Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
Jordin Sparks: I Like My Curves
Jordin Sparks didn’t just win American Idol last week ‘ she won a lifelong battle to accept herself.
“I think it really helped boost her self-esteem and made her realize she’s beautiful as she is, ” her grandmother, Pam Weidmann, tells PEOPLE for its new issue. Jordin’s mom, Jodi, says of her daughter’s May 23 victory: “It was huge to see her confidence level grow. … She’s standing taller now.” ….
Illness idles an Idol
Review: After saying he’s not feeling well, Bo Bice cuts short his show in Anaheim.
It was obvious from the time that Bo Bice took the House of Blues Anaheim stage at 9:10 p.m. that something was wrong. At just about any concert given by a seasoned performer, the artist busts out of the gate with a song and saves the small talk for later. Bice looked tired and fumbled with his acoustic guitar for what seemed like a minute or so before launching into his first song, the Southern rock-styled “I’m Gone.”……..
‘Heart’ a well-sung, silky smooth tribute to Tony Bennett
…Lest anyone think the Queens-born Anthony Benedetto has peaked, think again. The 80-year-old singer earned his 14th Grammy Award this year, he’s just released an album of duets with the likes of U2’s Bono and country’ superstar Tim McGraw, has nine concerts scheduled this month, and he was a featured performer on the finale of Fox’s No. 1-rated singing show, “American Idol, ” two weeks ago. Perhaps the man who summed up Bennett’s career best was Sinatra, who told Life magazine in 1965, “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business … He’s the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind and probably a little more.”…
Idol in Love
Having grown up in Wisconsin, I have a soft-spot for all things related to the cheese capitol of the world. So, I can’t help sharing the news that last year’s American Idol winner Taylor Hicks has found himself a Milwaukee maven. The gal in question? OnMilwaukee.com has identified her as Caroline Lyders, the co-anchor of the weekday edition of WISN 12 News This Morning….
Paula Abdul found her purpose on `Idol‹
Paula Abdul says she didn‹t figure out her purpose in life until she became a judge on Fox network‹s “American Idol.”
“Being a judge on American Idol‹ overshadows being a Grammy Award winner and selling millions of records, ” she says….
BEACH “PATROL”
TAYLOR HAS IT MADE
TAYLOR Hicks is singing a happy tune these days about a new girlfriend he’s been secretly seeing – until now.
Hicks, who won “American Idol” last year, was caught this week with Caroline Lyders, a local morning news co-anchor in Milwaukee….
No dice for Bice, but will Yamin lead an ‘Idol’ parade to town?
What becomes of an American who wants to be your idol but fails? We’re now finding out.
Bo Bice was to become the latest “American Idol” castoff to visit Tucson ‘ until his show at the Rialto was canceled Tuesday due to poor ticket sales.
But it’s not lonely at the bottom. Earlier this year, “American Idol” lesser-than Chris Daughtry played The Rock, and also-ran Elliott Yamin will hit the Rialto on June 19.
Only time will tell whether being a performer on a reality show like “Idol” is really that much different in the long run from being a participant on a reality show like “The Real World.” If your talent is questionable, the only real distinction now is that with “Idol” you can tour venues for a little while….
‹AMERICAN IDOL IN BLACK AND WHITE: Article points out Billboard disparity between pop- and R&B-flavored winners.
An article by Rodney Thrash (rthrash@sptimes.com) of the St. Petersburg Times points out the record sales gap between the finalists of …American Idol who record pop records, and those who sing R&B.
…Except for Taylor Hicks, last year’s top vote-getter, the white winners have outsold the black ones, writes Thrash. …To be sure, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino have done well for themselves. They’ve gained entry into a world that, without ‹Idol, would have been inaccessible. But their success has been confined to a narrower audience than that of more successful Idol alums…….
HIP-HOP REMIX TO SONG BY ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CARRIE UNDERWOOD: Rapper Articulate Gets A hold of ‘Before he Cheats.’
Carrie Underwood’s hit single, “Before He Cheats”, has been remixed by up and coming rapper Articulate.
The unofficial remix features two additional verses by Articulate, and has been receiving much praise since it leaked online late last week….
Underwood’s QB boyfriend calls for timeout
Plus: Sickly Spears spotted after throwing up in men’s room
Carrie Underwood football-star boyfriend is calling for a timeout.
The two have been tight for several months: Tony Romo flew to Nashville to celebrate the American Idol cutie 24th birthday recently, and she returned the favor, flying to Dallas to celebrate his 27th.
But now, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback has told Underwood that he wants to bench their relationship during the football season, according to the National Enquirer. Football season begins in September and lasts until January….
ROCK STAR: TARA SLONE
…While participants on the glorified talent show that is American Idol seem to have trouble shaking the shadow of that show, Slone hasnt found the title of Rock Star alumni to come with the same problem. That could be in part because, unlike the majority of the Idol contestants’ who generally make or break themselves on their ability to sing cover songs’ Slone and the other Rock Star singers also had to prove themselves as writers…
‘Idol’ gossips speculating on romance between Hicks, WISN-TV anchor
It looks like Channel 12 morning anchor Caroline Lyders and 2006 “American Idol” Taylor Hicks are, at the very least, pals.
First, the official word: A request for confirmation of the story from Lyders was answered with this e-mail from her boss, Channel 12’s general manager, Jan Wade:
“She has asked that I get back to you on it. She is not comfortable, nor are we, in discussing the personal lives of our employees. We ask that you respect that . . . and I feel comfortable that you will.”…….
Thumb-tapping teens rack up text bills
Forget minutes. Today’s thumb-tapping teens are racking up huge text bills
…Driving up the bills to even greater heights are premium text messaging services. Want to send one of the 64.5 million messages to vote for your favorite “American Idol” crooner? Standard messaging rates apply. But message a psychic or chat service found on late night television and the price per message can be dollars, not cents…
Tomorrow’s debut of the film “Everyone’s United” will give folks a second chance to experience the array of entertainers that performed at last year’s Pride in the ‘Burg festival
…In addition to the film debut, jazz and blues musician Roddy Barnes will perform live onstage. Barnes routinely performs with popular Saffire artist Gaye Adegbalola, and has played at previous Pride festivals. Other featured artists will include hip-hop singer and former “American Idol” contender Josh Kelly, blues singer Joshua Myers of King George, and blues and pop singer Michael Jackson Jr…
More than a Game for Cutters
…But the biggest change at the turnstiles will undoubtedly lie in a pair of performances by former “American Idol” personalities Ace Young and William Hung. Young was one of the show’s top 12 in 2006 while Hung gained fame from his famously awful audition in 2004. Young will perform on June 29, Hung on July 19 in games Webb expects to sell nearly all of Yale Field’s 5, 000 seats…
Daughtry making most of ‘Idol’ worship
…..”The tremendous radio and video support, the great crowds we get at our shows, the intensity of our online fans ‘ all of it ‘ is everything any artist could ever ask for, ” said Daughtry.
Since the start of his tour and his movement into rock star standing, he has never forgotten the most important part of his music career: the fans.
“We see all these new faces every day at our shows, including great, great rock fans who make each performance an adventure, ” he said.
“I want all of our fans to know that every song we play is a thank you right back at each and every one of them for standing by us in such an awesome way.”
Daughtry will perform Wednesday at the Music Farm. Tickets are sold out, so concert-goers are urged to arrive early. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9. For more information, visit www.musicfarm.com.
Thursday TV talk
7 a.m.
Today: …American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and runner-up Blake Lewis perform; coach Bela Karolyi and gymnasts; chef Ming Tsai on …Today Kitchen.
10 a.m.
Live with Regis & Kelly: From …Wild Kingdom, Peter Gros drops in with exotic animals; …American Idol finalist.
Daughtry wows crowd at Jesters
…Wednesday marked the seventh time Pierce saw Daughtry in concert. She and Callahan traveled from Columbia, S.C., where they saw him the day before. The women met on an Internet fan site and have been hitting the road together seeing the band.
…We just love Chris, Pierce said, …but we love Daughtry now.
The women said theyre happy to see Daughtry in an intimate setting before he starts playing bigger and bigger shows. …Id see him every show if I could, Pierce said.
PLAYING THE FIELD:
…Weve written extensively in the past about American Idols who date athletes ‘ Elizabeth Hasselbeck, some girl from Making the Band and Carrie Underwood, to name a few ‘ and were ready to add another: former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler, who recently went on a national radio show and refused to answer questions on whether or not she had a breast augmentation, is dating Jordin Tootoo of the Nashville Predators.
If youre compelled to do so, look her up on Myspace and go check out some photos of the two of them together. There, she leaves something of a hint about whether or not she had an enhancement ‘ her ‹idol is Dolly Parton. The Pickler-Tootoo instantly becomes the second-best athlete-celebrity combo in hockey (though some may not really consider Pickler a ‹celebrity) behind the Rangers Sean Avery and actress Elisha Cuthbert…
June 2007 events
What’s there to do in Joplin, MO and environs?–
21-23: The Silver Anniversary of the Shell AROTELLA SuperRigs Contest will take place at the Petro Truck Stop; I-44, Exit 4. Besides the work-a-day trucks vying for $25, 000 in prizes, the event will include a concert featuring Carmen Rasmussen from American Idol Season 2.
Shows finish with flourish
¢Idol closer. The sixth-season ender of top-rated American Idol Wednesday drew 30.7 million viewers, behind last year’s 36.4 million but ahead of the show’s first, third and fourth seasons. Overall, Idol 6 averaged 29.5 million on Tuesdays, down 5% from last year, but Wednesday’s results show (30 million) matched 2006’s series high.
Former ‘Idol’ finalist performs in O.C.
Former “Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis will appear at autism fundraiser in Anaheim.
Constantine Maroulis, a former “American Idol” finalist, will perform during a fundraiser benefiting Cure Autism Now/Autism Speaks in Anaheim. The event, “An Evening of Hope, ” will also include cocktails, a three-course dinner and a silent auction….
Twice the taste to be offered June 28
Taste of the Canyon to join forces with Taste of Anaheim.
…There will also a wine garden, business expo and live entertainment. Starship and Friends (starring Mickey Thomas) will headline, while Lisa Tucker (Anaheim resident and “American Idol” finalist), the Zippers and the Alley Cats will also perform…
Report: Katharine McPhee “hurt” by ‘American Idol’ finale “snub”
Last May, Katharine McPhee didn’t receive enough love from viewers and finished second during American Idol’s fifth-season finale. And last week, it was reportedly the same old song for McPhee during Idol’s sixth-season finale — only this time, she was supposedly shunned by the show’s producers, not home viewers….
…”She’s really hurt, ” the source told US about how McPhee felt following the reported decision to not invite her to participate in Idol’s sixth-season finale broadcast, which also featured performances by original Idol champion Kelly Clarkson, second-season Idol winner Ruben Studdard and fourth-season Idol winner Carrie Underwood along with appearances by numerous non-Idol artists, including Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Gwen Stefani, Tony Bennett, Green Day, Bette Midler, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, and Bebe and Cece Winans….
MUSIC REVIEWS: Dolores O’Riordan, Paris Bennett, The Cripple Lilies
Paris Bennett sometimes seems destined to be a pop music queen on her debut “Princess P, ” but too often she’s in search of an appropriate kingdom and dodgy on just what kind of ruler she would make.
Bennett, an 18-year-old also-ran from the fifth season of “American Idol, ” has immeasurable potential. She’s got dynamic range and a booming, soulful voice. And given her stature — she’s 4-foot-11 — and proclivity for wearing a tiara, the singer stands out from the pack for more than just her voice.
It wouldn’t be worth noting that she had even been on “Idol” except that some of “Princess P’s” shortcomings seem directly linked to the machinations of the show. “Idol” contestants are forced to prove their diversity, and Bennett is bent on doing the same on her debut. Electric guitars pointlessly slice into the fiery R&B mix of first single “Ordinary Love, ” apparently proving her rock mettle, and the singer needlessly updates the Angels’ classic hit “My Boyfriend’s Back” (though Bennett’s conclusion, “You’ve officially been princessed, ” is a cute touch)……..
Red Cross sweetens first taste of home for troops
Andrews Air Force Base is first stop for the wounded on their way to medical treatment centers
…By the time the troops arrived, the volunteers had prepared an assortment of cookies, candy, movies, magazines and ‹‹American Idol Taylor Hicks CDs in the lounge, which was renovated in 2005 with money donated by local businesses. Seven black leather armchairs fanned out around the entertainment center, and patients shuffling into the room were directed to the adjacent computer station for Internet access…
Access To A Dream: Lauren & Michelle Meet Their ‘Idols’
In our latest installment of our Access to a Dream series, we hooked up eight “American Idol” finalists with two wonderful little girls, and the result was pure Hollywood magic….
High 5: Maroon Swoons Charts
…Getting boosts from the American Idol two-night finale were alums Chris Daughty, whose Daughtry checked in at number six, and Carrie Underwood, whose Some Hearts climbed back in the Top 10 at number eight. The album entered its 80th week on the Billboard 200 having already sold over 5.53 million…
Bebe & Cece Winans Reunite for New Album after 13 Years
…The two plan on building off their booming past.
