Kris Allen: Billboard Cover Interview

By On 11/20/2009 · 59 Comments · In American Idol, Kris Allen

Kris Allen and Adam Lambert are on the cover of the next issue of Billboard Magazine. A Q&A and video is posted on the Billboard.com site for both Idols.

Check out an excerpt from Kris’s interview below. Read the entire interview HERE.

On the album, you worked with everyone from Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman to producer Mike Elizondo. Is there anyone out there you’d like to collaborate with?

It would be fun to write with Adele, actually. She seems like a fun girl to write with. I’m still new in the music business-it was funny, they would be like, “You’re going to write and produce with this guy,” and I’d be like, “OK!” I didn’t know who it was, so I would look them up on Wikipedia. When I went to work with Mike Elizondo, I had no idea who he was. I went on the Internet and it was like-Dr. Dre, Eminem, Switchfoot, Maroon 5, Fiona Apple and a bunch of people, and I was like, “What’s he doing with me?” [laughs] I ended up going to his house many, many times and working on a lot of songs with him.

How did fans respond when you previewed a few of the songs off the album at a tailgate party for a Miami Dolphins game in October?

“Can’t Stay Away” is a really, really fun song to perform, really funky, really groovy. I think people can really get into it. It was kind of crazy, because the first time anybody heard that song it was in that crowd-and people started singing along. That’s a good thing. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time.

Watch an interview Kris gave right after the Idol season wrapped up HERE.

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  • bruno

    great scan of the cover here. scroll down a bit

    http://littleglitterlittleglam.blogspot.com/

  • HeidiL

    Love him!

  • http://MJO judes

    Kris looks great on the cover & here. Good interview as well!

    Love how humble he is about why would these people want to work with me? Er ‘cos your so talented Kris!!!!

  • Kirsten

    Jive Label Group GM/executive VP Tom Carrabba says Allen will have 13 TV appearances between now and New Year’s Eve.

    Do we know what all 13 of these appearances will be?

    Appearances that have already happened:
    1. Conan
    2. GMA
    3. Alexa Chung (MTV)
    4. Regis and Kelly

    Future Appearances
    5. VHI Countdown – Nov 21
    6. Ellen – Nov 23
    7. The Dish (airdate?)

    Perhaps they are including presenting at the AMAs.

    What am I missing?

  • dhunken

    Perhaps they are including presenting at the AMAs.

    What am I missing?

    This is a guess and a possible stretch but since it does say 13 TV appearances between now and New Year’s Eve maybe he will also be at the Rockin New Years Eve Bash with Ryan. It could happen!

    I think the AMA are part of it as well and maybe the announcing of the PCA

  • Truthiness

    I don’t like the picture of Kris (or Adam for that matter) on the BB cover. Kris looks like he’s slouching and, I don’t know, just not a great picture of him. I think I’ve been spoiled by all the pictures from his album, singles, the bathroom shots, etc., that I am just not feeling him on the cover. The one for the article on this page is better, though definitely not my favourite of him. And of course he has his mouth open. That and the slouch and the mumbling…not my favourite things.

  • Eileen99

    Kirsten: Updated appearance list (Credit ONTD_AI)

    November 16/09 – Interview with Jim Cantiello/MTV & taping for Alexa Chung/MTV
    November 17/09 – GMA Concert
    November 17/09 – Album Release
    November 17/09 – Elle Magazine on newsstands
    November 17/09 – Its On With Alexa Chung/MTV – Broadcast 3:30 pm EST
    November 18/09 – Live with Regis & Kelly
    November 19/09 – Ellen DeGeneres Show – Taping
    November 21/09 – VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown appearance 9:00 AM EST
    November 22/09 – AMA Awards – Presenter
    November 23/09 – Ellen DeGeneres Show – Broadcast
    November 23/09 – Saban Free Clinic Annual Gala Dinner, Beverly Hilton, L.A. (Unconfirmed)
    November 24/09 – Bonnie Hunt Show
    December 01/09 – 107.9 Jingle Ball – Sacramento, CA
    December 04/09 – Miracle Near State Street show in Chicago (with The Fray)
    December 06/09 – Kissmas Bash in Buffalo, NY (with Sean Kingston and Hey Monday)
    December 07/09 – 104.5 XLO Acoustic XMas at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA. (With Barenaked Ladies, Ingrid Michaelson, and Joshua Radin)
    December 11/09 – Z100′s Jingle Ball ’09 – Madison Square Garden, NYC
    December 15/09 – AOL Sessions Performance, Interviews and Taping, NYC
    December 18/09 – XL106.7 XL’ent Xmas ’09 – HOB, Orlando (KRALLISON!!!)
    December 22/09 – AOL Music Sessions with Kris Allen premieres including exclusive performances and interviews
    January 06/10 – People’s Choice Awards, LA – Nominee (attendance not confirmed)
    February 13/10 – Kradison in Concert, Location TBD On Demand

