•••Scotty McCreery was surprised backstage at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Dec. 7) with a plaque commemorating his Gold-certified holiday album Christmas with Scotty McCreery.
Via Muaic Row
The Voice Exclusive Video: Season 3 Top 4 Cut Loose on Last Call with Carson Daly – In this exclusive sneak preview from tonight’s Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35am EST on NBC), the last two members of Team Blake and Team Cee Lo give some candid thoughts on their Season 3 expeirences. How did Cassadee feel when her competitors rehearsed their glory notes in the hallway? And what was it like for Terry to hear through his hotel-room wall the sound of next-door-neighbor Amanda Brown talking on the phone? – Read more at TVLine.com
The Voice’s Amanda Brown on Grace Potter Covers, Distracting Dancers and ‘Dream On’ – “It’s funny: Two of my favorite artists are Tina Turner and Prince, and either of them would be able to pull off ‘Natural Woman’ and ‘Here I Go Again’ back to back without anyone questioning it,” says Brown. “Those songs represented me — and I want people to prepare themselves for a mesh of those worlds with regard to my original music. I’m not saying I want to complicate things, but I like the idea of challenging mindsets and challenging contemporary thoughts about what music should be.” – Read more at TV Line
Emblem3 Talk One Direction- ‘X Factor’ Top 4 Party Interview
Diamond White Has ‘No Regrets’ About Fifth-Place ‘X Factor’ Finish – “I wasn’t surprised because I don’t really expect anything. I hope for the best but I prepare for the worst and I think that’s pretty much how I got through the elimination because I prepared for the worst,” said the always-upbeat White. “I was already prepared for the worst and do the whole process all over again but I knew that as soon as I made it to the top six I was like, ‘I want to win, but just in case I get eliminated I’m going to be so happy with myself because winning was my first goal and getting fifth was my second,’ ” White said. “I was like, ‘I’m just so happy that I made it to fifth.’ It’s just been an amazing experience so I’m really glad that I got to do this.” – Read more at MTV.com
‘Amazing Race’ Season 21 Winners Reveal How They’ll Spend the $1 Million Prize – THR: You were underdogs nearly the entire race. Were you surprised you won? Brent: When we stepped on the mat, we could not believe it. There were so many great competitors, and everybody starts at the starting line with a certain set of skills and strengths and weaknesses. You never know what combination of skills and luck will get you to the finish line, and that was our time. Josh: We were longtime fans of the show and had watched all the seasons before we went on. We knew the race was all about not being eliminated, and you have to win the final leg. So we went into the race with a strategy to try as hard as we can at the task in front of you, help your neighbor when you can, never give up. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
Darren Criss of “Glee” rocks out for a good cause – New Yorkers came out in the rain to watch Criss perform a mix of holiday songs on guitar. The free outdoor show took place at the eBay Toy Box, a holiday pop-up shop where shoppers can give toys to children in need and also buy toys for their own kids. “I messed up a lot of chords and a lot of words, but nobody noticed,” Criss said laughing during an interview with CBSNews.com. His mash-up of holiday tunes included “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and Alvin & the Chipmunks’ “Christmas Don’t Be Late,” which he considers one of his favorite Christmas songs. “We also did sort of the ‘Glee’ version I do with Chris Colfer of ‘White Christmas,'” Criss added. – Read more at CBSNews.com
Lea Michele: The Diva Rumors Aren’t True – “I am a very outspoken person, and if something makes me uncomfortable, you will know that it makes me uncomfortable, but that’s as far as it goes,” she tells the magazine about her attitude on set. “I can assure you that [the diva rumors] aren’t real. It’s super-frustrating sometimes, and I used to fight back, but now I feel like, ‘You can think what you want about me — that’s OK.’ I have the most amazing fans, friends, and family members who have stood by me, and I know that my cast and crew really enjoy working with me. That’s all that matters.” – Read more at Entertainment Tonight
One Direction Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People Preview
How to write pop songs that make the grade – DioGuardi — the former “American Idol” judge who has written or co-written 50 charting singles for dozens of artists including Pink (“Sober”), Kelly Clarkson (“I Do Not Hook Up”), Carrie Underwood (“Undo It”), and Christina Aguilera (“Ain’t No Other Man”) and served as head judge on the Bravo songwriting competition “Platinum Hit” — had other plans. “Truth be told, it’s not only about songwriting, it’s about life,” says DioGuardi, sitting at a desk alongside three of her pupils in the classroom where she’s been breaking down the ins and outs of the industry for 27 students for the last 3½ months. “I’m trying to teach them about life. And in life, if you come from your truth, I think you’ll be a happier person.” – Read more at The Boston Globe
