Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > August > 31 > Entry
8/31: Jordin Sparks concert and interview
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since this is Labor Day weekend, I held off on printing the interview I had with season six winner Jordin Sparks until I took some photos at the concert this morning at White Water Amusement Park after the U.S. 10K Classic charity runs were finished. In fact, I’ll start with the photos before the interview. It’s a holiday! Interview is after the photos I took:
This is one of my best shots. I like the dramatic effect at this angle. Jordin’s hair is a bit different but she still has that girlish charm and self-possessed confidence from the show.
Jordin sang a 10-song set. She’s still new so she sang six songs from her album, including her three top 10 hits (“Tattoo,” “No Air” and “One Step at a Time”), and wisely avoided the crap coronation song “This Is My Now”. She filled the gaps with four cover songs: “Superstition,” “Fallen” (in homage to Alicia Keys, who she opened for at Philips Arena back in May), “Give Me One Reason” and a reprise of one of her better performances from season six, Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.”
Loads of pre-teens and young female teens crowded the front of the stage. Although 12,000 people participated in the races, I’d say only about 10 percent stuck around for the entire post-race concert. Most probably wanted to hit the showers.
It was a perfect day for a concert. Light breeze, overcast, not too hot. And Jordin sounded immaculate. She hardly ever hits a bad note.
She has this really strange red tinge in her hair. Not sure I like it.
Compositionally, this shot works for me somehow. Maybe it’s that background with the trees and the bus.
I didn’t have a lot of time to interview Jordin, but I did a quick catch up while she’s finishing up her tour with Jesse McCartney before she did a sound check in Washington D.C. Friday. She came across as humble and sweet. She only said “amazing” three times. (I remember that being her favorite adjective during one press conference.)
How’s the tour going with Jesse McCartney?
It’s been really good, a lot of fun. Jesse is really sweet. So is his whole crew. Amazing people. It’s taken some getting used to doing an hour vs. 20 minutes when I opened for Alicia Keys.
How is different for you besides being on stage a lot longer?
A lot more songs. It’s a little more strain on your voice. But I’m doing pretty well so far.
Congrats on your third top 10 with “One Step At a Time.”
I know. I just heard that a few days ago. I am so incredibly psyched. It’s all part of a big gamble. I’m new. I didn’t automatically assume people would buy my music since I was on “Idol.” I really wanted to prove myself. We put out “Tattoo” first. That did well. Then “No Air” came next. That really helped. I had no idea it’s be that massive. [It’s her first No. 1 top 40 hit.]. Now I have a third single. It’s amazing but people like me!
You’ve become the queen of downloads. More than 5 million! Yet despite three hit singles, your album hasn’t even sold 1 million copies. What’s up with that?
It’s really crazy. The industry is changing. Sometimes I don’t want to buy an entire album unless I know most of the songs are any good. I understand that from a customer’s point of view. At the same time, I am just how happy how things are going. I’m happy about the download sales. I’m happy about the tours I’ve been able to go on. And going international has been amazing.
So what’s your schedule looking like this fall?
After hit tour ends, I do a few more shows and the VMAs. [The MTV Video Music Awards.] Then I go to Australia for a promotional tour. I’m so excited. I’ve never been there. Then I’m going back to Europe for a couple of shows. I will take a short break for Thanksgiving. Then I got back on tour with Alicia Keys in Australia.
Why did you decide to do this U.S. 10K Classic?
It’s a great charity. I’m singing the National Anthem. I’m kind of nervous. It’s 7 in the morning! But I’m excited doing an event like this to help out kids.
Do you think you sing better in the morning or at night?
I definitely think I sing better after I’ve been talking awhile and been awake. My voice sounds three octaves deeper in the morning sometimes!
So is a fourth single coming?
Yes! But [the label] hasn’t confirmed what song yet. I think it might be “Freeze” or “Permanent Monday.” Not sure!
I suspect her label Jive Records really wants this album to sell 1 million copies. (It’s at about 892,000 right now.) Amazon has Jordin’s album on sale for just $7.99..
And if you want to see a gallery of various “Idol” related photos I’ve taken the past year or so, check this site out.
