Idol Headlines for 7/21/08

By On 07/21/2008 · 28 Comments · In Uncategorized

Johns, White Castro grab center stage

Chikezie Eze, kicking off American Idols Live at a packed Allstate Arena on Saturday, hit on an unfortunate truth with the first words he crooned: “One of these days you’re gonna look for me and I’ll be gone.”

Nowadays, the career-longevity of “Idol” contestants is almost on par with the life span of the common housefly. Second-season winner Ruben Studdard managed to release three albums before getting dropped by his label. Last year’s runner-up, Blake Lewis, lasted just six months before being cast aside by Arista.

Chicago Tribune

‘Idol’ runners-up ready to shine on tour

Season seven of American Idol eventually reached the battle of the two Davids, but it also offered engaging personalities in Brooke White and Jason Castro.

White, 25, was the sunny, chatty, vulnerable one from Van Nuys, Calif.

The one-time nanny flashed a smile as bright as Goldie Hawn’s and — with her flowing, golden locks — had the aura of a ’60s flower child. She also wore her emotions on her sleeve, sometimes looking nervous and teary-eyed before the judges.

No other finalist this year lived so much on the edge.

Columbus Dispatch

Spotlight On Australian Entertainers

One musician who is fully expected to follow the lead of his successful Aussie peers is American Idol contestant, Michael Johns. Although Johns, 29, lives in Los Angeles with his wife (sorry, ladies!), he was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. After the jock-turned-singer came to the United States on a tennis scholarship in 1998, he began performing with the Atlanta band Film. Johns soon caught the attention of Maverick Records execs, who signed him with a new band called The Rising. Though the band recorded an album, Maverick dropped them before it could be released. After a few close calls with fame, Johns decided to try out for “American Idol” and, when he made the Top 24, became an instant judge and fan favorite. Shockingly, Johns was eliminated during Top 8 week, causing fans of the show to cry foul. His ouster turned out to be a good thing, however, as he became a much sought-after talk show guest, was befriended by everyone from Dolly Parton to Demi Moore, and left legions of new fans clamoring for a record, which Johns is expected to start working on after the Idol tour is over.

Starplus.com

Who would be ideal mentors?

Every year, “American Idol” snags some of the biggest names in the music business to mentor and help judge the contestants.

On these guest-mentor nights, the competitors usually select a song from the guest’s catalog. In some cases, their options widen to include songs that inspired their mentors.

To prepare, the finalists and the already-idols work in one-on-one sessions to perfect the performance. The mentors are usually pleased with their students’ stab at their hits.

But on rare occasions, they’re horrified. During season six, Stefani seemed disturbed by Sanjaya Malakar’s incompetent version of “Bathwater.”

courier-journal.com

Join ‘Idol’ winner for school supplies

‘American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks is teaming up with DoSomething.org to help collect school supplies for deserving students just in time to head back to school.

Now through Aug. 31, teens can collect school supplies and drop them off at Staples stores.

Need some ideas?

Paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, dividers, rulers and note cards are just some of the items needed to help.

Staples has already kicked off the campaign by donating $50,000 in school supplies, and customers can get involved by donating $2 at any store location, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting Boys and Girls Clubs in Fontana, Redlands, San Bernardino, Beaumont, Temecula and Cathedral City.

More information about the drive can be found online at www.dosomething101.org.

svgtribune.com

Carrie Underwood Break Up Rules Help Hollywood Women

One time American Idol Carrie Underwood has he love life examined fairly well by the weekly entertainment magazines as the adorable country singer usually swerves out of Nashville and into Hollywood because of her good looks idol roots and her dating habits that include some pretty famous guys. Carrie was once with Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo and also ‘Gossip Girls’ star Chace Crawford.

OK! magazine notes that Carrie leads the way in surviving and being “better after the break up” noting that thanks to her break up rules of staying healthy and positive (the country cutie broke up with Chace Crawford in March) and she’s since become the hottest thing in country music.

