Headlines: Lauren Alaina Hosts Radio Special, Jennifer Hudson Custody Battle

UMG Nashville To Offer ‘A Country Christmas’ Radio Special Hosted By Lauren Alaina – UMG NASHVILLE is offering “A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS,” a three-hour radio special hosted by LAUREN ALAINA. The spot-free program will feature classic CHRISTMAS tunes and memories from LUKE BRYAN, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, LITTLE BIG TOWN, DARIUS RUCKER, ALAN JACKSON, GEORGE STRAIT, KACEY MUSGRAVES, and more. Stations can run the special from FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14th through SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25th with 10-14 minutes of local avails per hour.- Read more at All Access

Jennifer Hudson and ex-fiancé’s custody battle going to trial – Jennifer Hudson‘s custody battle is escalating. The “Dreamgirls” star and her former fiancé, David Otunga, are heading to trial to battle for custody of their 9-year-old son, David Daniel Otunga Jr. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, an Illinois judge set the start of the trial for March 11, where “The Voice” judge will face off against Otunga in court. The judge on the trial expects the case to last five days. They’ll both testify in court and argue their case for who deserves more custody and who should pay support. – Read more at Page6

Star India confirms multi-year deal for ‘The Voice’ – As revealed first on BizAsiaLive.com earlier this year, Star India has signed a multi-year deal with Talpa Media for popular reality series ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Voice Kids’. The show previously aired on rival, &TV and will now move to Star Plus for its third season in February 2019. Banijay Asia will produce both formats for Star Plus. – Read more at bizasialive

4 questions with Chris Mann from NBC’s ‘The Voice’ – You sang several inspirational songs on “The Voice” — “You Raise Me Up,” “The Prayer,” “Bridge over Troubled Water.” What draws you to choose a particular song? “I love singing big melodies and love being backed by an orchestra. “When I was on ‘The Voice,’ I knew I wanted to be with Christina Aguilera because I wanted to sing ‘The Prayer’ with her. It seemed like it would be such a dream duet — luckily we did perform the song together in the finale. It was a very special moment. “Otherwise, Christina was very vocal about her song choices for me — she pushed for ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water,’ for example, and also ‘Ave Maria.’ I appreciate that she really wanted me to use my full voice and not apologize.” – NWFDailyNews

Maddie Poppe raises more than $2,500 for UNI Dance Marathon – Maddie Poppe raised more than $2,500 last night at a benefit concert for the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Dance Marathon. That number doesn’t include the proceeds from the sold out ticket sales the show at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center had. According to the center’s website, the great hall’s capacity is 1,680 people. Poppe teamed up with UNI’s Dance Marathon for the event to help them reach their goal of $620,000 for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The organization says $620,000 is their goal because it represents the 62 miracle kids that enter a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital every single minute. – Read more at KCRG

David Archuleta aims to spread Christmas spirit at Orem show – DAILY HERALD: From your perspective, how does your new Christmas album compare with your last Christmas album? DAVID ARCHULETA: I wasn’t sure if I was going to make a second Christmas album, even though I was already considering it as I was making that first one, “Christmas from the Heart” is what it was called. But I wanted to make sure that I captured the essence of what Christmas really is about, so I definitely made sure it was a more reverent album, especially because that time of life, it was so hectic with “American Idol.” I saw how someone in the spotlight can get a lot of attention and recognition and a lot of compliments and praise and people wearing your T-shirts and listening to your voice and buying your pictures to put on their walls and stuff like that. – Read more at HeraldExtra.com

Jordin Sparks has had the same sneakers since eighth grade – Asked about her first big splurge at Page Six Style’s launch party at Barneys New York on Thursday, the pop star said, “The week before I won ‘American Idol,’ I was at the mall and I saw this ring — this small, dainty ring with two hearts intertwining.” To Sparks, the sparkle was worth the splurge. “It was about $500, but I was like, okay, I deserve this! So I went back and I got it, and I still have it. It’s still in my jewelry box.” – Read more at Page 6

Scotty McCreery riding a tidal wave of success in music, life – And if anyone loves an underdog, its McCreery. Because while the North Carolina native found quick success soon after his “American Idol” win, it took him until this year to finally get his first No. 1 hit with “Five More Minutes.” “It’s certainly nice to put that hurdle behind me,” says McCreery, who brings his “Seasons Change Tour” to the House of Blues on Sunday. “2018 has been filled with changes both professionally and personally, so I would say its been my favorite year that I have ever had.” – Read more at Chicago Sun-Times

Gokey, Grant’s Celebrate Christmas Tour will stop in Aiken – “It’s interesting. ‘American Idol’ was a massive catalyst, but as big as it was, it didn’t bring the success I have now,” said Gokey, who finished third during the eighth season of “American Idol” in 2009. Gokey will be in concert with Natalie Grant on Dec. 13 at Millbrook Baptist Church in Aiken. He was signed to a recording contract after his third-place finish, but he was eventually dropped from the label. “When I got dropped, God transitioned me for a three-year period,” he said. “I remembered thinking ‘will I ever have a music career?’ ” – Read more at The Augusta Chronicle

About mj santilli 34843 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!