Fallen Idols take ‹Curtain Call
Losing on …American Idol doesnt mean you cant wind up a winner. Just ask Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler.
Now there a new CD series, …Curtain Call: New Songs from Past American Idol Finalists, designed to give ex-…Idol contestants another shot at pop music fame and fortune. Available exclusively through Wal-Mart and iTunes, the first volume of …Curtain Call arrives today, featuring three songs each from two Top 10 finishers (Season 3 Jon Peter Lewis and season 1 Ryan Starr) and two who placed in the top 24, (Season 6 A.J. Tabaldo and Season 5 Stevie Scott). Volume Two of …Curtain Call is set for release early next month.
Available at iTunes: New Songs from Past American Idol Finalists, Vol. 1″
More Idol Headlines After the Jump
Frankfort singer to appear on ‘American Idol’
Frankfort’s Amanda Overmyer will be appearing on Tuesday’s edition of American Idol, confirmed the singer’s fiance Casey Taylor.
Overmyer attended the Atlanta tryouts on Aug. 14 for the hit reality television show. The tryouts will be aired at 8 p.m. Tuesday on FOX. Taylor could not comment on how she fared and Overmyer could not be reached immediately.
After the Atlanta tryout, Overmyer was involved in a crash on Nov. 20 in Logansport. Her 2003 Ford Mustang collided with a semi as Overmyer was attempting to cross U.S. 24/U.S. 35, according to the Logansport Pharos-Tribune. An unconscious Overmyer was airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne but was later released.
It my ‹Idol and Ill cry if I want to
What are you looking for in your American Idol? Is it a technical and/or expressive marvel of a voice? How about a confident, entertaining performance? Or maybe you’d prefer a triumph over life obstacles that have nothing to do with actually singing?
If it’s the latter, then youre in luck because as anybody who’s been watching the current season has no doubt noticed, the recent audition episodes have had something of a recurring theme. From single mothers with special-needs children to teenagers hoping that winning “Idol” (or at least making it to Hollywood) will finally get them the validation that they so desperately crave, this season has been all about shoving sob stories down the viewers’ throats.
‘American Idol’ Recap, Super Bowl Edition: Paula Abdul Defies Expectations With Pregame Show
For most people, Super Bowl Sunday was all about watching the Big Game. Would the New England Patriots finish with a perfect season or would the New York Giants pull off the ultimate upset?
In my apartment, however, Sunday was about something else entirely. Not Tom Petty and the Pacemakers’ halftime show, not Jordin Sparks’ national anthem (although, can I get a witness?), not the commercials (even the ones with Richard Simmons). For the Cantiello Household, Super Bowl XLII meant one thing.
The return of Paula Abdul, superstar.
Sure, her pregame performance of “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” was pretaped. And yes, it certainly looked like she was lip-syncing Cotillard-style. But I have to admit, I thought she nailed it.
Before you start furiously commenting about me “going soft, ” hear me out.
Justin Timberlake, Jordin Sparks Triumph At Super Bowl; Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson Drop The Ball
For years now, the NFL has been bedazzling the Super Bowl with busloads of Hollywood stars and singers in an attempt to distract viewers from the fact that the game is usually a snooze-worthy blowout. But thanks to the New York Giants’ historic last-minute victory Sunday night over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, as well as an arena-rock-worthy halftime show from American icon Tom Petty, the people behind the big game finally got the mix of music and smash mouth right. (Except for the moments when it got things so, so wrong, which were also kind of great.) And so, we give you the first Super Bowl Musical Monday Morning Quarterback Report. (Also check out our take on Super Bowl movie ads ‘ are you pumped for the next potential blockbusters?)
Phil’s Pages: 2nd installment
Here’s the second blog entry from Phil, who’s also celebrating the debut this week of his single, If You Didn’t Love Me, on the country chart at No. 55:
Thanks for all your great feedback and encouragement last week on my first blog. I saw that several of you wanted to hear more about the new record and being in the studio, so here goes ¦
After a week of visiting country radio stations in Chicago, Minneapolis, Madison, Green Bay and Milwaukee, I went back into the studio this past weekend.
Wayne Kirkpatrick is producing the album -‘ he produced the last two Little Big Town albums -‘ and were recording out at his studio. It probably not what you would imagine if you were thinking of a Nashville recording studio. It in a wooded neighborhood outside of town -‘ you wouldnt even notice it was there if you didnt know to look for it. Weve already recorded three songs, including my single, If You Didnt Love Me. This week, we put down vocal tracks for three more. We have to have everything recorded and delivered in March and the CD will be in stores on April 15.
Kelly Clarkson: All Is Forgiven
Kelly Clarkson had a bad year last year, you may recall. Her album, called “My December, ” was a dud. But before it was released, she wound up in an unfortunate war of words with legendary J Records label chief Clive Davis, who also the head of BMG North America.
But time heals all wounds. The magnanimous Davis has held out a very key olive branch to Clarkson by including her photo among just a few select acts in the glittery invite to his annual pre-Grammy dinner gala.