National Ledger

Kim Kardashian Dragged Into American Idol Battle

It appears another cute little battle with American idol host Ryan Seacrest and bad boy British judge Simon Cowell has spilled all the way over to reality TV show and sex tape princess Kim Kardashian. According to a report from “The Enquirer” columnist Mike Walker, Ryan and Simon were doing one of their familiar “back and forth” debates on the air and the discussion spilled over into their other projects.

In the bulls eye was Kim and the rest of the Kardashian family, the report claims. According to the report from Walker, while taking a break from “American Idol” in London, Simon Cowell phoned Ryan Seacrest’s LA radio show to promote his TV reality hit “America’s Got Talent.”

National Ledger

Jordin Sparks Coming to Atlanta August 31

Jordin Sparks is coming to Atlanta to perform after the US 10K race, a charity event on Cobb Parkway in Vinings September 1 at a post-race concert.

If you volunteer for the race, you can get in free to see Jordin.

Here is the actual event, based on the Web site:

The U.S. 10K Classic is Atlantaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s premier multi-event road race, bringing runners, walkers, inline skaters, wheelchair athletes and professional cyclists together for a single cause – raising awareness and funds for childrenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s charities in Georgia and for the future development of the World Childrenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Center.

Access Atlanta

Happy birthday, Blake Lewis!

To honor American Idol’s season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis on his birthday*, I will risk the scorn and ridicule of those who have not heard his underappreciated Audio Day Dream by embedding the disc’s best track, “Know My Name” (featuring Lupe Fiasco), below. I’ll admit, the Audio Day Dream CD cover was hella bunky, and yes, I spent more on my breakfast (a sesame seed bagel and a bottle of Diet Coke) than Arista Records’ total budget for Lewis’s pitiful debut video for “Break Anotha,” but all that aside, I dare you to press play on the track below and tell me it wouldn’t have been a sizable hit if the dude had gotten even a modicum of support from his label.

Entertainment Weekly

So You Think You Can Dance: FOX Summer Press Tour

Here are some great photos of the stars of So You Think You Can Dance as they attended and performed at the FOX TCA press event at the Santa Monica Pier on July 14. Check it out:

Dance Watcher.com

 
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  • http://myspace.com/susanatfox sumidol

    I see Brooke and Jason getting better and better press these days but Jason just cant seem to shake somes opinion of him as the gentle stoner dude. Kristy Lee has been getting some not so nice press and she is the one with the record contract. Hello – record producers – Jason and Brooke are worthy of this too!

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    From Bo’s myspace…

    Bo will be appearing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Sunday, August 31, 2008.

  • kimconmom

    I think Jason (and Brooke) are making a lot of people sit up and take notice. Just because you’re not a “belter” type of singer doesn’t mean that people don’t enjoy and appreciate your “style” of singing and music. I see these two as a throw-back of the old “story-time” singers, ala Carole King, Jim Croce, etc. I believe there is a huge mass market for this type of entertainer and I truly hope that they both have great careers ahead of them.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Everything You Need To Know to Audition for ‘American Idol’

    The eighth season of Fox’s ratings topper American Idol (NWS) is underway. Already thousands have waited up nine hours outside of The Cow Palace, in San Francisco, waiting for their turn.

    Thinking of joining them? There are a few things you should know.

    These are open auditions. As we know being musically inclined is not a requirement. (See Season 4à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s William Hung.) But first, you should assess your eligibility: Age, citizenship and previous participation are the key variables…

  • elle

    I will be in line to buy Brooke and Jason CD’s. I love their style and their live performances are both much better IMO than on the show.

    Doesn’t the Chicago review sound a lot like one from LA I think it was? I wonder if the guy even went to the concert or just copied.

  • KrazeeK120

    I just read the top article, the one from the Tribune, and I don’t really agree with what a lot of that writer said.

    I was at the Chicago concert myself, and I do agree that Brooke and Jason were excellent. However, I thought Syesha recovered from the microphone mix-up quite well. In fact, I thought her 3rd song was the most impressive number of the night. And no, I’m no Syesha fan. I did think that Archie was boring as usual, and Kristy Lee was boring too. I actually didn’t think Rami was bad…at all. I was expecting atrocity after a lot of the reviews I read, but I enjoyed her set. I didn’t think it was all that impressive, but it was cute and held my attention better than a lot of the others. I thought Michael brought nothing new, and was therefore sort of boring…he didn’t even sing any new songs. That kind of bugged me…I’ve heard you sing ALL of those songs before, buddy. How about something new and fresh?

