Idol Headlines for 11/06/09

Mary Murphy, Nigel Lythgoe of So You Think You Can Dance Join Dancing With the Stars Celebrities at Hollywood Dancesport Championships, November 7

International dance competitors descend on the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills November 7 to compete for the ultimate Ballroom Dance prize. So You Think You Can Dance judge Mary Murphy will present Nigel Lythgoe with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Who: Mary Murphy (event organizer) So You Think You Can Dance, Nigel Lythgoe So You Think You Can Dance,
Dancing with the Stars dancers Karina Smirnoff, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Louis Van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, Dmitry Chaplin and his student, singer, Mya. Reichen Lehmkuhl The Amazing Race

Reuters.com

CKX, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

NEW YORK, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — CKX, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKXE) today reported financial results for its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, revenue declined to $87.4 million from $97.0 million for the comparable period in 2008. Operating income before depreciation, amortization and non-cash stock compensation (“OIBDAN”) declined to $16.4 million from $28.9 million in 2008. The 2009 results include an unfavorable swing of $3.9 million in non-cash foreign exchange gains as compared to 2008. Operating income in 2009 declined to $11.0 million from $22.7 million in 2008.

CNN

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

Danny Gokey’s First Single The Latest Sign That He Wants To Be Your Inspiration

danny-heart-132×120 The first single from American Idol third-place finisher Danny Gokey premiered on a Wisconsin country-music station this morning, and it’s probably not going to come as much of a surprise to people who followed him during his long American Idol journey. The track, ‘It’s Only, ‘  is an inspirational ditty that’s clearly channeling ‘Jesus, Take The Wheel, ‘  and his breathy voice is nearly drowned out by a super-mournful slide guitar at various moments.

Idolator

Kris Allen song snippets: Let’s rank ’em from best to not-so-best!

Kris-Allen-photo_lIn some ways, there’s no experience less satisfying than listening to song-snippet leaks from albums you’ve been anticipating for mini-eternities. (What? After an hour of smelling a chocolate cake baking in an oven, you’d be happy with a crumb?) But as someone who happened to be in a three-day corporate meeting last week when Italian Amazon leaked 30-second samples of the 13 songs from Kris Allen’s self-titled debut, I can attest that, in fact, I’d rather have had an all-too-brief musical tease than absolutely no music at all. And while our Music Mix blog has already run an item on the American Idol season 8 champ’s tracks, I figured that as EW’s resident Idoloonie, I had an obligation to weigh in on ’em, too. (Don’t fret, Adam Lambert fans, I’ve got his 19 snippets on my to-do list, too! But that’s a lot o’ music to digest and dish!)

EW.com

AI Now Exclusive: Matt Giraud Ready To Prove Himself

Today’s AI Now exclusive live chat with season eight “American Idol” finalist Matt Giraud was, in one word, epic. Our thanks to Matt for spending so much time talking with us and his fans. And, our thanks to all of you viewers for record breaking attendance and participation. Today’s chat was quite encompassing, covering dozens of topics and questions. But, let’s be honest, the first thing you want is the scoop on his debut album right? Well we have it!

So what kind of album will Matt be releasing? He’s one of the few artists who can’t give a one word answer to that question. Instead, Matt says, “It’s like Gavin [DeGraw], it’s like Jamie Cullum, it’s like Alicia Keys, it’s like John Mayer. I let all music affect me. I mean I’m going to be doing a Imogen Heap medley at my upcoming shows. Maybe some Disney! Haha, Go The Distance.” And, Matt warns the media and his fans alike not to put him in a box with regard to what type of artist he is, because, in his words, “I might jump out!”

More scoop you say? Okay, how about a song title? Why not three! Matt has been working on songs called “I Will Carry You, ” “Gimme A Break” and “Motel.”

AI Now.org

Carrie Underwood, Apparently Playing In Peoria

carrieTrade rag Hits is projecting a No. 1 debut for Carrie Underwood’s third album Play On, which came out yesterday. The magazine is claiming that between 300, 000 and 350, 000 copies of Play On will be moved during the record’s first week on store shelves’”a total that would make the album one of the stronger-debuting releases of 2009. Which is, I have to say, kind of strange, given something I noticed while shopping for sundries last night!

Idolator

Carrie Underwood’s got the write stuff for new album

Between the No. 1 hits and the TV appearances, the magazine covers and the red carpet fashions, music fans can be forgiven for forgetting that country music superstar Carrie Underwood was once an aspiring journalist.

But the credits for her new album, “Play On, ‘  serve as a pointed reminder that the Oklahoma native was sharpening her pen long before she won “American Idol’  in 2005.

