Interview: Sawyer Fredericks at home – “I wasn’t really worried about winning the show or anything — I actually would have preferred one of the other contestants to win the show, because I know they probably wanted it more than I did,” he says, sitting in gray hoodie and low hiking boots, his hair snatched back in a ponytail. He doesn’t mean to sound ungrateful, because he isn’t. It’s just that he knew other people wanted it more. Remember: Nice kid.
“And also I’m an introvert, so having a whole bunch of cameras, and tons of people watching me, wasn’t, like, something I really wanted to do. But I think I just looked past that and decided, ‘Well, I can put myself through it. The worst thing that can happen is that I’m sad a few times, and then I’ll get over it.’ But I was looking forward to just being around other musicians and, I guess, seeing how all of it works.” – Read more at the Times Union
‘American Idol’s’ Jax returning to N.J. for 9/11 tribute – Jax’s father retired from the fire department and is now what she calls a “dad-ager” for her budding music career. He will be in the crowd at the Prudential Center on Dec. 10, when his daughter sings the national anthem at the start of the first “Never Forget Tribute Classic,” an NCAA men’s basketball doubleheader benefiting the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. The event, which will feature games between Villanova, fresh off an NCAA championship this year, and Notre Dame, and the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State, will raise money for the nonprofit, which provides college financial aid to kids of people killed or permanently disabled in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. – Read more at NJ.com
Carrie Underwood Ends Storyteller Tour
This week, she heads to New Zealand to tour with Keith Urban
Wow, what an amazing fall it’s been! Thanks to all who came out – I will never forget you! #TheStorytellerTour https://t.co/zYfYY6El41 pic.twitter.com/6xU7Jc17UZ
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) November 30, 2016
Bon-Ton partners with artist and Milwaukee native Danny Gokey for holiday song – Boston Store parent The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has partnered with Milwaukee native and “American Idol” alum Danny Gokey for the retailer’s holiday advertising campaign. Milwaukee- and York, Pa. -based Bon-Ton (Nasdaq: BONT) said Wednesday that it has procured the help of Christian pop star Gokey, who was a top three finalist on season eight of American Idol in 2009, to record the holiday tune “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” That song will serve as the signature song for Bon-Ton’s 2016 holiday television campaign and will appear as a bonus track on Gokey’s “Christmas is Here” holiday CD, which will be available to purchase at most of Bon-Ton’s 267 stores. – Read more at Biz Journals
American Idol 3 runner-up Diana DeGarmo opens in Jekyl and Hyde World Tour
The show opens in South Korea
Happy Opening Night to the cast & crew of our “Jekyll & Hyde” WORLD TOUR! ??????
— Diana DeGarmo Young (@DianaDeGarmo) December 1, 2016
‘The Voice’ contestant surprises students at Wardlaw-Hartridge – PLAINFIELD – Coming off a stint on “The Voice,” Bindi Liebowitz gave music students a thrill with a surprise visit to The Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison.
The Queen City native treated sixth-graders to a performance complete with a selfie session. “The students were very excited to have their picture taken with Bindi, to hear her sing for the class and to sing one of our choir songs for her,” said Sharon Byrne, the school’s vocal music teacher and performing arts department chairr, of the Nov. 4 event. “They were eager to get her autograph and ask her many questions. She was very gracious and generous with her time and talent.” – Read more at MyCentralJersey.com