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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2007 > April
April 2007
5/1: Are we bored yet?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sanjaya’s gone, the charity event is over, we have six finalists left. But the final six this year simply isn’t the same as last year’s final six.
They all seem nice enough this time around but where are the personalities? Where’s the sense of fun? A year ago, we had the Soul Patrol, the guys lusting over Kat, the lovers of the underdog pulling for Elliott, the Daughtry fans slobbering over Daughtry. Then there was effervescent Paris and ditzy delightful Kellie Pickler.
Now we’ve got pleasant but often sour-faced LaKisha, pleasant but dullish Chris Richardson, pleasant and diabetic coma sweet Melinda, pleasantly mature teen Jordin, the pleasant but bland Phil. Blake has shown moments of personality— he does really bad impersonations and decent beat boxing. But while he’s performing, he tends to sing with one single expression on his face no matter what he’s singing. Vocally, this crew is not far off but while last year’s final six was a 9 out of 10 for personality, this year, it’s more like a 4 out of 10.
Let’s hope somebody does something interesting tonight with rock and Jon Bon Jovi. Will LaKisha sing Daughtry’s “It’s Not Over” to continue her streak of singing former “Idol” songs? Will Blake beat box his way through “Wanted Dead or Alive?” Jordin’s already done Pat Benatar quite well. Can she take on Blondie or Joan Jett? Phil needs to do some sort of country rock song of course. What would work for him?
Melinda has avoided anything remotely rock related up to this point. What could work for her? And will they put her in leather?
4/29: Lisa Tucker at Macy’s
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m going to update this more later but here’s a quick summary of Lisa Tucker’s visit to Macy’s Saturday at North Point Mall in Alpharetta. She was there to promote a line of “American Idol” T-shirts targeting 7 to 16 year old girls.
Tucker, who came in 10th last year, has gone a different path than her peers, taking the acting route. She got a cameo on “The O.C.,” then a recurring role as a student on Nickelodeon’s “Zoey 101” and is now in a Fox pilot drama tentatively called “Born in the USA.” She’s sweet, cute and professional, with no diva-like behavior in sight (unlike her buddy Paris Bennett, as many of you recall here. Paris, by the way has a new CD dropping May 8, according to People and she’s the spokeswoman for the new “Idol” line of Happy Meals.)
Lisa’s mom Eleanor, who looks just like her daughter, told me she was going the acting route at age 11, working with Disney on “The Lion King” but decided to focus on singing, which eventually led her to “Idol.” She will get back to singing, especially if the pilot show falls through. She’s got several original songs in her back pocket and she’s repped by the powerful talent agency CAA. (Others with CAA: Jennifer Aniston, Nicolas Cage, Matt Dillon and Tom Hanks.) Lisa seems to have an extremely good head on her shoulders.
Here are some photos I took:
Ashley Lombres, 5, from Charlotte, N.C. gets an autograph from Tucker.
Tucker sings to the crowd, mostly parents and young girls.
Here, she sings her original song, an ode to her boyfriend, “Just Not Long Enough” in the girls 7-16 department. (She’s wearing the coolest of the four T’s, one with a guitar that she says looks a lot like hers.)
And she gabs with the amiable Fox 5 camera guy
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4/29: Jessica Sierra arrested
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Season four contestant Jessica Sierra, known as the blonde gal who wasn’t as good as Carrie Underwood, was arrested early Sunday in Tampa for allegedly hitting a guy at a cafe with a glass. The unnamed victim suffered a cut over his eye. She was charged with felony battery charges. She was also charged with possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband in a correctional facility after they found the substance on her. She was released on $11,500 bond.
She finished 10th in 2005 and actually visited Atlanta to sing at a local car dealership in early February. Her most memorable performances were “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “The Boys Are Back in Town.” Simon at the time said, “Yes, they are back in town,” alluding to her pups.
Here;’s the link.
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4/27: Gabbing with Bucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CREDIT: Rodney Ho
Bucky Covington, visiting Kicks 101.5 for a radio promotional tour Wednesday, is the nicest “Idol’ contestant I’ve ever met this side of George Huff from season three. What you saw on TV is what you get, an aw-shucks country boy with a happy grin and a relaxed demeanor.
“This sure beats working at the body shop,” he said, referencing his pre-“Idol” job.
His reaction to selling 61,000 copies his first week, which he found out that day? “It’s awesome and lets you know all this work is starting to pay off.” (He’s the biggest new male country artist in first-week sales since Billy Ray Cyrus!). He’s psyched that Lyric Street (Rascal Flatt’s label) has been so supportive of him, including Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown. He said he sampled 200 to 300 songs and picked his favorite dozen or so, the ones that resonated with him. I got to give him credit for finding songs he could perform with conviction.
Bucky said he liked the nostalgic “A Different World” (his first single) because it showed how committed he is to country. “When I was on ‘American Idol,’ although I was pretty cut and dried country, people thought I might go rock. On the show, I did a lot of harder vocals. This song is true country, the lyrics, what the songs are about. I just loved it to death.” Later, to the fans, he said some folks have complained he wouldn’t know about life with just three TV stations but he said he did, that in his youth, the TV had the knobs and it was cool when they finally got a remote control. He recalls his mom sitting on the couch with Chips Ahoy and a Pepsi calling for him or his brother to give her the remote. And if they complained? “We didn’t talk back cos we got daddy’s belt!”
He said he’s still working on his own songwriting skills. (Only one song was co-written by Bucky.)
Bucky said he admits he wasn’t worthy of winning “Idol” last year. “I was far from putting on my best on the show. I didn’t know what my best was.”
He said a radio station gave him the idea to autograph any pre-ordered CDs off his Web site. In the end, he signed 5,000 CDs, nearly 10 percent of his entire sales last week. He said he has finished signing them all. At one point, his band set up a system on his ping-pong table where he signed and signed and signed. He said he had been practicing a cool autograph for years and he can’t believe he gets to use it. I asked jokingly why he couldn’t get his brother Rocky to help out on the autographs. “He can’t! He’s lefthanded!” he said.
Though he’s met many big country artists, he said he gets more starstruck meeting actors like Billy Bob Thornton, Dave Chapelle and Jamie Foxx (“He knew my name!”!). And last week, when he sat in the audience for the country results show on “Idol,” he met Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith. He said Simon Cowell actually came up to him and said, “You know. I actually miss you!” That surprised Bucky, but honestly, many of us miss having a good country act on the slate this year.
And he like me is scratching his head that “Idol” couldn’t find a truly decent country act in the final 24 this year (though Phil Stacey has discovered that might be his best genre.)
He will be back in Atlanta at some point later this year for a tour. Most likely, I expect he’ll latch onto some bigger act’s tour.
Later, he performed a few songs for about 25 people in a boardroom at Kicks 101.5 Wednesday evening. He played a few cuts off his album and a couple of covers: Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and Toby Keith’s “Shoulda Been a Cowboy.”
He teased his brother, who ended up getting cut by “Idol” the first round. “When he’s sleeping in, I’m working,” Bucky said. “He’s pretty content.”
And as a true country man, he preferred performing at the Grand Ol’ Opry vs. “American Idol.” “I’ve been judged enough,” he said with his trademark grin. He said he was so excited, he felt his left knee shaking. “I had to walk it off.”
Here’s Kathy Grantz of Atlanta with Bucky (left) and his twin brother Rocky, who is Bucky’s drummer
Kayla Gibbs, 17, from Berkmar High School in Atlanta, is making her boyfriend jealous here.
This is one of Bucky’s biggest fans. “I’m a grandma groupie,” said 65-year-old Hilda Hanlon, of Miami and Monmouth Beach, N.J. She has met him a whopping 35 times.
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4/26: Idol Gives Back raises $60 mil plus
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The “Idol Gives Back” charity event Wednesday night raised more than $60 million for poverty outreach in the U.S. and Africa, according to Fox in a press release Thursday afternoon. It’s unclear how much was from corporate donations and how much from individuals.
In comparison, various telethons after Hurricane Katrina raised nearly $100 million, according to the Associated Press. And “America: A Tribute to Heroes,” that aired after 9/11 on multiple TV networks, raised about $150 million for victims of that tragedy.
One recipient of “Idols Give Back” is SafeHouse Outreach here in Atlanta. Our city was picked because it’s Ryan Seacrest’s hometown.
Safehouse founder Philip Bray said a producer at “Idol” knew Dr. Gerald Durley, former president of Morehouse College. Durley recommended “Idol” support SafeHouse. On April 9, producers flew into Atlanta to film footage about SafeHouse, which received about 30 seconds of airplay Tuesday night.
“The main thing was exposing them to the good works and people making a difference in Atlanta,” said Bray, who founded the charity 25 years ago. It now raises $2 million and several million more in volunteer and in-kind services. The organization, he says, draws thousands of volunteers a year and served 187,000 meals last year. Based in downtown Atlanta near the Ritz Carlton Hotel, he says SafeHouse does both preventative and intervention-type outreach featuring mentoring and parenting classes. With more poor people leaving the in-town core (due to rising real estate prices and torn-down public housing), the organization opened a satellite office in DeKalb County a few years ago.
Bray has no clue how much money he’ll ulimately receive.
From the press release, here’s how the charity organization “Idol’ created will work:
CPEF is a new charitable organization established to raise money and awareness to help combat extreme poverty in the U.S. and throughout the world, particularly in Africa. CPEF’s mission is to use the power of entertainment to drive positive change to achieve its vision of creating a just world free from poverty. CPEF is inspired and supported by the UK charity that invented Red Nose Day.
CPEF is a supporter of ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History, a new effort by Americans to rally Americans — ONE by ONE — to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE is a coalition of over 2.4 million people and more than 100 of the nation’s leading relief, humanitarian and advocacy organizations joining together to help save lives in Africa and the world’s poorest countries.