  • Kirsten

    I think the AMA are part of it as well and maybe the announcing of the PCA

    I think the PCA’s would be a stretch. Were they televised? I thought they were just streamed.

    From the list Eileen99, here are some additional television appearances (and we’ll count the AMAs)
    8. AMA
    9 November 24/09 ‘“ Bonnie Hunt Show

    Still missing 4 (but some of them might have fallen through).

  • Truthiness

    Okay, shallowness already explored, yeah, I could see how working with Adele would be great for Kris. That would be interesting to see, I hope it happens.

    The video interview was cute, though again the pee? What is it with Kris and peeing?

    I agree with Kris about CSA live and how it’s a good music to groove to and has some funk. I really like the live performances of it and wish the album version was as funky and cool as his live ones were.

    And looking at Kris’s schedule…dayum! See now THAT is a promo schedule.

  • Eileen99

    Truthi: I think that’s an old video interview, so no new “peeing” reference.

    She usually updates the appearance list on Sundays, so there might have been an add or two, although I can’t remember seeing a post announcing a new appearance for Kris. Hard to say when that quote from 19 is from, which makes it hard to fill in the blanks.

    Is the LogoChannel interview a “TV” appearance? I don’t know much about it, but there was a tweet from them this morning saying the interview was really cute and would be up soon.

    ETA: The tweet said the video would be up Monday.

  • hollygo9

    so. smoking. hawt.

  • kt_cle

    Love the pictures, love Kris in red (really any bold or dark color), nice inteview.

    The flood of interviews and appearances recently has been great, but reminds me that eventually it will quiet down. Once the PR settles down, there will only be the start of his tour to look forward to. January could be a quiet month… makes me a little sad, but I guess I’ll regain some of my life back :D

  • jammasta

    I’m kinda wishing I didn’t watch Kris’s NFL picks, he chose EVERY team different from me. I wanna cry. </3 Packers and Patriots (Although I don't like the Cowboys either so <3 Kris).

    Also, dammit, why is he here December 1st? My nephew is turning 5 that day! Kris needs to come back to Sacramento some day.

  • Truthiness

    Truthi: I think that’s an old video interview, so no new ‘peeing’  reference.

    It’s the same peeing story, if that’s what you mean. But I think it’s a new video, in that there isn’t another BB interview with Kris. For a while Kris seemed really into telling that story. Which happens with all the idols and actors promoting movies, or whatever, where they get asked the same damn questions time and time again, and so have their stock answers to those questions. Eh.

  • vanjess38
  • kt_cle

    No, that’s an old video… might be the first time the pee story was told. Caption under the video says:

    Video Above: Kris sat down for an interview with Billboard shortly after winning ‘American Idol’ in May.

  • Tess

    And looking at Kris’s schedule’ ¦dayum! See now THAT is a promo schedule.

    But Truthiness…unless this promo schedule brings about the needed results it is just appointments on a piece of paper. And, at some time, Kris and his band really need to put in some practice time for their shows at the Christmas Bally Thingy Jingies. Things didn’t go perfectly smooth for them in New York at the shows…sometimes getting the act to gel and run well is more important that telephoning some radio stations in The Sun Never Rises, Alaska.

    Filling every available second of time doesn’t always lead to the best results. It should be about quality and not quantity!

  • Truthiness

    No, that’s an old video’ ¦ might be the first time the pee story was told. Caption under the video says:

    Video Above: Kris sat down for an interview with Billboard shortly after winning ‘American Idol’ in May.