“I’m so grateful of Bebe & Cece’s past accomplishments, added BeBe. …But I’m so excited about coming back together and blazing new trails of hope into the hearts of people all around the world.”
Besides their time together, the two have gone onto successful solo careers. BeBe released many winning solo projects, did some work as a producer, and also appeared on stage and in film. CeCe, among other things, has gone on to release seven gold and platinum albums.
The two were most recently seen reunited with Melinda Doolittle, their former backup singer, in the …American Idol finale last Wednesday when they performed …Hold Up the Light….
Former ‘American Idol’ finalist Elliott Yamin does music his way now
…What he loses this time around in amenities — he is now calling his tour bus home, and last we checked St. Andrews didn’t have an on-call masseuse — he gains in creative freedom: This time it’s his show, playing his music to his fans.
“It’s my own little headlining tour, ” crows Yamin, on the phone from Los Angeles earlier this month. “I’m really thrilled to get out there and touch the fans and have a blast out there on stage.”…
Caroline Lyders is Taylor Hicks new love!
With American Idol season 6 officially out of the way we’re back on Idol Gossip; today’s Idol gossip is the revelation of Taylor Hicks new love, Miss Caroline Lyders…
Aerosmith live at ‘Vegas of the East’
…Ending on a lighter note, lead guitarist Joe Perry, who arrived late in Dubai in order to appear on the American Idol final, said he enjoyed playing the Kinks’ You Really Got Me with the aspiring singer Sanjaya on the show.
“I knew we were probably going to play India and it would be a good thing to kind of jack him up, ” said Perry. “He just overwhelmed me with a great personality and I think he’s got a future if he works at it. He’s got the drive and there’s just something about him.”…
Carrie Underwood regains the number one country music album spot
After one week out of the top spot, Carrie Underwood regained it on the Billboard country album chart with “Some Hearts.” That means Gretchen Wilson only was able to stay at the top for one week with her new disc, “One of the Boys.”
“Some Hearts, ” now in its 80th week on the chart, sold 51, 000 units, an increase of 10 percent from the previous week to be the 8th best selling disc in the U.S. She may have been helped by her appearance on the season six ” American Idol” finale last week. Wilson sold about 75, 000 last week in her debut week.
Does Taylor Hicks have a new chick?
…C’mon Lyders, you could have totally given us more than that?! And here I was starting to think that Taylor Hicks was gay. Shame on me!
West Bay Opera shows why ‘The Merry Widow’ is still alive and kicking
LAST WEEK, I watched the finals of the “American Idol.” After two hours of bizarre costumes, hip thrusting, flashing lights, prancing into the audience, high-pitched screaming of mostly incomprehensible lyrics, a new “American Idol” was born, with all the attention, power and pelf that goes with it.
The following weekend I reviewed the West Bay Opera’s production of Franz Lehar’s famed operetta “The Merry Widow” at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. The show was first produced more than 100 years ago and is still alive and kicking.
So that made me wonder, to which of these two styles of music will our descendants be listening 100 years from now? With richly modulated baritones, tenors and contraltos, beautiful bell-like excursions into the vocal stratosphere by the sopranos, the nuanced modulations and rich harmonic structures, I would put my money on Franz Lehar…
Events Calendar
Saturday, June 16
Charity book sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 35 Concord St., North Reading, featuring American Idol singer Ayla Brown. Free admission.
Backstreet Boy, ‹Idol contestant to come to Frederick
Town celebration is free at Centennial Park
With the big day just more than a week away, officials are gearing up for Frederick centennial celebration June 9.
The town has released a final schedule for the party, which is free and runs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Centennial Park, between Fifth and Eighth streets at the east end of downtown.
…The day performers and other entertainment represent a unique mix of historical, contemporary and just plain fun elements that attendees of all ages will enjoy, Mayor Eric Doering said. …Im looking forward to sharing a full, very special day with several thousand of my closest friends and neighbors.
The schedule includes:
6 p.m. ‘ Evening concert featuring …American Idol contestant Mandisa, The Katinas and Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys.
One American Idol finalist lives in paradise
Pull up the American Idol Web site and click on Great American Idol Songwriters, scroll down through the 20 finalists to the name Reed Waddle.
Waddle is a Destin resident and is establishing a reputation as a singer-songwriter across the country.
His song …I Saw Stars, was selected as a finalist from more than 25, 000 songs submitted in the premier American Idol Songwriter competition. The song is included on Waddle first CD, …Rush In, released in October 2002, which was cut at his father small home studio….