Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
‘Idol’ winner to perform at Tag’s
Chemistry, energy drive shows. Yearning for modern soul grows, he says.
Taylor Hicks, the man with the Soul Patrol fan club, ended his first solo tour on May 12, performing a 1-hour, 45-minute set with a seven-piece combo at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. Tonight, the 2006 “American Idol” winner kicks off his summer concert tour at the Summer Stage at Tag’s in Big Flats. Star-Gazette “American Idol” blogger Dawn Adams of Corning interviewed Hicks by e-mail. A special thanks goes out to James “Tag” Rhodes, owner of Tag’s, and Mitch Cramer, Hicks’ road manager, for assistance and persistence in making this interview happen while Hicks was on vacation……
From ‘Idol’ to Hog Day
Heather Cox to sing in Hillsborough
It’s Hillsborough, not Hollywood, but Heather Cox is still a bit nervous about singing at Hog Day on Saturday.
“It’s actually harder to sing in front of a small crowd than it is to sing in front of 40 million people, ” said the former “American Idol” contestant.
She’ll be performing at the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough’s Hog Day festival of all things porky.
Cox, from Jonesville in Yadkin County, made the top 24 on “Idol’s” season five. She was one of four North Carolinians to do so that year. The other three — Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry and Bucky Covington — advanced further in the TV contest and now have successful albums out.
Cox, 23, is recording a pop-country album of her own. Otherwise, she is hanging around the homefront, spending time with her family….
Tattle | End of the lam for Lou Pearlman
…’Idol’ to be idle
Just two days after dumping her manager, Kelly Clarkson has dumped her summer tour.
In a shockingly honest press release, LiveNation CEO Michael Rapino said that “ticket sales have not been what we anticipated and we came to the realization that we had bit off more than we could chew.”
On her Web site, Clarkson said: “I promise you that we’re going to get back out there as soon as is humanly possible to give you a show that will be even better.”
“The day when she will play in sold-out arenas is, no doubt, coming, but for now her fans should look forward to seeing her in a more intimate concert environment, ” said Gregg Perloff, CEO of promoter Another Planet Entertainment, in a statement.
Clarkson’s third album, “My December, ” hits stores June 26. If her label boss Clive Davis (who ain’t no dummy) is right that the album could use some catchier tunes, it might be a while before Kelly can sell out an arena. The way the music biz is, it may be awhile before any artist under 30 can sell out an arena.
(Tickets for Kelly’s Aug. 14 gig at the Wachovia Center will be refunded at point of purchase.)
Hoops vs. harmonica
Taylor Hicks put away his basketball a long time ago in favor of a harmonica. Hicks, last year’s “American Idol” winner, sang the national anthem before Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
Hicks spent time before the game dribbling a basketball while players warmed up.
“I actually played a lot of basketball in high school, ” the 29-year-old Birmingham, Ala., native said. “I was a better harmonica player. I was a little bit short for basketball and wasn’t too short for the harmonica.”
The move paid off about 10 years later. Hicks is a multi-millionaire recording artist……
Canton Rep.com
Kelly Clarkson Cancels Her Summer Tour
…In a statement released by her new representative, Paul Freundlich, it acknowledged the sales for the arena tour have been slow. The tour will be on hold and the size of it will be re-evaluated, the statement said.
“The day when she will play in sold-out arenas is, no doubt, coming, but for now her fans should look forward to seeing her in a more intimate concert environment, ” Gregg Perloff, CEO of concert promoter Another Planet Entertainment, said in the statement. “Kelly deserves a tremendous amount of praise for her courage in not only being a part of, but in supporting, this difficult decision.”…
…Clarkson’s tour was expected to kick off with her performance at the Live Earth concert July 7 at East Rutherford, N.J. and end in Phoenix. Now, Clarkson’s only performance is slated to be at the Live Earth concert, part of a global series of performances to raise awareness about environmental issues…
Celeb-a-razzi: Don’t press Angelina Jolie; Trouble boils over in Kelly Clarkson’s camp
…Trouble boils over in Kelly Clarkson’s camp
As the fury about Kelly Clarkson’s upcoming “My December” continues — the American Idol publicly battled Clive Davis over its content, and earlier this week, she fired, er, parted ways with her manager — the latest casualty is her upcoming tour. On Wednesday, the entire run was sacked, including an Aug. 10 date at The Palace of Auburn Hills. A Live Nation rep tells People magazine soft ticket sales are to blame. A Palace rep says ticket refunds are available at the point of purchase.
