Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
‘Idol’ top 3 outshine rest of cast on tour
The annual tour of “American Idol” finalists is what it is: an ensemble company with varying levels of talent performing songs they did on the top-rated Fox show.
Some of Sunday night’s stop at the Bradley Center was entertaining, some was mediocre – but all of it was packaged professionally with a talented band and backup singers to fill in the weak spots….
Heat taps some during tryouts
Several contestants require first aid, but the shows go on
In addition to dealing with nerves and judges, thousands of hopefuls trying out for next season’s American Idol had to deal with searing sun and oppressive humidity. It was enough to cause a handful to be overcome by the heat and seek first aid.
The exact number of persons who may have been assisted because of the heat was unknown.
Texas Stadium officials referred questions about the first-aid situation to American Idol officials who would say only that the heat had not presented any major problems for contestants or organizers.
Several people outside the stadium, however, said a few people had fainted when the throng was still lined up in the unprotected parking lot around 8 a.m., and a few more were treated inside the stadium after tryouts began….
BEST OF THE BLOG Outtakes from the ‘American Idol’ auditions
In the beginning
5:22 a.m.: Apparently the secret to making it on American Idol is to show up four hours before the sun comes up. (Shauntoris Jones of Oklahoma City was the first contestant in line.) I’m coming to Texas Stadium from the north (via I-35). Traffic started to back up long before I could see the stadium. But I think I just found a shortcut: cutting through the University of Dallas……..
‘Idol’ stories
Everyone who attended Dallas’ ‘American Idol’ audition had a tale to tell, and we were there to listen
Family Ties
One of the most buzzed-about people to walk up the winner’s ramp was Ricco Barrino, otherwise known as Fantasia’s brother. Ricco, 24, was in town for a show and decided to audition at the last minute.
It wasn’t the first time he’d shown up for the Idol cattle call; he’d planned to audition with Fantasia in Atlanta. Just one problem: He forgot his ID.
“So he and Fantasia left; she was the last one to perform, ” says his publicist, Linda Luna. “The security guard was nice enough to let her back in.”
This time, luck (and a recognizable last name) were on his side. After singing “A Change Is Gonna Come, ” he was told he was moving on up….
‘American Idol’ Auditions Sizzle in Dallas
Thousands of “American Idol” hopefuls braved long lines (video: MyFoxDFW), sizzling summer temperatures and even hotter competition at the Texas Stadium audition on Monday.
An estimated 15, 000 people turned out in the 98-degree heat to compete in the auditions, which began at about 8 a.m….
12, 000 bring dreams to ‘Idol’ tryouts at Texas Stadium
…By the time the TV show’s seventh season gets under way early next year, almost half a million fame-seekers will have auditioned. This season alone is expected to draw more than 100, 000 nationwide.
Patrick Lynn, the show’s senior producer, says American Idol wanted to return to Dallas not only because this is where the show found 2002 winner ‘ and a show favorite ‘ Kelly Clarkson of Burleson, but also because the show revels in the enthusiasm of North Texas wannabes.
“We’ve come to Texas this year because it’s the biggest state in the union!” he announced proudly, apparently forgetting Alaska.
American Idol auditions draw contestants from all over the country, and Monday’s event was no exception….
Constantine Maroulis Puts Impressive Pipes on Display
Constantine Maroulis, “Constantine” (Sixth Place Records)
The fourth season of “American Idol” had two standouts: country singer Carrie Underwood, who went on to win a Grammy and sell millions of CDs, and rocker Bo Bice, who has faded into oblivion.
Then there was Constantine Maroulis — remember him?…….
Passion by the boatload
The Bold And The Beautiful has a simple formula for longevity in the soap-opera game: Volume
….Guest stars and stunts diminish the monotony of this routine. Yesterday, Canada’s own Alan Thicke reprised his role as unscrupulous talk-show host Rich Ginger (named, by the way, after B&B’s chief financial officer). And on Aug. 24, there’ll be a sing-off involving Constantine Maroulis, a B&B cast member who finished sixth on American Idol two years ago…
Thousands Line Up For ‘Idol’ Auditions
…Producers wouldn’t immediately give an estimate on the turnout at Texas Stadium, but the line stretched as wide as 30 people and snaked around a fourth of the building.
