Idol Headlines for 06/22/07

Is Glastonbury selling out to grannies? A BBC investigation

Stephen Sackur corners Michael Eavis and asks him the tough, ageist questions. Meanwhile, Paul Potts signs a  £1m record deal, and Michael Jackson settles a lawsuit unrelated to children

…Life just keeps getting better and better for Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts. The man nicknamed Pavapotti by the tabloids, on account of him being a bit large and being an opera singer, has just signed a  £1m multi-album deal with Simon Cowell, reports the Sun. And apparently interest from the US is huge! We couldn’t be happier for the former Carphone Warehouse salesmen. Partly because he seems like a thoroughly nice chap, but mainly because we were originally a bit confused, and thought these glorious things were being bestowed upon the former tyrannical leader of Cambodia. Which is ridiculous, of course, because everyone knows he couldn’t sing a note…

Guardian UK

MONEY ROLLS FOR à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹PURPLE

Oh, how I wish! LOL

Good morning, Lisa.

If only Purps, good afternoon to you.

Past contestants have tried to be different and pursue unique styles. Subsequently, they lost. Rockers like Constantine Maroulis, Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry, who all appealed to mainstream observers, failed to get the votes of the niche market that is the “Idol” audience…

…One exception to the rule was this season’s runner-up, Blake Lewis…

Following the writer’s argumentation, Blake is not an exception since, like Chris and Bo, he also lost. Gah.

The article is a very interesting assessment nonetheless.

…Why do Americans tune in night after night, knowing full well what they are going to get?

This non-American tunes in night after night because she simply “love(s) this cheesy show” (with apologies to a certain blogmistress).

Following the writerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s argumentation, Blake is not an exception since, like Chris and Bo, he also lost. Gah.

The article is a very interesting assessment nonetheless.

One impressive part of the article was the information on the author: Eileen Shim just finished her junior year at John P. Stevens High School in Edison. What does it say when a high-schooler manages to turn out a better piece then some of the “professional” journalists I’ve read lately?

I didn’t see this posted in the headlines but it’s a major piece on Kelly Clarkson in today’s Wall St. Journal: The article is headed “An idol cracks”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118247947711244439.html?mod=mm_hs_entertainment#CHART
(Look at the chart headed Popularity Contest on the bottom comparing some idols…)

Hicks calls it in
Taylor Hicks called this one in … literally.

In a telephone interview Wednesday from Iowa, where he was on tour, Hicks talked with Herald-Mail Lifestyle Reporter Julie Greene about life as an “American Idol” winner and his upcoming July 6 performance at The Maryland Theatre…

Herald-mail.com

A man of few words; American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is a straight-shooter who lets his singing voice do most of the talking

Taylor Hicks is known to millions as the silky-smooth, somewhat quirky winner of the 2006 version of TV phenomenon American Idol.

He’s appearing at a gala dinner for the inaugural Niagara Wine Auction on Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., in a black-tie event at The Commons behind the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake….

St Catharines Standard

America’s Got Talent: Why the Hoff Walked Off In A Huff

…Blake Lewis’ appearance on American Idol must have inspired some “beatboxers” to crawl out of the woodwork. One of them was Butterscotch. She is a tall…

Reality TV Calendar

jpfan Jun 22nd, 2007 at 7:37 am

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118247947711244439.html?mod=mm_hs_entertainment#CHART
(Look at the chart headed Popularity Contest on the bottom comparing some idolsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦)

That’s where the money is, in touring.

Fantasia has been certified gold by the RIAA.

Go Fantasia!

(If you go to Top R&B Albums Chart at BB and scroll down to number 21, you will see that BB has added the Gold notation)

I dunno why Elliott and Chris are listed here since the article said they are comparing winners and runner-ups. I assume this is all concerts to-date since their AI win? The comparison is strange, since Kelly, for example, has 5 years worth of concert sales and Taylor has 6 months worth of touring receipts (1.9 million for 6 months of headlining ain’t shabby, tho!

