Paula Abdul Will Be Tony Presenter; Awards Will Be Simulcast in Times Square
The 64th Annual Tony Awards will be simulcast live to the Clear Channel Spectacolor HD Screen in Times Square on June 13 from 6-11 PM ET.
It was also announced June 7 that former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul has been added to the starry list of Tony presenters. Sean Hayes, who is nominated for a 2010 Tony Award for his performance in the revival of Promises, Promises, hosts.
Obamas attend Ford’s Theatre gala
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Sunday the legacy of the nation’s founding fathers has inspired freedom-seeking people around the globe for generations, including those rebuilding South Africa after the end of apartheid.
Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd at the annual Ford’s Theatre gala Sunday, where South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and South African Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs received the theater’s Lincoln Medal.
The gala featured performances by “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson, who sang “Everybody Got Their Something, ” and pop star Lionel Richie, who sang “All Night Long.” Dick Van Dyke performed a medley of songs from his children’s movies, and soprano Renee Fleming sang pop song “In Your Eyes.”
The event was hosted by Ty Burrell of “Modern Family, ” and will air July 2 on ABC.
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Kelly Clarkson: Lincoln Medal Awards!
Kelly Clarkson stays classic in black at the Lincoln Medal Awards held at at Ford’s Theater on Sunday (June 6)
Her performance will be taped for broadcast on ABC on July 2. The Lincoln Medal is given each year to people who exemplify the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. This year, two people will be awarded: South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and South African Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs.
KFEST rocks Dutchess Stadium; check out our photo galleries
The 14th annual KFEST entertained thousands of music lovers today in spite of some rain with the possibility of more on the way.
Omar Perez of Patterson attended the music festival two years ago. He returned this year because of the lineup.
“They have some good artists, ” Perez said. “I like all of them.”
Adam Lambert, Ludacris, Train, B.o.B., Orianthi, Taio Cruz, Kevin Rudolf, Aaron Fresh, Iyaz, Charice and Kat Deluna are scheduled to perform at the annual extravaganza staged by Fishkill-based WSPK (104.7 FM), known as K104.
A last-minute addition to the lineup was “American Idol” contestant Allison Iraheta from season eight who sang briefly.
From Ludacris to Lambert, a rockin’ day
WAPPINGERS FALLS — With 80-degree temps, a constant breeze and a few short rain showers, radio station K104 (104.7 FM in Poughkeepsie) couldn’t have had a more perfect day for its annual music festival.
Despite the anticipated traffic delays on Routes 84 and 9D, KFest, held at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, went off like clockwork.
And then, finally, the man of the hour. Every time Adam Lambert’s name was mentioned, the crowd screamed. And it didn’t matter if you were by the stage or standing in line for ice cream.
“I’m a huge fan of ‘American Idol.’ I’ve watched every season, ” said Danielle Stonner, 25, from Wappingers Falls. “I like how he’s not scared to express himself and be who he is. What’s his new song? ‘Whataya Want From Me?’ I can’t wait for him to play that!”
Lambert, the concert’s headliner, came on around 6:15 p.m. and opened with “Music Again.”
Fan celebs catch all da hoop-la in La-La
But “American Idol” Lee DeWyze, who had national anthem duty last night, was cagey when we quizzed him about who he was rooting for in the Finals.
“One of the two teams, ” said the confessed Chicago Bulls diehard. “But if you remember what happened the last time the Celtics played the Bulls, that should give you a hint.”
Hmmmm, a Bulls upset as we recall. So wethinks Lee may have been pulling for the wrong Conference last night – even though his team’s going to be coached by C’s assistant Tom Thibodeau!
Sophia’s Heart Foundation helps school fund music program
Former American Idol contestant Danny Gokey came back to the Milwaukee area to promote the charity named after his late wife. The Sophia’s Heart Foundation has many missions, but the one closest to Gokey’s heart is spreading education through art.
There were plenty of cameras to capture the moment, but it was an educator who implored people to seize it. Superintendent of St. Marcus School knew the stage with Danny Gokey standing next to the stage he had the attentions of parents and students. He made sure to take advantage of the opportunity to spread his message. “Our state has the biggest achievement gap between African American kids and white kids…The solution is not going to come from the government or the educational establishment. The solution is in this room”
Sparks brings Battlefield to Palace Theatre
With two successful albums, a new Broadway gig and a headlining tour, Jordin Sparks marvels at how her career has progressed since she was crowned the “American Idol” winner in 2007.
“Instead of me warming up the crowd, people are coming to see me, which is something so different for me, ” she says. “People are buying the tickets to see my show. … I’m having such a good time.”
Sparks — who, on Tuesday, will bring her Battlefield tour, based on her most recent album, to the Palace Theatre in Greensburg — says she really enjoys the meet-and-greet sessions with fans, and the opportunity to sing 17 songs as a headliner rather than five as an opener.
“I love my fans, ” she says. “They’re the whole reason why I get to do what I do.”
Idol’s Aiken returns to the classics with new release
Singer Clay Aiken says he’s returning to the music he loves with his fifth studio album since emerging seven years ago from the hit TV show American Idol, which brought him fame, but also some personal challenges.
Aiken, 31, was thrust into the spotlight as runner-up in the second season of Idol and learned along the way to stand his ground while also accepting the glare on his private life.
Clay Aiken finds comfort in old songs, new life
For Clay Aiken, life now is about being comfortable, from the songs he sings to the life he lives.
Aiken’s CD “Tried and True, ” released last week, is a collection of 13 songs from the 1950s and 1960s, all of which predate the 31-year-old Aiken. But Aiken feels intimately familiar with the music that he heard as a child, while riding in the car with his mother.
