‘American Top 40’ Flashback: July 4, 1970
Sunday (July 4) marked the 40th anniversary of the first airing of “American Top 40” with Casey Kasem.
The National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame icon co-created the show that brought the Billboard Hot 100 into the homes of millions in audio form. Since, multiple generations of music fans have been introduced to following Billboard rankings, countless radio DJs have been inspired to enter the medium and artists have celebrated the honor of hearing Kasem pronounce their song “the biggest hit in the land.”
Allison Iraheta will open for Adam Lambert at the September 21 Puyallup Fair in Tacoma, WA. Allison is replacing Orianthi, who canceled her appearance. Read more at Tacoma Rock City.
Chart Watch Extra: AT40 Turns 40
The beauty of American Top 40 is its simplicity. As Casey said every week, “Three hours once a week with AT40 and you can find out how your favorite songs are doing from coast to coast.” The show is a neatly organized package that brings order and clarity to a messy world.
To mark the show’s 40th anniversary, I’ve prepared this list of the 40 longest-running #1 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 in the past 40 years. “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men is the biggest #1 hit of the past four decades. It logged 16 weeks on top in 1995-1996.
Yahoo.com
Carrie Underwood Trying to Plan a ‘Small Wedding’
“We’re trying to keep it as small as we possibly can, but you know, obviously, there’s certain people we have to have there, ” Underwood told “Extra’s” AJ Calloway in an exclusive backstage chat at one of her concerts, flashing her gorgeous 5-carat yellow diamond.
What about Simon Cowell attending? “I don’t know. I don’t want him to judge my wedding, ” the singer laughed.
Adam Lambert vs. Clay Aiken: A Tale of Two Coming Outs
Adam Lambert is all over the place with his hit record, so I honestly don’t think coming out got in the way of his making a huge splash at all.
Clay Aiken, on the other hand, waited to come out till he was on the way down and needed a boost.
CornFest around the corner
Entertainment for the three days will kick off with a spectacular fireworks display on Friday night. Throughout the weekend, crowds will be wowed by acts such as Stars of America Tour, featuring former American Idols Michael Johns, Nikki McKibbin and Alexis Stone Lopez; the Beatles cover band Sun Kings; Journey Unauthorized; and a magic act from Biernacki and the Illusion. See complete list of bands below.
(Michael will perform on July 11 more information at michaeljohnsonline)
We Are The Fallen: interview with Carly Smithson
We Are The Fallen is a band unto its own, insists Carly Smithson, and that’s not changed by the fact that she was not too long ago a favored American Idol contestant nor the fact that three of her bandmates were at one time members of the popular band Evanescence (including co-founder Ben Moody). And she’s right, of course. A year after announcing their new band, and getting pelted with questions from the media about their past the whole time, We Are The Fallen have finally released their debut album Tear The World Down. And on opening day of their tour with Saving Abel, Carly explains to me that being in a band is what she’s always wanted – and why she would never have wanted to name the band after herself, even despite the name recognition she gained from a year of television exposure.
Danny Gokey’s “I Will Not Say Goodbye” Inspires
Throughout my life, I’ve found many songs I can relate to, but rarely do they resonate with me as much as Danny Gokey’s “I Will Not Say Goodbye.” The lyrics, about not letting go of a loved one’s memory, are touching and emotionally hard-hitting, while the music video tells the stories of people who have lost a husband, a mother and a son. Having lost my father when I was 15, I’ve personally experienced the emotions in this ballad, written by Chuck Cannon, Lari White and Vicky McGehee after the funeral of the 13-year-old son of Nashville songwriter Jeffrey Steele.
After ‘American Idol, ’ Michael Sarver Chases His Next Dream
Dreams are important to Michael Sarver. The Louisiana native has been chasing his for several years now. Finally, it appears that things are about to pay off, as the American Idol alum is set to release his debut self-titled album on July 27th. “With this new album, I’m finally getting a chance to be the real me, ” says Sarver. “All my life, I knew I would find my dream if I chased after it hard. I want to deliver my heart through my music, with integrity and substance. I’m also grateful that in turn, this will allow me to encourage others to achieve their own happy endings.”
AUDIO: American Idol’s Kara DioGuardi Wants To Have A Baby
When asked if she wanted to have a baby, Kara said “I would love that” to Valentine in the Morning on 104.3 MY FM in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
PHOTOS: American Idol’s Most Memorable Contestants
“If that happens, that would be great, ” the sexy songwriter said. “I’d be very excited, yeah.”
The sexy songwriter just celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary to contractor Mike McCuddy on Monday.
‘The LXD’ brings ‘Glee’ star and dance to the Web
The art of dance is hot right now, as are superheroes. So what happens when you combine the two?
Such is the concept behind a new Web series “The LXD” which stands for “The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers.” The brainchild of director/filmmaker Jon M. Chu — “Step Up 2: The Streets, ” “Step Up 3-D” — the series features a group of hip-hop dancers described as “the justice league of dancers.”
The group has appeared in various venues including on the hit Fox dance show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” They also opened for the sold out “Glee: Live” tour across the country and one of “The LXD’s” choreographers, Harry Shum Jr., appears on “Glee” as dancing choir member Mike Chang.
Shum and fellow choreographer Christopher Scott recently spoke with CNN about their new series which debuts on July 7 on the website Hulu and mixes narrative with dance and film.
Staples Teams Up With Do Something
Staples is partnering with the U.S. non-profit group DoSomething.org on its 2010 Give-Back Pack initiative, which is also being promoted by celebs including country music star Kellie Pickler, TV star/singer Drake Bell and pop music star Jason Derulo as “pack leaders.”
Do Something, which is also promoting its Staples partnership with PSAs featuring Twilight actress Nikki Reed, teamed with Sprint on its “Thumb Wars” anti-texting campaign earlier this year.
Running through September 18, fans can choose their “pack leader”—Pickler, Bell or Derulo—and go online for exclusive information and suggestions on planning Do Something 101 drives in their communities.
Jordin Sparks tours the Gulf Coast. Watch the video HERE.