Name AMERICAN IDOL SEASON GROSS TICKET SALES* U.S. ALBUM SALES (UNITS)
Kelly Clarkson 1 (2002) $35 million 8.4 million
Clay Aiken 2 (2003) $28 million 4.7 million
Fantasia Barrino 3 (2004) — ** 2.2 million
Carrie Underwood 4 (2005) $7 million 5.7 million
Elliott Yamin 5 (2006) $25,000 274,000
Daughtry 5 $404,000 2.8 million
Taylor Hicks 5 $1.9 million 688,000

The DAUGHTRY CD is now the 5th best selling digital album of ALL TIME!

Go Chris!

http://www.daughtryofficial.com/node/54119

I’d love to know what Kelly’s gross ticket sales were for her first tour.

Kirsten — since you’re so good at numbers crunching, any comparative commentary on that?

Thanks

Not sure what dates they are using for the concert ticket sales. I know Elliott’s are way off since that would be about the amount from his VA concert alone.

The concert figures for Elliott and Daughtry make no sense. They seem way too low. I doubt E’s pulling in the big bucks but he’s def made more than 25K touring. I thought it was cool that the WSJ included him with the heavy hitters since they only included 7 idols total. (I didn’t realize Clay Aiken sold that many albums/tickets.)

They seem way too low. I doubt Eà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s pulling in the big bucks but heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s def made more than 25K touring. I thought it was cool that the WSJ included him with the heavy hitters since they only included 7 idols total. (I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t realize Clay Aiken sold that many albums/tickets.)

Clay Aiken is a huge touring act – as is Taylor. They have a lot in common in that with little mainstream pop radio exposure, they both do incredibly well on the road. I see Clay’s name everywhere for live appearances.

Hmmm…interesting numbers (assuming accuracy). Taylor makes about 5x as much in touring than Daughtry, but Daughtry sells about 5x as many records. Of course, Taylor has played a lot more venues, and bigger venues overall than Daughtry. Just seems like they are both reaching their fans their own ways, both making money in different ways, both successful in different ways. Once again, Rueben Studdard is completely left off the chart, poor guy.

I believe Chris’ concert numbers actually. The tickets are only $20 and his venues up until now were in the hundreds in size as oppose to the thousands.

Now that Chris is playing bigger venues this summer in the thousands and will co-headline a tour in the Fall in bigger venues it will increase.

TPTB have a strategy for Chris which is to maximize album sales, increase his fan base, get radio airplay, and then he will have a large enough fan base to sell in the thousands at various concert venues. Seems to be working.

Co-headline the tour? I was under the impression daughtry was opening for Nickelback. So those sales numbers wouldn’t count since it’s only headlining.

I’m seeing Clay with the Knoxville Symphony on August 12 and I can’t wait. I think it sold out in less than a week. Most of his shows are complete sellouts. Can’t wait! :clap_tb:

Apparently, albums sales do not always translate into selling out, or even selling a mediocre amount of tickets to over-sized venues. A lesson learned the hard way. Poor Kelly.

http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-FEATURES.asp?id=BDIM8E3K4GS

‘Idol’ winner embraces country roots
Hicks heading to Cadott festival

By Jennifer Schmidt

Leader-Telegram correspondent

At first glance, seeing Taylor Hicks’ name on Friday night’s Country Fest lineup might appear to be a misprint.

After all, the 2006 “American Idol” victor is known more for his soulful vocals than country twang. But the spirited Southerner says he and country music have a long-standing history.

“Well, you know, I am country,” Hicks said in a telephone interview Wednesday from Council Bluffs, Iowa. “I come from Alabama. I love country music. I’ve been a country music fan all my life.”

Hicks, 30, said he prefers classic to contemporary country, citing country legend Lefty Frizzell as one of his all-time favorites.

(CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE REST )

The concert figures for Elliott and Daughtry make no sense. They seem way too low.

They are from Pollstar. Pollstar is the Nielsen Soundscan of the concert industry. And the WSJ is fairly reliable.

Remember that there are a few caveats on that chart. It’s only concerts where they headlined.

I suppose it is possible that some of the tiny clubs (200-250) don’t bother reporting ticket receipts to anybody because the live acts are generally just to make some background noise while people are drinking (I’m not saying it’s true in this case, just that they might not be plugged into the Pollstar network because it is the general case). But, even if they sell out, at $15 a ticket, that’s only $3000, so it won’t effect the final numbers much (unless you do a LOT of them…even 10 such concerts would only mean $30,000 and that is just chump change compared to what artists like Kelly and Clay have made…you’d have to do 10,000 such concerts to get in their realm…heck, you’d have to do almost 700 just to reach 2 million in gross sales).

