Grammy Nominees Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood Added to Superstar Lineup for 51st Annual Grammy Awards
SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Current GRAMMY ® Award nominees Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood are the latest performers announced for the 51st Annual GRAMMY ® Awards telecast. They join previously announced performers and nominees Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, and Katy Perry. The music industry’s premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 8, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 ‘ 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, on Twitter at “theGRAMMYs, ” on Facebook at “The Recording Academy, ” on YouTube at “51stGRAMMYs, ” and on Last.fm at “the51stgrammys.” Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.
Idol Tracker: What you’re watching
When I left for Park City, Utah, to cover the Sundance Film Festival, it was with the bittersweet knowledge that this conclave of independent filmmaking was possibly the furthest point from Idol Nation on the map. Imagine the wave of relief that swept over me when I learned that this little mountaintop resort would play host Saturday night to none other than “American Idol’s” Chosen One, Mr. David Archuleta. And imagine how my relief turned to wonder when I was invited to visit with David backstage before the concert.
Despite the cold, a crowd had formed outside the Stansfield Art Gallery hours before the concert. Archie fans came from leagues away on a moment’s notice (news of the show went out Friday online). I met one from San Francisco and another ‘ co-founder of the Snarky Archies fansite ‘ from Indiana.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Latino, Citizenship inaugural galas: Partying with a purpose
Latino Inaugural Gala – Archuleta kicked off the event by singing The Star-Spangled Banner. ‘
Foxx said everyone’s in town for one reason: “To make sure we give (Obama) the best chance that he can have at being a great president.” Foxx also said he’s been in touch with friend Jennifer Hudson. “She said she wants to get back in the swing of things and that she’s feeling good. She’s going to do the Super Bowl. I got a chance to sing Happy Birthday for her sister (Julia). (Jennifer) was disappointed (at not coming here) but no one has seen her in so long, it would have been crazy because everybody wants the story.”
Pre-inauguration Latino gala highlighted by headliners Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
Latino entertainers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony graced “la alfombra roja” ‘ the red carpet ‘ at Union Station Sunday to give a Hispanic flair to the inauguration pre-celebration Sunday.
“American Idol” runner up David Archuleta kicked off the night with “The Star-Spangled Banner” and he was quickly followed with music by War.
Members of Congress filtered in and mixed in the VIP room with some of the stars.
Clay Aiken Appears In Greensboro To Watch “Ain’t Misbehavin”
Greensboro, NC — Clay Aiken arrived in Greensboro Saturday night to enjoy American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard’s performance in “Ain’t Misbehavin” at the coliseum.
Aiken and Studdard hung out back stage after the performance was over.
A public relations manager for the Greensboro Coliseum says Aiken’s visit was not a surprise.
Aiken and Studdard were the last remaining finalists on American Idol 2.
Studdard is the lead actor in the 30th Anniversary Tour of the 1978 Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Ain’t Misbehavin.'” There were three performances, January 16-17 at the War Memorial Auditorium.
Taylor Hicks embraces surroundings, not ‘Idol’
Hicks, who was dropped by his record label in January 2008 after releasing just one album, never experienced the success of other “Idol” champs (his debut remains the lowest selling of any former winner). But if the “Idol” machine was ready to relegate the 32-year-old to the history books, Hicks appeared ready to move past the show. The singer, backed by a five-piece band, didn’t mention the eponymous series a single time during his 105-minute set, though he did note that “it’s been a while since I’ve been in the club”‘ a reference to the years spent performing in arenas and theaters following his 2006 made-for-TV triumph.
American Idol Finalist Sanjaya Malakar Tells All in New Book
One of the most popular contestants ever to appear on American Idol gives his fans an all-access pass to the wildly successful television show – and opens up about how becoming an Idol star changed his life forever.
New York, NY (PRWEB) January 19, 2009 — Best known for his impressive hairstyles and screaming young fans–Fanjayas–, Sanjaya Malakar quickly became a one-name sensation and “the people’s idol.” His unique style and ingenious song selections made him a media fixture and led to a huge and devoted fanbase that still remains today. Sanjaya takes readers back to where it all began, in his new memoir DANCING TO THE MUSIC IN MY HEAD: Memoirs of the People’s Idol (Pocket Books; February 2009; $19.99).
Aussies say G’day to Tinseltown
HOLLYWOOD’S A-List, including Oscar winner Sally Field, shared the G’Day: USA red carpet with tennis legends John McEnroe and Rod Laver at the sixth Australia Week ball in Los Angeles yesterday.
The ball saw Penfold’s wine flowing and celebrity chef Luke Mangan cooking up his signature dishes.
The ball honoured actors Rachel Griffiths and Eric Bana and tennis great Laver.