“I got a lot of practice writing in general, especially in college. You know, in high school I wrote for the school paper; in college I wrote for the school paper and was always busy writing stories, ‘  she said in a September news conference at her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction in Muskogee.

NewsOK.com

CD Review: Carrie Underwood “Play On’ 

Contemporary country star Carrie Underwood stretches her strong soprano, her songwriting skills and musical boundaries on her third album, “Play On.’ 

The Checotah native co-wrote seven of the 13 songs, and the album’s sonic diversity reveals the 2005 “American Idol’  winner’s willingness to grow and experiment.

The record opens with her latest hit, “Cowboy Casanova, ‘  a feisty country-rocker about a “snake with blue eyes’  lothario. She co-wrote the cautionary tale with country songsmith and fellow Okie Brett James and hip-hop writer/producer Mike Elizondo.

NewsOK.com

Carrie Underwood On Track To Top Billboard 200

Carrie Underwood is on track to achieve her second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as her just-released “Play On” should debut atop the chart next week. Music industry prognosticators suggest the 19/Arista Nashville set could sell over 300, 000 copies by week’s end on Sunday (Nov. 8) night.

Underwood’s last effort, 2007’s “Carnival Ride, ” opened in the penthouse with 527, 000 and has gone on to sell 2.98 million in the U.S. according to Nielsen SoundScan. The new album’s lead single, “Cowboy Casanova, ” moves up two slots to No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs tally and has so far peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Play On” will lead a cavalcade of new albums in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 next week, with the soundtrack to Fox TV’s “Glee” likely as the next-best debut. The Fox/Columbia album may sell over 100, 000 copies in its first week.

Billboard

KELLIE PICKLER ‘CROSSING’  INTO ALABAMA SOON

Former American Idol season five contestant and now Country Music star, Kellie Pickler will headline Country Crossing’s first concert this season to help kick off the opening of Celebrity Station Amphitheatre in Alabama.

Getting tickets is pretty easy and for charity, but you’ve only got until November 13th of this year to take advantage of the opportunity. If you make a donation of $5 minimum or bring at least five canned goods to the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank, you’ll receive a ticket for the concert (minimum of two tickets given per person).

Hollywood Outbreak.com

Chris Daughtry in it for the long haul

Chris Daughtry is a pretty humble guy, considering his accomplishments. The soft-spoken singer-songwriter has sold millions of albums and is the first “American Idol” alum to have two-consecutive chart-topping albums. “Leave This Town, ” Daughtry’s sophomore effort released in July, hit the top of the Billboard charts by mid-summer.

“I’ve been very fortunate, ” Daughtry said. “It’s been amazing. This isn’t something I could have expected. In some ways, what I have accomplished is mind boggling. It just keeps getting more and more incredible. But it’s not just something I’ve done. It’s something I’ve done with my band.”

APP.com

CONCERT REVIEW: Chris Daughtry’s hard-edged ballads please the crowd

Daughtry brought idolatry to a new level at the Sovereign Center on Thursday night with a close-to-capacity crowd.

With former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry front and center, his self-named band blasted through 90 minutes of perfectly choreographed Top 40 rock filled with enough wailing guitars and staccato drums to make you believe you really were at a rock concert.

But that’s a bit of a lie.

Sure, he played a couple of full-out rockers like “What I Want” and his hit “It’s Not Over, ” suitably angst-ridden and filled with lots of plinky guitars.

But what Daughtry plays a lot of, and plays well, are hard-edged ballads

Reading Eagle.com

‘Grease’ slides into Kravis with ‘Idol’ winner Taylor Hicks

WEST PALM BEACH ‘” Jim Jacobs may be a one-hit wonder, but that single long-running show has given him a career for life and a tidy enough income that he will never have to write another word.

The show is ‘Grease, ‘  which began in a small Chicago community theater, garnering such attention that if moved to off-Broadway and then on to Broadway, where this affectionate spoof of student life at Rydell High in the late 1950s played 3, 388 performances ‘” at one time the longest-running musical in Broadway history.

TC Palm.com

A Rock Star Supernova Finally Blows Up: Dilana Returns!

Three years ago I was somewhat obsessed with Rock Star: Supernova–the Dave Navarro-hosted, American Idol-like talent search for the singer of a NEW “supergroup” formed by Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee, Guns N’ Roses’ Gilby Clarke, and Metallica’s Jason Newsted. And much of my obsession centered on Dilana, a South African, neon-dreaded, facially-pieced, sandpaper-throated rock goddess who wowed me and her judges/prospective bandmates with her first riveting, hoodie-shrouded, seemingly possessed performance of Nirvana’s “Lithium.”