In the United States, CPEF has selected Save the Children, America’s Second Harvest - The Nation’s Food Bank Network, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Children’s Health Fund as beneficiaries of IDOL GIVES BACK. These organizations deliver support to poor children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country, providing them with medical care, food and grocery products, health and life skills, literacy programs and obesity prevention, among other important initiatives.
In Africa, funds will be dedicated to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Malaria No More, Nothing But Nets, Save the Children and The U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Each organization will receive funds to support efforts to battle poverty through various health and education programs, including delivering medical supplies and providing clean water. These organizations also aim to control and prevent malaria through practical resources and programs, including providing life-saving bed nets and other activities tied to Africa Malaria Day on April 25.
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4/26: Was Jordin mistreated?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As the day comes to an end, one simple question: was Jordin treated fairly by being placed in a situation where she thought she had been eliminated but… wasn’t?
Ultimately, did “Idol” producers achieve the right mix of schmaltz, sadness, comedy and manipulation to keep us watching?
4/26: Kelly tour, ratings, Bucky at No. 4
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kelly Clarkson has announced her summer tour dates, including a stop in Atlanta on August 28, according to Idol Chatter. I’m trying to pin down the locale but odds are it’s Philips Arena.
Preliminary Nielsen “Idol” ratings were down about 2 million viewers over last week, finishing at 26.4 million. But the fact it ran two hours dragged the numbers down.
Here are the approximate half hour breakdowns, according to Marc Berman
8 p.m.: 21.6 million
8:30 p.m. 25.2 mil
9 p.m. 28.6 mil
9:30 p.m.; 30.3 mil
And Bucky Covington landed at No. 4 on the Billboard top 200, no. 1 on the country chart, with 61,000 in sales. He naturally was thrilled at the Atlanta Kicks country station appearnace last night. (More later.). He didn’t do as well, first week sales wise, as fellow season fivers, Taylor, Kat, Chris, Elliott or Kellie. But he did come in eighth and in fact, he is the only 8th place “Idol” finalist to even get a major record label deal. (Lyric Street, home of Rascal Flatts.)
He even beat Chris Daughtry, who sold another 52,000 to move his total to 2.3 million. He ranked no. 7, down from 6.
Carrie, thanks to CMT, jumped back into the top 10, from 14 to 9. Sales were 45K. Sales are up to 5.3 million.
Elliott slips to 62 from 59, with 10K sold and 164K total.
Kat edges up to 108 from 112 but her single “Over It” is slipping. She moved another 7,000 and 301K total.
Kellie jumps to 118 from 142 (CMT effect?) and has jumped to 505K.
Fantasia rebounds to 166 from 192 and has sold 351K.
Taylor adds another 2K, with 671K total. Ruben sold 1,200 with 222K total. Clay sold 600, with 509K total. Kellie’s “Breakaway” moved 4,900 and is up to 5.7 million.
4/26: Promotions galore
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“American Idol” itself isn’t above shameless self promotion. And neither am I.
First, the fine folks at ajc.com have designed a little game in which you rank the six finalists in order and compare your results with others. It’s right here.
I ranked them 1-Jordin 2-Melinda 3-Blake 4-LaKisha 5-Chris 6-Phil
I’ll let you do it yourself so you can see what the consensus is. (It’s not the same as mine.)
And you can watch me pontificate about “American Idol” on CNN Pipeline, the online version of CNN, every Wednesday and Thursday. Check it out! I’m new at TV (even if it’s only online) so cut me some slack. I was supposed to do one today to talk about “Idols Give Back” last night, but CNN Pipeline had technical problems so it won’t be happening.
4/25: Yanking our chain for charity!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Oh jeez. What a horrible way to yank our chain.
“How can we let anybody go on a charity night?” Ryan Seacrest said after the non-results.
So nobody goes home but next week, two will be ousted, leaving four. The votes from this week will be added to next week’s votes.
Ryan predicted this will the “most shocking” result in history after 70 million votes. Well, I guess that is shocking in an annoying, manipulative sort of way. Thanks!
I just came back from the Bucky Covington event at Kicks 101.5 at 9:10 p.m. I sped through portions but got this:
They interspersed very serious pieces about the charities with comedy from the Simpsons, Jack Black and a lip-synching crew of celebrities doing “Staying Alive.” And there was that duet near the end between Celine and Elvis through the magic of technology. They even made it seem like Elvis was on stage. It wasn’t quite as painful as it could have been. In fact, it was fairly convincing if you weren’t paying too much attention though you can often tell a stand-in was used for certain angles and shots. Cheesy? Oh, yah. Absolutely. Celine didn’t sound half bad but they should have just had her duet with someone, um, alive.
Madonna, with that mild British accent, made a plea, too. And Bono showed up at the end to say a few words to the contestants.
There were recent tabloid shots of Kelly Clarkson having gained a few pounds. That dress she wore tonight certainly doesn’t bely that notion. She actually looks a bit like Valerie Bertinelli. It’s great to hear her sing some gospel.
The show had already raised $30 million before the end, Seacrest said.
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4/25: Idol tidbits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Sanjaya gone, ratings on the first Sanjaya-less performance show went down a bit, too. The preliminary Nielsen ratings for last night was about 25.6 million, the lowest for a performance show this season and 3 million below the comparable show last year. Among 18 to 49 year olds, the ratings are down 17%. Typically, when final numbers come out, “Idol” gains another 400,000 or so, so it won’t be quite as bad as the prelim numbers look. And indeed, performance shows in general have been down about 10 percent from last year. Oddly, the results shows have been unusually strong the past two weeks, pulling in bigger numbers than the performance shows, perhaps because folks were waiting to see Sanjaya go home.
Also, I’ll be talking to Bucky Covington later today. Any questions? I’m also gabbing with Elliott Yamin for real tomorrow (in the sense I’ll get more than five minutes.). Email me your questions for either contestant at rho@ajc.com. Elliott has already noted he’s not really following the show this year. I bet Bucky’s been a wee bit busy, too.
And I’ll be talking to Philip Bray, the executive director of SafeHouse Outreach, which helps homeless people in downtown Atlanta. The group was featured on “American Idol” last night.
Plus, did anyone follow “Pussycat Dolls: The Search for the Next Doll”? It was a fun show though I can’t imagine the prize being all that great since nobody really knows who is in the Pussycat Dolls anyways. They’re as interchangable as a Menudo member. Oddly, the winner named last night, Asia, is probably now better known than any of the existing Dolls. She already has a chip on her shoulder, as Melissa learned in the finale episode. I can’t imagine what Asia would be like behind the scenes with the existing group members. The other two finalists, Chelsea and Melissa, are both actually very talened. Chelsea, in fact, is such a good singer, she could easily be a top 10 finalist on “Idol” and in reality, she probably would have been better off doing this show than “Pussycat Dolls,” which pulled in about 1/9th the ratings of “Idol.”
4/24: Idol Gives Back part I
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The theme was hope and compassion. So naturally, it was heavy on ballads, not my favorite genre. Most of the finalists rose to the occasion, but LaKisha really made a big mistake going after Fantasia. She will be in the bottom three, along with Chris Richardson and possibly Blake Lewis again. The only thing that might save LaKisha is the fact she was in the bottom two last week and her fans might save her. So I predict Chris will be going home. He’s due.
The only safe ones to me are the glorious Jordin and an ever consistent Melinda. Since I’ve been favoring Jordin for weeks, she gets my top slot over Melinda but it’s close.
Oddly, Ryan referenced Bono as a vocal coach but, um, no sign of him! Maybe he’ll show up tonight.
“Idol” expanded voting to four hours instead of two and two phones lines instead of one. The charities will include those who will provide funds for Africa and all over America - not just the Gulf Coast, as was originally stated. (Atlanta’s homeless are included.)
Jordin Sparks (“You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel”. More info about the song here)) - She finishes the show in the prime slot. Everyone from Elvis to Barbra Streisand to Johnny Cash has done it. It’s an oddly shapeless song with not a lot of pop hook. But she takes the song, builds it and hits the key notes with emotion and verve. Randy: “That’s one of the best vocals ever by anyone on the show in six seasons. And it’s someone who is 17 years old.” Paula: “It’s one of those songs that is very haunting and it swells. Only someone with great vocals can do it. You did a lovely job. You’re glorious.” Simon: “Unlike Randy, I thought you were fantastic. That song is about 60 years old. You’d have a hit record with that.”
Melinda Doolittle (Faith Hill’s “There Will Come a Day”) - I’m not a Hill fan at all. Her songs are often schmaltzy and overdramatic. But Melinda does a good job keeping it real, providing enough emotion and depth to the song to make it worth listening to. I still don’t love the song. Randy: “You are so dope. You have it all together. You have arrived.” Paula: “There’s no one like you. You’re magical.” Simon: “It wasn’t a copycat performance. You took a song and made me believe you recorded it originally. That was really a vocal master class.”
Blake Lewis (John Lennon’s “Imagine”) — Ruben did an okay job with this song a few years back, but as one previous blogger here noted, this song is so iconic, it’s awfully hard to top the original. It’s a servicable version, very controlled, very respectful. Better than John? No way. Randy: “It was just kind of awright for you dawg. I wanted you to do a little more with it.” Paula: “I was thinking of that in the beginning. Then I thought how simple that song. That was the first sensitive performance. That goes a long way. I enjoyed it.” Simon: “This is a tricky one. You’ve chosen one of the big songs of all time. There’s always going to be a comparison. You can’t belt out. It sounded sincere. It didn’t go anywhere. The best thing is you sang it with sincerity.”