Kelly Clarkson’s Summer Retreat
….The album is Clarkson’s third, but the first on which she wrote or cowrote all of the songs. It is decidedly darker in tone than either her debut album, Thankful, or its multiplatinum successor, Breakaway, which has been a sticking point with her label and others trying to guide her career.
Though their parting was deemed amicable, Clarkson’s split with her manager, Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm, was said to be directly linked to a difference of opinion over the creative direction of the album.
As far as Clarkson’s concerned, the album may be less mainstream, but “it’s more intense, it’s more raw, it’s more emotional, ” which is exactly the way she wanted it to be.
And though she doesn’t expect it to rack up the sales she enjoyed with Breakaway, she’s okay with that.
“Even if it does tank’ who cares? It’s one album!” the singer told Entertainment Weekly.
GIVE ME THAT OLD-TIME RINGLING
Daredevils, acrobats are still the circus’ most exciting acts
…Jennifer Fuentes, 21, a second-season “American Idol” finalist, is a sort of seductive fairy godmother who narrates the story in song, backed by a live band providing a pop/hip-hop score. And everything is projected on a giant circular replay screen. The new touches seem to edge the old circus closer to the Cirque du Soleil and Disney mindsets of the 21st century…
Kelly cancels tour to, uh, ‹re-evaluate
…American Idol darling Kelly Clarkson yesterday canceled her summer tour, a day after whacking her manager.
…Plans for Kelly Clarkson summer tour have been shelved for now as the singer and her team re-evaluate her show size and scope, a decision made even more difficult by the impending release of her album ‹My December, her PR rep Paul Freundlich said in a prepared statement…
… The New York Post reported yesterday that Clarkson realized manager Jeff Kwatinetz wasnt doing her any favors considering the lackluster interest in her summer tour.
…Kwatinetz, a co-producer of Kelly upcoming album, led her down the road of recording without the benefit of Clive Davis magic and collaboration with hit-making songwriters, the Post spy said. …Clive was trying to stop her from jumping off a cliff.
Think she seen the light Since (Theyve) Been Gone??
‘IDOL’ KELLY DUMPS MANAGER
…”Kelly has clearly seen the light, ” laughed a Davis crony. Clarkson, who’s sold 11 million records, has insisted on writing all the songs on her third album and spurned the tunes by other composers which Davis, “the man with the golden ears, ” was offering her. “Kwatinetz, a co-producer of Kelly’s upcoming album, led her down the road of recording without the benefit of Clive Davis’ magic and collaboration with hit-making songwriters, ” our source said. “Clive was trying to stop her from jumping off a cliff.” Kwatinetz, who treated Clarkson like “a little sister, ” was said by a pal to be “shocked.” “She’s not happy, and she can’t fire Clive, so she fired Jeff, ” said the source…
Can rap regain its crown?
…In 2006, for the first time in five years, no rap albums were among the year’s 10 biggest sellers, a list led by the soundtrack to Disney’s High School Musical, which sold 3.7 million copies. Compare that with 2003, when 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ ranked No. 1 with 6.5 million copies.
This year’s top-selling albums thus far are by American Idol rocker Chris Daughtry’s band and jazz chanteuse Norah Jones.
The rap industry is pinning hopes on 50 Cent’s Curtis, due Sept. 4, and Kanye West’s Graduation Day, expected in late August, as well as releases by Eminem and Dr. Dre that could arrive before the end of the year.
But those albums may not be enough to salvage the sales numbers for this year, and it’s unclear whether 50 Cent or Eminem can match their past sales…
‹Idols headline fundraiser for basketball courts
It a long way from Hollywood, but …American Idol is coming to Scituate.
The Scituate Outdoor Community Basketball Courts at the High School Committee will host a benefit concert Saturday in the Scituate High School auditorium to raise funds for the three new basketball courts being constructed behind the high school. The concert will feature performances from former American Idol contestants Ayla Brown and Taunton native Nick Pedro, as well as the up-and-coming all-girl pop group Girl Authority. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. show time….
