Carrie Underwood Greets Her Fans
Reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood was all smiles on Saturday as she gave back to the fans who’ve made her career such a great success.
The country-singing cutie took part in a meet and greet for her loyal followers at the Nashville Convention Centre during the third day of the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee.
Country’s Hottest Hit the CMA Festival
Also at the CMA Music Festival were singers Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill, both giving memorable performances to the eager crowds that gathered.
Singing her heart out, Miss Underwood owned the stage like a pro, sporting an orange frilly halter-style top with shorts, while veteran Faith Hill looked cute and casual in a white top, with a lavender scarf, and a pair of jeans.
Taylor Hicks makes ‘Grease’ debut on Broadway; Soul Patrol sends reps to capture every move
Does this guy look familiar? Well, he should. It’s Taylor Hicks, making his Broadway debut in “Grease.”
The Hoover-born singer and “American Idol” winner started his three-month run in the show Friday night, playing the role of Teen Angel. Hicks will perfom in the musical through Sept. 7.
Fans in the Soul Patrol, accustomed to tracking Hicks’ every move, were on scene and snapping photos in New York City.
Closing day of CMA Music Festival
The CMA Music Festival has dozens of activities for music fans and families, such as the family fun and sports zones. Below are just the musical highlights of the closing day of the four-day festival. For a full schedule, go to TuneInMusicCity.com.
7:45 p.m. Concert hosted by comedian Killer Beaz and featuring Chuck Wicks (acoustic), James Otto, Bucky Covington, Randy Travis, John Stephan (acoustic), Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Stacey (acoustic) and Dwight Yoakam.
David Cook to Perform at NBA Finals
ET confirms that “American Idol” champ DAVID COOK will commence his reign with an appropriately larger-than-life gig: He’ll perform the National Anthem at game three of the NBA Finals next Tuesday in L.A.
The 25-year-old rocker will command the Staples Center spotlight minutes before the Lakers’ KOBE BRYANT and the Celtics’ KEVIN GARNETT take center stage, continuing their teams’ duel for the biggest prize in all of pro basketball.
Tune in to ABC Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EST to watch.
Ask a Rock Star: David Cook
We caught up with newly-crowned American Idol David Cook last week, and were at such a loss for words that all we could do was give him some questions from fans. Click above to find out if the self-proclaimed “word nerd” has met any crossword puzzles he couldn’t solve.
Custard’s Last Stand honors David Cook
Custard’s Last Stand created “The David Cookie” Concrete for its June Flavor of the Month. The treat is made with Swiss chocolate frozen custard, blended with Reeses Cups and peanut butter syrup along with Oreo Cookies.
Custard’s Last Stand opened in Lee’s Summit in 1989 and specializes in frozen custard. There are and three Custard’s Last Stand locations in Lee’s Summit, 1802 N.W. Chipman Road, 111 S.E. 291 Highway, and 308 S.E. 291 Highway, including David Cook’s hometown of Blue Springs and one store in Warrensburg.
David Cook’s Lil’ Bro: Don’t Count Me Out
He’s known as David Cook’s little brother, but ask him if he ever tires of hearing that, and Andrew will say absolutely not.
“It’s not going to hurt if someone says ‘Oh, it’s David Cook’s brother’ because it’s just a fact,” he said. “I’m David Cook’s brother. There’s no getting around that.”
American Idol David Cook Reveals Dating Secrets, Hopeless Romantic
David Cook is on top of the world and the handsome American idol winner is spilling some of his dating secrets. He tells People magazine that on the on a first date he always, “(Tries) to do all the things I’m supposed to do (such as) opening doors, paying for meals - just being a gentleman, I guess.”
When asked about his “first date look” he confesses to the magazine, “I just try to (a) dress for the occasion and (b) dress comfortably. Nobody wants to show up for a date and see me in Eddie Murphy’s Raw outfit.”
Jason Castro Go: Pick up the special photo section today!
