“Play On Tour” Kicks Off This Thursday!
One of country music’s most anticipated tours of 2010, the Carrie Underwood “Play On Tour, ” will kick off this Thursday, March 11 in Reading, PA at the Sovereign Center, with special guests Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia. The “Play On Tour, ” hydrated by vitaminwater® and sponsored by PEDIGREE® Brand, is currently slated to run through June 20 in Saskatoon, SK at the Credit Union Centre.
Tour Director, Raj Kapoor has put together one of the year’s biggest country music tours by bringing in top name collaborators including Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” Production Designer, Michael Cotten, and Emmy Award Winning Costume Designer, Soyon An. The “Play On Tour” will bring to life Underwood’s hits with new and personal expressions of the songs. The tour also plans to bring Underwood closer to her fans with an unexpected surprise, guaranteeing that even the audience at the back of the house will sometimes have a front row seat at the concert. World-class production and one-of-a-kind special effects make sure that Underwood’s “Play On Tour” will be a night her fans soon won’t forget.
Underwood’s previous tour, 2008’s highly successful “Carnival Ride Tour, ” wrapped after 137 shows with over 1.2 million fans in attendance.
Ryan Seacrest Stalker Cops Plea
Ryan Seacrest’s stalker, Chidi Uzomah, just pled no contest to felony stalking … TMZ has learned.
Uzomah, who repeatedly hunted the “American Idol” host down and came close to him while armed with a knife, agreed in court to submit to a 3-month psychiatric evaluation at Chino State Prison in California.
As for prison time, we’re told he could serve up to 2 years behind bars. And it’s likely the judge will issue a criminal stay away order to keep Uzomah clear of Ryan Seacrest for the next 10 years.
Simon Cowell’s Troubled Empire
While he takes a last lap around the Idol track here in the U.S., however, back home on the Eastern edge of Cowell’s empire, the tone has been far less valedictory. In fact, for the past few months, Cowelldonia in Britain has been rocked by one bizarre, disturbing event after another. (Cowell’s U.K. representatives did not respond to requests for comment.)
The source of the troubles goes back perhaps to the differences between the two empires. Whereas American Idol lives in—by the standards of modern television—a fairly gentle, nurturing little bubble, with its focus on singing talent still remaining very much at the show’s forefront, Cowell’s U.K. fixtures, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, exist in the much more rough-and-tumble, sharp-elbowed world of British television, where ravenous tabloid culture intermingles more brazenly with on-air entertainment.
More Headlines after the JUMP…
Katharine McPhee: Women’s Day at the White House
Celebrating International Women’s Day, Katharine McPhee was spotted singing at the White House yesterday afternoon (March 8).
The “American Idol” babe looked lovely as she performed in the East Room, sporting a simple-yet-sexy grey dress.
Siobhan Magnus as she was before ‘American Idol’
Irish American “Idol” contestant Siobhan Magus was born to perform but who knew she could rock an edgy boy short hair do.
Magnus, from Cape Cod, has made it to the top eight girls and has one of the hottest vocals on the show this year.
But before wowing America with her hair-raising chops and her quirky personality, Magnus sung with a local band, Lunar Valve, in Hyannis and had lots of fun doing so.
Siobhan Magnus’ best friend shares in ‘Idol’ glow
MARSTONS MILLS – She didn’t have a “golden ticket, ” but that didn’t stop Stephanie Gianno from going to Hollywood.
It was the day before the first live performances of the “American Idol” season that the 20-year-old hopped a cross-country flight for dinner with her best friend.
Related Stories
If 19-year-old Siobhan Magnus was nervous about singing in front of millions of viewers and, of course, Simon Cowell, she didn’t show it that night while munching on Thai food.
The next time Gianno saw her childhood pal, it was on a small soundstage, belting out Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.”
Elliott Yamin’s earthquake scare in Chile: In his own words
Yamin was performing at the annual Competencia Internacional in Viña del Mar, the largest music festival and competition in Latin America, representing the United States with the song “Rock Around the Clock.” He had just been cut from the seminfinals round and tweeted a semi-tirade about the show, which he called an “incredibly huge waste of time.” Hours later, a terrified Elliott took it all back as he wrote of “utter chaos on the streets” as an 8.8-magnitude earthquake reverberated from the city of Concepcion, some 200 miles away. With the power out and aftershocks rattling the buildings regularly, Elliott and his fellow performers gathered in the street outside their hotel until morning, after which he became a go-to witness for several American media outlets, such as CNN’s “Larry King Live.”
The American Idols invade Singapore
Seems these days, anywhere you turn, the country’s tightly in the grip of Idol fever. Carrie “I love chocolate” Underwood was in town last year, opening the ION Orchard mega-mall with the debut of her new-ish single “Mama’s Song, ” while Kris “Keep that snake away” Allen put on a one-night mini-concert at Zirca in Clarke Quay just last month. Now, the Singapore chapter of the Glamberts — which are what the fans of season 8 runner-up Adam “I live for hairspray” Lambert call themselves — is flustered with excitement that the flamboyant pop star’s putting on a by-invite-only performance at Resorts World Sentosa.
Matt Giraud returns to ‘American Idol’ for duet with Scott MacIntyre
When Matt Giraud takes the “American Idol” stage for the first time since placing fifth last season, he won’t have votes or Simon Cowell to worry about.
On Thursday, he and eighth-place finisher Scott MacIntyre will reprise their dueling piano performance of Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It, ” which brought audiences in arenas across the country to their feet during “Idol’s” live summer tour.
“I’m pumped to hit the ‘Idol’ stage again, ” said Giraud, of Kalamazoo. “And I’m honored to be asked.”
Jennifer Hudson On Motherhood, Her Son’s Puppy Pack & Her ‘Fierce’ Wedding Dress
LOS ANGELES, Calif. —
Jennifer Hudson stepped out in a gorgeous royal blue, flowing gown on Sunday night at Elton John’s annual Oscar bash, but not far from her mind was her baby boy, David Otunga Jr.
“He’s great. He’s [steadily] growing, ” Jennifer told Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos. “He’s crawling now.”
Jennifer said raising her beautiful 7-month-old, who is named after his daddy, the singer’s fiance, David Otunga, is a complete joy.
“I’m just loving being a mom, ” the Chicagoan said.
Jennifer Hudson On Motherhood and Her “Fierce” Wedding Dress
Jennifer Hudson stepped out looking stunning in a royal blue flowing gown at Elton John’s Oscar party on Sunday, but the Hollywood social scene comes second to her true vocation — motherhood.
“He’s great. He’s [steadily] growing, ” Jennifer told Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos of her seven-month-old baby boy, David Otunga Jr. “He’s crawling now.”
‘American Idol’ EXCLUSIVE! Kimberly Caldwell Tells Us What Present She’s Bringing To Simon’s Wedding…And She’s Re-Gifting!
What would YOU buy for the man who seems to have everything?
Kimberly Caldwell is having a big dilemma when it comes to finding the perfect wedding gift for her former American Idol judge, Simon Cowell, and his bride-to-be, makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy. Kimberly confides her struggle to HollywoodLife.com at the TV Guide and Hollywood Reporter Oscar Party at the Beverly Hilton March 7.
Paragons Of Change: Judges’ Comments Signal Move Away From Fresh Faces To Individualists
For a young person with aspirations of becoming a pop singer, growing up watching “American Idol” must have given someone like Katie Stevens a clear picture of what every winner must possess: a fresh face, a pleasant demeanor and a powerhouse voice. (The meaning of the word “pitchy” can’t hurt, either.)
Imagine the surprise of the 17-year-old from Middlebury, seeking to make her ailing grandmother proud, doing all the things she’s learned over eight seasons, only to find she’s doing something wrong. Had she auditioned back in the days of Diana DeGarmo, Katie Stevens would be the paragon of “Idol” potential.
Diana DeGarmo debuts in Hair tonight (with Ace Young as Berger)
Believe in love! Meet Broadway’s new Sheila, Diana DeGarmo
April gig for Kelly Clarkson in Singapore
TALK about American Idol mania.
You probably know that Adam Lambert, the runnerup last season – Season 8 – will take to the stage at Universal Studios in Resorts World Sentosa on Friday.