Up close with Avril
…Unlike Lavigne who doesnt believe in modesty, new American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, is nothing but humble. In Galaxie exclusive interview with the 17-year-old, Sparks revealed that although she wanted to win the title when she joined the competition, it the experience she cherishes most.
…If I didnt (win), it was not going to be the end of the world for me. I would still be happy because I think it is really cool I got a chance to be a part of it, Sparks said…
Pride celebrations set around Texas, region
…American Idol finalist Kimberly Caldwell will be the special guest performer during the final round next Saturday, before the Main Stage performance…
Cheerful nostalgia billows through ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe’
…The “Smokey Joe’s” touring company comes from the Irving Street Repertory of New York. The Rep has already brought several productions of the Fats Waller revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” to Jazz Alley.
Four male performers — Jonathan Celestin, Ron Lucas, Stanley Martin and Jace Rivera — are spunky and fresh. Latasha Jordan Spencer is the company’s female belter. She has gospel pipes. And Famecia Ward (a 2004 “American Idol” contender) is the perky femme fatale…
Sad Realities
‘On the Lot’ and ‘Pirate Master’ were shows created by the same man who gave us ‘Survivor” so why do they seem so uninspired?
…The sad part of Burnett’s string of successes is that it suggests that it nails shut the coffin of reality television’s golden era. There has always been lots of talk about the negative effect of reality TV and how it has contributed to our fame-obsessed, look-at-me culture. But there hasn’t been nearly enough discussion about the fact that at its best, some of the freshest, most exciting television of the past decade has been reality-based. Who among us can forget where we were the first time we saw Richard Hatch flopping around nude during the first season of …Survivor? How many office friendships were irreparably damaged by Jordin vs. Blake disagreements during …American Idol? …
Truck competition to feature ‘Idol’ contestant
…The free, three-day event will be held at the Joplin Petro Shopping Center and will feature a NASCAR race simulator and a performance by former …American Idol contestant Carmen Rasmusen…
Kelly Clarkson Loses Support At Ticket Counter
Oh, no.
Kelly Clarkson, former American Idol-turned-solo-renegade, is evidently losing fan support, as she will be delaying her big summer tour due to low ticket sales.
Just in case you like to skim Web articles and hardly glanced at the opening paragraph, Kelly Clarkson had to postpone her summer tour due to people having no interest in purchasing tickets for her planned shows. How could this happen? I thought this girl was as essential to summer as the iced coffee.
Seriously, her voice is hot, her music is hot (…Never Again is off the hook) and her style is ever expanding. No, it seems way too early in her career for something like this to occur…
…In fact, we have to give her a lot. This girl has fought off exec sharks, bowing away from a 10 million dollars compliancy bonus in the process, all because she has the balls to be the artist she really is. What do you say we make My December No. 1 next week, subsequently flipping a middle finger to the fat cats who think they know better? At least that way I can pretend I had something to do with it.
Super-fans often blur line between love and virtual stalking
…What the numbers don’t reveal, however, is the increasingly blurred line between love and zealotry — something experts say has led to a new breed of “super-fan” whose identity is almost solely defined by the musical star or celebrity being adulated.
“Fans perceive a relationship that’s not there, ” says Patricia Leavy, a professor of sociology and popular culture at Stonehill College in Massachusetts.
“They feel like they’re involved with the person’s career. I mean, some of these fans are posting on (celebrity) websites every day… and their identity forms partly in the context of this fan community.”
If paying tribute to a star is a full-time job, the collective fan name functions as a kind of organization title.
American Idol has inspired an international flock of “Fanjayas” (Sanjaya Malakar devotees), “Claymates” (Clay Aiken fans), “Care Bears” (Carrie Underwood enthusiasts) and “Blaker Girls” (Blake Lewis loyalists), among others…
Mims, ‘Blast’ to perform at Peach Jam Jubilee in 2 weeks
Two of the four musical acts lined up for this year Peach Jam Jubilee are representative of Chilton County High School …Blast from the Past.
