Idol Headlines for 2/04/09

Kelly Clarkson Gets What She Wants

Kelly Clarkson’s a little bit country, but a whole lotta rock ‘n’ roll. The original ‘American Idol’ is thawing from an ice storm at her Texas home when she talks to PopEater, her sentences sounded excitedly and in a sweet Southern drawl. It’s just one day after Clarkson’s new single, ‘My Life Would Suck Without You,’ shattered a record on the Billboard Hot 100, with the largest leap to No. 1 in the chart’s 50-year history. The ascent comes just in time, following what many considered a disappointing third album — ‘My December’ — and the reported brouhaha with label head Clive Davis that came with it. Still, ‘My Life’ finds the tiny Texan doing what she does best: peppering pop with some serious guitar chugs, a voice to match the Sirens and a middle finger served with a smile. Today, Clarkson’s got some confessions to make, just ahead of her new album, ‘All I Ever Wanted.’ For the record, she’s still yet to fall in love — and if she did, it wouldn’t be with a woman.

Popeater

Hough, Pickler, Rimes and Simpson Will Announce ACM Nominations

Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Jessica Simpson will announce the nominees for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards during a Feb. 11 press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The 44th annual ACM Awards show is scheduled for April 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show will be broadcast live on CBS.

CMT

Clay Aiken to appear on ‘America’s Next Top Model’

EW has learned exclusively that American Idol’s season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken will participate in an acting challenge with the ladies — and serve as a guest judge on the panel — in an April episode of America’s Next Top Model. Ciara will also stop by for a photo shoot that week but — ah, who cares! Claymates set your Tivo now! The series’ 12th cycle kicks off Feb. 25 on The CW.

Hollywood Insider

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ heads to Hollywood

The first of “Idol’s” Hollywood episodes this season focused on the first two days at the Kodak Theatre, where the field of contestants was cut from 147 to 104. Most of the hour was spent on those who made it through to Wednesday’s group sing. The meek who accepted their fate quietly did not inherit much of “Idol’s” precious airtime.

MSNBC

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

Phil Stacey Blog: Welcome to Hollywood

Idol_02judgeswall_00451 Hollywood is my new favorite part of the “American Idol” season. I remember how awesome it was to be there, watching all the other people sing and trying to guess which contestants would become finalists.

The episode starts with Ryan introducing the Kodak Theatre, which is where the finale is generally held. Almost 150 people have made it this far.

LA Times

Hurray for Hollywood Week

Along the American Idol trail — a slow, arduous climb up an increasingly steep cliff — Hollywood Week represents a sudden detour into a demolition derby. For the rest of the season, contestants will be executed at a gentlemanly once-a-week pace (or a bit more in the Top 36 rounds), but for this one segment, death does not take a stately stroll across the Idol set, but rampages across, a rabid dog unleashed seeking to bury his fangs in any victim at hand.

LA Times

High Notes and Howlers: Hollywood Week almost focuses on music

It began with an operatic flourish and some well-tempered words from sugar-pop zaide Barry Manilow: Success, said the barrel-voiced balladeer, occurs when preparation meets opportunity. Framing round one of Hollywood Week with that statement set up tonight’s episode as one that would offer many dazzling high points, as performers with enough experience and talent to shine step forth to distinguish themselves and advance.

LA Times

‘American Idol’: Hollywood Week gets off to an interesting start

‘Twas two weeks before the semis, and all through the house
My obsession with Idol worked the nerves of my spouse
The contestants were singing at the Kodak with panic
For Hollywood Week makes these young singers manic

Popwatch

Bikini Girl got game! Simon (and Randy, I guess) got it right

Is Katrina Darrell the best singer on this year’s American Idol? Hell no. Is she the prettiest girl in the competition? Hell no. Did she bring the game to deserve getting through last night? Hell yes! Listen, I saw Simon blush when she first walked out, and I know he is thinking with the wrong head when he judges her (Randy too, I guess, though I guarantee he falls in line once Simon finally decides she doesn’t make the cut). But the American Idol crown doesn’t simply go to the singer with the best voice. If it did, Melinda Doolittle would’ve won last year, and Taylor Hicks would’ve been sent packing long before his embarrassing “SOUL PATROLLLL!!!” incidents.

Popwatch

‘American Idol’ recap: (Not So) Super Cuts

In American Idol’s previous seven seasons, Hollywood Week has often unfolded like a ridiculous soap opera, so I guess it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that the first night of season 8′s edition tried (with varying degrees of success) to follow a script straight off the set of daytime drama. There was the plucky heroine with the big smile (Lil Rounds) and the leading man with the tragic past (Danny Gokey). There was the adorable ingà ©nue (Jasmine Murray) and the sexy geek (Anoop Desai). And with the presence of ”Norman Gentle” and ”Bikini Girl,” the roles of ”comic” relief and trashy villainess were covered. Heck, even the cannon-fodder came through brilliantly, popping up out of nowhere, then getting dispatched with all the fanfare of an extra on Lost who utters a line or two, then ends up with a flaming arrow sticking out of his chest.

Entertainment Weekly

Anoop, there he is!

CHAPEL HILL – Success on television’s “American Idol” may be nothing new to North Carolinians, but UNC master’s student Anoop Desai brings the hit show even closer to home for Chapel Hill fans.

Previous American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino (High Point) and finalists Clay Aiken (Raleigh), Chris Daughtry (McLeansville), Kellie Pickler (Albemarle) and Bucky Covington (Rockingham) all hail from the Old North State. There must be something in the water.

Chapel Hill News

Our Favorite American Idol Contestants Going into Hollywood Week

Will the next ‘American Idol’ be Leneshe Young (pictured), Lil Rounds, Casey Carlson or Anne Marie Boskovitch in this season of female-dominated talent? Or will someone like Anoop Desai, Matt Breitzke, Danny Gokey or Scott MacIntyre sneak into the top slot?

Below are four lists of contestants I and three of my Newsday colleagues — our TV critic Verne Gay, and our ‘Idol Psychics’ Ronnie Gill and Dan Bubbeo — will be rooting for going into the Hollywood round.*

Newsday

Carrie Underwood’s Stylist Talks Fashion and the Grammys

It’s almost Grammy time and we can’t wait to see what the stars will wear on music’s biggest night. We spoke with Carrie Underwood’s stylist, Trish Townsend, to get the insider scoop on dressing a celeb and to pick up some hints on the Idol alum’s Grammy garb. Based out of Nashville, Trish boasts a bevy of country singer clients and has been in the business for 18 years — as she said, “Way before being a stylist was cool.” She told us all about working with Carrie, her go-to designers and how the country superstar’s style has developed since American Idol.

Film.com

‘American Idol’ Finalist Meets With Fans

Archuleta, who became one of the show’s youngest finalists, made an appearance at Kiss 95.1 FM and Lite Rock 99.3 FM to hang out with about 20 fans who won a contest to meet him.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Oh, we’re so excited,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  said Amy Rathgeber, a David Archuleta fan. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“And I got the CD signed.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Yeah, we are so excited. I got my drum sticks signed,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  said Zack Ballagh.

cfnews13.com

David Cook’s Self Titled Debut CD is Certified Platinum by the RIAA for Sales Exceeding 1 Million Units

Last Season’s American Idol Winner Kicks off his first Headline tour “The Declaration Tour – 2009″ in Tallahassee, FL on February 13th

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ — David Cook’s self titled debut CD has been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding 1 million units. American Idol Cook is set to kick off his first headline tour, “The Declaration Tour – 2009″ in Tallahassee, FL on February 13th.