    I know it’s an old video of Kris. May doesn’t surprise me. I’m just saying it could still be “new to us,” because I wasn’t aware that they had posted it before now as part of their interview with Kris for his album dropping. So was it on BB since May? or did they do it in May and post it now? is my point. I don’t know. I don’t pay enough attention to BB and I’ve seen so many videos of Kris by now, and as I said, they all have the same questions and answers, they can run together.

    And none of that negates my point that Kris has told that pee story many times to many different places. And has done other pee Tweets and whatever before. Thankfully as Kris moves beyond AI, luckily the pee story has been left behind with a cake, hopefully never to be re-visited again.

  • Eileen99

    Not a TV appearance, but Kris did tweet last week he’d just taped a podcast for iTunes. So, maybe we’ll expect to see that posted on Tuesday?

  • ai_fan

    13 tv appearances, I’m thrilled. It will be interesting to see what they are. I’m curious.

    Kris seems to really enjoy writing with Mike Elizondo which isn’t a bad thing at all.

  • ai_fan

    Not a TV appearance, but Kris did tweet last week he’d just taped a podcast for iTunes. So, maybe we’ll expect to see that posted on Tuesday?

    I forgot about the podcast. Ok itunes, where is it? Hopefully it will be out soon.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    No, that’s an old video’ ¦ might be the first time the pee story was told. Caption under the video says:

    Yep. In fact, I already posted it back sometime during the summer

  • kt_cle

    So was it on BB since May?

    It’s been around for awhile, but I can’t remember when I first saw it. Either way, it is an example of how info that is quite old to us still is new to the more casual fan. As a somewhat obsessed fan, I get annoyed when an interview contains all the ‘same old information’… but I try to remind myself that those casual fans probably don’t know XYZ and may likely find it interesting/funny/etc. Doesn’t always work, because I’m greedy that way – but those casual fans are what’s important now (darn it!)

  • Starr

    A podcast for iTunes? Are you sure? I thought it was about a celebrity playlist, and I thought that was the iMeem one that they are advertising on his official site, because I’ve seen that playlist already.

  • ai_fan

    Starr
    11/20/2009 at 8:09 pm
    A podcast for iTunes? Are you sure? I thought it was about a celebrity playlist, and I thought that was the iMeem one that they are advertising on his official site, because I’ve seen that playlist already.

    He had tweeted that he recorded a celebrity podcast for itunes, I think a week or so ago.

  • mzbet

    Yes, here’s his tweet about the podcast:

    Just got done doing a celebrity podcast for iTunes. Should be out pretty soon.
    12:03 PM Nov 9th from Echofon

    I’ve been searching iTunes for it, but haven’t seen it yet.

  • Starr

    Huh. Well anyways, if there is anyone interested in his iMeem playlist, that one is available on KA Official too. He has excellent taste in music!

  • ShariG

    I always enjoy seeing and reading about Kris wherever it happens.There is a nice picture of him in the newest issue of US Weekly with the caption Victor of the Year. Cute smiling picture. I liked the Billboard picture and his red shirt, but there are pictures of him I like much better.

  • kiss kiss

    I’m enjoying that picture. :)

  • Starr

    FYI Kris will be presenting with Demi Lovato at the AMAs

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtPYrYJm0kU

  • aly

    So Kris is presenting at the awards show Sunday? But not performing?
    Is this new?

  • Kirsten

    So Kris is presenting at the awards show Sunday? But not performing?
    Is this new?

    No, every year they have people presenting awards. They do that at most award shows. The presenters read out the list of nominees, then they open the envelope and announce who won. Sometimes, there is some scripted banter.

    It’s not even new for Idols. They frequently present at the AMAs and other music industry events.

    18 people will be performing. Many more will be presenting. That’s quite common.

    Kris’s presenting gig was announced a while ago.

    Yeah, I don’t know what you mean by “new” so I answered for a bunch of possible “news”.

  • Truthiness

    No, that’s an old video’ ¦ might be the first time the pee story was told. Caption under the video says:

    Yep. In fact, I already posted it back sometime during the summer

    Gotcha. Like I said, they all run together for me. But still, never want to hear that story again. Ever. I’m odd, sex talk is like whatever for me*shrugs*, but bodily functions and I’m all like TMI!! TIM! shoosh!

