Headlines: Adam Lambert George Michael Tribute, David Cook on the Road

Adam Lambert Posse Accused Of Battering Man, Throwing Phone In Boystown Bar – Adam Lambert rolled into Chicago Tuesday ahead of his show with Queen at the United Center on Thursday—and he immediately went into The Closet. That’s a bar at 3325 North Broadway in the Boystown neighborhood. And, a Lakeview man told police that a member of Lambert’s posse battered him and threw his phone across the bar, prompting a police response early Wednesday. Chicago police confirmed that officers responded to the 3300 block of Broadway around 2:30 a.m. today where the man reported that a member of Lambert’s posse grabbed his cellphone out of his hand and threw it. The offender then fled in a vehicle and no injuries were reported. – Read more at CWB Chicago

Police: Person hurt during Haley Reinhart arrest – Police confirm that a person was injured during the scuffle last weekend at Lamplighter Inn Tavern & Grill in Palatine in which “American Idol” singer Haley Reinhart was arrested and accused of punching a bouncer in the head. The injured person’s identity, attacker and condition are not being released because the investigation is still ongoing, Palatine police Cmdr. Craig Lesselyoung said Wednesday. Reinhart’s attorney, Dina LaPolt, said in a statement Monday it was Reinhart’s friend who was “violently beaten” and “sustained multiple injuries,” although she did not specify who did the beating. – Read more at Daily Herald

‘American Idol” Season 7 Winner David Cook Talks Springsteen, Chris Cornell, and New Music Ahead of Asbury Park Show – American Idol Season 7 winner David Cook will be performing this evening (July 12) at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, and he called in to talk to Michele Amabile about the show and chat about his new music. He also talked about his New Jersey connection with legendary E Street band member, Steven Van Zandt, his feelings about the passing of Chris Cornell (David famously covered Cornell’s arrangement of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” on Idol), and what his involvement will be with the Idol reboot on ABC. – Read more at 107theBoss

Chatting with David Cook: Rock star, former American Idol winner – The song selection process for his new studio album involved Cook experimenting with new sounds, and going in a new musical direction. “It was about finding songs that resonated with me, and songs that I felt I could do justice to no matter what the format was,” he said. His plans for the future are to continue to make and release more music for his dedicated fans. His latest single, “Gimme Heartbreak,” is available on iTunes. – Read more at Digital Journal

David Cook talks “eerier, darker and moodier” new music and “bringing fans along for the ride” – David Cook’s back with a new single, “Gimme Heartbreak,” from a new EP due this fall. He’s playing it on his current tour, and says it’s a good indication of his new musical direction, which he describes as “eerier, darker, sexier and moodier.” “It’s certainly a departure. It’s different than anything that I’ve done before, which is exciting for me,” the season seven American Idol champ tells ABC Radio. “It’s certainly nerve-wracking, [coming] out with something that feels this different, ‘cause…either the crowd’s gonna love it or they’re gonna hate it.” He adds, “Knock on wood…so far, it seems like they like it!” – Read more at ABCNewsRadio

Could Lauren Alaina perform with Bret Michaels and Poison? – Country star Lauren Alaina wants to take her affection for the Bret Michaels fronted rock band Poison to the next level. Tuesday afternoon, the “Road Less Traveled” singer sent out a tweet asking CMT for a chance to perform with Poison during a CMT Crossroads show. The official account for Poison responding, saying “Sounds like nothin’ but a good time!!” – Read more at the Tennessean

‘American Idol’ finalist Crystal Bowersox shares positive message, songs at Camp Tanager – Nashville recording artist Crystal Bowersox had some advice to share with dozens of kids attending diabetes camp in Mount Vernon Wednesday: “Know that your attitude is your best friend or your foe.” “You can spend your time being angry and resentful about it (Type 1 diabetes) or you can accept it and start living your dreams,” Bowersox said. “If you embrace it and learn to care for it and love it, then it won’t stand in your way.” – Read more at The Gazette