Ryan Mims, a singer/songwriter who lives and performs in Nashville, sang in …Blast during his years attending CCHS from 1994 to 1998.
The Clanton native is more recently known for his appearance on the Fox television show …American Idol, on which he made it to the Hollywood round of the 2007 season. He is currently backed up by a five-piece band and has recorded several original songs in the country/pop genre……..
Rewind: Reviews of recent concerts
…Unlike Todd, who brought his band, McPhee sang to canned music with help from two backup singers. Live she comes off as someone with a good voice and appealing personality (in a Goldie Hawn way) who needs some direction musically. Im not sure whom she being peddled to, but not too many girls younger than 16 seem too interested…
…Daughtry closed the show. He wore one of those working-class, tank-top T-shirts to show off his guns and pecs. He looked like a hybrid of Glenn Danzig and Michael Stipe. He pretty much reprised the show he did at the VooDoo, but he seemed pretty awed by the difference of playing in front of this many screaming fans.
He gave the crowd the two songs it wanted most, …It Not Over and …Home, plus one it seemed really disinterested in, Pearl Jam …Black. He didnt sound as impressive out in the big arena as he did in the swanky club, but frankly the sound wasnt all that great during his set. It was tinny and trebly. And it not like they didnt have time for a long soundcheck.
Glass closets Gay
Aiken fans revolt, JFK Jr. bio says he bi and gay author speaks out
A battle broke out last week on pop music most contentious frontier: Claynation.
CLAY AIKEN, a former …American Idol contestant, is known for his legions of fans, primarily young and female, who have given themselves the feminist-wary moniker of …Claymates. The Claymates are infamous for deluding themselves about Gaykin seemingly obvious homosexual leanings…
……Due to reports of extensive unrest and disrespect amongst members that has been carrying on for several weeks, the Official Fan Club Message Board will be shut down until further notice, the site read. …Please note that should tensions continue on other areas of the fan club, severe consequences may occur.
No word on what those consequences might be, but this seems like an awful lot of effort to silence unstoppable rumors.
Music Review: Paris Bennett- Princess P
…After listening to Princess P Intro …All Hail The Princess, I almost turned it off immediately. The intro was absolutely cringe-worthy, but I persevered, hoping that the album would get better. Thankfully, …Ordinary Love and …Dreaminƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ highlight why Americans fell in love with the pint-sized Bennett in the first place. Both tracks showcase her extraordinary vocal range, and the maturity that belies her 18 years of age. Produced by Jon Jon Traxx, “Ordinary Love” is definitely one of the better songs on Princess P. It has a Beyonce-feel to the song, which is not surprising considering Traxx has worked extensively with the former Destiny Child’s star. Well-written, it’s a song that Bennett seems comfortable singing, and suits her vocal style as opposed to most of the other tracks on Princess P…
Kelly Clarkson Sacks Off Her Own Tour
In the world of the TV talent show there’s no greater star than Kelly Clarkson, which isn’t really saying a lot since hardly anyone can be arsed to go and watch her sing live any more….
…Here in Britain, TV talent shows are generally regarded as a bit of a joke. When the ‘stars’ to emerge from shows like Pop Idol and X Factor number Gareth Gates, Shayne Ward and Leona Lewis – it’s OK, you’re right to not know who they are – it’s hard to take it seriously. But in America it’s a different thing entirely, and that’s mostly down to Kelly Clarkson.
Kelly Clarkson, remember, was the first-ever winner of American Idol. Fans were hooked on her downhome country charm, powerhouse voice and the fact that she didn’t look as much of a tit as that Sideshow Bob boy did. With the American Idol win – and that ropey movie – under her belt, the world was at Kelly Clarkson’s feet allowing her to sell 10 million records worldwide. But something’s changed…
Soul Patrol swings into Massachusetts
One year after winning American Idol, Taylor Hicks is still riding high
…It was just over a year ago when Hicks defeated Katherine McPhee in the American Idol season five finale, propelling him into his new superstar status. …Everyday I feel blessed, Taylor tells Boston Music Spotlight from his bus in Ohio. …I feel very thankful for all those people that voted for me. Its amazing how the show really gives you a platform….
