Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
‘Idol’ tour ready for A.C.
It’s all paying off for Gina Glocksen now. One of the top 10 “American Idol” finalists for 2007, the singer has been working hard since the reality show wrapped up on Fox.
She’s appeared on morning shows such as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Live with Regis and Kelly” and has been on the 56-city “Idol” tour since May………
Sparks basks in ‘Idol’ worship
…This girl’s got goals — among them, to “maybe win a couple Grammys … Maybe be happy with somebody. Maybe act in a movie. Maybe do Broadway.”
Sparks is still coming to terms with celebrity. Seeing her picture in glossy magazines is surreal. But she’d rather be in the spotlight than out of it….
D.J. Miller makes ‘Idol’ cut
…Darryl Miller had a few tense moments during the auditions. During the first round, D.J. sang behind a screen so all his father could see was the top of his white cowboy hat. He disappeared from sight for what seemed like hours, only to emerge from the winners’ side of the arena. During the second round, Darryl sat outside of a room and waited again. D.J. was in there a lot longer than most of the other would-be contestants.
“He had to sing four different songs, ” he said….
Hicks moves beyond reality
‘Idol’ winner’s tour stopping in Charenton
…When Hicks performs Saturday night at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton, he certainly will look back at how Hurricane Katrina changed his life – in a way quite unlike how it changed others.
“I have a lot to be thankful for right now in my career, going back to New Orleans and playing around Louisiana, it’s just special to me, ” Hicks said earlier this week. “I hope to get back as much as I can.
“Louisiana’s a special place. I try to make it special every time I play there.”…
Taylor Hicks finds his rhythm on tour
What does Taylor Hicks bring to Orange Beach this Sunday that he didn’t bring to Mobile in February? His answer is a bit surprising:
Rhythm………
BACKSTAGE PASS: From Alabama’s bars to America’s ‘Idol’
…At the end of the tour, Hicks went right into the studio to make his recently released self-titled CD.
Circumstances, though, were less than ideal for the project. Because of Hicks busy post-…Idol schedule and the need to get the CD in stores in time for the holiday shopping season, Hicks had only five weeks to finish his CD.
Taylor accepted the need to meet the tight deadline.
…This album needed to be done in a timely fashion to really get it out there and strike while the iron hot, Hicks said. …That definitely the broke musician mentality.
The lack of time meant that Hicks had little time for songwriting and had to rely on covers for the bulk of his material on the CD.
Hicks feels he made the best of a challenging situation with the CD.
…I never lost my musical integrity on it, Hicks said. …That something that as a 30-year-old singer/songwriter and musician, something that I really put my foot down and didnt let happen. My fans, they really enjoy the record. I enjoy the songs on the record. And I think theyre great songs.
Hicks is now on the road with a full band, and is performing songs not only from the …Taylor Hicks CD and a newly released concert CD, …Live at the Workplay Theatre, but from his two earlier independently released CDs. He is also excited to have taken a step up to nicer venues because of his …American Idol success.
…Ive been doing it for a long time, and Im very excited about the opportunity to get out here and really tour these musical venues, Hicks said…
Island says goodbye to summer with music and mullet
Pleasure Island says adios to summer 2007 with a Labor Day weekend filled with exciting events, including live music at The Wharf, art in Orange Beach, Ala., and a celebration of mullet.
The Wharf rocks with two superstars
It was just a few years ago that the bluesy, harp-blowing “American Idol” winner from Alabama was gigging at venues like the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key and Lester’s in Orange Beach, Ala.
The “old man” who beat out Katharine McPhee two seasons ago will visit his old stomping grounds Sunday, when Taylor Hicks performs for at The Wharf’s Amphitheater.
Unlike his old days performing with local favorite, guitarist extraordinaire Jon Cook, Hicks will be backed by a large band ? and nicer threads, to be sure. Still, no doubt Hicks will keep it real with the locals who supported him during that unforgettable season….
Bucks briefs for Aug 30
…”Idol’ Anthony appearance Saturday
LOWER SOUTHAMPTON – Season four …American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov will appear from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Brunswick Zone Bowling Lanes in the Feasterville section.
Fedorov, 22, who grew up in Lower Southampton, will sign autographs, meet and greet fans and sell tickets for his fan appreciation concert Sept. 6 in Philadelphia.
The two-hour concert will include original songs that could appear on his debut album……..
The IdoLawyer: Is Carrie Underwood Above The Law?
Editor’s note: Aside from a few Clash lyrics, your Idolators know nothing about the law. Which is why we’re proud to present another missive from the IdoLawyer, an anonymous California attorney who will be weighing in on various music-related matters. While her column isn’t intended as legal advice, it is sage advice nonetheless, and this week she looks at the legally iffy video for Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”:
Is Kellie Pickler Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
Although Kellie Pickler endured some ribbing about her lack of sophistication during “American Idol, ” her subsequent career moves proved her intelligence. Now she’s going to school on national TV to show just how smart she really is……..
Strait Talk at the CMAs
….As for the ladies, the Female Vocalist of the Year category pits American Idol alum Carrie Underwood (who is also up for Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Before He Cheats”) against Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire….
Daughtry rides success of best-selling album
…In the midst of touring, Daughtry will make time for a few television appearances: Sept. 12 on CBS-TV’s “Early Show” and “Late Show with David Letterman, ” and Sept. 13 on ABC’s “Live with Regis and Kelly.”
Fans drool as ‹Idol rocks prefestival
A middle-aged blonde waved a sign at Chris Daughtry from the 22nd row at Davis Park Thursday night. One side said: …Daughtry, you guys rock! On the other: …Backstage, please…..
…Fans paid between $18 and $94.50 a ticket to hear Daughtry sing for slightly more than an hour.
Hunter Brucks and 12 Stones opened the Daughtry concert.
‘Idol’ loser keeps winning
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
Football Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi’s famous quote applies to the gridiron but not to “American Idol.”
In 2006, Chris Daughtry finished fourth behind “A.I.” winner Taylor Hicks, who’s probably working on his next Chevy commercial; and Katherine McPhee, who is the female Justin Guarini. But it’s Daughtry who’s having the last laugh as he tours behind his self-titled release, the fastest-selling debut rock album ever. Daughtry, who called from Lancaster, Calif., will showcase his rock tracks with his band on Saturday at the Oregon State Fair in Salem……..
Chamber To Stage Fall Festival Street Fair
…A fabulous added feature this year will be a singing competition for contestants ages 12 to 18 who are Garden City residents. The winner will be named “Garden City Idol”. Kevin Covais of American Idol fame will serve as celebrity judge. Details on how to register as a contestant, along with other event details, will be pub-lished in an upcoming issue of The Garden City News..
‘Idol’ alumnus Ian Holmes toasts friend
Allentown musician’s Cancer fighting drink of choice from Alex’s
….The concert, which Holmes describes as “an eclectic mix of pop, soul, R& B and gospel, ” will be held 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot at Third and New streets.
Holmes, 31, was an “American Idol” top 44 finalist in season four of the Fox Network TV show….
Corey Clark F’ed Again
The train wreck that is Corey Clark is in trouble again. Shocker!
Clark, of failed “American Idol” fame, was in a North Little Rock District Court last week where he plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Arkansas judge fined him a total of $850 plus court costs, and gave him two years probation. He also waived his extradition rights — which means he can now face charges on two outstanding warrants he’s facing in Arizona. Sweet!…
Diverse group of artists set for Clemson’s Summer Dance
An “American Idol” contestant, two Disney stars, a young new rapper, an emo-Texan and more. Is it a music festival? No, just Littlejohn’s Last Chance Summer Dance at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The event will feature 10 artists, including Elliot Yamin, Sean Kingston, Rocket Summer, Aly & AJ, Quietdrive, Baby Boy (Da Prince) and Che’Nelle at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson. The concert costs $10, so it’s a buck per performer……..
Big-City Woes Hit Country
Album sales for country artists have held nearly steady. Until now
The signal stat for the music industry right now is not the one youve already heard. That one shows total album sales down about 15% this year. (You may recall the music biz was not exactly going gangbusters last year, either. Or the year before.) The signal stat shows country music album sales down almost 30% so far this year….
*Courtesy of Pulse and Nevada
