Taylor Hicks will conduct a live chat tonight on UStream at 8 pm ET. Watch it HERE
Scotty McCreery to headline Azalea Festival – WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Watch out Wilmington! American Idol winner Scotty McCreery is heading our way to headline in the 2012 North Carolina Azalea Festival. He will take the stage in Wilmington Friday, April 13. Tickets can be ordered online at www.ncazaleafestival.org and are also available at the Azalea Festival Office. Tickets are $62.50 for bleacher seats and $52.50 for balcony seats. – Read more at WECT
Astro will appear on tonight’s Person of Interest on CBS 9/8c. Here’s a recent Interview with Vibe Magazine – You’ve been grinding for a while and now things are finally starting to look up, describe the feeling. I’m very excited, I’m ecstatic, it’s beyond exclamation. I can’t really explain how it feels. I’m young, I’m 15 and for five years I’ve been working to get a record deal, and now I know what it feels like to have one. It feels like a job and it feels fun. It’s just pretty dope. – Read more at VIBE
‘American Idol’ Reject Panhandling on the Highway — Got Any Spare Change? – Magic tells us, since his massively public “Idol” rejection, no one has wanted to hire his one-man band — because “now people know I don’t have the talent I thought I had.” But after reading an article about homeless people making up to $30k a year just from begging, Magic was inspired — and decided to hit the road with a cardboard sign … earning an impressive $0.35 his first day. For the record, Magic isn’t actually homeless — he lives at home with his parents, owns a car, cellphone, and a computer. But he is kind of a dumbass. – Read more at TMZ
Report from L.A.’s Grammy Week: Rickey Minor, “Tonight Show” bandleader – I had a conversation with Rickey Minor, now the bandleader of Jay Leno’s “Tonight” show band, and formerly the music director of the Grammys as well as “American Idol.” He brought along with him a percussionist, saxophone player and guitar player from that band to talk to the students about songwriting. Accompanying his band was Lacey Brown and Didi Benami, both season 9 contestants of “American Idol.” – Read more at Salt Lake Tribune
Archuleta Soap To Air Overseas – Speaking of David, he will return to spend Valentine’s at the “Close Up Pyropalooza” featuring the “Close Up Pyromusical” on Feb. 11 at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia. Joining David during the event are Zia Quizon, Indios, Never The Strangers, and JAMICH. The “Close Up Pyromusical” will run every Saturday from Feb. 11 until March 17 to the tune of the “Closer You and I.” – Read more at MB.com
Report from L.A.’s Grammy Week: “Crush” songwriter talks about Archuleta – During the morning session, I jumped at the chance to have a one-on-one interview with songwriter and producer Eman (full name: Emanuel Kiriakou), whose hit singles include Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight Tonight,” Selena Gomez’s “Who Says,” and, most importantly for my interests, Murray native David Archuleta’s most popular single, “Crush.” “I was a huge fan of David on the show,” Eman said of “American Idol.” “I followed him from very early on.” – Read more at Salt Lake City Tribune
Katharine McPhee Covers ‘Self’ March 2012 – Katharine McPhee shows off her toned tummy in a white bikini in this photo from Self‘s March issue. Here’s what the 27-year-old cover girl and Smash star had to share with the mag: See the Photos at Just Jared
The Voice’s Carson Daly Denies Rivalry With Ryan Seacrest – “Ryan and I have been friends for a long time, and the press assumes that there’s some competitive spirit there, but not at all,” Daly, 38, tells New York Magazine’s Vulture. “Ryan and I try to get together every year to have a drink around New Year’s Eve because it’s the only time that we’re both around.” Daly and Seacrest, who hosts FOX’s American Idol, invited comedienne Kathy Griffin and CNN’s Anderson Cooper to join them at their annual get-together in December 2011. The four TV personalities met up at Crown in New York City. Read more at US Magazine
Jennifer Lopez ‘to perform concert in India’ – Jennifer Lopez is reportedly planning to perform at a stage show in India next month. The event is being organized by veteran Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and Raj Kundra – husband of Shilpa Shetty – reports Mumbai Mirror. “She will be here on March 6 and stay at a suburban five-star. Due to her rehearsals, they will ensure her hotel is not too far away from the venue,” a source claimed. – Read more at Digital Spy
Steven Tyler Buys Maui Home for $4.8 Million – American Idol judge and Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler bought a luxury Maui home with his fiancee Erin Brady for $4.8 million, $3.2 million less than the listing price The Wall Street Journal reports. The 2-bedroom, 3.5-bath home features 3,000 square feet of living space. ( Zillow.com ) – Read more at ABC