They sang (though not always well), waited (for several hours to be herded inside) and sometimes wilted under a stifling morning sun in the parking lot. Ice packs were given to some would-be contestants who struggled with temperatures that climbed past 90 degrees…
Getting ready for ‘Idol’ tryout
Jessie Nunn, a rising senior at Salem High School in Virginia Beach, is heading for “American Idol” auditions Aug. 14 in Atlanta.
He prepped last week by performing at a stage at the Oceanfront and singing the national anthem at Norfolk’s Harbor Park.
Jessie performs as “j.none” because “I’m like none other, ” he claims on his MySpace Web page.
Jessie, 17, will sing “As” by Stevie Wonder for the “Idol” judges…
Tarrytown ice cream crooner tries out for “Idol”
On a sweltering afternoon, Chelsea White stands behind the counter of Main Street Sweets and belts out a classic over butter pecan.
The 16-year-old’s rendition of “Over the Rainbow” fills the ice- cream shop with her strong, creamy voice, and for a moment, the customers put down their spoons and listen.
When White finishes, another sound fills the room – one of cheers mixed with applause….
Twin Falls Teen to Try Out for American Idol
A 17-year-old from Idaho has been patiently waiting for her chance to try out for the hit television show American Idol.
Now that she’s officially old enough to be a contestant, she isn’t holding anything back…
Idol Aspirations? i-Sing(TM) Helps Singers Reach For The Stars … and Hollywood!
Hit the High Notes with World’s First Interactive, Handheld MP3-Karaoke Player
There are some things you’re just not born with -Sanjaya’s hair, Jordin’s dimples and Blake’s beat-boxing skills-but aspiring Idols have a new secret weapon: i-Sing(TM). i-Sing is the world’s first interactive, handheld MP3-Karaoke player, and it is the perfect tool to help you stay in tune and stand out from the crowd. i-Sing allows users to sing along to their favorite tunes, listen to top hits, and record their own voices all at the same time.
This ultimate portable device is the ideal partner for American Idol hopefuls. More than 12, 000 singers swarmed San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium to kickoff national auditions for the seventh season of American Idol. Now these aspiring stars (and singers at home!) can prepare for their big break by singing their hearts out with i-Sing….
‘Idol Gives Back’ and ‘Addiction Project’ earn top Academy honors
Fox’s “Idol Gives Back” and H-B-O’s “The Addiction Project” will receive the television academy’s 2007 Governors award.
“Idol Gives Back” joined “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and Ellen DeGeneres with musicians, humanitarians and corporate sponsors to raise more than 74 million dollars for poor, homeless and sick children in the United States and Africa….
Grim Publicity
…Winning At Mohegan
Kellie Pickler was at Mohegan Sun Friday night as part of the Hershey-sponsored Brad Paisley Bonfires and Amplifiers national tour.
The show features Paisley, Pickler, Jack Ingram and new teenage sensation Taylor Swift.
After performing, the former “American Idol” Top 10 finalist from Season 5 won $500 on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine…
Toby Keith Closes Three-Day We Fest
Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban Also Star at Minnesota Event
….American Idol champ Underwood may have the biggest selling country album of the past two years, but she received the most enthusiastic crowd reaction with a cover of Guns ‘N Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” She also did well-received versions of hits by Skid Row and the Pretenders, as well as her new single, “So Small.”
We Fest had an unexpected Idol moment when Bucky Covington did an unadvertised five-song cameo during Sawyer Brown’s set. Mark Miller produced Covington’s best-selling debut. The newcomer did a goofy impression of Miller’s dancing and later made a big impression with some fans by making a late-night visit to the VIP campgrounds (though he didn’t create the kind of commotion that Big & Rich and Rascal Flatts did last year when they partied with campers)…
Elliott Yamin Is 3rd American Idol Alum to Make Pop Radio Top 5
It’s been a quiet, long, and slow climb, but Elliott Yamin’s single “Wait for You”, the oldest single on the chart still making upward progress, climbed to the #4 spot this past week in pop radio airplay. This puts Yamin in the elite group of only 3 past American Idol contestants to reach the top 5 in pop radio airplay. The other 2 are Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry with his band Daughtry. It is unlikely, but there is a chance that “Wait for You” could climb all the way to #1.