Maybe E’s first concert was missed because it was at a State Fair? Or because it was for charity? I don’t know.

And really, if they are missing numbers for one or two artists, they are probably missing numbers for all of them. I’m sure Pollstar doesn’t have it in for any particular artist. They are a professional company and not into fanwars.

Why would Nickelback open for Daughtry when Nickelback has been around for years selling millions of albums and Daughtry just started.

Daughtry is opening for Nickelback this summer for about 10 shows. In the Fall Daughtry will go on a co-headling tour with an act not yet announced.

According to cmt online lol,
“Did you hear about Kellie getting her red high heels stuck through the carpeting and into the grates on the catwalk at LP Field? After sitting on the stage while trying to pull them out, one of the guys from Brad’s road crew came to the rescue.”

Also, CMT tv channel is playing another Idol’s video. I was very surprised last night to see Carmen Rasmusen, from Season 2, on cmt. She is cute as a button and had a very family friendly video. The song was about summertime. I wasnt real impressed with the song but she sounded good on it.

Also read that John, from Big and Rich has signed Kimberly Caldwell from season 2 to do a country cd. He is part of the muzic mafia thingy and thinks she fits right in with his musical vision. Wonder what happened with her contract with Randy Jackson? It was reported she was his first artist signing.

I also read somewhere that Carrie U ringtone for Before He Cheats set a new record. Everything that girl touches seems to turn to gold.

Ken Barnes has answered a few Idol sales questions (one of which was asked here):

http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2007/06/answering-a-few.html#uslPageReturn

Bo’s total album sales for his first album: 688 K
Kimberley’s total album sales for her first album: 212K
Katharine’s downloads of “Over It”: 5,600 this week, 446K in total.

In the Fall Daughtry will go on a co-headling tour with an act not yet announced.

Has Katharine announced yet? :wink1_tb:

LBB – thanks for that article link. I especially like this part that says:

“…Hicks plans to hit the recording studio after the summer tour’s conclusion.

“Right now I’m on the road. The fall will be a writing phase for me,” he said.

Whereas he wrote two songs on his self-titled album released in December, Hicks said he envisions writing most of the songs on the next…”

I just hope $CLIVE$ doesn’t do another Kelly to Taylor about the original songs. I see another battle on the horizon, maybe.

I just edited a post. Don’t make your posts personal. This is only Idol, it’s not that important.

Read above again. I SAID that daughtry is opening for Nickelback. I thought that was the tour you were referring to.

What’s a “co-headliner”? Isn’t there always one act that is the main concert draw? I never heard that term before. It’s always the ‘opener’ and the ‘headliner’.

Perhaps that is like being a co-winner!! hah

Either you open or you don’t ::: either you win or you don’t!

griz, I’ve been to concerts like that. Rufus Wainwright toured with Ben Folds and they would alternate who went first and second.

Also, Kelly and Clay did that. Neither headlined for the other.

Brad Paisley has 3 opening acts, Kellie, Taylor Swift and Jack Inghram. I guess the headliner can have as many as he wants since thats who pays the opening act compensation.

Elliott’s Innsbrook concert sold over 5,000 tickets. 500 of those were $35.00 each. The others were $10.00. That’s over $50,000 for that concert alone. Birchmere was sold out. Actually most were sold out or close to it. With 22 cities on the tour, there is no way that figure could include more than a few dates on the tour. Heck, the first leg of the tour just ended last night.

The writer should have included the time frame for the tour gross amount he posted. Using the few dates and not disclosing that it was not the complete tour seems a bit unfair.

Abilymom – that’s pretty rare, isn’t it? Usually it’s the main act and the opener(s).

In the case of Clay and Kelly, I suspect the headliner was in the mind of the ticket buyer, depending on who your fave was.

griz, I wouldn’t say it’s common, but it’s not unheard of. Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera did it, too.

