Idol Headlines for 11/17/09

I happen to agree with the reviews of Kris’s album it is just average. I listened to the stream of his album and nothing compelled me to want to buy it. I wish it had cause I do like him.

I really hate these Kris and Adam comparisons like the good guy wins implying Adam isn’t one. Or implying Adam is successful because of nail polish. Stupid stuff. Sometimes I think these journalists work for TMZ or the Enquirer.

Danny performed at the Academy of Country Music Headquaters yesterday. Here are some pics of him performing from Rickey’s blog:

http://www.rickey.org/?p=27376

Also, nice to see that he has debuted into USA’s Today Idol airplay chart at #96 for “It’s Only”.

‘I think the songs are very epic,’  she says of the disc, which features collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Max Martin and Ryan Tedder, who produced the first single, ‘Happy.’ 

I hope the other songs are better than her first single. I find it to be extremely tiresome. There are way too many vocal theatrics that, in my opinion, are not at all needed. She’s definitely talented … just not my thing.

http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2009/11/17/david-archuleta-is-a-kaleidoscope-kid/?utm_source=TwitterFeed&utm_medium=twitter

David Archuleta is a kaleidoscope kid

David Archuleta snaps a pic with fellow American Idol runner up Katharine McPhee backstage at Kaleidoscope Thanksgiving Special at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., on Monday night (November 16).

-snip
The Kaleidoscope Thanksgiving Special is a new tradition on FOX that combines the beauty of Skating, the excitement of Song, and the brave message of Survivorship to raise awareness of the key issues surrounding women and cancer.

The special is set to air Thanksgiving Day.

pics at the link

‘I feel like any contestant that comes off ‘Idol’ that does well on ‘Idol’ has to stay true to what people voted for,’  Underwood said, in response to a question.

Well, so much for Miss Underwood in my book. This is the MOST asinine thing any Idol has ever said…..so she feels that an Idol person has to sing kareoke the rest of their lives and keep the “image” that was molded on a reality show. What in the hey has this girl been smokin’. Now my previous assessment of her as a real “dumb” blond with a really good voice has gotten some real good legs. She has really become a non-entity in my world. Geesh!

it’s easy to imagine his post-’ Idol’  debut delighting his loyal fans, many of whom would’ve been perfectly happy with ‘” horror of horrors ‘” an entire album of Fray covers.

Instead, in an incident that might someday inspire a probing investigative report on VH1, Allen somehow earned more votes than Adam Lambert, the single most compelling contestant in ‘Idol’s’  eight-season history. So now Allen’s album arrives freighted with expectations, very few of which it’s in a position to meet.

Wow LA Times man! I’m not a Kris Allen fan, but talk about a bitter and twisted review. Review the music on its own merits, not on your angst that your ‘guy’ didn’t win a TV reality show a few months ago. If you don’t like the album, because you don’t like it, then justify that opinion on what you heard. And don’t insult an entire fanbase just because they happen to like something different to your tastes.

Reality check.

Adam Lambert’s album is good for its genre: that is it. Good – nothing less, but most certainly nothing more.

Kris Allen’s album also sounds good for its genre: nothing less and nothing more.

Both are good for first post idol albums. Neither is ground breaking, awe inspiring or anything else (and neither has any other first Idol album been).

Lambert’s might do better in the long run, because it’s in a more popular genre for the moment, but who knows.

Unfortunately, the more stuff like this I read, the less likely I am to give Lambert a chance – I listened to his album streaming today: it was entertaining and I like him, but not enough on either count to buy the record yet – and the more likely I am to give Allen a second listen.

Can’t stand that kind of crap.

In case anybody is interested, Allison is doing her radio tour now and she was on DCs HOT99.5 yesterday. Here is a picture gallery from her performance and radio interview. So far, no video or audio.

http://hot995.com/cc-common/gallery/display.html?album_id=206543

Reviewers who have agendas & can’t be objective annoy the crap out of me. I was hoping the Times would have Ann Powers review Kris’ album…she loves Adam but also appreciates what Kris does. Oh well.

Meanwhile, Allison has a new radio gig lined up for the 19th

http://wpst.com/page.php?page_id=34077

Tess what I think what Carrie meant was you shouldn’t do a 360 change. She didn’t say you couldn’t evolve as an artist. But all
of the successful idols stayed to true to who they were on the show, but evolved as an artist (e.g. Daughtry, Carrie, Kelly). Yet Ruben is practically unheard of now, and his first album was completely different then him on AI.

Glad to hear that Danny is out there working hard and not trying to use his celebrity status from American Idol. Country radio likes their artists to work hard. Academy of Country music seems like a good place to start. Looking forward to pics and videos from his radio tour which started this week.

Unfortunately, the more stuff like this I read, the less likely I am to give Lambert a chance

Oh for God’s sake, leave Adam out of this – he has no control over what people write about.

Yeah I agree, the LA Times review says a lot more about the reviewer than it does about Kris’s music. That dude needs to get a grip.

Tess what I think what Carrie meant was you shouldn’t do a 360 change. She didn’t say you couldn’t evolve as an artist. But all
of the successful idols stayed to true to who they were on the show, but evolved as an artist (e.g. Daughtry, Carrie, Kelly).

Exactly. Carrie’s been there and done that and has the platinum records to prove it.

Barbie Idols don’t smoke.

It seems to me that these reviewers are basing their judgment on the fact that he won AI over someone that they prefer rather than on the merits of the album itself. It is evident in the fact that there are multiple mentions of his supposedly undeserved win. I believe that these reviews are tainted by the reviewers obvious bias that are derived before even listening to the album. Biases are normal, of course. We all have it. But if that same bias prevents you from giving something a chance just because you dislike it, it makes you an unreliable reviewer.

Very simple. If you already dislike the artist to begin with, chances are you won’t like their music even if it is great. This seems to be the case here. What’s the point of doing a review knowing full well that you won’t even give it a chance?

And personally, I am sick and tired of people calling Kris bland, average and boring. What exactly do they want him to do? Wear bird-like outfits while swinging on an overhead trapeze? Or maybe get drunk and stoned in some popular hollywood club? Great music is great music and I don’t need it to stick out like a sore thumb for me to like it. It doesn’t need to be revolutionary. It just needs to be at the very least GOOD.

Okay, rant over.

New 2012 promotional video from the guy in Panama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf3uvdVmiJo&feature=player_embedded

Fanboy getting his copies of Details signed..lol.

so she feels that an Idol person has to sing kareoke the rest of their lives and keep the ‘image’  that was molded on a reality show.

Huh? I didn’t read that at all. She’s not telling contestants have to be Karaoke. Just don’t be one thing on the show and get out there and be something else. And I think she’s 100% right. So far that’s what American Idol story has taught us. And Carrie has been around long enough to see that.

I hope the other songs are better than her first single. I find it to be extremely tiresome. There are way too many vocal theatrics that, in my opinion, are not at all needed. She’s definitely talented ‘ ¦ just not my thing.

I loved Leona’s first album so I streamed this new one thinking I might like it anyway even though I hate “Happy”. Bleh. So much for all those huge name collaborators.

Zap2It Q & A with Carrie

You got to work with your fellow Idol David Cook again, right?

We rocked out. I think it was one of my favorite moments of the show, I just love him to death.

I love them both to death Since the duet was one of her favorite moments I feel pretty confident that won’t be cut out of the actual airing *hopes*

Tess what I think what Carrie meant was you shouldn’t do a 360 change. She didn’t say you couldn’t evolve as an artist.

Exactly, and she’s right. What’s amusing is in the same article she names Danny as one of her favorites this year, and he’s pretty much doing exactly what she’s saying you shouldn’t do LOL Not saying he can’t be successful because I think he’s extremely talented and if he has some strong support he can do well, but country is definitely not who Danny was on AI.

Unfortunately, the more stuff like this I read, the less likely I am to give Lambert a chance ‘“ I listened to his album streaming today: it was entertaining and I like him, but not enough on either count to buy the record yet ‘“ and the more likely I am to give Allen a second listen.

Can’t stand that kind of crap.

Doesn’t this contradict to your rebuke on the reviews? Judge music on something else other than the music itself. If I like a album, I like it. Reviews, no matter how valid they are, won’t change my music preference.

Allison is doing her radio tour now and she was on DCs HOT99.5 yesterday. Here is a picture gallery from her performance and radio interview. So far, no video or audio.

http://hot995.com/cc-common/gallery/display.html?album_id=206543

Thanks, PRMari! She looks adorable in the pictures. Wish we could hear her sing!

Glad to hear that Danny is out there working hard and not trying to use his celebrity status from American Idol. Country radio likes their artists to work hard. Academy of Country music seems like a good place to start. Looking forward to pics and videos from his radio tour which started this week

ITA. Glad to see that Danny is out and working. He needs to keep doing that. And the ACM headquaters is a great place for him to visit. I liked those pictures and I imagine his radio tour pictures will look like those from the ACM headquaters. I am looking forward to seeing more pics and video from his radio tour as well.

Also, I heard that he is performing on a news program this morning, KTLA.

Tess what I think what Carrie meant was you shouldn’t do a 360 change. She didn’t say you couldn’t evolve as an artist. But all
of the successful idols stayed to true to who they were on the show, but evolved as an artist (e.g. Daughtry, Carrie, Kelly).

Exactly. Carrie’s been there and done that and has the platinum records to prove it.

I agree that this is kind of good advice for success, but it’s easier for some than for others, though, depending on the style of music they actually want to sing.

Taylor, for example, can stay as true to himself as he likes (and has, on his second album), but that won’t make him a “star” like Daughtry and Carrie because not a lot of people are buying his favorite stuff these days.

And Adam, to take maybe the main current example, can’t do it either because Rickey Minor and his band weren’t going to play electro-pop on the show. I’m sure Carrie’s right that the switch from the show’s Adam to the album Adam will mean that his sales won’t be all that great (at least for album number one … maybe he can win over new fans later; we’ll see). But nevertheless, it’s not really advice he can follow because he wasn’t able to do the stuff on the show that he really wants to do in real life.

In other words, Carrie and Daughtry, for example, were lucky in that they were able to sing in their preferred style on the show, and their preferred styles are actually things that are hot sellers in today’s market. But if either of those things isn’t true — the show doens’t really allow you to perform the style of music you like best or the style of music you love and maybe sang on the show isn’t a hot seller — her advice isn’t going to do you a heck of a lot of good.

Danny’s latest tweet:

dannygokey I’ll be performing 2 songs on KTLA & interviewing this
morning at 8:55 PT. If ur in LA tune into Channel 5 if not, watch it on http://www.ktla.com
15 minutes ago from web

adamlambert oh yeah! buy Kris Allen’s Album on iTunes!!!!
about 7 hours ago from web

How sweet of him to pimp Kris’s album. He’s so cool to do that for his friends!! Love him!!

Thanks, PRMari! She looks adorable in the pictures. Wish we could hear her sing!

She really does, I specially like this one:

http://cdn.ccomrcdn.com/image/446/410/CDN-IP/cc-common/mlib/1802/11/125840144510.jpg

She looks really into the music. I’m happy to see her playing the guitar.

I kind of have to agree with Carrie. Contestants nowadays have a more clear definition of who they are…if you want to have early sucess, you have to honor the voters who got you there. Which is not to say that you don’t get to change and evolve. Personally, I hope SHE does…

Kelly is the prime example of someone who’s done it well…if she hadn’t grown, she’d still be doing the R&B-lite stuff of Thankful. Not that I didn’t enjoy that, but after the monster success of Breakaway, it’s hard to argue against her changing it up.

And yes, I miss the old days of Idol when a contestant could actually sing any genre. *sigh*

Danny’s latest tweet:

dannygokey I’ll be performing 2 songs on KTLA & interviewing this
morning at 8:55 PT. If ur in LA tune into Channel 5 if not, watch it on http://www.ktla.com
15 minutes ago from web

I look forward to watching these performances of Danny.

We rocked out. I think it was one of my favorite moments of the show, I just love him to death.

Oh… IwillnotshipthesetwoIwillnotshipthesetwowillnotshipthesetwo (yes, I KNOW that they’re just friends).

They are adorable. Didn’t David say he loved her to death, too? I smish them both.

And Carrie has been around long enough to see that.

and say that.

Sorry Danny — you’re on at the same time Kris is on GMA! I wasn’t fully awake when the live feed was on, so wanna watch Kris again. Will watch Danny’s stuff on YouTube.

And Adam, to take maybe the main current example, can’t do it either because Rickey Minor and his band weren’t going to play electro-pop on the show. I’m sure Carrie’s right that the switch from the show’s Adam to the album Adam will mean that his sales won’t be all that great (at least for album number one ‘ ¦ maybe he can win over new fans later; we’ll see). But nevertheless, it’s not really advice he can follow because he wasn’t able to do the stuff on the show that he really wants to do in real life.

Born to Be Wild had electro pop elements in the song as did Play That Funky Music. Rickey Minor and band are musicians and usually musicians can do any type of music especially if they work for AI. Adam performed WLL one of his choice songs which is rock.

I see it as Adam’s sales will be great because he offers pop/rock/electro in his album and he has stayed true to his album vision. I’ve heard some people like him more now than on the show and others are disappointed but Adam’s album I believe caters to all types of music fans.

Awww Cute..they had a CD release party at the Walmart in Conway last night!

http://thecabin.net/news/local/2009-11-16/kris-allen-debut-album-be-released-midnight

It seems to me that these reviewers are basing their judgment on the fact that he won AI over someone that they prefer rather than on the merits of the album itself. It is evident in the fact that there are multiple mentions of his supposedly undeserved win.

Kris’ winning AI title over Adam sets up an expectation for his debut album. Most of the time we judge the value of a product not on its face value but on its expected value, like bonds or stocks. I find such behavior normal not faulty. Adam has his own expectation to live up to. All these hypes on his album, quality or sales, are not easy to met either.

Oh’ ¦ IwillnotshipthesetwoIwillnotshipthesetwowillnotshipthesetwo (yes, I KNOW that they’re just friends).

They are adorable. Didn’t David say he loved her to death, too? I smish them both.

I try not too but it’s hard. Carrie probably wouldn’t anyway because he is agnostic. I think she only dates Christians. I know Mike Fisher is. But Cookwood (inappropriate much?) would be great together IMO.

Carrie is American Idol’s poster child…good for her. Personally, I look at American Idol like any OTT reality show…and if a singer is able to land a contract because of the show, good for them. I don’t think they “owe” American Idol viewers their souls…that’s ridiculous. Of the 20 million viewers of the show a miniscule amount buy records and keep Artists going after the show.

I’m not disparaging Carrie’s success…I am just saying that she comes across, to me, as overly simplistic and pretty “dumb blondish”. She is a perfect “puppet” and is a perfect example of how the “machine” can control both the Artist and the audience.

Give me a Kelly anyday. At least that girl has a head on her shoulders and an original thought in her head. She’s real and not a “made for country music Barbie doll clone”…even though I wish she’d get a new stylist. YMMV.

Comparisons of Kris vs Adam. So old, whether it be from reviewers or fans.

I agree that Kris’s album is bland. BUT THAT’S JUST ME. I fully get why other people like it. And even though his album is bland (IMO) he is still very talented. Maybe I’ll like his next one better? And there’s no need to call the guy “average”. Personal attacks are out of order, Mr/s Reviewer.

Weird… I really don’t like Celine/Mariah/Whitney type music. But I like Lewis’s single, Happy. Odd. And same goes for Danny. I don’t like him and I detest country music, but I quite liked the single. Not enough to buy it, but it’s much better than I expected.

Doesn’t this contradict to your rebuke on the reviews?

Well a) I’m not a reviewer and b) what I said about Lambert (and Allen’s) music was pretty positive.