Click here to find out more!
Yesterday, news broke that Idol’s first champ, Kelly Clarkson, will perform a show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on April 27.
Country Singers Promote Dream Home Raffle
Singers Vince Gill and Amy Grant appeared onstage at a show late last week to raise awareness of the June raffle of the 2008 St Jude Dream Home – a 3, 871-square-foot house valued at $650, 000.
The show, held in Franklin, Tennessee, also featured performances by the Wooten Brothers and American Idol finalists Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey. Over 800 people attended the event, many purchasing tickets for the Dream Home raffle.
Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/569-country-singers-promote-dream-home-raffle#ixzz0hh0RG6c1
Old Settlers Days lineup set
ROCKTON — “American Idol” finalist and former Beloit choir director Danny Gokey will return to the Stateline Area this summer.
He and other nationally renowned singers Gavin Rossdale, Uncle Kracker and Justin Moore round out the lineup for the Old Settlers Days festival taking place from July 15- 18. Online ticket pre-sales start March 12.
“People wanted more diversification in music, so that’s what we did this year, ” said Josh Brown, the entertainment director for the festival.
Last year all the headlining acts were country artists, but this year features more of a variety, Brown said.
‘American Idol’s’ DioGuardi is leading a ‘quadruple life’
She was supposed to be a lawyer. This lanky, toothy New York girl, a poli-sci grad out of Duke with a rich mind but shaky self-esteem, was “going to take the more accepted path.” She would give in to her innate shyness, her paralyzing self-doubt.
Never mind all those hot melodies swirling in her head. Like most of us who squat in front of the radio and TV instead of thrive inside them, Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi would simply decline to shine.
‘Glee’: 5 Things you don’t know about Harry Shum, Jr.
Harry Shum, Jr. might be one of the lesser known supporting players on “Glee, ” but he’s hoping that will change.
The actor who plays New Directions member Mike Chang opens up to Zap2it about working on the hit FOX show and then shares a few choice tidbits about himself that his fans might not know.
Glee’s Secret Couple
The actors on Glee have said they feel like one big family, but that hasn’t stopped two stars from secretly entering into a committed relationship. The happy couple? Mark Salling, who plays Mohawk-sporting Puck, and Naya Rivera, who’s about to get a lot more screen time as the scheming Santana. If you find this shocking, just wait until you see the Madonna-themed episode in April when Santana takes the virginity of a beloved male character. Start guessing….
Top Pop, R&B and Hip-Hop Artists and Producers Come Together to Celebrate the Music of Multi-Grammy Winning Producer, Arranger and Composer Quincy Jones on New Album ‘Q: Soul Bossa Nostra’
LOS ANGELES, March 9 /PRNewswire/ — Some of today’s biggest recording artists and producers have joined together to celebrate the music of multi-Grammy winning producer, composer and arranger Quincy Jones by recording contemporary versions of popular recordings from his massive catalog for a new album from Interscope Records entitled Q: Soul Bossa Nostra. A “family celebration, ” Q: Soul Bossa Nostra will be released May/June, 2010.
Renowned for blending musical genres as he did with his 1989 multi-Grammy winning “Album of the Year” Back on the Block and 1995’s platinum Q’s Jook Joint, Q: Soul Bossa Nostra will feature an assortment of artists and producers from the Pop, R&B and Hip-Hop worlds such as Usher, Ludacris, Akon, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, T-Pain, Robin Thicke, LL Cool J, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, Three 6 Mafia, David Banner, BeBe Winans, Mervyn Warren, Jermaine Dupri, DJ Paul, and Scott Storch, among others who wanted to pay tribute to these works by Jones.
Animals matter: Simon Cowell backs WSPA campaign to stop cruelty
Simon Cowell is recruiting people to the “Animals Matter to Me” campaign of the World Society for the Protection of Animals. He says “Right now, there are no international laws to protect animals and The World Society for the Protection of Animals is working to change that. They are calling on governments across the world to embrace a common agreement called the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. This would recognize that animals can suffer and feel pain and need proper protection.” More information is on their website.
