Chart Beat Thursday: Lee & Crystal Rock On
LEE LEADS: Fox TV’s “American Idol” continues to fulfill its promise of generating musical star power, as, a week after winning the series’ ninth season, Lee DeWyze celebrates his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart.
The newly-crowned champ bows atop Billboard’s Rock Digital Songs survey with his cover of U2’s “Beautiful Day.” With the coronation, all nine “Idol” winners have now tallied at least one No. 1 on a Billboard ranking.
On the Billboard Hot 100, DeWyze continues the streak of each “Idol” winner reaching the top 25 with a victory single. Should it not rise higher than its No. 24 bow, however, “Beautiful Day” will rank as the lowest-charting debut single by an “Idol” victor.
Here is a look at the chart performances of each “Idol” first-place finisher’s introductory song since the series launched in 2002:
More Headlines after the JUMP…
American Idol Honored by Hometown Fans
He was a hit on the TV show “American Idol” and Thursday his hometown fans got to see Aaron Kelly in Sullivan County.
The teen reached the top five in the popular singing contest and thanked his fans for all the support along the way.
The cheers rang out in front of the courthouse in Laporte for Sullivan County’s “American Idol” Aaron Kelly.
Fans of the 17-year-old singing sensation came with cameras ready and wore Aaron gear, waiting to hear what the boy from Sonestown had to say.
“It was an incredible experience and I love all you guys for putting me up there in the top five and helping me accomplish all of my dreams, ” said Kelly.
“I would like to say a sincere thank you guys. Thank you so much for all your support. We’ve been out there for almost three months and it’s good to think about all the people supporting me from back home, ” said Kelly.
Lee DeWyze on ‘Today’: Acoustic ‘Beautiful Day’ erases memories of hinky ‘American Idol’ rendition
Fans of American Idol season 9 champ Lee DeWyze can now exhale. While lots of critics (me included) were less than enamored of his rendition of “Beautiful Day” on last week’s Idol performance finale, the former paint salesman more than redeemed himself this morning by offering a unique, stripped-down twist on the song as part of Today‘s summer concert series. Playing an acoustic guitar, and accompanied on piano by Idol‘s Michael Orland, Lee made significant changes to the rhythm and melody and turned U2?s soaring anthem into an intimate, placid ditty; honestly, I felt like I was hearing the song’s lyrics again for the very first time. Better still, Lee’s vocal was clean and clear — no getting swallowed up by a V-formation of strings players here! — and allowed him to put his own stamp on a contemporary classic, as opposed to merely getting lost in Bono’s massive shadow. Is it me, or does the arrangement almost sound Bruce Hornsby-esque?
Lee DeWyze ‘Can’t Complain’ About ‘Beautiful Day’ Debut Sales
Lee DeWyze’s reign as “American Idol” champ may have gotten off to a less-than-stellar start with the #12 debut of his coronation single on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart. DeWyze’s “Beautiful Day” sold around 100, 000 copies, nearly 25 percent less than last year’s champ, Kris Allen, did with his post-“Idol” single, “No Boundaries.”
But DeWyze isn’t ready to turn in his crown just yet — far from it, in fact.
“You can’t complain about that, regardless of what it is, ” DeWyze told MTV News. “But this is the first season that we did a cover song for the finale, and that’s obviously different from past seasons, whatever part that has to do with it. … There [were] things presented, and, you know, that was the right song for the moment, I felt. And I’m glad I did it.”
OK! Interview: ‘American Idol’ Champ Lee DeWyze Visits OK!
After weeks of Hollywood auditions and months of performances, we finally have our new American Idol, Lee DeWyze! The 24-year-old paint salesman from Chicago took the big prize over Crystal Bowersox. Lee was still taking it all in when he stopped by the OK! offices to talk about comparisons to former Idol winners, what he wants to do on his debut album and if he and Crystal would ever start dating!
People Magazine Video interview HERE.
