Kris Allen – Walmart Shareholders Meeting – Video

Yay! Thanks for posting mj! Thanks Rickey. Off to watch!

ETA: That was great! I’ve always thought Kris’s acoustic “Boundaries” was good (and still do), but hearing it back to back with “Heartless” makes me realize how much more the 2nd is suited to him-it was awesome!

The pose was actually hot! :)

Um, the 2 Wal-marts in every town joke was funny. heh.

Thanks MJ for the videos. I didn’t get a chance to see the live broadcast and it’s so wonderful that you are able to post this for us. I am really proud of Kris and I think he will be successful with his career. Nice to see him getting some exposure for being the AI winner and less talk about Adam.

Loved that Kris got to perform Heartless as well. The bit with Stiller was hilarious! LOL

wow, he really looked like he was struggling with these…esp No Boundaries….he really looks like he is in pain when he sings that song in particular…how long does he have to do it, it looks like he is really straining his voice….

and the sound set up didn’t sound great, cuz he sounded off key – hopefully it just lost something in the transfer of media

the skit was really funny, and he has that look-over-the-shoulder thing DOWN!
way to go Kris…but take care of the voice

“NoBo” is a really hard song to sing – both lyrics and music. Unfortunately Kris will be singing this monstrosity for a long time with the tour and all he’ll have to put it on his first album. Hopefully he’ll do like DC and put it last. I wonder how all of them maintain their voices with as much singing as they do. I’m sure he’ll do whatever it takes to rest the chords.

Thanks for these vids MJ! Kris’s pose made him look like a younger Colin Farrel! Hot!
He was really straining on No Boundaries, poor him :(

loved him on “Heartless”, could care less about NB…it needs to die anyway, since it sucks.

storm45701
Jun 5th, 2009 at 11:42 am
loved him on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Heartlessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , could care less about NBà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦it needs to die anyway, since it sucks.

This!

ETA: And the look he shot at the camera…this is honestly the first time I ever thought he was that good looking. I always liked his music and thought he was cute, but that was one hot pose!

He just performed with Smokey Robinson!
Hey MJ, can you get that video as well as his brother’s performance before Kris sang?

I thought Kris sounded great and I loved his Blue Steel pose!

Looking forward to the Smokey vid! He seemed pretty impressed w/ Kris on the show, iirc. He liked his version of “How Sweet It Is”, and told him not to change a thing. Of course, Adam and imo Matt were standouts that week, but I still love Kris’s HSII. :)

I love Smokey’s reaction to Kris singing “How Sweet it Is.” Smokey just looked so tickled, and like he wasn’t expecting Kris to have that much soul or heart. I hope someone was able to record the duet.

I think Kris is the most boring winner ever…after Reuben.

kris is kick awesome!

Well, you’re definitely entitled to your opinion, Rockvixen. But it’s too bad, because Kris has displayed a wicked, dry sense of humor in his interviews, a sense of not taking himself all that seriously.

I turned off the webcast after he sang “Heartless”, so I missed the bit with Ben Stiller and the Smokey Robinson duet. So I’ll have to check out the videos.

the Robinson duet was great…. Smokey is such a giving artist. Total class act.

Thanks for the vids, MJ. I was surprised to find myself having Kris Allen withdrawal since I didn’t think I was all that invested this year!

I thought Kris sounded awesome. He has taken a pretty awful song and made it into something he can sing fairly well. What was Kara thinking? I agree with feeling sorry for Kris that he has to sing this mess for such a long time. Maybe TPTB just need to accept that this song is not a winner and let him move on from it. In all fairness to Kris, I would hope this song doesn’t reflect poorly on him as a new artist,(for having low sales) because I believe the reason is the song and not Kris’s voice.

On another note – Kris’s charm is really winning me over. He is adorable and seems very comfortable in his own skin.

I bet Kris Hates to sing that NB song….I hate that he has to sing that song!!! He seemed very uncomfortable. Love Heartless though…Love his voice in the beginning of the song when he sings without the guitar…
Loved the pose he did also…His Sexy look matches his Sexy voice …Can’t wait to see Kris, Adam, Matt and Allison on tour..

Oh yeah the pose by the Walmart C.O cracked me up…”Superhero pose”

poor kris, having to strain with that hideous “no boundaries.” heartless was great of course though. looking forward to the smokey video!
LOL at the skit with ben stiller… i think that kris has the blue steel pose down!

I may or may not have swooned a tad :smile_wp: The skit with Stiller was great. As always loved Heartless and he makes NB as good as it could be. Sheesh that song :gulp_ee:

awww, why he so purrrty???

cant’ wait to see the clip with smokey

Walmart has some pictures up from the event. Here are the Kris related ones:

Kris dueting with Smokey

Kris perfomring 1

Kris performing 2

Rockvixen “I think Kris is the most boring winner everà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦after Reuben.”

One person’s boring is another person’s exciting. You know it’s like Wagner vs. Massenet , if you are into classical music.

Kris looked great. There is no way anyone can make NB sound good, b/c it is one of the worst songs ever written (Kara, etal, WTF???). As much as I love Adam, I think Kris’s version is better. Which isn’t saying much. OTOH, I love Heartless. Please TPTB, do NOT make Kris or Adam sing NB ever again. I am BEGGING YOU.

And I am still in Adam withdrawal. Sigh.

Wow. I don’t think even his mother could like that rendition of “No Boundaries”. Poor guy.

Somebody help me — I actually liked NoBo this time. What?? Yeah. (Hanging head.) I think he’s done a really nice job of fixing the beginning, and that’s sounding good every time. It’s still too rangey for him (and for all mortals) but I think it’s getting better all the time.

Heartless always sounds awesome. I love Blue Steel, anyway, and to get to see Kris do it is adorable. Note that he is as tall as Ben Stiller, which puts him in the Tom Cruise (and half of Hollywood) ballpark.

Can’t wait to see if he gets a pic with Michael Jordan! MJ showed up at the state high school basketball tourney here in Illinois in March cause his son’s high school was playing (and yes, they won the state championship). So we all got to see him up close and personal. He is one gorgeous man.

Smokey Robinson was probably there because they though Adam was going to win when this meeting was scheduled.

if you missed it…they’re replaying it at http://www.walmart.com

Because Smokey Robinson can’t get a gig on his own?

why do I get the feeling Smokey Robinson could give a rat’s ass about who won American Idol?? :lol_wp: :lol_wp:

actually, most of America couldn’t care less, either.

