Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
Today In History – December 22, 2007
…Singer Jordin Sparks (“American Idol”) is 18…
FOX Announces Detailed Schedule for ‘American Idol’
Fans anxiously awaiting the return of American Idol can start planning their weeknights for the next few months, as Fox has announced a detailed schedule for the series. The show is set to kick off with a two-night, four-hour event on Tuesday, January 15, and Wednesday, January 16. Continue reading for all of the details on when your favorite Idol episodes will air….
America’s River goes ‘American Idol’
Annual June festival will feature country star Kellie Pickler
Dubuque’s next America’s River Festival should have a decidedly “American Idol” feel.
The city’s annual family bash at the Port of Dubuque is expected to feature country star Kellie Pickler, booked to headline Friday, June 13, of the three-day festival.
Pickler, a bubbly blonde standout on Fox television’s popular “American Idol” in 2006, has become a rising star on the country music circuit…….
Blake Lewis: I Have No Shame
Aspiring singers shouldn’t look to American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis for behavioral inspiration. He’s in the music ‘ not the role model ‘ business.
“I definitely don’t ever want to be considered a role model. I’m just another human being who is passionate about his music and his art. If that’s a role model for something, that’s great, but I have a foul mouth, I’m tactless and have no shame, ” Lewis tells the Associated Press. “I’m definitely not your kid’s role model. Maybe for music that’s cool, one thing, but nothing else.”……
On air attack aimed at ‘American Idol’ alum Paris Bennett
Calling “American Idol” alum Paris Bennett a “dumb bitch” on the air Thursday resulted in B96’s Tone E. Fly getting verbally chewed out.
“I had a severe talking to him, ” B96 GM Steve Woodbury told me Friday when asked if the radio personality known to the IRS as Anthony Distasio was disciplined. “In fact we had a meeting. We’re not going to use that kind of terminology anymore. I wouldn’t want my daughters called that. I’m really upset about that. First of all, Paris is a friend.”……..
Money Losers of 2007: Kelly Clarkson’s edgier sound leads to ebbing sales
……Kelly parted ways with her management company in June, with a source telling tabloid Us Weekly that there was disagreement “over the songs and the direction” of My December. Low ticket sales then prompted the cancellation of her summer arena tour.
But Kelly’s still young and vibrant, with a good head on her shoulders and a great voice for pop music. She’s embarking upon a tour of smaller venues earlier next year and already at work on her fourth album. I’m confident she’ll be back on top again … there will be another “moment like this” for the American Idol groundbreaker.
A Bandtastic Voyage
Ahead of Friday’s ”Next Great American Band” finale, Sixwire, Mile High Orchestra, and The Clark Brothers reflected back on their toughest moment on the show and life before they captured the prime-time spotlight
It’s time for the ultimate band showdown ‘ Idol style! After eight weeks of competition, during which judges Johnny Rzeznik, Sheila E., and Aussie Idol’s Ian ”Dicko” Dickson certainly got their fill of rock (and metal ‘ long live Light of Doom!), three groups remain for Friday night’s finale of Fox’s Next Great American Band: country five-piece Sixwire, the 12-member horn ensemble Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, and the bluegrass-tinged sibling trio The Clark Brothers. Funny enough, they all reside in Nashville and each has their own unique Idol past. Read on for all you need to know about the final three……..
Student label releases CD by American Idol’s Bice
A student-run label at Belmont University is manufacturing and selling a CD for the Brothers of the Southland, an all-star group led by American Idol contestant Bo Bice.
The label, Acklen Entertainment, has also signed one band, Riker Out, and is looking for others – all part of a push that began in the fall to restart a program that fell by the wayside five years ago.
Students can sign artists, give them studio time to record music, create and distribute CDs, promote artists and book performances.
“Every local band wants to put out a CD, but they can’t afford studio time, ” says Belmont professor Dave Herrera, faculty advisor for Acklen. “We want to be an avenue for that.”
Worst offense: Squandering talent
….Elsewhere around the Scene:
Modestan and “American Idol” season one semifinalist/wild-card contestant Alexis Lopez is featured on the new CD “American Christmas.”
The Christmas compilation CD released nationally by “American Idol” includes past contestants like Frenchie Davis and RJ Helton.
Lopez, who now goes by Alexis Stone Lopez, sings “Winter Wonderland” on the disc. Her cover of the holiday classic is the CD’s top song on iTunes.
The 2002 Beyer High graduate lives in Los Angeles and is working on her debut CD. Visit alexisstonelopez.com. …
Band of Plymouth singer Denver Bierman loses Fox ‹Band competition tonight
Denver & the Mile High Orchestra lost Fox Television “The Next Great American Band” contest to The Clark Brothers on Friday night finale.
The 12-piece Christian big band includes two members from Plymouth, singer Denver Bierman and trumpeter Adam Beck.
An acoustic trio, The Clark Brothers play roots-based country with an emphasis on vocal harmonies. The other finalist, Sixwire, has a country-rock sound…….
Franklin County band of brothers returns to big time
The Clark Brothers got a recording contract with 19 Entertainment after they won a Fox network contest.
Franklin County’s Clark Brothers are “The Next Great American Band.”
Ashley, Austin and Adam Clark survived nine weeks of competition with 12 bands on the Fox network show before Friday night’s finale, which was taped in Los Angeles on Sunday. With the win, the Clark Brothers got a recording contract with 19 Entertainment, the production company that also created “American Idol.”
Like the Clarks, the other two bands — Sixwire, and Denver and the Mile High Orchestra — were also based in Nashville, Tenn.
But the brothers weren’t in either L.A. or Music City on Friday. Instead, they were gathered with friends and fans at the Franklin Center, in Rocky Mount, to watch the finale. They flew back after taping the finale.
The show has had a small TV audience, consistently finishing at the bottom of the pack in its Friday night time slot. In Rocky Mount, though, about 185 excited folks filled two rooms at the Franklin Center to support the band. At least 50 of the audience were Clark family members, said Scott Martin, Franklin County director of tourism and leisure……..
TV Close-Up: Cat Deeley
…The live show, taped for all regions beyond the Eastern time zone, features in-the-moment performances by the likes of Lifehouse, Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis. DVD video premieres by Fall Out Boy and Mariah Carey were announced weeks ago. Negotiations with other artists continue…
How Much Does Blake Lewis Cost?
Every year here in Seattle The Stranger, an independent newspaper, holds their Strangercrombie auctions. Among the prizes this year was singing karaoke with the one an only Blake Lewis from American Idol.
How much did Mister Lewis end up going for? Well the closing bid was for $1775.
Oh, and in case you were wondering the package ALSO included:
