‘Idol’ winner Allen remains humble on new album
LOS ANGELES ‘†Kris Allen knows he’s not garnering as much attention as Adam Lambert ‘†and that’s OK with him.
Since foiling Lambert at the “American Idol” finale last May, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Conway, Ark., has not appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and declared he’s gay. His music can’t be heard during the credits of the apocalyptic action flick “2012.” And you won’t find him posing in a racy Details photo shoot with a naked woman.
“I don’t mind, ” an always modest Allen says while perched in “Idol” overlord Simon Fuller’s quiet office 10 stories above the Sunset Strip. “I think that’s how I went through the competition as well. I did my thing, and it worked out. And that’s how I’m going to do my music career. I’m just going to do my thing, what I like to do, and hopefully it works out.”
‘Very understated’ Kris Allen sneaks onto the scene
Nearly six months after Kris Allen scored a remarkable upset victory on American Idol, he still feels like an underdog.
“Some people still don’t know I won the show, ” says the 24-year-old singer from Arkansas, whose self-titled debut album arrives Tuesday.
More Idol Headlines After the JUMP…
Mandatory first-column Danny Gokey reference
It remains to be seen if and how Milwaukee’s favorite son will make the leap, but the “when” starts now, judging from a new single “It’s Only, ” which is getting airplay on country music station WMIL-FM (106.1). It’s a power ballad with socially conscious lyrics about the unemployed and homeless and references to Jesus and God.
WMIL was the first station to play the song in the country, said music director Mitch Morgan, who compared Gokey’s “raspy voice” to Lee Greenwood.
But country music it ain’t.
“I don’t see him being a long-term successful country artist, ” said Morgan. “But I definitely see him in the gospel and Christian formats. He’ll do real well there.”
American Idol finalist signs deal with Universal
Home from the American Idols Live! tour for a couple of months, Michael Sarver is anxious to step out from the world of the show and make a name for himself in the music industry. Because Idol is so popular, he said he knows there’s not a problem in trying to get people to pay attention to what he did while on the show or on tour. Now, his goal is to carve out a niche for himself in today’s music scene. That’s why he’s excited to announce his record deal and new single.
“I signed with Dream Records/Universal, and we’re working on a country album, ” Sarver said. “I’ve got a single coming out (at) the end of November, and it’s amazing because I got to write it. I’ve always thought [I would get to write] my first song, and that’s exactly what’s happening; and then the album will come out next year.
“Here’s a little secret, I wrote a song about the troops a few days ago and I’m probably more passionate about that song than any other one that I’ve written, ” he said.
Mary Ann sailing in for auction fundraiser
Dawn Wells, known to generations of fans as Mary Ann of the classic television show ‘Gilligan’s Island, ‘ is heading for Bluefield so she can help Friday, Nov. 20 with the Denver Foundation’s Christmas Celebrity Auction at Gary Bowling’s House of Art.
Besides the chance to meet Wells, visitors will be able to bid on autographed items from celebrities such as Jerry West, Chad Pennington, Homer Hickam, Tony Romo, Brad Paisely, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Cal Ripkin, The Jonas Brother, Miley Cyrus, ‘American Idol’s’ Taylor Hicks and others, said Dreama Denver.
OFFBEAT: ‘American Idol’ singer and Cedar Lake favorite Amy Davis in Region for weekend
Our own local singing claim-to-fame Amy Davis, 27, of Cedar Lake, who also competed as one of the top 24 finalists on FOX reality smash hit “American Idol, ” is back in the Region this weekend.
Davis told me last week that this season, she’s part of a similar line-up “for a doing a global pay-per-view cable Christmas show with a handful of other ‘Idols’ on Dec 5.
Called “American Christmas Live, ” it’s described as “a chance to spend a magical evening with 12 ‘American Idol’ finalists as they perform holiday songs.”
Also featuring original songs, the two-hour concert will be shown live from the Lincoln Theater in Los Angeles and made available worldwide via cable pay-per-view for $5.99 (if ordered in November, $7.99 in December).
