Matt Giraud featured on single: Will be featured on Jim Brickman’s next album, “Home, ” which is due to be released in October as a Target stores exclusive
KALAMAZOO — Kalamazoo resident and former “American Idol” finalist Matt Giraud is featured on the latest single from pop solo pianist Jim Brickman.
The single, “Thank You, ” will be featured on Brickman’s next album, “Home, ” which is due to be released in October as a Target stores exclusive. The single was released to radio stations Tuesday.
Read more at MLive
***
American Idol Season 10 auditions take place in Austin TX today. Justin Guarini is there covering the action for the TV Guide channel. Next week, Idol heads to San Fransisco. Check out more about today’s auditions at FOX 7.
***
On a two day break from the Idol’s Live tour, Lee DeWyze is back in Los Angeles for an album photo shoot today and some songwriting. He tweeted yesterday, “Hey! Well last night was unreal, and on top of that, I won a TCA! Thank you guys so much:) Flying to L.A now for album shoot and writing.”
***
More Headlines after the JUMP…
Former ‘American idol’ judge Simon Cowell using SEO firm to show people he’s actually a good guy
Simon Cowell can dish it out, but can he take it?
Eagle-eyed observers of the former “American Idol” judge and upcoming “X Factor” creator’s online profile tell us they’re convinced Cowell is using a Search Engine Opitmization firm-or SEO-to insure that Google searches of his name are top-heavy with positive stories about him. And critics are relegated to the Internet equivalent of a galaxy far, far away.
For instance, one insider tells us the story of Hans Ebert, a former executive for Universal Music and EMI in Asia and a blogger who frequently writes about music on the Web.
A source close to the situation tells us that after posting his blog, Ebert discovered that it was “de-activated” by the host of his blog, WordPress, because it had violated the “Terms of Condition.”
Read more at the Daily News
The Cheesecake Factory Partners with American Idol Live Tour in Support of Feeding America During Hunger Action Month
The Cheesecake Factory is pleased to continue its partnership with Feeding America by inviting guests to make a pledge to take action in support of Hunger Action Month through September. The Cheesecake Factory has created a special “Share Your Voice” website, www.thecheesecakefactory.com/share, which provides a conduit for guests to make a pledge to take action in one of five ways such as donating food, volunteering, writing to elected officials, advocating to friends, and donating money to Feeding America. In exchange for pledging through this website, guests will receive a special video thank you featuring the ten American Idol Season 9 Finalists. Additionally, for a donation of $5 or more, guests will receive an e-Slice redeemable for a complimentary slice of cheesecake* at The Cheesecake Factory.
As part of the American Idol Live Tour, The Cheesecake Factory has created a pop-up Idol-oke stage, where concertgoers can sing for the chance to meet Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze at The Cheesecake Factory in Hollywood. Hopeful singers will take to the stage to sing the uplifting classic “Lean on Me.” Each performance is videotaped and uploaded to the “Share Your Voice” website at www.thecheesecakefactory.com/share. And, for American Idol fans who are unable to attend a concert, a performance of “Lean on Me” can be submitted online from now until September 30. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on October 18.
Read more at Marketwatch.com
Did Fantasia Barrino Crack Under the Sex Scandal Pressure?
So was Barrino’s OD a direct result of the lawsuit being made public? Her rep seemed to think so, saying Barrino was “totally overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention.”
Addiction and mental health experts told Pop Tarts its not surprising.
A source who has known Barrino since she took home the coveted “American Idol” title told Pop Tarts that in the past, she always appeared to be one very capable of pushing through the many pressures that came her way.
“Fantasia always has lots of energy, she is very nice and had a supportive group around her, ” said our source.
Read more at FOX News
Fallen ‘Idol’: Fantasia Barrino’s Love Triangle Overdose
The Singer’s Accidental Overdose and Love Triangle Lawsuit Is Only the Latest in a Line of “American Idol” Scandals
Fantasia Barrino was hospitalized last night in Charlotte, N.C., for a drug overdose, according to manager Brian Dickens.
