Shifting gears: Phil Stacey steering career into Christian music
Now he charting a new course for his music in the new year.
…Ive changed labels. Im with another major label (although he declined to give a name until the deal is finalized). Im doing a Christian record this year. Right now Im still in the songwriting phase. It should be out about May.
Tweaked “American Idol” returns with new judge
LOS ANGELES, Jan 11 (Reuters) – “American Idol” returns for its eighth season on Tuesday with a new judge, a better showcase for talented singers and a wary eye on its status as America’s most-watched television show.
The five-month search for a new star kicks off with a two-night, four-hour premiere featuring the familiar blend of hundreds of hopeful, and sometimes hopeless, contestants auditioning in cities across the nation.
But producers have tweaked the formula to keep viewers tuning in en masse after last year, when the numbers of “American Idol” faithful slipped to about 28.1 million per episode from an average 30.8 million in 2006.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘American Idol’s’ high-wire act
Since its inception, America’s leading entertainment juggernaut, “American Idol, ” has redefined the landscape before it. But this season it will test a new show-business frontier: Can a prime-time show dominate in its eighth season on the air?
For “Idol, ” ratings are of paramount concern because it will never be enough merely to survive or cling to its prime-time slot. It has demolished virtually all comers, except for CBS’ durable crime drama “NCIS, ” and it must continue to overpower once again or risk losing its uncanny ability to coin genuine (not the 15-minute variety) stars each season.
By the numbers: Radio ranks Season 7’s finalists
What the difference between winning American Idol and simply placing? It massive when it comes to radio airplay. Ive been playing around with Mediabase numbers all week, trying to find the different stories they can tell. And this one’s a doozy: Ive ranked last season 12 finalists according to the radio play theyve received. Naturally, David Cook, David Archuleta and Kristy Lee Cook outpace the other nine, since they had major-label record deals and a corresponding level of promotion. But the amount of fall-off between the not-really-successful Cook and the next-most-played finalist is simply staggering.
Eighth season of American Idol’ begins Jan. 13
It’s the same old song. Hear it? The familiar January refrain asks whether this will be the year “American Idol” tumbles, surrendering the title of America’s most-watched program.
The Tuesday and Wednesday editions of Fox’s talent-search reality show have been No. 1 and 2 in the ratings for three straight seasons. With the eighth version of “American Idol” starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday on WJW Channel 8, some industry watchers see the juggernaut slipping a bit and heading for that tumble.
Last January’s seventh-season opener was down 11 percent in total viewers from the sixth-season premiere. Even more alarming to Fox, it was down 13 percent in the age demographic most prized by the network and advertisers, 18 to 49. And the entire seventh season was down 10 percent from the sixth.
FOURS A CHARM
The holidays are over, the decorations are put away, the calendar has turned to a new year. For millions of people across the country, this means one thing: Ryan Seacrest saying dramatically, …This ¦ is ‹American Idol!
The eighth season of …American Idol premieres this week locally on WUTV Channel 29, with two-hour audition shows from 8 to 10 p. m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
…American Idol remains television top show but saw its national and local ratings slip during last season. As the competition narrowed, viewers began to return, and the David Cook-David Archuleta finale drew 8 percent more local viewers than 2007.
Kentucky talents will tune in to ‘American Idol’
Craig Carter knew that just being a good singer would not be enough. The Paducah science teacher had been through American Idol auditions once before, when the show came to Memphis in 2006. That’s where he learned that in addition to having pipes, he needed to have a story that would make him compelling to the judges and ultimately, the viewing public.
So, when the auditions came to Louisville in July, Carter was ready with a bright yellow-green sign saying, “Be Smarter. Pick Carter from Possum Trot, KY.”
Meet newest ‹Idol judge
When …American Idol starts season eight Tuesday, you can be the judge of its newest judge.
Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson sometimes have had guest celebrities sitting in with them, but theyre getting a permanent addition to their panel. Songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi turns the trio into a quartet.
The two-part season premiere (Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. on WFXT, Ch. 25) showcases the sometimes poignant, often amusing auditions, staged last summer in eight cities ranging from San Francisco to San Juan. DioGuardi was on hand for the tryouts, so she got an early sense of what she in for, but she realizes it will take the official on-air start of …Idol for her to know it fully.
Simon Cowell: 10 reasons to tune into ‘American Idol’ this season
Who would have thought on July 11, 2002, that a blip-on-the-radar singing contest — an import from England — would become the television hit to end all television hits?
Not Simon Cowell, the show’s famously ascerbic judge and show producer.