Elliott Yamin’s debut self-titled album is currently resting at #84 after over 4 months on the album chart. The debut albums of both Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee, the two competitors on American Idol who finished higher than Yamin, disappeared from the chart some time back with neither spending as long on the chart as Elliott Yamin.
Rock Candy
Daughtry
…Fronted by Chris Daughtry, who finished in fourth place on Season 5 of American Idol, the band’s self-titled album sold more than a million copies in its first five weeks making it the fastest-selling debut rock album of all time, thanks to his AI worshippers. On his website’s forum, there are hundreds of posts like this one – from teeny-bopper to grown-up fans alike:
American Idol Camp Confidential
Myfoxkc.com teamed up with local Idol Camper Preston O’ffill to get a behind-the-scenes look at the first ever Idol Camp!
Click on the image to view the video.
Look who’s talking
What’s hot on talk TV
10:00 Rachael Ray. Katharine McPhee performs and talks about how she won her battle with bulimia; inside the Good Housekeeping test kitchen; at-home product testing. 7
America Has Voted: Edy’s Slow Churned(R) Take the Cake Light Ice Cream Melts Competition in American Idol Flavor Vote
…With the chance to win Idol finale tickets, a plasma screen TV and even a visit from former American Idol contestant Ace Young, approximately 600, 000 online votes were tallied. After five months of campaigning, Take the Cake froze out its four competitors scooping up an official spot as a year-round flavor. The remaining flavors will exit the retail stage in September, leaving Take the Cake to bask in the spotlight among more than 30 Edy’s Slow Churned Light Ice Cream flavors…..
Former ‘Idol’ star Frenchie Davis does Broadway
THEATER: The former ‘Idol’ star will play Mahalia Jackson
Frenchie Davis was hesitant when she was offered the title role in Mahalia: A Gospel Musical because, she said, “Well, Mahalia Jackson is a legend.”
Indeed, mention Ms. Jackson’s name, and there’s a reverent hush in respect for the woman who brought gospel music to a wide audience beginning in the 1930s and continuing until her death in 1972 at 60. Ms. Jackson’s inspirational singing and spiritual presence was also an iconic part of the civil rights movement….
American Idol surprises students with opportunities beyond singing
…”It’s a chance for people not out of New York or L.A. to get a crack at it, ” said Senior Producer Patrick Lynn in an interview with the Lincoln Journal-Star. “We took a look at the map and asked ourselves, ‘Where haven’t we been?'”
The stop in the Midwest, while surprising, is a welcome recognition of talent in the area, said Sade Townsell, a senior Journalism major who will be trying her hand, and voice, at the Qwest center Friday…
This week’s reviews: UGK, Kat, Jonas, Zap, Grace, Emerson & Constantine
… Ex-Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis has a “promising, wildly uneven album” that at one point, oddly, sounds like The Strokes, according to me, anyway.
Full reviews and some clips follow…
Exclusive Interview: Constantine Maroulis from ‘American Idol’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’
Constantine Maroulis gained fame on the fourth season of American Idol for his sultry, smoldering looks to the camera. Now his debut, self-titled solo album will finally be released tomorrow, August 7, two years in the making…..
QUICK SPINS | NEW ON CD
Who is the real Constantine? `Idol’ finalist won’t pick a style
CONSTANTINE
For its contestants, “American Idol” is an exercise in adapting to disparate styles (Mandisa giving country a go). On his independently released debut disc, Season 4 finalist and recent “Bold & the Beautiful” star Constantine Maroulis illustrates his ability as a musical chameleon. Aside from his hearty vocals, “Constantine” is like hitting shuffle on your iPod and letting it ride. There’s Marc Anthony next to Velvet Revolver, the Strokes, the lazy shuffle of Sublime, and Hall & Oates. It’s not that he doesn’t do each style well. His version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch’s “Midnight Radio” is brilliant and moving. It’s just difficult to get a feel for his true style and personality.