Because Smokey Robinson canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get a gig on his own?

Exactly. Why should he need Adam or Kris? I think he would have been there regardless of who won this year.

ETA: Nice pictures. Thanks for posting the links Kirsten. :)

I bet he’s the first Idol who could have driven his own car to this gig.

Glad they let him close with Heartless. It’s still a great cover.

I hope Ben Stiller is getting paid a lot for this.

Kris has definitely seen Zoolander more than once. Nice pose, but too bad he’s not a better improviser.

Looking forward to Smokey!

Wow. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think even his mother could like that rendition of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“No Boundariesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . Poor guy.

I’m sorry, but I have to agree. I like Kris. I think he is a very nice guy, but that was just excruciating! Heartless, however, was really good. It is a shame that people who have never seen/heard him before are hearing him do this song and judging him based upon it. They should just ditch the song. It is not doing Kris any favors….in fact I think it is hurting him.

This is actually the link to replay:

http://walmartstores.com/sites/shareholders/2009/

sidewalkstory
Jun 5th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Smokey Robinson was probably there because they though Adam was going to win when this meeting was scheduled.

And Lifehouse, Taylor Swift, All American Rejects, Journey, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Juan Luis Guerra were all there last year thinking Archuleta would win? They get paid to perform. That’s what performers do regardless of who else is going to be there. I seriously doubt the world is now revolving around Adam Lambert.

Yeah, I doubt Smokey Robinson cared who won American Idol.

I love his sexy face. haha.. Also, I wonder if he still has a stylist advising him what to wear? Is it sad that I recognize the different pieces from when he was on idol?

The bit with Ben Stiller and the Walmart CFO was pretty funny — but the best (and oddest) part for me was the song they played at the end when they were leaving the stage. The song was “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood — probably one of the gayest dance songs ever recorded. I’m sure they didn’t think about this, but it was funny considering the context!

I wonder how many singers backed out when they realized Adam wouldn’t be there?! Smokey is a good guy for at least sucking it up and appearing anyway :laugh_tb: Bonus for singing with that other guy!

I think “Relax” was played in connection with Zoolander.

I really enjoyed Kris’ super awkward story about Walmarts in LA. His performances of Heartless and No Boundaries both suffered from the terrible sound quality of that feed. Someone in the venue filmed it and both sound infinitely better
Kris singing “No Boundaries” and Heartless”

Anxiously awaiting the Get Ready performance.

edit: don’t lecture! I keep warning you

Smokey Robinson was probably there because they though Adam was going to win when this meeting was scheduled.

Actually, I have it on good authority that Smokey was hoping for Megan to win (little known fact: Smokey is a big amature bird calling enthusiast. He was part of the movement to get CBS to stop putting fake bird calls into the golf footage because it was screwing up the bird population studies).

Smokey was naturally crestfallen when he discovered that Megan was not going to be there, but he’s a trooper and the show must go on. Besides, after you sign a six figure contract with Walmart, you better not go back on your word or they’ll get their associates pelt your house with those happy face roll-back creatures. Trust me, nobody wants to to be subjected to that.

I’m hoping, and honestly thinking, that what Trina said was with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek. That’s the only explanation I have.

Smokey Robinson was probably there because they though Adam was going to win when this meeting was scheduled.

I cannot speak for Trina, but I suspect that her post may have been sarcasm.

Disclaimer: I really have no idea if Smokey is an amature orthonologist or not. I just think Megan winning would have been unlikely. But the thing about birders vs CBS golf coverage is true.

Smokey’s got a new album coming out — I know because he has the same album photographer as Elliott does, Nick Spanos. lol. So he’s clearly going to want to make nice with retailers and be visible in various places in advance of that.

Actually, I have it on good authority that Smokey was hoping for Megan to win (little known fact: Smokey is a big amature bird calling enthusiast. He was part of the movement to get CBS to stop putting fake bird calls into the golf footage because it was screwing up the bird population studies).

Smokey was naturally crestfallen when he discovered that Megan was not going to be there, but heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a trooper and the show must go on. Besides, after you sign a six figure contract with Walmart, you better not go back on your word or theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll get their associates pelt your house with those happy face roll-back creatures. Trust me, nobody wants to to be subjected to that.

Kirsten,

That was priceless. :clap_tb: :lol_tb:

Can’t edit my last post, so just in case you’re interested. SR’s new album is titled: Time Flies When You’re Having Fun.

Cute!

They just have to let Kris sing something else in place of that Disaster song. Nothing good come come from it. Thankfully, he got to sing somethings else — and Heartless was good.

Kristen — that was soooooooo good! LMAO.

Note: This was written by an A*** fan who did not just dis Kris or even mention A*** once.

I’m watching the replay (thanks for the link, Pam!) and I’m wondering how long I have to wait to get to Kris and Smokey. Krokey? Krobinson? I guess Krokey fits the bird-calling hobby better.

:-)

I think the world would be a better place without NB in it…..however, we (kris!) are stuck with it.

It is what it is….safe to say nobody on this board is sending Kara a christmas card.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m hoping, and honestly thinking, that what Trina said was with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the only explanation I have.

Thank you gingerly. I put a laughing emoticon so it should have been obvious I was joking. Sigh.

Note: This was written by an A*** fan who did not just dis Kris or even mention A*** once.

bless you TKAT!

and where do you go in that general Walmart link to get to the replay?

OK, I found it now….and it’s full of corporate BS so far, just rah-rah Wal-Mart’s passion for “saving money and living better.” The workers? Not so much. And the cost to the nation of buying so many cheap foreign goods?

ugh, don’t get me started…..but entertainers have always had patronage from “royalty.” On to the music (soon, I hope)……

I hate No Boundaries. I think it’s a horrible song because of its lyrics, because it has virtually no melody, and because it’s way rangy for no discernible reason — if it sounded very impressive because it was rangy, that might not be so bad, but to me it just sounds kind of dull, even as it’s causing the singer to range all over the place. I wish they would let Kris sing something else on the tour and elsewhere — he did a great job with Heartless at WalMart, for example, and he pretty much never fails to impress with that one and with several others.

