David Cook Breaks Celebrity Barrier
David Cook wants to prove 56 million Americans right. “I remember hearing that number and just (thinking), ‘My mom must have called 55 million times or something!'” the ‘American Idol’ winner tells PopEater. “Theatre of the absurd, I guess.”
But Cook, who received the most votes in the show’s history, is out with a debut album that he hopes will impress ‘Idol’ fans and rock fans alike.
“What worked for me on the show was that I was able to take these pop songs and make them fit some level of rock mythos, ” Cook says. “I don’t feel like I misrepresented myself on the show to where I would have had to make a pop record.”
Carrie Underwood’s a Little Bit Country and a Little Bit Hair Metal
After making fans wait more than 15 years for new material, Axl Rose’s latest Guns N’ Roses album, Chinese Democracy, is finally in stores — and country star Carrie Underwood couldn’t be happier.
The fourth-season winner of American Idol is a longtime GNR girl and often slips a cover of “Paradise City” or “November Rain” into her sets.
“I can’t wait to hear (the new album), ” says the Oklahoma native, who was born in 1983. “I grew up on metal — and country. My older sisters listened to Guns N’ Roses.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Justin Guarini Recording
Legendary Producers Gamble and Huff welcome former American Idol runner-up and television host Justin Guarini to their legendary Philly Soul Studios for Justin to record over the original track of their hit song “Love Train” for the 6ABC Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade on ‘Disney’s Hollywood Studios Float.’
David Cook Takes the ET Stage!
David Cook hits the ET stage, performing his new song “Light On”! Kevin Frazier goes one-on-one with the reigning “American Idol” champ, who reveals his thoughts on the Paula Abdul fan tragedy.
David also dishes on how it feels to have his new, self-titled album in stores. Plus, he reveals his plans for the holidays!
Jive a weak debut
Why do …American Idol fans consistently reward male pop singers for being entirely sexless on the show? Pouty lips and flirty lashes are practically entrance requirements for female singers, and …rocker guys can bellow and strut to their content. But there a kind of elfish contestant who always does well despite the possibility of vanishing in a cloud of unicorn glitter were he to sing something arousing.
Review: Reba, Kelly share stage in Charlotte
Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson opened the second-to-last night of their …2 Worlds 2 Voices duets tour Friday at Time Warner Cable Arena. McEntire’s known for high glam/big production past solo tours, but the duets tour is focused more on two incredible voices than pyrotechnics or multiple costume changes.
It was not a co-headlining show either, with separate sets and only a handful of duets. Instead, the concert was an extended version of their episode of …CMT Crossroads, the 2007 show they said inspired the tour. The women shared the stage throughout the night, singing duets and trading off on backing vocals during each other’s singles.
Jordin Sparks ‘So Excited’ to Be the Newest Celebrity Designer for Wet Seal
Expanding her career beyond singing, Jordin Sparks takes over the role of the new celebrity designer for young women’s clothing retailer Wet Seal, which she admits to be “so excited” about. “Wet Seal and I have been able to create a line of clothing that will appeal to more girls than ever before! The holiday season is my favorite time of year, and I can’t wait to see girls look cute, feel good and celebrate in style!, ” so she says about her forthcoming fashion design.
American Idol Daily: Idols everywhere
Glocksen After a momentous few days in the history of Idol Nation, the news front fell relatively quiet.
The biggest news, in this reporter’s opinion, was the announcement of a mini-tour of ex-Idols, The Idol Mania Live tour. Actually, thus far it seems to be more of a show than a tour with only one date announced yet on the website — in Sarasota, Fla., on Dec. 6. According to the website, the concert will feature, unlike the official tour, songs written by the Idols themselves. The participating cast includes Justin Guarini, Blake Lewis, Gina Glocksen, Vonzell Solomon, LaKisha Jones, Ricky Smith, Mikalah Gordon and Melissa McGhee.
Miller Auditorium announces huge day after Thanksgiving sale
KALAMAZOO — After Thanksgiving Day sales aren’t just at major retailers anymore — they’re at performance venues like Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo.
To mark its 40th anniversary, Miller Auditorium is offering the purchase of two tickets for the discounted price of $40. The offer applies for all upcoming Miller shows, with the exception of the Willie Nelson concert on Nov. 30.
