Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
‘Godspell’ cast reaches out to churches
…”We’re hoping to speak to the young people, ” Vaughan said. He also noted that it has been a pleasure working with American Idol finalist Jeremy Peter Lewis who plays Jesus in the show.
“He is an amazingly talented man, ” he said, really fun to work with. Vaughan then introduced the songs the cast would be performing, the first being more of a series of three songs – the introductory songs of the show…
147th Annual Woodstock Fair This Weekend
…Musical performers include country artists Johnny Lee, Trick Pony, and Nicole Taylor; adult contemporary artists The Bangles; the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, a 90’s swing band; 80s rockers Quiet Riot; pop singer Jordan Knight, formerly of New Kids On The Block and former American Idol contestant Josh Gracin…
Networks hope to catch Friday fish
TV Ratings a challenge on unpopular night
Disney Channel’s “High School Musical 2” showed this summer that there’s at least still a kid and teen audience available on Friday night — but how about young adults?…
…Going for more of the 18-34 crowd are Fox’s “Next Great American Band” and CW’s “Friday Night Smackdown.” Latter won the night in summer opposite repeats but also won a few times during the season — another indicator of just how far the Big Four have fallen on this night.
“Band” (unavailable for preview) comes from the folks behind “American Idol” so it’s a little surprising that Fox would throw it here. On the other hand, with the net’s short 15-hour sked, there’s only so many slots for it, and the net is hoping it can make some noise by teaming its music skeins…
Boomer bookers banish tops in pop
Touring stages shifting to rock and country
One roadblock after another has been placed in the career paths of pop performers whose careers date back to the 1950s.
The major label contracts disappeared in the 1980s, but more recently, the touring staples — performing arts centers, casinos and fairs — have seen a shift to rock and country. Younger talent buyers have taken over, state fairs have lost their fear of rock ‘n’ roll and casinos are targeting bands that gamblers favor….
…Navigating the music business — recordings and concerts — has required them to think creatively on multiple levels. And the last decade has seen performers try the outrageous — Pat Boone’s big band recording of heavy metal tunes continues to stand out — and the inevitable — jazz albums, PBS specials, mentoring younger singers in the studio, and on TV shows such as “American Idol, ” the U.K.’s “Pop Idol” and “Canadian Idol.”
Pollstar’s Gary Bongiovanni says many of the ’50s acts no longer have a general audience, and despite younger musicians reintroducing the material of the veterans, there is no spillover effect…
Simon Cowell Wants Timberlake For His “Star-Struck” Film
American Idol” judge Simon Cowell reportedly wants Justin Timberlake to star in his music-themed project, tentatively titled “Star Struck.”
Set behind the scenes of a TV singing competition, the film follows 10 contestants trying to make it to the top.
A source close to the project said Cowell is keen to sign a big name in the lead role and he probably has the “SexyBack” singer on his mind.
“Justin is a megastar, girls fancy him and boys want to be him so to have him star in a movie is instantly going to make it a hit, ” the source told the British paper Metro.
Inspired by Alan Parker’s 1980 film “Fame, ” the screenplay of the film will be penned by British television writer Jonathan Harvey. The film is due for release in the summer of 2008.
Labor Day in the City of Brotherly Love
…Though substantially more mainstream than the Live Arts Festival, the American Idols Live Tour will be no less entertaining. This annual summer tour features top performers from last season …American Idol. That means you can see vocally challenged Sanjaya share the stage with Idol-winner Jordin Sparks. Thatll be good for some laughs, but watching cute Chris Richardson pretend to be Justin Timberlake is worth the price of admission….
Fantasia talks love
American Idol Fantasia Barrino seemingly has everything at her feet – she’s currently starring as Celie in the Broadway production of The Colour Purple, she has published a memoir and has a beautiful six-year-old daughter.
But there’s one thing she admits is missing from her life -love. And Fantasia knows exactly what she’s looking for.
“The problem is finding somebody who understands my life. I’m looking for a loving person who I can have fun with, and who can make me laugh, someone who can love me and my child as if she were his own. He’d have a sensitive side, but I like a strong man, ” she said to OK!
The 23-year-old revealed that she does have someone in mind, saying: “I do have a crush on somebody right now, but I can’t tell it. He’s a rapper.
“He’s pretty tough and hard, just like I like ’em. But he’s always on the road, and I’m always on the road, so I don’t know. He’s cute to me though, and he knows I like him.”
Surge tickets on sale today
A Christian surge is scheduled to inundate downtown streets this December with a flood of love and praise for Christ.
Surge 07 is a one-day music and family festival set for 2-9 p.m. Dec. 2 at Parc International, 200 Garfield St.
Thousands are expected to attend to see live performances by Family Force 5, American Idol Mandisa, Big Daddy Weave, KJ-52, Rush of Fools, LeCrae, Group 1 Crew and Chaos on Wheels……