That list is kind of wierd. First, they leave off one of the winners. And although I can understand throwing Clay and Chris on given their huge success but it seems odd to throw Elliott in there (sorry Elliott fans but he just seems like a random pick thrown in here). The list also doesn’t fully show exactly how successful Kelly has been in comparison since she has been the only one to really hit it big internationally. Add international sales to that chart and it will be even more lopsided than it already is. And although I don’t think My December is going to sell nearly as much as Breakaway I do think it will probably easily sell more than the current CDs of half the people on that list.

The whole article is fairly slanted. Kelly certainly having some troubles now but pieces like this really seem to be blowing it up to be more than it is (and a lot more one-sided). Of course that is sadly fairly typical since making it a bigger deal means it is a bigger news story.

Nonetheless, several people familiar with the situation say that executives at RCA were aghast at Ms. Clarkson’s suggestion that she write her own material. True, she had co-written a handful of the singles from her second album. But most of the songs had been created with big-name collaborators — and she hadn’t written the buoyant breakthrough, “Since U Been Gone.”

Yes, she didn’t write Since U Been Gone. But she did write Because of You which was her biggest international hit (granted she did have help with established songwriters on it).

MJ:

I just edited a post. Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t make your posts personal. This is only Idol, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not that important.

Ah MJ – Why oh why can’t everyone see this? You are so right. I’m about to jump on the treadmill and listen to my iPod which, incidentally, includes an AI playlist including Kelly, Carrie, Bo, Taylor, Ace, Chris, Bucky and, last but certainly not least, Elliott. The fanwars and comparisons are tiresome. What a complete waste of time and energy. There’s a whole other world out there – really, there is!

Abilymom – thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s pretty rare, isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t it? Usually ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the main act and the opener(s).

Actually, it’s not rare. Co-headlining is common. I saw the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chile Peppers, and they were switching who opened just like Abily described.

Yeah, it’s good exposure, since they get a different fanbase to see you, and it helps the artists play a venue they wouldn’t be able to play by themselves.

You have to be careful who you pick to tour with. The fanbases have to have some overlap. One of the co-headlining tours I saw was Rufus Wainwright, Ben Folds, and Guster. The audience could text message a message which was displayed on the screens next to the stage. Guster brings the collegy frat boy types. Rufus Wainwright’s fanbase is decidedly NOT that. There were some kind of nasty text messages by the Guster fans displayed on the screens , considering Rufus is gay.

Hi !! Back from a mini vaca. @ Myrtle Beach.. so nice !! And so nice to be home. Okay , I caught up on all the headlines. The article about Kelly…jpfan..the comparion chart to other idols….. it shows that Taylor with the one point (1.4?) million tkt sales… see ?…Taylor needs to be SEEN and heard…and Lu.. you are right !! there is a whole other world out there…….that’s why I come screaming back to this one !!!! hmy_tb:..(hee)

Now that Chris is playing bigger venues this summer in the thousands and will co-headline a tour in the Fall in bigger venues it will increase.

I wouldn’t call 150 people at the Borderline in London a larger venue!

Actually, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not rare. Co-headlining is common. I saw the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chile Peppers, and they were switching who opened just like Abily described.

Well, that must be a new phenomenon of the past 10 years, because I dont recall seeing any ‘co-headline’ tours in my days of concert goings, which span back a few decades. The only time I see that today are when classic bands from years past tour together now (seeing that neither could be a big draw anymore).

Perhaps in this day of hard-to-sellout arenas era, these “co-headlining” events help the tickets get sold. Whatever works, I say.

Welcome back Sarah! I love Myrtle Beach! I hope I wasn’t misunderstood. I like seeing factual numbers too. It’s just the fall out after numbers are posted that tends to pluck my nerves!

I think the whole co-headlining concept is cool! Have a great Friday everyone!

Blake Feelin’ Sparks?!

They’ve denied up and down that they’re an item, but Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis have been looking awfully co-co-co-zy in the afterglow of their “American Idol” glory.

A TMZ spy spotted the “Idol” finalists “holding hands” while shopping at a Fry’s Electronics store near L.A. We’re told that they wandered around the store, unmolested, and seemed “happy” together. Blake was overheard saying to the 17-year-old Jordin, “We should call your mom.” Need a ride, kids?…

TMZ.com

Paula Abdul Has A New Man
And he looks pretty normal to us…

Paula Abdul has managed to find a guy willing to overlook the fact that the American Idol judge is a certifiable wackjob.

He obviously sees her loony-tune behaviour as some kind of cute personality quirk.

Entertaimentwise.com

UPDATE: Fictional Characters Tout Pasta, Gems As Brand Extensions Acceler

…FremantleMedia, the producer of “American Idol,” flew in 30 executives from around the world, with each of them scheduled for about 20 meetings over the show’s three days — huddling with companies including Hasbro and Nokia. “That’s 600 potential deals,” said Olivier Gers, general manager of FremantleMedia’s worldwide licensing, which represents 30% of the company’s total revenue. Gers, though, declined to supply the total-revenue figure…

CNN.com

Elton John & Billy Joel toured together. That had to be, what, 20 years ago now? Maybe 15? My husband has seen a few as well – Heart w/ some other group (don’t recall the name). It was a concert double header.

Blake Feelinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Sparks?!

Had to chuckle at the title of this article… I know – I have the maturity of a 13 year old!

Dan Akroyd speaks about the Niagara Wine Festival, 6/23/07 and Taylor Hicks appearance. Dan and Taylor might perform a song together.

Go to the right of the screen, click on the box with Dan Akroyd’s photo and wait for the tap to roll.
Comments at 2:30 of the tape.

http://www.ctv.ca/canadaam

My two cents..

Past contestants have tried to be different and pursue unique styles. Subsequently, they lost. Rockers like Constantine Maroulis, Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry, who all appealed to mainstream observers, failed to get the votes of the niche market that is the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  audienceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

I’m still having a hard time see Constantine as a rocker..

It’s great seeing all of these Idols doing well but I wish they would just be consider artists and lose the AI tag.. Would make for less comparison, IMO..

Dan and Taylor might perform a song together.

Since we’re at it …
Why not perform SWEET HOME CHICAGO with Taylor playing the part of John Belushi ? Just saying…

BTW, Dan Akroyd said in the interview that the event with Taylor Hicks is completely sold out.

Hopefully someone tapes it if it is shown on Canadian TV.

Dan and Taylor???? COOOL!!!!! Do Soul Man and then sell the video. I know I’d buy it!

I’m so jealous of those going to the wine auction. I can just imagine that it will be a lot of fun to see. Sold out and a song with Dan…

Yes, Lu…coool….way coool…

I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t call 150 people at the Borderline in London a larger venue!

Chris is going international, I don’t think playing to 150 people in another country is a bad thing for him right now.

oh man, oh man, oh man !! Taylor and Dan doing “Soul Man”? Can you imagine ???? That would be…I mean to say …. wow….just wow…. and WINE !!!!????well, doesn’t get much better than that.

I mean to say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦. wowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.just wowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦. and WINE !!!!????well, doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get much better than that.

Who are you telling..Man, I wish I was there just for the wine. Taylor is the icing on the cake..

sexygirl :devil_tb: :drunk_tb: :tongue_rolleye_ee:..that’s all I have to say about that !! This is a feel good day. I hope Kelly Clarkson gets thru all this bull $%#@ !! And.. I have to get some work done… quit making this blog so interesting ! Stop !

oh man, oh man, oh man !! Taylor and Dan doing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Soul Manà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ? Can you imagine ???? That would beà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I mean to say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦. wowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.just wowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦. and WINE !!!!????well, doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get much better than that.

There had BETTER be a video of Dan Akylroid and Taylor Hicks doing SOUL MAN!! wooooo weeeeeeeee!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea9mV9EhPvE

I can see Dan and Taylor doing Soul Man. It would be fantastic and they probably would have a blast doing it.

I posted the chart because how often does the WSJ write about idol.
I still think the numbers for Elliott and Chris are off but maybe smaller clubs/bars don’t report. It’s not that big a deal either way.
As an Elliott fan, I kind of loved that they included him in the chart. Probably left Kat off because I don’t think she’s ever headlined a show (I could be wrong). Or maybe someone there is a closet Yaminion.

I still can’t believe Clay sold that many albums. I know it was over two mil for his first album. How many did his second album sell?

I still canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t believe Clay sold that many albums. I know it was over two mil for his first album. How many did his second album sell?

