Idol Headlines for 08/09/11 – The Evening Edition

David Cook: Music as therapy

“I don’t think I have fully recovered from it, ” David told Conversations during an exclusive 20-minute phone interview in which the usually private guy freely talked about the gnawing pain inflicted by his brother’s passing. “I think I’ll just have to learn to live with it.” Of German, Irish and English descent, David has one remaining brother, younger than he is.

Read more Philstar

Paula Abdul: ‘X Factor’ Could Lead to Greatness

On joining The X Factor: “This show is kind of a [combination] of all the different careers I’ve had. And I love nurturing raw, untapped talent – having a front-row seat to something at its humble beginnings that could lead to greatness.”

On not having regrets about leaving American Idol: “I felt like my time on the show ran its course. I was very grateful for the good times, and I was a good student through the tough times. But I felt like the dynamics of the show changed when they brought Kara in.”

Read more at Just Jared

Simon Cowell wants teenagers’ help on ‘X Factor’ USA

“The world is different, ” Cowell told Emmy magazine. “I want talent to know who they are and be telling me the kind of music they want to be making, especially the teenagers. They need to know the music that kids their age want to buy.”

Cowell hinted that the female contenders have been particularly strong during The X Factor USA auditions.

“We have had some really exciting female singers, ” Cowell revealed.

Meanwhile, Cowell’s co-star Paula Abdul praised the new Fox series, saying that she is looking forward to seeing the contestants develop over the course of the show.

Read more at Digital Spy

Nicole Scherzinger: The X Factor Has Been a “Roller-Coaster Ride”

The X Factor doesn’t premiere until September, but Nicole Scherzinger — who replaced British singer Cheryl Cole on the judging panel — has already become fast friends with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

According to the “Wet” singer, the foursome even shares a dressing room backstage. “Simon calls it the judges’ lounge — everything’s open — so we all goof around, eat, and get ready in the same place, ” Scherzinger, 33, tells Marie Claire’s September issue. “I’m the luckiest person to get a front-row ticket to the Simon and Paula show.”

Though she doesn’t mention Cole by name, Scherzinger adds that The X Factor experience “has felt like a roller-coaster ride.”

Read more at US

Kelly Clarkson Plants Deep Roots in Country Music

Kelly Clarkson’s professional triumphs far outweigh her setbacks, but the original ‘American Idol’ has certainly weathered her fair share of career storms. First, there was her controversial third studio album, ‘My December, ‘ which was deemed too dark by her own record label. Most recently, the music superstar’s upcoming project has seen continual delays. Despite her two-year absence from the top of the pop charts, the Texas native has managed to remain in the music consumer’s peripheral vision, flirting with the boundaries of Top 40 mainstream and country music without completely abandoning her signature pop-rock roots. The Boot spotlights Kelly’s ability to market herself as a believable country artist as the singer struggles to release new material to her core audience.

Read more at The Boot

Jacob Lusk tweeted: “Me @ScottyMcCreery @CAbramsAI10 and @HReinhartAI10 backstage in Columbus Ohio”

OFFSTAGE: Carrie Underwood Praise From Gill, Paisley

You’re only as good as what the greats say, right? I just made that up, but when you read about Carrie Underwood from Vince Gill and Brad Paisley’s perspectives, it kind of makes sense. I mean, everyone knows what a perfectly powerful voice Underwood was blessed with. But to hear country’s bests say things like “The possibility of Carrie’s longevity is through the roof. There are fine singers, and there are gifted, great singers, and she’s one of those. Her vocal skills are off the hook.” That’s from Gill. And Paisley simply had this to say, “Carrie is the best singer in any format of music. I’m floored by her.” It’s all in the story about Underwood from the People Country’s Biggest Stars special issue on newsstands now.