So yeah – I did listen to the music on its merits and I heard decent and entertaining. If I was going to be unfair, I would say that I was distinctly underwhelmed, because I expected to be blown away by the jaw dropping fantasticness of the shattering of the music industry standards of it all. :lol

Is it fair not to give Lambert a chance based on the crappiness of the media – nope. But it’s not fair that he’s been hyped to ridiculous proportions by them either.

Nothing’s fair in love and war.

Didn’t see this posted here yet:

http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/see-who-made-us-hot-hollywood-list-1970218

Us Weekly is pleased to announce its third annual list of Hot Hollywood honorees.

See photos of all of the Hot Hollywood honorees!
Cast of the Year-Glee
Victor of the Year-Kris Allen
Glam God of the Year-Adam Lambert (plus lots more I won’t list here)

Carrie is certainly not dumb, but I think you can’t get past your judgment of her as a beautiful woman to see what a smart and remarkable person she is.

True that. She is not some “dumb blonde”. Yes she might be drop dead gorgeous and naturally blonde but she has a brain. She is no Paris Hilton.

They are adorable. Didn’t David say he loved her to death, too? I smish them both.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mxB_C53U5Q

Its not like I have that clip in my YouTube favorites or anything..

I try not too but it’s hard. Carrie probably wouldn’t anyway because he is agnostic. I think she only dates Christians. I know Mike Fisher is. But Cookwood (inappropriate much?) would be great together IMO.

Not to mention he hates mustard and she puts it on everything LOL

Danny is singing “It’s Only” right now on the KTLA website.

adamlambert oh yeah! buy Kris Allen’s Album on iTunes!!!!
about 7 hours ago from web

How sweet of him to pimp Kris’s album. He’s so cool to do that for his friends!! Love him!!

Good karma, Adam. Good Karma!

I don’t think Carrie would be so successful is she was “dumb”. She certainly knows what she is doing

Not to mention he hates mustard and she puts it on everything LOL

LMAO. You now owe me a new iPod and a sandwich that isn’t soggy!

The version of “It’s Only” that Danny just performed on KTLA, was a softer version than the version he performed at church Sunday, but I liked it.

Nothing’s fair in love and war.

lol I didn’t see war here. Anyway I don’t take into any media hype or bias into account when I choose music, imo tho.

Just because Carrie isn’t extremely outspoken or controversial or doesn’t sing innovative music doesn’t mean she isn’t being herself or that she’s dumb or a puppet. I’ve never viewed her that way. She has struck me as a bright, capable, polite person with convictions of her own, even if they are not highly topical convictions. Her image or style may not set the world on fire or keep the gossip rags in business, but her approach is no less valid just because it’s not extremely confrontational. Not everyone wants to be a rabblerouser–it’s just not who they are. I love people who shake things up; I respect them for that. But I also respect Carrie for being who she is; and I do believe she has achieved success by being herself even if that is too tame for some.

I’m from Los Angeles, and I can not stand LA Times. Very, very snobby newspaper IMO. I am not even going to click on that link cause I don’t want to get angry in this happy day for Kris. I want to send great vibes to him.

Still haven’t heard LLWD ( except for that one debut day w/ KISS) on the radio here. Los Angeles, WTH is wrong with you !! Too much Hollywood influence in my opinion, that the media don’t think that there are other different taste in music, opinion, politics, whatever.
Really shamefull.

True that. She is not some ‘dumb blonde’ . Yes she might be drop dead gorgeous and naturally blonde but she has a brain. She is no Paris Hilton.

Yeah, but I think she’s also discounting the role that simple luck played in her and Daughtry’s post-show success, for example. If she hadn’t been a blonde country singer and he hadn’t been a Nickelback-type singer, they might *not* have been able to either sing in their own style on the show, and they very likely wouldn’t have been able to get as big a sales afterward — because those two types of music happen to sell well these days. Melinda Doolittle, for example, has been very true to herself, as has Elliott Yamin. But they haven’t become big stars, even though they’re both brilliant musical artists, because the particular music that’s true-to-themselves doesn’t sell well these days, and because, let’s face it, they aren’t as pretty as some other people.

And Bo was pushed to *not* be himself in the immediate post-debut album, largely because the label knew that Bo’s chosen style, southern rock, doesn’t *sell* well these days, doesn’t get played on the radio. So, yeah, he made a kind of crappy first album largely because he wasn’t singing in his own style, but his second album is good and in his own style, but doesn’t sell because nobody is buying that style these days.

There is an awful lot that doesn’t get factored in to Carrie’s comment, with a key element being that, if your chosen style doesn’t happen to be the hot one today, then you can be as true to it as you want and you’re not going to sell big. I’m sure it’s tempting, from her position, to believe that her own success is based on her own great choices. And I know she’s made some very good choices — such as fighting to do country right out of the box. … But if her chosen style and the style she sang in on the show were “quirky singer songwriter” or jazz or southern rock or classic R&B, then her choice to insist on pursuing it would have made artistic sense but it would not have made her a monetary success.

i’m pretty pissed by reviewers bringing in Adam for Kris album review when it was used as an introduction to belittle Kris. That was to be expected though since we saw that abundantly on the tour reviews. Bu geez, let speak the music for itself
another thing about the angst raised (mine anyway) by some reviewers… don’t you think it’s kind of stupid to not take into consideration that all the first idol albums are made in a rush! produced in 4 months and the artists have a heavy touring schedule for 3 months on top of that. Usually an album will take a year or 2 to be crafted, so why is this factor is not of any weight (or at least mentioned) in those reviews?

I try not too but it’s hard. Carrie probably wouldn’t anyway because he is agnostic.

MJ, I hope this comment is allowed.

I personally do not care to make assumptions about one’s religious beliefs. It’s often a constantly changing and fluid thing, as you go through life and experience things. What David might have believed in his early 20′s might not be the same after experiencing a loved one’s death. He’s been about the progression in his music and his life. He’s also been very close-mouthed about his personal life, but given some of his actions, words, and lyric choices in the last year I would not be surprised if his personal spirituality has also “progressed” or changed. Just sayin…from my experience.

But I’d love to see more of Carrie and David doing music together. They have great chemistry and sound wonderful together.

ETA: for clarity

I’m not disparaging Carrie’s success’ ¦I am just saying that she comes across, to me, as overly simplistic and pretty ‘dumb blondish’ . She is a perfect ‘puppet’  and is a perfect example of how the ‘machine’  can control both the Artist and the audience.

Give me a Kelly anyday. At least that girl has a head on her shoulders and an original thought in her head.

Funny you say that because reality contradicts it. Who is the girl doing the music she wants and who is the girl doing the music her label wants? So… who’s the puppet?
Honestly, Carrie may be blonde, but she fought to be a country singer and right now she sings what she wants to sing, Kelly is still fighting for that after all these years.
I may be into Kelly’s music more, but what Carrie has been able to do with her career and where is right now, with a lot more control, is a result of her being much more than a pretty blonde.
If on the show people love you for the music you make there, it’s natural that if you change the style those people may turn their back to you. It’s not a science.

Given some of his actions, words, and lyric choices in the last year I would suspect that his personal spirituality has also ‘progressed’ . YMMV

I haven’t really seen any change, to be honest. lol The other day I was reading Kris’ liner notes and it just reminded me how David never talks about God, never thanks God, nothing at all. To me that shows he probably hasn’t changed in that regard. Not everyone who loses someone turns to God.

Its not like I have that clip in my YouTube favorites or anything..

That thought would never cross anyone’s mind.

“Reviewers who have agendas & can’t be objective annoy the crap out of me.”

There’s no such thing as an objective review, it’s all subjective. And expect the Adam and Kris comparisons to continue (even at it’s worst, it’s nowhere near as bad as last year between the Davids). I don’t think reviews have any real power to sink an album or to bolster sales, the songs on the album itself (and especially the singles) are what determine how well it does.

“Well, so much for Miss Underwood in my book. This is the MOST asinine thing any Idol has ever said’ ¦..”

Uh….. ???? I agree with Carrie, don’t find it asinine at all. Idols (and any entertainers) should stay true to who they are as artists. For example, I think Adam could be very successful in pop/dance/electro. But he just plain absolutely sucks at rock. He comes off fake every time he tries it. So I’m hoping for his sake he is true to who he is as an artist and sticks in the pop arena.

I guess I don’t really understand what you are taking issue with in Carrie’s statement. It makes good sense to me, in fact it seems ridiculously obvious. I may be missing something, but I’m confused…

Is it fair not to give Lambert a chance based on the crappiness of the media ‘“ nope. But it’s not fair that he’s been hyped to ridiculous proportions by them either.

Life’s not fair. (shrugs)

Kris’ winning AI title over Adam sets up an expectation for his debut album. Most of the time we judge the value of a product not on its face value but on its expected value, like bonds or stocks. I find such behavior normal not faulty. Adam has his own expectation to live up to. All these hypes on his album, quality or sales, are not easy to met either.

Precisely. Because of his high expectations based on an event that is completely unrelated to the quality of the music and his obvious bias against Kris for winning over Adam, I don’t think he gave the album a fair shot. To quote:

Instead, in an incident that might someday inspire a probing investigative report on VH1, Allen somehow earned more votes than Adam Lambert, the single most compelling contestant in “Idol’s” eight-season history. So now Allen’s album arrives freighted with expectations, very few of which it’s in a position to meet.

I’m not questioning the expectations or the bias, rather, I am questioning if the reviewer even gave the album a chance before going on and ripping it to shreds.

The reviewer is obviously still not over the results of Season 8. And that definitely tainted his review.

I know this is Kris Allen Release Day (go Kris!), but I thought I would mention another Idol that is releasing today since a lot of people said they were fans when I posted the video for their single “Ka Ching”

Hedley is releasing their CD in Canada today (I just checked Amazon and it’s not available in the US until Dec 1 and it’s a very expensive import. Perhaps it’s on iTunes?) and it’s a pretty big deal. Their CD was prominently featured in the weekend flyers and in the store I was in last week (picking up Up).

Anwyay, Hedley’s “Show Must Go On” is released today(featuring Jacob Hoggard from Canadian Idol Season 2).

I heard them interviewed on Z95.3 this morning and they were pretty funny (might be able to find the audio on-line). Jacob was asked about Adam Lambert since Adam reminded a lot of people of Jacob. Jacob said he’d heard of him, but that he has personally been living under a very large sound-proof rock and didn’t know much about Adam (but wished him all the best).

They were also asked a lightening round of questions. The last was “If you were stuck on a mountain top with Ben Mulroney [host of Canadian Idol] or Ryan Seacrest, who would you eat first?”. Jacob said that he and Ben would kill and eat Ryan. Ben would be a wimp about it, but he’d do it. Jacob feels that he needs to fatten up Ben before he kills and eats him too.

DJ’s ask such weird questions (BTW I would kill Ben first because he annoys me, but he looks a little too oily to eat).

I feel like any contestant that comes off ‘Idol’ that does well on ‘Idol’ has to stay true to what people voted for,’  Underwood said, in response to a question.

‘I’ve seen it happen a few times where people are one thing on the show, and then they got off the show and try to do something else,’  she said.

I understand what Carrie is getting at…if a performer comes across as a completely different person after Idol, that built in fan base they acquired isn’t going to follow along. David Cook has stated this in a different way…that you need to be yourself on Idol and be the kind of performer that you want to be after the show is over. I imagine that the way the show is set up that for some contestants this is going to be incredibly difficult.

I’m not disparaging Carrie’s success’ ¦I am just saying that she comes across, to me, as overly simplistic and pretty ‘dumb blondish’ . She is a perfect ‘puppet’  and is a perfect example of how the ‘machine’  can control both the Artist and the audience.

Not to pile-on, but I do think that the recipe for success post-Idol is fairly simplistic and all Carrie did was spell out that very simple recipe. Namely, show the audience the type of artist you want to be within the confines of the changing weekly themes and once you’re off the show make a record that stays true to what you previewed to the audience. Yes, only a minuscule (sp?) portion of the AI audience will actually follow you and eventually buy your album(s), but that minuscule portion is still huge compared to what other new artists have to start with as a fanbase. She’s not saying don’t ever change or that you should be something you aren’t. Just my thoughts.

I haven’t really seen any change, to be honest. lol The other day I was reading Kris’ liner notes and it just reminded me how David never talks about God, never thanks God, nothing at all. To me that shows he probably hasn’t changed in that regard. Not everyone who loses someone turns to God.

Yah I haven’t noticed a change either. I know people who have lost someone and turned away from God. So to each his own.

Melinda Doolittle, for example, has been very true to herself, as has Elliott Yamin. But they haven’t become big stars, even though they’re both brilliant musical artists, because the particular music that’s true-to-themselves doesn’t sell well these days, and because, let’s face it, they aren’t as pretty as some other people.

I don’t think she’s saying that to be big you have to stay true to yourself (of course that isn’t enough), I believe she’s saying those who have changed their style can’t find the success. Two different things.

Kirsten- Not a big fan of CaChing- but someone on here suggested Old School by Hedley and I listened to it and instantly fell in love with the song. Two of my kids- both older teenagers have also downloaded it after hearing it on my ipod. That is one hell of a song. Ca Ching reminds me too much of a Bowling For Soup song.

but someone on here suggested Old School by Hedley and I listened to it and instantly fell in love with the song.

That song was a big hit in Canada as well. That was from their last album. I haven’t had a chance to listen to their new album yet, but their new single is “Don’t Talk To Strangers”.

Any news/reviews about Melinda’s gig??? Eager to hear about it….

JX223,

Do we have video yet of Danny’s live performance of “it’s Only” on KTLA TV in LA this morning?

adamlambert oh yeah! buy Kris Allen’s Album on iTunes!!!!
about 7 hours ago from web

How sweet of him to pimp Kris’s album. He’s so cool to do that for his friends!! Love him!!

I’ve seen both Taylor and David Cook tweet about Kris’ album too. AI folks are sticking together which is nice to see.

Yah I haven’t noticed a change either. I know people who have lost someone and turned away from God. So to each his own.

I haven’t really seen any change, to be honest. lol

Maybe, and maybe not. I’m just throwing it out there, but I’ve heard more religous code words, but it could be my imagination. Who knows, maybe Carrie has rubbed off on him a little?. Hee, hee.

IMO, Carrie’s smarts is, more often than not, underestimated by those who don’t pay close attention. And she uses that to her advantage. This is a woman who, immediately after Idol, hired her own lawyers outside of the 19 stable. She hired her own publicity firm too, also outside the 19 stable. She turned down offers to do a biography because it wasn’t the right time. She also refused to immediately headline her own tour right after Idol, despite being pushed to do so as per usual practice of the winning Idol, because she felt she wasn’t ready. Plus, she knew she had to earn country cred by opening for other country acts even though she was probably more popular than them in the mainstream at that time. Speaking of country, there were still A&R talks after she won, discussing what musical direction she was going to take, yet to her it was crystal clear that she wanted to be a country singer. Later on in her career, she refused to remix Before He Cheats despite intense pressure to do so. It was only in her recently-televised Biography episode that it was revealed by Joe Galante that it was a “major fight.” The pop label “wanted to take the country out of her” but she stood her ground and refused to take out the fiddles and steel guitar, based on her belief that if a song is good enough, it will stand on its own and doesn’t have to be changed to cater to another audience. She won that fight. Just because disagreements between an artist and her label aren’t publicized doesn’t mean they don’t exist and that the artist is merely a puppet. Carrie has cultivated her long-term career and, so far, she not doing too shabby. :p

I’m a bit in the middle with what Carrie said. I agree with a looser interpretation of the statement.

