First Presenters Announced for ‘The 43rd Annual CMA Awards’
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ — The excitement is building as the first group of presenters are announced for “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, ” hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and airing live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
The first celebrities announced as Awards presenters during “Country Music’s Biggest Night(TM)” are NASCAR superstar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of ABC’s “The Middle” Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton;Julianne Hough; nominee Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for “Boots On”); nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of the Year); Kellie Pickler; CMA Award winner LeAnn Rimes; and ABC News’s Robin Roberts, co-anchor of “Good Morning America” and host of the upcoming “Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville” ABC television special (airing Nov. 10).
Danny Gokey to perform at Bucks Home Opener
The Milwaukee Bucks and their fans will welcome home American Idol star Danny Gokey on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at their 2009-10 home opener at the Bradley Center. And Danny will reciprocate the welcome by performing the National Anthem and a special halftime performance during the Bucks-Detroit game.
Tickets for the game are available at Bucks.com, by calling 1-800-4-NBA-TIX, at the Bradley Center box office 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Oprah Winfrey: Adam Lambert is on Thursday’s show
“America’s favorite runner-up” will visit “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Thursday.
That’s the way Winfrey describes “American Idol” finalist Adam Lambert, who will be a guest on an episode that promises “the biggest stars of reality TV.”
Well, not exactly. Simon Cowell won’t be there. Isn’t he the biggest reality star of all?
People’s Choice Awards Nominations for AI and Alumni
The People’s Choice Awards 2010 preliminary nominations have been announced and American Idol and its alumni received a total of eight nominations! What’s cool about the People’s Choice Awards is that YOU get to vote. Vote for American Idol and the show’s alumni at http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca. The top five vote getters in each category will become the official nominees of People’s Choice Awards 2010.
Adam Lambert, David Cook Honor Michael Jackson At ‘This Is It’ Premiere
Adam Lambert paid homage to Michael Jackson during his stint on “American Idol.” The glam singer put his own stamp on Jackson’s classic tune “Black or White” while competing on the show. And at the red-carpet premiere of “Michael Jackson’s This Is It, ” Lambert shared with us just how the King of Pop inspired him.
“Michael wasn’t afraid of just being himself, ” he said. “Michael didn’t conform to one style of music. He did his own thing. That’s the thing that makes me tick.”
Paula Abdul Remembers ‘Many Memorable Moments’ With Michael Jackson
Long before Paula Abdul was a pop star or an “American Idol” judge, she worked with the Jacksons on their flashy dance moves. While she was still in her teens, she was called upon to choreograph the group’s legendary 1984 Victory Tour. At the premiere of “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Abdul recalled how much she learned from Michael.
“There were so many memorable moments, ” she told MTV News. “I was still a [Los Angeles] Laker girl and I was summoned to work with the brothers. I was 18 years old and I got to see entertainment at its finest. [I learned that] you’re only as good as the last thing you’ve done. He was just amazing.”
Michael Jackson’s This Is It
Had Michael Jackson’s series of concerts at London’s O2 Arena gone off as planned earlier this summer, it would have almost certainly signaled one of the most dramatic comebacks in pop music history. The rehearsal footage on display in ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’ is evidence enough to draw that conclusion, providing a solid basis to imagine the final product while also giving a heretofore unseen glimpse of the star’s creative process — and the latter is both the film’s greatest strength and its most troubling element. Worldwide box office after Sony’s midweek bow should be monstrous.
‘This Is It’ a fascinating work-in-progress
Many of the musicians and craftsmen interviewed in ‘This Is It’ talk about Michael Jackson’s perfectionism, so it begs the question: Would Michael Jackson have wanted this movie of rehearsal footage to be seen by mass audiences?
Filmed during a series of run-throughs for a London concert engagement that was canceled after Jackson’s untimely death this summer, ‘This Is It’ takes us behind the scenes of what was going to be a gargantuan show, complete with dancers, filmed segments, pyrotechnics and acrobatics. The footage was meant for Jackson’s personal archival use; only after Jackson’s death did the concert promoters and others involved with the show decide to go public with this material.
Adam Lambert’s outre-space ‘For Your Entertainment’ cover: What do you think?