I know his latest album has sold a little over 500,000. I can’t remember the exact total tho.

I still think the numbers for Elliott and Chris are off but maybe smaller clubs/bars donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t report.

Is Elliott playing small clubs? All the boxscores I’ve seen have been for mid-sized to large clubs (800-1000 people). I suspect his numbers might have been low because his tour is fairly recent and all of the numbers would not have been reported (I’ve seen concert reports come in 6-8 weeks late).

Daughtry’s low numbers are probably reflective of the size of clubs he played (some reported to be as small as 150-200 people) and the low cost of tickets ($15-$25 at most places). His biggest concerts have been free (e.g. his hometown concert they taped the video at), included with another event (where tickets are to the entire event and not specifically for the concert…e.g. Universal and Riverbend) or radio promo events (which feature many performers). Add up all the numbers, and $400K seems to be in the right range. Those small venues who might not have reported would have generated such small amounts of revenue they are statistically insignificant (to make an even 150K difference, that’s 50 concerts which is as about how long the spring tour was, so any unreported revenue from a small venue is not likely to make much of a difference).

But, as his management says, the spring tour was more about the band learning how to play together and getting their stage legs. That is how the success of that tour is measured. Money earned is not significant because that was not the goal of this tour. Money earned by the success of the album can be used to pay for the costs for the band to travel, eat and other expenses. Sounds like Daughtry is right on the track they want to be on. So, it’s all good.

On the other hand, Elliott and his team have a slightly different strategy and it is not entirely focused on just album sales. So far, it looks like he is doing well according to his plan. So, again, success!

Probably left Kat off because I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ever headlined a show (I could be wrong). Or maybe someone there is a closet Yaminion.

I don’t believe she has headlined, she has co-headlined a few but other then that nothing.

Probably left Kat off because I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ever headlined a show

Kat has headlined a couple of shows, but those were private events which would not report to Pollstar or Billboard (e.g. the Vegas event and that Clive/Whitney event last fall…plus some for companies). She has been involved in a lot of radio concerts, but not as a headliner.

So we’ve moved on to tours???

*Throws sales charts back in virtual filing cabinet*

So weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve moved on to tours???

*Throws sales charts back in virtual filing cabinet*

No, no. We’re just filling time until you were ready with your big sales chart you’ve been teasing us with.

It was either that or run with the Jordin/Blake romance story. Perhaps we should move the Cake wedding to the Utah concert and have a double wedding. The bride can wear white and the two grooms can wear tennis shoes with their tux/hoodie combo outfit (actually, they could all recycle their IGB outfits…got to save those pennies for when the reality of recoupment sets in). Nigel can arrange a special dance tribute featuring 6 seasons worth of Idols. Think of the great dance routines from The Music Man, Oklahoma and the Mickey Mouse Club all rolled into one. They’ll end it by creating three pyramids topped by the three marriage participants (Sanjaya will sneeze causing his pyramid to fall down and create a domino effect with the other two. Hilarity will ensue. I’m sure we can talk Fox into creating a Reality program of all of this…we’ll be as rich as Simon in not time!)

I have a new weakness this summer….yes, I’ve been suckered in by “America’s Got Talent” after watching this week’s episode from the Chicago auditions . Hey, what can I say? The show’s got a little something for everyone.

LisaB listed an article today about a beatboxer named Butterscotch. She truly is amazing. Watch out Blake! Here is video of her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzKo3_heX_g

Another beatboxing act who made it through to the next round (this band is great – a beatboxing rock band!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzu4CK8Ek-c

Then there’s my favorite so far, Cass Haley (a white Bob Marley perhaps?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f11vWRZ3yTc

Guilty pleasures:
Second Story Guys (adorable guys dancing on stilts): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uebX_6Anhw4
Sideswipe (extreme martial arts group – more hot guys!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ns8PHWISQk

And then there’s Boy Shakira (another Sanjaya perhaps?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIr3gaqefXg
FYI: Hasselhoff left the judge’s table in a hasselhuff over this guy getting through to the next round. LOL

Nevada — we’ve been having a day long to and fro about ticket sales vs album sales vs number of tour dates and comparisons.

Lay it on us please.

Blake Feelinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Sparks?!