Passive Aggressive Management 101
Kelly Clarkson didn’t have the best 2007, and a large part of that was because of her very public tussle with record label honcho Clive Davis over the artistic direction she took on her most recent album, My December. Since that tumult–which culminated in her tour being canceled and only one single being released from the album–she’s been taken under Reba McEntire’s wing and played some intimate shows in theaters. And Davis has taken notice, waving an olive branch in the form of his glittery invite to his annual pre-Grammys dinner party in Clarkson’s direction. Since our invitation apparently got lost in the mail, Roger Friedman’s breathless description follows:
McEntire, Clarkson concert a success
Saturday night’s 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour stop at the CenturyTel Center featured more than just a little bit of country and a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll.
It also showcased the talents of country music superstar Reba McEntire and inaugural American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. The dynamic duo obviously are having a lot of fun performing together on their 15-city tour and their enthusiasm was transported into the packed house which appeared evenly divided between Reba and Kelly fans.
During their 26-song set, fans got to hear some of Reba’s best including “I’m a Survivor, ” “Tell Me Why” and “The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” With 33 No. 1 hits, there was no way McEntire could hit them all, but she included enough of her best during the evening to please the older crowd.
Clay Aiken Reflects on Charity Trip to Mexico
Before making it to the finals of Fox TV’s “American Idol, ” Raleigh native Clay Aiken gave a good deal of his time to helping local kids with disabilities. Since American Idol, he has been helping kids worldwide.
WRAL Anchor Lynda Loveland sat down with Aiken about his trip to Mexico with UNICEF.
After his Christmas tour and before beginning his stint on Broadway in “Spamalot, ” Aiken took his mother and brother south of the border. Instead of Christmas in Raleigh, they spent the holiday touring flood-ravaged parts of Mexico with UNICEF.
Kellie Pickler Posts USO Diary on GAC
February 4, 2008 ‘ Kellie Pickler joined the long list of country stars who’ve gone on USO tours during December, and she kept a video journal of the trip when she brought along GAC. Her time in the Middle East will air as a special, Kellie Pickler: My USO Diary on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET.
During her trip overseas, she performed at a number of bases and outposts around Iraq, getting from site to site via Black Hawk helicopter.
“That was one of the coolest things we’ve done, ” Kellie says. “I’d never flown in a helicopter before, and now… I think I want one.”
‘Idol’ Singer, Radio Jock Host Films On WMOR
TAMPA – When Melissa McGhee had surgery 16 months ago, the former “American Idol” finalist feared that she would lose her distinctive “smoky” voice.
Removing polyps from her vocal cords did make a difference, she says.
“I was kind of depressed for a while because it changed my sound, ” she says. “I was always known for that sexy, raspy voice, and I came out of surgery crystal clear.”
But it has turned out to be a change for the better, the 23-year-old says. “I’ve got a top range now that I haven’t had since I was 14, so it helped me.”
The Tampa native, who finished in 12th place in the fifth season of “Idol, ” is still working toward a singing career. She has a following and has continued to be a local celebrity.
McGhee starts a new gig this week as co-host of “Suds & Cinema, ” a Wednesday night movie series on WMOR, Channel 32 (channel 11 on Bright House Networks).
We take you from dancing with Paris to caucusing with Scarlett
Bet it was difficult for David Koch to line up Paris Bennett for the opening of r.Norman’s Steakhouse.
“No, ” CEO Koch said in total seriousness Thursday at a gala attended by about 3, 000 at the new Block E meat market, which includes a nightclub and sushi bar. Maybe if I start calling him “Uncle David, ” which is how Paris refers to him, Koch could tell when I’m kidding.
Jamecia Bennett and her “American Idol” alum daughter were seriously rockin’ to Erykah Badu’s “On & On.”
Lyric Culture to Launch LYRIX “American Idol” Line for Girls at Macy’s
Lyric Jeans, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: LYJN), the parent company behind the Lyric Culture brand, today announced that its LYRIX brand for girls will be sold at Macy’s.
Lyric Culture, a premium adult contemporary apparel line, is launching LYRIX, its first brand extension based on the songs and style made famous by the hit television phenomenon “American Idol, ” which premiered its seventh season on January 15th and 16th. Apparel co-branded with “American Idol” will hit 157 Macy’s stores in February 2008 to coincide with show’s Final 24 episodes. The initial LYRIX-“American Idol” collection focuses on the tween market, with plans to further expand into kidswear and accessories.
Who Is Taylor Hicks’ Mystery Ladyfriend?
Of all the things that don’t quite add up about Taylor Hicks and the case of his maybe fake girlfriend’ and there are lots of them’ the one that bothered us most was this: if Caroline Lyders and the girl from the beach are actually two different people, why has Beach Girl never come forward? (More background detail can be found here.)
After all, at one point, Hicks was a relevant national figure. A properly-timed revelation from Beach Girl outing the sham would have been big news, and could have garnered her material gains far beyond what Hicks could have conceivably paid her. (Assuming that a bribe is why she never talked in the first place. If she exists.)