I agree with others in that don’t think it is always plausable to stick with the exact same thing you did on the show, because it is not always what the market is responding to at the time. I also think that there are lots of people who never really get to be who they are musically on the show.

On the other hand, I agree that a switch in genre can lose you some of the Idol fans. I also think you have to look past genre to the persona that got you fans, and stick relatively close to that. So if you were Jordin and people responded well to you singing melodramatic ballads on the show and loved you for your bubbly personality, maybe you should look for pop songs that let those kinds of qualities shine through.

Kirsten- Not a big fan of CaChing- but someone on here suggested Old School by Hedley and I listened to it and instantly fell in love with the song. Two of my kids- both older teenagers have also downloaded it after hearing it on my ipod. That is one hell of a song. Ca Ching reminds me too much of a Bowling For Soup song.

Interestingly, Cha-Ching is the only song in the new album that lead singer Jacob Hoggard didn’t have at least a co-write credit. It’s a fun fluffy song but arguably the weakest of the entire CD.

That song was a big hit in Canada as well. That was from their last album. I haven’t had a chance to listen to their new album yet, but their new single is ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ .

Old School is my all time favourite song from Hedley but there are several potential candidates in the new album that might supplant it. Standout tracks for me include Goodbye (the iTunes bonus), Friends, Perfect, Hands Up, Shelter, Don’t Talk To Strangers, Sweater Song and Amazing.

Btw, The Show Must Go is supposed to be available on iTunes in the U.S. today as well.

New David Cook article

http://blogs.ajc.com/american-idol-blog/2009/11/17/david-cook-interview-for-tabernacle-show-november-23/

OMFG!!!!!!! OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!! You won’t believe this!!!!

http://tinyurl.com/yj32yrn

No complaints. A+ from me. The only song , the ONLY one, I do not like is Music Again. So, including Master Plan, that’s 14/15, and that is for sure an A+.

David Cook – Massive Skull Banter from last night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aerrDtmuTF4

I was there last night and he put on a GREAT show.

I was just about to post that Incarcerate. Haha
That is comedy gold!

Massive Skull banter video is just too funny. I love that Cook can laugh at himself. It takes a very self-confident person to be able to do that in front of a crowd of people. I love that guy.

Some of the comments make interesting discussion-most are very supportive of Adam, surprise, surprise on a Perez Site:

http://perezhilton.com/2009-11-17-gay-mag-vs-adam-lambert-glamberts-management-trying-to-make-him-less-gay-gay-mag-responds

Maybe this discussion will actually help Adam, considering his album is Amaze-Balls!!!

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JX223,

Do we have video yet of Danny’s live performance of ‘it’s Only’  on KTLA TV in LA this morning?

I don’t think so. But hopefully someone will post it later on, maybe KTLA will have it on their website.

Also I heard that Danny sung some of another new song from his album called “Best Days”. I didn’t get to see that performance, but hopefully video of that performance will show up too. I want to hear what his new song “Best Days” sounds like.

New David Cook article

http://blogs.ajc.com/american-idol-blog/2009/11/17/david-cook-interview-for-tabernacle-show-november-23/

Nice. Sad to hear about no new singles and that he is “never telling” the meaning of his new ink. Ah well. Can’t wait for DCTR2.

Unfortunately, the more stuff like this I read, the less likely I am to give Lambert a chance ‘“ I listened to his album streaming today: it was entertaining and I like him, but not enough on either count to buy the record yet ‘“ and the more likely I am to give Allen a second listen.

Can’t stand that kind of crap.

Excuse me, but aren’t you doing exactly what you criticized the LA Times writer for doing – not evaluating Adam’s performances on their own merits but rather allowing extraneous issues that have nothing to do with the music to influence your opinion?

David Cook ‘“ Massive Skull Banter from last night

LMAO.

But why did someone give Cook an apron? Heh.

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David Cook ‘“ Massive Skull Banter from last night

LMAO.

But why did someone give Cook an apron? Heh.

Forgive me if I’m wrong but the person that gave the apron to him won tickets by making the best pancakes I believe.

Aileen – I just read that interview you posted – David Cook with Rodney Ho. I loved it!! All you Cookie fans take a break from last night’s concert vids (it’s hard to do, I know) and read it.

He’s definitely the stand-out contestant from all the seasons of American Idol for me, the one I’ll keep following as he develops.

re the photos posted yesterday of Adam’s new band – they sound talented (I zipped through snippets of AL’s disc) but I’d normally never take a second look or listen to a band that looks like that. I’m just not into Goth-bondagy type stuff. If some think that makes prejudiced or a fuddy-duddy, they’re wrong. I’m very open, but I only have so much time in my day, and in my life.

American Songwriter has some lovely things to say about Kris:

The revelation here on this, the debut of American Idol champion Kris Allen, is not that he’s a great vocalist’”the world already knows that’”but that he’s also a gifted songwriter. Many of the songs here are co-written by Allen and one or two other writers, but ‘Red Guitar’  is the one song here he wrote entirely alone, and it’s the stand-out track of the album. It’s a power ballad, but a poignant one, and suggests that if Allen could be freed from the gaggle of producers who produced this, and allowed to write his own songs, he could be a serious contender. With AI’s Simon Fuller at the helm, however, expectations for mass success are so vast that liberating Allen to realize his own musical vision is not in the cards. The first single, ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ ’”which was already a hit for the Irish band The Script’”seems aimed much more for the charts than for hearts, and despite Allen’s impassioned singing, it sounds like the finale of a Broadway musical. But if ‘Red Guitar’  is any indication of what Allen can do on his own, perhaps someone in his camp will realize that this Johnny Cougar’s got Mellencamp potential, and can be more than an Idol, he can be an artist.

They gave his album 3 stars (out of 5?)

http://www.americansongwriter.com/2009/11/kris-allen-kris-allen/

The only change is Carrie’s rank.

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They gave his album 3 stars (out of 5?)

http://www.americansongwriter.com/2009/11/kris-allen-kris-allen/

thanks Starr for posting, that’s very cool and i agree when he talks about the songwriting.
Not only can he pen good lyrics but with BNS, I learned that Kris can write very good music too — he got to learn more about arrangments but he’s a strong melodist in my opinion.

I’m more impressed that they compared Kris to having the potential to be someone like John Mellencamp!

David Cook ‘“ Massive Skull Banter from last night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aerrDtmuTF4

Poor Cook — when even your diehard fans are openly laughing at you for the Massive Alien Skull (though in a *we smish you* kind of way), you can’t do anything but embrace the MAS. Loved how he reminded people of the Lex Luthor baby photo. Good times.

Yeah, but I think she’s also discounting the role that simple luck played in her and Daughtry’s post-show success, for example.

I don’t think Carrie has ever discounted the role of luck. She always says she’s been lucky everytime she’s asked about the recipe of her success.

Massive Alien Skull Banter ftw. Aint no shame in a giant noggin bb. (And way better than a pea-sized skull afaic.) I figured the apron because, you know, Cook, apron…

Old School is my all time favourite song from Hedley

Villain is my fave, but Old School might be close. Narcissist too… Gunnin is up there. Thx for the Hedley 411 guys. Def gonna grab that album later.

The first single, ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ ’”which was already a hit for the Irish band The Script’”seems aimed much more for the charts than for hearts,

I have heard over and over that LLWD was a hit for the Script, and played over and over again on radio stations, especially those in the Utah area, yet I thought it was a B-side track for the Script and only released in Germany.

Are there any statistics to support this claim? Does anyone have spins of LLWD by the Script in the US? Overseas? And how can it have been “a hit” for them if it wasn’t officially released on their CD? If anyone can help me understand all of these seemingly conflicting statements, I’d appreciate it!

Other than that, it seems like Kris is being given credit for his songwriting skills which he truly deserves.

Dave and Celine Dion!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX1rQt5nlFM

I’m more impressed that they compared Kris to having the potential to be someone like John Mellencamp!

agree with you Starr, it’s struck me too. I do think he could be as good as a songwriter.
(btw I went to see John Mellencamp show 2 years ago in Montreal and i was very impressed)

David Cook ‘“ Massive Skull Banter from last night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aerrDtmuTF4

I was there last night and he put on a GREAT show.

Ha! Love him and his massive skull

Dave and Celine Dion!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX1rQt5nlFM

Loved the falsetto Dave! Hee

From Twitter:
@LanceKrall: Tonight’s guests on Free Radio – David Cook, Ed Begley Jr, Emily Proctor, and Hank Azaria!

Does anyone know if this is a repeat?

Dave and Celine Dion!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX1rQt5nlFM

Oh, Lord, that was all kinds of funny. I like the falsetto, too. And of course Andy & Neal and their grins. *Squishes band*

OMGBWHAHA!! Between the massive skull banter and the My Heart Will Go bit, I have tears running down my face from laughing. I think he’s right, that’s probably one of the Top 5 moments of the whole longass tour.

Old School is my all time favourite song from Hedley but there are several potential candidates in the new album that might supplant it. Standout tracks for me include Goodbye (the iTunes bonus), Friends, Perfect, Hands Up, Shelter, Don’t Talk To Strangers, Sweater Song and Amazing.

I’m having a two Idol CD day today too – which is awesome – with Kris and Hedley (my two all time faves from Idol). Hedley still has a free track of the Sweater Song up on their website if anyone wants to take them for a test drive.

http://hedley.culturejam.com/?awesm=culturej.am_aiAl&utm_campaign=pj-hedley&utm_medium=culturej.am-twitter&utm_source=&utm_content=pj-hedley

I really love it. And the album is way more melodic rock than Ca-Ching would lead you to believe. And yep – I totally believe that Jake would force Ben to eat Ryan, for the sole purpose of fattening him up to eat him later, lmao. He cracks me up.

Are Kris and band of merry men performing on Alexa Chung today? And I love the article comparing Kris to Mellancamp! Awesome.

Massive skull banter FTW!

Dave: Yes it is perfect, it’s perfectly massive is what my skull is. Thank you for bringing that up.

Loved the sound effects too! Hee!

Pam – I had just clicked onto this site to post the Anthemic’s take on Celine Dion – and you beat me to it! Being a David Cook fan is such fun.

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this is impressive. she’ll be gold in two weeks. Some can’t sold such number of singles in a month.

^^^actually seriously beat me to it because I was going to post it too. It was too hilarious not too. LOL!

Heh. Here is Make Believe from last night. Bad audio but I just turn off the sound and stare at those pantz. Those pantz have to be a sin.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cheezypouf#p/a/u/0/sBy0OAXPnsQ

Dave: Yes it is perfect, it’s perfectly massive is what my skull is. Thank you for bringing that up.

Hey y’all, remember that time, we went to that show, and the singer’s head was just massive… <3

seriously – thanks for posting the “Make Believe” – I forgot reading that Cookie did the new song last night.

Eagerly awaiting Mindy Doo reviews! Just found this great quote in a Newsday article about her, from Michael Feinstein, the leading cabaret artist and owner of the self-named nightclub where she’s appearing. He’s talking about why he booked her:

“She simply bowled me over,” said singer Michael Feinstein, who owns the club. “Performing, especially in the intimacy of a nightclub, is not easy because the entertainer is so exposed. Melinda has a multiplicity of gifts, and they were all apparent within the first few minutes of her performance. Her voice is dazzling, and she can sing any genre of music, but she also has that elusive ‘star quality’ and great stage presence coupled with a natural and charming gift of gab.”

Okay, I know this is a stretch, but since you’re discussing John Mellencamp… I noticed the name Gary Gilbert in Kris’s liner notes last night, and I recognize the name. I knew his ex-wife back in the day (when she was his wife, before the ex part) and they were jetting off to see John Mellencamp when he was still John Cougar and no one had heard of him yet, and she told me her husband was representing him (John Cougar) and he would be the next big thing. That is a blast from the past. But Kris has a good lawyer, anyway!

@J9BT

I have heard over and over that LLWD was a hit for the Script, and played over and over again on radio stations, especially those in the Utah area…..

Are there any statistics to support this claim? Does anyone have spins of LLWD by the Script in the US?

Actually I got curious enough to look it up and it was played only twice on 2 top40 stations in the US: May 11th 2009 on a SC station and the second time on a Little Rock station on September 22nd 2009 for a grand total of 0.01 million AI (that is 10,000). Apparently that AI must be wrong because everyone and their uncle and their uncle’s dead dog knows the song. It seems to be as well known as Bohemian Rhapsody or Thriller at this point.

My conclusion: 19 didn’t let the song-writer guy to be a song-writer and the gay guy be gay. I bet they also made Allison sound like a 40 year old chain smoker and Danny act like a douche bag.

I heart David Cook and his perfectly massive skull, and his awesome Celine falsetto. He’s been a happy, happy boy lately. Makes me grin. I would pay for a DVD full of just DC tour banter.

His pantz are awesome, too.

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I would think their sales would be higher than this after performing on the AMA’s.

Just got home from picking up my WalMart version of Kris Allen and I thought I’d share what I saw …. right next to Kris’s CD on the ‘New Release’ rack was Adam’s “Take One” (is that the right name?). I haven’t followed much of the story on this one, but it struck me as unfortunate that WalMart is playing into it all – do they have a choice on display position or is that determined by somebody else?

I wonder how many casual fans will think that this is Adam’s official debut?

wellhesback
11/17/2009 at 2:01 pm
seriously ‘“ thanks for posting the ‘Make Believe’  ‘“ I forgot reading that Cookie did the new song last night.

You’re welcome. Did I mention I love the pantz in that video? And his massive skull. It’s a million times better then a head that is too small for his body.

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I would think their sales would be higher than this after performing on the AMA’s.

Do you mean the CMA’s? You thought Carrie would sell more than 100,00 her second week out to bring her numbers close to gold and be at number 3 only behind two hotly anticpated releases? Why?

Reality check.

Adam Lambert’s album is good for its genre: that is it. Good ‘“ nothing less, but most certainly nothing more.

Kris Allen’s album also sounds good for its genre: nothing less and nothing more.

Both are good for first post idol albums. Neither is ground breaking, awe inspiring or anything else (and neither has any other first Idol album been).

Lambert’s might do better in the long run, because it’s in a more popular genre for the moment, but who knows.

I could not agree more with this post. Adam’s and Kris’s albums are both very good for what they are, hastily produced pop albums that will appeal to core fans and probably a lot of other casual listeners. And that’s as good as it gets, given the limitations put on every Idol winner and runner up.

Did I mention I love the pantz in that video? And his massive skull. It’s a million times better then a head that is too small for his body.

So true!

I would think their sales would be higher than this after performing on the AMA’s.

Oh, cool, a time traveler visiting us. So, what’s the future like? Are there hovercrafts all over the place? Cuz I really want a hovercraft…

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Daughtry’s album got a nice bump for their CMA performance. It had fallen out of the Top 50 so I think that’s a nice bump. Tennesee Line got one, too. And I’m sure both Daughtry and Carrie will get another bump after Sunday’s AMA performances as well.

eta: Sunchick, you slay me. Seriously, you really do. Hee.

Bootstar et al: I think “good” is right, and there have certainly been “bad” Idol freshman discs so that’s a relief.

but as we’ve often discussed here, how the hell can any artist make a great record under these conditions? You spend pretty much an entire year with Idol, in that crazy TV whirl and then on a logistically gruelling tour, and in your “spare time” you cram in writing and recording your record in a total catch-can fashion. It’s nuts! No time for inspiration, consideration…..

I know it’s the commercial thing to do it this way, but I have a proposal: the Idols should focus on making a great single, put that out in time for Xmas, and make it so great people will want to buy the album in January or whenever. That way the artists can have a breather and time to come up with something that shows them at their very best…

Anyway I don’t take into any media hype or bias into account when I choose music, imo tho.