That TMZ gossip specualation made me think of Jordin’s “purity” ring and a NYT article published today. Sorta maybe kinda on topic in a daisy-chain-thinking kind of way:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/22/world/europe/22cnd-britain.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin.

Information about the Silver Ring Thing organisation is HERE. And yes, I am curious if Jordin has an affiliation with this specific group, or just stuck any old ring on her finger — but not curious enough to read fansites, however. (Are there any fansites for the Season 6 winner?)

Allen Jun 22nd, 2007 at 10:24 am

The list also doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t fully show exactly how successful Kelly has been in comparison since she has been the only one to really hit it big internationally. Add international sales to that chart and it will be even more lopsided than it already is.

Pollstar reports world wide. Clay’s should be higher because he was already at 28 million last year and he had another tour since then.

CarlaD,

My favorite so far is Cass Haley too from America’s Got Talent.

My husband and I got a kick out of Boy Shakira. I agree that Sanjaya now has competition with is hula dancing.

RE:

RightSaidFred Jun 22nd, 2007 at 4:33 pm

OK, let me get this right…she is a member of an American-based evangelical movement, known as the Silver Ring Thing, and her name is Ms. Playfoot?

This is a joke, right?

ROFLMAO

Okay, where is everyone tonight? CarieB and I were in chat by ourselves and then she left.

Here are your Top 20 Idol albums; unless otherwise indicated, all numbers are from Nielsen SoundScan, with the date of the last update in parenthesis. Since I am not an MFE, I won’t speculate on sales for albums which haven’t been updated since 2006.

1. Kelly – Breakaway – 5,730,967 (05-29-07)
2. Carrie – Some Hearts – 5,660,163 (06-19-07)
3. Chris – Daughtry – 2,779,675 (06-19-07)
4. Clay – Measure of a Man – 2,742,989 (04-23-06)
5. Kelly – Thankful – 2,621,238 (03-13-07)
6. Ruben – Soulful – 1,780,823 (05-02-06)
7. Fantasia – Free Yourself – 1,687,346 (05-02-06)
8. Clay – Merry Christmas WL – 1,400,000 (01-16-07 Billboard)
9. Taylor – Taylor Hicks – 688,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
9. Bo – The Real Thing – 688,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
11. Josh – Josh Gracin – 677,000 (11-07-06 USA Today)
12. Kellie – Small Town Girl – 559,406 (06-19-07)
13. Clay – A Thousand Different Ways – 513,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
14. Ruben – I Need an Angel – 437,114 (05-02-06)
15. Fantasia – Fantasia – 412,581 (06-19-07)
16. Katharine – Katharine McPhee – 338,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
17. Elliott – Elliott Yamin – 273,606 (06-19-07)
18. Ruben – The Return – 229,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
19. Kimberley – One Love – 212,000 (06-19-07 USA Today)
20. Bucky – Bucky Covington – 177,254 (06-19-07)

* Kelly’s total for Breakaway has been reported at 5.8 million for months by USA Today, a demonstration of the evils of number-rounding. She’s more likely at about 5,760,000, selling in the 7000-7500 range per week.

Elton John & Billy Joel toured together. That had to be, what, 20 years ago now? Maybe 15? My husband has seen a few as well – Heart w/ some other group (donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t recall the name). It was a concert double header.

Hey – I’m not that old! I think the first Billy Joel / Elton John tour was in 1998, and the second was in 2001. I might be a year off here and there – but I think I’m close. And, both tours kicked some serious a$$

So, how’s everyone been? I’m back to my normal routine now – no more family in town and no more going out of town for me for a while. I’ve missed you guys!

Appreciate the list, Nevada. Great to see Taylor at #9.

The gig Dan Akroyd’s throwin’ sounds exciting. It’d be great if they could play some dual harp One can hope.

On a completely different note, (playing catchup at MJ’s) – congrats on Daughtry for hitting the triple platinum mark.

Question, what were Blakes and Jordin’s numbers for their cd singles? Or is AI not releasing them this year. I don’t keep track of those things but the thought ran across my mind, that it was around this time last year that Kat and Taylor dropped their cd singles.

I just thought I’d mention this, I was attending a football game today and the winner of a contest they had was Taelyr Hicks. No joke.