‘Now That’s What I Call Music!’ Heading To TV?
“Now That’s What I Call Music!, ” the long-running series of hit-single compilations, is being shopped as a TV show by Simon Fuller and his 19 Entertainment company.
While still in its early stages — the show doesn’t have an official title yet, although it’s likely to incorporate some variation of the “Now” brand name –details are beginning to emerge.
Fuller, the mastermind behind “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance, ” has the exclusive global rights to negotiate a TV deal based on the property. “This show will be nothing like ‘American Idol’ and definitely won’t be a spinoff, ” he says. “It will be a new take on music programming.”
At the center of the show will be the hits themselves, by such acts as Britney Spears, U2 and Jay-Z. “The TV show is designed to take the brand ‘Now’ and bring it to a broader level, ” says Bob Mercer, CEO of Now That’s What I Call Music, a partnership involving Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and EMI Music. (Warner Music Group has a competing product called “Only Hits.”)
The program’s final aspect would involve finding the next “Now” artists, Mercer says: “That would be new up-and-coming talent that’s either already signed or just as likely not already signed.”
A title for Brooke’s album and other headlines
USA TODAY’s Marco Della Cava tells me that Brooke White’s forthcoming album will be called High Hopes and Heartbreak. A label deal is being finalized, according to management. Brooke described the album’s sound to Della Cava as “part singer-songwriter, part pop — but not Britney (Spears) pop.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
After the Auditions The 12 Frontrunners
So the auditions are behind us. We haven’t seen everyone yet, but we’ve seen a lot of them. And on the basis of that half-information, we are prepared to make some predictions.
Tens of thousands were summoned by the “Idol” trumpets. We predict that when the dust settles and the curtain rises over the Idoldome in five weeks, it will be these 12 warriors of song onstage prepared to seize the mantle of history. (Actually we couldn’t narrow it down to 12, so we threw in one extra.)
In no particular order. Listed by name, (audition city), age, hometown. Audition song. Interesting fact. Link to check them out (while they last).
“Singing Is Not Your Skeez”
And because I like the Jim Verraros philosophy of focusing on what awesome instead of what miserable, and because Im really very upbeat and life-affirming and find myself really dragged down by things that arent excellent, I vow to make this recap of the week three episodes one big long loving list of love items. And by list I mean list, because, seriously, three episodes in one week covering four cities’ worth of auditions is enough to make a man question his reasons for liking anything. Thankfully, though, this is the last week of auditions. When theyre over the show becomes a more coherent and entertaining narrative of suffering and shame. Wait, sorry, I mean triumphant song-based thrills and dreams that come true with sparkles and makeup and sexy, sugarlump-enhancing neoprene garments.
‘American Idol’ David Cook to play Azalea Festival
Organizers announced Friday that the singer David Cook, who won the seventh season of hit TV show “American Idol” in 2008, would be one of two concert headliners for the 62nd annual Azalea Festival, set to be held April 1-5.
Cook will perform April 2 in Trask Coliseum. Carrie Underwood, also an “Idol” winner, performed at the Azalea Festival in 2006.
All You Need To Know About The Desperation Felt By The “American Idol” Producers This Year
American Idol combine the auditions in New York City with the sparsely attended San Juan tryouts, the episode decided to devote a full three minutes and 16 seconds of screen time to Alexis Cohen, the middle-finger-wielding Pennsylvanian who last year was talking about being like a pirate and came to her Philadelphia audition covered in glitter, and who this year in New York had a girly dress, a pre-audition chant, “thousands of people across America supporting [her], ” and an even crappier voice she had last year, when she at least channeled her craziness into Grace Slick’s persona. (You probably will not be surprised to learn she didn’t make it.) Clip (via MJ) after the jump.
Former Idol finalist sings “Guava Jelly”
Former American Idol contestant, Camile Velasco, performs and gives us a taste of her native homeland, Hawaii.
Learning to dance the hula is as easy as 1-2-3. In Hawaii the hula is an integral part of the Hawaiian culture. Beloved by all and studied in the most serious fashion by students in a hula halua (school).
When dancing the hula, there’s always a story to be told with the hands. It can be seductive and suggesting. In fact, Protestant missionaries in Hawaii denounced the hula as pagan and its performances banned because of the gyrations and scantily clad dancers. Luckily it was revived.
Jordin Sparks and The Rhythm Riders …Mix It Up at Variety Show
Shriner Children Hospitals Selected as Beneficiary
Phoenix, AZ – The surviving friends and family of Phoenix resident Toni Davenport who recently passed away from cancer wished to do something in her memory to help others as she had done in life. The idea of having a concert in the Phoenix area to raise money for a great cause in her name was developed. The Shriner Children Hospitals was selected as the beneficiary of this show.
The Rhythm Riders from Auburn California, a world class Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline Tribute band who are friends of the Davenport group were invited to head up the show. The Rhythm Riders manager Anthony Kessman then contacted Jordin Sparks management and invited her to participate and she agreed. From there a variety show format and friends list was developed and the show is now growing in scope and size.
A School Day To Remember
WESLEY CHAPEL – On Wednesday, students at Seven Oaks Elementary School were surprised with a visit from two VIPs, Jordin Sparks, “American Idol” winner, and Albert Haynesworth, defensive tackle from the Tennessee Titans.
Sparks made a guest appearance on the Eagle Eye News program, which is produced by Seven Oaks elementary students each morning. The students were surprised when Sparks announced over the intercom system, “This is Jordin Sparks, please turn to channel 6 for Eagle Eye News.”