That said, I think that the studio versions of No Boundaries do have one virtue: they’re so good that they really prove the mettle of both guys, to me. I’m really impressed with how both versions really infuse the song with meaning and really come off sounding musically coherent, which I think is a testament to the musical abilities and work ethic of both the winner and the first runner-up.

But I guess to me it’s kind of like a school exam. Great to do well on it, but you still don’t shop it around as part of your job portfolio.

and where do you go in that general Walmart link to get to the replay?

sorry…I listed the website wrong earlier…it’s http://walmartstores.com
the main headline is the link to the webcast.

Never realized Ben Stiller was that short. The skit was amusing.

I thought Kris sounded decent on “No Boundaries” and he was excellent as usual on “Heartless”.

In the music business, I seriously doubt any artist will turn down a corporate gig, especially in this economy, unless there’s a scheduling conflict. It might be news to some people but artists (singers, musicians, actors) derive a good portion of their income from corporate functions like these conferences, meetings, parties, etc. We generally don’t hear about them because they’re mostly private events.

Not Kris’s best performance of No Boundaries (Although I may have to check my ears. When I first watched it I heard a bit of a bum note, but when I watched it in lower quality the bum note was hit just fine o_O. Could it be the sound system?), but he’s still doing very well with it. As usual, Heartless is awesome. Just wish for once he’d up the key like he did when he first did the song.

I kinda missed Smokey. Boo. I want to see it!

Stiller pose was funny.

Smokey coming on in a minute on the simulcast!

volume is iffy on the webcast, but The Smoke is bringing it…..

lucy if I got NB on a vocal school exam, I’d just drop the course.

It does make me think that about Kris’ next big challenge — singing the National Anthem at the Lakers game — acapella. Danny had trouble with it at the Brewers’ game. Last year David Cook seemed really nervous but did OK. I hope Kris does OK, too.

It always hard to sing the National Anthem, but to do it before an NBA Final when all the crowd can think of is basketball, and after they’ve just played the Laker Video and Led Zep team intro. Yipes!

None of those stars give a crap who won American Idol. They are making tons of money to be there with a smile. The world is not revolving around any of those contestants. Most people are over them by now. They’ll have to prove themselves with new music to become the least bit relevant again. (To me, Allison has the best shot and seems to be further along with her album)

Kris was good on Heartless, but wow did he struggle on NB. He really needs to quit singing it. I hope he makes a stand and doesn’t close out the tour with that song. He can’t sing it. It’s not his thing. It was written more for Danny, and is a singer’s song. I hope he does better singing the SBB next weekend for the NBA finals. Wasn’t Cook’s shining moment, but Cook can sing a lot better than Kris. Hudson’s was pre-recorded. I think that they’ll do that with Kris and let him lip sync. They should. It’s too much pressure.

But, Kris was cute and he did good on Heartless! He’ll do well with that stuff.

Smokey Robinson was probably there because they though Adam was going to win when this meeting was scheduled.

Yes, Smokey Robinson was a hopeless has-been until Adam Lambert touched his lips with a burning coal. :rolleyes_wp:

How many more weeks does Kris have to sing that craptacular NB song?

Now Smokey singing something smooth from the next album — a song recorded as a duet with Joss Stone (one of his backups is doing it at Wal-Mart)…

I hope that Kris does something interesting and different with SBB — talk about a voice-killer! The best ever, though, was an NBA Detroit Pistons play off, when it was sung by the ultra-fabulous and never forgotten Marvin Gaye. He wore his shades the entire time — it’s on youtube….

Now Smoke is doing a Temps medley…..

Kris and Smokey — on “Get Ready” — really fun!

omg…he’s fantastic with Smokey…the crowd loves them some Allen….

I love Smokey Robinson. I love Kris Allen. I’m in heaven right now. I wish Kris’ mic was turned up a bit though. They’re both awesome on stage, really fun duet.

So there’s one good thing Wal-Mart has brought us.

ETA:
And that hug at the end? Awesome.

Taks, thanks for the link! The sounds quality on that is much better!

kris will be fine w. the SBB….mark my words (but please ignore them if im wrong :flush_tb: )

he just has to change the key – me thinks the wallmart appearance wasn’t a big deal to him, but the NBA finals is (he’s a big sports fan) …and he has mentioned in interviews that he enjoys it when the pressure is on.

or he’ll bomb and adam…er..katy will help him lick his wounds

Nice duet there! I likey.

All done — sweet little duet. Very bad amplification, but there’s already stuff on youtube of Kris’s set that sounds much better, so I’d look for the duet there too. Just a funky, fun little bit. And Smokey very affectionate and sweet with Kris, who was gettin’ in the Motown groove….

One personà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s boring is another personà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exciting. You know ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s like Wagner vs. Massenet , if you are into classical music.

LOL, Totally Massenet for me – unless Bugs Bunny is involved, then it’s Wagner all the way!

That really does explain a lot.

Lol Trina and Kirsten.

He was part of the movement to get CBS to stop putting fake bird calls into the golf footage because it was screwing up the bird population studies

OMG! That’s crazy!

P.S. When I did the search, your post was already on the front page on Google. lol

ETA:

How many more weeks does Kris have to sing that craptacular NB song?

Try September…the entire tour! Ugh. Poor guy.

The best ever, though, was an NBA Detroit Pistons play off, when it was sung by the ultra-fabulous and never forgotten Marvin Gaye. He wore his shades the entire time à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s on youtubeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.

Greatest! NA Peformance! EVER!
(colette has the link!)

Crap I missed Kris with Smokey…thanks for the link so I can check it out.

Have to agree with gingerly. When you see someone post smart ass comments all the time you tend to realize exactly what that are saying.

Marvin on Star Spangled Banner — more than 2 million hits, and still the best — listen & learn m’dear Kris:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A

oh, yes, the pressure’s on…Kris MUST perform like the great Marvin Gaye or it’s a fail. LOL. nah — apples and oranges. Just don’t pull a Roseanne Barr.

edit: this post was so rude, it nearly took my breath away

I’m sure he’ll be fine on the anthem (hardly anybody’s great on the anthem, so fine is just fine). It’s a pretty song, and the range doesn’t just jump out of nowhere, you can build to things, infuse them with feeling and such. And there isn’t much of it down low, so you can pretty much start as low as you want and leave yourself room at the top. One problem with No Boundaries is that it spends too much of its time at both the top and the bottom ends — with little in the middle — so you can’t just fudge one end, the way you can do with a lot of songs, like the NA.

