Imagine a political convention, only with more Aerosmith tunes — yes, it’s ‘American Idols Live!’
After a long, hard-fought campaign, the victorious candidate stood onstage Thursday night in a crowded arena to stake his claim to the most powerful job in the free world. Well, more or less.
I’m talking, of course, about David Cook, our latest “American Idol.”
Joining the 25-year-old singer from Blue Springs, Mo., for the convention — er, concert — at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center were nine other top finalists from the seventh season of the smash television series.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Reliving my ‘American Idol’ experience at Van Andel Arena
What a day yesterday! Did it really happen? I’m still recovering — literally — from the “American Idols Live Tour,” which made a stop locally at Van Andel Arena. (Yes, I was injured on the job. More on that later.)
Let me start from the beginning …
‘Idol’ Mercado heading ‘home’ to Bridgeport
Syesha Mercado was born in Bridgeport, moved to Sarasota, Fla., when she was just 2 years old and has rarely been back since. Her last visit was because of a death in her family about 12 years ago, so she is quite pleased that her next visit to the Park City will be a much happier occasion – as one of the stars of the “American Idols Live” tour, which stops at the Arena at Harbor Yard Saturday night, Sept. 6.
“I haven’t been back since I was 9 when I went to my aunt’s funeral,” Mercado said in a recent phone interview from a tour stop in Louisiana. “That was bittersweet, to come back and for not a good reason.
Is the bloom fading?
As the “American Idol” juggernaut rolls into town through Monday for a second round of contestant auditions, Louisvillians’ attention to the biggest show on television is keener than ever.
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But there’s an inescapable parallel question: Going into its eighth season, how long can this undisputed network champion remain on top?
“It’s still the No. 1 show by a pretty good margin on all of television — and that’s a pretty good place to start,” acknowledges Bill Lamb, general manager at WDRB Fox-41. And while “Idol” ratings “did show some modest declines around the country” after its most recent outing, “it still remained way ahead of where anyone else was.”
Stand Up to Cancer telethon takes over network TV
After seeing what “An Inconvenient Truth” did for environmental awareness, Hollywood producer Laura Ziskin wanted to make a documentary about cancer, a disease she has fought since 2004.
Former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing, who established a namesake foundation dedicated to cancer research and awareness, was working with television networks to put on a cancer-awareness TV special. So was Katie Couric, who has been an advocate for early cancer screenings — and even televised her own colonoscopy — since losing her husband to colon cancer 10 years ago.
So the women got together — along with other entertainment-industry execs and more than 60 of their famous friends — to create Stand Up to Cancer, a fund- and awareness-raising organization set to hold an unprecedented, star-studded live telethon airing simultaneously on ABC, NBC and CBS on Friday night.
Carrie Calls Jessica Fat!
“She finds Jessica’s love of putting her life on display pretty desperate,” a pal of the “Before He Cheats” singer tells OK!. “She laughed at the People cover, because it’s the same one Jess did about John Mayer — same smile, same look, except she’s a little fatter.”
Now the blondes will take their battle to the country charts, but Carrie is unconcerned. “Carrie doesn’t think fans will spend money to watch Jess warble through a few badly written songs,” says her friend.
Carrie Underwood Is “Now” Hot
Sept. 4, 2008 — NOW That’s What I Call Country packages 20 hits by a variety of artists in one collection, so it’s no surprise that the CD is the top-selling country album in its first week out. According to Country Aircheck, the disc — featuring music by Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Sara Evans and Lady Antebellum, among others — moved more than 50,000 copies.
Carrie, in fact, is becoming a poster child for the NOW series. Even before “All-American Girl” landed on this album, her recording of “Before He Cheats” appeared on an installment in the pop series, NOW That’s What I Call Music 25, which went gold and platinum last year.
Carrie Underwood glows at ‘Fashion Rocks’ rehearsal
September 4, 2008 (Sawf News) - Five time Grammy Award-winning country pop singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood glowed at a rehearsal for ‘Fashion Rocks’ at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on Thursday, September 4.
Underwood was casually dressed in silver grey slim jeans and a double-layered blue top with gathered shallow scooped neck and elbow length sleeves.
She accessorized with a snake leather pattern shoulder bag, zebra striped shoes, gold pendant necklace and a gold double band ring on the middle finger of her right hand.
The rockingest show in town?
This was going to be another snarky column about another swanky late-night RNC party, and a pretty high-profile one at that.
Wednesday’s bash by the One Campaign and the Recording Industry Association of America at Epic nightclub in Minneapolis had the biggest musical act of the conference party scene: Daughtry. Chris Daughtry, that is, the only “American Idol” alum big enough to go with a single name.
He’s not as famous as Kanye West, who played the One/RIAA party in Denver, but the shaved-headed rocker has sold about as many records as the huge-headed rapper. Problem is, he’s about as interesting as Sen. Bill Frist’s toenails.