Read more at CMT

Kellie Pickler Heads in a New Direction With Upcoming Album

“I’m really excited about the direction we’re taking, ” Pickler tells Taste of Country. “I’ve been able to work with some amazing musicians and writers. We’ve had so much fun in the studio. It’s really been such a blessing. It’s really been an incredible experience so far. We are very close to wrapping this whole thing up. We’ve still got the photo shoot and the artwork and what not, and then it will be ready to set out on the shelf after they distribute it all and make all the copies. I’m excited.”

“I really hope people dig the direction we are headed, ” she continues. “There’s lots of fiddle, lots of steel, and some of my favorite instruments. So I’m happy with where we are and where we are headed.”

Read more at Taste of Country

Former ‘Idol’ contestant to be at Dodge County Fair

“There is nothing like a good vibe coming from the crowd, ” the third place finisher on season eight of “American Idol, ” said.

Gokey has close ties to Wisconsin, having been born and raised in Milwaukee. He was last in the state July 6 for a performance at Summerfest. “I spent the Fourth of July with the family and really enjoyed it, ” the performer said.

Read more at WD Times

Music Producer Don Was to Join Jazz Label

Noted music producer Don Was has has been named Chief Creative Officer at Blue Note Records. The EMI-owned label was founded in 1939 and has released seminal jazz recordings by the likes of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Norah Jones, who won five Grammy Awards in 2003 for her debut album Come Away With Me.

“Don Was has been one of the most talented and in-demand producers for more than twenty years, and his involvement with Blue Note will ensure that we remain at the very top of our creative game. I can’t wait for him to get started and to bring his magic to the label, ” says Dan McCarroll.

Read more at Hollywood Reporter

Is JLo willing to make a long-term commitment?

In a chat with reporters during the Television Critics Assn. press tour last week, Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly mostly steered clear of specifics about the network’s progress in signing Jennifer Lopez to a new contract to stay on “American Idol.”

However, he did note that the talks have a “lot of moving parts” and that “it’s now a complex deal.” He elaborated a little, observing that one of the challenges is determining the value the show brings to the talent and vice versa.

Read more at LA Times

Glee’: A Warbler’s life involves evading Darren Criss fans, and backstage grape-eating contests

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a Warbler on tour? Well, Titus Makin, Jr. is giving Glee fans a taste of it with The Titus Show, the new four-part web series debuting today on imbee.com (free log-in required). In an exclusive clip from episode 2, which shows the Warblers trapped in a hotel by fangirls waiting to catch a glimpse of Darren Criss and some members engaging in a backstage grape-eating contest.

See the video at EW

Exclusive ‘Glee’ Interview: Ashley Fink on Favorite Songs, Puck and Zizes’ Future and her Colfer Obsession

While attending the Television Critics Association I had a few minutes to speak to Ashley Fink who plays Lauren Zizes on the FOX hit musical series, Glee. She couldn’t give me much information on what’s coming up this season because the script had just been sent to her house that day, but we did talk about what song she’d like to sing and a couple of her favorites from last season.

Read more at Buddy TV

Emmy contenders: Jane Lynch has a secret advantage

Lynch does have another advantage this year though. She appears extensively in the episode submitted to Emmy judges by rival nominee Kristen Wiig. For some unknown reason, Wiig entered the episode of “Saturday Night Live” hosted by Lynch last fall. It’s a perfect showcase for Lynch to show off her chops as a singer and comedian as she appears in a wide range of skits. It’s a great complement to the dramatic performance Lynch gives on her own “Glee” submission, thus showing off her range as a performer.

Often this phenomenon helps a star to win. Felicity Huffman won for comedy actress in 2005 when her “Desperate Housewives” castmates Marcia Cross and Teri Hatcher submitted episodes that assisted Huffman in showing off her range. The same crossover aided Eric Stonestreet in 2010 (up against Ty Burrell and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family”), Cynthia Nixon in 2004 (up against Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis, “Sex and the City”), and all throughout Emmy history (“The West Wing” supporting actors, “The Golden Girls” lead actresses, etc.).

Read more at Los Angeles Times

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!