Adam-Lambert-album-cover-520Adam Lambert unveiled the cover for his forthcoming debut CD, For Your Entertainment, on his official site this afternoon, and to paraphrase the sadly under-appreciated 2003 single from current Dancing With the Stars contestant Mya: This cover’s like’ ¦whoa! A publicist for 19 Recordings reveals that the image was shot by Warwick Saint in August in New York City. And, to put it mildly, it’s a little more, um, out there than the pensive-yet-ultimately-benign images we’ve come to expect from Idol runners-up. (If you’re not familiar with the show’s post-second-place oeuvre, do check out Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and Exhibit C. Not that there’s anything wrong with them, of course.) Is America ready for this particular jelly? Some of my EW colleagues aren’t terribly optimistic, but might I remind them, we’re dishing a dude who sailed through Grand Ole Opry week with a hyper-sexual, sitar-infused take on ‘Ring of Fire.’ Anyhow, while the Glambert nation collectively wipes its brow, catches its breath, and attempts to unlock its eyes from Adam’s hypnotic gaze (good luck!), here’s five things I think the cover art reveals about the artist and his debut disc, set to drop Nov. 23.
Adam Lambert has a Message: Step Up You Fancy Unicorns
If you felt the ground quiver earlier today, fret not: That was just 80s Trapper Keeper designer Lisa Frank rolling over in her grave. (*Assuming she is dead, which we are.) That’s because today, a glowing orb from outerspace came hurtling towards the Earth’s surface, crashing into a field somewhere in America’s heartland, cracking perfectly down the middle to reveal quite the sight. No, not Arnold Schwarzenegger’s glistening nude body’ ¦ Something much, much, much more sexually intriguing.
Ladies and gentlemen, today, we bring you Adam Lambert’s album cover: For Your Entertainment (click for high res copy):
How to Turn the New Adam Lambert Album Cover into a Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Within this Halloween’s predictable costume brigade of Michael Jacksons, Lady Gagas, and ‘Recession-Proof Sluts, ‘ it may seem daunting to find an original costume by Saturday. Well, I can’t help you with originality, but if you decide to go as Adam Lambert’s new For Your Entertainment album cover, I can ensure that you find all necessary supplies in just one trip to your decrepit hometown True Value.
Adam Lambert’s Album Cover Reminds Us Of The Most Insane ‘American Idol Covers
Adam Lambert revealed his album cover for “For Your Entertainment” and it’s as spectacularly over-the-top and jaw-dropping as his memorable ‘American Idol’ performances. The dude is a walking water-cooler conversation. And by golly, he’s done it again.
In the Tweet that linked to the cover, Lambert wrote, ‘Glam is back!!!’ Judging from this album art, however, I don’t know that I’d say it’s back so much as hanging out at the mall Glamour Shots kiosk. (Will this eye-catching retro look help sell albums? We’ll find out when it lands in stores November 23.)
Adam Lambert brings the glam
Any slightly negative commentary regarding American Idol contestant and soon-to-be pop superstar Adam Lambert, I’ve learned, is met with obsessive fury.
Truth be told, I’m all about Team Glambert, which is why I’m happy to see the cover for Lambert’s solo disc, due Nov. 23, seems to promise the crazysexycool vibe of his Idol performances.
Androgyny? Check. Fierceness? Check. Makeup and blue hair? Check. (Loves it.)
FYE is said to include collaborations with Ryan Tedder, Linda Perry, Pink, Ferras, Rob Cavallo and Lady Gaga. Expect a full Lambert attack in the coming weeks?
Is America ready for a wholly new kind of idol? What do you think?
Adam Lambert’s ‘For Your Entertainment’ Album Cover is the Most Terrible/AWESOME Thing Ever
Here at Autostraddle, we like to say that we enjoy the things that ‘[auto]straddle the line between terrible and AWESOME.’ (Lexicon Sidenote: ‘AWESOME’ is always in ALL CAPS when using this phrase, and emoted in a ‘loud whisper of awe.’ Very important.)
Let me get right to the point (I’m a designer, not a writer): Adam Lambert’s cover for his new album ‘For Your Entertainment’ is all at once the most terrible and the absolute most AWESOME thing I’ve ever seen. I guarantee you this will be a cult classic in ten years. If this image is on a poster or t-shirt and you get your hands on it then you better SAVE THAT SHIT. I will pay you money for that t-shirt in about 15 years when it’s worn and vintage-y and I’ve lost mine to the sandy abyss of time and want to remember my youth and be cool again. Srsly.
David Archuleta Says Allison Iraheta has Spunk
The David Archuleta outtake chronicles continue!
One of the fun things I learned about the “American Idol” star during our Christmas carol extravaganza is that he is ceaselessly curious. When he wasn’t stopping to look at every single bulletin board or framed poster hanging on MTV’s walls, he would turn the tables and casually interview me. “Know any good New York City restaurants? What music are you listening to these days? What kind of bird do you have?” (Long story.)
But this line of questioning was my favorite from the day, if only because it sparked us having a brief chat about recent “Idol” rocker, Allison Iraheta.
DAVID ARCHULETA AND ANGELS FOR A CAUSE PARTNER WITH THE LISA LOPES FOUNDATION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR MEDICAL CENTER IN HONDURAS
-Over a million families are in desperate need of health care in Honduras-
Atlanta, GA ‘ (October 27, 2009) David Archuleta and Angels For A Cause (AFAC) partner with the Lisa Lopes Foundation (LLF) to help raise $10, 000 to launch the new medical center in Honduras.
The Lisa Lopes Foundation medical center will serve thousands of families and children living in impoverished areas of Honduras , with health conditions among the worst in the Western Hemisphere . Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America .
An estimated 1.5 million Hondurans were without access to health care in 2008. With the highest Aids rate in Central America , the quality and access to health care are directly tied to income levels. Health care for the urban and rural poor is extremely limited.
Bucky Covington ‘ ‘Gotta Be Somebody’
Nobody was more excited than Bucky Covington when Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger showed up as a co-writer on the lead single to what will likely be Tim McGraw’s last album for Curb Records. ‘Nickelback is country, Nickelback is country!’ Covington shouted as he dashed out into the streets, embracing strangers and swinging toddlers playfully around by the arms. One of his longest-held dreams had finally become reality.
Or at least that’s the impression you get from listening to the mustachioed American Idol alum’s nominally countrified cover of ‘Gotta Be Somebody, ‘ a big rock hit for the critically-challenged Canadian quartet last year.
From ‘Idol’ to ‘Angel’: Taylor Hicks comes to town in touring cast of ‘Grease’
While he was toiling away as a struggling singer in his native Alabama, Taylor Hicks never thought about doing a Broadway show.
‘It wasn’t something I’d ever dreamed of doing, ‘ Hicks says, in his heavy Southern accent.
Now, two-thirds of the way through an 18-month jaunt in the role of Teen Angel in the touring cast of ‘Grease, ‘ the former ‘American Idol’ winner considers musical theater just another part of his arsenal.
‘I’m an entertainer, ‘ Hicks says. ‘I want to have a very versatile career. So far, I’m just scratching the surface.’
Should Paula Abdul be a guest judge on ‘SYTYCD’?
Abdul-think-dance-judges_lPaging MC Skat Kat! On last night’s dazzling episode of So You Think You Can Dance, Nigel Lythgoe officially offered former American Idol judge Paula Abdul a guest spot on the series’ esteemed panel. And though Fox has yet to confirm whether or not the singer has accepted Nigel’s offer, I can’t help but feel incredibly conflicted about the possibility of Paula’s return to competitive reality TV.
On the one hand, the rabid Idol fan in me would welcome Paula with open arms. After all, we haven’t even seen a Paula-less Idol yet, and I’m already mourning her absence more than I mourned the loss of Anty in Honey I Shrunk the Kids. The loopy judge was just starting to get’â€dare I say it?’â€perceptive and wise, and the inevitability of a Paula blunder always made for exhilarating television.
Michael Jackson This Is It: Live From The Premiere
6:46 P.M.: “American Idol” winner David Cook bobbed his head during interviews as some of Jackson’s songs filtered out of the speakers. “We’re here kind of celebrating the life of one the greatest entertainers of all time, ” Cook said. “It’s a circus.”
The singer, who credited Jackson as an influence, was eager to get inside to see the movie. “I’m expecting a Michael Jackson show. I think anything short of that, they wouldn’t put it out. Without Michael Jackson, the bar is definitely lower for everyone else.”
Another “American Idol” alum, Adam Lambert, cited the “Thriller” video as his fondest Jackson memory and was excited to get a glimpse into the “artistic genius. I’m really curious to see what went behind the creative process.”
Ratings: ABC’s ‘DWTS’ and ‘Castle’ deliver big to win the night
ABC was the big winner last night with Dancing with the Stars and Castle both seeing boosts from last week’s airings, according to preliminary overnight ratings. Stars nabbed 17.8 million viewers (up from 1.3 million from last week) while Castle hit 11.1 million (up 1.2 million from last week). A possible reason for the uptick in ratings? CBS’ powerful Monday night line-up was all in repeats.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Hanging On
Last night’s double elimination on Dancing With the Stars provided the perfect opportunity for Weepy, Grumpy, and Dopey to use their special ”name of couple” sparkly paddles for the second night in a row…and also to revive their faux-dramatic ULTIMATE DECIDERS roles from the Ballroom Kids competition of seasons past. Ballroom kid Melissa Joan Hart was eliminated first, to zero fanfare. I think her crazy two-toned eye shadow last night and Mark’s perma-pissed facial expression for the past few weeks are what I’ll remember most about this couple, though Mark would prefer we remember their Charleston. That left Louie Vito and Michael Irvin to compete in a dance-off with 30-second routines they’d learned the same morning, then get chastised for not putting more preparation into the dances.
Julianne Hough: ‘I’m Sure I’ll Be Back’ On ‘Dancing’
‘Dancing With the Stars’ fans were saddened when Julianne Hough announced last spring that she would not be returning for Season 9 of the ABC reality competition ‘ but the dancer-turned-country singer told Access Hollywood that a return to the ballroom might just be in the works.
La Toya Jackson ‘ who has been working as Access Hollywood’s guest correspondent covering ‘Dancing With the Stars’ ‘ caught up with Julianne at Monday’s show and asked about her possible return.
‘I don’t know, ‘ Julianne said. ‘It feels weird to be here and like, not actually be dancing, but it was fun to watch’ ¦ I don’t know when I’m gonna be back.’
‘But we miss you, ‘ La Toya told Julianne. ‘We wanna see you. You gotta come back really, really please be there next season.’
‘I’m sure I’ll be back, ‘ she explained. ‘It’s great. I mean, this stuff, tonight was really, really fun.’
Cheryl Cole: Simon Cowell is ‘nasty, rude and annoying’
The 26-year-old admitted that she and Cowell had had a fraught relationship during this season’s show.
And she claimed she has to ‘clench her fists’ as Cowell, 50, drives her mad by getting ‘more and more annoying … really annoying’ during filming.
The Girls Aloud singer told BBC News: ‘There is tension between us on the actual Saturday night, when he starts getting annoying and saying nasty things.
‘It gets really heated backstage, and quite competitive.
Louis Walsh thanks fellow X Factor judges for help after Stephen Gately’s death
Louis Walsh has credited Simon Cowell and pop star Cheryl Cole with helping him cope with the pressure of returning to the X Factor after Stephen Gately’s shock death.
The music mogul was devastated after the body of the Boyzone star was found in his luxury apartment in Majorca on October 10, with a postmortem examination concluding the singer died from fluid on the lungs.
After missing two episodes to come to terms with what happened, Louis has made a dramatic return to the show just a week after the Boyzone singer was laid to rest.
Dancing With the Stars’ results: Two for the road
Alas, guess we’ll never be able to see that awesome waltz that Louie promised. At the end of Season Nine’s sixth week, it was actress Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas who ended up with the lowest combined point total and were booted from the show. But wait, there’s more: Because it was yet another round of the dreaded double elimination, snowboarder Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower also got iced out of the competition as the losing half in the first-ever dance-off of the season. Though I don’t think anyone was much surprised by either of those exits. Melissa was plagued with zero dance experience and couldn’t seem to hold on to the fun of the performance, the attention of her partner, or the viewers’ hearts. Louie, while coming out like gangbusters, just couldn’t get his dancing act together and threw his partner and his chances for the Mirrorball trophy away in the process. That twisty flip off the stage that he did at the end was pretty darn awesome, though.