Kris doesnt need to copy anyone’s version of the Star Spangled Banner.As long as he doesnt mess up the words or do something stupid (which he never
done and i dont think that will happen).

Is Kris losing his voice alittle? I hope he’s not going to pull a Kat on us.The song is killing him little by little.I’m telling you this was Kara’s plan.

I missed Kris with Smokey again! MJ, have you been able to find a link to this video?

I’m sure the anthem will be the anthem. I actually am a bit of a purist when it comes to the Star Spangled Banner so I hope he doesn’t change it up too much.
PS. Kirsten, I’ve never hated you, LOL.

Kris looked so good on stage with Smokey. I love how relaxed and happy he looked. I could hardly hear anything, but it was great to see Kris having so much fun while he was performing. He needs to perform without the instruments more often.

God, that Marvin Gaye version is an abomination.

And a good-humored answer to a different strokes/different folks thing is in order.

Obviously, I don’t agree MG’s “SSB” was an abomination, though I can imagine some folks like the song done “straight.”

and to Storm: — you say: oh, yes, the pressureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s onà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Kris MUST perform like the great Marvin Gaye or ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a fail. LOL. nah à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  apples and oranges. Just donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t pull a Roseanne Barr.

Storm, yeah MG may be a komquat and Kris a peach, but what I love about the MG rendition, and why I posted it is this: the guy made it his own. He changed up the tempo, the phrasing, and yet still got the song across. And it wasn’t about vocal pyrotechinics or hearing some stratospheric note, but making the song soulful and meaningful in a very distinctive way.

And I’m with you on Roseanne!~ that was a doozy that almost destroyed her career….or maybe it did! though she was hot-messing all over the place at the time…..

eta: and iirc is a kris fan…fell for him on country night just like I did!

I remember DC doing the NBA playoff SSB last year and he was soo nervous, I felt like I was willing him through it the whole time. I dunno if SSB is in Kris’ “wheelhouse” but hopefully he’ll work it out.

But what I love about the rendition, and why I posted it is this: the guy made it his own. He changed up the tempo, the phrasing, and yet still got the song across. And it wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t about vocal pyrotechinics or hearing some stratospheric note, but making the song soulful and meaningful in a very distinctive way.

This!

It’s not about copying at all!

Honestly, I never did like Whitney’s version. Vocally it was nice, but just not my style. Marvin, on the other hand…

Guess who was at the shareholder’s meeting…despite a certain glam boy not being there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVgyce8pHwI

Maybe Gene and Paul are really Kradam fans. lol

This may come as a shock, but I thought it was fabulous, as I do 95% of the time Kris sings. I especially loved the Magnum Sexyface, however.

I am NOT an Adam fan! My snark may be fuzzy but I thought it’s been pretty obvious Kris was my favorite this year LOL

The first sexyface was the superior one, I agree. But you really can’t go wrong when Kris’ sexyface is involved.

I just caught the duet with Smokey on the rerun of the livefeed, and he looked like he was having a lot of fun on stage :D

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be fine on the anthem (hardly anybodyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s great on the anthem, so fine is just fine). Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a pretty song, and the range doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t just jump out of nowhere, you can build to things, infuse them with feeling and such. And there isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t much of it down low, so you can pretty much start as low as you want and leave yourself room at the top.

No matter what key you use and how low you start the National Anthem, it still has a hugh range (1-1/2 octaves ) and it ascends over an octave in the first two bars. And when you get the the “rockets red glare” part, it’s a challenge for almost all singers. And finally, when you are vocally tired, you need to hit the end section. Plus you can’t sing it in a minor key (which is when I think Kris sounds the best) or it sounds Celtic or like late 60′s protest song or well just off a bit.

I’ve only sung it as a soloist twice, and it was the hardest thing I ever sang.
Perhaps the upstream poster is right and they’ll have him lip sync a recorded version. That is a great idea and what I hope he does. Or maybe he’ll fool us all and do a instrument version on his guitar and not sing it at all.

Personally, I would rather hear Kris do “America – Oh Beautiful …”

Thank you gingerly. I put a laughing emoticon so it should have been obvious I was joking. Sigh.

I’m was coming to point this out too, but a little too late. LOL!

I don’t think you can get away with lipsynching the national anthem at a NBA Finals game — the crowd would see that and absolutely kill him.

I was at the Dodgers game last night, and the young woman singing the anthem had a really hard time — she was all over the place vocally. She tried way too hard to throw in runs and whatnots. The song is hard enough to do straight — why would she try and go all fancy with it? All the people I was with were looking at each other like WTF what that? But we still applauded politely…after all, she wasn’t trying to massacre the anthem.

Kris just needs to put it in a key that suits him, sing it simply, don’t try and kill the high notes, and he should be ok.

Well. Just about to go through this thread to delete all the fan warring crap. Really tired of posters who continue to lecture and finger wag, despite many many warnings not to do it…

How NOT to perform the National Anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8smRRyoYGc

No auto-tune. No lip-synching.

He’ll do fine. Think about it like disco week. If he can do Donna Summer, he can kill this thing.

TKat wrote:

TKat
No matter what key you use and how low you start the National Anthem, it still has a hugh range (1-1/2 octaves ) and it ascends over an octave in the first two bars. And when you get the the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“rockets red glareà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  part, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a challenge for almost all singers. And finally, when you are vocally tired, you need to hit the end section. Plus you canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sing it in a minor key (which is when I think Kris sounds the best) or it sounds Celtic or like late 60à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s protest song or well just off a bit.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve only sung it as a soloist twice, and it was the hardest thing I ever sang.
Perhaps the upstream poster is right and theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll have him lip sync a recorded version. That is a great idea and what I hope he does. Or maybe heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll fool us all and do a instrument version on his guitar and not sing it at all.

Wow, I’ve sung the anthem a few times, and I haven’t found it that hard at all. I have a relatively big range, but I’ve heard other people with smaller ranges than I have do a quite creditable job with it by changing the key and just deemphasizing the down-low starting notes. I’ve done mostly classical singing, though, so maybe it’s harder if you’re a pop person?

Mileage varies on the song, obviously.