Phil Stacey (“The Change” by Garth Brooks) - He’s back with country after realizing that is the one genre he can do well last week. He’s really not the sexiest bald guy by any stretch is he? He’s no Daughtry. Those ears and the shape of his scalp? Oh, wait. Should I be paying attention to his vocals? He’s actually doing okay but as usual, the lack of distinction in his voice period makes it hard for me to pay attention. It is in fact possibly his most consistent vocal to date. Randy: “You know what I”m happy about for your dawg, since last week, country week, you showed who you are. You came back with another strong performance with another great song. Two ina row!” Paula: “You found your comfort. This was your best.” Simon: “You’ve come back with confidence, spring in your step. The only thing I’d advise you is to put more country tone in your voice than the way you sang it tonight.” (I agree. That might have added something to the song.)
Chris Richardson (Eric Clapton’s “Change the World”) — This fine Clapton song proves how thin and ineffectual his voice can be, especially in quieter moments. He picks it up near the end and makes it a respectable performance. Randy: “Tonight dawg for the first time in a long time, you’re in it to win it. That was great, dude.” Paula: “You did fantastic. A great song choice.” Simon: “It kind of feels the competition starts properly tonight [now that Sanjaya is gone.] It was a good vocal. It had more soul in it. A more sexy performance. I think you did really well.”
LaKisha Jones (Fantasia’s “I Believe”) — Uh oh. She’s trying to do an “Idol” alum’s song AGAIN. Is she on some sort of suicide mission? I’ve seen Fantasia sing this song at least four times live, including once in the Lenox Macy’s basement, and it’s just extraordinary each time, totally a goosebumps moment. But LaKisha fails that and proves that she’s no Fantasia. Is it good? Yes. But no goosebumps. Sorry. Randy: “It had some pitch problems for me. It wasn’t your best performance but I did like it. It’s a very hard song to sing after Fantasia I must admit.” Paula: “You are a powerhouse vocalist. Don’t attempt Whitney, Mariah or Celine. Fantasia hasn’t been around a long time but she is so undeniably and wonderfully unique. I have a hard time getting past that.” Simon: “I’m having an issue with the shouting. Whereas before (‘Will you shut up!’ he says to the crowd)…” Then he gets cuts off.
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4/24: Exit Sanjaya, enter charity event
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s an item that will be in tomorrow’s print edition about “Idol Gives Back.”
With Sanjaya Malakar out of “American Idol,” what’s there to talk about?
For at least one week, the show’s producers have found a worthy distraction: a massive charity event this week which concludes Wednesday with a two-hour extravaganza featuring Bono and Celine Dion.
Through www.americanidol.com or a 1-800 line flashed on-screen, fans will be able to contribute money for charities to help children in Africa and the Gulf Coast area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Corporations such as AT&T and Coca Cola will also kick in money, though producers haven’t said how much. (In some cases, companies will contribute a portion based on how many votes were tallied for last night’s performances.)
TV has a history of generating huge amounts of cash for charities, from “Live Aid” in 1985 to combat famine in Africa to “A Tribute to Heroes” for the families of victims of 9/11. This is the rare time when a reality show has taken on such a task. But “American Idol” isn’t just any reality show. It’s by far the most popular reality show in American TV history, averaging more than 30 million viewers in its sixth season.
“These kinds of shows can be a little bit depressing if you’re not careful,” said executive producer Ken Warwick on a phone interview to media last week. “It’s going to entertain people and it’s going to move people.”
Instead of the usual one-hour results show, Wednesday’s installment will feature a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Scheduled acts include Pink, Josh Groban, Rascal Flatts, Gwen Stefani and former “Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Actors such as Hugh Grant, Jack Black and Helen Mirren will make on-camera pleas and Ellen DeGeneres will host.
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4/24: Sanjaya, eat your heart out!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some enterprising dude on youtube posted this lovely video of Julien on the French version of “American Idol.”.
The guy is pretty attractive but man, he sings “Like a Virgin” like the worst lounge singer on earth. It’s pretty darn funny, too. And the show in France doesn’t cut the songs to 90 seconds. Nope, he sings the whole dang song! And the audience acted as if he was Kelly Clarkson. Anybody know French who can translate the judges’ comments?
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4/24: Sanjaya in DC & on Letterman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From the Washington Post, covering the White House Correspondents Dinner where Sanjaya was invited on behalf of People magazine:
Sanjaya Malakar, the shy, slender, 17-year-old “American Idol” reject, was at his table when a tall, middle-aged man stopped by to ask for an autograph. The boy’s hosts, from People magazine, tried to shoo him away.
“We are trying to let him eat,” they explained.
The man protested: “But I’m the governor of New York.”
And so Eliot Spitzer got his autograph. It was that kind of night. It always is.
And here’s what Sanjaya will read on tonight’s “Late Night With David Letterman.” Sadly, it’s not very funny in print. Let’s hope he does a good job presenting it.
THE “LATE SHOW” TOP TEN
“Things I Learned from ‘American Idol’”
[As presented by Sanjaya Malakar, the most recent contestant voted off “American Idol,” on the Monday, April 23 broadcast of the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, seen weeknights (11:35 PM*12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.]
10. The camera adds ten pounds to your mohawk. 9. Work hard and make sacrifices, you can finish in 7th place.
8. It’s very important to “Keep it real, dawg.”
7. I should have gone for the immunity idol - oh wait, that’s “Survivor.”
6. On-camera Simon is a bit nasty, but off-camera, he’s a total jerk.
5. Voting for yourself 100 times an hour causes some wicked carpal tunnel.
4. When you forget the words, just do this. (Sanjaya belts out a riff like“Ohhhhhhhh”)
3. Honestly, I thought I was auditioning for “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”
2. Nothing.
1. America loves performers with bad hair - right, Dave?
4/23: Bono to appear; Celine dueting with Elvis?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the upcoming “Idols Give Back” concert Wednesday, TMZ.com reports that Celine Dion may do a Natalie/Nat King Cole type of duet with the late Elvis Presley, who has been dead for three decades.
Hold back that gag reflex, everybody — at least til we see it.
On a more serious note, Fox today announced U2’s Bono will show up Wednesday to meet the final six contestants and talk about his charity work on behalf of Africa. You can check it out at www.one.org. The contestants also will perform “American Prayer,” a song written by Bono and Dave Stewart about the AIDS emergency in Africa.
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4/22: Kelly’s single racing up charts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kelly Clarkson’s new single “Never Again” has been out less than a week and it’s already No. 24 on the top 40 charts, whichs tells you how hungry stations are for something fresh and interesting. I’ve listened to the song three times. It’s a bit edgy and doesn’t really resonate to me the way “Since U Been Gone” did. But it’s much better than a lot of the gunk on the top 40 charts the moment. Evanescence would be proud. What do you think? Check it out on Kelly’s myspace page.
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4/20: Lisa Tucker coming to Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Taylor, Elliott, Kat, Chris, Paris, Kellie, Ace and Bucky have scheduled visits or have recently come to Atlanta this year. (I plan to meet Bucky at a private Kicks function next Wednesday.) Now it’s 10th place finisher Lisa Tucker’s turn to come to the ATL.
She will be at North Point Mall’s Macy’s on Saturday April 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. and will sign American Idol T shirts by Awake in the girls 7 to 16 department.
Tucker had a bit of the pageant thing in her and never quite defined herself on the show but she’s done pretty well since she left.
She’s gotten a semi-regular part on Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 and got a part on a Fox pilot series “Born in the USA.” She graduated high school and had a part in Paris Bennett’s new CD. And she’s making plenty of public appearances.
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4/19: Idol on Oprah
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two of the most powerful entities on TV mashed up Thursday. The “American Idol” finalists popped in on Oprah Winfrey. Like “American Idol” needs the promotion? They are pushing “Idol Gives Back” next week.
Simon, via satellite, said about Sanjaya’s departure: “I was on a very happy plane last night. I miss him probably in the same way I miss my favorite horror movie. And i don’t mean that nastily. I like horror movies. I hate it. I love it. A very sweet guy. Quite entertaining but a horrible singer. That was the problem.”
“If he made it to the top three, I’m gone,” he said. But “they wouldn’t let me.”
“I’m a little bit frustrated. I haven’t had enough ‘oh my god’ moments. I want to see a few more.”
Who does he like? “I have a soft spot for Melinda. Very sweet girl. I like her. Jordin was sensational this week. Chris I like because he’s contemporary. But I’m a little bit worried about singing through the nose… My top three or top two would be Melinda, Jordin and I’m not writing off LaKisha.”
Simon on Paula: “She’s gone sensible-ish. I love when she talks complete and utter rubbish. We haven’t had enough of that the past few weeks.”
Then Oprah talks to the final six. Some (bland) comments. In fact, she didn’t get much at all. Here’s a sampling:
Jordin: “It’s really awesome. I’m enjoying every minute of this.”
Melinda: “All I can do is try to take baby steps. I try not to listen to what’s going on. We’ve all been considered frontrunners at some point.” (Huh?) On Ryan forcing her to pick a side: “Why in the world would you do that to me. I wanted to cry. So I just sat down.”
Blake: “Being on this stage very week is very surreal.”
Phil: “My poor wife [about missing the birth of his second daughter to try out for ‘Idol.’]. I missed my first because I was in the Navy. So I’m not playing favorites.”
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4/19: Sanjaya “kind of knew” he was a goner
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sanjaya was, as expected, soft spoken and his answers were so brief, he managed to get through quite a few reporter questions in 30 minutes. I was like 8th in line and within 5 minutes, I got in.
Upfront, he said he sensed this was his time to go. “When I watched the show back Tuesday, I kind of had a feeling. I was in the dumps Wednesday. I kind of knew.”