Subscribers to The Dallas Morning News receive neighborsgo every Saturday with their paper. Don’t live in the area and/or don’t subscribe to The News? No problem. You can download the special section at Jason Castro Central, where you can also find links to more than 400 homecoming images, exclusive video clips, audio and all sorts of other things to help you treat your “Castro fever.”
Up Close: David Archuleta Anwers YOUR questions
Up Close: What’s Next for Syesha Mercado?
Sun, fun and fans
Maybe it was a trick of the light.
Though thousands swarmed the grounds of The Market Common in Myrtle Beach on Saturday morning - likely many more than in its previous years on the beachfront, organizers said - the sun seemed to shine a little brighter around just a few scattered tents.
At the head of the long line in front of the tent reserved for 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, Doris Linen of Conway held a place for her 28-year-old daughter, Shanique, who has Down syndrome.
“She just loves him,” Doris Linen said. “She even brought her CDs, so he can sign them. She says that’s her man.”
As the line awaiting him grew, Studdard was on stage in a seersucker suit, singing his hit “Flying Without Wings” as part of Saturday’s opening ceremonies to the 57th annual Sun Fun Festival. In the audience just under the stage, closer than any other fan, springy-curled Shanique Linen swayed and sang along, her eyes fixed on her man.
Celebrities at 57th Annual Sun Fun
Stars from American Idol, Young and the Restless, and Hannah Montana are in Myrtle Beach for the 57th Annual Sun Fun Festival.
Ruben Studdard, winner of American Idol season two kicked off the festival Saturday morning singing the National Anthem to a crowd of thousands.
Studdard also met fans, signed autographs, and posed for pictures for more than two hours after his performance.
Maynard inspires at Cinderella Ball
Although he was entertaining and didn’t give a speech like Maynard, Studdard says he hoped he might inspire the students.
“I was an overweight adult who won a pop show,” Studdard says. “It shows no matter what the situation is, you can achieve your dreams if you stay persistent.”
Final Card For TNA Slammiversary Pay-Per-View
Here is the complete lineup for this Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary PPV in Southaven, Mississippi:
A Match Made in Heaven:
- “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal marries Socal Val with appearances by American Idol’s Ace Young, George Steel, Koko B. Ware, Jake Roberts and Kamala
Walking Somewhere Near Memphis: McNEILL previews TNA Slammiversary!
Jay Lethal & So Cal Val Get Married: Raise your hand if you think TNA has any sort of plan for the Black Machismo-So Cal Val romance after Sunday night. Yeah, that’s what I thought. We’re going to a Lethal vs. Dutt feud. The question is how we get there. Projection? Jay Lethal’s dad drops in to give the Arn Anderson speech from David Flair’s Nitro wedding, circa 2000. George Steele and Kamala do horrible things to guest singer Ace Young. Jake Roberts and his snake disrupt the ceremony.
Times Change, and the Emmys Try to Keep Up
LIFE is not fair, and neither are the Emmys.
Consider, in support of that argument, one piece of evidence: The most compelling performer on the most-watched program on television is not eligible for an award.
That would be Simon Cowell, whose acid-tongued assessments on “American Idol” have contributed greatly to that show’s remarkable seven-year run and, most recently, to Fox’s first triumph as the most-watched television network.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences added a new category this year to award a prime-time Emmy for best reality-show host, making the immutable Ryan Seacrest eligible for a winged statuette. But Mr. Cowell, as a judge, does not qualify for that category (or any other).
WHAT THE X GOING ON?
American Idol judge Paula Abdul is set to replace Sharon Osbourne in the X Factor.
But Sharon, who shocked bosses by quitting on Friday, could return when the new series goes live.
For now, bosses are believed to have lined up singer Paula, 45, to join judges Simon Cowell, 48, Dannii Minogue, 36, and Louis Walsh, 55.
Filming for the new series starts on Thursday. A source told The People: “Simon is a huge fan of Paula and there is a great chemistry between them.
Cowell wants Mel B for ‘X Factor’
Simon Cowell is hoping that Mel B will agree to replace Sharon Osbourne on The X Factor.
