Idol Headlines for 1/24/09

Kellie Pickler has Sexy Hair

Kellie Pickler and Dancing With the Stars’ Cheryl Burke have been added to the 2009 ad campaigns for Sexy Hair styling products. They’ll join Pussycat Dolls spin-off Girlicious and MySpace boy band Close to Home as the company’s celebrity spokespersons.

Kellie, who says she’s used Sexy Hair products for a couple years, will represent the Big Sexy Hair, Short Sexy Hair, Sexy Bath and Body and Sexy Corporate brands.

Idol Chatter

Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne and more on CBS Grammys special

Justin Timberlake, Lil’ Wayne, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift will join Katie Couric for her “All Access Grammy Special,” to air Feb. 4 on CBS.

The Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Metallica, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Rascal Flatts, Duffy, Adele, Kid Rock, Jazmine Sullivan, Jordin Sparks and T-Pain will also appear on the program.

Chicago Sun Times

Idol Worship: Joanna Pacitti By The Numbers

So for comparison’s sake, let’s look at the numbers. We know Smithson/Hennessy debuted pitifully. In the six years between its release date and her appearance on Idol, it moved an additional 2,400 copies. Since 2008, it’s sold another 3,200 copies, bringing its tally to just shy of 6,000. As of Jan. 18, Pacitti’s album has sold 15,000 units, which in today’s sales climate, almost qualifies as a hit. In fact, a former Geffen staffer tells us Joanna “was a big priority” at the label, contradicting the belief that she wasn’t given a chance and got dropped unceremoniously.

Jaded Insider

“Suck” Blows (Up): Clarkson’s Comeback Could Make It To The Top Of The Pops

Just one week after it was serviced to Top 40 stations, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Suckà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is already a burnout hit, garnering some 2,000 spins out of the box and already ranking 58th on the Hot 100 Airplay list. Its low debut on this weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Hot 100, three notches from the bottom, is the result of a lack of sales dataà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ during the tracking week for this weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s charts, the song hadnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t yet been released to iTunes and the other digital-song services.

But that changed last weekend, and at this writing, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Suckà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is already iTunesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ No. 1 seller. We have no idea specifically how well ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s selling, but on next weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s chart, Clarkson will inevitably make a huge leap into the Top 10. The only question is whether sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll rack up enough sales (plus continued airplay gains) to overtake Lady GaGa atop the chart.

If à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Suckà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  manages to reach the top next week, it will accomplish a few things:

Idolator

Ace Young to host ‘Idol Extra’

Fox Reality Channel will bring back Season 5 contestant Ace Young to host this year’s “American Idol Extra.”

Young will be joined by Fox utility player Jillian Reynolds. The fourth season of the behind-the-scenes “Idol” annex also will be shot from the “Idol” stage for the first time.

Fox Reality will premiere the show Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m., airing nine episodes leading up the broadcast network’s “Idol” finale.

“Idol Extra” provides viewers with weekly highlights and features exclusive interviews of the contestants and their friends and family.

Hollywood Reporter

“Idol” David Cook to hit colleges on U.S. tour

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – “American Idol” champ David Cook is going back to school, announcing a U.S. tour on Friday that will take him to colleges around the nation.

Cook’s 37-date tour will begin on February 13 at Florida State University in Tallahassee and end on April 25 at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, AOL music Web site www.PopEater.com said.

Most of the concerts will take place at colleges, including the University of Mississippi and the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. But Cook will also play at Seneca Niagara Casino in New York State and Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, Missouri.

Reuters

CKX, Inc. Announces Director Change

-On January 15, 2009, CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE) disclosed that John D. Miller, one of the Companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s independent directors, had resigned from the Companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Board of Directors, effective January 12, 2009. Mr. Miller had served as a Director of the Company since February 2005 and was a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. In disclosing the resignation, the Company noted that Mr. Miller had proposed that the Company consider making an investment in an unaffiliated company in which he holds an equity interest and for which he serves as a paid advisor and was therefore resigning to minimize any perceived or potential conflict of interest arising from such consideration and potential investment. Notwithstanding his resignation, the investment transaction proposed by Mr. Miller as referenced above will be subject to the Companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s review process for related party transactions and, if consummated, will be disclosed in accordance with the SEC rules and regulations regarding disclosure of related party transactions.