We’ll see with Kris. I still think he can do a perfectly creditable job. I agree that it’s not really in his wheelhouse and he can’t shift it into any kind of minor-key bluesy direction, but I truly don’t see why he can’t do a competent job by downplaying the low register, which you don’t have to stay in for all that long, and simply trying to sing it modestly without trying to kill it.

You sexy thing, Kris Allen! Hate NB but love Kris and Heartless! Keep rockin’ it Kris! Can’t wait to see him and the others on tour this summer. anyone going to the Tampa show?

I think Kris will do fine in the anthem- he seems to really know his voice and how to make it work. Also, I don’t think he’ll have a big problem on the tour with his voice. When he went back for his hometown visit, he was singing a lot, and when he performed that Tuesday, it was pretty flawless. I know that’s just a little snippet but still..

I thought his No Boundaries was fine though. I just thought it had to do with the venue and the sound system. I’m hoping his Smokey duet will pop up soon. hehe

Oh, and by the way. Posters analyzing or commenting on fellow posters’ personalities? Never on topic. EVER. Somebody is lucky I didn’t ban them.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve only sung it as a soloist twice, and it was the hardest thing I ever sang.

So interesting, TKAT, always good to hear from a bona fide singer about this stuff.

I’m not sure what the “right key” is for anyone who doesn’t have a three-octave range! This is one where Adam would probably do great (and I’m sure he’ll be asked to soon).

Marvin had a beautiful falsetto, but I thought it was interesting that for SSB he didn’t go into the stratosophere with it, but kept the whole thing cool and soulful. And yes, “America the Beautiful” is an easier song to sing and IMO a better one.

With his arranging skills, though, I think Kris might find his own solution.

I think it’s an easier song, arguably, for women to sing than men? JHud, Mindydoo, Jordin, Carrie all nailed it. But for the rest of us mortals, here’s a funny video of Hillary Clinton struggling through it (she didn’t know the mike was on) — I feel for her on this one:

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

And here’s one of the more original takes, with Stevie Wonder on harmonica & a string combo!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W54WciHjguM&feature=related

edit: the topic of this post is Kris Allen and the Walmart shareholder’s meeting. stick to it.

I’m a bona fide singer too, and while I do have a big range, I have seen other people without a big range sing it quite creditably as long as they don’t try to oversing it — which I’m sure is tempting at an NBA final, especially — and as long as they’ve practiced enough to truly get comfortable with it and find a home for it in their voices.

Seriously, mileage *does* vary on this one, even among singers, clearly. I’ve sung a lot of other songs that were *way* harder to sing that this one. That’s no guarantee for Kris of course, but I still say there’s no reason in the world why he can’t do a perfectly creditable job. He can be a little soulful and express the words and sing soft down low and be just fine. I’ve seen it done.

You don’t need a big range to sing the National Anthem. Some singers just change the key at the high part or some just start the whol song very low. Either way he will be fine. Taylor Swift has a soft range and still manages to pull it off quite well too

And hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s one of the more original takes, with Stevie Wonder on harmonica & a string combo!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W54WciHjguM&feature=related

Marvin Gaye was performing at a Pistons Finals game. Apparently I’m a fan of the wrong team! :dunce_tb:

Missed the replay. Still no joy with Kris and Smokey. Post it if you got it!

I am a little confused how changing the key can help with the range issue…

PS. Just checked Taylors version and she seems to change parts of it so I guess that can be done.

Where was it posted that Kris will be singing the NA at the NBA Finals? I must’ve missed that! If so, cool gig! I’m not worried. David Cook’s career is still alive and kickin’ after his terribly pitchy rendition of the anthem at last year’s NBA Finals and so I don’t think Kris will drown if he isn’t perfect with it. Hell even Taylor Swift got away with singing a very low key version of it with her guitar one time.

I happen to think that those contestants (or singers without the American Idol contestant shit) who try to show every fricking not they may or may not have in the song suck. Even if the have the notes to do so, It just doesn’t resonate with me. I just never want this song sung about the singer and what they can do. I’d always prefer to hear it sung purely as an anthem to the singer’s country. I’m sure i’m in the minority, but this isn’t a song to choose your ultimate singer ever. My favorite every singing this song was Toni Tenille, she sang it straight with a beauty and a strength. I don’t think that any American Idol contestant ever compared. I think tjeu may or not have comparisons, her voice truly ruled and she wasn’t concerned with proving it. I guess that is the entire thing with me, if you have to prove the “voice” well then you obviously can’t. That is all to me.

Changing the key won’t help if you don’t have at least an octave and a half of range *somewhere*, but most singers do. It’s pretty hard to find a repertoire if your usable range is less than that. I would assume that Kris has that much range, although I haven’t examined it, really.

But if you’ve got the octave and a half (and hopefully a little more) that the melody requires, then you can change the key to a key that will put the lowest note of the song down at the bottom of your range and the highest note near the top of it. (That’s assuming that the original key doesn’t work out that way for you.) Changing the key signature essentially moves the whole song up or down in pitch.

On Kris: Honestly, I don’t think the range or any of hte leaps the melody makes will be his problem. I think he’ll mainly have the problem they all have singing the song in this venue — it’s very very loud in there and hard to hear yourself, it seems, and since you’re probably also nervous that makes it easy to lose your way in the song. That’s the main problem they all have, I think, and if he has a problem, I’ll bet it’ll be this one, too. That’s another reason why it’s a good idea not to oversing, but just to try to be low-key and focused and stay in your own head. Not easy in that venue, of course. (and practice practice practice)

Here’s the associated press article.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4ikbddtNm0vk7Wo5-UWYuihiRUgD98KNR5G2

Also, regarding using a recorded version, it would be a first for an Idol at the NBA Final. Fantasia never sang at the NBA final, but did a really nice job at a Yankees game and a NASCAR race. The other 6 all did live versions.

I think the best Idol contestant’s version of the NA is David Archuleta’s. Not overdone with lots of extra vocal gymnastics and flourishes. Just a purely stunning, beautiful, pure, and flawless version. His voice is perfect for that song.

per lucy….(screwed up my quote…sorry!) On Kris: Honestly, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think the range or any of hte leaps the melody makes will be his problem. I think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll mainly have the problem they all have singing the song in this venue à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s very very loud in there and hard to hear yourself, it seems, and since youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re probably also nervous that makes it easy to lose your way in the song. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the main problem they all have, I think, and if he has a problem, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll bet ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be this one, too. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s another reason why ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a good idea not to oversing, but just to try to be low-key and focused and stay in your own head. Not easy in that venue, of course. (and practice practice practice)

Got to agree with you there. My daughter has sung it many times and at smaller , but similar venues; those are the times that she has had some cringe worthy moments. But I still love her!