Comments
By NicoleLSydney
September 1, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Jordin’s sale todate is 892,000. I personally love her whole cd! It is pack with amazing songs. My personal favorite is: No Air, and Worth The Wait! I voted for Jordin on American Idol and I still love this girl! Her tone come through so true and great sounding on the radio!
By Rozz25
September 1, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
I was there this morning for the 10K walk..Jordan’s voice was immaculate. She did an absolutely phenomenal job. I wish all those girls out there would look to her as a role model. She has such class and again a great singer. To Her and Jennifer Hudson- job well done.
By Edw3rd
September 1, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Jordin was great this morning - BUT the ridiculous people organizing this race didn’t have family meeting spaces and would only let actual runners (and sponsors) into the area where she performed. We’ve been coming for years, and this was such a disappointment. I can tell you there were many families at the finish cheering for their runner that had to leave because they couldn’t get in to the finish area. By the end of Jordin’s set, there were many, many empty seats. It was sad - and left a bad taste in many runners mouths.
By Sara V.
September 1, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
I love Jordin Sparks, i wish I would have known she was going to be in Atlanta, I would have been there..
By runneR
September 1, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Well, everyone was warned that they couldn’t get into the concert without participating. That was part of the $30 race fee. This was on all of the info: Concert held at the Finish Line Celebration of the U.S. 10K Classic.
Concert is open only to race participants and volunteers.
General public will not be admitted without a race number or proper credentials.
By Nana
September 2, 2008 5:19 AM | Link to this
Good Morning to all.
I trust that you all had a very good and safe holiday week-end. Now its time to face another week and get down to work.
Glad to read the report of Jordin. She looks good in the pix.
Time to head off to the office so I will post later this AM.
Ya’ll drive careful, you heah?
By Volunteer3
September 2, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
Jordin was very wonderful, I was a first time volunteer and it was exciting, to see all the people who ran. I thought that it was good that the concert was only for participants and volunteers cuz it made that much more rewarding. Again it was great to see her and she sounded great. Thanks Jordin for choosing to be the U.S. Classic.
By Deirdre
September 2, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
Morning!
I hope everyone had a good(if dreary) holiday weekend.
To our SC friends..we’ll keep our fingers crossed that Hanna doesn’t bother you too much. Same to our Savannah friends.
By harrietth
September 2, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Good morning! Thanks, D, for your concern for us in SC. It looks like we may be in the path of Hanna. The current projected path would bring it right through Columbia where I live. We are about one and a half hours from Charleston, and two and a half hours from Myrtle Beach, so whatever hits the coast, we will get a lot bad effects. Hugo came right up the middle of the state, doing much damange inland. We will just have to wait and see. I have a concern about the storms that are trailing Hanna. You see, I am to take about six days vacation at North Myrtle Beach, beginning on Sept. 16. Hanna won’t bother that, and neither should Ike, but there is another storm right behind Ike. I will definitely have more than a passing interest in that one!
By Deirdre
September 2, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
harrietth…here’s hoping Ike’s little sister doesn’t bother your vacation. I wonder if that’s the last in the train or if another low will come off the African coast.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
September 2, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Morning all… well, i couldn’t find a reason that would fly to stay in Daytona, so I’m baaaaaack! All your well-wishes were positively answered, the weather was perfect for night driving down to Daytona and all but one day of my stay was sunny and perfect! even the drive home wasn’t rain-filled! I’m tanned and rested and absolutely HATE it that i have to work, LOL!!!
but having been off a couple more days… i’ve tons to do so here’s a huge hug to all my friends, a warm wave to all my acquaintances… and a smile and a nod to anyone i don’t know ‘yet’ !!!
peace!
By Nana
September 2, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Harmony - Hope your Mom does well with her TKR (total knee replacement).
Welcome back linny - glad that you had a much deserved vacation.
harrietth - hopefully you can have a great vacation at MB without any remnants of the storm that is behind Ike. I was glad that Gustev was not as strong when it hit land as was predicted. Still, the gulf side got hit pretty hard.