“I’m not a country singer. That took a toll on me. I didn’t h ave a strong enough set of performances to have people forgive me for that. LaKisha, she’s not country either. But she had enough strong performances to get through. I didn’t think I did.” (This kid ain’t stupid!)
He only had an “inkling” over time how big a deal he had become:
“It’s been kind of surreal for me. I got inklings every once in awhile of something different, something going on that was a cultural phenomenon. I don’t think it has hit me exactly how big it is.”
Did he read the blogs about himself?
“I read online blogs to balance myself. It was impossible not to hear stuff. Oftentimes, it was negative. I kind of balanced the positive and negative to stay grounded.”
I asked him whether Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” was his first choice. It wasn’t. He wanted to sing Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz” but since Ford is a sponsor, the producers said, um, no. That’s kind of interesting in a random sort of way.
I had one followup and asked his favorite personal performance. Not surprisingly, it was “Busame Mucho” from last week, the only time Simon truly gave him a compliment.
His take on Simon’s negative opinion of him for most of the competition:
“I think he had gotten to the point that I hadn’t fulfilled my potential for long enough. He didn’t think I deserved to be there, whch is fine. Everyone has their opinion.”
He also reiterated what the executive producers have told us about Vote for the Worst and Howard Stern trying to subvert the voting process in his favor:
“That’s fine. I don’t think Vote for the Worst or Howard Stern had enough people voting for me enough times to make a dent in anything. The reason why I’m here is solely because of my support from my fans.”
As for the SNL skits and other shows mocking him, he said he was okay with it: “I love to poke fun at myself.”
One great question: Did you ever consider quitting out of deference to fellow singers?
Sanjaya: “No way. I was going to stay as long as I possibly could and work and learn from everything that happened.”
Did he think he had any prayer of winning?
“Every one of us wants to win. I was more focused on the learning aspect of this. I did get my GED after sophomore year. I saw this as my junior and senior year of high school. This is what I want to do. This is the way to learn it in a quick time. I got a lot further than I had expected.”
Sanjaya’s hair: “At a certain point, it had become my thing. Everyone looks for something to grab onto with each contestnat. I feel like my hair was that for me. That was my little joke back at ya.” Later, asked for his favorite hairstyle, he didn’t say it was the pony hawk: “My favorite style was when I did Busame Mucho. I always wanted my hair tob be curly like that. It’s a little curly naturally. That’s like my dream hair. I liked it.” He also confirmed that his hair styles were his choice, not the “Idol” stylist.
One questioner asked if there was a “turning point” when he decided to just go for broke?
“I think that throughout the competition, I grew as a performer and as a person. I did have a lot of things to learn from. And I think that I kind of found myself as I progressed. I don’t know when it happened. [The turning point, that is.] I do think I found myself and got more comfortable in my own skin.”
And as expected, when asked who he thinks will or should win, he punted: “The show is completely unpredictable. I honestly have no idea who will be cut next week and who’s going to win.”
His future?
“I’m definitely looking at a music career. I also will venture into acting and modelling and possibly Broadway.” (Sorry, with that voice, Broadway isn’t going to be his destiny.)
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4/19: Sanjaya talking to press at 2
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ll get our chance as print/online media to talk to Sanjaya at 2 p.m. I’ll update this blog item with quotes from that press conference. Or I might start a new one. Not sure yet!
Here are reasons why I liked Sanjaya and why I hated him, too. Either way, I’m going to miss him! Please include your own:
Good points:
He’s entertaining, pure and simple. He’s got moxie and the camera loves him. And he’s by far the most interesting contestant among the final 12.
His song choices have often been gutsy, bordering on crazy. He actually dared to take on the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”? Even against Gwen Stefani’s wishes, he opted for No Doubt’s “Bathwater.” Last week was his best performance when he actually sang in Spanish during “Busame Mucho.”
That hair, that hair, that pony hawk, that hair!
How he transformed from that shy, modest boy to someone bursting with (over)confidence.
That grin, that grin, that monstrous grin!
That first name is so darn memorable, he’s like Cher or Madonna!
He had a hot sister who also tried out for the show but didn’t make it to the top 24. Guys would relish those brief moments of her in the audience cheering him on.
He rendered Simon virtually speechless a couple of times.
Bad points:
1- He never seemed to project his voice. If it had any heft, he almost never showed it.
2- His amateurish dance moves, if you’d even call them dance moves.
3- That hair, that hair, that pony hawk, that hair!
4- That grin, that grin, that scary, scary grin.
5- He’d make some absurd song choices that didn’t remotely fit his voice i.e. Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” this past Tuesday.
6- That hula dancing he showed off one week.
7- That frightening 13 year old girl Ashley who couldn’t stop crying when he sang.
8- He took so much attention away from the other contestants that the rest of the show now feels anticlimactic now that he’s gone.
Also, Bucky Covington’s CD, based on first-day sales Tuesday, may open as strong as 60,000, which would place him in the top 10. That would be the sixth person from last year’s “Idol” to debut in the top 10 after Taylor, Kat, Elliott, Daughtry and Kellie.
Ken Warwick said it right yesterday, that last year was an unusually good crop, that it spoiled us so much that this year’s crew pales in comparison. Eight of the top 12 have record contracts, which is twice as much as a typical year.
Without Sanjaya, what are we going to talk about the next five weeks. Sniff.
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4/18: Sanjaya finally goes home!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sanjaya just beats out LaKisha. Phew! I’m going to miss that kid though! He kept it entertaining.
We shall all wear a pony hawk tomorrow in mourning! (He’s crying during the farewell. Aww…) “I’m fine,” he said. I couldn’t hear what else he said. Go figure. He sounds better than Tuesday doing Bonnie Raitt.
Blake, who I felt should have been in the bottom three last night, had the third-lowest vote.
Ryan and those conniving producers split the group into those with the highest votes and those with the lowest votes. Sanjaya is first and Phil is placed in the “other” group so you know he’s safe. Jordin joins Phil so she’s safe. LaKisha goes with Sanjaya so she’s near the bottom. Blake is there, too. Chris is safe!! (the Virginia Tech mention didn’t hurt perhaps?) Then they tell Melinda she’s safe and asks her to pick which group to join. She sits down in protest. Smart! Last night on this blog, I picked Chris, Blake and Sanjaya at the bottom three and predicted Chris going home. I’m obviously wrong there. This morning, I changed my mind and dropped Blake in favor of LaKisha. (Still wrong.). On CNN’s Idol Chatter, I changed my mind and predicted LaKisha would go home because hey, I can change my mind, right?
Simon set the record straight about supposedly rolling his eyes after Chris Richardson gave a shout out to the victims and families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. “We got into quite a heated debate about singing through your nose. I was talking to Paula. I didn’t hear him mention the people of Virginia. I gave a look. I was giving a look to Paula. I wasn’t disrespecting victims. I want to set the record straight. I didn’t hear what Chris was saying. I may not be the nicest person in the world but I would never ever ever disrespect those families and victims.”
They then showed the camera on Simon while Chris was talking and it was clear Simon was not paying any attention indeed to Chris but talking to Paula.
“There’s another show happening at the table every night,” Ryan said.
So there ya go. (Non)controversy over.
Here’s a quick summary of the 53 other minutes before the results in case you missed it:
The group sing is not a Martina McBride song but a No. 1 song from Jo Dee Messina circa 1997. It’s actually fairly tolerable for a group sing. Fergie pimped a new song. A promo for next week’s “Idol Gives Back” with the likes of Gwen Stefani, Il Divo, Hugh Grant, Josh Grobin, Jack Black, Helen Mirran, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Annie Lennox and Earth, Wind & Fire, to name a few. And the promise a big duet by two big names. A “Shrek 3” promo with Antonio Banderas showing up. Martina sings “Anyway.”
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4/18: Simon couldn’t hear Chris
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Simon Cowell this morning told TMZ and Ryan Seacrest’s Los Angeles morning radio show that he rolled his eyes Tuesday night because of Chris Richardson’s prior comments about his nasal singing, not his comments about the Virginia Tech tragedy.
“I couldn’t hear what Chris had said,” Cowell told Seacrest. “My rolling of my eyes was to what he had said previously, that singing nasally is a form of singing.” Simon went on to say that he wanted to clear this misunderstanding up due to the sensitivity of the situation in Virginia. “We wanted to set the right tone on the show last night and then something like this happens and it just starts fanning the flames…it’s not right,” Cowell said
By coincidence, “Idol” executive producer Ken Warwick (to promote “Idol Gives Back”) got on the line with print reporters at 3 p.m. EST and we naturally grilled him about the Simon (Inadvertent) snafu.
Warwick missed the eye roll. And he repeated Simon saying he couldn’t hear Chris. “He’s not stupid,” Warwick said. “He came off and he was mortified.” Simon didn’t know about the problem until after the show was over. Warwick said Simon spontaneously made his own Virginia Tech comment after Blake’s performance near the end of the show. “It hit us afterward it could be misconstrued.”
I asked him as a followup if the judges always have trouble hearing the contestants. Warwick said yes. “The audience is yelling and whooping all the way through. It is a mad house to be true.” He said the judges can hear Ryan when things are quieter but frequently when the contestants are talking back to the judges, the crowd is making so much noise, the judges can’t hear anyway. (They do have mikes in their ears to hear the singing.)
Simon added similarly to tmz.com: “Cowell told TMZ, “I couldn’t hear what Chris had said. I was talking to Paula. My reaction (rolling my eyes) was to what he had said previously, that singing nasally is a form of singing.” It’s true, when the judges are off camera they frequently jab at each other as the singers do their thing. Simon told TMZ he was shocked when he saw what went down: “When I watched the show back, I was horrified.”