The show’s producers must sign a new judge within days after Osbourne announced she was quitting on Friday. Filming for the new series begins on June 12.
“Mel’s in pole position to join the judging panel,” a show source told the News of the World. “She’s ideal and Simon Cowell is eager for her to join the team.”
The former Spice Girl was one of Cowell’s first choices for the judging panel before the show launched in 2004, but he eventually dropped her in favour of Osbourne.
Cowell unhappy with Sunday ‘X Factor’ plans
Simon Cowell is at loggerheads with ITV over the network’s plans to shift the X Factor results show to Sunday night.
The change would see X Factor airing on both Saturdays and Sundays when the live shows begin. The BBC used the technique successfully with the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing last year.
While ITV are keen to save money by pre-recording the results on Saturday night, Cowell believes that the show would lose its magic if it did not go out live.
Werner revved up for Canadian Idol
Kiss your weeknights goodbye, Canada.
CTV’s sixth search for the next Idol takes over the airwaves tomorrow, and this year’s batch of promising young “artists” could have you hooked, according to judge Zack Werner.
“This year we got a whole bunch of really strong artist types,” Canada’s Cowell-esque panelist tells Sun Media.
“I think that’s going to give a whole lot of depth to the show this year. We have a number of people who have a really strong sense of themselves.”
Related Posts
That’s how you treat your fans….sign pics for over two hours…way to go Ruben!
My bet is on Mel B vs. Paula…don’t know how Paula would keep it together…she’s got the Home shopping jewelry to sell….and the producers didn’t want her to do DWTS….Mel B would be perfect.
This has nothing to do with headlines but Cookie sent out a My Space bulletin advertising Archie’s new MySpace and encouraging his fans to add him as a friend, and he has Archie as his top friend. That is adorable! The friendship between those two is so sweet.
For those Soul Patrolers who want to see how the Grease debut looked like, here is one site to go to with VIDEOS :
http://soulthing.blogspot.com/
The Curtain Call was a blast with Taylor Hicks ( minor role as teen angel ) actually taking the lead and also blasting away at his harmonica ( wonder why they allowed that … ).
But the audience really looked like they loved him and had a blast.
And the dancing …. no matter what Simon says, he was born for the stage.
I’m not sure how the blogger was able to capture the video as it isn’t allowed when you watch a Broadway show. Hurry to the site before they are forced to take it down.
How do I see this bulletin? I have Cookie as a friend, but other than the blog entries, I don’t see anything else…
Also - I hate to be cynical, but I think this move has more to do with 19 doing cross-promotion than it does with the friendship.
Little Boy Blue, thank you so much for that site. Legal or not, I really enjoyed the Curtain Call video. Taylor was having so much fun. He was made for that role and the cast seems to love him too. I wonder if his family got to attend his debut.
I saw the article about Simon Fuller inviting Chris Daugtry and Carrie Underwood to his wedding. That’s ok,Taylor is having fun, making more money than he ever has in his life, and is going to be around for a long time to come, whether TPTB like it or not.
Paula doing X-Factor? Some would say she shouldn’t even be doing AI.
Michael performed last night at the Heart Foundation’s event honoring Berry Gordy. I guess it doesn’t hurt to have David Foster take you under his wing.
You can see photos here. http://michaeljohnsonline.com/
Oh yea, there will be cross promotion probably but I believe their friendship is real. I don’t think Dave Cook could fake all those belly laughs that he did around Archie and there have been too many little “moments.”
Don’t spoil my fun! I like being naive and happy right now! LOL
This makes me quirk my eye and think that it would be worse if some of the ladies on here got ahold of him.
j/k!
Considering I checked their Myspaces on Friday and Cookie had over 50K friends and Archie had a little over 3k, I would have to agree.
OOh thanks for the MJ link. I hadn’t ever looked at his site. This season is making me cruise fansites. I don’t know if this is a good thing or bad thing.
Jolene, I’m new to MySpace so I don’t know if I can explain this right but the bulletins arent on his page, they’re when you first loggin to MySpace on the left hand side.
This is what it says
My thoughts exactly.
Thank you for the explanation, Trina. Yup, that blurb reads to me like promotion 101. “Go add him as your friend!” and not much else. The thing just doesn’t read like David to me at all. But that’s just MHO, and as I’ve said, I am a cynic.
Considering “Looking forward to seeing you guys on the tour” has been in every interview he’s done, to me it sounds just like DC. Which doesn’t mean it isn’t 19E cross-promotion, but it does sound (to me) like at least the words came from Cookie.
Considering Cook’s has been up for over 2 weeks and Archie’s has been for about 2 days, that could partially explain the difference. Did you ever think of that?
I just checked Archie’s and he has over 6,000 friends as of now.
Well, in the sense of the artists that Simon Fuller manages, Carrie and Chris are both his clients. Taylor is not. Neither are Kelly, Clay, Katharine etc. He has different management. So, I don’t see it as a personal snub. If anyone, Jordin is the one who should feel snubbed. An AI winner AND client of Fuller’s, but not invited to the wedding? Yikes!
ETA: OMG, shades of season 5 with the myspace friend totals war! *curls into the fetal position and rocks back and forth*
ETAA: Also, I don’t know about other seasons, but last year’s contestants were not only telling their friends to add the other contestants, they also promoted singles, albums, videos, etc when they were released. It’s not like the contestants can’t support each other after the show is over.
About 2,500 of those were added since Cook’s bulletin came out. Not bad - almost doubling your friends count in such a short time… Gueess 19 had the right idea.
(Of course this is “Just an opinion!” - TM Simon Cowell).
Considering a lot of Archie fans are gushing over how sweet and nice Cookie is this morning and some are now adding him as a friend I’d say the strategy may have worked for both boys. I do think there is a genuine big bro/little bro friendship there from all I’ve seen between the two, some things you can’t fake.
Ooh fanwars! Let me grab my Soul Patrol cane! I’ll smack a bi.. er wallet chain!
Archie himself (assuming he was the one that wrote it) just posted a myspace bulletin. It says:
If you want to check out another war — the amazon.com notifify me when my favorite’s cd comes out has Cook #1, then Archie, then Jason. I think Brooke’s ahead of Shyesha with Johns hot on their tails. Interesting. I still can’t figure out who voted for Shyesha — but I won’t start that again.
The myspace business? I never cared about myspace, and would never let my kids create a page — but I have one now. Gotta see everything. Good Lord what David Cook has made me do.
They’d have me locked up.
Yes, but I didn’t know when it became active. He’s been on myspace since April and it it was public on Friday when I checked the myspaces of ALL the Idols. Regardless of when it went up, it doesn’t negate my belief that there’s some cross-promotion going on here. If anything, it makes more sense that it’s the case… trying to get the word out. That doesn’t mean Cookie doesn’t like Archie, though. He’s also friends with Michael Johns and didn’t send out a message to check out his profile.
I certainly have no plans to participate in a fanwar b/n Archie and Cook. I hope they both do well, but neither is my favorite.
Sarah, you’re right about Taylor not being Simon’s client. I was thinking maybe Chris and Carrie were the biggest money makers from the show and that’s why they got invited. Jordan should have been invited, imo. But then again, I guess he and his bride invited who they wanted.
Just watched the video of Taylor. His character Teen Angel would have been much more believable if they would have darkened his hair. Glad that he is having fun with this new role.
*sulks* Your no fun.
Maybe we can start a fanwar over who is the best Teenangel.. Taylor or Constantine. Right now I would say Taylor because I think that Con’s hair is too greasy to stay in a pompadour.
Hey, one of them is my favorite, and I have no plans to participate, either. I think these kids deserve to be measured against their own successes, not the successes of other idols past or present. This is idol, though, so we know THAT’S not going to happen.
Constantine was a teen angel?????? I vote Taylor!
Sorry if what I wrote read like fanwar talk. I’m mostly interested in seeing which way 19 and RCA choose to promote DC, so I take interest in things like promotional ads and bulletins on MySpace. I have no doubt DC and DA truly have a friendship and share a bond, but I tend to take everything which pops up on MySpace official pages with a grain of salt, because I know alot of people have input on those pages.