  • Starr

    Kris and Katy will be featured in the upcoming Holiday issue of People:

    http://twitpic.com/qb24o
    http://twitpic.com/qb1fp
    http://twitpic.com/qb1kr

  • Mtlfan

    http://twitpic.com/qb1fp

    thanks Star, that’s a very cute picture of them. Beautiful people!

  • jersey

    OMG my teeth hurt from the sweetness of the People pictures!

  • sunny2

    They are going to have the cutest kids!!!

  • druzilla

    Love the photo of him with the guitar. Not loving the cover, they have Kris slouching with his head forward like he’s doing a “duh” pose.

  • TwigLA

    I expected the interview to be longer, so I was sort of disappointed. The pic of him in the red shirt looks sort of awkward to me. Kris is never slouchy and his shirts are normally much better fitting. He’s still gorgeous, though.

  • cookcricket

    I really liked this interview. It would be nice if he could ever write with Adele.

    I liked the Jive guy talking about how Kris will have the ability to win respect from the guys (and moms). However, I also think he’ll earn respect with the college age as well and it’s by no means just a tween thing.

    Oh and Tess don’t worry about Kris and his band, for the most part they just got better and better in their appearances. GMA and R&K were very well done! Extremely enjoyable to watch! Conan was the first TV appearance so some struggle there and the MTV one seemed to have some technical difficulties that they couldn’t control. I didn’t watch but from what I understand they adjusted and finished well.:)

  • Starr

    cookcricket
    11/20/2009 at 10:49 pm
    I really liked this interview. It would be nice if he could ever write with Adele.

    I liked the Jive guy talking about how Kris will have the ability to win respect from the guys (and moms). However, I also think he’ll earn respect with the college age as well and it’s by no means just a tween thing.

    Kris is actually getting pretty good reviews from college kids. I read about 5 or so reviews of his album from college campuses and they think his album is one of the best Idol records yet. I think he should do the college tour thing; his music would really resonate among that crowd. They are also strong buyers on iTunes and CDs, so that would be good for him.

  • sunny2

    Check out @jambajim. He posted a link to Tweetbeat

    The new Tweet Beat is here: http://tinyurl.com/ybo4j2f @therealjordin @actuallynph @krisallen @skymall PLEASE RT LINK IF U LIKE

    (Sorry I don’t know how to link). There is bonus Kris Allen. Very funny.

  • ross

    Kris is actually getting pretty good reviews from college kids. I read about 5 or so reviews of his album from college campuses and they think his album is one of the best Idol records yet.

    You’re right, Starr, I read one yesterday and another one today. I think college reviewers, who aren’t professionals, probably have less of an agenda than some of the critics for the big papers. This kind of support seems more grounded in reality. I’d say if Kris can build support from the ground up, so to speak, it will tend to be less fickle and more loyal because these people are discovering him for themselves, and making up their own minds about him, regardless of hype.

  • Mtlfan

    Check out @jambajim. He posted a link to Tweetbeat

    The new Tweet Beat is here: http://tinyurl.com/ybo4j2f @therealjordin @actuallynph @krisallen @skymall PLEASE RT LINK IF U LIKE

    the Jordin segment was hilarious. Prettty funny stuff with Kris also! Good plug for his album at the end :D

    love love love the picture with the guitar at the top!!!!

  • Mtlfan

    i agree with you guys about the reviews by the college students. I like to see ‘grass roots’ level good reviews for Kris

  • tinydance

    Kris’s music has a very college radio sound to it. Kris has a great personalty and is very funny. There is nothing like a guy with a great sense of humor. That makes them even more cool to know.

  • Mtlfan

    love this interview. He’s so transparent and honest in his answers. I so much prefer that than semi-truths meant to preserve or boost the ego.
    That makes him very endearing to me

  • dhunken

    Starr
    11/20/2009 at 9:42 pm

    Kris and Katy will be featured in the upcoming Holiday issue of People:

    http://twitpic.com/qb24o
    http://twitpic.com/qb1fp
    http://twitpic.com/qb1k

    Thanks for posting these pics. Kris and Katy look fantastic and happy. Katy is beautiful. They are such a great couple.

  • Seeker

    http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/458454/this-week-in-twitter-justin-bieber-orders-attack-on-john-mayer.jhtml#name=news&id=1619279

    OMG! Kris Allen reading out his own Sky Mall tweets!!!!!!
    “I’m very sneaky!”

    OMG Krim Show is A GO!!! PEOPLE!!

    JIM!! YOU WIN AT LIFE SFM!!!!

    (Already posted I see…. I fail at life SFM)

  • Seeker

    I’m loving all these insightful interviews. Really Good.

    “I expected the interview to be longer, so I was sort of disappointed.”

    Me too. I want to hear more about his writing process, about each song, each collab!

    Like for example, “The Truth“, we got two different take on this song by Kris in Jim’s & Slezak’s interviews

    With Jim he was all, “it had to grow on me… it had this jaunty tune in the beggining… had change it up alot…etc”
    With Michael, “At first, I didn’t want to touch it, coz it’s that good! And Pat has an incredible voice… etc” (paraphrasing here btw)

    Want more!more more!! Kris talking about his 1st CSA live performance! Ppl loved BWCU too, they were subdued during the 1st verse but once Kris hit the chorus – Screaming!!!

    His upcoming tour would be all about developing his fanbase, introducing his music to new ppl, so touring colleges with a few big arenas thrown in makes sense.

  • koshka

    Starr
    11/20/2009 at 9:42 pm
    Kris and Katy will be featured in the upcoming Holiday issue of People:

    http://twitpic.com/qb24o
    http://twitpic.com/qb1fp
    http://twitpic.com/qb1kr

    That is really cute… like sugar on my oatmeal. ;)

    I love that they have Katy in the pic. They make a great looking couple.

  • koshka

    I’d say if Kris can build support from the ground up, so to speak, it will tend to be less fickle and more loyal because these people are discovering him for themselves, and making up their own minds about him, regardless of hype.

    Are you referring to college students? While you are most likely correct, these are also the sub group of people illegally downloading music. So while it is great that he is amassing a loyal group of followers, he may not see $$ from them for a while. Just recently we had students protesting the state gov. about the increase in tuition. If they can’t pay for tuition, then they sure as heck are not buying music.

  • Tess

    The People Christmas photos are very good and have that ultimate feel good Christmas feeling about them. These should warm the hearts of the Kris fans and propel forward the nice sugary image of Kris the young small town husband making it in the big bad world of music (and I’m not being cynical…that is the image he is really working on creating).

    I just laughed, though, that even though People promoted Kris’ album in the text….the buy for Christmas blurb told peeps to start their own Christmas traditions by rushing out and buying the Sugarland album. Funny that!

  • Diane

    Starr, thank you for those pics!! Soooo. cute. K&K are just too cute for words. :smile:

  • Diane

    Interesting article about Bon Jovi…he talks about the music biz and American Idol:

    http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/music/2009/11/19/jon-bon-jovi-hes-no-kris-allen/

  • SarahP

    oooooh i like the pics with katy and kris especially this one: http://twitpic.com/qb1fp

    kris’s hair looks all rumpled and natural…and they are playing MONOPOLY!!! my second favourite game ever (after pictionary)…probably an early christmas gift from mom i suppose

  • TwigLA

    Thanks for that link to the Bon Jovi article, Diane. Very good points that he makes. Why these kids coming off Idol are expected to outsell major artists out of the box is beyond ridiculous.

    Thanks also for the pics and article from the Christmas People mag. Very cool.

    For Kris, the college tour circuit, music festivals, and a mix of a few arena shows is what I would want. I’d LOVE for him to do Bonnarroo and Austin City Limits.

  • SarahP

    read the interview and nothing new really! i know i’m probably one of the few kradam fans here but i loved what he said below:

    Q: On “American Idol,” the spotlight was always on you and Adam Lambert. Simon Cowell kept trying to set up a rivalry, and now you have albums coming out within a week of each other.

    A: That’s the thing-we’re going to go through at least the first part of our careers doing everything back to back. We were on the show throughout the whole time, then we were on the tour, and now we’re coming out with albums. I feel like we’re always going to have this time of our lives, we’re going to share it, and we’re going to be able to go through it together. We know exactly what the other is going through.

  • SarahP

    No, that’s an old video’ ¦ might be the first time the pee story was told. Caption under the video says:

    yeah i remember seeing that video and i think that was one of the very first interviews he did and the first one which i saw! and was stuck by how candid he can be. those were the golden days of discovering kris post idol. sigh