The problem with hype is that you have to live up to it…I’ve bought some albums because I’ve heard a song that I loved; some because they’ve been recommended by friends and family; some because I know and like the artist/band already and some on stellar reviews. The latter I go into expecting more from than just entertainment.

Hype dfoes have an effect – it brings unknown artists into public consciousness, through a much more direct route than organic word of mouth.

But anyhow – I very much doubt whether Lambert’s career is going to be in any way affected by the crotchety reactions of those who don’t like unproven media bias: so at the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter at all.

Oh – and that love and war quote is just a saying – not a statement of belief or intent :lol

On an entirely different note – has anyone else noticed that Cook’s interviews seem to be getting better by the week: not from his pov (he’s always been a good interviewee) but from the interviewer and questions asked/level of actual interest shown by the interviewer level?

I know it’s the commercial thing to do it this way, but I have a proposal: the Idols should focus on making a great single, put that out in time for Xmas, and make it so great people will want to buy the album in January or whenever.

Have you seen album sales figures for January? Typically the worst time of the year to release. The delta between releasing in Nov./Dec. vs. releasing in January/Feb. is massive. No way are they gonna delay the release schedule by that much time — at least for the top finishers.

On an entirely different note ‘“ has anyone else noticed that Cook’s interviews seem to be getting better by the week

Yep. That’s been a gradual but wonderful thing to see during the course of this tour. The Rodney Ho article posted earlier is yet another good one. Questions about his tour, his current album, his future album. And it seems like there are less and less questions about AI.

Re: that article – I love that he is friends with SVZ. I wonder how you even process the fact that a few years ago, you were a struggling midwestern musician, and now you’re “picking the brain” of one of the members of the E Street Band.

I would think their sales would be higher than this after performing on the AMA’s.

1) Standard drop from 1st to 2nd week is now around 60-70%.

2) These are the numbers with only 70.38% of vendors reporting. Carrie’s numbers are predicted to be higher (note: you can’t interpolate because not all the vendors sell all the artists equally).

I got so wrapped up in the banter stuff I’m only just reading the Rodney Ho article now. Good stuff. That’s interesting that MWK use to cover IJDIYAT. Is this the first time he actually called her ‘Carrie’ and not Ms. Underwood? hee. And this?

Do you find Tweeting a chore or do you enjoy it? ‘“ Jane again.

A bit of both. It’s something else that consumes my being at this point. I try to make it as fun as I can. Hopefully I never tweet anything overly mundane, maybe something intelligent.

Oh please! He apparently said by the buses last night when asked why he was so quiet on Twitter the last day that he was doing detox because reads Twitter too much LOLLOL And yeah that ‘detox’ lasted about as long as his raw food diet detox.

Since Leona was brought up earlier I noticed her CD is being offered on Amazon for 3.99. I know Bon Jovi’s just had the same deal last week. Is this some new thing? That seems awfully cheap.

OK, Keel — so what do you suggest? I just think great albums need time and care, and in long run you can screw yourself if you put out something that you haven’t had the time to perfect.

Posting way too much today. But, this IDIFY from last night? The last two minutes, boys and girls – that is a rock star.

I sincerely hope he does this at my show.

Thank you, David Cook & band, for putting “My Heart Will Go On” in my head. Can’t.get.it.out. lol

Top 40 adds so far with about 41% of the stations in:

LLWD – 2 adds, FYE -1 add. Taylor Swift is #1 so far with 15 adds.

Nothing personal but after seeing the all female audience for Kris today on GMA and this older (I know it’s a casino) audience for Cook I really think S9 needs to a)have a female winner and b)try very, very hard to attract younger fans. It’s becoming a show for middle aged ladies primarily.

I’m one myself. but I just think younger fans are important for the future of the franchise. A female winner might attract moreof male fans as well.

jpfan — I know you mentioned the casino thing for Cook and I agree.
Out of the 4 dates in Canada only 1 was all ages. My two daughters (8 and 14) are dying to see him in concert but unfortunately not this time around.

I hope with his next album/tour he will play more all ages shows.

I was at the concert last night and I loved when he went to the back of the crowd, it made my night.

Just because disagreements between an artist and her label aren’t publicized doesn’t mean they don’t exist and that the artist is merely a puppet.

ITA with this. In fact IMO going public and being abrasive is often NOT the best way to win a fight. I like the way Carrie’s gone about her business but I also know she’s been lucky to have a label and producer that seem to understand her and have given her the room to grow. I’m sure she’s had some battles other than the ones that we’ve heard about after the fact but I don’t think for a second it means she’s a puppet.

I love Kelly but IMO the sad irony of the My December era is that she was a pawn in a pissing match between The Firm and Clive Davis. Her management acted like it was supporting her artistic independence when IMO all they were doing was trying to compromise her contract with her label so that she’d sign with their inhouse label. I was SO happy when Kelly told The Firm to take a hike and I can’t wait until she’s free of RCA too.

I don’t think Carrie has ever discounted the role of luck. She always says she’s been lucky everytime she’s asked about the recipe of her success.

Yes she has. She’s credited luck, she’s credited the people around her, and she’s said she’s incredibly blessed. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her take credit for any of her success or her choices really. Of course that feeds into some people deciding she’s a Barbiebot who’s had her success handed to her on a silver platter

I definitely see Carrie’s point about staying true to your identity on AI once you get off the show and that depends on carving out a real identity for yourself on the show as far as personality and sound. I thought it was pretty obvious she was referring to the process for the debut album and not beyond that.

That being said I also agree with what someone said above about how some AIers haven’t been given a choice, the most obvious being Bo Bice. Clive Davis was hellbent on making that “very special album” with Bo (boy was Carrie ever lucky that Clive didn’t decide to make HER his “very special” project) and the result was Nickelback rejects with a few true Bo songs mixed in there. Kat Mcphee is another example of somebody the label didn’t do right by album-wise. But if the tracklisting for her Verve album is any indication she’ll be getting it right this time in a big way and Bo’s albums since his debut have been a better reflection of him too.

IMO Sony’s done a more consistent job making albums that fit the AIers starting with Season 6. There’s still problems sometimes though like how they pick singles (*coughDavidCookcough*).

Top 40 adds so far with about 41% of the stations in:
LLWD ‘“ 2 adds, FYE -1 add. Taylor Swift is #1 so far with 15 adds.

Other Top 40 adds: Daughtry 12, Orianthi 19

Celine Dion and massive alien skulls, lol. Only at a David Cook concert. The guy is the master at self deprecating humor, I swear. Love how he and the band are still having fun on stage after all this time on the road.

jpfan
11/17/2009 at 3:12 pm
Nothing personal but after seeing the all female audience for Kris today on GMA and this older (I know it’s a casino) audience for Cook I really think S9 needs to a)have a female winner and b)try very, very hard to attract younger fans. It’s becoming a show for middle aged ladies primarily

.

Cook pulls a different crowd at the club and the fair shows than he does for the casino shows but yes, the demographics for AI have been climbing steadily and I’m sure your right that 19E would like to pull in a younger audience. We’ve had Jordin, Archie and I would even argue Adam, and it doesn’t seem to be doing them much good though. That said, I’ll eat my hat if we don’t have a female winner this year.

OK, Keel ‘” so what do you suggest? I just think great albums need time and care, and in long run you can screw yourself if you put out something that you haven’t had the time to perfect.

Don’t have a suggestion actually. I guess all I’m thinking is that all major label artists (and their management) have to balance the commercial with the artistic in your normal scenario. When you add AI into that mix and the imperatives of (1) striking while the iron is hot as far as releasing an album, (2) the commitment that the artist has to take part in the AI summer tour, and (3) the commercial expectations that come with winning the #1 most viewed karaoke contest on the planet and following in the footsteps of some rather successful AI alums, you’re either going to do what everyone else has done as far as album release scheduling OR (if allowed by TPTB) accept that you are going to be dogged with the ‘failure’ or ‘lazy’ label, take your time in crafting an album that is not a rush job, release months later after the start of the new year, and hope that the wait was all worth it.

jpfan – I think AI certainly needs to attract a better mix of fans, though as a 30 something lady myself, the notion that there is something wrong with the musical tastes of 30 something plus women, or that they all go for easy listening lite stuff, or that an audience of such is automatically naff, pisses me off no end: and I know that that’s not what you’re saying.

But I also think that they tried to make the show appeal to younger fans this year.

Ironically, I think the X Factor in the UK has that audience – so maybe Simon is on the ball with the aim to bring it over to the US, despite the criticism levelled at the show…If you look at the huge crowds who go to see the good (very top 40 pop) acts from last year (ignoring this year’s woeful shower) JLS and Alexandra Burke, they are mainly young teens.

Actually, I think Archie last year had a pretty good cross age range appeal, with a bias towards the teen market. Not sure that he’s maintained it though.

(1) striking while the iron is hot as far as releasing an album,

The other interesting thing about the X Factor is that they’ve stopped rushing out the winner’s album: I think this started with Leona Lewis, when Cowell specifically stated that they’d be taking the time to get it right.

Now they wait until the next season of the X Factor to start – which just happens to be in the Autumn (ideal launch time) and the they time the album and single release (together) to hit with the double whammy of a live performance launch to the biggest TV audience in the UK, which attracts huge press.

It’s a year later, but the visceral nature of a) getting the material right for the audience, b) putting on a great live performance (which the acts have done) and c) perfect timing, has gained great launches this year.

Admittedly, the UK is a much smaller market and the various media types are much more closely intertwined and interdependent (Cowell controls both show and record company): but it’s certainly a highly successful model.

I’m one myself. but I just think younger fans are important for the future of the franchise. A female winner might attract moreof male fans as well.

I don’t think so. One of the biggest problems female artists have of all stripes is getting male fans (unless you are Brittany, but I get the impression you mean hetro male fans).

Rock radio has predominently male listeners and there aren’t too many females that ever get spun on any of those formats. It’s a real sausagefest.

Same goes for Rap.

The majority of listeners to Pop, HAC and AC are female. A female winner might help you get younger fans, but I’m not sure on getting the male fans.

And yes, I know this entire post contains a lot of generalization and everybody has a male, straight next door neighbour that goes to all the Brit concerts with his football buddies. But I still think that male Idols would have better luck with male fans. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule.

I think the fundamental problem is the show itself.

Boy it feels weird that these albums are finally coming out. It felt like November was never going to get here now it feels like it came to fast.

Yeah, fadetowhite. If AI’s season started other than in the doldrums of January/Feb., then perhaps we’d have a different story. I suppose it’s possible they could move prior season AI’ers album reelases out to late March/April which is somewhat better for album releases — and they’d still have the platform of the show to pimp their winners. Sure, some people will have moved on at that point, but you may also hook people who will get nostalgic about the prior season. (The invested fans will buy no matter what.)

@J9BT

I have heard over and over that LLWD was a hit for the Script, and played over and over again on radio stations, especially those in the Utah area’ ¦..

Are there any statistics to support this claim? Does anyone have spins of LLWD by the Script in the US?

Actually I got curious enough to look it up and it was played only twice on 2 top40 stations in the US: May 11th 2009 on a SC station and the second time on a Little Rock station on September 22nd 2009 for a grand total of 0.01 million AI (that is 10,000). Apparently that AI must be wrong because everyone and their uncle and their uncle’s dead dog knows the song. It seems to be as well known as Bohemian Rhapsody or Thriller at this point.

@eringuest Thanks for looking up the total spins for the Script’s version of LLWD. I’m sorry – but I don’t understand this. You’re saying LLWD by the Script received 2 spins in the US with the equivalent of only 10,000 AI but that it’s as well known as Thriller? I must be missing something.

Are Kris and band of merry men performing on Alexa Chung today?

Yep–any minute now…

Boy it feels weird that these albums are finally coming out. It felt like November was never going to get here now it feels like it came to fast.

I agree. I can’t wait to hear about their solo tour info, yet AI Season 9 is right around the corner! I hope many of the S8 finalists get invited back to perform on the show. That could be another sales boost for them.

The majority of listeners to Pop, HAC and AC are female. A female winner might help you get younger fans, but I’m not sure on getting the male fans.

Yeah, I agree with this. I mean, look at Daughtry, the guy has really made it out of the bubble but you look at his audience and you’ll see those same older female fans.
I think women just get more invested in TV shows like American Idol. I don’t think there’s much they can do to get more male viewers, unless they get something sports related in there.
As for young adults (which I believe is the demo they’re missing), I don’t know what they could do, maybe get more current songs?

http://player.streamtheworld.com/_players/entercom/player/?id=WKRZ

Listening to Alli right now. So much energy. FIBOU sound fun streaming on the radio.

eta – she said – she’s on coolaid lol

tried to edit—-full band

It can go either way. You can have a female winner who could really explode like Carrie or Kelly, or you can have a female winner like Jordin who, even though she cranks out radio hits she doesn’t appear to have much of any type of fanbase. While I’m sure 19 would love a winner that could attract all ages of men and women on a regular basis, I’m pretty sure to a certain extent they dont really care as long as those older woman are spending money on tickets.

If AI’s season started other than in the doldrums of January/Feb., then perhaps we’d have a different story.

Yep – and they can’t move the timing of AI, because of all Cowell’s other commitments…

It’ll be interesting to see when the US X Factor is broadcast, if it ever does translate over there, though.

You’re saying LLWD by the Script received 2 spins in the US with the equivalent of only 10,000 AI but that it’s as well known as Thriller? I must be missing something.

erinquest is being sarcastic. There have been so many posts on various message boards claiming that the Scripts version of LLWD “was a hit on the radio in my area”, “I heard it all the time on the radio”, “As soon as I heard Kris sing it, I recognized it at once because I’d heard it lots of times before on the radio”, etc from US posters when it seems quite unlikely given the Mediabase track record and the fact the Script’s version of the song wasn’t released as a single to radio anywhere in the world (or as a single in the US).

I don’t know what they could do, maybe get more current songs?

Definitely: though Cowell and co might have to update their views of music somewhat! They seem to have got stuck 3 to 4 decades ago. Or maybe that actually was a deliberate attempt to appeal to the middle aged audience (who, of course only listen to music from several decades ago: heavy irony intended).

However, they did seem to get some more current acts on this year, so maybe things are changing a bit?

Here is part of Danny’s new song “Best Days” that he sung on KLAT today. I like this song.

http://www.ktla.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=953c7e48-712f-439f-b426-68bd3e69b258

Just found this over on Allison’s FIBOU thread at Pulse:

Music Video debuts on Yahoo Thursday.

OK, Keel ‘” so what do you suggest? I just think great albums need time and care, and in long run you can screw yourself if you put out something that you haven’t had the time to perfect.

Maybe immediately after the AI finale, the top 3 or 4 finalists can have the studio version of their best AI cover released as a single. That could keep their names out there during the summer AI tour.

Then, during the tour, maybe they’d record an EP of 5, 6 original songs (instead of a full album) to be released in the fall to tide fans over to early next year? With less songs to deliver the singles could be better quality. Then there would be more time to craft a better album. That could work? I don’t know. . .

Kris

RT @AmberAbyss: I’m trying to decide whether to buy @KrisAllen’s new album, or Left 4 Dead 2. A: left 4 dead 2.
40 minutes ago from Echofon

omg, what is going on in his mind. He told this girl to buy the game… I think he’s bold with his humor today to say the least..

oh Kris – promotion fail! That Amber person might only have enough $$ to buy one thing

Re the Idol demo:

To get something closer to the 18 – 28 male demo, they’d have to find a way to include hip hop and rap.

All that Jay-Z, Jay Sean, Lil Wayne dominating the charts? That’s where a lot of young guy’s ears and dollars are, of all colors.

Beyond that, also, much, much more recent rock. Have young rockers who get to sing Pearl Jam or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay (pace Matt Giraud) and even (shudder) Nickelback, as opposed to our dude sneaking in a grunge take on Lionel Richie, beloved as that was.

To do either of those things, they’d have to change the musicians available, and their approach to song rights, and possible the judges . . . so.

And even then, I’m not positive you could get guys to love it quite as hard as gals.

BTW I think Kris and Adam both have a fair amount of younger fans (i.e. – 20ish people). But AI’s audience is heavily female to begin with, and I don’t know that having a female winner is going to do anything to bring in a bunch of male fans. Or younger fans, for that matter.

Until AI becomes more current in terms of what they have the people perform on the show, younger fans aren’t necessarily going to have a lot of interest.

OMG the Script spin information is too, too funny. Thank you for making my day!

Tamarynd

Maybe immediately after the AI finale, the top 3 or 4 finalists can have the studio version of their best AI cover released as a single. That could keep their names out there during the summer AI tour.

Then, during the tour, maybe they’d record an EP of 5, 6 original songs (instead of a full album) to be released in the fall to tide fans over to early next year? With less songs to deliver the singles could be better quality.

Hey, that’s actually an interesting concept.

Rub
Listening to Alli right now. So much energy. FIBOU sound fun streaming on the radio.

eta ‘“ she said ‘“ she’s on coolaid lol

I listened, too! She was so good! Funny! She had so much energy, they asked her what she was on. Then one of the DJ’s said its called ‘youth’. Haha. And yeah, FIBOU sounded really good.

I’m so excited for her.

Hopefully MJ can play a recording for everyone soon.

oh Kris ‘“ promotion fail! That Amber person might only have enough $$ to buy one thing

Oh, I don’t know. When I was a teenager, I would have totally bought the CD if the artist actually tweeted me. No matter what he told me to buy.

Allison’s single picked up 2 top 40 adds so far. It’s a start.

Until AI becomes more current in terms of what they have the people perform on the show, younger fans aren’t necessarily going to have a lot of interest.

One problem with that, though — besides getting the rights to the songs being generally harder — is that, while it’s quite possible to put your own spin on an older piece of music that has not been sung in the contemporary style you do, it’s really really really really really really really hard to put your own spin on a contemporary piece because, even if it’s not quite in teh same contemporary style you favor, it *is* contemporary, like you, so how do you reinvent contemporary so that it sounds … contemporary? In, like, two days. …. If they used more contemporary music they might tempt more younger viewers, but they also would have even more of a pure karaoke contest. And that’s not what they want either.

Does anyone think the lack of adds for FYE, only 2 auto adds in two days, means that radio insiders have heard that RCA is abandoning plans to continue pushing FYE. Of course they shot the video, and apparently Adam is performing on the AMA, but the lack of adds is interesting. Could stations be thinking, why add it if we are about to start playing another single.

As far as Kris’ tweet, both the girl and Kris were joking. Everything isn’t always so serious.

According to All Access, Temporary Home is Carrie’s next single, released on 12/14

And even then, I’m not positive you could get guys to love it quite as hard as gals.

Well…you could always put all the female contestants in bikinis. (As long as they’re not as annoying as Bikini Girl.)

I’ll eat my hat if we don’t have a female winner this year.

The judging –at least from Kara, Cowell and Jackson is going to be insane

If there’s a good-looking young man with a guitar who makes it through Hollywood, he better get accident insurance before Top 24.

Headline: American Idol Contestant Falls to Doom during Top Ten!
19Entertainment, producers of the show, say they have no idea how a trap door came to be installed in the stage of the Nokia theater, nor how savage wild dogs came to be loose underneath. Young Eric Smith, who had just performed a well-received John Mayer cover at the time of the accident….

Does anyone think the lack of adds for FYE, only 2 auto adds in two days, means that radio insiders have heard that RCA is abandoning plans to continue pushing FYE.

I think it means that they’re not sold on either the song or Adam. For whatever reason. (I’d put it down to — Gee, this sounds like a song a *girl* would sing!! But who knows, really?)

Will be interesting to see if his AMA performance, the album release, and his other appearances drive sales and thus give him a higher profile that might make radio take a second look.

Interesting that the big Canadian markets seem to be more sold on him.

I also wonder if the type of promo Adam is doing is rubbing radio the wrong way. All his promo appears to be on tv and in the movies. No radio promo to speak of. Maybe pd’s are a little peeved? Radio is already the poorer cousin to television. Maybe the program directors don’t take well to being “snubbed” for the glitzier medium of tv. (This is all just pure speculation, not even an opinion, really, just a question more than anything else). As a result, they may be reluctant to add FYE onto their playlists. They’d just as soon pick something similar from an artist willing to schmooze with the radio stations.

11/17/2009 at 3:56 pm
You’re saying LLWD by the Script received 2 spins in the US with the equivalent of only 10,000 AI but that it’s as well known as Thriller? I must be missing something.

erinquest is being sarcastic. There have been so many posts on various message boards claiming that the Scripts version of LLWD ‘was a hit on the radio in my area’ , ‘I heard it all the time on the radio’ , ‘As soon as I heard Kris sing it, I recognized it at once because I’d heard it lots of times before on the radio’ , etc from US posters when it seems quite unlikely given the Mediabase track record and the fact the Script’s version of the song wasn’t released as a single to radio anywhere in the world (or as a single in the US).

@Kirsten

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, I have seen and been frustrated by all of the related posts on various message boards, but when American Songwriter included this information in the review for Kris Allen’s CD, I started to wonder if there were facts to back the statement. I’m glad to see there aren’t any.

Headline: American Idol Contestant Falls to Doom during Top Ten!
19Entertainment, producers of the show, say they have no idea how a trap door came to be installed in the stage of the Nokia theater, nor how savage wild dogs came to be loose underneath. Young Eric Smith, who had just performed a well-received John Mayer cover at the time of the accident’ ¦.

And on closer inspection the trap door had an odd looking code on it: 09AIKAS8, Sorry couldn’t resist. LOL. Of course completely joking.

alli lurker:
Rub
Listening to Alli right now. So much energy. FIBOU sound fun streaming on the radio.

eta ‘“ she said ‘“ she’s on coolaid lol

I listened, too! She was so good! Funny! She had so much energy, they asked her what she was on. Then one of the DJ’s said its called ‘youth’. Haha. And yeah, FIBOU sounded really good.

I’m so excited for her.

Hopefully MJ can play a recording for everyone soon.

It would be nice if MJ can get video from Yesterdays HOT 99.5 acoustic performance.
Allison was playing on a gorgeous tobacco burst Gibson acoustic guitar, and she was looking pretty damn awesome too.

Does anyone think the lack of adds for FYE, only 2 auto adds in two days, means that radio insiders have heard that RCA is abandoning plans to continue pushing FYE.

Like everyone else here, I’m just guessing, but my guess is that RCA didn’t intend to promote the single much until after the AMAs. The debut for the live performance is on Sunday, and I’m guessing that we’ll see promotion take off after that, (including more performances that week, with GMA and Letterman scheduled.)

I ain’t skeered. I think it’s all gonna be just fine.

Headline: American Idol Contestant Falls to Doom during Top Ten!
19Entertainment, producers of the show, say they have no idea how a trap door came to be installed in the stage of the Nokia theater, nor how savage wild dogs came to be loose underneath. Young Eric Smith, who had just performed a well-received John Mayer cover at the time of the accident’ ¦.

Oh, man, that made me laugh too damn hard…

Yeah, it’s really blatant. I do think they’re just probably going to stack the deck in favor of the women this year, like S6 (though didn’t that turn out great?). I’m not really sure how otherwise they’re going to effectively fight their own demographics.

Oh, I don’t know. When I was a teenager, I would have totally bought the CD if the artist actually tweeted me. No matter what he told me to buy.

I don’t know. If the artist tweeted me now, I’d probably get the CD, and I’m not a teenager!

(That said, I don’t have twitter. So there’s that)

Headline: American Idol Contestant Falls to Doom during Top Ten!
19Entertainment, producers of the show, say they have no idea how a trap door came to be installed in the stage of the Nokia theater, nor how savage wild dogs came to be loose underneath. Young Eric Smith, who had just performed a well-received John Mayer cover at the time of the accident’ ¦.

Hmm…puts a whole new angle on the set collapsing during Rock week. Which one was that meant to take out? BWAHAHAHA!

One problem with that, though ‘” besides getting the rights to the songs being generally harder ‘” is that, while it’s quite possible to put your own spin on an older piece of music that has not been sung in the contemporary style you do, it’s really really really really really really really hard to put your own spin on a contemporary piece because, even if it’s not quite in teh same contemporary style you favor, it *is* contemporary, like you, so how do you reinvent contemporary so that it sounds ‘ ¦ contemporary? In, like, two days

It is very hard, but Kris managed to do it.

Maybe what they need to do is hire some hip arrangers. I love Rickey Minor, but I’m starting to notice his signature on arrangements. The arrangers could work with the kids to make the old and moldy sound hot and current. Look how wild people go over that. Plus, it would help out those singers who lack arranging skills and address the complaints about how this is becoming “Arranging Idol”.

One of the things the X-factors probably does right is have professional people actually try to help the contestants. AI just largely stands around and says “what do you want?” Sure, it helps people like Cook and Kris with arranging skills rise to the top, but it hurts the show. People credit Adam’s amazing stage shows with to his ability to ask for specific staging and lighting. Well, if people like to see that kind of stuff, offer the kids who have no staging experience some help. This isn’t “Staging Idol” either.

Oh, and fire Bruce.

Apparently RCA posted this at Adam’s official site… then someone posted it at IDF. Maybe this has something to do with the lack of adds?

“Please only request Adam’s song from your LOCAL stations, and do try to stop short of harassment or the stations may go so far as to blacklist Adam’s music. This is a serious issue, gang, and we’ve had several complaints from stations already today, so please request responsibly! Having said that, we know you mean well and truly appreciate your support.

RCA Records

p.s. – And no, we don’t ‘share our strategy’ for working singles at radio, as this is between RCA, 19 and Adam. It’s no huge secret operation – it’s just a colossal amount of strategic detail that will bore you to tears, and is handled by professionals with DECADES of experience. If you must know: http://www.amazon.com/Need-Know-About-Musi…s/dp/0743293185. If Adam’s single had been delivered to us last month like KA’s was to JIVE instead of last week, it would be at radio already.”

Midafternoon google alerts (got lots of Kris in my Adam alert, not sure why):

Review of Kris’s album from Arkansas Times

http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/2009/11/review_kris_allens_debut.aspx

Slezak’s take on Kris’s album

http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/11/17/kris-allen-american-idol-album/

Kris story from MTV

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626446/20091117/allen_kris_american_idol_.jhtml

Review of Adam, Kris and Leona

http://www.knoxville.com/news/2009/nov/16/campbell-tuned-adam-lambert-kris-allen-leona-lewis/

But..but..Bruce won an emmy!

But..but..Bruce won an emmy!

Fire them too.

It is very hard, but Kris managed to do it.

He managed to do it once, with Heartless.

But remember “Apologize”? He karaoked that one big time, in my opinion — and that was *Kris,* who truly is an excellent, creative musician who’s very interested in changing stuff up, who is particularly gifted at injecting his own feeling into every song, and who *won* the danged show. The fact that even he is only one for two on changing up a contemporary song very successfully tells us something, if you ask me. (Okay, forgot Falling Slowly. Well ,to me, he did a *very* pretty job with that song — but it really was pretty doggone much like the original. And, again, this was *Kris,* not your run of the mill contestant…..

And something in a kind of extreme style, like Heartless, is really more or less a gimme, besides — you’re going to slow it down and go acoustic …But I just had to laugh when people kept saying that Megan should have a go at Chasing Pavements or the like. What the heck could she — or *any* of these amateur performers with two days to work on it — do to remold that very contemporary song in their own [contemporary] styles?

The show truly would be almost entirely a karaoke fest if they had primarily contemporary music. And if that’s fine with folks, then I say go for it if it brings in young audiences. But I can imagine that there’d be a lot of grousing about the performers singing karaoke, once it finally happened.

Hmm’ ¦puts a whole new angle on the set collapsing during Rock week. Which one was that meant to take out? BWAHAHAHA!

LMAO. Dang that is funny.

One of the things the X-factors probably does right is have professional people actually try to help the contestants. AI just largely stands around and says ‘what do you want?’  Sure, it helps people like Cook and Kris with arranging skills rise to the top, but it hurts the show. People credit Adam’s amazing stage shows with to his ability to ask for specific staging and lighting. Well, if people like to see that kind of stuff, offer the kids who have no staging experience some help. This isn’t ‘Staging Idol’  either.

Oh, and fire Bruce.

I think these are all great ideas …

Especially “fire Bruce,” though, lol.

Rub
It would be nice if MJ can get video from Yesterdays HOT 99.5 acoustic performance.
Allison was playing on a gorgeous tobacco burst Gibson acoustic guitar, and she was looking pretty damn awesome too.

Yeah, I really want to hear that, too! Loved the rippy jeans and the bright green shoe laces.

Maybe what they need to do is hire some hip arrangers. I love Rickey Minor, but I’m starting to notice his signature on arrangements. The arrangers could work with the kids to make the old and moldy sound hot and current. Look how wild people go over that. Plus, it would help out those singers who lack arranging skills and address the complaints about how this is becoming ‘Arranging Idol’ .

My only concern with that, though, is that it also runs counter to a trend that I’ve been actually liking on Idol; we’ve been seeing much more in the way of artists (of varying degrees of amateurism), rather than just torch singers so common on these kinds of programs historically. That’s been kind of a fun evolution on the show, to see people who have strong distinct musical identities competing. The seasons that seem to be the most popular, 5 and 7, had a ton of really interesting musical personalities, up and down the roster, and that’s what made them compelling.

If you added the arrangers in, though, how much of a homogenizing effect would that have? I’d imagine it might be pretty significant. Especially when you look at a show like the X-Factor, where that’s really not the case. The contestants may be different, sure, but few seem to have strong musical identities, and when they do they’re hardly contemporary, from what I’ve seen.

I may be in the minority, though, and it might not be good for ratings. And maybe there’d be a way to mitigate the distinction between the artist’s identity and the contemporary arranger. But I’d really not like to see the former go.

One of the things the X-factors probably does right is have professional people actually try to help the contestants. AI just largely stands around and says ‘what do you want?’  Sure, it helps people like Cook and Kris with arranging skills rise to the top, but it hurts the show. People credit Adam’s amazing stage shows with to his abiity to get the right staging and lighting. Well, if people like to see that kind of stuff, offer the kids who have no staging experience some help. This isn’t ‘Staging Idol’  either.

True. Though my concerns are much the same as I’ve mentioned above, it would be nice to have some more obvious availability in terms of helping the contestants, or at least an acknowledgment of that help. And a more explicit advisory capacity, especially on the stage elements, might make for a more interesting show.

Oh, and fire Bruce.

Completely behind you on that.

I just think great albums need time and care, and in long run you can screw yourself if you put out something that you haven’t had the time to perfect.

It’s clearly difficult for the Idols to get an album out in such a short period of time. Once the show is over, they go on tour, and have a lot of other obligations, but still need to get that album out.

But, having just listened to the stream of Adam’s album again, I have to say that it IS possible to get a great album out in that short period of time. We have 3 S8 people releasing an album now, and they all had about the same amount of time to get that album out there. We all have our preferences of styles, singers, and so on, so my favorite won’t be for everyone, but I gotta say that Adam didn’t need any more time. He and his team put together a great album.

I think that the Beatles used to manage to put out one or 2 albums per year, along with touring, (and general mayhem), and though not every song was a masterpiece, those boys did all right for themselves…. They managed to create great albums in a short period of time. It can be done.

Maybe it has to do with how strong and clear of a vision someone has for their album before they get to step foot into the studio?

I haven’t followed anything to do with Idol in the past, so maybe I’m wrong about that, though.

Wow. I thought that the Arkansas press would be only praises like they did in the tour. Instead, they wonder if the album is or isnt bad enough to allow him do do a second one?

I think that the Beatles used to managed to put out one or 2 albums per year, along with touring, (and general mayhem), and though not every song was a masterpiece, those boys did all right for themselves’ ¦. They managed to create great albums in a short period of time. It can be done.

Maybe it has to do with how strong and clear of a vision someone has for their album before they get to step foot into the studio?

Yes, that is what it has to do with.

As they mature, and get a better vision of themselves, plus a better knowledge of how the whole writing, recording, production process works and such, lots of these kids would be capable of turning out albums quicker, I’m sure. But the real issue here is that you have total beginners with no particular known musical identity behind them thrown together with writers and producers who don’t even know what musical identity the kids *have* developed — and then told to produce a cohesive good album in a few months. Totally different from an established group that works together all the time producing an album quickly, I think.

But remember ‘Apologize’ ? He karaoked that one big time, in my opinion ‘” and that was *Kris,* who truly is an excellent, creative musician who’s very interested in changing stuff up, who is particularly gifted at injecting his own feeling into every song, and who *won* the danged show. The fact that even he is only one for two on changing up a contemporary song very successfully tells us something, if you ask me. (Okay, forgot Falling Slowly. Well ,to me, he did a *very* pretty job with that song ‘” but it really was pretty doggone much like the original. And, again, this was *Kris,* not your run of the mill contestant’ ¦..

To be fair to the guy on the former, that was a judge’s choice matter, which is a very last minute thing with a song you may or may not have any connection to. Plus, it was on the same night as he was doing Heartless. So I wouldn’t really count that one so much. Falling Slowly… yeah, he didn’t, though invoking the “do no harm” rule may be the right instinct there. He might have done more with that though, perhaps.

I don’t actually think that the X Factor does do well at arranging songs: they aren’t very good at the musicianship side of things at all.

I also hate the ‘judges pick the songs’ angle of the show. It really does 100% leave the contestants as performing puppets.

The great strength of Idol is that it does allow performers with more of a musical vision – whether that’s performance (as in AL) or musical arrangements (as in DC or KA) – to shine: if they’ve got the balls to go for it.

I actually love that aspect of it.

When it allows contestants their own pick, you get much more interesting song choices: loved all 3 of Cook’s – Innocent, Dare You To Move and TWIK, even if they were 90′s centric and from post idol his musical influences are clearly much wider than this selection allowed him to be painted him in the media.

I think they should just get a better mix of song eras, stop repeating the same old standards year after year and give the contestants more open choices.

Some of them seem to know a lot more about the current music scene than the judges and producers!

As a lover of season 7, I’d also say get more real musicians on, but we all know that the Idol powers that be have decided that real musicians are boring…

alli lurker :eah, I really want to hear that, too! Loved the rippy jeans and the bright green shoe laces.

I wonder what the setlist was. Because when Cook does one of these radio gigs, he plays like two or three tunes. I know FIBOU had to be done, but what about the other two? Unless you Allison street teamers know this by now, and if you do, help a brotha out!

Weren’t those black leggings? whatever I don’t know what you ladies call that.

There’s no way RCA wants only 2 adds the week before the album drops. I don’t think the AMA factor into that at all. Unless RCA is working some new kind of radio strategy.

I don’t think that any of the Idols have put out a ‘great’ first album, including the two that I’ve heard on streaming from A18.

I think quite a few of them have put out ‘good’ first albums that – unsurprisingly – their hardcore fanbase love and think are absolutely fantastic and that play well within their targeted market.

I certainly think it’s easier to do that if most of your songs come from hired songwriters, but even then, the performance has to be up to scratch, in amongst the demands of the Idol tour.

I think it’s actually more suprising that so many of the ex idols have had a pretty decent stab at first albums, some of which (Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Daughtry) have clearly extended way beyond their idol fanbase: you don’t connect like that unless you’ve got something right, whatever the media have to say,and no matter how fashionable or unfashionable you and your music might be at that moment in time.

My only concern with that, though, is that it also runs counter to a trend that I’ve been actually liking on Idol; we’ve been seeing much more in the way of artists (of varying degrees of amateurism), rather than just torch singers so common on these kinds of programs historically. That’s been kind of a fun evolution on the show, to see people who have strong distinct musical identities competing. The seasons that seem to be the most popular, 5 and 7, had a ton of really interesting musical personalities, up and down the roster, and that’s what made them compelling.

Oh, I agree with you. I totally love where the show has been going the last couple of years. And I like that people who can bring more to the table are being rewarded. It’s more than just a glory note competition these days.

But, I’m trying to fix the TV show here. Hopefully, a rising tide will float all boats and a better show with more balanced viewers will help all contestants.

In a way, it’s totally insane that they meet with the weekly mentor for like 5 minutes (just enough to get a soundbite) and then maybe spend 20 minutes with Rickey getting the arrangement down. If you can’t do your own arrangement, you are stuck with whatever Rickey cooks up. It’s ridiculous that they spend more time with the stylist than with the arrangers.

So, how about this: you have to claw your own way into Top 12. Then, each contestant (or two) gets assigned their own arranger picked to coincide with their style. The arranger will give actual advice (and not be afraid of being sued). This being AI, naturally, they will try to find the best arranger for their favourite, but they are going to put their thumbs on the scales anyway. Might as well get a positive outcome out of it. Then, they also assign a staging person to each 2 or 3 contestants. Give them all bonsuses depending on how far their contestant goes to keep them motivated.

Pick contestants with different styles to keep the show interesting. Order the judges to be somewhat sane and concise. Improve the production values and make the show more hip. Have modern arrangements. And maybe ratings will go up.

Totally different from an established group that works together all the time producing an album quickly, I think.

Sure, the AI situation is not like the Beatles, even though I used them as an example of a band who were able to quickly cut albums.

But, Adam WAS able to deliver a top-notch album, (if you like his style), in that short period of time, so I think it can be done.

As a lover of season 7, I’d also say get more real musicians on, but we all know that the Idol powers that be have decided that real musicians are boring’ ¦

Gah, I know. I don’t know real musicians have to be considered boring; S7 had perhaps the strongest overall cast in the history of ever. I think it was also just good for the show, and made it a bit of a stronger franchise on the whole musically. But I could be wrong about that.

I think they should just get a better mix of song eras, stop repeating the same old standards year after year and give the contestants more open choices.

Yes. And, also, I think they really either should better open up their pocketbooks to the mechanical rights on these songs, or just cut the stupid iTunes recordings (yeah, I know, dream on). To be fair, though, the contestants themselves largely didn’t help that cause in Season 8 on Top Downloads Night, on which the overall strongest performance came from a song released decades ago, and most of the contemporary songs botched. And disco night, I thought, was kind of fun in that practically no one was really singing disco. But, seriously… big band night can just stuff it, at this point. And take Motown with it.

Some of them seem to know a lot more about the current music scene than the judges and producers!

We’re talking about people who seem to be delusional about what decade we’re in, so it’s not like that’s exactly a feat or anything. (In fact, who are these contestants who know less than the judges about contemporary music? Excepting perhaps Brooke White, but that’s why we loved her.)

I do think they’re just probably going to stack the deck in favor of the women this year, like S6 (though didn’t that turn out great?).

Yeah, I think Jordin is great but the last thing I want is a bunch of female R&B singers. Blech. Lil Rounds nearly did me in.

I don’t think the AMA factor into that at all. Unless RCA is working some new kind of radio strategy.

It’s fun to read everyone guesses. My guess is that we’ll find out soon, since the AMA show is just around the corner, but I expect promo to pick up after that. Time will tell what’s going on, and meanwhile, we can guess how many jelly beans are in the jar, and why FYE is being promoted the way it is so far.

We’re talking about people who seem to be delusional about what decade we’re in, so it’s not like that’s exactly a feat or anything.

Lol

(In fact, who are these contestants who know less than the judges about contemporary music. Excepting perhaps Brooke White, but that’s why we loved her.)

Didn’t Danny Gokey say that he had trouble picking songs each week because he didn’t know any genre other than his church music?

But, I think that he still can have a good career. I’ve listened to his first 2 songs, and though I didn’t like the first, the 2nd one has a lot of potential, IMO.

Rub
I know FIBOU had to be done, but what about the other two? Unless you Allison street teamers know this by now, and if you do, help a brotha out!

Weren’t those black leggings? whatever I don’t know what you ladies call that.

FIBOU acoustic? …seems like it really needs drums! I imagine her singing No One Else and/or Scars, but I really have no clue.

I think those are jeans cuz there’s some bagging at the ankles. (You can ask her next time you see her.)

BTW, alli lurker, Im sure you already know this, don’t forget Allison will be stopping by 97 BHT in the next hour(6pm est).
http://www.97bht.com/article.asp?id=526063

I think its in Philly

Found on Pulse:

I just got a email from the Zomba Label group Allison will be debuting songs pre-show of the New Moon Movie in all Theaters. And She tell us some of her favorite movie treats.

New Moon? Score!

In a way, it’s totally insane that they meet with the weekly mentor for like 5 minutes (just enough to get a soundbite) and then maybe spend 20 minutes with Rickey getting the arrangement down. If you can’t do your own arrangement, you are stuck with whatever Rickey cooks up. It’s ridiculous that they spend more time with the stylist than with the arrangers.

Absolutely. And the amount of promo they do… I know it’s probably unreasonable to get rid of the Ford commercials, I guess, but I mean that in and of itself takes a whole day. And then all the other things they do… finding more time for the music might make for a far more exciting show.

So, how about this: you have to claw your own way into Top 12. Then, each contestant (or two) gets assigned their own arranger picked to coincide with their style. The arranger will give actual advice (and not be afraid of being sued). This being AI, naturally, they will try to find the best arranger for their favourite, but they are going to put their thumbs on the scales anyway. Might as well get a positive outcome out of it. Then, they also assign a staging person to each 2 or 3 contestants. Give them all bonsuses depending on how far their contestant goes to keep them motivated.

That sounds fantastic, actually. It would structurally open up the show, but would also keep the artistic elements. The balance would be great.

Pick contestants with different styles to keep the show interesting. Order the judges to be somewhat sane and concise. Improve the production values and make the show more hip. Have modern arrangements. And maybe ratings will go up.

Yes (please!), yes (even though sanity and reason seems to be anathema to judging on that panel by its very nature), yes (and, no, the current crazy set isn’t enough!), and yes (pretty please!).

I just got a email from the Zomba Label group Allison will be debuting songs pre-show of the New Moon Movie in all Theaters. And She tell us some of her favorite movie treats.

Woah, what? That could be big! Fascinating move…

Kirsten :Found on Pulse:

I just got a email from the Zomba Label group Allison will be debuting songs pre-show of the New Moon Movie in all Theaters. And She tell us some of her favorite movie treats.

HOLLY Crap!
Jive I take back what I said about you!!
Good news there Kirsten, thanks.
Debuting songs?

Found on Pulse:

I just got a email from the Zomba Label group Allison will be debuting songs pre-show of the New Moon Movie in all Theaters. And She tell us some of her favorite movie treats.

New Moon? Score!

De-lurking to say…wow! If it’s true, that’s a huge promo for her demographics. New Moon is opening in 4000 theaters with lots of sell outs.

I guess the first meeting with the Jive promotion went well

Didn’t Danny Gokey say that he had trouble picking songs each week because he didn’t know any genre other than his church music?

Oh, um… yeah, he did, didn’t he? Of course, that’s as much a referent to the fact that he didn’t seem to have much a developed sense of musical history, be it 70′s, 90′s, or now. So that’s almost a different issue… almost.

Maybe what they need to do is hire some hip arrangers. I love Rickey Minor, but I’m starting to notice his signature on arrangements. The arrangers could work with the kids to make the old and moldy sound hot and current.

It is just a faint memory and maybe a false one, but has it not be last season, where spoilers for song choice came from hired arrangers via twitter?

So they had them, but maybe they wasn’t hip enough.

Wow, great promo for Allison if true!

A few days ago, mr posted about a very cute video Adam did with Israeli tv during the 2012 press junket where he answered fan questions and kissed the interviewer’s hand. It’s back on YouTube, see it while you can – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIDbkGEQ7WA

It is just a faint memory and maybe a false one, but has it not be last season, where spoilers for song choice came from hired arrangers via twitter?

Umm… yeah, there are the people who help Ricky. Their names are vaguely bouncing around in my head right now. But it’s still a quick in-and-out thing, and, as Kirsten noted, it’s got Ricky’s stamp all over it, even then.

Holy crap. Has anyone seen this thing on why David is hot?
http://whytheyrehot.com/post/242831498/why-hes-hot-have-you-fucking-heard-this

That New Moon promo sounds fantastic. Great deal.

Hello blissful
De-lurking to say’ ¦wow! If it’s true, that’s a huge promo for her demographics. New Moon is opening in 4000 theaters with lots of sell outs.

Be careful blissful, this stuff’s addictive! Yes, great news about Allison!!

seriously
11/17/2009 at 5:50 pm
Holy crap. Has anyone seen this thing on why David is hot?
http://whytheyrehot.com/post/242831498/why-hes-hot-have-you-fucking-heard-this

Is that hilarious or what? Loved the Forever 21 reference; I’m pretty sure I owned that shirt in 7th grade.

Nice to see Allison getting some lurve finally. You go girl!

Interesting that the big Canadian markets seem to be more sold on him.

We Canadians are great at recognizing talent.

On the for-hire arrangers from S8: Was that a new S8 thing or has that been around for a few seasons? I can’t remember hearing about them in S7 (other than some noise about Archie having a professional arranger). Were the for-hire arrangers just an extension of Rickey’s band or were they suppose to meet with the contestants on their own and submit a more or less finished arrangement to Rickey.

Wow, great promo for Allison if true!

Well, that info came directly from Jive — I got the email too — so yeah, it’s true. Fantastic.

Adds are done for Top 40

Kris got 6 (including Washington DC, #9 market rank)
Allison got 4 (inlcuding 1 auto add (Roanoke, VA) and Las Vegas at #33 market rank)
Adam/FYE got 1 (auto ad from Charleston, SC)

no adds for WWFM

That’s awesome promo for Allison and she’s doing a bunch of radio interviews and shows this week.

BTW, the DC radio station that had her yesterday HOT99.5 e-mailed someone saying the video for her acoustic performance will be up soon.

Adds are done for Top 40

Kris got 6 (including Washington DC, #9 market rank)
Allison got 4 (inlcuding 1 auto add (Roanoke, VA) and Las Vegas at #33 market rank)
Adam/FYE got 1 (auto ad from Charleston, SC)

no adds for WWFM

LLWD got 7 Top 40 adds this week.

http://addboard.mediabase.com/AddDetails.asp?sngcde=ALLELLWD

BTW, alli lurker, Im sure you already know this, don’t forget Allison will be stopping by 97 BHT in the next hour(6pm est).
http://www.97bht.com/article.asp?id=526063

I think its in Philly

Ugh… how much longer RUB?? I can hardly stand this music!! Wait, Kevin Rudolf… yay!

LLWD got 6 monitored adds and 7 if you include unmonitored stations.
Just remember that the spins of unmonitored stations don’t count on Mediabase charts.

One auto add for FYE means WWFM is going to radio sooner rather than later.

Holy crap. Has anyone seen this thing on why David is hot?
http://whytheyrehot.com/post/242831498/why-hes-hot-have-you-fucking-heard-this

I clicked on all those links, and now I need a drink. (Love the rawness of that Hot for Teacher video.)

