Bits and Pieces

Bits and Pieces

Katharine McPhee took part in the David Foster and Friends Ontario Charity Gala  in Niagara Falls Canada.   She sang   …Over The Rainbow,   …I Have Nothing and sang a duet with Andrea  Bocelli.   Paul Anka, Michael Bublà © and  Babyface also performed.   The gala  raised money to cover the non-medical expenses of families with children in need of organ transplants  .

Gray Charles confirms that Taylor Hicks dropped by  the Greg Allman and Friends show in San Francisco Thursday night to play harmonica on  a number.   A blogger who attended the show recounts it here.   This is what the blogger had to say about Taylor’s performance, “…he’s a legitimately talented dude who is much bigger than the label [American Idol].   And he did a helluva job on the harmonica…”

Jennifer Hudson recently signed on with Clive Davis and Arista records. Here’s what Clive had to say about Jennifer’s talent, “Jennifer is a vocal wonder, a tremendously gifted artist…Her extraordinary voice gives her a signature sound and distinguishes her from every singer on the horizon today. Jennifer is a very exciting new addition to the Arista family.”   Hey Clive! Are you just figuring that out?   You could have signed her  in 2004,  at the end of Season 3.   Just Sayin’.

Season 1 contestant Jim Verraros  talks about his upcoming movie role and  being  the first former Idol contestant to come out of the gay closet  here.    Jim’s upcoming movie is called “Eating Out 2.”   He plays a gay man who plays straight in order to woo a guy who’s a little sexually confused.   Yes, it’s a comedy…

And finally, Jon Peter Lewis continues to promote his new independently produced album, “Stories From Hollywood”.   In this  latest press release  Jon says, “I was called a lot of interesting and very funny things as a finalist…but when somebody recently called me the ‘Indie Idol, ‘ that was one comment I was pretty proud of.”

“Stories from Hollywood” reflects the two years  JPL has spent developing his sound, and it’s worth a listen.   JPL is no longer your Crazy Dancing Pen Boy.   His debut CD is a fine album of indie rock tunes that would play nicely on Adult Alternative radio.   Yes–alongside Snow Patrol, Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie.   Listen for yourself–he’s got his tunes streaming on his  My Space.   And if you missed it, I wrote a review a few weeks back  here.

thanks lisab