Lee DeWyze has some new concert dates. His mini-tour begins on October 27 in Fairfield CT. Check out the dates and ticket information HERE.

Christina Grimmie Presents “The Road Show” – Episode 5 Idol Chat

Christina and Colton Dixon interview each other.

Carrie Underwood Among Stars Set for CMT’s ‘Empowering Education’ Initiative

CMT, a unit of Viacom, Inc., has launched a new pro-social initiative, CMT EMPOWERING EDUCATION, which challenges CMT viewers to pursue post-secondary education with the creation of the website, CMTEMPOWERINGEDUCATION.com – a one-stop resource providing information on schools, career paths, motivation and financial resources. CMT has recruited some of music’s biggest names to motivate and inspire viewers with their own education stories, including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who are all featured on the CMTEMPOWERINGEDUCATION.com site. Broken Bow’s Dustin Lynch performed at a CMT-hosted event last night in Washington, D.C. to launch the initiative. BroadwayWorld.com

Kris Allen Continues Curse Of ‘American Idol’ Male Winners – he “American Idol” gender gap is turning into a canyon. While the four female winners have all maintained varying degrees of success from smash (Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson) to respected and solid (Fantasia) to multi-disciplinary good (Jordin Sparks), the same can’t be said for the male champs.? With the news this week that Kris Allen has parted ways with his major label home after two modestly selling albums, all but the two most recent male “Idol” winners have lost their label deals. Meanwhile, the four women have kept theirs. In fact, out of the first five male “Idol” champs, only one has made it past their second major label release. – Read more at MTV

Pia Toscano Interview: New Music, Working with Harvey Mason Jr, American Idol

Why Is Demi Lovato Hesitant To Be Critical On The X Factor?

Demi Lovato chats with Access after speaking at The Young Women’s Leadership School in East Harlem about bullying. Why does she find herself hesitant to be critical of contestants on “The X Factor”?

Casey James Interview: Singer Dishes on Acting Anxieties, ‘Homeless’ Days and What He Does With Fan Phone Numbers – In his new ‘Crying on a Suitcase’ music video Casey James makes his acting debut, and he admits he was nervous about it. One would never guess as much after watching the finished treatment for the clip, however, as James plays the part like he smiles or plays his guitar — naturally. The 30-year-old’s follow-up single promises to best his debut in terms of chart success, but even if it doesn’t, it sounds like James will still be at peace with his music and career. During a recent phone interview with Taste of Country, the one-time ‘American Idol’ contestant shared that there are certain things beyond his control, and how much airplay he gets may be one of those things. – Read more at Taste of Country

A-Sides With Jon Chattman: Kimberley Locke’s ‘Free’ From ‘American Idol’s’ Shadow – Locke’s successes don’t stop there. Following a memorable stint on VH1′s Celebrity Fit Club, she became a spokesperson for Jenny Craig and has kept all the weight off. She recently launched her own online series, Cooking with Kimberley, which helps people eat in moderation like she does. But let’s get back to the music. Locke has her own company (I Am Entertainment) and recently dropped the EP “Four For The Floor” and a remix album. Last week, she filmed an A-Sides at the Music Conservatory of Westchester and performed new single “Finally Free” in stripped down fashion. Watch. Listen. Love. – Watch the Videos at Huffington Post

Phillip Phillips unlike other AI winners – MANILA, Philippines – For many a singer, the first public performance would probably count as the most unforgettable memory, and Phillip Phillips, American Idol Season 11 winner, remembers his own experience very well. Talking to the media in his charming southern drawl during a presscon at the Manila Hotel last Tuesday, the 22-year-old singer from Georgia said that his singing was an accidental discovery. Phillip and the rest of the Season 11 finalists, including Fil-Am first runner-up Jessica Sanchez, are in town for a concert tonight, the final and only overseas stop of their 45-date American Idol Live Tour. – Read more at Philstar.com

‘Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars’: First Rehearsals (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO) – “Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars” is almost here (two-night premiere begins Mon., Sept. 24, 8 p.m. ET on ABC) and we’ve got the exclusive sneak peek at all 13 pairs in their very first rehearsals. Who wore matching track suits their first day back in the studio? And which star’s dance pants from last time no longer fit? – See the Video at Huffington Post.com

‘Glee’s’ Ryan Murphy: ‘I Have a Really Renewed Passion’ for the Series – What I wanted to do with Glee was get back to the roots of what it was. We got back to the idea of looking at a long-term goal; to really take it back to its underdog roots. That was a natural choice we made to send Rachel and Kurt to New York because once again, they are little fish in a big pond. That opened us up to write stories where you could root for them, and follow them and invest in their hopes and dreams like people seemed to have done at the beginning of the show. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter

Glee’s New Girls on Rachel-Quinn Comparisons, Rivalries, and Being “Thrown in the Deep End” – “The New Rachel.” That title may have gone to Blaine (Darren Criss) following his “Call Me Maybe”-off with Tina, Unique and Brittany, but after Glee’s season premiere, fans seem to think there may be another worthy candidate — new girl Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist). “It’s a lot of pressure because obviously I have some really big shoes to fill,” Benoist tells TVGuide.com of the comparisons to New Directions’ former shining star. “But I think that Marley is so different from Rachel and will just bring a new fresh attitude and energy.” – Read more at TV Guide