Released on November 18th, 2008, David Cook (19 Recordings / RCA Records) entered the Billboard charts at #3 and the digital album charts at #1, marking the best debut from an American Idol winner since 2006. Collectively the songs from David Cook have sold over 2 million tracks and ringtones combined. The first single, “Light On,” dominated the AOL Top 40 radio chart with 8 (non consecutive) weeks at #1 and is currently Top 10 at Hot AC radio and still growing. In late September “Light On” premiered on AOL Music’s pop culture news site, PopEater.com, receiving over 1 million plays in less than a week.

PR Newswire

Dolly Parton, Ronnie Dunn, Kellie Pickler Sing for Music School

Dolly Parton, Ronnie Dunn and Kellie Pickler were among the many musical acts performing Monday night (Feb. 2) at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon during the second annual Gift of Music concert presented by the Dustin J. Wells Foundation. Money raised from the night’s ticket sales, including $500 VIP tickets, benefited the W.O. Smith Nashville Community School to help funding for musical equipment for underprivileged children. Over a dozen acts took the stage throughout the course of the evening with Dunn performing the Brooks & Dunn hits “Neon Moon,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Play Something Country” and “Red Dirt Road.” Parton later took the stage to perform classics such as “Two Doors Down,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “I Will Always Love You” and “9 to 5″ with Kellie Pickler. Pickler performed “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” “I Wonder” and “Red High Heels.” Other performers during the evening included Jennifer Hanson, Mark Nesler, Shannon Brown, Gunnar Nelson and members of the rock bands Slaughter and Night Ranger.

CMT

Melinda Doolittle Looks Back, Steps Up

Our look at the closing lines of the week’s biggest new-music reviews continues with a roundup of reactions to the first post-American Idol album by season six finalist Melinda Doolittle, Coming Back To You:

Idolator

Melinda Doolittle is back; the critics speak

Season 6 “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle is back with today’s release of her two-years-in-the-making album “Coming Back to You” on Hi Fi Recordings. Earning an overall Metacritic score of 80, the reviews seem to range from respectful to very enthusiastic.

EW’s Mikael Wood gave Melinda a B+ writing:

“Doolittle channels Tina à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¨Turner and Aretha Franklin over live-band arrangements that feel fresh-faced and old-school at the same time. In ‘I’ll Never Stop Loving You,’ she even uncovers an improbable reserve of torch-song sex appeal.”

However, Chris Rizik of Soul Tracks isn’t impressed, although he hasn’t lost faith in Doolittle’s vocal talents.

LA Times

American Idol Former Finalist, Brooke White, Helps Teens Cast Flu Prevention Vote

No teenager wants their Facebook status to read “Home with the flu,” when their friends are all out having fun. That is why singer/songwriter and former American Idol finalist, Brooke White, is teaming up with infectious diseases specialist and author, Dr. Harley Rotbart, and The Clorox Company to launch “I Don’t Want to Miss…,” a national contest that puts teens in the spotlight to talk about flu education and prevention and the special events in their life they don’t want to miss.

The heart of the “I Don’t Want to Miss…” program is a Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest that lets teens do the talking. Teens can submit video entries at www.IDontWanttoMiss.com, highlighting what they don’t want to miss. A judges’ panel will select five finalists, but the winner will be America’s choice, through an online vote for the favorite video. The student that submits the winning video will receive a personal appearance and acoustic concert by Brooke White for his or her school!

Earthtimes

Show jumps but stage is too big

There’s a reason Ruben Studdard took home the gold during the second season of “American Idol.” The man knows how to connect with an audience.

That was evident from the moment he walked on stage Tuesday night in “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” the 30th anniversary tour of the Tony Award-winning musical featuring the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller.

Studdard has a smile that can light up the BJCC Concert Hall. He has an old-school style that suits him, particularly when singing too.

AL.com

Ruben Studdard shines in otherwise ordinary “Ain’t Misbehavin’” in Birmingham

There’s a reason why Ruben Studdard took home the gold during the second season of “American Idol.” The man knows how to connect with an audience.

