Read more Idol interviews from last week’s tour junket from Reality Rocks. Andre, Heejun and Erika, Skylar, Elise and Colton, Jessica, Joshua and Hollie

‘American Idol’s’ Casey Abrams’ Debut Album: Track-By-Track (Exclusive) – Abrams co-wrote and sang every song (fellow Idol alum Haley Reinhart joins him for one cover, “Hit the Road Jack”) as well as played bass, acoustic guitar, drums, Wurlitzer and even recorder on the album. With singles “Get Out, and “Simple Life” available on iTunes early, Abrams runs through the rest of his self-titled debut (out this week) in this exclusive track-by-track. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter

Exclusive Pics! Kelly Clarkson Hits Up The Cheesecake Factory With New Boyfriend Brandon Blackstock! – We caught up with makeup-free Kelly Clarkson and her new boyfriend Brandon Blackstock as the two enjoyed a long lunch at The Cheesecake Factory at the Sherman Oaks Galleria Mall. Kelly has admitted that she lost weight for Brandon – we’re guessing the Cheesecake Factory wasn’t a part of that plan! But hey, Kelly’s looking great and is clearly happy – an occasional 2,000 calorie meal isn’t the end of the world, right? – See the photos at InfDaily.com

Kellie Pickler packs lunches, fights child hunger at Second Harvest Food Bank - Country star Kellie Pickler paid a visit to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee on Tuesday to help spread the word about child hunger in the United States. Picker is the national spokesperson for the ConAgra Foods Foundation Hunger-Free Summer program, which provides children from low-income families with nutritious meal in the summer months. “I was really surprised at how many kids go hungry during the summertime, just because they rely on the school meals for food,” Pickler said.

Tennessean.com

Why Kellie Pickler Loves Going Glam — But Prefers to Be ‘Just Kellie’ – “If you could just walk down the red carpet in your PJs and a ponytail that would be much more comfortable,” she jokes in the clip above. “I save my glamorous looks for work. And when I’m not working, I’m just Kellie.” – Read more at People.com

Taylor Hicks begins eight-week summer run at Bally’s – When “American Idol” Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks takes the stage at Bally’s tonight to start an eight-week summer run, not only does a dream come true for him, but he also becomes the first winner or finalist of the Fox hit to also have a Strip residency. Until now, the kid who purchased his first harmonica for $2 when he was 16 has only played one-night guest gigs here for corporate parties. Taylor will play the Indigo at Bally’s five nights a week for eight weeks, and insiders tell me that if Taylor and Bally’s are happy with the results, the run could be extended. He promises some “American Idol” hits and some Las Vegas show tunes for his “Soul Patrol” fans. – Read more at Las Vegas Sun

Ford taps Ryan Seacrest for 2013 Fusion campaign – Ford Motor Co. has teamed with radio and television star Ryan Seacrest to pitch the revamped 2013 Ford Fusion. Seacrest, host of “American Idol,” will drive an advertising and social media campaign known as “Random Acts of Fusion.” The campaign aims to introduce the Fusion prior to its fall launch by playing out a story on the Web, radio and TV. – Read more at The Detroit News

Rachel Crow Calls Tearful ‘X Factor’ Elimination a ‘Highlight’, Talks Touring With Big Time Rush (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO) -
Celebuzz caught up with Crow and talked about what life has been like for her over the last six months, and believe it or not, she referred to her shocking elimination as a “highlight.” Crow told us, “I think it was one of the strongest performances I’ve ever done, and so hopefully I went out on top. It was really important to me that I got my music out, and going on tour this summer, I’m so excited. I hope everything turns out well.” – See the Video at Celebuzz

The Glee Project co-winner Samuel Larson is an addition to the cast of Claire’s Cambodia. The sibling comedy-drama, produced by The Hunger Games screenwriter Billy Ray and directed by Stacy Sherman, stars the recently signed Shannon Woodward as well as Mary Kay Place and Sarah Paulson. Larson, who will play the boyfriend of the youngest of the three sisters, is repped by SDB Partners. – Read more at Deadline

 
  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JKPGOWSHLKLHHRL7DORPZXZ2NI Valarie

    On last night’s Hell’s Kitchen episode, they fed boxers, so maybe on Lee’s episode, they feed singers?????   I wonder if there will be any other Idols involved? 

  • Anonymous

    ”He’s about to get much bigger. In 2009 he was the runner up on American Idol. Three years later he has a Grammy nomination, a number 1 album, and a legion of fans in the states…”

    ^^^Music to my ears:)

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/DJ4FPAE2BM4XDCNVQITJSS3S2Q Sue

    “I went to a wedding once that happened on New Years Eve, and I met a chick, and there was something a little special there. Kind of cinematic in the way it happened.”
    LOL Casey got lucky at James’ wedding, nice! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002166668687 Ali Goria

    Yep, the IT factor. 

    “the type of music you’re making”, “right place, right time”, “relationships”, “at the end of the day it’s all business”.  

    By jove, I think he’s got it. And always did, imo.

  • asifclueless

    Adam is on BBC Radio 2 NOW!!

     http://beta.bbc.co.uk/radio2

  • Tess

    The peeps who make it long term in the business are usually those who are business savy on their own merits or are smart enough to hire someone who will help them figure it out.  The ones that usually crash and burn are those with little common sense and who seem to overly trust those around them.  The recording industry and music in general is damn big business and if you can’t figure out where best to put your toe in the water you’re doomed.  And, if you decide not “to play the game” it doesn’t matter how great your material or your talent….eventually no one will care.

     

  • YankeeFan08

    Another good interview and they played NCOE!  I love that the DJ said “in a matter of a few weeks, the whole country will know who you are”. 

  • asifclueless

     Adam’s interview  BBC  Radio2  on SoundCloud.

    http://t.co/ZtRWpf2M

  • Anonymous

    moved to 6/27 headline thread

  • Anonymous

     ”Wow.  Elise spills to Lyndsey Parker that she will possibly have Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks collaborating on her album.”

    Now that is sounding totally cool.hat is a collaboration I could get really really excited about. What an awesome touring mate Susan would make for Elise!. So does this mean that Elise has a record contract?

  • Anonymous

     Maybe it was one of Heidi’s 5 younger sisters? Or maybe one of them is older. I don’t know. But Heidi and James are very very excited about Casey’s album. Heidi started talking about it on facebook a couple weeks ago and James sent the most enthusiastic tweet to Casey the other day congratulating him. OK – I want to know more – lol!