    And I can tell you that the Davids got more applause than the cannon-shooting Pop Tart. The screams for Archie were deafening. I’m sure the screams for Cook were, too, but I’m not sure because I was screaming along with the rest of ‘em.

  • gingerly

    I was there too and I think the writer of this article was smoking what he claims Jason does. I agree with you Krazee, Rami was cute and sweet and not bad at all. Syesha recovered very nicely and I think the screams were higher pitched for Archie but I bet the decibel level was just as high for Cook.

  • aly

    It is his opinion. So Michael, Jason and Brooke got the best reviews.
    I’ll have to wait until I go, but from videos I’m sure I’ll agree on the
    Michael and Jason part. No everyone is in love with the Davids.
    Michael’s set sure sound and reads like it is a crowd pleaser, hearing
    it was boring was a new one.

  • mac

    Happy Birthday Blake!

    Loved the link to Michael Slezak’s article about Blake’s album. I agree with him. Blake’s album ADD is very unappreciated. It really is a great album, and as he points out, the lack of support on Arista’s part was just horrible.

  • georgestraight

    I think Brooke’s reviews on a whole have been very positive. Rarely do I see a review where it says she does horrible. I think she is setting herself up pretty nicely for a future career whatever that may be.

  • Natasha

    Jason and Brooke have been getting very good reviews and I hope they both get deals and are around for a long time. Enough with the stoner stuff though. Lol.

  • Jolene

    It is his opinion. So Michael, Jason and Brooke got the best reviews….
    No everyone is in love with the Davids.

    I can understand not every critic is going to love the Davids, but the level of screams is not a matter of taste, it’s a fact, and I’ve read enough fan recaps to know that the screams were defeaning for both Archie and Cookie in Chicago.
    So… that part of the review just makes me question whether the guy was even there.

  • georgestraight

    How big is the market for pre-teens? Aren’t the majority of the screams coming from them? I think the older crowd digs the other contestants more.

  • TylerWV

    Im a little confused about Kristys reviews. The early reviews here said she was surprisingly good, now they are all panning her. Has she changed her set? Also, today on CMT Insider program, it showed a brief glimpse of Kristy in the recording booth. It said on next week’s show you would get a look at her new single she is recording.

  • IGetCranked

    I agree Jolene and it makes the rest of his article unbelievable.

  • ianamy

    It said on next weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s show you would get a look at her new single she is recording.

    Does this mean she will perform the song on tour?

  • KrazeeK120

    I think the screams were higher pitched for Archie but I bet the decibel level was just as high for Cook.

    Maybe that’s why I found the Archie screaming more painful than the Cook screaming. I really thought my ears were going to burst. I definitely did NOT feel like that while the Pop Tart was shooting t-shirts into the audience, although people were quite excited about that too!

    the level of screams is not a matter of taste, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a fact, and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve read enough fan recaps to know that the screams were defeaning for both Archie and Cookie in Chicago.

    Exactly. My ears rung all night after I got out of there.

  • skylight1219

    I think the reviews are different depending on the part of the country you are in. Chicago isn’t well known to be a big country venue. Not to my knowledge, any way. Even though I’m not a fan of either Davids, I think they are decent guys. Just not my cup-o-tea. However, I love their interviews, just not their music.

  • hicksaholic

    I’m so happy to hear Jason and Brooke are getting good reviews. After Taylor I think AI is only happy with one type of winner -one that sings a populer genre of music. I personally find Jason and Brooke (and obviously Taylor) to be so much more interesting to listen to than the same old rock and country stuff. Not taking anything away from the others talent but I don’t think AI will ever welcome anybody outside of the mainstream again and to me that’s sad.