Congrats to Tech, Auburn, Dawgs, and the GC. Going from LaGrange to Opelika,AL, last Saturday I-85S was full of Auburn fans, with the tiger tails blowing in the wind. I guess flats is in 7th heaven now that the ballgames have begun.
I also can’t wait for the new fall lineup to began. Looking forward to Private Pratice.
By Gwen
September 2, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
I think that “really strange red tinge” in Jordin’s hair is in honor of a very close family friend who passed away within the last year.
By Deirdre
September 2, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
I just heard that the storm behind Ike is named Josephine. That’s my mother-in-law’s name. This could get really bad!!!!! :-)
By Deirdre
September 2, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Gwen…that doesn’t make it any less strange. It’s nice that she’s honoring a friend but, if we don’t know that…which most of us don’t…then her hair just looks weird and you can’t blame people for commenting on it.
By Deirdre
September 2, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Gwen..sorry…I meant to add…”thank you for the info”…to that last post. I didn’t mean to be rude and it came across that way.
By Lara
September 2, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Good morning blogsters!!!
Anyone watch the MDA telethon? Bo bice preformed - you can see his performance on YouTube….
Crazy day….chat with y’all later!
By harrietth
September 2, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Glad you’re back, linny! We missed you. D, Josephine may be the one who messes my vacation up. Time will tell. I go to North Myrtle Beach, rather than to MB proper. Much more laid-back there. It is my favorite place in the world.
Lara, I did not see the telethon. I was in Charlotte, NC all weekend, celebrating my Aunt Rosie’s 88th birthday. She appreciated it so much and reveled in the attention we all gave her. My two sisters and I, along with her daughter, gave her a party. We had wonderful food, which, as I said last week, I alway enjoy cooking. D, I will be happy to cook something for you sometime! I didn’t get to answer you last week when you said I should do that.
By Deirdre
September 2, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
linny..sorry…I didn’t welcome you back…don’t know where my head is these days. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip and I’m SURE you could’ve come up with an excuse to stay there if you really tried hard enough.
By Nana
September 2, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
This is the first time in 40 plus years that I didn’t see the MDA telethon. All day Monday, I channeled surfed through the Atlanta stations and couldn’t find it on any of them. Did any one in the metro Atlanta area find it locally?
By Lara
September 2, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
I never actually found the telethon broadcast on any network channel locally. I know that they did broadcast over the internet.
Bo was introduced by another Idol that was hosting - and I felt terrible at the time, I couldn’t figure out who it was….It was Ace.
By Nana
September 2, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Thanks Lara. I was beginning to doubt my sanity when I was unable to find it locally. I even checked the calendar to make sure it was a holiday and I was off and not supposed to be at work. Oh, I love these senior moments!! I did hear that they raised over 65 million dollars. What a great amount.
By Deirdre
September 2, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
I saw it on Comcast channel 15 which I think is a Chicago station. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure which channel it was on.
By Nana
September 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Thanks D - I did hear that it was broadcasted on channel 239 out of Chicago. I can not ever remember a Labor Day that it wasn’t telecasted n Atlanta. Oh well, its over and gone for another year.
Just waiting for DWTS to start its new season.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
September 2, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
I too failed to watch the MDA for the first time in… well 37 years, i think it is (since the year my son was born) we’ve always supported MDA, March of Dimes, and Cancer research in our households… I did see the MDA listed but for the life of me don’t remember which Charter (as opposed to comcast) channel it was running on. I was more worn out from driving than i thought i’d be, and was a total couch potato yesterday, LOL…i must have watched 10 “murder she wrote”s at least in part—-too lazy to change the channel even with the remote — i know i slept some on the couch, ate some lunch… hubby asked if i was a cucumber or a squash — when i looked at him like he was nuts, he said “well, you’re ‘vegging out, aren’t you?”
well DUH yeah… LOL… my brain was even slower, apparently, than my body!
thanks for the welcome backs … i’d say i’m glad to be back but i keep feeling that atlantic ocean breeze and wondering if i can lie with a straight face! ~¿@
By Nana
September 2, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
The bad thing about taking vacation, you always need a week off to recoup. At least I do. I have to get my brain and body set back to work mode.
By Nana
September 2, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
New thread’s up.