And you can watch the video of my online TV debut gabbing about Idol here, at least for now.
4/18: Sanjaya booed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Poor Sanjaya got booed at a recent baseball game..
And in a cruel homage, Maxim has named him “Today’s Girl.”.
And on a non-Sanjaya route, USA Today explores the success of country “Idol” contestants., though clearly nobody is going country this year.
Also, I’m supposed to be on in the noon hour on CNN Pipeline. The online version of CNN does a lot of original broadcasting and does a weekly “Idol” roundup. One of the weekly participants left so they needed a sub. That sub is me. It’s subscription only, though ($2.95 a month for tons of commercial free, on-demand video, or $24.95 a year. There is a 14-day free trial period, too.). We’ll see if I can transfer my writing skills into any semblence of charisma in front of a camera!
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4/17: They’ve gone country
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Country was a mixed bag of hay for these singers to gnaw on. Some excelled, some bailed, ahem.
I’d say Melinda and Jordin solidified their places in the top three while Phil Stacey shocked us all with his best performance to date.
Bottom three is easy: Sanjaya is due for a fall, along with Chris Richardson and Blake Lewis (his first appearance.) Who goes home? Chris Richardson is homeward bound. I think Sanjaya will just escape elimination this time.
Also notice how Simon reluctantly had to say something about the Virginia Tech tragedy at the end. He had made a face when Chris Richardson sent his thoughts to his Virginia copatriots a few minutes earlier. I’m sure a producer whispered in Simon’s ear during the break about it.
1-Jordin Sparks (Martina McBride’s “Broken Wing”) - She’s gutsy taking on the coach’s music when she didn’t have to. But no worries: this is a soulful country ballad and Jordin takes off and soars. Great last note! She’s back, baby! Randy: “Probably one of the most difficult songs to sing. I liked you start it slow. That was the bomb. Another great performance.” Paula: “The way you just stood there and built the song. You told a story.” Randy: “This is the first time since we have met where I actually believe based on that performance you can win ‘American Idol’ ” (Wow!)
2-Melinda Doolittle (Julie Reeves’ “Trouble is a Woman”) Martina had no clue about this tune. I’ve never heard it either. They made her much younger with her haircut and a strapless tunic. She doesn’t have much dancing ability but vocally, another home run. Randy: “That’s another solid performanace from our resident pro.” Paula: “Once again, a girl who knows how to pick the right song and perform like there’s no tomorrow.” Simon: “I’m about to compliment you. I’m going to ask you lose the surprise. It was fantastic. It was a great choice of song. You look much better than last week. I saw a little Tina Turner. There was a little attitude.”
3-Phil Stacey (Keith Urban’s “Where the Blacktop Meets’) - The song fits Phil and he does with confidence and a reasonable amount of verve. (As usual, as the camera pans by Simon and Paula, he’s messing with her and not watching Phil.). For him, this was the best performance I’ve seen so far. He might have saved himself. And no wonder the producers opened with him. Randy: “You’re going to have a career music in country, man. That was really good. Who knew?” Paula: “This is the genre you feel most comfortable with. You sounded good from the beginning to the end.” Simon: “It only took 10 weeks. The style of music suited you. Even more surprisingly, we even saw some personality!”
4-LaKisha Jones (Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel”) - Wow! Taking on a prior “Idol” song. “She wisely chose a song she relates to,” Martina said. LaKisha throws herself into the song emotionally. She misses a note here and there but overall, a respectable version with a gospel edge. Randy: “For me, there were some pitch problems. I think you could have done it more than singing it straight.” Paula: “I’m going to have to agree with what Randy said. I do believe this is the first time with the swell of the band, you may have heard differently. A lot of vocals sounded like you were shouting.” Simon: “It’s like eating a hamburger for breakfast. It doesn’t go together. It didn’t feel it had a natural soul to it. You absolutely blew us away eight or nine weeks ago with the Jennifer Holliday song. Now you have to choose better songs.”
5-Blake Lewis (Tim McGraw’s “When the Stars Go Blue”) - He closes the show. Can he hit the emotional points? That argyle sweater doesn’t exactly yelp “country!” Maybe “Town & Country.” He opens strong but hits some lame notes when he goes falsetto. His inability to change his facial expressions hurts the performance. It kind of petered out. Randy: “I love your sense of style. I love the vest. The arrangement suited you. You know who you are.” Paula: “You kind of have the whole package.” Simon: “It wasn’t a jumping out of my chair performance, Blake. I thought it was okay.”
6-Chris Richardson (Rascal Flatt’s “Mayberry”) - I’m not a fan of Rascal Flatts. “I question that choice but hearing you sing it is fantastic,” Martina said. “He could be a country singer. He’s real versatile.” We’ll be the judge of that! He keeps putting in that boy-band spin on it. I don’t see the country in him at all. I don’t feel this one. Vocally, this was really subpar. Randy: “You sang it okay. I just didn’t feel any sense of connection.” Paula: “The joy and love you have on stage didn’t come through.” Simon: “I think sometimes this audience and me are hearing different things. They gave you a standing ovation. What I heard a very nasally tinny vocal which had no impact on me at all.”
7-Sanjaya Malakar (Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About”) - Kellie Pickler sang this, with modest results, last year. “I chose the song because I often give people something to talk about,” he said. Martina says he needs to project more. Wearing a ridiculous bandana, he does a horrible job and doesn’t project. He glides across the stage with an absurd amount of overconfidence. It’s his weakest performance since “Bathwater.” Randy: “That was really karaoke dude. Vocally, it wasn’t good at all. It was very bland and boring.” Paula: “You love adversity. You thrive on it.” Simon: “Utterly horrendous. It was as bad as anything we’ve seen at begining of ‘American Idol.’ ” Ryan tries to defend Sanjaya against the wrath of Simon and loses because what argument did Ryan have? And even when he said Simon hates everything Sanjaya does, that wasn’t true. He did like last week’s Spanish performance (as did I.)
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4/17: Carrie’s awards & Idol skeds
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CREDIT: AP
Last night, Carrie Underwood took home a bulk of awards at the CMT Video awards with “Before He Cheats” winning best overall video, best female video and best director. Country radio and country listeners love her to pieces. Her debut album is only about 400,000 behind Kelly Clarkson’s sophomore breakout hit “Breakaway,” the biggest selling “Idol” alum CD of all time. I expect Carrie will surpass Kelly at some point this summer. Carrie is approaching 5.3 million while Kelly’s CD is at 5.7 million.
“It was at the CMT awards last year that I gave my first acceptance speech ever,” Underwood said on the show, according to this story. “It’s been such an amazing and blessed two years.”
Atlanta’s Sugarland won best duo video with “Want To” and Alpharetta’s Jeff Foxworthy hosted Monday night.
Plus, TMZ.com offers a thrilling overview of a typical “Idol” week:
A new “Idol” week starts after the departure of Wednesday night’s eliminated contestant — see-ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya!
On Thursday, contestants mull over song choices and begin to work out their particular look for their next performance. This is where Sanjaya’s hair-tastrophes are born! On Fridays, after song choices are nailed down, contestants hit the town to purchase any last-minute wardrobe. It was on a Friday that TMZ spotted “Idols” lunching after shopping at the celeb-heavy Grove mall.
On Saturdays, the wannabes meet with that week’s celebrity mentor to pick up tips on their renditions and to make any needed tweaks to their song’s arrangement. The meetings are filmed rehearsals, with J.Lo, Gwen Stefani, or, as was the case this weekend, Martina McBride.
Sunday is a busy production day, as the “Idol” kids tape those goofy Ford-sponsored music videos. Say cheese! TMZ has learned that if production wraps early, they usually get some much-needed free time on Sunday nights. You hear that LC?!
Monday is all about rehearsals, rehearsals and more rehearsals. Yes, Sanjaya actually rehearses.
Tuesday is live performance night, which finds everyone (contestants and production staff alike) scrambling to iron out all last minute details. A dress rehearsal run-thru happens just prior to the live taping at 5 PM PT. Afterwards, we’re told, many of the contestants gather at their Hollywood apartment complex to watch the show together.
Now that Wednesday’s elimination show is one hour, the contestants may be required to perform (as they did last week with Enrique Iglesias’ “Bailamos.”) After running through their performance, the singers prepare for the possibility of being sent home. After the eliminee is revealed, tears are shed and the entire group heads over to a local restaurant (usually Italian) for the weekly ‘good-bye dinner.’ After their last supper, the “Idols” retire to their home and the entire process begins all over again.
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4/17: Paris B. disses Idol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to tmz.com, former Fayetteville resident and season five finalist Paris Bennett dubs this year’s “Idol” a joke on a Minneapolis radio show.
“We want to see him [Sanjaya] win because it’ll kind of proves that ‘American Idol’ is kind of losing its taste,” says Bennett. “It kinda isn’t going for talent anymore and more for popularity.” Heck, she even admits she’s voting for Sanjaya! She’s even familiar with www.votefortheworst.com.
There’s audio of the interview, too, here. She’s far peppier on this interview than she was with me!
And here’s Haley’s attempt at acting on Jay Leno’s “The Tonight Show”. Sorry, she’s wearing leather pants so no leg action.
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4/16: Fantasia on Broadway
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Broadway.com has some photos from opening night of Fantasia’s debut in “The Color Purple” last week.
CREDIT: Bruce Glikas/broadway.com
With the makeup and gray hair, now we know what Fantasia will look like in 30 years!
