American Idol lawyers nix Sinatra contest – Despite receiving about 30 unsolicited inquiries from performers wishing to enter the 12th annual Sinatra Idol contest, Hoboken will not host the event this year . In the competition, usually 15 singers from all over the world perform songs made famous by Hoboken’s favorite son at Sinatra Park along the waterfront. So, why not host this ever-popular show? Last year, the city received a letter from attorneys representing the producers of American Idol, the hit TV show that originated on Fox TV and is now on ABC, that has launched several singing careers. The producers challenged the Sinatra Idol name, threatening the city with a lawsuit for copyright infringement even though Sinatra Idol is not televised and does not offer recording contracts. Last year, Mayor Ravi Bhalla said, “Sinatra Idol is a Hoboken institution, and Sinatra Idol is not going anywhere. We must preserve Sinatra Idol, but Hollywood will sue if we don’t change Sinatra Idol’s name. We discussed alternatives like ‘The Sinatra Voice’ or ‘The S Factor,’ but we thought it might be best for Hoboken to suggest new names for Sinatra Idol.” – Read more at Hudson Reporter
Madison VanDenburg and Moriah Formica at NewsChannel 13 – Madison VanDenburg from “American Idol” and Moriah Formica from NBC’s “The Voice” stop by NewsChannel 13 to talk about their upcoming concert at the Times Union Center on June 28. Both have ties to Shaker High School. The duet on a bit of Dan + Shay’s “Speechless” – More at WNYT
American Idol alum Walker Burroughs and Bobby Bones Write a Silly Song
Walker is headed out on tour with Bobby’s band, the raging idiots, later this summer
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Interview: Danielle Bradbery teases Introducing Nashville shows and gives an update on new music – You mentioned earlier that you’ve been writing a lot since I lost saw you. Where are you at in terms of the next record? We’re we’re working on it right now and I’m so excited that we’re getting the ball rolling on everything. I’ve been writing a lot, I’ve been listening to outside songs as well and putting my vocal on some songs. I’m just really gearing up and brainstorming about record 3, which is very exciting to say. I don’t have exact dates. It’s just in the beginning process but we’re definitely starting that whole thing, which is super, super exciting for me and the team. I’m brainstorming, I’m getting a lot of ideas down and then hopefully we’ll get the ball rolling even faster and have something for everybody. I’m really happy about that. – Read more at Entertainment Focus
In an age of extremes, country music star Scotty McCreery finds his place ‘in between’ – Country music star Scotty McCreery is tired of extremes. “That’s what makes the news: this extreme or that extreme. But I feel like a lot of folks are just cruising on down the middle,” he told the PBS NewsHour, shortly before taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry to perform his latest single, “In Between.” The song is off his 2018 album, “Seasons Change.” – Read more at PBS.org
Former American Idol contestant works to raise $3 million to feed homeless and hungry – A former American Idol contestant and Western Michigan University graduate launched a GoFundMe earlier this week in an effort to raise $3 million to feed the homeless and operate a food kitchen in Kalamazoo, according to a statement from CALTRAN.Matt Giraud, who was raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan and graduated from WMU, started the GoFundMe that will benefit CALTRAN, a Michigan-based hunger-relief charity. Currently, donations can be made to the GoFundMe here or by sending a tax-deductible check or money order to CALTRAN, c/o Matt Giraud Fights Hunger, P.O. Box 2632, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003. – Read more at WMMT
