Carrie Underwood Greets Her Fans
Reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood was all smiles on Saturday as she gave back to the fans whove made her career such a great success.
The country-singing cutie took part in a meet and greet for her loyal followers at the Nashville Convention Centre during the third day of the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee.
Country Hottest Hit the CMA Festival
Also at the CMA Music Festival were singers Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill, both giving memorable performances to the eager crowds that gathered.
Singing her heart out, Miss Underwood owned the stage like a pro, sporting an orange frilly halter-style top with shorts, while veteran Faith Hill looked cute and casual in a white top, with a lavender scarf, and a pair of jeans.
Taylor Hicks makes ‘Grease’ debut on Broadway; Soul Patrol sends reps to capture every move
Does this guy look familiar? Well, he should. It’s Taylor Hicks, making his Broadway debut in “Grease.”
The Hoover-born singer and “American Idol” winner started his three-month run in the show Friday night, playing the role of Teen Angel. Hicks will perfom in the musical through Sept. 7.
Fans in the Soul Patrol, accustomed to tracking Hicks’ every move, were on scene and snapping photos in New York City.
Closing day of CMA Music Festival
The CMA Music Festival has dozens of activities for music fans and families, such as the family fun and sports zones. Below are just the musical highlights of the closing day of the four-day festival. For a full schedule, go to TuneInMusicCity.com.
7:45 p.m. Concert hosted by comedian Killer Beaz and featuring Chuck Wicks (acoustic), James Otto, Bucky Covington, Randy Travis, John Stephan (acoustic), Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Stacey (acoustic) and Dwight Yoakam.
David Cook to Perform at NBA Finals
ET confirms that “American Idol” champ DAVID COOK will commence his reign with an appropriately larger-than-life gig: He’ll perform the National Anthem at game three of the NBA Finals next Tuesday in L.A.
The 25-year-old rocker will command the Staples Center spotlight minutes before the Lakers’ KOBE BRYANT and the Celtics’ KEVIN GARNETT take center stage, continuing their teams’ duel for the biggest prize in all of pro basketball.
Tune in to ABC Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EST to watch.
Ask a Rock Star: David Cook
We caught up with newly-crowned American Idol David Cook last week, and were at such a loss for words that all we could do was give him some questions from fans. Click above to find out if the self-proclaimed …word nerd has met any crossword puzzles he couldnt solve.
Custard’s Last Stand honors David Cook
Custard’s Last Stand created “The David Cookie” Concrete for its June Flavor of the Month. The treat is made with Swiss chocolate frozen custard, blended with Reeses Cups and peanut butter syrup along with Oreo Cookies.
Custard’s Last Stand opened in Lee’s Summit in 1989 and specializes in frozen custard. There are and three Custard’s Last Stand locations in Lee’s Summit, 1802 N.W. Chipman Road, 111 S.E. 291 Highway, and 308 S.E. 291 Highway, including David Cook’s hometown of Blue Springs and one store in Warrensburg.
David Cook’s Lil’ Bro: Don’t Count Me Out
He’s known as David Cook’s little brother, but ask him if he ever tires of hearing that, and Andrew will say absolutely not.
“It’s not going to hurt if someone says ‘Oh, it’s David Cook’s brother’ because it’s just a fact, ” he said. “I’m David Cook’s brother. There’s no getting around that.”
American Idol David Cook Reveals Dating Secrets, Hopeless Romantic
David Cook is on top of the world and the handsome American idol winner is spilling some of his dating secrets. He tells People magazine that on the on a first date he always, “(Tries) to do all the things I’m supposed to do (such as) opening doors, paying for meals – just being a gentleman, I guess.”
When asked about his “first date look” he confesses to the magazine, “I just try to (a) dress for the occasion and (b) dress comfortably. Nobody wants to show up for a date and see me in Eddie Murphy’s Raw outfit.”
Jason Castro Go: Pick up the special photo section today!
Subscribers to The Dallas Morning News receive neighborsgo every Saturday with their paper. Don’t live in the area and/or don’t subscribe to The News? No problem. You can download the special section at Jason Castro Central, where you can also find links to more than 400 homecoming images, exclusive video clips, audio and all sorts of other things to help you treat your “Castro fever.”
Up Close: David Archuleta Anwers YOUR questions
Up Close: What’s Next for Syesha Mercado?
Sun, fun and fans
Maybe it was a trick of the light.
Though thousands swarmed the grounds of The Market Common in Myrtle Beach on Saturday morning – likely many more than in its previous years on the beachfront, organizers said – the sun seemed to shine a little brighter around just a few scattered tents.