So happy for Allison. That’s great and it’s the right demographic for her.

I know, alli lurker, I had to put up with Swift I think.
At least I got to listen to Daughtry.

LLWD got 7 Top 40 adds this week.

http://addboard.mediabase.com/AddDetails.asp?sngcde=ALLELLWD

Sorry, I only checked the monitored report, not the combined

alli lurker: Ugh’ ¦ how much longer RUB?? I can hardly stand this music!!

Why not just wait for the edited Youtube to show up? That way you don’t contaminate your ears with that crap!

LLWD got 6 monitored adds and 7 if you include unmonitored stations.
Just remember that the spins of unmonitored stations don’t count on Mediabase charts.

Thanks, good to know.

Rub – Now Rudolf!! And yet another tease. She’ll probably be on at 6:50!!

Why not just wait for the edited Youtube to show up? That way you don’t contaminate your ears with that crap!

I know, JohnM, I’m a sap!! But its really fun to hear FIBOU and the YouTubes usually cut it out.

I guess the first meeting with the Jive promotion went well

Hee. It’s a good thing they moved that schedule up

Seriously, this is the perfect demo for Allison.

One auto add for FYE means WWFM is going to radio sooner rather than later.

All it got this week was auto-adds (1 HAC, 1 Top 40, and 1 Can Hot AC).

Is it too late to learn a new routine for the AMAs?

Other Adds on Pop:
15 Daughtry (18 including Activator)
3 Jordin Sparks (4 including Activators)
3 Kelly Clarkson
2 Jason Castro

The Britney 3 song is the worst. She’s pulling that on name alone.
JohnM, a Utube version is years from now. lol

One auto add for FYE means WWFM is going to radio sooner rather than later.

All it got this week was auto-adds (1 HAC, 1 Top 40, and 1 Can Hot AC).

Is it too late to learn a new routine for the AMAs?

I was worried about this song and radio’s response when I first heard it but thought it was just me. Seeing these low numbers makes me sad because Adam is extremely talented and radio should be jumping all over him 0 I just don’t think this is the type of song that will do well here.

And LOL Kirsten on the new routne for the AMAs. Adam’s last tweet was about his rehearsal for it.

I am wondering if some stations are holding off adding FYE until Adam comes on their shows to promote it? He does generate media buzz and perhaps there is some negotiating going on there. If the AMA goes well, and he gets alot of buzz from the performance, then I expect him to make the radio rounds. I think it still is too soon to say what is up with this single. It may not take off, but again, it may. Who knows? Obviously, not me.

wow Jason Castro got more adds than Lambert.

Is it too late to learn a new routine for the AMAs?

Maybe shoot a new video while they’re at it.. I’m sure RCA would have no problem throwing out some money for a new video considering how much they shelled out already. I wonder if RCA expected radio to pounce on anything Adam put out based on his name alone and all his supposed huge interest outside of AI. Lesson learned I guess. There’s no way I believe they’re happy with this response even if it is before the AMA’s.

Just when it appeared HAC was where it’s at for LLWD (and still might be in the end), Top 40 surprised me with 7 adds today after a meh day yesterday with HAC adds.

What’s great about Kris’ Top 40 adds today is that of the 7 (6 monitored and 1 activator), none were auto-adds (meaning the program directors consciously chose to add LLWD) and only two of the stations had previously spun the song. The act. station had 3 spins, and one of the Top 40 monitored stations had 4 spins last week. The rest? Zippo, so these stations plan to begin spinning from scratch, including the Wash DC station as the #9 market in the country. Great news for LLWD on the Top 40 charts!

Wow, so odd about FYE. So much promo for the artist and the debut on KIIS and then . . . kind of a whimper in terms of actual radio growth (at least compared to the expectations). I wonder if it was the plan all along to have FYE as kind of a “teaser” single for AMA performance purposes but really promote WWFM as the first real single? Or were the callouts really that bad for FYE? WWFM seems much more radio friendly so hopefully that takes off.

Has this been posted yet?

NOW IN: FINAL

3 CARRIE UNDERWOOD 19/ARISTA NASHVILLE 125,207 -60%
PLAY ON

One auto add for FYE means WWFM is going to radio sooner rather than later.

Aren’t we getting a little close to the holiday freeze in radio play for RCA to try to roll out a new single?

So much promo for the artist and the debut on KIIS and then …..

Yes, but no real MUSIC promo except the KISS thing a couple of weeks ago. I do think the heavy promo will begin after the AMA. The guy’s been busy, in addition to the TFM stuff, he’s practicing with a new band, rehearsed and shot a music video, and I suspect working like a dog on his AMA routine. I don’t think AMA is worried about the single being stalled for a few weeks. But I could be wrong on that.

I do think the heavy promo will begin after the AMA. The guy’s been busy, in addition to the TFM stuff, he’s practicing with a new band, rehearsed and shot a music video, and I suspect working like a dog on his AMA routine. I don’t think AMA is worried about the single being stalled for a few weeks. But I could be wrong on that.

But after the AMAs is when things start heading towards Christmas music so the lack of promo before that seems strange.

AMAs booked him as a performer and it was publicized. Even f they are unhappy with how the single is doing they don’t really have much choice at this time.

Is it too late to learn a new routine for the AMAs?

Maybe not. But it’s too late to get all the money they put on the video back.
There’s not much to spin here, radio doesn’t seem interested in Adam’s single.

Rub – Is that it? Not as fun as Allison’s earlier interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbMKg-pD3lA

I don’t think I can listen anymore!

AMA’s are certainly not going to dump Adam’s performance based on radio’s apparent rejection of the song. Adam is a visual performer. I’m sure he’ll have an awesome performance. That said, I’m also a little concerned that waiting to promo until after the AMA’s isn’t the best marketing decision, if indeed that was a conscious decision. I think it’s more likely they misjudged and thought that the OTT media coverage and his idol fanbase would be enough to carry the single into the AMA’s and then they could grow from there. That doesn’t appear to have been a good assumption.

If it’s a great video, then there is nothing to worry about. Plus the album reviews so far are pretty good. Kris has done alot of promotion today for his single and now album. Adam has done nada zip, and poor baby Allison might as well take an ad out in Craig’s list. (except for the good news about the New Moon movie).

I really, really hate to say it, but radio is very conservative and I wonder if they just won’t play a song about getting “rough with you” (that is clearly about sex) sung by a gay man. It is beyond depressing if that is the case. There were so many great songs to choose from on the album, just not sure FYE was the best choice for the first single (even tho it is a good song). I guess we will see how this all plays out over the next few weeks. His album is outstanding and I think it will do well.

If it’s a great video, then there is nothing to worry about. Plus the album reviews so far are pretty good. Kris had done alot of promotion today for his single and now album. Adam has done nada zip, and poor baby Allison might as well take an ad out in Craig’s list. (except for the good news about the New Moon movie).

Going to have to disagree. Kris started doing radio tours a couple of weeks ago and while it didn’t have ahuge response, he still was making connections with radio station DJs and generally being out there. Allison appears to have just started on a similar tour this week. Adam’s only radio was on KIIS with Ryan on the premier day. Then he will perform at the AMAs the night before his relelase.

similarly, we know Kris is booked at a ton of events during the holiday season and Allison has some as well. None for Adam.

A big debut, or great AMA performance, IMO cannot sustain him in the marketplace. Kris and Allison are building up good will in that people might be in a store and see their album and remember this was the sweet guy/girl that was on with the DJ at my station, maybe I’ll give them a chance and buy the album. Adam isn’t building anything like this.

but radio is very conservative and I wonder if they just won’t play a song about getting ‘rough with you’  (that is clearly about sex) sung by a gay man

Um, no. Top 40 radio is full of overtly sexual songs. And as far as the gay meme goes, Katy Perry’s I Kissed A Girl? Lady Gaga? Pushing the envelope on sexual themes is Top 40 radio’s bread and butter these days. Maybe it’s just not the right song……..

thedavidcook: # In Chicago. Where is Mark Teahan? I need to thank him for his service to the Royals… I’m bleeding Royal blue today, folks…
9 minutes ago from web

AMA’s are certainly not going to dump Adam’s performance based on radio’s apparent rejection of the song. Adam is a visual performer. I’m sure he’ll have an awesome performance. That said, I’m also a little concerned that waiting to promo until after the AMA’s isn’t the best marketing decision, if indeed that was a conscious decision. I think it’s more likely they misjudged and thought that the OTT media coverage and his idol fanbase would be enough to carry the single into the AMA’s and then they could grow from there. That doesn’t appear to have been a good assumption.

Gee, it’s like Adam’s not doing promo for three weeks was a, what was the word I am looking for here…mistake? yeah. Guess that RCA miscalculated Adam’s appeal or this song. But even if the song wasn’t getting great tests, the idea of just sitting back and letting it sink, just doesn’t seem like the smartest thing for me to do. But I know, I’m not the expert. I’m just a Debbie Downer and shouldn’t be questioning RCA.

Well uh yeah. I’ve been saying for awhile I thought what RCA doing was seriously broken/stupid and now we’re seeing the consequences of it.

There is a lockdown on songs/add that is happening now. Putting another single out, when the first one wasn’t doing well and there is still a live performance for the first single and lots of money spent for the video.

sigh. Seriously, can I say I told you so now? Or do I have to wait until later. Which this is one of those instances I HATE being right about. Oh wells. Still have to wait to see Kris’s kick ass GMA performance. At least I’ll have that bright spot

I really, really hate to say it, but radio is very conservative and I wonder if they just won’t play a song about getting ‘rough with you’  (that is clearly about sex) sung by a gay man. It is beyond depressing if that is the case. There were so many great songs to choose from on the album, just not sure FYE was the best choice for the first single (even tho it is a good song). I guess we will see how this all plays out over the next few weeks. His album is outstanding and I think it will do well.

When people talk about radio being conservative, they really mean it in a business sense, not in a sensuality sense. In terms of explicit imagery, it’s not exactly behind the curve here. But I wouldn’t count out the imagery as hindering the single.

Oh goodness. Are we rehashing RCA’s strategy again regarding Adam??? lol

baby Allison might as well take an ad out in Craig’s list.

Baby Allison has started her radio tour this week. She’s been in more than 4 radio stations already in two days. She performed yesterday for HOT99.5 in DC, will be performing in PA on Thursday, hosted Kiwi Radio this past Sunday, will be on GMA on December 1st and Ellen on December 3rd. Her video will premiere on Yahoo Music this Thursday, she has listening parties in Torrid stores coming up next week and the New Moon thing.

Her video will premiere on Yahoo Music this Thrursday, she has listening parties in Torrid stores coming up next week and the New Moon thing.

The New Moon thing is before the credits roll.Before people need a pee break.When they are happy and having fun NOT RUSHING OUT BUT IN

I’m bleeding Royal blue today, folks’ ¦

Heh. That’s his second sports related tweet today. I lurve his fanboy sports geekiness and his absolute loyalty to his hometown teams.

I wonder if he knows that the Royals actually RT’ed his first tweet about the Cy Young award.

Video of David Cook singing Make Believe at last night’s show. Sounds like it was a much better vocal than the first (nervous!) time he played it. Love this song, I really hope it makes the next record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov1j8l7ZcZU

Radio had no problem with Flo Rida extolling the virtures of a good blowjob, or with Britney Seeking Amy. I don’t think the song is problematic either lyrically or thematically – at least not on such a widespread basis that it would be having this much trouble gaining traction.

The adds this week for FYE were dismal, to the point that I have to think they are switching singles. The challenge, of course, is that there is very little time to gain a foothold of any kind at radio before the holidays. Honestly even if they keep pushing FYE right now I’m not sure it will stay afloat during the freeze and be able to rebound in January. A brand new single going for adds in December is extremely dicey. Right now there’s a good chance Adam could have very little presence on radio until February or later, and without steady radio support the album could struggle in the meantime.

All I can say is that I hope RCA makes a decision one way or another quickly, and gets a move-on with whatever they have planned. Maybe the AMA performance will be the spark. Songs have launched big off that show in the past. But radio would have to get on-board mighty fast for it to have any kind of lasting effect on sales.

The New Moon thing is before the credits roll.Before people need a pee break.When they are happy and having fun NOT RUSHING OUT BUT IN

It actually sounds like it’s before the Movie, as in during the previews, so yeah, it should be good.

I am definitely one of the people who expressed concern that Adam’s sexuality might affect his career, but even I don’t really think that’s what’s going on with this particular song. Maybe its not testing well or something. Of maybe it was just released too close to the Christmas slowdown and the competition is too heavy right now. In any case, it will be interesting to see what RCA does next.

I’m (finally) listening to the stream right now. I like it so far! Biggest surprise was Music Again, which I hated in the clips and thought was crazy cheesy, but I like the full version a lot. I’m NOT feeling Soaked (its on right now), which was one I thought I would like. Still, a big thumbs up on the album from me so far! Not that anyone cares what I think. Heh.

I just ran out to McDonalds (at 7pm…very healthy, I know) and as I was picking up the food, I was BLASTING Alright With Me. A man in his mid-to-late 50′s who was standing outside the door started dancing and laughing. I started to laugh with him, and he yelled out that he and his family voted for Kris Allen all season.

That man has no idea that he made my night. I’m gonna go play it again!!

Direct quote from TWoP that just struck me as so freaking hilarious

I think the chorus from “Make Believe” has taken up permanent lodging in my brain.

Thanks for all the great DC links today, guys. Now I want to see David and Andy do that scene from Titanic. David would have to be Leo, right? And Andy would be Kate, with his hair flying back?

I would normally believe RCA has some mega explosion of a plan to tie in with the AMA performance, but why did Open House Party and Z100 spin what his official site is calling his new single? Why not play the song hes going to sing at the AMA’s? It just seems odd. Not to mention regardless if one is doing a ton of promo, if a song is good enough stations will play it. These radio stations know FYE is out there. Adam has a much talked about name, I’m sure they at least took a listen.

I’m bleeding Royal blue today, folks’ ¦

Aw he’s obviously giddy because for once this year he doesn’t have to be ashamed of one of his teams lol He follows the Royals on there so he probably did see the RT too.

I am so excited that “temporary home” is Carrie’s second single. It may not be the most exciting song ever made, but it is so beautiful and heartfelt. Also, it means so much to Carrie, I’ve read so much about how the song has such an impact on her and is one she has really fought for. That is how you eventually win the battle with the label, be gracious and fight them on key matters, not being throwing a snit about the whole thing.

I just ran out to McDonalds (at 7pm’ ¦very healthy, I know) and as I was picking up the food, I was BLASTING Alright With Me. A man in his mid-to-late 50′s who was standing outside the door started dancing and laughing. I started to laugh with him, and he yelled out that he and his family voted for Kris Allen all season.

That man has no idea that he made my night. I’m gonna go play it again!!

Thanks for sharing this. #krisallen is now a trending topic. What a great day this has been for Kris and fans

I’m not ready to call FYE dead yet – we have no idea what is going on behind the scenes – maybe radio is taking a “wait and see” approach, or maybe RCA is waiting to make the big push after the AMAs, or maybe both. I’m assuming the video will be released soon also, there are still alot of variables to consider.

I think the chorus from ‘Make Believe’  has taken up permanent lodging in my brain.

Ditto. I caught myself singing that earlier at supper. I think I’ve thorougly annoyed my family now.

anyone know when we will see the predicted first day sales for Kris’ album (and all the other albums that dropped today)?

All I can say is that I hope RCA makes a decision one way or another quickly, and gets a move-on with whatever they have planned. Maybe the AMA performance will be the spark. Songs have launched big off that show in the past. But radio would have to get on-board mighty fast for it to have any kind of lasting effect on sales.

