9 Recordings/Jive Records Taps AOL to Debut Exclusive Kris Allen Content Including Full Album Streaming, Video Premiere and Performance Footage
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–19 Recordings / Jive Records and AOL announced today that AOL will serve as the media hub to launch American Idol champion Kris Allen’s self-titled debut album. AOL sites will debut a myriad of exclusive content offerings including AOL Music Sessions, CD listening party, video premiere and interview. In addition, Allen’s own site will be hosting the ‘Every Second Counts’ contest in which one winner and three friends will be flown to New York City to be part of the AOL Music Sessions.
11/06 – PopEater.com premieres Kris Allen’s ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ music video
11/09 – AOL Music premieres Allen’s self titled debut album
12/15 – Every Second Counts Campaign winner and friends attend AOL Music Sessions taping in New York City
12/22 – AOL Music Sessions with Kris Allen premieres including exclusive performances and interviews
Dreamgirls Begins Previews at the Apollo Theatre Nov. 7
Dreamgirls, the 1981 Motown musical about a girl group on the rise to stardom, returns to New York in a newly-imagined production which bows at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre Nov. 7.
Originally conceived for the stage by the late Michael Bennett, the current production of Dreamgirls features direction and choreography by Robert Longbottom (Side Show, Flower Drum Song, Bye Bye Birdie). The Henry Krieger-Tom Eyen musical also boasts new material and additional choreography by Emmy-nominated hip-hop artist Shane Sparks.
Dreamgirls is set to officially open at the Apollo Nov. 22 and will continue through Dec. 6 prior to embarking on a national tour.
Kellie Pickler Digs Into ‘Extreme Makeover’
Kellie Pickler has been one of the few ‘American Idol’ contestants to successfully parlay her time on the show into a successful and steady music career. Finding her niche in country music, Pickler ‘†now a star ‘†headed out to Ohio to help Ty Pennington and the ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ (ABC Sunday at 8 PM ET) crew with the task of building a new home for Paralympics gold medalist James Terpenning.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Ellen Begs Her Way Onto O Cover
Perseverence has paid off for Ellen DeGeneres, as the quirky talk show host shmoozed, begged and charmed her way onto the cover of Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine, marking just the second time that Miss Winfrey has shared a cover with another woman. The first? Just someone you might have heard of — First Lady Michelle Obama. Winfrey herself recognizes Ellen’s dedication, saying that she’s “a woman who can make things happen.”
Review: Kris Allen, the kid’s alright
Kris Allen’s victory over Adam Lambert in May on the eighth season finale of American Idol, not to mention other lop-sided, questionable victories such as Ruben Studdard over Clay Aiken on season two, makes the need for a change in how votes are counted glaringly real. Idol should take a page from Dancing With the Stars, which gives off the appearance of being more trustworthy and above-board, and factor combined percentages of votes from the judges and public and limit the number of times any one person can text in a vote, as Dancing does.
This would keep Idol closer to honest and give edgier (Adam) contestants a chance against cuddlier, bland, teen-friendly ones (Kris).
Kris Allen’s ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ Video: His Time, His Show
Not, you know, metaphorically or anything like that. It’s basically the plot of his brand-new video for “Live Like We’re Dying, ” the first single from his self-titled debut disc (due November 17). Time ‘†here represented by a constantly diminishing digital clock located somewhere near an abandoned housing complex in the middle of the desert (no word if the Bluth Company put it there) ‘†is eternally fleeting, and as such, we should live without fear or regret. Or, if you will, like we’re dying.
Kris Allen’s ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ video: You digging it?
The all-Idols-all-the-time American Idol off-season continues today with PopEater’s world premiere of Kris Allen’s ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ video, a luxe-looking, moodily lit affair that finds the season 8 champ clad in a physique-appropriate black henley* and stalking his way through an abandoned construction site featuring a giant countdown clock, a dramatic sunrise, and copious amounts of recycled plastic sheeting. (Kris = Good for the environment! As if we didn’t already know.)
Adam Lambert Talks New Album
His first single from his debut album For Your Entertainment is already climbing the charts, but Adam Lambert isn’t about to rest on his laurels anytime soon.
