Tonight, The Amazing Race premieres on CBS at 8/7c PM. Steven will be recapping! Plus, Boot Camp begins on the X Factor UK, with a special episode airing tonight at 9BST/4EDT.
Kris Allen to Appear on “Shelter Me” album – “Shelter Me,” the public television series highlighting animal shelters and pet adoption, is ramping up for its fourth episode premiering in October with a promotional video set to a newly commissioned theme song by singer-songwriter Mindy Smith. Beyond writing and recording the title track, Smith in turn invited several other indie musicians to provide songs that would touch on themes of hope and redepmtion for a companion album, “Songs For Shelter Me,” that also will be released next month. Other artists on the album, due Oct. 7, include Kris Allen, Peter Bradley Adams, Trent Dabs, Maggie Eckford, Jenny & Tyler, Korby Lenker, SHEL, Kate York and Matthew Perryman Jones. Proceeds from sales of the album will benefit shelter pets. – Read more at LA Times
David Cook Interview on Backstage Avenue
David plans to release new music in the fall.
American Idol’s’ Phillip Phillips capitalizes on success with second CD – Phillip Phillips doesn’t worry about “hit” fatigue. Every time he plays one of those chart toppers – like “Home” – he mixes things up and finds something new. “You can do anything with music,” he says by phone, while on tour. “It doesn’t have to be the same all the time. I’m constantly finding new things in everything I write. It keeps it exciting not just for me but for my band and the fans.” During the writing process, the “American Idol” champ says, he doesn’t think about a song’s future. Sometimes, he doesn’t even question if he can sing or play it. He just lets the process “happen naturally.” Then, he shares the creation with his band. “When they’re jamming on them, songs can build out more and more,” he says. – Read more at Sioux City Journal
Clay Aiken campaigns for congressional seat in Asheboro – ASHEBORO, N.C. — Democratic Congressional candidate Clay Aiken spoke to Randolph County Tea Party members Thursday less than two months before the Nov. 4 midterm elections. The former American Idol star is running against GOP incumbent Renee Ellmers who has won the second district which covers most of Randolph and Alamance Counties for the past two terms. Although the district is mostly known to favor conservative candidates, Aiken thinks voters will see past party lines. “I think it’s insulting to imply that they are always voting for a party versus always voting for a person or a policy,” Aiken said. “The second district is a population of independent minded voters.” – Read more at MYFox8
Race between Aiken, Ellmers for U.S. District 2 seat garners buzz, little attention from pollsters – Clay Aiken has worked for months to use the voice that launched an entertainment career to help him make it to Congress. As the Cary Democrat attempts to unseat two-term Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers, some political analysts question whether Aiken’s star power can translate into political capital. The race has gained some attention for its entertainer-turned-politician narrative but has been largely ignored by polling organizations and other politicos. Academics and pollsters say the U.S. House District 2 race is being overshadowed by the heated contest between Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan and her Republican challenger, state House Speaker Thom Tillis. And, many do not expect the race to be nearly as contentious, despite the absence of polling data to take the pulse of voters. – Read more at Fay Observer
