‘American Idol’ auditions draw long lines of eager contestants on Boston Common – Plenty of singers lined up on Boston Common Friday morning eager to share their personal narratives and sweep judges off their feet. This summer show is bringing its big blue audition bus, emblazoned with the “American Idol” logo, to 19 cities across the country. In an attempt to draw more talent, the show also allows contestants to audition online, by submitting a singing video. Elfar says there are several rounds of auditions before contestants can see the celebrity judges. So far this year, producers will only say that Ryan Seacrest has agreed to host, and pop singer Katy Perry will be one of the musical experts to decide singers’ fates. – Read more at Mass Live
What ‘American Idol’ auditions in Muscle Shoals were like – Hopefuls began lining up for “American Idol” well before the scheduled 9 a.m. audition start time, some got here around 3 a.m., I was told. Closer to processing, the line evoked the entrance of a large music festival. – See the Photos at AL.com
‘American Idol’ looks for the next big thing in Fargo – The halls of the Delta Hotels by Marriott were alive with music Wednesday morning, Sept. 6, as talented singers from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota gave it their best for “American Idol.” The open auditions attracted about 500 hopefuls between the ages of 15 and 28 by 11 a.m. Applicants sang in front of one of the show’s producers in hopes of getting a golden ticket, starting them down the path to a potential spot on the 16th season of the show. That path started with a line that formed at 4 a.m. when the temperature was just over 40 degrees. – Read more at BrainerDispatch.com
Backstageplay Inc. announces license agreement and launch of American Music Award winner Daughtry-inspired social games room – VANCOUVER, Sept. 7, 2017 /CNW/ – Backstageplay Inc. (NEX?TSXV Exchange: BP.H) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has finalized its first commercial license agreement with American Music Award winner Daughtry, where it will launch and manage a Daughtry-inspired and branded social gamesroom on its social gaming platform at daughtry.backstageplay.com. Revenue generated from the Daughtry gamesroom will be shared equally by the parties, after certain agreed expenses. The Daughtry-inspired games room will launch in mid-September and will be promoted by the band through social media throughout the fall and throughout their 2018 touring season. – Newswire.ca
Cumulus Launching Rock Band Competition, Gavin Rossdale, Scott Borchetta, Steve Jones To Judge – The winner gets national airplay and a record deal through a JV with Big Machine and John Varvatos Records. Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale says what today’s new artists need to be successful hasn’t changed much since when his band started their career in London in the mid-90s, despite changing musical technologies. “It all comes down to the same thing: Extremely good music, a great team and a lot of luck,” Rossdale said. – Read more at Billboard
Singer Haley Reinhart! – You’ve seen her on American Idol, and playing shows all across the country! The incredibly talented vocalist, Haley Reinhart, joins Bill and Wendy in the studio for the second time! This time she brings her parents, Harry and Patti! They talk about her parents’ band, growing up in a musical house, singing the national anthem at the Sox game tonight, working with Ryan Seacrest, and more. The family also shares a couple songs! – Listen at WGNRadio
Haley Reinhart Back Home in Chicago
Goo Goo Dolls and Phillip Phillips Pavilion donation drive a success – Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls and Phillip Phillips assisted Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion staff members with the collection of thousands of needed items at a special donation drive held before the band’s concert September 7. Concertgoers were encouraged to bring non-perishable donation items to the show to help support Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The band, along with Phillip Phillips, helped collect donations and took the time to personally thank the Texas community members for their resilience during this terrible tragedy. All donations, along with 100 percent of merchandise sales for the night, will go to the Houston Food Bank. – Read more at Woodlandsonline.com
First Look: See Kellie Pickler on the Set of Her New Talk Show, Pickler & Ben – Taping in Nashville, the one-hour show, executive produced by country superstar Faith Hill, will feature interviews with celebrities and experts in the fields of food, décor, entertaining and gardening. “It’s a lifestyle show so it’s of course talking and interviewing people, but really shining a light on small businesses and special talents,” Picker told PEOPLE Now last October. – See the Photo at People
10 great regional dishes recommended by Taylor Hicks – Not only does Taylor Hicks know how to carry a tune, he’s also pretty good with a fork. The platinum-selling musician and former American Idol winner has been traveling the country to spotlight some of his favorite dishes for State Plate, a food-travel show on the INSP television network. He says he’s been doing this his entire career. “I obviously caught a big music break, but I caught a big food break as well. As I toured nationally and internationally I got to tour food.” He shares some of his discoveries with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY. – Read more at USAToday
Jordin Sparks says “American Idol” experience will help her judge Sunday’s Miss America competition – She was crowed American Idol champion in 2007, and this weekend, Jordin Sparks will help crown another champion: Miss America. Jordin is a celebrity judge at this year’s Miss America Competition, and says her experience on Idol will come in handy. “Having done American Idol and been in front of that and [under] pressure like that and had people judging me, and giving me critiques — I think I can bring a lot to the judge’s table, actually,” she tells ABC Radio. – Read more at ABCNewsRadio
AMAZING BABE: Mary Sarah – You were on season 10 of The Voice, what was your favorite thing about being on the show? I’ve got to say the whole experience! It was like nothing I’d ever done before and I learned so much about myself and how far I could push myself! It was incredible. – Read more at RamonaMag.com
Debbie Gibson Opens Up About Joining ‘DWTS’ After Battling Lyme Disease – “I want do this show now because over the past four years I’ve been dealing with health challenges,” Gibson, 47, told ET. “In particular Lyme disease, and I’ve not been friends with my body. And it’s time to make friends with my body again and get the joy back and performing consistently because I’ve been kind of [been] home resting, and resting, and resting. Which is helpful but it’s time to get moving and it’s time to overcome this thing once and for all. “This is kind of the big, bold way to do it and I feel like if I don’t do that I could get stuck,” she continued. “And so, I’m ready to get unstuck and I think this is the way. It’s the way to do it.” – Read more at CBS8
