‘Idol’ Top 24: Who has the most Twitter followers? – American Idol voting results have always been kept top secret by producers until the winner is revealed under a rain of confetti in May. That leaves Idol fans scrambling for way to assess how their favorite is doing from week to week. – Read more at Entertainment Weekly
Lauren Alaina Swings By This Week’s Top 20 – Lauren Alaina is bringing her big voice and fun personality to this week’s Top 20 Country Countdown! Lauren and host Nan Kelley talked about Lauren’s latest video, “Georgia Peaches,” which she filmed with her two best friends. She also dished about being on tour with Jason Aldean and what it’s like to sing “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with him every night. Be sure to tune in tonight at 9/8 CT for Lauren and Nan’s chat as well as to count down the Top 20 videos of the week, chosen by you! – Read more at GACTV
‘Idol’ Reaches The Death Rounds, And A Real Girl Problem Emerges – Hand on the fast-forward button: that’s how I watch American Idol’s death-round episodes. The apex of each season’s early exercise in emotional manipulation, Judgment Week apes that old Wide World of Sports ad, played on repeat over three hellish hours: it’s the week where the judges usually hone down the list of contestants to a final 24 before the public starts voting. But witnessing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is just not that fun when you still barely know anything about the contenders. – Read more at NPR.org
Scotty McCreery Celebrates Read Across America with NCAE – The young singer, just 18 and already an international celebrity, places a high value on education and reading. A North Carolina native, Scotty McCreery visited NCAE to greet the Cat in the Hat, pose for photos and yes, sing a bit, in celebration of Read Across America 2012. “It was fun — and for a great cause,” McCreery said about his visit to NCAE. “When the 7-foot Cat in the Hat entered the room, I was like ‘whoa!’ – it was so awesome to be standing next to a character from the Dr. Seuss books and see it come to life. Everyone reads his books growing up — I certainly did.” – Read more at NCAE.org
‘Smash’: Britney Spears not joining the show – “Smash” has apparently picked up a celebrity fan in Britney Spears — who reportedly likes the show so much that she wants to be on it. Contrary to a report, though, she’s not currently in talks to appear on the NBC series. – Read more at Zap2it
Elton John, Sting, James Taylor And More To Perform At Rainforest Fund Benefit – The performers at the Revlon-sponsored concert include Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Meryl Streep, Katharine McPhee, Bryn Terfel, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill and a number of surprise guests. The Rainforest Fund, founded by Sting and Trudie Styler in 1989, came to life because of a direct request from a Kayapo Indian leader in Brazil attempting to protect his land. The Rainforest Fund benefit concert will be held on April 3, 2012. Read more at Huffington Post
Backbeat: Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Gary Overton, More at Country Radio Seminar’s Day Two – The 26th annual Sony/BMG cruise along the Cumberland left dockside around 7 p.m. Although the weather forecast warned of inclement weather, the skies did not pour down hail and rain as had been predicted. Inside and onstage, hosts Storme Warren, Sara Evans and Kellie Pickler worked to keep the music flowing despite some technical difficulties throughout the evening. Jake Owen opened the show with a great performance, followed by newcomer Tyler Farr and Josh Thompson. Pickler and Evans sprinkled performances throughout the evening from a satellite stage in the audience. Another new artist, Kristen Kelly, performed before duo Love and Theft took to the stage. They brought along guitar great Josh Leo, who wowed the audience with his expertise. Casey James, a former “American Idol” contest who came in third on season nine, performed two original tunes. “Last year I thanked all of you but I didn’t really understand what I was thanking you for,” James told the audience. “Tonight I am thanking you again, for all you have done for me this past year.” Carrie Underwood closed the show, performing several of her tunes and introducing her new single, “Good Girl.” “I wanted to play it for you first,” she said before launching into the new tune. She called Brooks, Kelly, Evans and Owen back to perform the finale, a rousing version of “Good Lovin’.” Read more and See photos at Billboard.Biz
X Factor Shakeup: LeAnn Rimes “Open” to Being Judge – A rumor was flying earlier this week that LeAnn Rimes wants to be a judge on the rebooted X Factor. But does she really? I caught up with the country star last night to find out what’s going on…”I love the show,” she said at Bovet 1922’s Hollywood Domino Gala & Tournament at the Sunset Tower Hotel. “I mean, I love all the shows.” – Read more at EOnline
Jordin Sparks: I Taught Whitney Houston How To Dougie – “One thing folks didn’t realize about her was her sense of humor, that she was really funny. Tell me one of the funniest things that you remember about her or something she said to you,” Shaun asked.“We did. There was a moment where…. she was blasting gospel [on her iPod] and then for me, sometimes I would put it on and [she said], ‘Teach me how to Dougie!’” Jordin said of Whitney’s request that the former “Idol” winner show her some dance moves. – Read more at Access Hollywood
X-Factor’s Chris Rene stops by the I.E.