Well, let’s remember. These were the geniuses who thought that two singles off of David Cook’s album were wa-a-ay more than enough and, let’s make sure Cook (the songwriter) had no writing credits for either of them.

I guess after RCA launched Carrie and Daughtry, they had a lobotomy.

There are no male artists who are successful doing Gaga/Britney type music. Maybe the rough sex lyrics are hurting it. Sung by a female, ok. Sung by a gay man, not so good.

Hip hop audiences can be homophobic as well. I could see stations not wanting to turn off fans with FYE. Many pop stations play alot of hip hop. .

There are purely guesses as to why radio isn’t playing FYE yet.

I think the chorus from ‘Make Believe’  has taken up permanent lodging in my brain.

Count me as another one who has this stuck in my head. I really, really like this song, and it’s just going to get better the more they play with it.

Here’s another video – picture is non-exsistent, but the audio is much better than the others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuJNut3riU8&feature=player_embedded

Um, ok…for those who think Kris’ story about what “Red Guitar” is about needs a little sprucing up, would you rather he go with this explanation? (Hmmm…careful what you ask for…LOL!)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=red+guitar

LOL

http://abc.go.com/watch/clip/2009-american-music-awards/SH011880100000/145425/241554?&clipId=241554

Auditions for Adam’s dancers for the AMA’s. I believe Courtney Galliano is one of the dancers shown.

EmmaJK, thanks for the link to the better audio. Did you notice that he changed the first line of verse 2? Here are the updated lyrics as we hear them and posted on the lyric thread on DCO.

‘Make Believe’ (as sung 11/16) – David Cook [full credits TBA]

When can we go back to the first time we met?
Just a glance in a room
Kept us drunk through the moon (?)
I still remember telling you that your smile
It could light up the sky
In the night time
Fell in love with how you were …
But now we’re always so unsure

Can we make believe
That we still believe
In anything
You know that all that I am
Is in the palm of your hand
So make believe that you give a damn
And make believe

Can’t help but wonder if you think of me now
Walking barefoot in the snow
You knew just the way to show me, you
Weren’t afraid of livin’ if it made you alive
Just the air and my heart
Weren’t enough to help that feeling survive
So, tell me where does love go when it dies?

Can we make believe
That we still believe
In anything
You know that all that I am
Is in the palm of your hand
So make believe that you give a damn
And make believe

Can we make believe
That we still believe
In anything
You know that all that I am
Is in the palm of your hand
So make believe that you give a damn
And make believe

Yay! The world is not going to end in 2012 after all!

Is Doomsday Coming? Perhaps, but Not in 2012

The Truth About 2012

Hopefully the world isn’t going to come to an end for Adam’s publicity peeps in 2009.

Hopefully the world isn’t going to come to an end for Adam’s publicity peeps in 2009.

LOL!

Um, ok’ ¦for those who think Kris’ story about what ‘Red Guitar’  is about needs a little sprucing up, would you rather he go with this explanation? (Hmmm’ ¦careful what you ask for’ ¦LOL!)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=red+guitar

LOL … by chance we have evidence that the red guitar does exist

Um, ok’ ¦for those who think Kris’ story about what ‘Red Guitar’  is about needs a little sprucing up, would you rather he go with this explanation? (Hmmm’ ¦careful what you ask for’ ¦LOL!)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=red+guitar

Oh….gosh. lol!

Hey, Kris has 14 songs charting on Itunes pop! YAY for Kris! His albumS are #3 and #4 on pop.

He has 3 songs charting on Itunes overall and his album is #8.

The new Heartless is #180 on iTunes overall, lol. I guess even if Kris doesn’t like it, some people do! LLWD is #43 & #115.

I’m confused how *d*m L*mb*rt is tagged on this article but Kris is not.

I’m concerned about the Slezak piece where Kris talks about having thought all the stuff he wrote sucked because of what he’d read online about how the album process was going and could only think of Rickey’s infamous posting about the label being in a panic over Kris’ album. I knew Kris read that site and followed him on twitter so I was afraid Kris would see it and feel bad.

Best to Kris and the album is good.

I do agree on “Heartless.” It’s not my favorite version of the song from Kris, but in all fairness, it does work OK at the end of the album in a way an acoustic version likely wouldn’t.

I do agree on ‘Heartless.’  It’s not my favorite version of the song from Kris, but in all fairness, it does work OK at the end of the album in a way an acoustic version likely wouldn’t.

you got a point there

The deathwatch continues:

POP:
68 65 ADAM LAMBERT For Your Entertainment 200 155 45 0.625
+0 Spins
-16 Bullet
+0.015 AI

HAC:
54 47 ADAM LAMBERT For Your Entertainment 214 143 71 0.990
-3 Spins
-14 Bullet
-0.042 AI

This is not normally what a label wants to see from a debut single the week before an album goes out. The momentum is in the wrong direction.

Interesting… my local radio station just added Adam’s WW (heck, that pink song.. too early for initials) to their request form. I was wanting to hear Bad Romance (BTW hated that routine on SYTYCD last night).. anyway it was a 2 for 1 this morning.

FYE was never really going to go anywhere on HAC anyways. At least not without being a big hit on Top 40 first.

At this rate, Adam needs a showstopper AMA performance and the #1 album next week for PDs to give the single another look.

On the bright side: No one in the media is making a big deal of this. I haven’t seen any mention of the single “tanking” unlike Kris, who actually has a hit single. Go figure that one out.

Interesting’ ¦ my local radio station just added Adam’s WW (heck, that pink song.. too early for initials) to their request form.

WWFM has 103 spins as of this morning (up from 75 on Monday). 90 in Pop, 11 in HAC and 2 in Rhy.

Something is going on…

Are we sure that RCA was ever behind FYE? Maybe there was some disagreement between various parties as to what the single should have been. I see some similarities to what happened with “Never Again” and “Runaround”/”Just To Feel That Way”….

Kirsten… who sang Never again….etc.? I rarely buy idol albums.

I’ve never gotten the impression that RCA ever tried to promo FYE for some reason. You might be on to something.

Adam made People’s Sexiest Man Alive!!!!!

http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20315920_20320457,00.html#20705508

Daughtry made it too.

Hate the YHA pic, but yay for #10! Daugthry at #12 is a big NO!

Kirsten’ ¦ who sang Never again’ ¦.etc.? I rarely buy idol albums.

It was the lead-off single from Kelly’s “My December” album. That’s the album she made against RCA’s wishes (they wanted more pop songs). The album resulted in a huge pissing match between Kelly and Clive in the press (open insults were traded and RCA leaked insider info like a sieve…i.e. on purpose).

Because Kelly had just come off a massive album with HUGE hits, radio spun it like crazy to start with (the kind of spincrease we just saw with “Bad Romance” and Rihanna’s new song), but then it just stalled out and collapsed remarkably fast. Many people think that RCA didn’t lift a finger to support it. Her next single from the album went nowhere. It wasn’t the most radio-friendly song in the world, but it’s hard not to draw the conclusion of lack of support due to all the dirty laundry that was being publicly aired about that entire project.

Either radio loathes FYE or RCA isn’t working it. Or both. And then there is this weird success of the non-single single. The single that was rumoured to be the single for months…

FYE would probably make a flashier performance on the AMAs while WWFM is more of a radio song. It’s RCA’s job to get airplay. It’s 19Ms job to get Adam gigs like the AMS…

koshka – Don’t now about Never Again, but Runaround was the first single Taylor Hicks performed on many of his promo appearances. It never really went anywhere on radio though and soon he was performing/promoting Just to Feel That Way instead. I think it did somewhat better, but still not good.

koshka ‘“ Don’t now about Never Again, but Runaround was the first single Taylor Hicks performed on many of his promo appearances. It never really went anywhere on radio though and soon he was performing/promoting Just to Feel That Way instead. I think it did somewhat better, but still not good.

“Runaround” was what Taylor wanted as the single and performed on the promo round. Arista insisted on “Just To Feel That Way”. Until Taylor acquiesced almost two months after the album dropped, Arista didn’t send anything to radio. Any spins Taylor got for “Runaround” was at the initiative of the radio stations.

We have a delayed single (was supposed to be out mid-October from various reports including from Adam) – indication of problems making a decision? Parallels the late single situation we’ve seen before, so it may be for the same reason.

We have a performance friendly song going nowhere on radio. A performance friendly single that was first aired on a show run by a 19M friendly DJ.

We have a label that doesn’t seem to be trying too hard or not getting much traction pushing that single.

We have a stealth single that was widely rumoured to be the single in the first place.

We have RCA mods b!tching about the single being late.

Maybe somebody should have told Adam that FYE wasn’t the real single. You know right before he filmed that expensive looking video (much of which’s budget is coming out of his pocket).

RCA seems very confuzzled to say the least.

Thanks for the info. My december is the only Kelly CD I didn’t purchase. Personally I’m thinking they switched to FYE as soon as they got the thumbs up for AMAs (probably the reason for the delay as well). I’m not sure if I would have picked FYE out of everything on the album for the AMAs, but I’m sure I would not have picked WWFM as a performance song.

So RCA’s whole radio strategy is based on a one shot performance. No wonder that mod who posted on Adam’s site sounded pissed.

Mila- I hate the YHA pics too- does People NOT have any of Adam’s good pics in their arsenal? That was from MONTHS ago.

I have faith in RCA and Adam and FYE. 4 days until the AMA’s!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

OK so far.. between RCA and Jive we are 0 for 3 in a smooth roll outs. We’ve got covers, bad single decisions and one getting essentially zero visibility.

Yeah Season 8.. and to put in for good measure we have Danny putting out a country christian single. *error yet to be confirmed*

I don’t believe anything is going on with WWFM. Unless stations start adding it like they have with Lady Gaga’s Telephone (which got added by KIIS already!), I see it as more album promo because FYE is too new/not growing enough to do its job.

Wait!! I thought last week that peeps said Kris Allen, Cook, and Daughtry made the People’s sexiest man mag and Adam had not made it. Where is Kris and Cook? is this just a small tease or is it the whole list? AND WHY did they use the YHA photo again????

cilady… I know what you mean. But my DC station has it on a check list.. meaning someone had to go in and update the list (unless it is auto generated by their spins?). I think it is just strange. I didn’t think much of it until I saw this. Also FYE was originally listed when the song debuted, but was dropped a week after. I’m not sure what to make of this.

So RCA’s whole radio strategy is based on a one shot performance. No wonder that mod who posted on Adam’s site sounded pissed.

As I understand it, this is RCA’s claimed strategy:

1. Send a song to radio and add it a few days later without giving it time to grow or themselves a chance to work.

2. Ignore radio. Who cares if anybody adds it?

3. Wait three weeks

4. Have a big performance on the AMAs and the radio stations will spontaneously spin it into the Top 40 and beyond.

I hope that there is more to RCA’s strategy than that. If they are smart, they’ve got somebody spiking Lady Gaga’s, Rihanna’s, Lil Wayne’s and Janet’s water bottles with tranqs because goodness knows that they all know how to create a water cooler moment. The good news is they don’t have to worry about Whitney because she’ll slip tranquilizers into her own water bottle.

koshka
cilady’ ¦ I know what you mean. But my DC station has it on a check list.. meaning someone had to go in and update the list (unless it is auto generated by their spins?). I think it is just strange. I didn’t think much of it until I saw this. Also FYE was originally listed when the song debuted, but was dropped a week after. I’m not sure what to make of this.

Are you talking about a mediabase request form? I think if a station spins a song it automatically gets added to their list. If a week goes by and the station doesn’t spin it again then the song is purged off the list. Unless they spin it again, I don’t think it’s anything more than a curiosity spin.

Wait!! I thought last week that peeps said Kris Allen, Cook, and Daughtry made the People’s sexiest man mag and Adam had not made it.

They said they made the clip show promoting the issue and Adam had not.

Where is Kris and Cook?
is this just a small tease or is it the whole list?

Usually they feature more men then just 16. Who knows?

AND WHY did they use the YHA photo again????

Maybe they think he looks sexiest like that. People have differing tastes. There will be different photos in the magazine.

Who made the cover? I thought for sure it would be Bradley Cooper, but if he’s 4th on the list, that’s unlikely. Is it Johnny Depp?

The good news is they don’t have to worry about Whitney because she’ll slip tranquilizers into her own water bottle.

LMFAO I thought I was the only one thinking such things. I hope she does better for the AMAs than what I saw on the Oprah clip. Public humiliation will surely drive her back to the pills.

ETA: Cilady thanks thats it. I love it when the universe makes sense again.

Johnny Depp made the cover.

As for Cook and Allen- someone said before that Cook has been in that montage before and never made the list or maybe it was Daughtry, can’t remember).

http://www.people.com/people/package/video/0,,20315920_20320246,00.html

Video clip of Daughtry re: sexiest man alive on People magazine online.

Usually they feature more men then just 16. Who knows?

According to the website, there are “…Depp and 109 other sexy stars,…”

http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20315920_20320494,00.html

Usually they feature more men then just 16. Who knows?

According to the website, there are ” ¦Depp and 109 other sexy stars,’ ¦’ 

http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20315920_20320494,00.html

I don’t know about Depp… but I would guess the rest are not in any specific order.

http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20315920_20320494,00.html

That is NOT the sexiest picture I’ve seen of Johnny Depp. He looks some average Dad whose telling how he overcame something. You know, how People occasionally puts some non-celebrity on the cover and it’s about some Chicken Soup for the Soul kind of story?

Now I’ll probably be burned in effigy by the Johnny Depp fans (seriously, he can look sexy. Here, he just looks a bit dopey).

And 109? That’s a pretty weird number. You’d think they’d pick 100.

well, according to those who’ve seen Adam’s liner notes, he is listed as being managed by Simon Fuller and Iain Pirie. From what I can find, Iain Pirie heads 19 Entertainment’s United States operations. Not bad!!

I see Take One is at #123.

As for Cook and Allen- someone said before that Cook has been in that montage before and never made the list or maybe it was Daughtry, can’t remember).

I am pretty sure Cook was in the magazine last year. In fact, it was the same photo they used in the video clip show. Maybe they can only handle one new Idol contestant a year.

well, according to those who’ve seen Adam’s liner notes, he is listed as being managed by Simon Fuller and Iain Pirie. From what I can find, Iain Pirie heads 19 Entertainment’s United States operations. Not bad!!

That’s Cook’s manager, I believe. It looks like they put Kris with Daughtry’s manager and Adam with Cook’s.

Yeah its Johnny Depp who was chosen as the Sexiest, they talked about it on the Today Show. When you look at the actual issue its loaded with different guys, some guys have their own pages and have brand new pictures taken, then others have smaller pics that have been seen a hundred times and theyre featured in a smaller way in the mag. Like there are pages with 5 or more guys and one line blurbs. It’s not a certain list though.

That is NOT the sexiest picture I’ve seen of Johnny Depp. He looks some average Dad whose telling how he overcame something.

Whoa! That is a bad picture. Who picks these people anyways?

Well since Adam and daughtry made their gallery of 16 on the website, I hope there’s a new picture for both of them!

Who picks these guys? Definately not the sexiest in my book.

I just looked at the 100 guys in 60 seconds video on the People mag. page and I saw both Cook and Kris, so I think there are 4 Idols in the issue.

I love Johnny Depp……he’s amazingly hansome (those eyes!) except for that cover picture (major fail) and I think he is one of the best actors around today. He can play such diverse roles.

Now I am waiting for him to play Freddie Mercury in this picture that is suppose to be made of Freddie’s life. I read a comment here some time back that it’s been talked about for the past couple of years.

It’s nice some of the past Idols made the People Mag list.