Gina bringing new band to Ballydoyle
Gina Glocksen, former American Idol contestant and Naperville resident, is bringing her new project to Aurora, and everyone is invited. The Gina Glocksen Band will perform at Ballydoyle on Friday; and her fans, including Ballydoyle owner Phil Cullen, think it is fantastic.
“My wife and I are huge ‘American Idol’ fans, ” Cullen said. “She is very talented.”
Ralit: Sex problems on ‘SYTYCD, ‘ robots on ‘DWTS, ‘ dolphins on ‘Top Chef, ‘ and canine poses on ‘Top Model’
Another week of reality television, another week of out-of-control vomiting. Aaron Carter tasted bile on Dancing With the Stars, fabulous guest judge Nigella Lawson fought the urge to hurl on Top Chef, and poor Carol Hannah dropped to her knees and worshiped the porcelain goddess on Project Runway. And while there was no overt tossing of the cookies on So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Next Top Model, both shows left my stomach in questionable condition after Mollee and Nathan tried to bring teen sex to vivid, horrible life on the former, and Nicole wasn’t automatically declared the winner before the season finale on the latter.
‘Afro’ rocker voted off X Factor
Rock singer Jamie Archer has been voted off TV talent show The X Factor, the first of Simon Cowell’s over 25s group to leave the programme.
Archer, nicknamed Jamie Afro due to his distinctive hair, was joined by Lloyd Daniels, 16, in the sing-off.
But after the judges failed to decide who to save, it came down to the public vote which resulted in pub singer Archer coming off second best.
“It’s not the end, it’s the beginning, ” Archer, 33, said.
“I just want to make a record and get out there and play, ” he added.
Going with the ‘fro: X Factor’s Jamie Archer gracious in defeat after losing out to Lloyd Daniels
Jamie Archer may have been bitterly disappointed following his X Factor elimination but he certainly didn’t let it show as he emerged from the ITV studios last night.
The rock singer managed a huge smile as he punched his fist in the air for fans as he headed home after the results show.
Simon Cowell lost his first act this series when Jamie, 34, lost to Lloyd Daniels in a public vote following their sing-off.
Amazingly, despite their usual below-par performance – this time, with their rendition of Under Pressure – on Saturday night, John and Edward Grimes, aka Jedward, survived another week.
The X Factor’s John & Edward: Humor Under Pressure
This Saturday on Britain’s The X Factor, the theme was Queen Night–which undoubtedly had ALL the finalists fearing for their safety in this competition. After all, the late, extremely great Freddie Mercury’s mighty big platform boots are never easy to fill; it’s incredibly difficult to tackle anything from the multi-octave Queen songbook, even for a capable and gifted vocalist. So twin terrors John & Edward Grimes–aka the geniuses known as Jedward, aka the finest tone-deaf phenoms to grace British telly since hippie Neil from The Young Ones performed “Hole In My Shoe” on Top Of The Pops–were probably the most frightened of all. So frightened, in fact, that their hair stood on end! (Heh, heh…)
Keys, Lewis and Bee Gees perform on Nov. 17 ‘Dancing With the Stars Results Show’
After a night of semifinal performances, the three couples making it to the finals will be announced on ‘Dancing with the Stars the Results Show, ‘ Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Appearances will include: Twelve-time Grammy ® Award winner Alicia Keys making her television debut performance of her new single, ‘Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart, ‘ Multi-platinum artist and three-time Grammy ® nominee Leona Lewis performing her first single, ‘ Happy, ‘ from her brand new album, ‘Echo, ‘ With over 200 million records sold worldwide, Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb from the legendary Bee Gees taking to the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ stage with their hit, ‘You Should Be Dancing, ‘ to celebrate their 50th Anniversary
Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel: Dancing Journey Is Like Miracle on Ice
A day after securing a spot in the Dancing with the Stars semifinals, Kelly Osbourne’s joy turned into “devastation” when she got word that her mom Sharon’s Pomeranian, Mr. Bo, died. The tiny pup was one of the two frolicking about in her and partner Louis van Amstel’s rehearsal package last week. “I was so depressed, ” Osbourne tells TVGuide.com. “But after that, we did something that has never been done before on Dancing with the Stars.” How did they make Dancing history? Find out ‘†and see who their original partners were.
