer in general, or you just like reading snark whether it’s well written or not, but I’m not going to call it a newsworthy review. That’s the biggest problem with blog-culture. Real journalism can get lost when everybody and their brother can print what they want–and even online versions of newspapers are now guilty of passing off quickly-written blogs as actual news.

Not that there weren’t snarked-out biased reviews prior to the Internet–but if people knew the reviewer was like that then they also knew it wasn’t worth much in terms of providing insight.

I just finished listening to NPR do a 30 minute piece on the return of early nineties grunge, which might be an even easier transition for someone like Cook and possibly even DAUGHTRY for their second cds.

I don’t see much similarity between Cook’s and Daughtry’s current albums and early 90s grunge. If anything, they sound more post-grunge, which is a genre that has been around for a few years now. Potentially their second albums will lean more in the grunge direction, but as of now they both sound a lot like what is already playing on Hot AC and, to some extent, on pop.

That staronline reviewer’s piece was okay by me, mainly because he was so up front about his prejudices, which in turn helped put his slams and backhanded compliments in context.

The one thing he did get kinda wrong (in an objective way as opposed to, you know, ‘it’s just his opinion’ way) was his questioning the fact that the show was soldout. My understanding from people who attended is that they did sell out the entire venue but that, at the last minute (last day, I think), the venue decided to open up some view-obstructed seats for any fans willing to pony up the cash. Those were probably the “hundreds” of seats he saw that were empty.

I know the venue was sold out because I have friend who really wanted to go there and couldn’t get tickets. Too bad.

In any case, performing in front of 6K plus and getting such a great reaction to his own music must have been pretty awesome for Cook.

If someone is wondering why this John Stanton gave David Cook the review that he did I suggest you read the review he gave Kellie the day before at this Azalea festival as David is mentioned in that review as well. Apparently some don’t take it too kindly when they are faced with those at Sony and American Idol who show themselves for the frauds and rapists that they are when it comes to Kellie and how her label tries to underpromote her.

You can read the article I’m talking about by clicking on John Stanton’s name in the Cook article or if I copied it right you should be able to see the article in the link below.

http://music.starnewsonlive.com/default.asp?item=2358425

^^ Shame that Kellie’s people didn’t get that sorted. I don’t get what it has to do with Cook though, other than a favorable comparison. I don’t think Cook’s review had anything to do with Kellie.

PS – this is the link: http://music.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=2358425

“I just finished listening to NPR do a 30 minute piece on the return of early nineties grunge, which might be an even easier transition for someone like Cook and possibly even DAUGHTRY for their second cds.”

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see much similarity between Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s and Daughtryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s current albums and early 90s grunge. If anything, they sound more post-grunge, which is a genre that has been around for a few years now. Potentially their second albums will lean more in the grunge direction, but as of now they both sound a lot like what is already playing on Hot AC and, to some extent, on pop.

I believe you just paraphrased some of my quote. Like I said, they may have a more seamless transition back to their earlier roots for their second cd release if the neo-grunge sound takes root. I was not referring to their current recordings.

Oh Kellie’s people got things sorted alright, just the way they wanted it, little to no publicity for Kellie or her concert.

This wasn’t a one time mishap, those in charge of Kellie’s career (Sony and 19s Simon Fuller) pull this same type of crap with all of Kellie’s concerts. This is probably just the first time your reading about it as most of our media are a bunch of frauds just like these dirtbags down at Sony and American Idol and won’t tell you the truth when it comes to the corruption and fraud taking place in our music industry.

Oh Kellieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s people got things sorted alright, just the way they wanted it, little to no publicity for Kellie or her concert.

This wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t a one time mishap, those in charge of Kellieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s career (Sony and 19s Simon Fuller) pull this same type of crap with all of Kellieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s concerts. This is probably just the first time your reading about it as most of our media are a bunch of frauds just like these dirtbags down at Sony and American Idol and wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t tell you the truth when it comes to the corruption and fraud taking place in our music industry.

Sadly, I think it happens at every major label.

Too bad for Kellie but I don’t see why it has anything to do with his bitchery about Cook.

Wasn’t it nice that David gave a shout-out to Kellie Pickler in his concert (as captured by that youtube of him with the “dancing” Queen)? I mean, he didn’t have to, but he did. : )

This wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t a one time mishap, those in charge of Kellieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s career (Sony and 19s Simon Fuller) pull this same type of crap with all of Kellieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s concerts.

Maybe I’m being naive here but why would Sony and 19/Simon Fuller be perfectly accommodating regarding publicity for David’s concert there and not for Kellie? I can understand if a label or management company have that type of setup in general, and it’s not like local media wanting to take some pictures would cost 19 or Sony any money.

Exactly, Trina, it’s more likely to cost them if they don’t. It sounds to me like her publicist has issues. I don’t know the whole story though, and I doubt anybody here does.

Different publicists, different publicity. Different sales ##s, different promotional budgets. Different promotional budgets, different levels of promotion (and publicists.)

Bottom line is this has nothing to do with Cook, and sadly(?) I have no background or context for Kellie’s label/management issues. Whatever it is, I hope they work it out. Can’t be too awful since she’s going to be on AI next week and just had a splashy video premiere. Oh well.

However, I appreciate the replies because I was worred posting it that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d just get COOK OMG 111!! greatest Idol ever.

COOK OMG 111!!! greatest Idol ever!!!!1111

Didn’t want you to be disappointed pj. :innocent1_tb: Seriously, though, I found that review interesting. It reminded me of that interview piece EW did right before Cookie’s record dropped, written by, oh damn, the awesome writer who pointed out the odd TWIK phenomenon that prompted one to fist pump and say “You stick it to the man with your Collective Soul ballad!” during last season’s finale. Basically, he talked about the dichotomy of Cook that RCA would have to sell to the record buying public: the well adjusted midwestern family guy who writes sincere, introspective, heart on the sleeve anthemic lyrics, and the dude who likes to rock his face off and can wail like a mo fo. Would music consumers be able to reconcile those two images that many rock music fans would insist should be mutually exclusive? So far, the answer is yes and no. Some appreciate the contradictions that identify Cook artistically and get that while the danger that’s inherrent in a personality on the edge might be missing, it’s replaced with a very palpable emmotional depth that comes from a different place, yes, but is just as interesting. There’s raw pain and a real honesty to Permanent, for example, that requires a level of fearlessness to broach. And since the record has sold well, I would say there are a bnuch of people who get that POV. Meanwhile, guys like this concert reviewer acknowledge Cook’s talent but temper it with observations like, “Technically, he sings rock music well, and he’s entertaining enough, but where is the danger? Where’s the tortured dark soul who always seems thisclose to a bad overdose or suicide attempt, and edgy lyrics that push the envelope? This is the 90s rock image that I hold dear.” It’s a valid and time honored point of view, but IMO (and the opinion of the aforementioned EW writer) a slightly myopic one. I mean, I love me some Weiland, too, but Weiland is Weiland, and Cook is Cook, and neither, IMO, are anything like Christian rock. I also think it’s kind of ironic that he used STP as a touchstone for 90s grunge music, because STP were long thought of as pretenders to the grunge throne by critics despite the commercial popularity of songs like Plush, Interstate Love Song, and Vasoline.

Or Pete Wentzà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ penis? Those donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have anything to do with the music or the concert, but yet they manage to slip those little facts in.

:lol_tb: Sorry for the post hoing, and I’m sure this is off topic, but am I the only one whose mind went there? Yeah? Okay then. Still hilarious. Thanks for the lolz.

sunchick, you’re awesome.

Funny I just read that Miley Cyrus was asked who her favourite Idol contestant was and she said Allison and mentioned they are texting each other. Not sure if advice from Miley is good or bad advice to take.

Corporate grunge never left – see Nickelback.

Please don’t tell me I can look forward to more grunge. Grunge and technopop ruined music for most of the 1990s if you ask me.

Unfortunately poor Megan is the only person I have ever heard make a Bob Marley song unrecognizable. I think Megan has that quirky voice that is in vogue but hasn’t got a clue how to use it. If she can find a vocal coach or writes her own material to capitalize on her voice she might have a chance. Gimmicks only get you so far.

I hope one day when American Idol is finally cancelled, a good investigative journalist writes the ultimate tell all of which really went on behind the Idol making machinery. There may already be books out on the way the music industry works – or just read the court transcripts of the court case where Sony got caught in a payola type scandal recently. I am a fan of the band Franz Ferdinand and was sad to see they were one of the bands that benefitted from the payola scandal allegedly. I am sure completely without their knowledge – you leave the radioplay up to the labels. One would think being Sony was enough clout but apparently not.