Among the 1200 guests were Simon Baker, Melissa George, Anthony LaPaglia, Poppy Montgomery and partner Adam Kaufman, Olivia Newton-John, newlyweds Ben Lee and Ione Skye, singer Michael Johns and his wife Stacey, Emilie du Ravin, Kimberley Joseph and celebrity chef Curtis Stone.
Festivities dominate networks
Barack Obama will dominate TV on Tuesday, although even he has to take a back seat to American Idol.
As of Friday afternoon, Fox planned to carry new installments of American Idol and Fringe on Tuesday night, making it the only one of the four major commercial networks not to have an inaugural special in prime time.
Fox, both on broadcast and cable, will have hours of coverage during the day, as will other networks. By the evening, CBS and NBC will also be offering some entertainment programming, as well as more inaugural programs.
New judge has already improved ‹Idol
In her first two appearances on the country’s top-rated television show, the show’s new fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, has already improved “American Idol.”
Besides fitting in with the other judges as if she’d been there for seven previous seasons and offering commentary that’s both relevant and useful, the songwriter’s presence elevated the other judges’ performances, their critiques and their general attitude. She hasn’t transformed the show into something unrecognizable, but adding her to the panel has indeed made it better.
Return of ‹Idol a Win for Darnell
After months of nervous anticipation, the network president of alternative entertainment finally was able to relax’ a bit’ after successfully launching the eighth season of …American Idol last week. Ratings were down a tad, but in an era of double-digit declines, most TV industry observers interpreted the results as a major victory for Mr. Darnell and Fox marketing team.
In an exclusive one-on-one interview with TelevisionWeek deputy editor and columnist Josef Adalian, Mr. Darnell talks about the ratings, hints at surprises …Idol has in store this season and reveals what he really thought about NBC much-maligned Rosie ODonnell variety special.
An edited transcript of the Q&A follows.
‹Idol Scores, but Challenges Loom
Fox tweaks to the format of …American Idol seem to be working for viewers, but the second week of its new season will determine whether the changes create lasting ratings momentum.
Its Jan. 13 debut drew an 11.7 rating/28 share in viewers 18-49 and drew 10.4 million viewers, according to live-plus-same-day numbers from Nielsen. Wednesday premiere scored an 11.8/30 in 18-49 and 30.3 million viewers.
The day-to-day ratings jump marked the first time since 2004 that …Idol boosted its numbers in 18-49 from first to second night during a premiere week.
Fox Mike Darnell told TelevisionWeek last week, …People like [new judge] Kara [DioGuardi].
…Idol second week, however, may face some challenges.
Two local students to see swearing-in
Freaking out was in order, said 17-year-old Courtney Williams, as she described her reaction when she got an invitation to the 2009 presidential inauguration.
“Oh, my goodness! Are you serious, ” were the words she remembers saying once she found out she had been selected early last year from the young, astute members of the National Youth Leadership Forum. Not only is she going to be there, but she’ll also get the chance to meet political heavyweights Colin Powell, Al Gore and enjoy the musical stylings of Chris Daughtry, who is icing on the cake, she added.
Students will witness history
Seven local faces will be among the crowd of millions expected to flood the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday to witness Barack Obama become the country’s 44th president.
As part of the conference, they’ll attend question-and-answer sessions with former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. And they get to dress up and dance at a black-tie inaugural ball featuring Chris Daughtry, whom they’ll likely remember from “American Idol.”
Jennifer Hudson To Perform At Grammy Awards
Jennifer Hudson will perform at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, where she’s been nominated for four awards.
This is the second televised performance Hudson has announced since the October murders of her mother, brother and nephew. Last week, it was revealed that the Oscar winner will sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, in Tampa, Florida, on February 1. That will be the singer’s first public appearance since the tragedy.
Junior League Has an “Idol” All Their Own
American Idol contestant, Chris Sligh, this past Saturday, January 17, for a concert benefiting Heaven’s Loft. Sligh took the stage just after 7 o’clock with his band and played for an hour and half to a crowd of approximately 250 people. Sligh performed numerous songs from both of albums including his latest album Chris Sligh – Running Back to You closing his performance with a piano solo of “Vessel”. Sligh gave a special performance of his song “Here Comes Goodbye” co-written with Clint Lagerberg, which had recently been picked up by Rascal Flatts as their new single and it will hit the radio airwaves Tuesday, January 20.
Idol Chartwatch, January 19: American Idols Stabilize on Billboard Charts
There not much new to report on this week Billboard charts when it comes to the American Idol ex-contestants we are watching. So let get right to the numbers.
David Cook drops from #16 to #18 on the Billboard 200. The album continues to chart on Top Internet
Albums (22) and Top Rock Albums (5).
David Archuleta drops 11 spots, from #51 to #62 on this week Billboard 200, the only chart on which it appears.