Here was the commentary from broadway.com:
Fantasia Barrino was awash in tears as she took her curtain call after her first performance in The Color Purple on Broadway—yup, a true American Idol has finally made it to the Great White Way. And frankly, Fantasia’s outpouring of love and gratitude swept the contours of the Broadway Theatre on April 10 to embrace her fellow castmates, creative team and the entire audience as well. Afterwards, we snapped some exclusive post-show pics of The Color Purple’s key players as they toasted the arrival of their new Celie. Welcome, Ms. Barrino
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4/16: Elliott in Atlanta 5/15
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good news for Elliott Yamin fans: he opens his national tour on May 15 in Atlanta at the Loft, the same spot that Daughtry performed just a week ago. (Sorry the headline said 4/15 there for a few hours.)
I’m not sure when tickets are on sale. Here’s the rest of his tour list.
And Clay Aiken fans should know he’ll be returning to Chastain Amphitheatre August 15 with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra backing him up.
Bucky Covington will be doing a private concert April 25 for Kicks 101.5 fans. I’m going to try to go to that and talk to Bucky if y’all have any questions for him. You can hear his CD (out Tuesday) in advance here..
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4/15: Daughtry, Carrie continue sales surge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Idol Chatter’s Ken Barnes on vacation, I procured SoundScan numbers for “Idol”-related CDs. Parentheticals are last week’s sales.
Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway: 5.7 mil (5,300) / Thankful: 2.6 mil (1,800)
Justin Guarini - 143,000 (negligible)
Ruben Studdard - Soulful: 1.8 mil (100) / Need An Angel: 447,000 (100) / Return: 219,000 (1,400)
Clay Aiken - Measure: 2.8 mil (200) / Thousand Different Ways: 508,000 (700)
Josh Gracin - 688,000 (300)
Fantasia - Free Yourself: 1.7 (600) / Fantasia: 342,000 (5,900) (Her self-titled album drops from 152 to 180 but her second single is at No. 2 on the R&B/hip-hop airplay charts)
Carrie Underwood - 5.2 million (54,000) (She drops from 17 to 18 but she has her fourth No. 1 country hit with “Wasted” and a top 20 pop hit with “Before He Cheats.”)
Bo Bice - 666,000 (300)
Daughtry - 2.2 million (98,000) (His sales were way up this Easter week but there were a ton of debuts so he drops from 6 to 7. His single “It’s Not Over” has peaked but “Home” is climbing steadily on the pop charts.)
Katharine McPhee - 291,000 (12,000) She dropped from 93 to 95 but sales were actually up slightly over the past week despite the fact her single “Over It” appears to have peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Pop 100.
Kellie Pickler 493,000 (8,700) Her second single “I Wonder” moves up to No. 26 on the country chart and the CD rebounds from 150 to 128 with a bullet. She should reach 500,000 next week!
Elliot Yamin 142,000 (21,000) - His album tumbles from 2 to 28 to 49 in three weeks. But his single “Wait For Me” is edging up the charts, debuting at No. 48 on pop airplay.
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4/14: EW cover story on Idol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CREDIT: Art Streiber/EW
I recently purchased People’s cover story about “Idol” and it was kind of lame. But Entertainment Weekly’s cover story is far more revelatory. Simon Cowell that this isn’t the most talented (much less interesting) crew of contestants “Idol” has ever had. I think we all agree with that. I’d say it’s the dullest group since season three and arguably, not a heck of a lot better than season one.
Here’s the story, though it’s in nine parts.
It notes that ratings are down about 7 percent since the top 12 started.
”We’re doing as well as we are doing with not a great cast at the moment, to be honest with you,” says judge Simon Cowell. ”They’re not the best bunch of kids we’ve ever had.
And Cowell wonders if the fact non-winners are doing so well is impacting the contestants’ drive to be the winner:
”We suffer from Jennifer Hudson- and Chris Daughtry-itis,” he says. “There’s part of me thinking, [contestants] genuinely couldn’t care less what we’ve got to say.”
Chris Sligh is the only one to actually admit that. But it certainly is the case with someone like Sanjaya, who knows in his heart he has no chance of winning but is making the most of his time on stage.
Other tidbits:
Blake Lewis hates the tight control “Idol” has and the living arrangements. He even admits to breaking curfew. ”I mean, what are they going to do? ‘You can’t sing anymore?’ ” he says. ”I went out until 1:30 a.m. I got reprimanded by singing last, which is probably the best thing that can happen.”
Chris Richardson: Simon places him as a potential top five finisher, though the former Hooters manager has been in the bottom three twice already.
Jordin Sparks has been wanting to audition for “Idol” for years but only now has been old enough to do so.
LaKisha Jones says she has chosen to sequester herself more from the other contestants, who all seem rather chummy.
Melinda Doolittle is aware of the mockery of her appearance, noting nicknames like Shrek and Platypus (ouch!). She also said the humility is not an act. “I don’t think there’s a problem with being truly grateful. I don’t know how to stand there and take it right, but I’m working on it.”’
Phil Stacey, Ryan Seacrest said, may have saved himself during standards week by noting he was singing to his wife though the judges believed he sang it “disconnected” from the song. Stacey himself said it was not a calculated bid to win votes but his true feelings at the time, that he’s “too frightened on that stage to be witty.”
Then there’s Sanjaya Malakar. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, echoing fellow exec producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, doesn’t believe he has a chance in hell of winning. ”It’s not gonna happen. Trust me,” says Frot-Coutaz. ”Eventually America gets it right. We’re not worried. We love Sanjaya, but he’s not going to win.”
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4/13: Tidbits on Simon, Sanjaya…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CREDIT: The Sun Online
Above was Simon Cowell’s first appearance on the telly, on a cheesy game show called “Sale of the Century” in 1990. He won some kitchen tongs.
Here’s the story from the U.K. Sun.
And here’s my favorite quote from Sanjaya Wednesday night:
“I definitely hoped that Jennifer Lopez picked up on my passion and um…maybe I’ll get her number later and we won’t have to tell Marc Anthony.”
Yah.. Marc must so love a 17 year old to hit on his gal before 27 million viewers. (The preliminary Nielsen numbers showed that the results show actually pulled in more than the performance show. I’m not sure if that’s ever happened before! I was kind of shocked when I saw that because one-hour results shows generally don’t do as well.)
4/13: Kelly Clarkson single forthcoming
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kelly Clarkson has ridden her second CD “Breakaway” to the top, generating five top 20 hits including that killer song “Since U Been Gone.” Sales are approaching 6 million copies.
Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, you’ll be able to hear her new single off her third CD “Never Again.” Check her out here.. The name of the new CD will be “My December” but a release date has not been set.
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4/12: Haley talks zzz…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was trying to finish another story and got in late for the print press conference with Haley Scarnato. From what I caught, I don’t think I missed much. She was as dull as you’d expect. Here’s some of what I caught:
Typical answer after someone asked how everyone got along: “Everyone is so supportive and it’s just a great feeling to know that they’re there for us. We love each other and we want everyone to do well.”
Simon’s comments about her using her looks to skate by and her short shorts: “It hurts of course. It’s legs. It is what it is. I don’t even know what to say. It’s frustrating. I’m just going out to sing and perform and entertain… I didn’t think they’d be that distracting. They’re just shorts… That’s okay. You can’t please everybody.”
Being in the bottom three in the past: “It’s emotionally draining. You have to get through it and you have fans and they’re very loyal. I’m completely blessed. You kind of keep going.”
Her wedding: “The wedding was set for Nov. 10 but we have to move it back because the tour is running into it. We’ll see how it goes.”
Her experience on “Idol”: “My life changed. It truly was a blessing. I’m very thankful.”
Latin week falling flat?” “We were excited about the Latin theme. The band sounded awesome It just wasn’t working for the judges but everyone did a great job and that’s all that matters.”
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4/11: Ace Young in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ace Young came into town to dole out Edy’s ice cream at the Ansley Kroger.
I caught him there. He was incredibly cordial to his fans, even sang with some of his fans, including a three-year-old. Many flew in or drove in from out of town. Many are active in his charity group High Rollers with Heart, which raises money for the Children’s Hospital of Denver. And he looks as good as fans would expect with his curly hair, his tight shirts, his scruffy face. Plus, he shook my hand and seemed sincerely happy to meet me. Here are some shots I took:
Samantha Stephens, a 21-year-old Georgia State creative writing student, sings “Father Figure” with Ace. “Ace has star quality,” said Stephens, a Midtown resident. “He has a crystal voice, a je ne sais quoi.”
Laura Hinsdale held the poster her 13-year-old daughter Kelsey showed off at the “Idols Live!” concert last September. “He’s more delicious than the ice cream,” she said.
Three-year-old Patrick Elder sings with his idol Ace. His mom Debra Elder of Norcross is a fan, too, of course. She hung out after the September “Idols Live!” concert by the tour bus and met Ace then and Patrick sang with Ace then, too.
Ace poses with two super fans, Jacqui Buschni, who flew in from White Plains, N.Y. (left) and Nicki Young, 22, of Warner Robins, Ga.
I asked what some of these Ace fans thought of this year’s crew and naturally, none felt there was an Ace replacement in sight. Blake had some fans but overall, most folks were pretty disappointed in the lack of star quality. “There isn’t enough diversity or talent,” said Candace Young, 37, of Warner Robins. “I don’t like anybody.”
As we talked about whether anybody had the full package (talent, personality, looks), Nicki Young gazed over to Ace, who was leaning over and said, “He has the full package.” In fact, she noted that his red underwear was peeking out between his shirt and jeans while he was signing autographs standing up. Apparently, they had asked him what type of underwear he wore. Ladies: boxer briefs.
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4/10: Fantasia hits Broadway
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fantasia starts her role as Celie in “The Color Purple” tonight, yet another “Idol” finalist on Broadway.
MTV gets a bird’s eye view.
