The Voice contestant, Judith Hill, will appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Casey James has been added to the Friday Night Opry bill. Lauren Alaina, and Carrie Underwood (who is headlining and celebrating 5 years as an Opry member) are already scheduled.
Kree Harrison will sing the National Anthem at Saturday’s CMA Fest Annual Softball game. She’ll also be playing.
Janelle Arthur tweets, “I will have a big announcement soon! Hopefully not too far away.. #cant #wait #to #tell #you” Hm. Wonder what it could be?
Scotty McCreery tweets, “Just cut a beautiful song in the studio im in love with. A simple acoustic song with a little dobro, fiddle, and mandolin. #keepingitcountry”
‘American Idol’ is last decade’s craze, with only Ryan Seacrest hanging on for the final ride – “American Idol” may have several problems, but only one really matters: It’s getting old. Sadly, that isn’t easily fixable. Since the disastrous season 12 came to a merciful end last month, following the personnel moves on “Idol” has been like watching someone clean the kitchen with a bulldozer. Judges, producers, bosses — all in a heap in the backyard. And in the end, it won’t matter. TV shows age in dog years, and old TV shows are like old dogs. They may be just as sweet and the family may still love them, but they aren’t ever going to be the same. – Read more at the Daily News
All the Scoop on Kellie Pickler’s CMT Awards Gown (Like Why She Almost Didn’t Wear It!) – Since she couldn’t miss her DWTS appearance (and it’s a good thing she didn’t, considering she went on to win the mirror ball), the Jean Fares ended up sitting in her closet, unused. But when it came time to choose her ensemble for the CMTs, rather than going back to the drawing board, she said, “You know what? Let’s save the hassle of looking for anything. I want to wear that dress.” – Read more at People
Carrie Underwood: American Idol Hasn’t Asked Me to Be a Judge – Despite reports the Idol showrunners want former contestants as season 13 judges, Underwood says she won’t be returning to the Fox show for multiple reasons. “I haven’t been asked,” the country cutie revealed to E! News at last night’s CMT Awards. “My world’s pretty busy. I have The Sound of Music this fall so even if they did ask I’d be like, ‘Eh, I don’t know. I don’t think that would work.'” Underwood added, “But who would know better than people who had already been through it all?” – Read more at E News
Idol champ Kris Allen opens Max and Emily’s Summer Concert series – “I got the cast off last week after the second surgery, and it will be good to get back on stage and enjoy a great night doing something I love – singing, playing and making music,” he says, adding that the need for a follow-up surgical procedure was not unexpected. “We knew there was a chance that it (the wrist) might not heal properly after the initial surgery. This will be a long process, but it’s good to know what the state of my wrist will be going forward and be able to come to terms with that.” – Read more at The Morning Sun
Life after ‘American Idol’: Skylar Laine chases country dream to Music City – “I always keep my singing and my regular life separate. I always make time for family and friends. I love Mississippi and I don’t think anyone ever shakes off the influence of where they’re from,” Skylar said. Like her original song, “Nothing Grows in the Shade,” goes, Skylar couldn’t stay in her hometown forever. Two months ago, she moved to Nashville to live out a dream of chasing a country music career she’s had in her mind way before “American Idol” was a reality. She’s been spending more time making connections in the music industry and writing with songwriters like Jeremy Strover and Hillary Lindsey while working toward a record deal. – Read more at DJJournal
Nikki Reed & Paul McDonald Perform Together in L.A. – Guests at an event in West Hollywood were in for a rare treat from Nikki Reed and hubby, Paul McDonald on Tuesday night. The former Twilight actress and American Idol alum performed three co-written acoustic songs at Erik Wahl’s UNthink: Rediscover Your Creative Genius book launch, where Reed couldn’t keep her eyes off her man while they were on stage. – Read more at People
The Voice’s Judith Hill on Reworking Bieber & Xtina and Coping With Front-Runner Pressure – It’s a little unnerving to be pereceived as a front-runner in a reality singing competition, says Judith Hill. “It creates a weird pressure that you didn’t really sign up for,” says the woman whose ouster at the end of The Voice‘s Season 4 Top 8 results telecast caught many fans off guard. Of course, given Hill’s status as Michael Jackson’s backup singer and duet partner while preparing for his ill-fated “This Is It” tour — combined with a sensational Christina Aguilera cover that earned a four-judge turn during the Blind Auditions — it would’ve been hard for her to fly under the radar. – Read more at TV Line
‘The Voice’: Cassadee Pope’s advice for the Top 5 – “People need to not think that they are comfortable and safe,” she adds. “Even the winner. Like, you’re not gonna stop, you know? Just because you won doesn’t mean everything’s gonna come to you. I mean, I’ve been out there on the road, just promoting and pushing the single, hanging out with radio people … It’s hard work. Keep working.” – Read more at Zap2it
Darren Criss talks about his time at University of Michigan, Team StarKid, and ‘Glee’ – At the time of Criss’ phone interview, a group of 6 of his old U-M friends—musicians who are performing as his backup band on the “Listen Up!” tour—were camped out at his home in L.A. “There’s a whole lot of chainsaw juggling happening right now, because I’m essentially running a Wolverine orphanage in my house,” said Criss. “Plus, I was trying to get home early from rehearsal so we could watch Michelle Chamuel on ‘The Voice.’ I knew her in school (at U-M), and I played with her a few times. So Michigan is alive and well and running rampant in my house right now.” – Read more at AnnArbor.com