Crystal Bowersox for the Chicago Street Musicians sing “Sweet Home Chicago”
Crystal Bowersox, before she became an international star, is the lead vocal in this viral music video of “Sweet Home Chicago”. This video, produced, directed and edited by Mark Schimmel was shot in one day and features eight street musician groups singing in eight different Chicago locations. The project, which contained over 48 audio tracks and multiple visual elements, took over 9 months to complete. This project was created for online use at chicagostreetmusicians.org and markschimmel.com
Over 60 Artists Set To Appear at GAC’s CMA Music Festival Booth
The schedule is set for GAC’s booth at this year’s CMA Music Festival. Fans can come to The Greased Lightning® Fan Fair ® Hall – GAC is booth #200 – to meet and greet their favorite country artists, get an autograph and take pictures.
GAC has more than sixty artists scheduled over the four day event, with new artists each hour and most hours featuring multiple artists.
Thursday will kick off with Jake Owen, Luke Bryan and Blaine Larsen from 10 -11 a.m. Other artists scheduled for Thursday are Joe Nichols, Josh Thompson, and Julianne Hough. Friday features time with Craig Morgan, Bucky Covington and Kellie Pickler and on Saturday, Laura Bell Bundy will stop by as will GAC’s Suzanne Alexander and bull riders from the Championship Bull Riding circuit. The final day, Sunday, has Josh Gracin and Next GAC Star winner One Night Rodeo on the schedule. The schedule is subject to change so it’s best to check in each day and confirm the lineup at the booth.
Kellie Pickler Will Sign Autographs, Perform at Opry Shop on June 10
Kellie Pickler will sign autographs and perform a 30-minute acoustic set at the Opry Originals gift shop in downtown Nashville on June 10 during the CMA Music Festival. Pickler will appear from noon to 2 p.m. The store will open at 8 a.m. and distribute a limited number of autograph vouchers with the purchase of the singer’s merchandise inside the store, including prints and photos created especially for the event. The vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and only two items per person can be signed due to time constraints.
Casey James: Playing With Bret Michaels During ‘Idol’ Was ‘Amazing’
To help launch their ‘American Idols Live!’ tour and the latest flavor of M&Ms — Pretzel M&Ms — the top ten ‘Idol’ finalists, including winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox, played for a crowd inside of a giant M&M in New York City.
After the show, PopEater caught up with third-place finisher Casey James, who told us how great it was to duet with Bret Michael’s on the ‘Idol’ finale, where the two heartthrobs played ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn.’
“It was amazing. He was an amazing guy, ” James said.
Watch the Video Below
Casey James Calls ‘American Idol’ Duet With Bret Michaels ‘An Honor’
“Well, they give us the songs, and they say, ‘This is the song you’re going to be doing, you’re going to be doing a duet, ‘ and I see the song and I’m like, ‘Why are you having me do this song? I know Bret Michaels is ill, so who are they gonna have sing the song with me?’ I was just very confused, ” James told MTV News. “Then, I think it was two days before the show — Bret Michaels, [producers] were calling him ‘rock star, ‘ that was, like, the code name for the guy I was playing with — and so they said, ‘Rock star wants to see you.’ And I’m like, ‘OK, so I’m gonna meet the dude, or the female, or whoever it is that I’m doing the song with, ‘ and I walked in and there he is, and I was like, ‘You gotta be kidding me.’ ”
Bret Michaels And Casey James Hit It Off Right Away: The MTV News Quote Of The Day
“He’s an amazing dude, and I think it says a lot about him, what the music does for him … it’s just unbelievable. And after the stuff that I had been through with my motorcycle wreck [in 2004], we just kind of immediately hit it off. And for him to be coming back, and for me to be on the stage when that happened? I mean, what an honor. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”
The Girls With Glasses – California Song Video
Are you a sun-deprived soul who’s stuck indoors? Do you long for an impromptu beach escape? Well, then hop on and take a ride with The Girls With Glasses Show as hosts Brooke White and Summer Bellessa cruise to the tune of peace, love and harmony as they launch today their newest music video set to “California Song” from Brooke’s album High Hopes & Heartbreak.
California Song (HD) from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.
Allstate and American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks Team Up For Summer ‘Thumbs Up to X the TXT’ Campaign
NORTHBROOK, Ill., June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Allstate’s “Thumbs Up to X the TXT” pledge campaign joins Grammy-nominated and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks on her “Battlefield” tour presented by Mike & Ike this summer to encourage teens and their families not to text while driving. The first of the campaign’s 29 tour stops is today, with the goal of raising awareness about the dangers of texting while driving, and asking teens and their families to publicly pledge to “X the TXT” behind the wheel.