That was evident from the moment he walked on stage Tuesday night in “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” the 30th anniversary tour of the Tony Award-winning musical featuring the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller.

AL.com

Simon Cowell’s high definition make-up

Simon Cowell uses special make-up to appear flawless on TV.

The music mogul – who recently split from his long-term girlfriend Terri Seymour – reportedly insists his make-up artist uses cosmetics which hide his imperfections on high definition TV.

A source said: “Simon always likes to look his best and with high definition making the picture even more crystal clear, it’s no wonder he wants to make sure all his imperfections are covered up.”

My Park Mag.co.uk

Simon Cowell ‘asks Victoria Beckham to join X Factor’

The former Spice Girl was said to be considering an offer of more than  £1million a series in a move which could help her invigorate her showbusiness career.

Mr Cowell wanted her to replace Miss Minogue before the new series of the highly-popular ITV programme in the autumn, the story claimed.

Mrs Beckham, 34, has been living in Los Angeles with her children while her husband David plays football for the LA Galaxy.

But if he transfers to AC Milan, where he is currently on loan, she could consider moving back to Europe and joining X Factor.

Telegraph.co.uk

FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA HOLDS OPEN CASTING AUDITION IN NASHVILLE FOR SEASON TWO OF “CAN YOU DUET” ON CMT

FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA HOLDS OPEN CASTING AUDITION IN NASHVILLE FOR SEASON TWO OF “CAN YOU DUET” ON CMT

“American Idol” Producers Seeking the Best Single and Duet Performers in the Country

BURBANK, CA CAN YOU DUET, which debuted last year as the highest-rated series premiere ever for CMT when it launched in April, is back for a second season to discover the next “Johnny Cash & June Carter”, “Tim McGraw & Faith Hill”, “Big & Rich” or “The Judds”.

FremantleMedia North America, producers of “American Idol,” and CMT will hold an open call audition on Saturday, March 7 for thousands of country star hopefuls at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee. Slated for Summer 2009, the weekly series is designed to find Americas next great country music duo.

The Futon Critic

Dancers fill the streets of Miami

MIAMI (WFLX) – Dancers by the hundreds lined the streets of downtown Miami waiting their turn to audition for the Fox show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.

Michelle May, auditioning, said, “I’m ready to take critiquing, criticism and hopefully some compliments. I’m in line with almost a thousand dancers, and that’s awesome.”

Rachel asked, “Are you looking like them as competition though?”

“Yeah, yeah they are,” Michelle admitted.

WFLXFox

So all of these people think they can dance

The scene outside Miami’s Knight Concert Hall on a chilly Tuesday morning: hundreds of people prancing, jumping and doing cartwheels.

The prize: a chance to compete as America’s favorite dancer on the popular Fox television show So You Think You Can Dance. The competition: only about 700 men and women from all over South Florida.

Miami Herald

Hundreds audition for TV’s `So You Think You Can Dance’

The sidewalk outside the Knight Concert Hall in Miami Tuesday morning was a sea of mohawks, leotards and dance duffel bags.

Hundreds of people lined up for a chance to dance their way to stardom, a shot at showing the producers of the Fox television show So You Think You Can Dance that they are worthy of being called America’s favorite dancer.

Miami Herald

ABC TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW CAST OF “DANCING WITH THE STARS” IN A SPECIAL PRIMETIME ‘ALL NIGHT NAME DROP’ HOSTED BY TOM BERGERON, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8

ABC TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW CAST OF “DANCING WITH THE STARS” IN A SPECIAL PRIMETIME ‘ALL NIGHT NAME DROP’ HOSTED BY TOM BERGERON, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8

Cast Members Will Be Revealed in Interstitials Throughout ABC’s Sunday Night Lineup

ABC.com Will Post the Names as They’re Revealed On Air

First Live In-Studio Interview with a Cast Member on “Good Morning America,” Monday, February 9

Cast Member to Appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Tuesday, February 10

The Futon Critic