The American Idol XIII premier continues tonight with auditions in Austin and San Francisco! Again, we’ll be live blogging 8/7c pm.
Kelly Clarkson appears on New Martina McBride Album – Martina McBride had a specific vision for ‘Everlasting’ (out March 4), a collection of iconic soul and R&B songs, and knew Grammy-winning producer Don Was had just the experience and insight to lead her on this journey. The legendary producer guided McBride through songs as diverse as Aretha Franklin’s “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,” Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” and Van Morrison’s “Wild Night,” and yielded a new sound and a departure for the country icon and four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. Kelly Clarkson duets with Martina on “In The Basement” originally by Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto. See the full track list at MartinaMcBride.com
Which Songs Are Performed Most Often by Reality-Competition Contestants? – Anyone who’s watched even five minutes of a reality singing competition since American Idol first became a phenomenon in 2002 knows that song choice is everything. The right take on a well-known tune can win over with the judges — and the viewers — while a wrong note will send your reality-TV dreams home in a Ford-sponsored body bag. So with American Idol kicking off its thirteenth season tonight, it had us wondering: Which songs have become go-to choices for the contestants competing on these programs over the years? I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston is the winner with 17 appearances. See the full list at Vulture.com
‘American Idol’ Judges Address Persistent Rumors That the Show is Fixed (Q&A) – What exactly is it about American Idol that keeps viewers coming back season after season? Returning judge Jennifer Lopez has a theory. “It’s the show that people want to watch,” she told The Hollywood Reporter as Hollywood Week was wrapping up in late December. “You want to see somebody go for their dream, because it’s inspiring. It makes you think you can do it, too. … Watching those dreams come true — it won’t ever get old. It’s a format that works.” – read more at Hollywood Reporter
Review: ‘American Idol’ has its swagger back – “American Idol” has done the unthinkable: It’s gone back to basics. After years of trying to find its mojo with high profile judges and format switches, the aging singing franchise has dialed it down for its latest season, which premieres Wednesday and Thursday. Viewers who gave up on “Idol” should tune in, if only for Connick. He’s magnetic, as well as the most eager to hear new talent, the hardest to impress and the first to offer technical advice. – Read more at LA Times
Lawsuit against Chris Daughtry sent back to state court – GREENSBORO ? A lawsuit against singer Chris Daughtry is not over. It’s just gone back to the place where it belongs. According to a federal judge, that is Guilford County Superior Court. U.S. District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder, in an opinion released Wednesday, declined to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Daughtry’s former bandmates and remanded it back to state court. The suit has bounced back and forth between jurisdictions since bassist Ryan Andrews, drummer Scott Crawford and guitarist Mark Perry filed it in Guilford County Superior Court in April 2012. And because the case is being moved back to state court, Schroeder said, he did not have jurisdiction to grant a motion filed by Daughtry’s attorneys to dismiss the case. – Read more at news-record.com
Arts: On eve of album debut, performer returns to ‘home base’ – This marks her ninth year performing at the Pawleys Island Tavern. For the 2011 American Idol finalist, it’s one for the roots. “There are all different levels and it starts with coffee shops, talent shows, recitals, bars, stages. I’ve gone all through those stages and since coming from a national level, your publicist and manager say not to play local. But I want to do the frickin’ show because I’ve been playing there forever. It’s like a home base.” – Read more at Coastal Observer
Lucy Hale Takes Us Back To Ryan Seacrest’s Early 2000s ‘Spray Tan’ – “I got to see Ryan Seacrest with the blondest hair I think he’s ever had in his career and the tannest maybe. He had, like, a spray tan I want to say,” she laughed. “I still know him to this day and I did his show not too long ago and was like, ‘It’s been 10 years since I first met you,’ and he’s, like, the nicest guy ever.” Via MTV
American Idol Exclusive Video: Harry, J.Lo, Keith & Ryan Glam Up for Season 13 Photo Shoot – The good energy (and unabashed glamor) flow freely in the following exclusive video taken at the official Season 13 photo shoot for the judges — Harry Connnick, Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban — along with host Ryan Seacrest. Press PLAY below to get their take on why Idol remains the gold standard of reality singing competitions — and to watch them all looking super purdy. – Read moer at TV Line
The Swon Brothers Sign Publishing Deal with Sony/ATV – The Swon Brothers are the newest addition to the Sony/ATV songwriters roster. Colton and Zach Swon add the new publishing deal to their recording contract with Arista Nashville. If you always wanted to know what goes on during a contract signing in Nashville, check out the video below of the brothers finalizing the deal. Read more at Little Rebellion Magazine
