Interview: Catching Up with Kris Allen – Kris Allen has kept himself pretty busy during this year’s holiday season. The day after Thanksgiving, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter travelled to Kenya with World Vision as part of the organization’s True Spirit of Christmas tour. On December 10, he released his new EP, Waiting For Christmas. Allen is currently gearing up for his upcoming Out Alive Tour, which kicks off in January. He and his bandmates, Cale Mills and Chris Torres, are set to head into rehearsals soon. According to Allen, fans can look forward to some new music, new covers, and some possible variation in instrumentation on songs. – Read more at Blog Critics
Music project aims to keep Civil War stories fresh – ATLANTA (AP) — Blood once soaked the soil of battlefields that have since been covered up by skyscrapers and commuter train stations in Atlanta, strip malls in Nashville and farm fields and forests across the South. Now, 150 years after the American Civil War, two musicians are trying to keep that history from being lost in the new landscape. The women, who write about Civil War clashes and those who fought them, are recording videos on the battlefields that inspired their songs. “The whole point is to make sure these stories are kept alive, that they’re not forgotten,” said one of the artists, Vanessa Olivarez. – Read more at Seattle PI
RYAN SEACREST New Year’s Eve Will be a Celebration of Dick Clark – Ryan Seacrest tells TMZ … the countdown to 2013 will be a special one, because he’ll be honoring his late friend and mentor … the great Dick Clark. Seacrest was leaving a birthday lunch at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood when we asked him how he felt about this year’s NYE show …. the first one since Dick passed away back in April. “I miss him,” Seacrest told us … adding, “I’m excited about New Year’s though to celebrate him … it’ll be a fun night.” – Read more at TMZ
Kelly Clarkson – Kelly Clarkson: ‘My Christmas Tree Is A Hot Mess’ – Kelly Clarkson had to recruit a friend to re-decorate her Christmas tree this year (12) after the singer’s first attempt ended up looking like “a hot mess”. The former American Idol winner is spending her first Christmas with new boyfriend Brandon Blackstock, and admits she was excited to deck the halls and dress the tree with him. But after hanging up ornaments and tinsel, Clarkson and Blackstock were less than impressed with their finished product. – Read more at ContactMusic
The Results Are In For The Most Searched TV Shows of 2012! – There was plenty of great TV to enjoy this year…from reality to scripted but what shows had fans hopping on their computers seeking out more info? Yahoo’s Most Searched TV Shows for 2012 featured everything from zombies to child stars to daytime soaps to those ever-popular music talent shows! Facebook Reveals the Top Music, TV, and Memes Your Friends Shared This Year At number five was the show that followed the adventures of 7-year-old thundercloud Alana Thompson, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo“. The number four spot was filled by zombie drama “The Walking Dead” while perennial daytime favorite “The Young and the Restless” was number three. “Dancing with the Stars” finished in second, and claiming the crown was—dim the lights— 11-season-success, “American Idol“. – Read more at Ryan Seacrest
‘I’m The Father Of Britney’s Oldest Son!’ Kevin Federline’s Brother Claims In Bombshell Court Papers – Kevin Federline’s brother Christopher says in bombshell court papers that he slept with Britney Spears during her marriage to his brother — and fathered her now-7-year-old son Sean Preston — and we’ve got all the news right here for you on RadarOnline.com. Christopher Federline, as first reported by the National Enquirer, filed for a temporary restraining order against Britney December 18 in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida, claiming The X-Factor judge has stolen from, blackmailed and harassed him. – Read more at Radar Online
Glee Creator Ryan Murphy Is a Dad! Welcomes Son Logan on Christmas Eve – Now here’s something to be gleeful about: Ryan Murphy is a dad! The Glee, New Normal and American Horror Story creator is a first-time father, as E! News has exclusively learned that the TV heavyweight has welcomed a son with husband David Miller. The couple announced their happy news on Christmas Eve, sending out their baby’s birth announcement via email to family and friends. “Logan Phineas Miller Murphy, Born December 24, 2012 9:47 a.m.,” the announcement read, revealing the baby boy’s name and birth details. According to the announcement, the little tyke with the two proud papas weighed in at 6.6 pounds and measured up at 21 inches. The baby reveal also adorably showed a picture of Logan laying inside, appropriately enough, a Christmas stocking. – Read more at E Online