The singer’s condition is reportedly not life-threatening.
“She’s doing fine, ” her father, Joseph Barrino told radaronline.com
Read more at ABC News
Fantasia After ‘Idol’: From Fairytale to Bad Dream
Six years after the triumph of winning the third season of ‘American Idol, ‘ Fantasia Barrino was rushed to a North Carolina hospital this week where she is being treated for an aspirin and sleeping pill overdose. This tragic u-turn in her fortunes has many asking: how did her fairytale life turn so quickly into a nightmare?
“Fantasia wrongly assumed that after she won ‘Idol’ that all her worries would disappear and for a while they did, ” a friend of the singer tells me.
Read more at AOL Popeater
ELLEN SPINS ‘IDOL’ EXIT STORY
Hey, ELLEN DEGENERES
, can’t really blame you for spinning the “American Idol” debacle and refusing to admit you were fired, but beware – fans get cranky when they think that you think they’re stoopid!
Here’s the gory details on how it went down, folks: When “Idol” honchos aimed right between her bright little eyes and told her she was roadkill, Ellen quickly agreed to lower her salary!
Read more at the National Enquirer
Nick Cannon: Mariah wants to be ‘Idol’ judge
THR: What do you think about all the “American Idol” shake-ups?
Cannon: Simon Cowell was the anchor of the show. And when he stepped out, it’s like, now what? But as long as Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson stick around, I’m watching.
THR: Has Mariah been approached to join the panel?
Cannon: You know what? She talks about it. She says, “I would love to do that.” She is one of the greatest singers of our time; she would be great. I don’t know if she has enough time, though, but if they could work with her schedule, I know she would love to do “Idol.” Let’s start the campaign!
Read more at the Hollywood Reporter
Robert F.X. Sillerman says he is prepping bid for CKX, owner of `American Idol’
Robert F.X. Sillerman, the founder of CKX Inc., inched closer to making bid on the company, whose biggest asset is “American Idol.”
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sillerman said he was preparing a cash offer for CKX that would be between $5.50 and $5.75 per share. Sillerman resigned from his position as chairman and chief executive in May and said he was considering a bid on the company. Besides 19 Entertainment, a producer of Fox’s “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance, ” CKX’s assets include licensing and merchandising rights to the images of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali. It also operates Graceland, Presley’s former home in Memphis, Tenn.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times
Sillerman’s Cash Play for CKX
Sillerman’s bid values CKX below a competing offer from Sillerman’s former partner and “American Idol” creator Simon Fuller — whose offer earlier this year valued CKX at $600 million.
In May, CKX, which also owns rights to the images of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali, confirmed it had received a rival offer from Fuller, who teamed up with former Barclays Capital banker Roger Jenkins.
Fuller has since dropped out of the bidding.
Read more at the New York Post
Alex Lambert to Perform at Elvis on Tour Pre-event Party
We’re excited to announce that American Idol Top 12 contestant and visitor to the “If I Can Dream” house, Alex Lambert, will be the very special guest entertainer at the sold out pre-event party for Elvis on Tour on Saturday, August 14, at Memphis’ world-famous Rendezvous restaurant.
He will be sharing his version of his favorite Elvis songs. Alex will also be at many of the Elvis Week events so be sure and say hello.
From ElvisWeek.com
Southern secrets: Buttermilk pie
Want to try the pie that tempted tummies at Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher’s Georgia wedding recently? Here are the secrets of buttermilk pie.
Reportedly, guests at the wedding of the country singer and the Ottawa Senators hockey player tucked into buttermilk pie, a southern specialty and the signature dessert at The Yesterday Cafe in Greensboro, Ga.
Read more at the Vancouver Sun
Kellie Pickler’s country soul
Don’t let the pretty clothes, high heels and well-coiffed hair fool you. Kellie Pickler wants you to know she’s still the same ol’ country girl she’s always been.