As a result of Mr. Millerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s resignation, the Company notified the NASDAQ Stock Market, and NASDAQ confirmed by written letter dated January 15, 2009, that the Company is no longer in compliance with NASDAQà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s independent director requirement as set forth in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350(c)(1). This rule requires that a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors be comprised of independent directors. This notification has no effect on the listing of the Company’s common stock at this time.

Business Wire

‘Idolatry’: What’s wrong with season 8 of ‘American Idol’?

Wait, wait…American Idol haters, don’t answer that! American Idol addicts, let’s discuss. After watching this week’s audition episodes from San Francisco and Louisville, Jessica Shaw and I got to wondering…is it time to relegate the “funny” auditions to a single blooper hour? Where the heck are season 8′s potential superstars? Has Kara DioGuardi’s welcome already started to wear thin? And how professional is too professional (in terms of Idol wannabes)? Press play below (if only to see a certain Top Doll contestant make a cameo!), then head to the comments section to weigh in with your own thoughts.

Popwatch

Chris Sligh Interview, one-hour results shows forthcoming

I finally caught up with Chris Sligh Wednesday, the from-the-hip season six contestant who actually reads this blog. (Yes, he is still the only one I know who does. He even made a comment about my Nadia Turner interview last week.)

Sligh got great news last week when he found out Rascal Flatts was using his co-written song à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Here Comes Goodbyeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  as its first single. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s already getting some airplay on country radio. Rascal Flatts is one of a handful of country acts virtually guaranteed a top 10 single no matter what they release. Four of the actà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s past seven singles have gone No. 1.

AJC.com

David Archuleta + Buzzworthy = TLF

It was one year ago this week when we all first laid eyes on you (swoon!). Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not really much for beating around the bush, so I may as well just come out and say it: We.Are.In.Lurv.

How much do we love thee? Let us count the ways:

+ We know the new season of American Idol started, and weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re super excited about that Kara DioGuardi chick, but we keep finding ourselves drifting off and dreaming that you are there. Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve taken to putting our fingers in our ears and squeezing our eyes shut, but when we open themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re still not on our flatscreen. WHY???? Le sigh.

Buzzworthy

Sanjaya is back with a tell-all à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ book

Sanjaya Malakar, best known for his hair-raising run on season six of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idol,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is back à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  and he has a tale to tell.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I realized that I had a story that no other past contestant has said,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Malakar told Access Hollywood.

The à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  alumnus has penned an autobiography, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dancing To The Music In My Head,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and is releasing a new CD of original music with the same title.

MSNBC

What Is ‘Idol”s Justin Guarini Up to Now?

The “American Idol” first season runner-up has “Gone Country”!

When CMT’s hit series launches its third season, Justin Guarini will be going country along with Funkadelic’s George Clinton, Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner, Taylor Dane, The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz, Sheila E. and “21 Jump Street”‘s Richard Grieco.

In the third season, each member will be paired with a top-notch songwriter and the two will write a country single.

ET Online

Idol runner-up Justin Guarini back in business

You might remember Justin Guarini. The singer with a mop of perfectly highlighted curls and a swoon-inducing smile finished second to Kelly Clarkson on the first season of American Idol. But despite all those call-in votes and homemade posters, Guarinià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s smooth vocals and TV-heartthrob appeal didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t translate into real-world music success.

His 2003 post-Idol disc met with little interest. And the ill-fated From Justin to Kelly movie-musical seemed to hurt his career more than Clarksonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s. (Though, these days, it just seems like a rough version of High School Musical.)

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Oh yeah, sure, I have a copy,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Guarini says of the film ranked among the worst of all time by IMDB users. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I like the checks that still come more than the film.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Chron.com

What’s Up With Kevin Covais

Best known as “Chicken Little” from season 5 of ‘American Idol,’ Kevin Covais is still working hard to get his real name out there. It’s been three years since the adorably geeky singer took 11th place, and in that time he’s found an unlikely career path — acting.

After being booted from the competition, Kevin didn’t have any luck landing a record deal. He was, however, offered a starring role in the raunchy teen comedy ‘College,’ which will be released on DVD Jan. 27. And he will soon co-star alongside Lindsay Lohan in ‘Labor Pains,’ a comedy about a woman who pretends to be pregnant. He hasn’t completely given up on music, though — he has recorded songs with fellow ‘Idol’ contestant Paris Bennett and for an ‘AI’ compilation.