At the head of the long line in front of the tent reserved for 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, Doris Linen of Conway held a place for her 28-year-old daughter, Shanique, who has Down syndrome.
“She just loves him, ” Doris Linen said. “She even brought her CDs, so he can sign them. She says that’s her man.”
As the line awaiting him grew, Studdard was on stage in a seersucker suit, singing his hit “Flying Without Wings” as part of Saturday’s opening ceremonies to the 57th annual Sun Fun Festival. In the audience just under the stage, closer than any other fan, springy-curled Shanique Linen swayed and sang along, her eyes fixed on her man.
Celebrities at 57th Annual Sun Fun
Stars from American Idol, Young and the Restless, and Hannah Montana are in Myrtle Beach for the 57th Annual Sun Fun Festival.
Ruben Studdard, winner of American Idol season two kicked off the festival Saturday morning singing the National Anthem to a crowd of thousands.
Studdard also met fans, signed autographs, and posed for pictures for more than two hours after his performance.
Maynard inspires at Cinderella Ball
Although he was entertaining and didn’t give a speech like Maynard, Studdard says he hoped he might inspire the students.
“I was an overweight adult who won a pop show, ” Studdard says. “It shows no matter what the situation is, you can achieve your dreams if you stay persistent.”
Final Card For TNA Slammiversary Pay-Per-View
Here is the complete lineup for this Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary PPV in Southaven, Mississippi:
A Match Made in Heaven:
– “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal marries Socal Val with appearances by American Idol’s Ace Young, George Steel, Koko B. Ware, Jake Roberts and Kamala
Walking Somewhere Near Memphis: McNEILL previews TNA Slammiversary!
Jay Lethal & So Cal Val Get Married: Raise your hand if you think TNA has any sort of plan for the Black Machismo-So Cal Val romance after Sunday night. Yeah, that’s what I thought. We’re going to a Lethal vs. Dutt feud. The question is how we get there. Projection? Jay Lethal’s dad drops in to give the Arn Anderson speech from David Flair’s Nitro wedding, circa 2000. George Steele and Kamala do horrible things to guest singer Ace Young. Jake Roberts and his snake disrupt the ceremony.
Times Change, and the Emmys Try to Keep Up
LIFE is not fair, and neither are the Emmys.
Consider, in support of that argument, one piece of evidence: The most compelling performer on the most-watched program on television is not eligible for an award.
That would be Simon Cowell, whose acid-tongued assessments on …American Idol have contributed greatly to that show remarkable seven-year run and, most recently, to Fox first triumph as the most-watched television network.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences added a new category this year to award a prime-time Emmy for best reality-show host, making the immutable Ryan Seacrest eligible for a winged statuette. But Mr. Cowell, as a judge, does not qualify for that category (or any other).
WHAT THE X GOING ON?
American Idol judge Paula Abdul is set to replace Sharon Osbourne in the X Factor.
But Sharon, who shocked bosses by quitting on Friday, could return when the new series goes live.
For now, bosses are believed to have lined up singer Paula, 45, to join judges Simon Cowell, 48, Dannii Minogue, 36, and Louis Walsh, 55.
Filming for the new series starts on Thursday. A source told The People: “Simon is a huge fan of Paula and there is a great chemistry between them.
Cowell wants Mel B for ‘X Factor’
Simon Cowell is hoping that Mel B will agree to replace Sharon Osbourne on The X Factor.
The show’s producers must sign a new judge within days after Osbourne announced she was quitting on Friday. Filming for the new series begins on June 12.
“Mel’s in pole position to join the judging panel, ” a show source told the News of the World. “She’s ideal and Simon Cowell is eager for her to join the team.”
The former Spice Girl was one of Cowell’s first choices for the judging panel before the show launched in 2004, but he eventually dropped her in favour of Osbourne.
Cowell unhappy with Sunday ‘X Factor’ plans
Simon Cowell is at loggerheads with ITV over the network’s plans to shift the X Factor results show to Sunday night.
The change would see X Factor airing on both Saturdays and Sundays when the live shows begin. The BBC used the technique successfully with the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing last year.
While ITV are keen to save money by pre-recording the results on Saturday night, Cowell believes that the show would lose its magic if it did not go out live.
Werner revved up for Canadian Idol
Kiss your weeknights goodbye, Canada.
CTV’s sixth search for the next Idol takes over the airwaves tomorrow, and this year’s batch of promising young “artists” could have you hooked, according to judge Zack Werner.
“This year we got a whole bunch of really strong artist types, ” Canada’s Cowell-esque panelist tells Sun Media.
“I think that’s going to give a whole lot of depth to the show this year. We have a number of people who have a really strong sense of themselves.”