I am having fun googling different version of the NA. I must say that the DA version I found had some ornaments, but if was very beautiful. Exciting to see what Kris will do!

MJ started a Kris Allen National Athem thread.

By the way, I think he will do fine. It will be a pleasant performance I am sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X390XN15W9M

I wasn’t a fan his season but the above is far and away the best idol National Anthem ever – IMO. Kris will have to do a different version than this!

ETA: Gah! I just saw a National Anthem thread that this should have gone in but I don’t know how to move it. Sorry MJ.

I though the Marvin Gaye version of the SSB was awesome and touching. Part of it may have been the crowd love, because, you know, people loved them some Marvin.

The crowd at the big game will have lots of people who feel warm and welcoming about the Anthem, and Kris.

The annual snarling and hands on hip proclamations that so and so will *never* be able to sing it are a ritual of the post-show era, anyways.

KA seemed to have fun with the home state crowd today. Bet he’ll find a way to connect with the Banner, and the big game crowd.

For me, the difference between No Boundaries and the NA for Kris is this:

No Boundaries is written in such a way that if somebody just stands there and sings it simply, it would sound like absolutely nothing. That song has hardly any melody, trite repetitious nearly meaningless lyrics, and a structure that doesn’t really go anywhere on its own. To make anything out of it, as a singer, you are absolutely required to punch and punch away at it, making it some kind of driving rock ballad, or wail at it, making it all gospelly, or *something.* You really have to work at making the song into something.

The NA, on the other hand, is something all by itself. It has a nice melody, it builds to a climax all of its own accord, it’s rangy but doesn’t spend all that long in the lowest part of the register so you have some leeway to fudge that part, and it has non-trite, meaningful lyrics. So, if you want to, you can just locate the song in a key where you can reach all the notes and then just stand there and *sing* the song, let it flow out of you in a low-key way. If you do that, expressing the lyrics in a sincere, expressive, and heartfelt way, you can do a completely creditable job with the song. You won’t hit it out of the park, but you can get a nice solid single with it.

Now, you won’t be written up the next day in the paper or youtubed for decades as having done the best version of the anthem anyone has ever heard. But you won’t embarrass yourself at all either, and a lot of people will actually like your rendition. If you try to hit it out of the park, there are certainly all kinds of ways to go wrong with it — notably losing the key. But the thing is, unlike with No Boundaries — on which you *have* to try for a home run to have it sound like anything at all — the anthem sounds good enough all on its own if sung sincerely and expressively so that you don’t hvae to try for a home run.

I see Kris as a sincere, expressive kind of guy, so I think he can do it. Hope he proves me right!

Yeah, it seems like the only press you get about a performance of NA is when you really, really mess it up. And “hitting out of the park” — nice sports metaphor that one — is really dangerous. I think it just proves that there’s no one “test” of a great singer. That song is a minefield for a lot of my favorites, including Cookie…

Sorry I haven’t read through the entire thread so I’m not sure if this has been posted yet. The entire Wal-Mart Shareholder’s Meeting is up now.

Wal-Mart Shareholder’s Meeting

You can skip to the following times to see notable events:
Kris Allen performs No Boundaries (with Daniel Allen introduction): 2:10:00
Kris Allen performs Heartless: 2:14:45
Kris Allen and Ben Stiller: 2:18:40
Kris Allen and Smokey Robinson: 3:29:45

you, Taks, are my new BFF . thanks! xo

I heart you, taks. Thanks muchly!

At one minute and 10 seconds, I am almost positive that Kris’ brother Daniel is cheering with the cheerleading group.

Also, when Kris turned around in order to do his model pose, does he have chewing tabacco in his back pocket? I kept watching over and over to try and tell (not that I minded checking out his back side!)

how do you get that video to skip ahead? Every time I tried dragging it across, the video went BACKWARDS. I don’t want to sit through hours of Wal-Mart execs blabbing about stuff

Can someone please explain how to fast forward through the video? There’s no way to do so, as far as I can see on the site.

aieee

Try clicking anywhere ahead in the bar that is showing the playing progress.

Hey thanks Texasidol — that worked! I don’t know why it wouldn’t just let me click and drag it forward. But oh well. At least it worked! I’m such a dork when it comes to dealing with computers…

And of course after you asked whether Kris had chewing tobacco in his back pocket, I stared at his butt the whole time he and Smokey were singing — not that that’s a bad thing! I couldn’t tell what he had in the pocket, if anything. I hope he doesn’t chew — that’s not a healthy habit

No problem. Glad it worked! I just got off the phone with my mom trying to help her open a file off her e-mail. It only took her 15 minutes, but I got her there! So, no worries.

At one minute and 10 seconds, I am almost positive that Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ brother Daniel is cheering with the cheerleading group.

Also, when Kris turned around in order to do his model pose, does he have chewing tabacco in his back pocket? I kept watching over and over to try and tell (not that I minded checking out his back side!)

Daniel was in the “W” cheerleading outfit when he introduced Kris at about 2:10, so yeah it was. I bet he’s performed for this before.

ETA: Don’t see anything in his back pocket. Where did all these chewing rumors come from anyway?

I didn’t really care for the Zoolander skit thing. I love Ben Stiller, but I just didn’t think it was funny. I give Kris mega kudos for his fierce model stare tho!

Kris (and Katy) must be one (or two) of the cutest things coming out of Arkansas, if that crowd in the audience was any representation of the “good looking” people of their state.

Also, how can Walmart dare put on a show like that with the meager wages they pay their employees and the state of the economy??

Here’s a link to a video from the event shoptalklisa posted on you tube–Kris sounds mighty fine on this one–wonder why the feed sounded different:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHu2181pH60

As an aside, Smokey Robinson is only 69 years old?? I always loved his voice and he’s a fantastic songwriter, but is it mean of me to say that I thought he was a lot older than 69?

Kris looked pretty comfortable, not intimidated singing with a legend. But I wish he’d had let go and busted out some real dance moves!

