Chikezie, David Hernandez, Diana DeGarmo and Kimberley Locke could be heading to a city near you as part of the American Stars on Holiday tour. The show, directed by American Idol associate musical director Michael Orland, opens in Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday.
Richard Rushfield of the Los Angeles Times caught up with the Idols as they rehearsed for the tour:
Michael Orland: These guys have literally had five days of rehearsal for this whole thing. We’re going to New York on Friday to rehearse with the band, then Saturday morning we’re doing the CBS morning show. And then we get right on a plane to Pittsburgh and open Saturday night in. And Friday we’re going to be in the air all day, so its going to be crazy. But we’ll do it. That’s show biz. I love every second of it. We put on those shows at Idol every week, its like doing a full-blown concert every week, so this is the same thing.
The crew is rehearsing 40 songs for a 90 minute show, including intermission. “We’re literally singing every holiday song you could possibly think of, ” says David Hernandez.
Rushfield interviewed each Idol separately, and here’s what each is up to:
- Chikezie started writing his album after the summer Idols tour finished, and he hopes to release it next year.
- Diana DeGarmo lives in Nashville and is writing and recording country music with producer John Rich (Gone Country, Nashville Star, Big & Rich).
- David Hernandez is performing at the Barcelona Club in Scottdale AZ. He’s also writing and recording, in NYC and elsewhere. He plans to audition for TV shows come pilot season in January.
- Kimberley Locke owns a restaurant in New York, has a Christmas album out on iTunes, and will embark on a fitness cruise this Spring.
After the tour, Orland will head right into the new season of Idol. About Hollywood Week, which he just finished at the Kodak, he says, “I definitely saw some incredible performers this week. They’re all numbers at this point, I don’t even remember names, but I definitely saw some incredible singers.”
About new judge, Kara DioGuardi Michael says, “I was waiting to see a clash between the two girls but they got along great.” And on the “meanness scale” Kara is “…leaning towards Simon for sure. But she’s really great. She adds a really interesting element.”
Videos at the LA Times feature the four rehearsing a version of “Mr. Sandman” that’s been transformed into “Mr. Santa” for the season. CHEESY! I’d totally see this show if it were coming to New England.
After the jump, watch another video, via Access Hollywood , of Chickezie, David, Diana and Kimberley rehearsing for the tour. Aw, Kimberley and Clay Aiken are no longer friends…
Video after the JUMP…