Former American Idol Contestant Brings Her Voice Along With Improved Technology to the Republican National Convention
ElectionMall’s brain child, VoterSpace.com, is being introduced to the RNC with former American Idol contestant, Antonella Barba, as its spokesperson. Building on this same technology, VoterSpace is the single location where voters can circulate widgets for favorite candidates and send their own “eYardsign” or electronic messages via the web. ElectionMall, a pioneer in the campaign industry since 2000, is showcasing their VoterSpace concept at their 3rd Republican National Convention. VoterSpace makes it possible for hundreds of candidates to have a web presence in minutes and is the one place in virtual space where candidates and voters can find and interact with each other.
Who better to introduce VoterSpace than Barba, whose popularity won her more votes than most politicians? Voters can register to vote, donate, volunteer, interact with candidates and send on-demand print cards to friends and supporters via this website and through U.S. Post, delivered within three days. These new ways to participate can be viewed on the Arizona GOP website, http://www.azgop.org, created by ElectionMall.com.
Taylor Hicks and his harmonica have made “Grease!’ groovy
Soul Patrol takes NYC: Hoover native Taylor Hicks, who’s been performing on Broadway in “Grease!,” will bid farewell to the musical on Sunday after a three-month run. His performances as Teen Angel have drawn fans to the show in droves, according to a report in the New York Post.
“An insider says Hicks is worth at least $150,000 in extra ticket sales a week,” columnist Mike Riedel has said. “Whenever Hicks whips out his harmonica, the audience goes nuts. They’re having such a blast that the ‘Grease’ megamix at the end of the show — this is where the critics ran screaming from the theater — now runs 10 minutes, with Hicks singing the title song and then playing it on his harmonica.”
Bice is nice (but we always knew that): Southern rocker Bo Bice might not be topping the charts, but he remains in the public eye. Even better, Bice is doing his part for social causes.
‘Idol’ finalist heats up Riverfest
Phil Stacey’s experience on “American Idol” — he was a top 10 finalist last year — was superlative in every way, the singer says. This weekend, he heats up the Miller Stage at Riverfest.
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Among the musical acts is Stacey, performing at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
A family man living in Hendersonville, where his oldest daughter started school this week, Stacey said being in Hollywood, when he had never even visited California before, was unforgettable.
Review: McCartney, Sparks love it loud
There wasn’t much applause during Jesse McCartney’s set Thursday night at the Prairie Capital Convention Center — just the sound of hundreds of girls screaming, shrieking and squealing.
Like an Elvis Presley for the Radio Disney set, McCartney elicited yelps from the crowd with every swivel of his hips.
In a double bill with season-six “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, McCartney played for about 2,000 girls, boys and the grownups who brought them.
He took the stage more than two hours after the concert began, following Sparks and two opening acts.
Neil Sean: Simon Cowell Would Love to Take On Movies
LONDON — He’s the king of “American Idol” and “X Factor,” but Simon Cowell would also love to take on Hollywood movies.
“It’s the new option for me, but I need to be sure we can do it well — I don’t do anything half-hearted,” he told me. “So ideally if the right script comes along, sure, we will get started.”
TRUE SISTER
DON’T believe the speculation that Paula Abdul and the latest addition to “American Idol,” Kara DioGuardi, hate each other. Fight fans hoping for a claw-baring, back-stabbing cougar clash will be sorely disappointed. “They are having the time of their life rekindling their friendship,” said one source. During the long hours of taping the new season, the two “Idol” judges are hanging out in their hotel rooms, going to dinner and sharing laughs over their old days in the music biz. Abdul told Page Six: “The ‘American Idol’ cast was such a boys club, now I have a true sister to share the fun with. It’s been amazing.”
New Idol Judge Hitting Talk-Show Circuit
New American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi to appear on Fox’s Talkshow with Spike Feresten. By Alex Weprin
New American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi is hitting the talk-show circuit, appearing on Fox’s own Talkshow with Spike Feresten Sept. 13.
DioGuardi was named as the fourth judge on Idol last month, joining Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
The Sept. 13 episode of Talkshow, also its season premiere, will feature host Feresten traveling to the Republican National Convention on a double-decker bus, as well as interviews and field pieces from the convention.
‘America’s Got Talent’ recap: Cheers, jeers, and Sharon whacks Piers
I’m getting too old for this. Every night with the same show. Oy. But how could I resist finding out the “critical results” from the night before? And besides, Sharon had vowed “no more Mrs. Nice Woman,” so this had to get good. First off, Bruce Block was out, and didn’t even show up to accept his rejection. But Johnathan Burkin, Sarah Lenore, Joseph Hall, the Taubl family and Sickstep all made it through to the final 20. And with that out of the way, it was time to settle in for another riveting episode of America’s Got Talent.
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Finally, an album release date from DC! According to the audio interview accompanying that Cleveland piece, it will be Nov. 18. ::starts counting days::
Next up, a release date for a single?