Video: Joanna Krupa’s Top Secret ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Rehearsal
The final countdown is on! Joanna Krupa and her pro partner Derek Hough have reached the final four, and ET’s at their rehearsal as they prepare to perform three dances on tonight’s “DWTS.”
Joanna tells ET she is in the midst of learning the “sexy, fun, cheeky” cha cha, the Viennese waltz and the salsa.
“The only thing you can do and the only thing that you’re in control of is just doing good dances, ” Hough says of the competition. “The dancing speaks for itself.”
Glee’s Chris Colfer on Owning ‘Defying Gravity’ and Resembling a Hummel Figurine
In the first nine episodes of Fox’s breakaway hit, Glee, 19-year-old Chris Colfer has emerged as a favorite among the show’s main characters for his hilarious and touching portrayal of Kurt Hummel, the glee club’s resident fabulous falsetto. In real life, Colfer’s a former drama-club kid from outside Fresno, and is amazed by the impact his first major TV role has already made. Colfer spoke to Vulture about his big solo on last week’s show, the evolution of Kurt, and what more we can expect this season.
ETA:
The Decade In Music: Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Since U Been Gone’ (2005)
November 16, 2009 – [Every weekday from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20, Song of the Day is surveying the past decade, one year (and one song) at a time, with an emphasis on America’s most popular music. These picks don’t exactly qualify as musical discoveries, but they do have something to say about the 10 years we’re about to leave behind. Song of the Day will return to new music on Monday, Nov. 23. ‘â€ed.]
MATT’S GOING SOLOKalamazoo’s favorite `American Idol’ to givehis first official solo show in West Michigan
CALEDONIA — Keeping up with his “American Idol” alumni Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, buzzing down to Nashville, Tenn., to record a song for an upcoming jazz/country duets album and rehearsing for shows have Kalamazoo’s Matt Giraud nice and busy.
The 24-year-old piano-playing crooner, whose performances this Saturday at Cornerstone Church in Caledonia will be his first official solo show in West Michigan, also is writing tunes for a hoped-for record deal.
“(The music) will be bluesy, pop — really good music, ” Giraud said. “I’m going after making good music, period. I’m not interested in making the next big pop single.”
Spending Saturday night in Times Square is a good first step toward experiencing some over-the-top NYC. Amidst lots of bright lights and big city noise, plus the requisite slew of tourists and people from New Jersey, Tinsley Mortimer, her sister Dabney Mercer and Constantine Maroulis partied til the early hours of the morning at Touch while launching Akvinta vodka, this weekend.
Scott Hamilton to host new ice show with live band
LAKE PLACID – Olympic gold medalist and frequent Lake Placid visitor Scott Hamilton announced Saturday evening that he’s bringing another figure skating event to town.
Billed as “Scott Hamilton’s Holiday Concert on Ice, ” the Dec. 29 show will add a new wrinkle to the world of big-budget skating shows by featuring a live band playing adult-contemporary hits along with “American Idol” singers Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey. Tickets are on sale already.
O’Donnell’s Broadway Extravaganza to Feature Blonsky, Creel, Doolittle, Glover, Lewis
Ryan Tedder Sets Sights On Nashville, Hollywood
He’s a hit-writing machine for his own band (OneRepublic) and for a slew of other pop artists, including Leona Lewis (“Bleeding Love, ” “Happy”), Beyonce (“Halo”) and Jordin Sparks (“Battlefield”). He’s also moving into the country realm with an upcoming Rascal Flatts collaboration.
Now Ryan Tedder tells Billboard.com that he’s set his sights on conquering another territory — films.
Mya Works It Out & Gets Fit on ‘DWTS’
R&B singer Mya tells OK! that all of her rehearsals for ABC’s Dancing With the Stars have put her in the best shape of her life. ‘I lost a lot of fat and I have more muscle, ‘ she dishes to OK!. ‘ I dropped a dress size, from a 4 to a 2.’ The 30-year-old dancing star reveals how she sculpted her fit, fabulous dancer’s body with the help of her dancing partner, Dmitry Chaplin.