Casey James Attends MTV Movie Awards, talks tour – 3 songs and a duet!
@Idoltracker (Shirley Halperin) ran into Casey James at last night MTV Movie Awards. She tweeted, “Casey’s friend had an extra pass, that’s why he went. He came straight from rehearsals…Casey said he’s singing three solo songs and one duet on the tour…”
Simon’s Next Show: World’s Got Talent
SIMON Cowell will stage the World’s Got Talent next year – starring 20 winning acts from around the globe.
The summer spectacular will be beamed to an estimated audience of 300MILLION.
And the winner will pocket a cheque of up to £1million The competition – featuring contestants picked from more than 80 countries staging Got Talent shows – will be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
It could be a global launch pad for Ant and Dec, who are in the frame to host.
Simon Cowell plots ‘World’s Got Talent’
Simon Cowell wants to put together a “World’s Got Talent” show next year with the winners of 20 competitions from around the globe, according to reports.
With more than 80 countries televising “Got Talent” shows of their own, Cowell — who owns the series — believes there are now enough performers to stage an international event, The Sun in London says.
The show will be staged from the Royal Albert Hall in London, the paper said.
Rage play Xmas No.1 ‘victory’ gig
Rage Against The Machine have played a free show for 40, 000 fans at London’s Finsbury Park to celebrate beating X Factor’s Joe McElderry to last year’s Christmas number 1 spot.
The band had promised fans a ‘victory’ gig if the Facebook campaign, started by fans Jon and Tracy Morter, delivered them to the top of the chart.
One hundred and twenty thousand people applied for tickets to the event which saw the Los Angeles band play a 75-minute set.
Speaking to Newsbeat, guitarist Tom Morello said: “We promised that if our song was number 1 we’d play a free show and today is the day. It’s not your average Rage Against The Machine Show.”
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CRYSTAL BOWERSOX GAY PAST
American Idol sensation CRYSTAL BOWERSOX has a secret gay past, The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively.
As a wild, pot-smoking and boozing teenager, she had at least three lesbian affairs – and boasted to a girlfriend she was seducing: “I’m a pro at this, baby!”
“Crystal was a free spirit, ” a friend told The ENQUIRER. “She wasn’t slutty, but if she found someone attractive, whether male or female, she’d give them a chance with her.”
Lee DeWyze flush with fame
For newly crowned “American Idol” Lee DeWyze, singing the national anthem at Game 2 of the NBA Finals is a far cry from selling paint!
It doesn’t get any better than this, the ex-Chicago paint store clerk told the Track before last night’s game. “It’s a huge responsibility but one I’m very happy to have.”
DeWyze insisted that singing in front of 20, 000 hoop fans wasn’t as scary as performing for Simon Cowell & Co.
Who Are We to Judge? After ‘Idol, ’ Kara DioGuardi Gives Us Some Counsel
How much time should an “American Idol” judge be given after the end of the season to kick up her heels, relax a little and be spared the pesky questions of annoying reporters? As soon as Kara DioGuardi takes a vacation, we’ll let you know.
Not two weeks after “Idol” came to its contentious end, Ms. DioGuardi, the singer-songwriter and record executive who has gone from that reality show’s greenest on-camera critic to its second most senior, was back behind the judging table – sort of: on Thursday afternoon, she was in Times Square weighing in on a Folgers jingle contest.
American Idol’s Josh Gracin: All Things New in Nashville!
For Josh Gracin, 2010 is all about the “new.” There are a lot of things going on with the singer of such hits as “Nothin’ To Lose, ” and he is excited about it all.
“We’ve got new management, a new team, a new record label, a new album, a new outlook, and even new hair, ” he says with a smile. “I’m very excited about 2010. We’ve been in the studio doing something new in Nashville — something that isn’t done in the mainstream. It’s done all the time under the radar all the time. Jamey Johnson did it first, where he produced and wrote mostly everything on the album. That’s what I’m doing…I produced and wrote or co-wrote everything on the album. There’s seventeen tracks on the album right now.”
The album, She’s A Different Kind Of Crazy, will be a little different from his previously released music on Lyric Street Records. He’s excited to showcase a different side of the singer that many got to know during the 2003 season of “American Idol.” Look for a more R&B approach this time out.
‘American Idol’ David Archuleta arrives in Utah to promote new book
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s ‘American Idol’ David Archuleta has arrived in the state to promote his new book, titled “Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and Perserverance.” The 19-year-old singer and American Idol Season 7 runner-up, stopped by the FOX 13 studio Monday for Good Day Utah. He said he has learned a lot through his experience on the FOX singing competition and in the music industry, even at young age.
“Right now I have learned a lot so far, ” said Archuleta. “Being a teenager, I didn’t think a lot of this would happen being 19.”
Taylor Hicks on the cover of Bucks Living
The June 17 concert has been re-scheduled for September 26. More information HERE.
Singing for the Children
Individuals can create the change they wish to see in the world, as Mahatma Gandhi advised. And when you combine two people with energy, conviction, talent and compassion intent on making a difference, change can be explosive and far-reaching.
Most of America is familiar with Taylor Hicks, the handsome and talented singer who won the top prize in American Idol’s fifth season. With his soulful delivery of moving lyrics, he’s gained a legion of fans calling themselves the “soul patrol.”
One of his songs, “Do I Make You Proud, ” about reaching for goals and standing for something you believe in while encouraging others to join you, touched the heart of a local woman, singer/songwriter, Genevieve Rose of Bucks County.
Kris Allen interview with FOX 11 Green Bay
Kris hopes to be back in the studio this fall.