That’s why I love Jason’s videos to his dreadheads - you know no one edited those, and no one told him to insert promotional slogans into his lines - it’s all him.
But - that is the necessary evil of the corporate music world, and it’s all part of the game.
pj, There is a rumour that Con will take over the Teen Angel role after Taylor.
Jolene, NW.. I, for one, am just having a bit of fun. I’m interested in the promotion aspect also especially after the way Taylor was marketed. I know that Dave Cook will do well because his sound and style are what is popular but I’m a bit skeered for Archie.
Gotta agree with you on that one PJ!
So, on the wedding snubbing issue. Those news reports reported who attended the wedding. We have no way of knowing if any of the other Fuller clients were invited, but just couldn’t attend.
Well, I for one am among those hoping for Jason & Brooke cd’s (I don’t have to hope for Cookie’s, since I already know it’s coming). I think it was pretty well established that Syesha through the process of elimination had some sections of the viewing audience all to herself. I think she benefited the most from the casual viewers. I do not however think she created any type of rabid fan base like some of the others, and I don’t think her third place finish will translate into CD success.
On a side note, I did download Brooke’s Songs from the Attic from iTunes. Some of it is quite good (if you’re a Brooke fan). The production values are not stellar, but she sounds good overall.
I don’t mean to start any fan wars either but I just wanted to explain WHY Archie doesn’t have 50K friends yet. His official MySpace was just set up on Thursday or Friday. It’s only been a couple of days and he already has over 6K friends. Not bad at all.
I’m sure there is a cross promotion thing going on but I also wouldn’t doubt it at all if Cook himself sent out that bulletin. I happen to believe their friendship is completely real and they both have a ton of respect and admiration for each other. Their friendship seems very genuine to me. It’s adorable how close they are.
Spense, I too quite like Brooke’s “Songs From the Attic.” Like you said, production values are not so great (much like the production on DC’s “Analog Heart”), but the vocal and songwriting is pretty decent. I’m definitely hoping for an album from her.
Thanks LBB for the link to the curtain call! Looks like everyone enjoyed the show, lotsa appreciation shown at the curtain call. Wish I was there, lol. You could tell Taylor was eating it all up, lol
My girls listen to this every night along with 2 cuts from Jason. My favorite song, hands-down, is “Keep Running”. Very nice.
I keep hoping for news from Brooke’s camp about a record deal but so far nothing. :(
While ITA that the cross-promotion is the brainchild of someone in marketing, I would still bet they wouldn’t be sending stuff like this out — promoting another artist — without at least a quick OK from Cook.
Not that even that is evidence of deep friendship, of course, just good business sense, but I for one cling to the right to go “aww” anyway. *g*
More Michael Johns pics from the Barry Gordy Humanitarian Event
Gack. Another David Foster event? Michael is the new Kat.
‘American Idol’ host Ryan Seacrest’s good (and bad hair) days
“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest may actually be nominated for an Emmy this year in the brand new category “Outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program.”
But in our book, Ryan is already the winner of “Outstanding hairstyles for a host of a reality or reality-competition program…”
*click here for a Red Carpet Rewind photo gallery of Ryan’s Seacrest’s Hollywood hair history.
Jason. Castro.
1,986,724
that’s all.
What stat is that, caro? MySpace views?
LOL, purple. I was wondering the same thing so I went and checked. It’s higher now!
Oh no! I just tamped down the Number of Getty Pics war in the Jason thread!
I can’t believe peeps go to the trouble to count that stuff. :).
lol, mj. I was just telling the chat peeps about your clean-up. Heh.
For Some Music, It Has to Be Wal-Mart and Nowhere Else
yep purps, myspace views
Read it and weep:
There’s a clip about the Heart Foundation event and they talk briefly to Michael who seems to have been a last minute addition. He said he was singing The Commodores “Easy”.
http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/06/62441/index.html