Yeah it looks like Kris is not a bad dancer at all. I can imagine that he did a lot od dancing growing up since he was a big Michael Jackson fan. I bet he can do the moon walk!

But I do think he should stick with guitar and don’t dance much : stay away from boy band image as much as possible!

True. He’s not really a boy band type anyway.

Kris is getting the tabloid treatment now. I was at Target today and Kris is on the cover of The Globe tabloid with his picture and a headline about his marriage being in jeopardy. These tabloids are ridiculous. I guess any publicity is good publicity, right?

Thanks for posting the feed with the times taks! Also, texasidol thanks for your hints on how to get to the right times. Your both the best!!!

CindyM Jun 5th, 2009 at 10:24 pm

Kris is getting the tabloid treatment now. I was at Target today and Kris is on the cover of The Globe tabloid with his picture and a headline about his marriage being in jeopardy. These tabloids are ridiculous. I guess any publicity is good publicity, right?

Yeah, his mom talked about this in a radio interview I listened to and said just how ridiculous this was.

I was in Hawaii when Archie sang the NA, and it was spectacular to say the least.

“Yeah it looks like Kris is not a bad dancer at all. ”

check the shake your booty down to the ground video.

Daniel, Kris’s brother, is in the cheer group. You can see them at the beginning of the meeting as well.

Here’s the link again, if anyone missed it earlier in the comments:

http://walmartstores.com/sites/shareholders/2009/

Click in the bar to get to different sections…but don’t try to drag.

Oh, and the 2 walmarts in every town thing? Not a joke in the larger Arkansas towns. : )

I think the best Idol contestantà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version of the NA is David Archuletaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s. Not overdone with lots of extra vocal gymnastics and flourishes. Just a purely stunning, beautiful, pure, and flawless version. His voice is perfect for that song.

IMHO Kelly Game 4 NBA Final performance was great. And Adam’s homecoming SSB at Miramar was also great. Taylor Hick’s NBA performance was just OK and David Cook was so nervous it was hard for me to watch.

Also, Fantasia “knocked it out of the park” at the NY Yankees game.

Someone made the observation that it’s easier for women to sing the SSB and I think Whitney Houston did it as well as can be done. But many of the best performance I’ve seen have been classically trained tenors. I think the Marines must recruit them specifically to sing this because they alway have some amazing singer at Presidential events.

And to the singers who think “The Star Spangled Banner” is a easy song to sing, you must be really talented and should audition for American Idol. It is a really hard song to sing, it covers 19 steps from lowest to highest note. And you need to hit the high notes with some power or it has not impact.
This is from a very well respected vocal coach:

If they already know that their personal range is only an octave, and that the specific song they want to sing spans an octave PLUS 7 half steps, then they would be better off declining that offer because the song is going be entirely OUT of their comfort zone. Even lowering the whole song will not help here because the range of the song is outside of the singer’s personal range. This is why we hear so many sad renditions of The Star Spangled Banner” at local sports events. The song has a larger range or “tessitura” than the singer’s.

Kris did not win American Idol because of his great vocal range, power or control. He won because people like his vocal style and like him, as I do. But I also know a little bit about singing and I just don’t see this song as a great fit for him. Tempo, range, key etc. can all be measured exactly. According to Idol Ranges, Kris has an 11 Â ½ steps range Overall lowest : B2 Overall highest : A#4/Bb4 (B4 with his falsetto). I’m sure he’ll figure it out but there is reason to be worried for him. Take a lot at Danny’s SSB from his homecoming to see what I mean — it’s a very hard song to sing.

Just thought I’d let everyone know that Rickey now has the Smokey Robinson duet up so you no longer have to scroll through that massive three hour debacle on the Wal-Mart site. I still love it.

And TKat, I think you might have posted in the wrong thread accidentally.

ETA:
I’d like to point out for everyone that there is a National Anthem thread posted. I think it’d be best for MJ if we kept discussion in this thread related to the Wal-Mart performances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjoeEREX-ek Here is Elliott Yamin singing the NA look at the view counts. :)

Also, when Kris turned around in order to do his model pose, does he have chewing tabacco in his back pocket?

Isn’t there a wire coming out of his back pocket (loops down and then goes up the center of his back)? It’s probably some kind of receiver/battery pack for the monitor he was wearing when he was performing. Whatever.

I don’t like Elliott’s version, too many riffs and he can’t hold the high notes where you expect them to be held long…

Chris Daughtry’s version is much better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be0hIL0r5Pw

I hope Kris does something similar to Marvin Gaye’s version, slow it down a bit…

Rkt ..you don’t slam another singers version to make your preference better ..Elliott has a beautiful and very unique voice .

Here’s a kind of jerky, un-synch-ed but cool anyway vid of the Smokey-Kris duet on “Get Ready” — hoping for better sound & pic soon:

http://www.rickey.org/?p=17320

Rain… I didn’t mean to slam anybody… I like Elliott and I got both his CD’s. but I feel sometimes I he tries too much. Elliott has soul in him, so does Kris, but Kris never over-sings a song.

I’d say Elliott does ok with the NA. He does tend to put his own spin on it – every version is different, that’s for sure. I thought this was his best.

http://www.truveo.com/Elliott-Yamin-Richmond-Nascar/id/3912292074

I think this has to be the most nerve wracking thing these guys have to do – especially during the big games. I wouldn’t want to do it.

“take a look at Danny’s SSB from his homecoming to see what I mean – it is a very hard song to sing”

Danny had some problems with his vocal chord after the Rock week, I think he did a very good job even with the vocal chord issue.

Kris is the AI winner and has ample time to prepare for this, I expect nothing less from him.

Ok, I was able to record the Smokey Robinson & Kris Allen performance of “Get Ready”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-vCCpg0UbM

The video stream isn’t completely smooth. I tried capturing the feed multiple times and this is probably the best recording of the bunch.

Kris with Ben Stiller and CEO Walton, striking a pose:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhJi4m56GCk

Kris has also scored a sponsorship deal with a guitar company, according to the Little Rock paper.

Kris with Ben Stiller and CEO Walton, striking a pose:

Not that it really matters, but the Walmart exec in this video is CFO Tom Schoewe, who also did an American Idol spoof in the previous segment.

