At home in Nashville: They may sing rock or pop, but past ‘Idol’ stars are going country
Besides Bice, former Idol contestants Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Diana DeGarmo, Phil Stacey, Josh Gracin, Buckey Covington, Chris Sligh, Mandisa, Scott Savol, and Melinda Doolittle are all currently in Music City USA.
“I think there’s just enough of us in Nashville right now that we’re not saturating the market too terribly, ” DeGarmo says. “Everybody that’s here is truly talented and deserving to be here. Each of us has our own little niche.”
Worthy of the Herald’s front page, or just ‘Idol’ chatter?
Is “American Idol” front-page news?
That’s a question you may have been asking recently as we drummed up coverage of America’s most popular TV show.
Our interest was sparked by contestant Syesha Mercado’s surprise march toward the finals. The Bradenton/Sarasota native built a strong fan base while advancing to the Final Three, and during her impressive run we published updates on 1A and played her recent local appearance – which attracted several thousand adoring fans – as a centerpiece. Coverage of Syesha also dominated Bradenton.com.
We received scarcely a complaint from readers.
Movies: Hollywood, Archuleta learn lesson: Taking risks can pay off
Every January at the Sundance Film Festival and every June at the Sundance Institute’s Filmmakers Labs, people stress the importance of following your own muse.
Tell your own story, the folks at Sundance like to say, and tell it your way. Hollywood has formulas that it believes will lead to sure-fire success – but what those formulas produce is never as interesting as what an artist can achieve by going his or her own way.
When it happens – and it always does happen, from “Pulp Fiction” to “Juno” – Hollywood is shocked that the public likes to discover something a bit different from the tried-and-true.
This week, we learned that staying true to one’s art even pays off in one of the country’s most visible venues: the top-rated TV show “American Idol.”
Tears from American Idol winner
Rocker David Cook won the coveted title of American Idol, dealing an unexpected but decisive defeat to a silken-voiced teenager, also named David, on the most popular US television show.
Cook, 25, who was tending bar and playing in a band before he auditioned for the singing competition, stood back to applaud rival David Archuleta, 17, and then bent over crying after host Ryan Seacrest said he had won by 12 million votes.
“This is amazing. Thank you, ” said the Blue Springs, Missouri, native, who in addition to being crowned this year’s Idol will receive a recording contract.
Sold out crowd invades Redstone Arsenal for concert
Kellie Pickler, the former American Idol contestant from Albemarle, N.C., belts out a song during tonight’s sold out concert at Redstone Arsenal. About 10, 000 people navigated security to get onto the base for the concert, also featured country stars Taylor Swift and Rodney Atkins.
Concertgoers began lining up outside the gates at 3 p.m. for the concert, which started at 7:00 p.m. When the gates finally opened, they sprinted toward the stage to get the best seats.
Opening This Week
Carrie and cohorts Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte have been out of sight for four years. But, after much off-screen wrangling, they are back in the movie version of their TV megahit “Sex and the City.”
Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is now an assistant editor at Vogue and has a personal assistant, played by Jennifer Hudson, an Oscar-winner for the “Dreamgirls” movie. In her spare time, she is preparing for her wedding to “Mr. Big” (Chris Noth).
Carrie Underwood to Perform at CMA Music Festival on June 6 in Nashville, TN
Carrie Underwood has transcended from American Idol champion into country music superstar and has continuously sold out shows wherever she tours and shell be carrying her sound to the CMA Music Festival on June 6 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Prior to the CMA Music Festival Underwood will be performing in front of a more intimate crowd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on June 3.
Alicia Keys ranges from fun to fantastic at St. Pete Times Forum
First up was Jordin Sparks, last year’s American Idol champ. The tall teen has a smile that could shatter a 60-watt bulb. But Sparks was swallowed by a major stage and a four-piece band.
Not only does R&B hunk Ne-Yo write his own hits (So Sick), but he’s penned smashes for Beyonce (Irreplaceable) and Rihanna (Unfaithful). He’s a talented dude, but he’s still learning the live game. Taking the stage in top hat and tails, he wanted to do something different, but his voice and his material ultimately lacked distinction.
Two minutes into Keys’ two-hour set, however, those openers felt like another show altogether.
Alicia Keys Summons Inner Diva to Heat Up Rain-Weary Audience
The floor and first level of the arena were only about 70 percent full when Jordin Sparks, the sixth season winner of Fox TV’s “American Idol, ” opened the concert with a mild, pleasant 20-minute set. Sparks’ voice sparkled, but based on the milquetoast ballads that made up most of her set, the young singer needs to find edgier material before her immense talent fades into pop blandness.
Bullied choirboy Andrew into Britain’s Got Talent semis
Millions of television viewers watched tonight as the 13-year-old Trinity School pupil was told that he had progressed to the next stage of the show.
He is among 40 contenders now vying to win the competition crown.
To secure ultimate victory he will have to overcome the talents of other singers, dancers and comedians.
Simon Cowell facing financial loss over Arabic Pop Idol scrapping
London, May 25 (ANI): Simon Cowell is facing a multi-million-pound loss due to the axing of a Middle East version of Pop Idol following a terrorist attack in Lebanon.
The music mogul is set to miss out on revenue from Superstar, which was taken off air halfway through its fifth series when its studios in Beirut were blown up.
Though Cowell doesnt have a direct role in the show, it is a spin-off from the Pop Idol format produced by his and Simon Fullers 19 Management.
Last week, Arabic militant group Hezbollah targetted Superstar, which is broadcast worldwide on satellite channel Future TV.
MY TOP 10 OTHERS TO WATCH BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT
Britain’s Got Talent has had more highs than Simon Cowell’s waistband. With 40 acts now left battling it out, here’s the ten I am tipping in no particular order:
Singer ANDREW JOHNSTON, 13. The schoolboy wowed the judges with his take on of Pie Jesu AND made Amanda Holden cry – the only emotion she visible on her face. Has to be careful his voice doesn’t break before the Royal Variety.
Twelve-year-old singer FARYL SMITH. She’s no Paul Potts – her teeth are much better – but she can belt out a tune and has Simon Cowell backing her all the way. Faryl wants to be the next Charlotte Church, hopefully without the chain-smoking, boozing and foul mouth.
SIMON’S £10M PROFIT
Simon Cowell’s TV company Simco notched up a £10.2million profit last year, according to accounts released yesterday.
The firm co-produces Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and loads of other shows.
Cowell sold Simco to record company Sony BMG for £43million in 2005 – and he now gets a cut of the profits as a salary. The accounts show Simco generated £12.8million from its business activities, described in accounts as “TV programme format creation and production.” Profits were 13 per cent up on last year.