‘I’m really excited, ‘ the American Idol runner-up tells TV Guide Magazine. ‘Then I realize no one’s heard the album yet so the pressure is kind of scary.’ Luckily, Lambert promises his 14-track disc, due out November 23, is diverse enough to appeal to all music fans.
‘2012’ Stars John Cusack, Amanda Peet Talk Adam Lambert’s ‘Miracles’
Tuesday night, at the Los Angeles red-carpet premiere for “2012” ‘†that most disastrous of all disaster movies ‘†Adam Lambert told reporters that he feels honored to have contributed “Time for Miracles” to the film’s soundtrack. So how do the film’s stars feel about it?
“I love him, ” Amanda Peet told MTV News of the “American Idol” runner-up. “I love him. I love him.”
John Cusack, meanwhile, was less honored than amusingly confused when asked about the man known as Glambert. “I have no clue, ” he confessed. “No, I’ve seen ‘American Idol.’ They have the guy, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He was on that, right? Anderson Cooper won a few times.”
Danny Gokey debuts new single ‘It’s Only’: What do you think?
Danny-Gokey_lAmerican Idol second runner-up (and wearer of questionable eyeglasses) Danny Gokey debuted his new song, ‘It’s Only, ‘ on Milwaukee radio station FM 106.1 today. The track, which is the lead single of Gokey’s upcoming RCA Nashville country album, was reportedly written by Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley and produced by Carrie Underwood collaborator Mark Bright. Sounding a little like Five for Fighting (at least in my opinion), ‘It’s Only’ is a big, emotional ballad and definitely the type of tune Gokey fans wanna hear.
Carrie Underwood writes more on new album ‘Play On’
Carrie Underwood’s got the write stuff for new album Underwood co-wrote seven of 13 titles on her New album, ‘Play On’
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 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 press conference at her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction in Muskogee.
Underwood, 26, co-wrote seven of the 13 songs on ‘Play On, ‘ her third album. She helped pen four tracks on her second record, 2007’s ‘Carnival Ride, ‘ and one on her 2005 debut ‘Some Hearts.’
Carrie Underwood comes out of her shell
Carrie Underwood, 26, is a big, fat onion. And if you don’t believe it, you can ask her.
‘I’m a big, fat onion, ‘ she said. And by that, she means she is a multi-layered person, not that she grows in the soil or induces crying jags.
Since winning American Idol in 2005, Underwood has become one of contemporary country’s most celebrated female vocalists, notching three consecutive top female vocalist prizes at the Country Music Association Awards ‘†for which she’ll serve as co-host with Brad Paisley on Wednesday ‘†and also at the Academy of Country Music Awards. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Sony Music Nashville released the reigning ACM entertainer of the year’s third album, Play On, and after its first week it will likely top the country charts and the pop charts.
Kellie Pickler Helps Family in Need
Don’t miss Kellie Pickler’s appearance on this weekend’s episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Sunday on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern. Kellie went to Beavercreek, Ohio and helped the James Terpenning family. James is a wheelchair sports champion and also mentors disabled Iraqi War veterans.
While in Beavercreek, Kellie performed and even got in on the demolition action, wielding a sledgehammer like a pro.
Eight Minutes With Kellie Pickler
That’s all the time she had, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from asking Kellie Pickler every single question I had about her appearance this Sunday (Nov. 8) on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. And then some. Luckily, I talk fast and she talks even faster. She called me from Nashville, and we jammed as many Qs and as we could into our allotted time.
Kellie Pickler Goes Red
Kellie Pickler seems to have shed her cutesy blond tresses in favor of reddish-brown. In the video above, she is seen congratulating Laurie DeYoung on her introduction into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame.
Of people who resent the change, Pickler says, “It’s just hair! Some people don’t even have hair. So, while I have my hair, I’m going to play with it and experiment with it. When you get people that are just like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so much better as a blonde, ‘ it’s like where are your priorities?”
David Cook, the ‘American Idol’ winner, performs at Table Mountain
David Cook is part of an exclusive club Ԡone that comes with 30 million potential fans and alums such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
He’s an ‘American Idol’ winner, and there are only seven others like him.
