‘American Idol’ registration is underway in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS | Usually the only time there’s a crowd packed around the Superdome at dawn is if Saints fans are still celebrating after a night game. But the thousands lined up Saturday morning were looking for individual glory, not savoring a team success.
Would-be pop stars crowded onto the plaza outside the Dome, waiting for their chance to secure an audition before Fox Television’s “American Idol” judges. The column of potential contestants started at the glass doors of the New Orleans Arena, where the contestants were screened prior to the actual auditions, which will be held Monday.
Crystal Bowersox discusses diabetes with White House officials
When Crystal Bowersox learned that the Idols had a day off before their Friday show in Washington, D.C., she knew just what she wanted to do. So she placed a phone call to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
As a result of that phone call, Crystal toured the West Wing Thursday. Friday morning, she met with advisors for the Obama administration about the diabetes and the Special Diabetes Program.
“I set that up myself, ” Crystal said after her meeting today. “I made it a point to do so.”
Read More at USA Today
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American Idol Finalists Perform at Jiffy Lube Live
BRISTOW, Va. – The American Idol Live Tour hit Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va. Friday as many local fans flocked to see the 10 Idol finalists live in person.
Season 9 finalists Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, Didi Benami, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze, Michael Lynche, Siobhan Magnus, and Tim Urban were all there and FOX 5’s Stacey Cohan spoke with some of the finalists about the fans, their experience on the show, the departure of Simon Cowell and even a sports squabble with Texas native and Cowboys’ fan Casey James.
Source: FOX5 DC
Lee DeWyze is eager to do his own thing
Once the concert tour ends, he goes straight into full-on album mode. What can we expect from his debut?
So far, he says he’s written on every song for the as-yet-untitled CD. There will be collaborations with noteworthy artists and producers, although he won’t reveal which ones.
As for the vibe he’s going for: “It’s like a rock-folk-pop. That’s always what I’ve loved to play. And I’m into emotionally driven music. I just kind of do it and let my emotions come out. It’s gonna be a very honest album. I’ve always known what kind of artist I’ve been, before ‘Idol, ‘ through ‘Idol, ‘ and now.
Read more at the Charlotte Observer
American Idol’s Michael Sarver Talks About Being the New Guy in Country
Only a few years ago, Michael Sarver was working on an oil rig in Texas. But with a lot of determination and a little bit of luck from the eighth season of American Idol, the singer-songwriter has come to a turning point in his career. His first single, “Ferris Wheel, ” already makes him feel like he’s part of the family.
“Country is the most welcoming genre. There is so much class in this city, ” Sarver said during a recent interview in Nashville. He explained that when he recorded his album, Rascal Flatts happened to be recording in the studio next to him. “And Gary (LeVox) told me that day, ‘Good luck. I’ll be the first in line to buy your record.’ You don’t get that in every genre.”
Read More at CMT
Ruben Studdard & American Idol
Ruben opens up to Chirl Girl about American Idol!
Kellie Pickler: ‘I’ve Gotta Quit Beer & Fries’
Kellie Pickler fears she’s gained 12 pounds, but she has a plan to get herself back into her slimmest shape just in time for her wedding to songwriter Kyle Jacobs.
“I look at pictures of myself, ” the country cutie, 24, laughs to me during the CMA Music Festival held in Nashville last month. “I was looking back at the CMT Awards. My grandpa was in there on the couch, and I guess they were re-airing it on CMT. He had it on, and I went ‘oh s***, I have got to step away from the beer. The beer and the fries – I’ve gotta quit.’ You’ll see pictures of yourself, or you’ll put your clothes on, and you’ll be like ‘oh, my pants are too tight, I can’t breathe.’ You notice it. I’ve gotta start cutting back. That’s one reason I’m running on coffee today.”
Read more at OK Magazine
‘Idol’ winner Taylor Hicks says he in it for The Distance
Since winning the fifth season of “American Idol, ” Taylor Hicks has politely suffered the unfavorable comparisons of his earnings, record sales and airplay to the show’s eight other winners.
Billboard magazine this spring even called Hicks “perhaps the unlikeliest ‘Idol’ winner ever, ” saying the total of his album and single sales and airplay placed him dead last among “Idol” winners, and behind 11 other non-winners on the show, including four from his winning season in 2006.
But as Hicks speaks in a telephone interview to promote his new tour, which starts Sunday and brings him to Allentown’s Crocodile Rock Café on Friday, he’s clearly tired of such characterization.
Read More at the Morning Call
Simon Cowell Loves Fantasia
Now that Simon Cowell’s American Idol days are behind him, he has the rest of his life to reminisce about his Idol experience. Many of his positive memories will rest with former Idol champ Fantasia Barrino, a singer he claims is at the top of his list. Cowell explains why Fantasia is his favorite Idol vet. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR BELOW TO HEAR SIMON COWELL)
Listen at Hollywood Outbreak
Taste of Kalamazoo preview: KSO, Matt Giraud to brings summer sounds to 25th bash
KALAMAZOO — The city’s favorite “American Idol, ” Matt Giraud, has performed in front of millions on television, but nonetheless remains nervous about his upcoming performance with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.
The pop star will pair up with the full orchestra for Taste of Kalamazoo, bringing out the orchestra’s casual side and giving Giraud a chance to show his technical chops.
“It’s a little nerve racking, ” Giraud said. “You want to make sure everything’s right.”
Read More at MLive
