Devo Sues Mcdonald’s Over Happy Meal ‘american Idol’ Figure
New wave group Devo has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s over a Happy Meal toy. According to the Associated Press, Devo says the fast-food joint didn’t ask permission to use its likeness in an American Idol-themed toy representing different music genres McDonald’s had issued “New Wave Nigel, ” a toy figure sporting a red cap that looks like an inverted flowerpot, similar to what Devo had dubbed “energy domes” in the 1980s and wore in their “Whip It” video.
Devo bassist Gerald Casale said, “This New Wave Nigel doll that they’ve created is just a complete Devo rip-off, and the red hat is exactly the red hat that I designed, and it’s copyrighted and trademarked.
Finalist says ‘Idol’ left a mark
In …American Idol, you showed viewers your rock side, with performances such as …Come Together and …Total Eclipse of the Heart, and a softer pop side through such songs as …Here You Come Again and …Blackbird. What type of album are you planning?
I want to stick to the pop rock vibe. I can’t put a label on what I’m going to make, but it will probably be a power pop rock record. I’m very influenced by Heart, and I definitely like Skid Row and Lynyrd Skynyrd ‘ cool bands that have also influenced me. I love interesting lyrics. And I want my record to be very vocally challenging.
Be Archuleta’s First Kiss!
David Archuleta is the Josie Grossie of “American Idol.” What I mean is that the 17-year-old has never been kissed. Both “Archie” and David Cook were asked the same 17 questions for Seventeen Magazine and their answers only prove how different they are.
Jason Castro, Colombian Idol
Jason Castro is the first Colombian finalist of the television show American Idol on the Fox network. He is 21 years old and has won over the American public with his talent, originality and smile. In addition to singing, he plays guitar and drums. He was born in Dallas, Texas, but he is the first member of his family to be born outside of Colombia. Jason version of the song …Hallelujah which he performed on American Idol, combined with favorable comments from the judges, led the song to reach number one on the list of songs for the virtual store iTunes. Also during the show he sang the song ‹Fragile (‹Fragilidad) in both English and Spanish.
Ruben Studdard prepares for weekend wedding
Former “American Idol” Ruben Studdard is getting ready for a weekend wedding in his home state of Alabama.
Studdard, nicknamed the “Velvet Teddy Bear” on “Idol” for his big frame and sonorous voice, will marry Surata Zuri McCants, his girlfriend of two years, at the Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook on Saturday.
‘Spotlight’ on Jennifer Hudson
OK, so the eagerly-anticipated Jennifer Hudson single isn’t a knockout. But once you get over the fact that it never really goes anywhere, ‘Spotlight’ is actually pretty decent – a thoroughly pleasant midtempo R&B number that suits Jennifer’s voice and personality.
It’s a Ne-Yo/Stargate production… wait, come back! They’ve actually tried a different sound for this assignment, crafting something smooth, a little bit classy and reminiscent of Toni Braxton in her prime. The lyrics are better than average too, with Jennifer getting to shame a possessive boyfriend on lines like “Are you a guard in a prison? Maximum security?”
Warren Haynes XMAS DVD
Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert Vol. 8 DVD is now available for purchase here.
As always, all the proceeds from the DVD and concert go to benefit Habitat For Humanity, an international non-profit organization dedicated to building housing for those in need of shelter. Enjoy over three hours of beautiful music from the 2006 Xmas Jam, and help build homes for people in need in the Asheville area and beyond.
As if that wasn’t enough talent for one stage, other special guests include Randall Bramblett, Taylor Hicks, Branford Marsalis, Mike Barnes, Mickey Raphael, Brendan Bayliss, Kevn Kinney, Robert Kearns and Dave Schools.
Sanjaya Malakar: America’s Long National Nightmare Finally Ends
I had to put an American Idol post somewhere in here. Every time I wrote about that show, I got tons and tons of traffic from people who, judging by the comments, may have never read any form of music criticism before. This made me very, very happy.
Country Sings Disney Features Faith Hill, Tim McGraw
A new compilation, Country Sings Disney, will feature Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Trisha Yearwood and will be released on July 8. The collection features country artists singing songs from films like Bambi II (Alison Krauss, Martina McBride) and Cars (Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts). Other artists include Bucky Covington, Josh Gracin, Little Big Town, Bonnie Raitt, SHeDAISY and Phil Stacey, as well as the Billy Ray Cyrus-Miley Cyrus duet, “Ready, Set, Don’t Go.”
‘American Idol’ finalist performs in Lake Forest
When Paris Bennett auditioned for American Idol, she made a deal with her two-time Grammy-winning grandmother, Ann Nesby.
If she made the cut, she’d pursue music as a career. If she didn’t, she’d go to college.
In 2006, Bennett, then 17, not only made the cut but beat out 150, 000 other hopefuls and became a finalist, placing fifth in what is billed as television’s number one show.
Turning the Page on The Disposable Book
I worked on a book by Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega because we thought he might be able to provide an illuminating perspective on how the United States wields power in Latin America. And, in an effort to bolster the company’s bottom line, I acquired and edited an inspirational autobiography by the pop singer Clay Aiken, written and published in about four months. (For the record, Noriega was a lot more pleasant to deal with than Aiken.)
‘Nashville Star’ update: Families flown in to spend week with Gilbert, Hewitt
After more than a month of having no contact with their families, the nine remaining “Nashville Star” contestants, including northwest Minnesota natives Ashlee Hewitt and Alyson Gilbert, were surprised to see them after Monday night’s live show. The show had brought them in to spend the week together, which is the theme of the next show.
“This week is going to be a really good show, ” said Hewitt in a phone conversation this morning. “It’s about hanging out with our family.”
SYTYCD: Four Ladies We Love
Since I’m dying of anticipation ahead of tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance results show’ I’m told girl genius Mia Michaels is choreographing the group dance’ I just wanted to bring you some more video of four of my fave girl dancers who weren’t featured in our first look at the SYTYCD Top 20. Makes the wait a little less unbearable, you know?
Press play above for a closer look at Katee Shean, Kherington Payne, Jessica King and Comfort Fedoke.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Chelsea Mourning
Well, that was certainly unexpected. I don’t mean the results, exactly. I know I should be shocked that Chelsea was sent home, and grateful that Chris was finally sent packing, during last night’s So You Think You Can Dance results show. What’s unexpected, dear readers, is that I’m not. I can’t muster the outrage or the relief. The more I mull over the judges’ decisions ‘ and mull is all any of us can do, since Nigel, apparently pressed for time, neglected to give any rationale for cutting Chelsea and Chris ‘ the more the cold calculus of those decisions seems pretty plain, and the best I can do is shrug and mutter, ”Yeah, I guess that makes sense, ” at the TV.
So You Think You Can Dance: Top 14 Revealed
It’s time to find out who our top fourteen dancers are. I think after Wednesday night’s performances, everyone knew who would be in the bottom three couples. But, it’s all about the solos. Let’s find out how they did.
So You Think You Can Dance: Can’t They All Just Stay?
Cory the warm-up guy kicked off the show with guns blazing Friday night. By the time I got to my seat at the “So You Think You Can Dance” studio, he was already orchestrating an elaborate singles game, involving four bachelors and one bachelorette. Cory’s microphone was about three times louder than usual, and he was sporting not one, but two wallet chains with his bright striped T-shirt.
No regrets for eliminated competitors
Lindsay Barr, Shaun Francisco, Tetiana Ostapowych and Lindsay Robins are the first Canadian Idol competitors in the Top 24 to be sent home. While all of them would’ve liked to continue on in the competition, they are leaving with no regrets.