Fantasia insists, “It’s no joke. At first I thought this would all be a piece of cake, but it’s hard work. I’ll probably forget everything the day of — I’ll probably be in the bathroom all day with my nerves! I’ll be running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
“But wow,” she sighs. “I’m going to do Broadway. That’s crazy!”
And sorry to confuse you earlier by posting a radio item on the Idol blog!
4/7: Gina shocked she’s gone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I belatedly got around to reading the transcript of the Gina Glocksen press conference. You can tell how excited I was about this one, eh? And after reading it, I realized I didn’t miss much.
Anyway, she was surprised by her departure. (Most of us were.)
“I was really disappointed, because at no point in time on Tuesday night or before I went to bed on Tuesday or preparing for Wednesday night, did I think that I’d be going home, not this week. I thought that I had a really good performance on Tuesday, and I was really proud of the song that I chose and the way that I chose to present it. So it was just emotional to know that I was going to be going home. I didn’t even have a chance to be in the bottom three ever, and the one time that I was I’m going home. So it was pretty hard.”
And about the tongue ring — did that distract people?
“I think they focused on my signing talent and the song choices. And if that was the reason why they didn’t follow through with voting for me, then I’m okay with that, because I was just continuing to be myself. I’ve had my tongue ring in for three years, and to take it out for a couple shows, it kind of seemed funny to me. It’s who I am, and that’s why people like me. It’s why people don’t and I’m okay with either one.”
She wanted to sing “Living on a Prayer” for Bon Jovi/rocker week. She also wanted to sing a Pink song at one point but Pink doesn’t clear her songs for “Idol.”
And the weekly Sanjaya defense:
“He’s just different. It’s not that he’s better or worse. He’s Sanjaya and Jordin is Jordin and Chris is Chris and Blake is Blake; America, I guess, was through with me, and that’s fine. I’m fine with it. I’m going to tour.”
And what’s the dude like?
“He’s exactly what you see on TV. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He does his thing and he’s proud of himself. I love that; self-confidence is a great trait to have.”
Her plans:
“After the tour, I want to move to LA and try to get a record deal. I want to make music, my own music because I’ve been singing covers for so long, and just try and sell albums.”
And she naturally didn’t pick a favorite to win. That seems to be standard after media training.
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4/6: Mid-day items
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The bevy of “Idol” folks coming to town is neverending. Besides Daughtry, Ace, Jennifer and Elliott in the coming days, Paris Bennett will be headlining the Dogwood Festival main stage at Piedmont Park Sunday April 15 from 7 to 8 p.m. after Anthony David.
No interview is forthcoming. :)
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4/6: A bit of this, a bit of that
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My colleague Nedra Rhone on the shopping/fashion blog yesterday talked about Idol fashion. This is so not my area of expertise but it’s a good question. Who do you like best fashion wise? Who’s the worst?
And Chris Daughtry’s success over Taylor Hicks has fueled the same argument that Clay’s sales success over Ruben’s generated four years ago: does winning matter that much?
Nigel Lythgoe at tv.week says that no, given the exposure of an act who makes it in the top 4 like Chris, it doesn’t matter much at that stage. And he addressed Sanjaya yet again but he has to!
“I do understand why people vote for him; I really do,” said Mr. Lythgoe. “I think Sanjaya is going to win in the sense that he’s going to have a very interesting career. He’s certainly going to have food for the rest of his life, isn’t he?”
And India is indifferent to Sanjaya, according to an AP story..
And since we’ve looked at the vocal coach (Debra Byrd) and the music director (Rickey Minor), how about those three backup singers?.
Finally, Lisa Tucker has nabbed a role on a TV drama pilot called “Born in the USA” on Fox. Usually 30% or fewer pilots actually make it on air. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Tucker, 17, will play a smart, beautiful and quiet girl with a good sense of humor
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4/4: Gina is out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gina Glocksen, in a mild surprise, is the fourth person out. I expected Phil Stacey to go.
But I did get the bottom three correct: Gina, Haley and Phil.
The middle three were presumably Blake, Chris and Sanjaya.
And LaKisha, Melinda and Jordin ruled the roost.
Michael Buble covered for Tony Bennett, suffering the flu. He’s no Bennett. In fact, Buble seemed a bit sloppy and made a lame joke about still voting for Antonella Barba.
Otherwise, a relatively uneventful results show. I don’t get a sense Gina was able to build any rabid-type fan base so nobody is crying - besides Gina.
Next week: Latino music and J. Lo!
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4/4: Songwriters rejoice!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is my 1,000th “American Idol” entry since we started in February of 2005. That’s a lotta bloggin’!
Here are the details from USA Today..
The winner’s song will be performed by the two finalists and become the new Idol’s first single.
Amateur hopefuls — 18 and up with no exclusive publishing deals — can write and record songs and upload them at songwriter.americanidol.com until April 17.
A team headed by Idol creator Simon Fuller will pick 20 songs from those submitted and let fans listen on the website. They will then have a week, starting May 2, to vote for their favorites, one online vote per fan.
Once a winner is picked, a record producer will arrange and produce the song for the Idol finalists, possibly consulting with the songwriter, who will get a one-song, standard deal with 19 Entertainment.
4/3: Steppin’ out with Tony
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The nine finalists managed to jump the standards hurdle without stumbling.
My bottom three was easy and I can’t decide how to order them: Phil Stacey, Gina Glocksen and Haley Scarnato. I’ve incorrectly predicted Haley’s departure five times so far so I’m not going to predict her departure in hopes maybe I’ll be right this time. Instead, I think Phil’s time is now to take a trip back to his baby and his wife.
My favorite? I’m totally on the Sparks Express. Jordin is rockin’ it every week with something cool and different. Chris Richardson surprised us all. Melinda and LaKisha are, as usual, rock solid. Blake was okay. Sanjaya is getting better. Gina, Haley and Phil? Forgettable.
Tony Bennett as a judge was informative and constructive. At age 80, the man still has it together.
Other notes: Kelly Clarkson will join the “Idol Gives Back” concert April 25 at the Disney Concert Hall, home of the L.A. Philharmonic. They will split the show between the regular “Idol” studio and that concert hall.
Random observation: Who’s that dude Ryan was hugging after the final commercial break? (Thank you bloggers: it was Sanjaya’s dad.)
My rankings:
1- Jordin Sparks (“On a Clear Day”) — When someone at an unrelated media panel asked me Saturday who I thought will now win this, I think Jordin is the gal. (Ryan Seacrest and Justin Guarini have said the same thing.) She’s got the chops and the personality to take it home. And this was just such a joyous performance with a final note that just soared to across the sky for miles. I loved it. Randy: “We have some heat up here. That was the bomb again. You’re a pro and you’re 17. Like what?” Paula: “You really are this magnet of joy.” Simon: “I thought you sang it really well but I don’t think you achieved what Chris did was make it young and current. It was very old fashioned and traditional.”
2- Chris Richardson (Duke Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”) - He mostly got rid of the boy band vocal mannerisms yet maintained his own personal style. I know Mike S. can’t stand him but I enjoy his performances, especially this one. He has far more pizzazz than Phil. Randy: “This is one of your best performances of the season.” Paula: “You didn’t compromise. You made it so hip and so cool.” Simon: “I thought that was very good, very believable. I agree with what Randy and Paula said. You worked it out very very well. Probably one of the strongest tonight.”
3- Melinda Doolittle (Ella Fitzgerald’s “I Got Rhythm”) — It was fun and frothy and yet another solid performance by Melinda. She’s been the queen of consistency so far. It’ll be interesting if that could hurt her at some point. Randy: “You give everyone a lesson in singing. This is how you do it America!” Paula: “You’re like a master class for everyone to ask. It was a flawless performance.” Simon: “I didn’t like the first half of the song. It was a bit cabaret. I thought the second half of the song was great. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to criticize you. This is a problem.”
4- LaKisha Jones (“Stormy Weather”) - She’s vocally stupendous as always but I think she’s become way too predictable and her facial expressions never change. She needs to really change it up. The producers gave her the final slot, a sign of confidence. Heck, they even showed Nigel clapping afterwards. Randy: “A little pitchy in the front but you saved it all for the middle and the end. That was the bomb.” Paula: “This is the most gorgeous you ever looked. You sound beautiful.” Simon: “Back on form. That was a sassy great performance.”
5- Blake Lewis (Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife”) It’s not quite the Blake we expect since he’s gone full-on old school. He’s not bad. He got the vibe, if not the lyrical feel that Tony was trying to tease out of him. That definitely will keep him here another week. Randy: “That was av ery good way to start off the evening. This was a perfect song for you. This is kind of your thing, that funky jazzy kind of dude.” Paula: “You personfied pizzazz.” Simon: “Good choice of song. Performed it well. I give you 7 out of 10, the band 8 out of 10.”
6- Sanjaya “Dare to Be Different” Malakar (“Cheek to Cheek”) - I decided to experiment and simply listen to the song without watching him. He has such a lovely, unaffected voice but it lacks power and depth, something he may achieve when he’s older. And that final note didn’t do it at all. He needed to bring it home and didn’t - or couldn’t. I can’t tell. Okay. Now I’m going to watch him. His hair is pulled back, slicked. He has that teen faux mustache. The white suit with the black suit suits him. His amateurish dance moves are just so cheeseball but working Paula is smart. And that smile is neverending. It’s a change of pace. Thumbs up. Randy: “What I like about you. You’ve become a great entertainer.” Paula: “You’re charming. Your vocals were a little off in the beginning. Thank you for the dance.” Simon: “Let’s try a different tactic tonight. Incredible.” Ryan notes with irony: “You’re good at staying under the radar.”
