@AmericanIdol tweeted a few fun photos. From last night “Is that Scarlett O’Hara or @LAlainaAI10…hahaha! Goofing around upstairs after the show!! http://t.co/6qm1vHO” and today, “It is group rehearsal PANDEMONIUM right now…@SMcCreeryAI10 and @JDurbinAI10 just tried to make a break for it!! http://t.co/hQiyTZN”
David Cook’s bandmates tweet about today’s music video shoot
Monty Anderson (bass): “Video shoot day 1…..yep made my “acting” debut (if you want to call it that). Thank god its a silent part!!”
Andy Skib (rhythm guitar/piano): Happy Cinco De Mayo Video Shoot Day! http://t.co/sVG3AZs
Neal Tiemann (lead guitar): “I’ve been playing, exclusively, G’N’R & Van Halen (not Hagar) at this video shoot.”
…”I’m doing another video w David Cook.”
More Headlines after the JUMP…
David Archuleta – Indonesia Here I Come!
David Archuleta announces that he’ll perform in Indonesia on July 16
Casey Abrams Had To ‘Translate’ Online Haters During ‘American Idol’
“What you have to do is kinda, you have to translate it. If they’re saying negative things about you, you take away the swear words and like ‘I hate you’ and you read what they’re actually trying to say, ” he told MTV News. “And, if [they wrote] ‘Casey sucked this performance, he sounded like a dog, ‘ I take it as ‘Casey, stop growling so much.’ And if I see more than, like, 10 comments like that, I’m going to take it as a sign, and I’m going to try to ease up on the growling.”
See the Video at MTV
‘American Idol’ Castoff Casey Abrams Answers MTV News’ 10 Questions!
Sad times for Casey fans that the unique musician was voted off the show last week, but lucky us in that Abrams stopped by MTV News in New York to chat a bit about his experience, the most entertaining gem being how he likened the “Idol” judges to jelly beans. But also, he answered our always interesting and fun 10 questions!
See the Video at MTV
Concert to feature American Idol Competitors – he 12th annual High Plains Music Fest will be Friday, June 17, at the Starlite Drive In. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to all ages. Admission is just a donation of $15 per carload or $20 the day of the show. This year`s Music Fest will feature four live bands, including former American Idol Bo Bice; Zeppephilia, a Led Zeppelin tribute band; Synthetic Elements; and Lilly Scott from last year`s American Idol with her band Varlet. Via Journal Advocate.
John Lennon Bus concert at Railroad Park May 16 will raise money for tornado relief – A free gospel music concert to be presented as part of The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus three-day residency in the city will benefit victims of the April 27 tornadoes. The concert will take place at 6 p.m. May 16, 2011, in Birmingham’s Railroad Park, 1600 First Ave. South. All proceeds donated will go to support the American Red Cross tornado-relief efforts.
The concert will feature Birmingham’s Audiostate 55 Entertainment recording artists including the group Church Boy, singer Denita Gibbs, Overfloe Jazz, Curtis Glenn and Free 2 Worship and special guests “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Ben Tankard and Twinkie Clark of The Clark Sisters. Via UAB.EDU
‘American Idol’ behind the scenes: ‘Idol’ coaches talk the Top 5 — EXCLUSIVE
JAMES DURBIN — “Closer to the Edge” (30 Seconds to Mars)
MO: He definitely picked that one quick. He does this every week. He came into the rehearsal room, said, “Here’s what I want to do.” Now, [executive producers] Ken [Warwick] and Nigel [Lythgoe] had never heard that song, and he played it for us and he sang it for us, and everybody loved it. He was like, “This is what I want to do.” So, you know, he’s so set in who he is. [Idol mentor] Jimmy [Iovine] talked to him and said, “I know you think you’re that metal guy, but you aren’t. This is who you are.” He does know who he is and what he wants to show and all that stuff, so I commend him for that. I think it’s amazing to be that far ahead.
