Scarypoolparty’s world has blown up since ‘American Idol’ – Q: Did “Idol” change how you approach making music in any way? A: Not really. It kind of put me in this weird state where I wasn’t really writing songs, because you’re busy recording the show. I was in this weird kind of place. I wasn’t really writing, but I was trying to stay true to writing every day, practicing every day. It was actually kind of hard to be on that show and try to write music. Coming out of it was a breath of air. Q: Even though you know on an intellectual level that contestants who lose tend to do better in their careers, is there a part of you that gets really caught up in it, and just wants to win? A: For me it was like I was on this weird ride, where I know I love music, and this was just the loops-you’re going up on the ride, then you’re going down in a free fall. I never came into the show thinking I want to win it. I was legit just experiencing it, and taking everything as it comes. – Read more at Chicago Tribune
‘The Voice’ winner Sawyer Fredericks coming to Canton – Asked how his concerts compare to his performances on “The Voice,” he said, “I would say my music is very different than the stuff I played on ‘The Voice.’ I’m playing mostly original songs. A lot of my stuff is very emotional and I like connecting with the audience. Also, playing in a band is really fun because it’s jamming.” A mainstay in Fredericks’ live show is “Man of Constant Sorrow,” the song that changed his life. “I started playing that song at farmers’ markets and open mics when I was 12,” he said. Due to “The Voice,” his concerts attract a wide audience: “I would say I actually have an older audience than some people would think, mostly because I was playing older music when I was on the show. They connected with that.” – Read more at CantonRep.com
Gabi and Scotty McCreery’s Love Is a ‘God Thing’: ‘His Love Shines Brighter Through Us’ – “It’s really a God thing that we got together,” Gabi says during a podcast interview with Caroline Hobby. “His love shines brighter through us together more than us separate. It has been so cool to see how much His love shines through us.” “Our faith is a big part of our relationship,” explains Gabi, who says she personally relies on devotion and prayer to see her through the tough days. “Our parents raised us both to know that we are full in ourselves on our own and that’s something I really love about us. We know who we were before we got married. We knew who we were in Christ before we got married.” – Read more at TasteofCountry
Cassadee Pope Waited Patiently for More Than Three Years to Release ‘I’ve Been Good’ – When Cassadee Pope first heard her current single, “I’ve Been Good,” more than three years ago, she was signed to Big Machine Records. Pope heard the retrospective song while at a songwriter’s night, but because she was with a big label, didn’t have complete creative freedom to record any song she wanted. But when the alum of The Voice decided to leave Big Machine and release music on her own, she knew she wanted to share “I’ve Been Good” with the world. “I had felt all those things the song talks about and all of a sudden I was really grateful that I hadn’t cut it, because I wouldn’t have been able to sing it with as much feeling or as much understanding,” she added. “Then I went into the studio and cut it with Corey and it’s a fan favorite. It’s kind of cool.” – Read more at popculture.com
Jordin Sparks Talks #MomTruths, Reveals How She Overcomes Mom Guilt and Sneaks in Self-Care – Jordin Sparks became a mom in May 2018, but every day, the 29-year-old—who currently stars as Jenna on Broadway’s Waitress—is learning something new about #momlife. From overcoming mom guilt to finding time for self-care, Sparks has found that enjoying the little moments with her son, 17-month-old Dana Isaiah Thomas Jr. (DJ for short), helps her forget the stress. “I love spending time with him,” she tells Parade.com. “At the end of the day, when I come home and I see him with my husband, I’m just like, ‘Okay, life is good!’ Life is sweet already, but they just make it much sweeter.” – Read more at Parade
Jordin Sparks On “Tamron Hall”
The Unmasked Skeleton on The Masked Singer Says His Famous Boss Instantly Recognized Him – That clanging collection of bones on The Masked Singer turned out to be Paul Shaffer, music impresario and former music director for David Letterman on Late Show with David Letterman. Even calling Shaffer Dave’s musical director is limiting, because while that is true he’s also done much, much more, including performing on Broadway, being the bandleader for Saturday Night Live in the late ’70s, and working with The Blues Brothers all before he joined Late Night. His association with Letterman was one of the main clues in his first package, though, when he referred to himself as a sidekick. And when he performed “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” against Black Widow, we were finally aware who was beneath the costume. Here’s what Shaffer had to say about “dying” on the show. – Read more at TVGuide.com