PHOTO: Melinda Doolittle Braves NYC’s Cold Streets for Video
Former American Idol star Melinda Doolittle has been hard at work on her debut album, Coming Back to You, which hits shelves Feb. 3. People.com has a first peek at the singer’s video for her new single, “It’s Your Love.”
In this shot, Doolittle ‘ who was a favorite on Idol’s sixth season ‘ struts down the streets of New York on a chilly winter day with Cindy Blackman, a drummer who has worked with Lenny Kravitz.
As for her album, Doolittle describes it to PEOPLE as “retro soul that has a touch of Motown, a touch of blues, a touch of Tina Turner in there ‘ all of that.”
Melinda Doolittle: Former ‘American Idol’ Finalist Releases First CD
‘Coming Back To You’ offers a vintage soul sound that would make Doolittle the perfect addition to a tour including Raphael Saadiq and Solange, both of whom also embrace throwback vibes on their respective releases.
I caught up with Doolittle at a Starbucks in Nashville’s trendy West End district where we talked about her new CD, life after ‘American Idol’ and her work with President George W. Bush.
Kellie Pickler to join BFF Taylor Swift on tour
Kellie Pickler announced on her MySpace blog today that she will join fellow country singer, pal Taylor Swift, on tour. The Season 5 “American Idol” finalist and Swift will kick off the Fearless 2009 tour in Evansville, Indiana, and go on to play 52 cities over six months. The close friends, whose circle reportedly also includes Carrie Underwood and Katharine McPhee, have already collaborated on a song–Pickler’s second single, “Best Days of Your Life”. Pickler hints there’s more to come:
“It’s always fun to be on tour and be with the fans, and to be out with Taylor, who is like a sister to me, is really awesome. We wrote my current single, ‘Best Days of Your Life, ‘ on tour together last year, and I’m sure we’re going to write on the road together this year, too. So guys: you’ve been warned. Don’t make us mad, because you might just hear about it on the radio!”
Jennifer Hudson Arrives for Super Bowl
Jennifer Hudson is in Florida to prepare for singing the National Anthem at Sunday’s Super Bowl, her first performance since her family murder tragedy.
The singer-actress, 27, who also is nominated for four Grammys, was spotted at the airport in Tampa on Friday wearing sunglasses and carrying one of her Pomeranian puppies.
“She says she wants to get back into the flow of things, ” her Dreamgirls costar Jamie Foxx, who spoke to her recently, tells Entertainment Tonight.
Super Bowl national anthem signals that Jennifer Hudson is back
In singing the national anthem Sunday before a Super Bowl viewership that’s typically close to 100 million in the U.S., Jennifer Hudson will be letting the world know she’s back at work.
The 27-year-old Chicago native has been out of the public eye since her mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother Jason were found shot to death in Donerson’s Englewood home on Oct. 24. The body of her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was discovered three days later, and William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer’s sister (and Julian’s mother) Julia, was charged with first-degree murder.
At the time of the killings, Hudson’s self-titled debut album for Arista had been in release for less than a month. The full-fledged launching of her music career’ as a complement to her Oscar-winning acting career’ was under way.
Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl . . .
. ..Because they have the heart, determination and the support of the whole state. We are the underdogs, but we embrace that fact. We’ve made it to the championship and history has been made. It’s amazing! I feel so proud to have been along on this crazy ride, a part of this journey, and I will still bleed red and white no matter the outcome!”-Jordin Sparks, “American Idol” winner, Jive Records recording artist
Celebrities, Athletes, VIPs Pick Cardinals to Win
“For me there’s no debate, it’s the Arizona Cardinals, ” said singer/songwriter Michael Johns, a former American Idol contestant. “I’ve been looking forward to the Maxim Party more than the Super Bowl itself, and the Patron ‘debate’ on the red carpet was definitely one of the highlights of the night.”
Sanjaya Malakar sings praises of new ‘American Idol’ judge
Sanjaya Malakar, who became a celebrity, although not a winner, on the sixth season of “American Idol, ” thinks the talent competition’s newest judge, Kara DioGuardi, is a great addition.
“I think it’s weird to see four judges, but she’s obviously qualified, ” Malakar told the Daily News. “And she’s bringing something new. The other three judges have been there so long, it must be hard for them to come up with new things to say because a lot of the [auditioners] sound the same. Having someone else to bounce ideas off of is bringing a new flavor.”
Phil Stacey Signs With Reunion Records
Phil Stacey, American Idol Season 6 finalist, announced his partnership with Reunion Records, a division of Provident Label Group, this week.
The relationship between Stacey and Reunion/Provident began last fall following his stellar performance at an event honoring Michael W. Smith at Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Terry Hemmings, Provident President and CEO, attended the event and having been moved by Stacey performance, reached out to him to inquire more about his career plans.
Simon Cowell: I’m not gay, I don’t rip off my artists but I DO find Piers Morgan very pompous
Simon Cowell walks into a dingy backstairs bar at the Hammersmith Apollo in London.
‘What a dump!’ he cries, taking in the ancient Roxy Music posters, the peeling floor and stained coffee table.
Edging onto a leatherette sofa, he politely asks his assistant to fetch him a cup of tea and lights the first of a chain of cigarettes.
‘Do you mind?’ he asks, pointing to the smoke. ‘Are you sure it doesn’t bother you?’
However, neither the grim room nor the hazy light can quite dim the lustre of the megawatt Cowell presence.