Read more at EW
Sheryl Crow Predicts ‘American Idol’ Finalists: James Durbin and Lauren Alaina (VIDEO)
“I kind of think that maybe James and maybe Lauren, ” Crow said. “But, I have to tell you that, they’re even more fantastic in the everyday rehearsal situation, because the nerves start happening when they’re on stage. They were unbelievable, every one. I could see any one of those five winning.”
Read more at TV Squad
‘Something Pitchy:’ Why’s Everybody Always Hatin’ on Haley?
As for those of you who say we’re too hard on Jacob Lusk, be warned! We tried to hold back, but the Lusky stank was just too strong, tonight!
Find out what myself, Rickey Yaneza (Rickey.org) and MJ Santilli (MJ’s Big Blog) had to say about tonight’s “Now and Then” two-for-one special in this post Top 5 edition of AOL’s ‘American Idol’ talk show, ‘Something Pitchy!’
Watch the video at TV Squad
American Idol Backstage Report: James Durbin’s Emotional Night
“When we were shooting our mentor session with Sheryl Crow and Jimmy Iovine, they played this song, and I had never heard it before, ” says Durbin, still looking drained. “And I immediately felt an emotional attachment to it. And that was before they even started the lyrics, before they even started singing. God works in mysterious ways and sometimes life will throw a curveball at you. Even though I got so emotional with it, I felt that singing it was the right move, the right step, in my Idol journey.”
Durbin says that he’s trying to be strategic about the songs he’s choosing, because some people see him only one way. “I’m trying to create moments and instill passion, just more passion, because I’m the rock guy, the metal guy. But I’m very passionate about what I do, so I feel like I brought that forth tonight.”
Read more at TV Guide
Melinda Doolittle judges the ‘American Idol’ Top 5 for HitFix
I promise that I started off watching Idol in a good mood tonight. I was excited about the contestants getting to do two songs and show different sides of their craft. Then the show started and my mood changed. It wasn’t the fault of the contestants, though. It was the judging panel that literally made me rewind my television to make sure I was listening to the same song they were critiquing. I’m fully aware that the sound in the studio is different from what we hear on our television, but it’s hard for me to believe that it’s the complete opposite of what we’re hearing. So…I decided to write what I wish the judges would have said. Don’t get me wrong; all of the contestants are very talented. I’m just thinking about how constructive criticism has helped me in the long run. Here we go…
Read more at Hit Fix
Blake Lewis: ‘I Don’t Want to Talk About Anyone But Haley’
I wasn’t a huge fan when the season began, but within the last four weeks Haley’s completely changed my mind, as she continues bringing her A game! Her performance of “The House Of The Rising Sun” must be one of the best arrangements and performances I’ve seen this season. I now want to see her take it to the finish line. I think Haley and James in the finale would be a great show to see.On that note, James Durbin’s performance with the single tear will likely come in for the win – and probably get all the votes, this week. What an emotional ride! He did a great job and connected with the song better than most Idols who have ever graced that stage. I also really liked his performance of the 30 Seconds to Mars’ song. It was great to hear him do something contemporary and it was the perfect song choice for his range.
Read more at TV Squad
30 Seconds To Mars ‘Very Grateful’ James Durbin Covered Them On ‘Idol’
“Wow, we didn’t know that this was going to happen — we are probably the last few people on the planet who have never seen the show — but we are excited to have been able to share our song with so many people, ” Leto wrote in an e-mail. ” ‘Closer’ has become more successful than we could have ever dreamed! [We’re] very grateful.”
Read more at MTV
Siobhan Magnus recording in Nashville
“We’ve got four songs completely done and mastered, ” says Siobhan, who has made two previous trips to Nashville this year. “So far this week, we’ve written four songs. There’s one more that’s almost done.
“By the time I leave here, I’ll have five more songs that the next time I come back, in August, I will record. Also, by August, I will have picked a cover song, which is the most daunting task!”
Read more at USA Today
Carrie Underwood throws it down and serves it up!
If you haven’t heard, Karen and I have made a bet with Carrie Underwood about the Canucks/Preds series. If Nashville takes the series (ha!) we’re giving $937 to her favorite charity, and if the Canucks win she’s signing one of her guitars and letting us auction it off for Basics for Babies. We had her on the air this morning to talk smack and what’s funny is that (as a sweet Southern belle) she’s not real comfortable with “smack”. She IS a very good sport, as you’ll hear:
Listen to the interview at JRFm
Taylor Hicks Joins Soulive at Tornado Benefit
Last night, Soulive and Jamie McLean Band performed a Red Cross benefit for Alabama tornado relief. The show—which took place at Birmingham, AL’s Workplay—also saw former American Idol Taylor Hicks perform. Hicks—who guested with Soulive during the band’s ten night residency at Brooklyn Bowl in March—sang and added harmonica to The Meters’ “Just Kissed My Baby” with the group. The show closed out with a massive jam that featured Hicks, McLean and Lettuce’s Ryan Zoidis onstage with Soulive.
See the Video at Jambands.com
Get To Know New ‘X Factor USA’ Judge Cheryl Cole
I know I can’t wait. As a longtime avid viewer of “The X Factor U.K.” online, I’ve always enjoyed what Cheryl brings to the table. Any American who’s watched the British version of the show already knows that she makes for great TV…and no, her working-class Newcastle accent is not that hard to understand. (According to some reports, her accent was a stumbling block for producers, who feared her broad brogue would alienate xenophobic audiences over here.) Plus, she is simply gorgeous. The camera LOVES her. Just see your yourself below:
Read more at Reality Rocks
Darren Criss Dishes on “Glee” Success
Via ENews
Lea Michele and Jane Lynch Spill Glee Prom Secrets!
It’s prom season! And we know that not just because Matthew Morrison keeps asking us to Hollywood Prom (get the hint, Matt! We’re waiting for an invite from John Krasinski), but also because Glee’s prom episode is next week. As in the week following this one. So soon!
So when we got Lea Michele and Jane Lynch on the carpet at a Glee Emmy screening event, we had to ask them to spill on the prom episode. Which they did, and we even got a…wait for it…Jonathan Groff mention!
Read more at EOnline
Matthew Morrison Hams It Up for the Cameras — Behind the Sessions
Between starring as Mr. Schue in the hit show ‘Glee’ and prepping to direct future episodes of the TV musical, Matthew Morrison is busy completing his debut solo album, collaborating with the likes of Kris Allen and Sir Elton John.
Morrison stopped by AOL Music’s Los Angeles studios to perform an exclusive live set for Sessions and our cameras followed the hard-working heartthrob to catch all the candid moments. Take a sneak peek at the singing sensation behind the scenes before his live Sessions performance premieres next Tuesday (May 10).
Simon Cowell tops Jagger, Sting in UK music rich list
LONDON (Reuters) – “The X Factor” and former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell jumped to number 6 in the British music rich list in 2011 after his fortune hit 200 million pounds ($330 million), Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper said on Thursday.
That was a 35 million pound rise on 2010, when he was 11th in the annual rankings published by the newspaper, and took him above Elton John and Mick Jagger whose fortunes were estimated at 195 million and 190 million pounds respectively.
Read more at Reuters
‘The Voice’ contestant Frenchie Davis on Christina Aguilera (not her first choice!), the battle rounds, and being rediscovered
Frenchie Davis is ready to leave Idol controversy in the past and be recognized for one thing: The Voice. In last week’s premiere, she belted her way back into the public spotlight when she powered through “I Kissed a Girl” (more on that unconventional song choice below), which was good enough to make Christina Aguilera do a 180. Davis took some time to sound off to EW about naysayers, her coach, the blind auditions, the upcoming battle rounds, and her love for the gays.
Read more at EW