As a point of comparison, without the offer, one ticket alone is $25 to $50, depending on choice of seating, for the “Ain’t Misbehavin” musical (starring “American Idol” contestant Ruben Studdard) at Miller on Dec. 6.
Headlines: Aiken, Young, Grease, Mary Poppins Join CBS’s Thanksgiving Parade
Spamalot Clay Aiken and the casts of Mary Poppins and Grease, featuring American Idol heartthrob Ace Young, will make appearances during CBS’s coverage of the 82nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS. The Grease and Mary Poppins companies will perform as musical guests (along with the country-music duo Sugarland), while Aiken will stop by to chat with CBS hosts Dave Price and Maggie Rodriguez. The network coverage of this year’s Thanksgiving Day parade begins on November 27 at 9AM EST.
Phil Stacey and Nashville Christmas Parade
The 56th annual Nashville Christmas Parade will once again help usher in the holiday season in Nashville, with Phil Stacey acting as the 2008 Grand Marshal. The parade, a long-standing Nashville tradition, will showcase Nashville’s rich history of musical entertainment with floats rolling down Broadway, holiday lights illuminating the night sky, and bands immersing the streets with the magical sounds of the holiday season. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas Memories” and will take place on December 5th at 7:00 p.m.
Will the American Music Awards win the youth vote?
At rehearsals this week for the 36th Annual American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre, one of the key executives for the show gushed that Sunday night’s broadcast will have 19 performances, a record number: “We called everyone on our dream list and they all said ‘Yes, ‘ so we just had to make room!” That effusive appraisal was met with a smile and a shrug by graybeard Al Schwartz, a consulting producer who has worked on the show since the Nixon administration.
“Well, it is a great year, but the stars are coming because they need it more than ever. Albums don’t sell like they used to. And even with the stars we have a tough fight ahead of us: There’s the premiere of ’24’ and there’s football on.”
Simon Cowell Attends Charity Dinner
British TV stars Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan helped raise millions of dollars for a UK-based family support charity this week.
The pair took to the stage for an informal chat at the annual Norwood Dinner to help thousands of Jewish children and families with learning difficulties and social problems. Cowell also introduced Norwood fundraising film, and expressed his admiration for the charity work.
…Charities carry out extraordinary work and I like to support them as much as possible, … he said. …To see so many people out tonight to support Norwood is staggering. Through my friend Richard Desmond [charity president], I have learnt a lot about Norwood and I understand why youre all here. Im a great believer that we have to support British charities and Im very happy to support this cause.
“Dancing With the Stars” finale to feature Alicia Keys
How to end another season of “Dancing With the Stars”? ABC’s most popular series has big plans.
Coming at 8 p.m. Monday, the three remaining couples perform in a Samba Smackdown that will allow everyone to compare their talents. In the freestyle round, finalists Warren Sapp, Brooke Burke, Lance Bass and their partners will strut their stuff — their best stuff, we hope.
At 9 p.m. Tuesday, Alicia Keys will sing “I Need You.” “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus delivers “Fly on the Wall.” The finalists perform once more. The judges’ scores for Tuesday will be added to the Monday numbers (a mix of judges’ and viewers’ scores) to determine the winner.
The two-hour finale on Tuesday brings back wacky Cloris Leachman (she takes part in a man-in-the-street segment). Jeffrey Ross roast the finalists.
Julianne Hough Chatting & Answering Questions – Live!
On Monday November 24, from 9:00 to 10:00 am PST (Noon to 1:00 pm EST) ‘Dancing with the Stars’ two-time winner and hit recording artist Julianne Hough will be talking to fans and answering questions right here
To participate in the chat, bookmark, register for an email reminder below or return to this post on Monday.
Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams releasing two Christmas songs
TORONTO – “Canadian Idol” winner Theo Tams is releasing two Christmas songs next week, including one he co-wrote.
Tams recorded a cover of the song “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” and co-wrote the song “Christmas Dream” with three other writers.
Sony Music Canada says it will contribute 100 per cent of its net receipts from sales of “Christmas Dream” to the charity Free the Children.
Following his “Canadian Idol” win in September, Tams moved to Toronto and has since been working with collaborators on his debut album, which he plans to start recording early in the new year.
He’s now on the road for the “Top 3 Tour, ” which started earlier this month on the East Coast and is travelling through Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta through Dec. 22.