“The summer is one of the deadliest times of the year for young drivers, ” says Sparks. “School’s out and the desire to be in touch with friends and family is even stronger. By pledging not to text and drive we can save thousands of lives. Choosing to not pick up the phone and keep your eyes on the road can be the difference between life and death.”
Concertgoers will have the opportunity to make the pledge not to text and drive by adding their thumbprint – the symbol of their pledge – to a traveling banner at each of Sparks’ shows. Participants will receive thumb bands they can wear as a reminder of their commitment.
Clay Aiken on his 5th Studio Album – FOX 5
Former Idol Contestant Clay Aiken Promotes His Fifth Album
WASHINGTON – Clay Aiken’s new album, Tried and True is made up of songs from the fifties and sixties. In a interview with FOX, Clay Aiken promoted his new CD and upcoming “Timeless” tour which kicks off this summer.
Kris Allen enjoys a family reunion with about 45 relatives at his concert at The Intersection in Grand Rapids
It was a big job coordinating 35 relatives to attend the Kris Allen show in Grand Rapids Wednesday night, but Flint’s Gayland Allen, “Uncle G, ” would do anything for his great-nephew, Kris.
“He’s a nice, Christian young man, ” said Allen of the “American Idol” Season 8 champ. “He is surrounded by family to keep him down to earth.”
Uncle G, who attended Kris and Katy Allen’s 2008 wedding in Arkansas, rounded up 45 relatives and friends from Michigan, including his 83-year-old brother and his 83-year-old aunt, Lucille Hazel of Kalamazoo. That would be great-great Aunt Lucille to Kris.
Barenaked Ladies and Kris Allen to perform at world’s largest block party
HollywoodNews.com: Barenaked Ladies, Spoon, and Kris Allen will all be taking the stage at the world’s largest block party.
The World’s Largest Block Party in Chicago has booked some promising acts for the 26th annual celebration. The former “American Idol” winner, Allen, will be performing live alongside acts Barenaked Ladies and Angel Taylor on Friday, July 9th. Indie rockers Spoon will close out the party on Saturday, July 10th.
Tickets are $40 in advance; $45 at the gate, if the event is not sold-out. There is also a two-night pass available for $70. The price of admission includes five FREE beverages that include a choice of beer, wine, soda or bottled water. For more details, go to www.worldslargestblockparty.com.
Jon Peter Lewis’ American Nobody Show featuring Andrew Garcia, Didi Benami
Fred Bronson interviews Andrew Garcia and Didi Benami for Jon Peter Lewis’ American Nobody Show. Watch it HERE.
Kara DioGuardi discusses Lee DeWyze, ‘American Idol’ Season 9
Kara DioGuardi may have finished her work on this season’s American Idol last week, but that doesn’t mean she’s on vacation now.
For one thing, she’s in New York today, helping judge Folger jingle contest to determine which of five finalists will receive $25, 000 and a chance to appear in a Folger commercial.
“I was very impressed with what these people did, ” says Kara, who says her pick for the winner will “come down to the most unique version. When I’m looking at somebody performing, and the objective was to put yourself into the song – inject your experience, your life, your relationship to that iconic song – it’s going to be who did it in the most interesting way, and who will I remember tomorrow.”
‘Glee’s’ Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison performing at Tony Awards
The 2010 Tony Awards are welcoming two “Glee” stars as performers — Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison. Both Michele and Morrison are veterans of the Great White Way, so it’s no surprise that they would be asked to perform for Broadway’s biggest night.
Also performing are casts of “La Cage aux Folles” featuring Kelsey Grammer, “A Little Night Music, ” “Fela!, ” “Memphis, ” “Million Dollar Quartet, ” “Ragtime, ” “Come Fly Away, ” “Everyday Rapture, ” “Promises, Promises” and “American Idiot” with band Green Day, whose music provides the soundtrack for “Idiot.”
Glee Cast ‘Faithfully (Glee Cast Version)’ Video
Faithfully – Glee – VIDEO
Rachel and Finn sing “Faithfully” from next week’s Glee finale.