“When I first did ‘American Idol, ‘ the one thing I made sure I had was a return ticket, ” he said in a recent media conference call, “because I genuinely thought we’d be off the air in about three or four weeks.”
‘American Idol’ gets a tuneup
For most of the decade, American Idol has flattened its TV competition, developed a small stable of pop stars and even launched the career of an Academy Award-winning actress. But after each success, a nagging question would always be asked: How long can this last?
So as overall TV viewership continues to slide and the talent show enters its eighth year (a ripe old age for a network program), Idol’s producers aren’t taking any chances. They’re ready to unveil the biggest changes to the familiar formula since the show’s early seasons.
When Idol returns Tuesday, it will have a fourth judge, Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi, a larger field of semifinalists and fewer freak-show auditions that initially made the reality show a cultural phenomenon.
Ch-ch-ch-changes on ‘American Idol’
Last year’s installment of “American Idol” was pretty drama-free — but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Season 7 crowned the right guy — Kansas Citian David Cook — but it lost about 7 percent of its viewers, many of whom complained that the show had become dreadfully dull and particularly predictable.
There were no big blowups. No terribly surprising eliminations. No over-the-top personalities.
The most memorable moment of the whole season occurred when Paula Abdul, already known as a certified space cadet, misread her cue cards and critiqued a yet-to-be-sung song.
Season 8 gets under way at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Fox (cable Channel 4-24) with lots of changes intended to scramble the too-comfortable format.
So You Think You Can Sing? Rules for New ‘American Idol’ Contestants
With the new season of ‘American Idol’ upon us, we thought it wise to give some advice to the men and women who compete on the popular talent show.
Seven years of watching ‘Idol’ has offered an insight on what the singers should and shouldn’t do, and we’d like to share. PopEater’s Rules for ‘Idol’ Wannabes
FACTBOX – American Idols — where are they now?
REUTERS – “American Idol” returns to U.S. television on Tuesday for an eighth marathon search for the nation’s best undiscovered singers.
Over the years, America’s most-watched TV show has found plenty of new talent, as well as some unlikely heroes. Following is a look at where some of the most memorable
“American Idol” contestants are now.
Your own “American Idol” photo shoot
If, like myself, you feel that you were meant for glory on the “American Idol” stage but are being held back — persecuted even — just because you can’t carry a note or keep time with even the simplest beat, “American Idol” now has an alternative for you. It’s a way to find “Idol” glory, or a fantasy facsimile thereof, that you can share with your friends, who will gape in awe when they see your Christmas card next year emblazoned with mock proof of your “Idol” grandeur.
Starting this week, an “American Idol” photo booth will be touring the malls of our fair land, allowing fans to have a full photo shoot in front of the legendary “Idol” backdrop, posing as and in the footsteps of the giants.
David Cook — Dude’s Got Balls
‘American Idol’ Constantine Maroulis takes on Broadway – but can’t save it
Can an “American Idol” belter save Broadway?
In a word: no.
It’ll take more than that to rescue the Great White Way, which has been hit hard (nine closings last week, and more to come this month) by a nosediving economy.
Still, it can’t hurt for an Idol to try. And one shaggy-maned rocker from the popular TV reality contest is reportedly about to step up.
While word isn’t yet official, Brooklyn-born Constantine Maroulis is said to be on board for the Broadway transfer of “Rock of Ages, ” the ’80s musical of Journey, Bon Jovi and Whitesnake tunes.
Simon Cowell: I haven’t asked Dannii Minogue to return to The X Factor
Simon Cowell is yet to finalise plans for Dannii Minogue to return to The X Factor.
The music mogul isnt sure the Aussie judge, 37, wants a place on the panel following the tension between her and Louis Walsh, 56, during the 2008 series.
‹Im going to sit down in January and ask everyone if they want to come back on the show, Simon, 49, tells the News Of The World.
‹Dannii and I have genuinely never discussed her coming back. Ive not sat down with anyone and discussed coming back ‘ including her. If Dannii says no then there always someone new, and that applies to everyone.
But Simon has hinted that hed like supermodel Kate Moss, 34, to join the team.
Brooke Burke Marvels at Karina & Maksim’s ‘Steamy’ Engagement
Brooke Burke was among those not surprised by the engagement of Dancing With the Stars’ Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
“You could see the chemistry, ” Burke, 37, Dancing’s Season 7 champ, told PEOPLE in Las Vegas Friday night. “I’m really happy for them and I hope it works out.”
The two professional dancers became engaged in Las Vegas at Wynn Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.