“My favorite place to go on vacation with friends is lower Alabama, ” the singer said while on a Nevada tour stop. “I love to go fishin, ’ I drink Coors Light — people’s perception of me is so different now that I’m in the spotlight. The people that know me know I’m still the same Kellie.”
She may be the same Kellie who speaks with a heavy —and charming — Southern drawl and has an infectious laugh, but she’s far from the pre-“American Idol” Kellie.
Read more at the Weekender
Benefit features finalist from ‘Idol’
BRANDON – Singer Phil Stacey, one of the top five finalists from the sixth season of “American Idol, ” is going to use his talent to help the needy.
Stacey will perform at the Aug. 20 Hunger Awareness Benefit Concert for the Emergency Care Help Organization, or ECHO. Kings Highway, a new Christian rock band from Pinellas County, will open for him.
Stacey, a pastor’s son whose grandfathers also were pastors, was born in Kentucky. His home was filled with music, and he began singing at an early age.
Read more at TBO.com
Ryan Murphy: It Was Britney’s Idea To Come On ‘Glee’
According to “Glee’s” creator and executive producer, it was Britney Spears’ own idea to appear in an upcoming episode of the hit FOX show which will feature the pop princess’ music, although it’s still not yet a done deal.
“It’s a tribute to her and her music and it was her idea to sort of come on and do a couple of fun, sort of, ‘Where’s Waldo?’ moments, but instead of ‘Where’s Waldo?’ It’s ‘Where’s Britney?’ That was her idea, ” Ryan Murphy explained to Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson at the premiere of “Eat Pray Love, ” which he directed, in New York City on Tuesday night.
Read more at Access Hollywood
Glee Cast Spills on Britney Ep & Dating Rumors!
Is there any topic these days (not oil spill- or vampire-related) that’s hotter than Glee? We think not.
With 19 Emmy nominations, a brand new season and a recent win of Choice Television Comedy at the Teen Choice Awards, there’s plenty to gab about with the cast of the hit show.
We caught up with Naya Rivera, Iqbal Theba and the absolutely brilliant Heather Morris on the “blue carpet” at the TCAs on Sunday, and tried to wrench some scoop out of their very unwilling mouths!
Here’s what we managed to find out about on-set dynamics, the upcoming season, and that Britney Spears episode:
Read more at E Online
Britney Spears Will ‘Kind Of’ Play Herself On ‘Glee’
While the show creator wouldn’t say exactly what part Spears will have, he did hint that she would be playing some version of herself.
“Well, it’s her idea. She sort of wants to do a ‘Where’s Waldo?’-type thing with ‘Where’s Britney?’ ” Murphy told MTV News at the “Eat Pray Love” premiere in New York City on Tuesday night. Spears will “kind of” be playing herself, he added. “Yes, that’s all I can say.”
Read more at MTV
Cat Deeley Uses “Hormones” to Predict the Winner of So You Think You Can Dance
Three dancers left. All will be busting their best moves to win America’s heart on the finale of So You Think You Can Dance. Only one’s efforts will be rewarded with the title of season seven champion. Certainly, you all have your favorites. But who does host Cat Deeley think will be dancing their way to victory? Hint: this dancer made her drop that line about hormones up there.
Plus, she tells us if she really thinks there’s a curse on this season, and why the two-part finale will be “must-see TV”…
Read more at E Online
Sytycd: 10 Ways to Improve It
More Mary Murphy, less dances, more viewer voting — Kate Ward’s got some ideas on how to make next season better
Read more at Entertainment Weekly
Will Mary Murphy Return to ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’
Season seven of ‘So You Think You Can Dance‘ has been a time of change – from the judges’ table looking a wee bit different to the pairings with the allstars. But, host Cat Deeley says that next season might see a return of a ‘SYTYCD’ favorite.
“I think we all miss Mary Murphy. She was definitely part of the panel and I think she will definitely come back, ” said Deeley.
Read more at Fancast
