Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
Jennifers, Mo’Nique, Beyonce are big at BETs
“They sang their butts off.”
A friend of mine hollered that out only minutes into last night’s BET Awards. And while my girl’s characterization was crude, she was right. If you saw the show, you know exactly what she meant….
Kelly Clarkson gets intimate with her inner badass
….Or, if you’re like me, after having read all the self-possessed, strong-minded things Kelly has said lately, you couldn’t wait to get your hands on the actual album and make your own judgments about Miss Independent’s third album. Now that I’ve carefully listened to it (you can too at AOL or MuchMusic), I have to say that I agree with Blender and Entertainment Weekly, who gave the CD quite positive reviews. My December is certainly not the pop album that Breakaway was, but anybody who expected her to repeat “Since U Been Gone” has been smoking too much fantasy crack……..
Former American Idol participant to perform at fair
American Idol enthusiasts saw him on TV last year. Others heard him on the radio.
Come August, fairgoers will see Bucky Covington at the Ross County Fair.
The fairboard, for the first time, partnered with Rock For Tots Children Charities and Southern Ohio Events to bring Covington, whose single, …A Different World, debuted in January, to the grandstand on Aug. 9….
SHOWBIZ 7’S: Best reality TV convention moments
Their 15 minutes of fame is bringing them to Nashville to celebrate for the second year running. See what you missed last year.
Come on kids! We’ve got us some reality stars to see!
That’s right. The second annual Reality TV convention takes place this weekend at the Radisson Hotel in Opryland, Nashville, Tennessee. $25 bucks gets you two tickets and a t-shirt. Single day tickets are $10.
It’s fixing up to be a great convention with special guests the “very friendly” Tonya Cooley (“The Real World”), songbird of Ohio Scott Soval (“American Idol”) and the conveniently named Jonny Fairplay (“Survivor”).
For a taste of what’s to come, we asked Joe Reality (that’s what he calls himself) of Reality TV Magazine to give us a list of the best moments from Reality TV Con 1…
My December is a clean break
Kelly Clarkson’s third album shows growth, leaves room for more
I can’t completely hate on Kelly Clarkson.
When I reviewed her sophomore album, Breakaway, two years ago, there was a “woman waiting to be awakened in Clarkson, ” and I called the album “a stepping stone in the quest to realizing the artist she truly is.”
Her latest album, My December, really is a coming-of-age record. She fought for it to see the light of day, and despite pressure from her management to stay true to her signature sound, Clarkson took a route that can’t be called anything but her own…
Reality Stars Will Come Together for “Reality All-Stars” Event
A special event will give reality TV fans the opportunity to mingle with their favorite reality stars this Saturday.
The Reality Cares’ “Reality All-Stars” Event, which will be held in Hollywood, California, will raise money and awareness for Operation Smile. The evening of hors doeuvres, drinks and entertainment will be hosted by Janice Dickinson and will feature performances by singers including former American Idol finalists Frenchie Davis and Sabrina Sloan. Confirmed attendees include Mario Lopez (Dancing with the Stars), Nick Carter (House of Carters), and Tiffany “New York” Pollard (I Love New York).
Carrie Underwood, Kevin Eubanks named sexiest vegetarians
Jay Leno’s sidekick Kevin Eubanks and the country American Idol Carrie Underwood have been named the “world’s sexiest vegetarians” in PETA’s annual contest…
A rewarding breakaway for Clarkson
Seldom has a pop album hit the stores under such a cloud: Kelly Clarkson, formerly a tool of the American Idol machinery, decided she’d cowrite all of the songs on her third album and not craft a carbon copy of her six-million-seller Breakaway.
She clashed with Clive Davis, head of her label — he didn’t hear ”hits” on her darker, angry rock record My December. She fired her manager, canceled her tour because of poor ticket sales and delayed the release of the album.
Until Tuesday.
The result? Score one for artistic integrity. An American Idolcan grow up and move on. The controversial My December is the first Kelly Clarkson album that sounds as if it wasn’t crafted by committee. And its reputation for being a drastic departure and hookless is unfounded.
Charleston Music News
HICKS IN TOWN
Post-American Idol chart-topper Taylor Hicks (the new generation’s Michael McDonald) headlines a “soulful” concert at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. on Sat. June 30. Maybe he’ll charm his way through a version of “Do I Make You Feel Proud.”
20TH ANNIVERSARY ASCAP RHYTHM & SOUL MUSIC AWARDS: Blige, Dupri and Austin Among Top Honorees.
…Honorees and notables in attendance included: Mary J. Blige, Johntà ¡ Austin, Jermaine “JD” Dupri, Akon, Chingy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Alicia Keys, Biz Markie, Kandi Burruss, Chamillionaire, Keyshia Cole, Dem Franchize Boyz, Dre & Vidal, Ron Fair, Dave “Jam” Hall, Andre Harrell, Lalah Hathaway, Keri Hilson, Jimmy Iovine, Krayzie Bone, L.A. Reid, Letoya, LRoc, Lyfe Jennings, Mary Mary, MC Lyte, Ne-Yo, Papoose, Play N Skillz, Polow Da Don, Rah Digga, Sylvia Rhone, Rock City, Patrice Rushen, Karen Clark Sheard, American Idol’s Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Lakisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle, Stargate, Swizz Beatz, Tank, T.I., The Underdogs, Narada Michael Walden, Michelle Williams, Ted Winn and Young Dro, among others….
Ellen Gray | Lens is on Abdul in Bravo’s ‘Hey Paula’
HEY PAULA. 10 p.m. tomorrow, Bravo.
YOU KNOW those I.Q. tests that occasionally pop up online?
Here’s a much easier way to find out if you might be Mensa material….
CBS’ “Early Show” to broadcast from CityWalk on July 6; show will offer songs by Katharine McPhee of “American Idol”
Universal CityWalk will be the backdrop for CBS’ “The Early Show” on July 6.
Harry Smith, Hannah Storm and Dave Price will be in Central Florida to bring the show to the nation. Julie Chen won’t. Her other duties include hosting “Big Brother, ” which starts a new season July 5.
Here are other incentives to tune in “The Early Show” on July 6: Katharine McPhee of “American Idol” will sing in the 8 a.m. hour. The program will look at the local animation industry. “The Early Show” airs 7 to 9 a.m. weekdays on WKMG-Channel 6.
IDOL CHATTER
Ken Barnes
Idols on the radio ‘ checking the format charts
¦Finally, in the overall national picture (based on the more updated 100-position national radio airplay audience chart), Daughtry is No. 6 in the country with Home, same as last week, with a slight gain in total audience. Carrie Before He Cheats is No. 8, again with a slight audience gain. Fantasia When I See U roars up to 13 from 17. Elliott doing well, up 54-45 with Wait for You. Daughtry It Not Over is up 48-46 but that a mirage; it continues to decline in total audience. Bucky A Different World drops 73-75, but that also a mirage; it up 5% in total audience. Carrie Wasted drops 70-81, and that not a mirage; it done. Kelly Never Again has fallen off the top 100, but she back on the chart with her new duet with Reba McEntire on Because of You, new at 87. And Kellie I Wonder finally makes the national chart at 97.
Thanks to Purps.