The headline for single news today is that DC is back on top of the AC Chart this morming. It’s been a weird chart week with the leaders all falling from the previous week and dancing around each other. Yesterday, Sara B was #1, today she’s #3. Yesterday, Leona was #3, now she’s #2. Yesterday, DC was #2 and now he’s #1 again. Fun to watch from afar.
http://www.mediabase.com/mmrweb/insideradio/charts.asp?format=4&showyear=y&dpt=n
Whoever Carrie’s “friend” is, She’s certainly not doing her any favors bad mouthing Jessica Simpson. They’re not even in the same league! She doesn’t need a catfight for publicity, just look at the other stories out on her today.
Carrie, tell your “friend” to shut up already!
DC was interviewed by Ryan Seacrest this morning on his radio show. The interview was only a few minutes long, and there was not really any new information, although he did mention the 11/18 release date that spritely has above. So cool to finally have a solid date.
They also talked briefly about SU2C. Doesn’t sound like David will be doing anything other than giving a brief pitch for the cause. Couldn’t tell by the way he worded it if he will even be live or if it will be on tape.
I must be getting old, because - man, the music I had to sit through before they got to DC was ridiculous (and I don’t mean that in a positive way).
I agree Carrie’s pal needs to zip her lips. Funny thing, after the dusts settles it just might be the much lampooned Jessica the last girl standing. She has reinvented herself a few times and just like Cher and cockroaches, she’s still here. I don’t like most of the tabloid stuff about Carrie anyway, she’s too fat, hates her body, all of her exes still love her and not the girls they are with, yadda yadda, yadda I wish she would just shut up and sing.
Truthfully she’s a talented girl, I just think that since she seems to be imho a rather bland girl, all of this silly tabloid stuff is a bad effort to keep people interested. If it weren’t for me reading this stuff here I wouldn’t know anything about her.
Here is the Ryan interview with Cookie HERE.
As was mentioned above in this thread, he does mention the 11/18 release date for the CD and talks a little bit about the airing of the SUC benefit. :)
According to a contact who talked to DC’s publicist, he taped a pre-recorded message for the show. I’m not 100% sure about this, but I don’t think he’s going to be there in person.
To be there, he’d have to fly out there last night or this morning, and then fly back to the East coast tonight or tomorrow morning for his shows in CT. Eh, don’t blame him for skipping that, although I can understand fans being disappointed about it.
Ugh. I stepped out a minute and must have missed it. I was still listening to that crap music, wondering when DC would be on.
Oh well, I got to hear “Ryan’s Roses” anyway….. Heh.
Although I’d love to hear a live performance from him, I’m actually much happier knowing that (hopefully) he has a real day off today. Well, except for the Ryan interview.
Thanks for putting the link up, Pam. Wow, they were quick with that one!
Your welcome. They usually don’t mess around when it comes to putting those interviews up. :)
Longer interviews for Archie, Carly, Michael, Chikieze and Kristy. 3-8 minutes long each.
http://www.wxmi.com/pages/celebrity_interviews/
Oprah has a commercial up on her website for the premier episode and David Cook is in it!
http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20080903_olympics
lol Archie,funny interview…
A hug from Oprah in a tv commercial? David Cook has ARRIVED.
LOL!
Seriously, I’m excited about him being on Oprah, can’t wait for Monday.
Taylor Hicks blogs…
Date: Sep 5, 2008 9:05 PM
Subject: BEFORE THE NEXT PARTY BEGINS…
Body: “BEFORE THE NEXT PARTYBEGINS”!!!….
I am going to take a creative break from the wonderful experience of
“Grease,” and refocus my attention and efforts on my sophomore album debut.
Unlike the post Idol CD, which was released more quickly, this new CD needs
to be able to breathe artistically.
As much as the music industry is
enjoyable and exciting, there is also a business aspect which must be
thought out and planned for carefully.
These business decisions will allow
me to throw a ” long party” full of tours, CDs, and great music for my
present fans and the new fans I am gaining every day.
So keep your party hats ready! And thanks so much again for supporting me
in the Broadway “Grease” experience!
Taylor
Meet and Greet interview…………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qrDJ3VkGlY
The John Soeder piece in the Cleveland Plain Dealer link at the top is really nice. He’s a more articulate writer then most, he enjoyed the show, and there are nice audio interviews with Cook and Castro (and Syesha, which I, uh, skipped) where he asks good questions about the production/music business end of things.
Also, the last sentence of his review is funny.
He often has shorter interviews because he knows what he wants to say and says it succinctly.
Eh gingerly what? not sure what you are reffering to.. lol
What I meant by longer is they showed clips from them the day before. Those are just the longer versions
Archie’s blog:
Hey everyone!
Hey everyone! I just want to remind you about the Stand Up to Cancer
program that will be airing tonight on ABC, NBC, and CBS and hope you guys
will all show your and stand up to cancer! Also the song ‘Just Stand Up!’
is amazing! It was really touching to listen to and just wanted to let you
guys know about it. Have a good one everybody and don’t forget to show your
support! It doesn’t matter how you do it or how big it is. Adios.
David
OK thanks, DC wasn’t on any of those, so I didn’t know what you were referring to. But I will say that David Cook’s interviews aren’t always very long because he is very succinct. He doesn’t spend much time ummmming as I do :)