AOL TV recently chatted with Kevin about his time on ‘Idol,’ his budding acting career and what he thinks of the nickname Chicken Little.

AOL

American Idol Experience: Behind the songs at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Yesterday, we walked through The American Idol Experience, the upcoming attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with Disney producer Laura Offerdahl, who shared a slew of factoids. The Experience’s official opening is Feb. 14, but it’s currently in “soft opening” with a sporadic schedule. I have a what-to-expect piece coming up for print, but there were so many extra notes that I’ll post them here now. Yeah, that’s kinda bassackward, but here you go. (That’s Offerdahal pictured above, inbetween shows on Thursday. Photo by Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

+ Of the 113 songs available to sing for the live audience, only 13 are classified as “Disney songs,” and a good portion of those are Hannah Montana and High School Musical pieces. The ones from animated features include “CIrcle of Life,” “Colors of the Wind,” “Part of Your World,” and “You’ll Be in My Heart.”

+ Performances are 90-second arrangements of the songs, but they didn’t seem supershort to me. I’m guessing some songs — on the list “Bohemian Rhapsody” for example — are an abbreviated challenge. (“Thunderbolts and lightning, very, very fri —”).

Orlando Sentinel.com

Song choices count

Just ask Debra Byrd, one of the show’s vocal coaches. Although she doesn’t hear entrants in those early rounds, she watches the shows with rapt attention and shakes her head.

“Song choice has a lot to do with winning,” she says. “We’ve seen wonderful singers come in and they pick a horrible song and it doesn’t show us anything.”

The first time she and pianist Michael Orland heard La Toya London, “she chose a song that was ‘naaaah.’ I hadn’t heard her sing before and Michael hadn’t either. We looked at her song list, then we looked at each other and I said, ‘Do me a favor. Try this song.’ She was so magnificent and when she finished, Michael and I didn’t say one word. She said, ‘Oh, I guess I should change my song, huh?’ She got it and she understood.”

Some contestants, however, are determined to follow their own course. They don’t listen to the coaches’ advice and, frequently, they make bad decisions.

Sioux City Journal

‘American Idol’ judge annoyed by Utahns’ cheerfulness

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  As it turns out, Simon Cowell was highly annoyed during his visit to Salt Lake City to judge “American Idol” auditions.

Sure, Cowell told TV critics back in December that he “absolutely loved it” in Utah. But, according to Paula Abdul, that wasn’t the whole story.

“We found a lot of talent” in Utah, the “Idol” judge told the Deseret News. “And what I found was that everybody was so happy and nice that it bothered Simon. People would walk in and be so pleasant, and Simon would say, ‘What is wrong with all of you?’à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ °”

Viewers will get a chance to see how the Salt Lake auditions went on Wednesday (7 p.m., Ch. 13). Fox will devote an hourlong episode of “American Idol” to both the July open call and the September callbacks, which featured Abdul, Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

Deseret News

Cowell’s feud with The Brit Awards

X Factor supremo Simon Cowell is reportedly angry with the organisers of the Brit Awards.

A music industry insider told the Sun that some members of The Academy, who get to pick the winners, have said that they never want to see an award being won by an X Factor act.

The insider said: “Simon isn’t a big fan of the show, he has made that clear in the past. He thinks it’s snobby. But things seem to be getting worse.

“Certain leading members of The Academy have been saying they never want one of his acts to win. They are influential and could sway other people’s votes.”

Cowell’s feud with the organisers began when Leona Lewis failed to win a trophy despite being nominated for four awards.

stv.tv

Brooke Burke: Life After ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Brooke Burke is the reigning “Dancing with the Stars” champ, but right now babies, not dancing, are her priority.

“I will probably host another show,” the mother of four tells ET. “I just want to make sure it is something that I am passionate about. I am really spending a lot of time on my Internet business because I am passionate about motherhood.”

Brooke’s Internet business is babooshbaby.com, which she launched in order to sell Tauts, a post-pregnancy belly wrap that helped her get back in shape after the births of her third and fourth children. Since its launch, she has added several products — and now there is even something for men!

ET Online