Kris’ mom mentioned that a guitar company was giving him guitars in an interview with a Little Rock radio station.

http://www.krisallenation.com/2009/06/kim-allen-radio-interview.html

This is a really good interview that provides a lot of insights into Kris’ character from the perspective of his mother. She tells the story about his marriage proposal to Katy (not exactly as he told Leno) and the story about his mission trip and guitar.

I found a live recording from someone who attended the Walmart meeting posted to YouTube of Kris performing NB and Heartless:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHu2181pH60

The audio quality is better and the audience response is not muted like in the webcast.

I’m glad he got to do two songs, plus that duet with Smokey Robinson. He sounded fantastic in every song. People talk about Kris’s range, but he has a very good range in line with the vast majority of professional pop and rock singers. He does very, very well. Adam has an extraordinary range, but I just don’t care for his style. Kris has beautiful, heartfelt delivery when he sings that I just love. I’m so glad that he is getting endorsements. Guitars would be the perfect fit, but with his clothing style, some jeans company or gym shoe company like Sketchers would be a good fit, too. He is so cute he would be a great spokesperson or model for any number of products or clothing lines.

LOL Okay, I really like the Magnum pose.

TKat wrote: }And to the singers who think à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Star Spangled Bannerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is a easy song to sing, you must be really talented and should audition for American Idol. It is a really hard song to sing, it covers 19 steps from lowest to highest note. And you need to hit the high notes with some power or it has not impact.
This is from a very well respected vocal coach:

If they already know that their personal range is only an octave, and that the specific song they want to sing spans an octave PLUS 7 half steps, then they would be better off declining that offer because the song is going be entirely OUT of their comfort zone. Even lowering the whole song will not help here because the range of the song is outside of the singerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s personal range. This is why we hear so many sad renditions of The Star Spangled Bannerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  at local sports events. The song has a larger range or à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“tessituraà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  than the singerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s.’”

Hey, I know it’s not the easiest song in the world!

But, for me, I can bet that it would be way way easier than something like “No Boundaries,” simply because it is melodic enough to allow you to just sing it in a relaxed, low-key manner if you’re willing to do that. No Boundaries simply doesn’t allow that, seems to me — you have to push and punch and wail on that one to make it sound even halfway decent. But you don’t have to do that with the anthem, unless you want to, is my point. It’s nice on its own. It allows you to do a credible — not great, just credible! — performance that’s very simple and not pushy or flashy but expresses the words.

Disclaimer: I’ve sung classical repertoire almost entirely and a lot of what I’ve sung is 20th-century, atonal stuff, stuff with no set meter, so my sense of what’s difficult is probably different from most people’s perceptions of that — I mean, maybe No Boundaries doesn’t seem tough to pop singers. Does to me, though! And since I’ve done so much stuff that has little conventional melody, a nice melodic 18th century tune seems less hard than some things. Plus, you get to sing into a mic, so you don’t have to try to project to the back end of the auditorium all on your own!

Anyway, I know that people say you have to really be able to hammer at those top notes in the anthem, but in my opinion you really don’t! Seems to me from my experience that if you simply are able to open your mouth and let the notes out clearly while giving a heartfelt reading of the lyrics, that’s enough. (Not great, not Whitney, but enough.)(I’ve done this myself, and I’ve advised others to do it, and it’s worked out okay — that’s all I can say. Granted, nobody was at an NBA final.)

On the issue of the range, well, truly, if you don’t have at least an octave and a half in easy notes to reach, you shouldn’t be on American Idol, should you? I have to say that this is one of my reservations about Kris –I don’t think he has a very big usable range when he is nervous or tired or whatever. I hear him straining high and low at times, though not always. I think he needs training so that he can reach his notes without doing that, but I know it’s also quite possible to compensate for the smaller range with songwriting skills and other stuff.

That said, if he relaxes and doesn’t try to do anything spectacular with it, I don’t see why he can’t do one of those low-key renditions of the anthem that really focus on the words and just simply sing it. You hear country singers do those a lot. And Kris is good at the heartfelt, and that’s what people want in the anthem, more than anything.

Having heard him say that he hasn’t sung it before concerns me a bit. You definitely need to have internalized the song to have a prayer of just relaxing into it and expressing it. We’ll see, I guess. One way or another, he’s going to be asked to sing the anthem plenty more times — that’s a big way for the Idols to get exposure, it seems — so he’d better learn to do it!

RemusL — thanks so much for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-vCCpg0UbM

It’s a much better version of the Smokey Kris duet than I’ve seen elsewhere.

Wish Kris’s mike had been turned up (it’s one of the biggest corporations in the world, couldn’t Wal-Mart get a better sound person?) but it was so funky and fun. Loved seeing him swap phrases with Smokey, an entertainer that brings so much joy to his shows (not to mention a gazillion hit soul songs he wrote and/or recorded).

I think Kris is a pretty soulful dude, and I’d love to see him go in that direction. Nice memories of him grooving out to Stevie Wonder at the beginning of the AI season. Here is some wonderful video I just found of Stevie backstage with the Idols, just foolin’ and singin’ together. Here we’ve got the early, shy Kris, kind of on the sidelines but diggin’it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P4YvWMhsUU

I do think that backstory/frontstory mean something in Idol, but talent has to go with it. And personal backstory (widowhood, hurricanes, blindness) aren’t what I mean. It has to be a show-biz backstory!

Adam’s great backstory (beside all the silliness about his sexuality) was that mythic star-plucked-from-the-chorus saga, of a guy who’d worked so hard and finally got the break he richly deserved. Kris’s was the shy guy with great talent blossoming gradually before your eyes.

None of those stars give a crap who won American Idol. They are making tons of money to be there with a smile. The world is not revolving around any of those contestants.

Yep, that about sums it up. Kris probably made $100K just to do what he did so I can’t imagine what the rest of them make. It’s a great perk for the A.I. winner to appear on these annual WalMart Shareholder’s meetings. Bigger named stars make at least $250K if not more. Laugh all way to the bank they do.

Here is some wonderful video I just found of Stevie backstage with the Idols, just foolinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ and singinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ together. Here weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got the early, shy Kris, kind of on the sidelines but digginà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P4YvWMhsUU

As! My fave Stevie song w/ Anoop totally fanboying on vocals. Awesome!

And Kris kicking on the Beatles song. heh

Nice find!

I love a guy who doesn’t fully know how attractive he is. It’s refreshing to see in showbiz