Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
Sparks inks record deal with Jive, 19Recordings
Jordin Sparks has signed the record contract that comes with winning “American Idol.”
The bubbly 17-year-old inked a deal with Jive Records in conjunction with 19Recordings, the label managed by “Idol” creator Simon Fuller, it was announced Friday.
Her debut album is slated for release in November. She’ll offer a taste of the disc with her new single, “Tattoo, ” to be released to radio stations Aug. 27.
“‘American Idol’ has truly been a life-altering experience, ” Sparks said in a statement. “I can’t wait to share this next chapter of my story with all the fans that have supported me so far.”
Shooting for the stars ¦ in Cranston
…The Cranston competition was one of 71 hosted by local Fox affiliates around the country.
Winners get …fast passes, which guarantee them priority auditions ‘ without those pesky waits ‘ at the regional tryouts, taking place in Philadelphia, Miami, Charleston, Atlanta, Omaha, Dallas and San Diego this year.
From there, a group of roughly 175 singers move on to Hollywood, where judges will pick 12 women and 12 men to appear on the show, now entering its seventh season…
Names
In for an ‘Idol’ visit
Former “American Idol” contestant Constantine Maroulis says any trip to Boston is a good trip, even if he’s just here to promote his self-titled CD and his daytime soap role on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” One of the first rockers on “Idol, ” the Boston Conservatory alum says the school prepared him for the competition. “But it also gave me a disadvantage because I never had time to watch TV, ” Maroulis told us during a stop at radio station Mix 98.5. “So all these people who knew what the show was about, they had one up on me. I think I did OK, though.”
A&E Calendar
…Heartlight Gala – Former American Idol finalist Mandisa performs to benefit AGAPE Child & Family Services. Sat., Aug. 18…
Memphis-Based TCB Entertainment Brings More Concerts to Mid-South
…Back to the hair bands
Snowden Grove opened in April near Getwell and Goodman roads, just two miles south of the state line. TCB already has booked a number of concerts there, including 1980s glam rock band Poison and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks…
‹I dont think anyone is really ready for Simon
A Franklin teen is taking a chance and hoping to become the next American Idol.
Auditions for the seventh season of the popular show, in which contestants have an opportunity to perform before millions of TV viewers and win a major recording contract, are held in seven cities across America.
Beth Ann Proudfoot, 16, of Franklin, will be heading to Philadelphia to audition Monday, Aug. 27.
…Ive always wanted to go on and this is the first time I am old enough, Proudfoot said. Contestants must be at least 16 but no older than 28 to enter the contest……
Ruben Goes Clubbing
…Studdard isn’t the only Idol alum staking out his turf in the burgeoning Birmingham club scene.
Performa is also talking with season five winner and Alabama native Taylor Hicks about opening a club of his own in the district, city officials said at a board meeting Wednesday.
Hicks’ Birmingham-based attorney said negotiations were still in the early stages but that the silver-haired singer was interested in developing a venue to showcase the kind of musicians with whom he worked before hitting the big time…..
Gilbert man vies for ‘Arizona Idol’ title
A Gilbert resident is a finalist in next week’s Arizona Idol competition, the first step in becoming Arizona’s next Jordin Sparks and American Idol success story.
On Monday, Travis Neese will be the first of five finalists to sing a 60-second Paul Simon song on “FOX 10 Arizona Morning, ” which airs 5-9 a.m.
The remaining finalists — David Hernandez of Phoenix, James Harris of Ahwatukee, Katlin Jones of Scottsdale, and Derek Drake of Avondale — will perform Tuesday-Friday, respectively…….
The ‘Queen Of Country Music’ Returns With ‘Reba Duets, ‘ Out Sept. 18
…The hard work of arranging a face-to-face recording schedule paid off, as Reba found herself heading to the studio with close pals like Kelly Clarkson. Reba, singer of 33 #1 hits, met the American Idol winner during her AI days, and the chemistry was instant. “She’s half my age but we have a blast together, ” says Reba. So, as recording for Duets got underway, it was only natural to turn to Clarkson as a partner in song.
The two had already cut a song for the album when they showed up to work on another collaboration: an episode of CMT’s Crossroads series. “I love her music, ” says McEntire, “it was so much fun to sing, and she loves to sing mine.” Each singer performed four of the other’s songs, including “Because of You, ” which was written by Clarkson at age 16. As the magic of that emotional performance unfolded, Reba’s husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, saw a showstopper that could not be denied.
“Narvel came up to me and said, ‘Reba, ‘Because of You’ has got to be on this album!'” McEntire recalls. McEntire and Clarkson’s diva-worthy turn on “Because of You” is the album’s first single, which since its debut has received overwhelming response from fans who’ve heard it at radio. After a mere three weeks it secured a Top 25 chart position – and has become McEntire’s fastest climbing song since the summer of 1998 (“Forever Love”)…
Lucky stars: TV celebrities rake in million-dollar salaries
…Winfrey is way ahead of Simon Cowell, who appears to be the runner-up. She makes more than five times as much as the “American Idol” judge, TV and record producer. He reportedly is paid about $10 million as an “Idol” judge and another $35 million from other shows and pursuits. It pays pretty well to be nasty…