Lauren Duski’s journey to The Voice – Duski’s time on The Voice is over, but her association with Shelton isn’t; she said he’s an advocate to the musicians that he mentors both on and off the show. “He’s definitely become a friend, and I never expected that going into this journey,” Duski said. “If I have any questions about the music industry — or anything else, really — he always picks up the phone. He’s just a good person.” Next for the Gaylord-raised singer — who’s living back in Nashville as she completes her new album — is a plan to head up north to her hometown for at least a brief visit this summer. Then she’ll embark on a series of live tour dates this fall and winter, which she said she’ll announce soon. – Read more at Northern Express

Five Things to Know About The Bold Type’s Katie Stevens – She first broke onto the scene as a 16 year old competing on American Idol, but Katie Stevens is all grown up now and carving her own path to success. Things weren’t always smooth for the actress, 24, as she dealt with a period of self-doubt following her Idol elimination in 2010. But with some encouragement from her biggest supporters and a newfound determination, Stevens made a name for herself — first as Karma Ashcroft on MTV’s 2014 series Faking It and now as Jane Sloan in Freeform’s new series, The Bold Type. – Read more at People

How Fifth Harmony Moved On and Took Control of Their Music: ‘The Fans Are Our Fifth Member’ – But the acrimonious December split made even bigger news, with 5H accusing Cabello of quitting through her reps, and Cabello denying the accusations. It was… awkward. “Try experiencing it,” retorts Jauregui when I volunteer as much. The rest of the group, as it so often does, rushes in to complete her thought. “I was literally going to say that,” Kordei quickly adds. “I get to sleep at night knowing we did everything in our power as friends, bandmates and human beings” to make it work. Then Hernandez: “You can’t change people.” And finally, Hansen: “Let’s just say we’re in a better place now — there are no secrets in this circle.” – Read more at Billboard.com

Pop Quintet Why Don’t We Explain Why They’re Not Just Another Boy Band & How Justin Bieber Inspired Them – When the Why Don’t We guys — Corbyn Besson, Daniel Seavey, Zach Herron, Jack Avery, and Jonah Marais — set out to have careers as singers, they weren’t intending on being in a group. In fact, prior to pursuing music, none of them even knew one another. But after touring and performing at various events as solo acts, eventually they all got familiar with each other — and once the idea was brought to them that they should form a band, they were in right away. “We all kind of have the same musical aspirations and look up to some similar people,” Besson tells Billboard. “And obviously we all love each other, we’re brothers. So we thought, ‘Why don’t we?'” – Read more at Billboard

How Laith Al-Saadi’s 15 minutes is propelling his career – “It’s a little of a double-edged sword,” Al-Saadi says. “I don’t want to be ‘The Voice’s Al-Saadi,’ because I’m not that. People that have come to see me for years know that. But I know even with how much I’m not willing to alter my shows to completely appeal to The Voice watchers that I’m alienating people that think I play too much guitar.” Al-Saadi’s been making music for more than two decades, and hasn’t worked a “real” job since he was 16. It wasn’t because high school didn’t prepare him for the future — indeed, Ann Arbor’s Community High School did that perhaps too well: The alternative-school’s jazz band program under Mike Grace turned Al-Saadi into an earner. – Read more at MetroTimes.com

MGM TV Bustling Under Mark Burnett’s Unconventional Leadership – But Burnett and Trump remain connected through “The Apprentice,” which is now largely owned by MGM, with Trump holding a significant stake. Despite their political differences, Burnett and Trump are friends, although Burnett says of late there has been little contact. “I’m making TV and he’s working on the administration, so there’s no reason to be chatting that much,” he says. Burnett has not spoken to Trump about the future of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which struggled in its return to NBC with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the boardroom and was not renewed. Trump wasn’t shy about criticizing the Schwarzenegger edition via Twitter. “I’m sure he’s got more things on his mind,” Burnett says. “We’ve had zero discussion about what to do with ‘The Apprentice.’” – Read more at Variety.com