  • barefootgirl

    It’s nice that Jason is getting positive recognition. Seems he’s overcome the undeserved bad press he got in his final weeks. I’ll take it for now, even if I have to put with the stoner boy comments. They’ll get it right eventually.

    RE: the tribune article: I take it to mean HE didn’t feel the Davids’ performances were even good enough to deserve the crowds excitement over T-shirts. Very sarcastic way of saying HE didn’t like them. NOT that the crowd didn’t. They surely did. My ears were still ringing this morning.

    though neither performance earned the applause afforded the air-cannon-wielding toaster pastry that warmed up the crowd by launching T-shirts into the upper decks.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Ramiele’s blog

    Sunday, July 20, 2008

    I might have been misunderstood

    I may have been misunderstood about my giving fans after-show meet and greet passes. If I feel that you are a genuine and sincere Ramiele fan I have no problem giving out a pass to you. However making a sign for me but wearing a David Cook or David Archuleta shirt, just to get to the after party doesnt come across as being a sincere fan. I feel like I am being used. There are those true fans who deserve to meet everyone after. Please dont use me it really is not a good feeling and I dont appreciate being used. Thank you again and for my fans who dedicate their time and effort to make signs and wait for autographs I LOVE YOU and I can deffinitely feel you arent just using me.

    Ramiele

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Elliott Yamin 30th Birthday Party pics

    (thanks to the flipside and the etrain)

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    I hardly think the Trib writer would make up a review without attending the show. :laugh_tb: I mean, it’s a major well-respected paper. I agree with barefootgirl that he was just snarking on the Davids with that comment. Besides, Rory did help the PopTarts stir up the crowd pre-concert and it was also deafening. I remember shaking my head at the peeps who followed his instructions to make noise for no real reason except he said so.

    But anyway, perceptions on the applause-o-meter can vary depending on the seat. I may not agree with the trib writer, but I’m not gonna cry foul just because I don’t share his opinion. Actually, he didn’t really say anything that terrible about either David. An argument could be made that Archie does sing songs too old for him (it was made on this very blog all season) and that Cookie favors the 90s sound (another argument that has been made here). He certainly didn’t say they sounded bad.

    Oh, and I like some country, but I didn’t enjoy KLC, either.

    ETA: Ramiele, it was bound to happen. I’m glad you can see through it. LOL.

  • AInoob

    I’m not sure where to post this, or if anyone is even interested in seeing it since its a week old, but I just saw this clip and got a real kick out of it: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Nwm1QB7yJw

    Brookie and Cookie are back at it, and Jason is stocking up the Chicken Chuckers to get back at Cookie for throwing things at him all day! LOL

    * credit to blue_sky78 at dc.org for posting this link up for all to see *

  • spritely

    Alnoob, thanks! That was really cute.

  • primeminister

    Ramieleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s blog

    Sunday, July 20, 2008

    I might have been misunderstood

    I may have been misunderstood about my giving fans after-show meet and greet passes. If I feel that you are a genuine and sincere Ramiele fan I have no problem giving out a pass to you. However making a sign for me but wearing a David Cook or David Archuleta shirt, just to get to the after party doesnt come across as being a sincere fan. I feel like I am being used. There are those true fans who deserve to meet everyone after. Please dont use me it really is not a good feeling and I dont appreciate being used. Thank you again and for my fans who dedicate their time and effort to make signs and wait for autographs I LOVE YOU and I can deffinitely feel you arent just using me.

    Ramiele

    Didn’t mj call it? Haha, at least Ramiele was quick to catch on.
    As long as the fans aren’t doing it to get a backstage pass, I see nothing wrong in carrying a Ramiele sign wearing a David shirt. Can’t a person be a “sincere” and “genuine” fan of more than one contestant? IMO, the lower ranking idols who’re having a tough time dealing with the fans or more popular idols just need to understand that people don’t need to like JUST YOU to be a true fan.

  • awilliams

    I do hope things go well for Ramiele. I figured out who she reminds me of…Ronnie Spector. I always loved Ronnie Spector’s Be My Baby

  • snuffles

    Silly Ramiele. If she had bothered to think it through a bit, it would have been pretty obvious that’s exactly what was going to happen.