Cook ‘†who performs a sold-out show Thursday night at Table Mountain Casino ‘†has fared pretty well to this point in his post-‘Idol’ career.
Concert Review: Daughtry plays arena-friendly rock in A.C.
ATLANTIC CITY – In retrospect, it makes sense that Chris Daughtry gained his fame through a TV show watched by millions.
Daughtry’s music is the most mainstream type of hard rock imaginable, but he supplements it with well-crafted pop-rock songs that he sings very well. He is good-looking and his music doesn’t have an edge that would scare off some women, who were out in abundance during his eponymous band’s sold-out show Friday at the Mark G. Etess Arena in the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.
Hicks featured in ‘Grease’: Taylor-made for the stage?
Before making his Broadway debut last year in the eternally popular musical Grease, Taylor Hicks had never acted. But for the musician and Season 5 American Idol winner, every opportunity is a chance to keep up with fans and gain some new ones.
‘It’s imperative for me to stay out there and work, ‘ the 33-year-old singer explains, in his polite, distinctive Alabama drawl. ‘I’ve been living out of a suitcase for four years. This is one of the things I love to do. Later, it’ll all settle down.’
Alec Mapa Hosts Concert Benefiting LifeWorks
‘America’s Gaysian Sweetheart’ Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives) will host Pop Goes the World, an evening of music and dance, at the newly renovated Avalon in the heart of Hollywood, on Nov. 11.
The concert benefits LifeWorks, a Center program that helps LGBTQ youth achieve their personal and professional goals through mentoring from specially trained LGBT adults.
Performers slated for Pop Goes the World include Jojo; American Idol’s Blake Lewis; director and performer Kevin Stea; musical artist Guy B; singer/producer Kyle Puccia; original member of the Pussycat Dolls Carmit Bachar; and Fanny Pack.
Jedward vow to KO X Factor supremo Simon Cowell with Ghostbusters routine
TERRIBLE twins John and Edward plan to spook Simon Cowell with a performance to make him eat his words.
The 18-year-old Dubliners last night boasted that their performance of Ghostbusters would be their most outrageous X Factor offering yet.
And they are confident they will make Cowell – who has threatened to leave thecountry if the public make them winners – admit they have the X Factor.
Edward has told friends: “We want to make Simon eat humble pie and prove to him we can sing. We have come so far in the competition and we don’t want it to end now.”
Good News: Mia Michaels Will Be Back on TV!
Attention, Mia Michaels lovers! All hope is not lost. Even though the star choreographer doesn’t have any immediate plans to return to So You Think You Can Dance, she is coming back to TV before you know it. We just spoke to her, and her message to her fans is this: “Be patient, because you’re gonna get a lot more Mia than you expect.”
So what’s the deal with her new in-the-works choreography show? Here’s what we learned from chatting up the divine Ms. Michaels…
‘Fame was like a steam-roller it flattened me’: Susan Boyle on that breakdown ‘ and why she’s determined it won’t happen again
Within minutes of us meeting, Susan Boyle begins badgering me about Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan. Only she doesn’t call him Piers, she calls him Piersy Baby. Is he a friend? Do I know him?
When I tell her I do, she launches into the Susan Boyle Wiggle and, with a twinkle in her eye, throws herself on the sofa. ‘Ask me whatever you want, ‘ she says. Okay, do you really have a crush on Piers?
‘You’ve got to admit he is dead handsome, ‘ she says, going all starry-eyed. Umm, well’ ¦ Susan, remember, is 48 and single; the never-been-kissed church volunteer who lived alone with her cat in Blackburn, West Lothian, before her jaw-dropping rendition of I Dreamed A Dream on Britain’s Got Talent.
Susan Boyle to Appear on Dancing with the Stars
Susan Boyle is set to dazzle the Dancing with the Stars crowd ‘ with her singing, not her dancing feet.
The Scottish singer, 48, will fly to Los Angeles for an appearance on the hit show early next week, her rep tells PEOPLE. “She’s excited and happy, ” says her brother, John Boyle. “She loves America and loves the people. She appreciates their honesty.”
Boyle, who made a previous U.S. appearance on America’s Got Talent last September, will likely sing material from her upcoming CD, I Dreamed A Dream, due out Nov. 24.
