Scotty McCreery performs at Bethel Woods Pavilion in Bethel, NY.
James Durbin and Stefano perform at City Walk Universal Studios in Universal City, CA.
Kelly Clarkson performs at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Detroit, MI.
Fantasia Barrino performs in Tunica, MS.
Kimberley Locke performs at XI Nightclub in New York, NY.
Bo Bice, Ruben Studdard, Vonzell Solomon, Katie Stevens and RJ Helton perform at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, MO. AmericanIdol.com
Nigel Lythgoe has an interview with KTLA this morning in Los Angeles, “I’m up early in the morning and looking forward to seeing everyone at @KTLAMorningNews and @ktla_ent_dept I guess I’ll be on around 8:15?”
Phillip Phillips’ “Home” Strikes Gold – Morning shows around the country are playing customized versions of “Home” mixing in Olympic highlights. Entercom CHR WFBC/Greensville was the first station to do so, and then many other stations are also airing custom versions including Clear Channel CHR outlet WHTZ (Z100) in New York City where their version is garnering such strong audience reaction, it is in rotation in all dayparts. – FMBQ
Ryan Seacrest to co-host Olympics closing ceremony – He just announced on “Today” and the gig’s a big deal – prestigious in its own funky way, and certain to be one of the visible roles of any on these games. It makes sense because the closer will feature many many music acts – rumors include any major British act you can think of – and that’s Ryan’s wheel house. The “Today” crew will be heading home for a big Monday show that (per NBC) will boast a bunch of gold medal winners. – Read more at Newsday
Phillip Phillips Cites Daughtry, Casey Abrams As “Idol” Influences – Season 11 American Idol champ Phillip Phillips, who stopped by MIX 105.1/Orlando last week, admitted that two Idolcontestants from the past served as prime inspiration for his own journey. “You know Daughtry, he really brought some rock to the scene, and I thought that was really good,” said Phillips.”He didn’t even win and he was very successful, so I thought that was really cool.” – Watch the Interview at CBS Local
Dixon, Han Say Idol Tour Fun, But a ‘Test of Faith’ – “When you are in the zone of this industry it attacks you so quickly that you didn’t even know you had been attacked,” he told CBN News. “You look back and you think, ‘Wow, I went too far and I became such a different person.’ That’s when you realize you have to go back to who you were,” he said. Dixon is working on a solo album that should be out before Christmas. “I have a little over 30 songs now to pick for a record, so it’s just about picking the right ones and running with them and seeing what God does with them,” he said. “My dream has been just a guy who is going after God’s own heart,” Han said. For now, music is his ministry and social media his pulpit. “I do believe myself as a pastor of that church. It’s not a physical church,” he explained. “But I have followers who will listen to me and I have people who see my messages.” – Read more at CBN.com
American Idol’s Colton Dixon, Skylar Laine and Heejun Han talk Olympic crushes and meeting Obama
PICS: Kelly Clarkson’s Amazing Slimdown: All the Details! – Recently dropping 30 pounds thanks to an intense new workout routine and a portion-control diet, American Idol’s inaugural champ, 30, slimmed down and can’t be more thrilled with her new figure. Still, she insists there in no secret to her weight loss — just the tried and true diet and exercise. “It’s just trying to eat a little better and work out a little more,” the singer told Us Weekly during a recent taping of her ABC series Duets. “But no matter what size I am I love performing no matter how big or little I am! I feel good.” – Read more at US
Talking with Jordin Sparks, how ‘Home’ got on the Olympics – As for “Idol,” she is amazed she is still the last female winner. “It’s guys with guitars,” she said, obviously aware of what folks on the blogs here say. I noted that it was when they started allowing instruments season seven. Five years after she won season six, she still loves the show, loves the fact she’s part of this growing group of alum. “We instantly become friends,” she said, by the tie of “Idol.” “The pressure on the show is really crazy. The schedule is insane.” As for the show’s survival, she said as long viewers stick around, Fox will keep it on. But she added: “I always feel like you should go out on a high note.” She would never consider judging, simply because she couldn’t be that critical. But she’s open to mentoring. -Read more at AJC
