Lauren Alaina Says Her New Album Is the Result of an ‘Active Decision to Focus on the Good Things’ – “I’m in an extremely extroverted person, and I recharge with others,” Alaina, 26, tells PEOPLE. “So to be in my home alone in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and crisis, I really felt bad. There’s nothing wrong with struggling. It’s just how you overcome the struggle that’s important.” For Alaina, overcoming her struggle was two-fold — therapy and creativity. “I am not the kind of person that can just sit and be still,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to do a book. I’ve always wanted to do acting. And obviously, I wanted to get my third album out. I tried to take advantage of the time I had.” – Read more at People
Lauren Alaina Talks Depression, Broken Hearts and Hope on New Album: ‘I Think It’s the Best Music I’ve Made’ – Lauren Alaina Talks Depression, Broken Hearts and Hope on New Album: ‘I Think It’s the Best Music I’ve Made’ Alaina says she’s feeling better these days. “My heart is still aching for the world — there is so much sadness,” she says. “But in my personal life, my heart has healed to a place where I can love myself and love others more fully. I’m just praying and believing for us to get through the other side of this time. This project really represents healing and that’s what we all need right now.” – Read more at Billboard
Ashland Craft’s ‘Travelin’ Kind’ Highlights Her “Genuine” Path To Success – In the past 18 months, Big Loud Records-signed artist Ashland Craft has emerged as something of a “can’t miss” country star on the rise. On September 3, the member of CMT’s 2021 Next Women of Country class releases Travelin’ Kind, a debut album that feels like the rocking, countrified, and passionate creator is putting her entire heart and soul on the line for the country and pop music communities to embrace as one of their own deeply, and in regards to both genre’s futures, one of the foundations at the forefront of where music is heading. “This album represents so many small pieces and parts of who I am,” says the vocalist on a late summer afternoon while traveling between tour dates as an opener for the Zac Brown Band. “Early in my career, I told myself that I was going to pursue music with my whole heart, or not at all. Now, at the end of the day, I’ll say that when it comes to my music, it’s sometimes like, ’Screw it. I’m honest. This is who I am, and whoever likes it, likes it.’” – Read more at CMT.com
American Idol Season 13 winner Caleb Johnson set to tour with Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Once again, Caleb Johnson will join the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on their Christmas tour. The singer wrote on Twitter: “Incredibly honored to joining the mighty @transsiberianorchestra on their 2021 winter arena tour this year !! Hope to see you at a show !!” Recently he’s been touring with his band and performing Meat Loaf songs on the BAT tour.
Incredibly honored to joining the mighty @transsiberianorchestra on their 2021 winter arena tour this year !! Hope to see you at a show !! ????
? @christrinh25 pic.twitter.com/2RRDLSIDal— Caleb Perry Johnson (@CalebJohnson) September 2, 2021
Scotty McCreery calls himself the “world’s best wedding dancer”
I may have been doing this for 10 years now, but there's still some things you probably don't know about me ? pic.twitter.com/0jtVh4umZw
— Scotty McCreery (@ScottyMcCreery) September 2, 2021
DAVID COOK DISCOVERS A NEW AND DEEPER LEVEL OF PERSONAL HONESTY WITH EACH OF HIS RECORDINGS – “The record is largely defined by my experience during the pandemic,” Cook says. “Having to be inside by myself and come up with enough songs for a record forced me to lean on different sensibilities. I had a singular path to walk, and that allowed me to totally tune into how I wanted each song to sound without a lot of outside input. The result is a stronger narrative.” “I’ve had a complicated relationship with fame,” he says. “The tug of war between the success and the anxiety of the success is intense. I envy those who are able to take success as it come and not worry about what comes next. ‘How do I make it work again?’ That’s the nagging question, isn’t it? Whenever something good happens, the worry for me becomes ‘how will I screw it up?’ With time, I have embraced failure, in that it can motivate me. But I don’t think I’ve made peace with it.” – Read more at RivalMagazine
American Idol Virtual Auditions! – At the end of August, Kara Mack spoke with American Idol’s season seven winner David Cook and season eight winner Kris Allen about their American Idol experience and advice they have for hopefuls who auditioned in Oregon. – Watch the video at KATU.com
JSU Student Overcomes Personal Obstacles to Showcase Talent on ‘American Idol’ – The sun was beaming down on Deshawn Goncalves in the middle of marching band practice at Jackson State University when he got the call to audition for “American Idol.” “I got an Instagram DM from a casting producer, and they wanted me to come out and to do an audition,” he says. The Youngstown, Ohio, native had originally been scheduled to audition for “America’s Got Talent,” but the show ended up temporarily shut down due to the pandemic. “(‘Idol’) was a better fit for me anyway because I could still showcase my artistry with the piano, so it worked out perfectly,” says Goncalves, who began singing in the church choir under his grandmother’s direction at 4 years old. Since “American Idol,” Goncalves has been working with industry leaders to record his debut album, along with some Broadway appearances. He plans to release a single titled “Dreamer’s Anthem” in the near future and has several planned shows in the works. – Read more at Jackson Free Press