7- Gina Glocksen (Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”) - She’s totally excised the rock part of her - except for that tongue piercing. Am I entranced? I guess if I liked her, I might be. But it’s merely just okay and, as Simon might say, extremely old fashioned. Who is Gina Glocksen? Randy: “That was a very nice controlled performance for the rocker girl. I kind of liked that.” Paula: “Understated, beautiful, sentimental.” Simon: “I can’t rave about the vocals. Sorry. Two girls came on before and outsang you. Sorry.”
8- Phil Stacey (“Night and Day”) - Sure, he’s got a good voice. But I’m still bored by him. I doubt anything is going to change that. This certainly didn’t. Randy: “It was an interesting choice for you. You sang it good. The beat notes were cool. I didn’t feel a real connection, real passion.” Paula: “You’re reminiscent of a young Frank Sinatra. But constructive criticism is have more joy and warm those vocals up so they don’t just warm and swell in the chorus.” Simon: “Which Frank Sinatra are you referring to? I think it had all the joy of somebody singing in a funeral parlor. It was completely utterly gloomy and slightly dark. There was no life in this performance.” More night than day, eh?
9- Haley Scarnato (“Ain’t Misbehavin’ “) - Wow! Great dress and she shows just a tease of the pups. Tony notes that she messes up the meaning of the song in practice. I’m going to listen to her without watching her, like I did with Sanjaya. She’s got a perfectly servicable voice - for a backup singer. She’s cookiecutter vocally. Now I’m going to watch her. Sigh… she’s still so Lindsey Cardinale to me. At least she’s working the stage and her assets. But it still feels like an act, like a good pageant show or Vegas lounge singer, which is where she’ll probably end up. Randy punted. Paula: “Did I mention that green is a good color for you.” Simon: “I think you’ve got great legs.” More seriously, he noted, “It was a good style of music for you. But it was little pageanty (hey, stop taking my lines Simon!).”
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4/3: Idol producer predicts Sanjaya won’t win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“American Idol” executive producer Ken Warwick, in a print press conference today, said he’s “pretty confident” Sanjaya Malakar won’t win. He sounds bemused by the Sanjaya phenomenon.
“He always changes things up,” he told the press. “He’s a talking point. He changes his hair. He’s a good looking kid. And young girls love young good looking kids. He’s of the moment. He’s not as bad a singer as people make him out to be. Part of this business is your communication with your audience. He’s certainly good with that.”
Warwick also dismissed Chris Sligh’s contention he asked to leave the show.
“Chris Sligh is someone who sometimes talks out of turn,” he said, sounding mildly annoyed. “Sometimes, he talks out of turn. He never came to me. I was never aware of it. I don’t know if he’s trying to stir up something interesting in himself.”
He also says the votefortheworst type sites have “minimal” impact on votes and that Sanjaya is receiving votes on his own merits. That’s exactly what Nigel Lythgoe said last week and isn’t exactly a surprise.
He also said the votes move around more than you think, that Melinda and LaKisha are not always at the top. He said someone near the bottom two weeks ago was second this past week. (He didn’t say who.). And over the years, he said rarely has someone stayed near the top virtually every week. Fantasia was one of the rare casees of someone staying fairly consistent her season (and even she was in the bottom three at one point.)
Why doesn’t Fox reveal the votes?
“It can sway people. It’s not necessary,” Warwick said. “Everyone loves a favorite. If everyone was favoring the same people, it would draw people to those people. I don’t think it’s fair. It’s interesting how that performance that week later that week and keeps it sort of level. They just need to know the lowest votes in process.”
He said nobody has successfully manipulated the voting process via some electronic means. He said they have special machinery to handle that and they’ve never needed to use it.
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4/3: Idol tidbits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Idol” executive producer Ken Warwick is holding a print press conference today at 2 p.m. If you have any questions, I can ask two.
And here’s how big a deal Sanjaya’s hair has gotten. KFC is even trying to get in on the act:
Sanjaya Malakar has turned heads not only with his notable performances on American Idol, but also his cutting edge haircuts. KFC is now publicly offering Sanjaya a sweet deal and we thought you might be interested in running a news brief on this offer. On behalf of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Gregg Dedrick, president, is asking Sanjaya to don a bowl hairdo during one of his next nationally televised performances - KFC will grant him a free lifetime supply of KFC Famous Bowls if he comes through. We’re sure America will be ‘bowled-over’ by Sanjaya’s take on this classic look. KFC will also make a charitable contribution in his name.
And that woman who was on a hunger strike until Sanjaya was voted off was told to stop by the doctors after 16 days, according to tmz.com.
Elliott Yamin’s indie album is the highest-selling debut for an indie CD since SoundScan began measuring in 1991 at 90K. He sold about 20K more than Kellie Pickler, 15K fewer than Kat McPhee.
Newsweek notes that last year’s crew has been the most fruitful yet in terms of selling CDs out of the gate by a long shot. Check out the story. Kellie, Taylor, Elliott, Chris and Kat have already sold a combined 3.7 million albums (a majority from Chris alone). Bucky, Mandisa, Ace and Paris are forthcoming. The only Idols from last year who don’t appear to have CDs coming are Lisa Tucker (who’s working TV), Kevin Covais (who’s going to school) and Melissa McGhee (who nobody would remember anyway).
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4/2: Daughtry’s Tabernacle appearance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My colleague Nick Marino, the music critic, was none too kind to Chris Daughtry, who made a promotional free concert appearance at the Tabernacle late Saturday night. Apparently, it was very poorly attended. (I would have gone if I hadn’t been ill.) The problem was he didn’t even get started til past 11 p.m. and the tickets were given out free. Who knows how many were even handed out. I’m sure a lot of folks who might have been interested were deterred by the NCAA Final Four traffic in the area. Plus, he didn’t do a full-fledged concert. It was being taped for some on-line promotion.
Anyway, Daughtry is doing a sold-out gig at the Loft on Thursday (just 600 spots) and then the Gwinnett Arena on June 2. That latter concert will surely be well attended and also include Dashboard Confessional, Augustana and Katharine McPhee.
Here’s Nick’s take.
4/1: Ryan stops by hometown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dunwoody High School grad Ryan Seacrest swept into town to introduce the band Maroon 5 at MyCokeFest Sunday night at Centennial Olympic Park. If I were not still recovering from food poisoning, I would have stopped by the concert series (especially to see Sugarland) but I’m trying to rest up so I can get going again this week.
My colleague Elizabeth Cobb (who does not watch “American Idol”) got a couple of minutes with Ryan before he got on stage. I asked her to ask him a few specific questions about “Idol” but she didn’t. Hey, if I didn’t watch the show, I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking specific questions either. Heck, I’m not even sure she knows who Sanjaya is. (Probably not a bad thing.) Here’s her report:
Dressed in a hoodie and expertly faded “vintage” Coke tee, Seacrest invited us into his trailer for a quick chat before hitting the stage. And yes, his hair was perfect.
What have you been up to this weekend?
Last night caught up with friends from Dunwoody High School. We had dinner at Fritti, in the Highlands. (NOTE: It’s really on North Highland Avenue, in Inman Park) They are all married and pregnant. And I’ve been taking in a little basketball, working on MyCokefest and visiting with mom and dad.
What would you tell out of towners to do?
Well, really I’d like to see the Aquarium. I mean it’s right there. (gesturing outside window) But this time of year is so beautiful in Georgia. Just being outside seeing the azaleas and the dogwoods.
*Who’s your favorite out of the line-up? *
Maroon 5 is the one I am closest to. Adam and I are good friends. And this album is four years in the making. This concert is one of the first outings and performances of it.
How do you juggle all your commitments?
My life is simple. It’s dark when I get up and dark when I get home. Time management is key. As soon as I finish one project, I move on to the next one. And really what I do is not brain surgery. It’s fun, but I am not changing the world.
What is going on with American Idol?
You tell me. Everywhere I go, people have been screaming at me to get rid of Sanjaya. And I say, too bad. You’re doing it. He’s an interesting character on the show. America hones in and gets rid of who needs to go and the best usually stay.
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3/31: Sanjaya jokes/Chris update
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was watching E!’s “The Soup” and they had a delightful time mocking Sanjaya. He was also the first topic on VH1’s “Best Week Ever!” He is truly the pop culture joke du jour. What is he going to do this week?
We can’t watch “The Jimmy Kimmel Show” since WSB-TV won’t air it. But on You Tube, you can see his version of Jay Leno’s “Dancing Ito’s” from the OJ days. Yes, it’s the “Sanjaya Choir,” a bunch of Sanjaya (kinda) lookalikes!
And on a completely different topic, the Greenville S.C. paper reported Chris Sligh got booted from Bob Jones University because he (gasp!) attended a contemporary Christian concert a few years back. Here’s the excerpt:
Sligh attended Bob Jones University, but the son of overseas missionaries generally chooses to stay mum about his association —or disassociation — with the school known for its ultra-conservative theology.
Last week, BJU spokesman Jonathan Pait publicly expressed “disappointment” in the direction Sligh had taken with his musical training and his participation on “American Idol.”
Sligh said he has no hard feelings, even though he was expelled from Bob Jones after attending a contemporary Christian concert featuring the group 4Him.
“They kicked me out,” Sligh said. “It was actually good, because I had been trying to figure out how to leave. My parents had given me the option of going to two colleges, and I chose the less-crazy one, believe it or not.”
Sligh’s history with Bob Jones followed him throughout the competition.
“I specifically kept my comments about Bob Jones to myself, just for personal reasons,” Sligh said.
“I don’t want to throw them underneath the bus. I respect what they do — it’s just that their sect of Christianity is not really what I want to be associated with.”
After leaving Bob Jones, Sligh attended North Greenville University. He’s three credits shy of a music degree.
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