Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
“American Idol” Stars Studdard and Davis Will Likely Tour in Ain’t Misbehavin’
Big League Productions, the company that books Broadway musicals for touring throughout the world, is planning to launch a 30th anniversary tour of the Tony-winning revue Ain’t Misbehavin’.
According to the official Big League website, Richard Maltby, Jr. ‘ who wrote and staged the original 1978 production of the Fats Waller revue ‘ will direct the tour as well. Heading the cast will be “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and former “American Idol” contestant and Rent star Frenchie Davis.
The national tour is scheduled for 2008-09, although specific dates have yet to be announced. As of press time, calls left for Big League Productions were not returned.
Family Gras is beefing up the party menu
Like last year, Family Gras in Metairie will take place on the first weekend of Carnival parades, Jan. 25-27, on the Veterans Memorial Boulevard median in front of Lakeside Shopping Center. On the West Bank, the revelry will run over two days, Jan. 26-27, at the intersection of the West Bank Expressway and Franklin Avenue in Gretna.
Even the musical lineup is bigger than last year’s. Among those scheduled to perform are the Bangles, Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, country singers Billy Ray Cyrus and Taylor Swift, Kansas, “American Idol” finalist Elliott Yamin and local favorites Irma Thomas, Frankie Ford, Cowboy Mouth and Amanda Shaw.
Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler & Taylor Swift Cheer On The Nashville Predators
The young blonde darlings of country music, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, and Taylor Swift attended a hockey game over the holidays.
The twangy-trio were spotted cheering with raised arms, along with all the fans, as the Nashville Predators battled the Columbus Blue Jackets on the ice, Thursday at Sommet Center in Nashville.
‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ in Times Square, NYC
Ryan Seacrest, co-host of ABC’s special “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, ” joined “Good Morning America” to give a sneak peek at what’s in store for this year’s event. Teen sensation The Jonas Brothers and country music breakout star Carrie Underwood will also be performing.
Seacrest first met Underwood on the set of “American Idol” and knew then that she was headed to greatness. “I have to give credit to the judges. They said this girl will be a superstar. She’s won so many awards and she’s broken records in the country chart, ” said Seacrest.
“I have a special place in my ‘Idol’ heart for Carrie, ” Seacrest told ABCNEWS.com.
People in the News:
Carrie Underwood and Chace Crawford spent Christmas together with his family and a nameless source tells Us Weekly they think Carrie would be a great addition to the clan.Underwood, 24, and Crawford, 22, a star of “Gossip Girls, ” have been dating for six months. They also shared Thanksgiving with his family in Dallas.
Album Review: Blake Lewis, “Audio Day Dream”
Where does Blake Lewis [ tickets ], runner-up to Jordin Sparks in last season’s “AI, ” fit into all of this? His sound, if you can call it that, clashes with those of the aforementioned “AI” success stories, in that he beat out thousands to make the show’s final due largely to his winning charm and predilection to beat-box his way through almost any song, regardless of genre. It figures, then, that his debut disc is full of fits and starts, vocal bleeps and scratches. Millions voted for Lewis based on his Timberlake-lite approach to not-very-edgy fare by the likes of Maroon 5 and the Bee Gees, and on “Audio Day Dream, ” he delivers more of the same.
Singing former Marine finds home on country charts
El Pasoan Christy Dominguez was never a country music fan.
Dominguez did not know the difference between Music Row in Nashville and Death Row in San Quentin.But all that changed in 2003 when “American Idol” contestant Josh Gracin went head to head with Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke and eventual winner Ruben Studdard.
“I could tell he was going to be successful, ” Dominguez said. “Good music is good music, period. I never really liked country but for some reason, I fell in love with his voice.”
El Paso TimesAmerican Idol News
As 2007 comes to a close, it has been quite the year for Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood. Between the release and success of her second album Carnival Ride, nominations, and awards, you would think that it was good to call it a year. However, Carrie made it on one more “Best of” list before year’s end ‘ ELLE Magazine 25 Best Dressed Women 2007!
Cliff Wagner plays a little bluegrass for friends, family at the Blue Parrot
Former Greenwood resident Cliff Wagner enjoyed the national exposure his band got on …The Next Great American Band, but he also relished being able to perform solo in Greenwood on Thursday.Wagner, the lead singer of Cliff Wagner and the Old No. 7, performed at the Blue Parrot Cafe.
…It’s always good coming back to Greenwood. It’s great to be able to come here and play, Wagner said.