Yahoo.com

Idol’s Syesha: #3 is now on top

Losing your voice on Fox’s ‘American Idol’  would be a nightmare come true for most contestants, but not for Syesha Mercado. During Hollywood Week, she communicated with a raspy whisper and handwritten notes, and then shocked the judges with a powerful rendition of ‘Chain of Fools, ‘  after which Randy declared her the ‘one to watch.’  America fell in love with the gorgeous, optimistic, and bubbly then 20-year-old, who has had her share of difficult times. Her father ‘ now recovered ‘ struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, and her house burned down when she was in high school. She made it to the top three during ‘Idol’s’  seventh season, behind David Archuleta and winner David Cook, but that was just the beginning.

Blast caught up with the young starlet to hear about her upcoming debut album and her lead role in the Broadway production of ‘Dreamgirls, ‘  which premieres on November 22 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and will continue on a 14-city tour throughout the country.

Blast Magazine

Blake Lewis: American Idol A ‘Double Edged Sword’ (AUDIO)

American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis came on the Jack Rice Show to discuss his new album, “Heartbreak On Vinyl.” In the past, American Idol contestants have been hesitant to speak candidly about their experiences, but Blake gave Jack a very honest answer while talking about the drawbacks to being a star on American Idol. He said,

Air America

Former ‘Idol’ joins her childhood idols

When ‘American Idol’  finalist Jasmine Trias was growing up in Hawaii, her parents sometimes took her to see one of Honolulu’s most acclaimed show bands ‘” the Society of Seven.

Trias never dreamed that one day she would co-star with the troupe in Las Vegas.

Society of Seven returns to Vegas tonight, opening a run at the Gold Coast. Trias replaces Lani Misalucha, who has her own show, ‘Voices, ‘  at the Hilton.

Las Vegas Sun

American Idols in Lorain

It’s not all business at the Home, Family & Small Business Expo. The health fair, job fair, game show and hair show also offers live entertainment. Taking place from noon to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow at the Spartan Building, formerly Lorain Catholic High School, 35th Street and Tower Boulevard, it features two Northeast Ohio singers who were finalists in “American Idol.”

Oberlin native Charles Grigsby and Shaker Heights native Scott Savol will appear at the event today along with the group, the Croonerz.

Since his days on Idol, Grigsby released a self-titled album, while Savol appeared in a musical version of “The Wizard of Oz” as well as in “America’s Favorite Finalists, ” a live music show in Branson, Mo.

Morning Journal.com

X Factor’s Simon Cowell auctioned at £19, 000 an hour

Cowell donated 60 minutes of his expertise at the sale – which featured leading figures from the business, arts and entertainment world – and he was bought with a winning bid by music mogul Lucian Grainge, chairman of Universal Music.

He was worth more than his pal Sir Philip Green, the retail tycoon, who went for £18, 000 at the ”Krug Mind Share” party at auction house Christie’s in London last night.

The price for Cowell’s activity is way above the going rate for his time – he is thought to earn about £30 million each year, which works out at just over £3, 400 per hour.

Telegraph.co.uk

‘So You Think You Can Dance’ star Jeanine Mason on winning, touring, growing up

I chatted with Jeanine when the group was in Texas and got the scoop on what she learned from her experience on the show, where she’s headed next, and what she really thinks about Russian Folk dancing.

First, though, I had to come clean about my enthusiasm for her as a contestant. I proudly pointed out that I had named her my favorite and predicted her win several weeks early.

SDNN.com

2 Utahns living their dreams on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ tour

When Brandon Bryant was named runner up during Season 5’s “So You Think You Can Dance, ” he was honored and relieved.

“I realized that I wouldn’t have the stress of being the winner, ” Bryant said during a phone call from Charlotte, N.C. “But I still get the recognition, and I still get to do things with the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ family.”

Bryant, the Florida native who danced with Utah’s Odyssey Dance Theatre last year, placed second to Jeanine Mason at the end of the show’s fifth season. And that solidified his place on the “So You Think You Can Dance” tour, which makes a stop at the E Center today.

For Bryant, being on the tour is everything he’s always dreamed of ‘” and more.

Deseret News

There’s something about Jedward

Simon Cowell has threatened to leave the country if they win, but Cheryl Cole admitted they were her guilty pleasure.

If X Factor finalists John and Edward have a gift, it seems it is the ability to divide opinion.

If the acts on The X Factor were judged like the dancers on Strictly Come Dancing, there is little doubt that Jedward would be bottom of the leader board week after week.

However, for the last four weeks the Irish teenagers have been saved from elimination by the public vote.

BBC.co.uk

About mj santilli 34834 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!