Thursday, February 22, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
"American Idol" semifinalist honed voice at Flint church
"As a tear rolled down her face, LaKisha Jones received the news she so badly wanted to hear: She was an 'American Idol' semifinalist.
The 27-year-old single mother and bank employee who hails from the blue-collar city of Flint long has dreamed of making it in the music business. Now, she's a step closer thanks to the hugely popular Fox talent show.
Jones, who bears both a vocal and physical resemblance to Aretha Franklin, wowed the judges with a pair of the Queen of Soul's standards: 'Think' and 'Until You Come Back To Me.' After her initial audition earned her a trip to the next round in Hollywood, Jones jumped into the embraces of her waiting family, snatched up her daughter and broke into tears."
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Sanjaya Malakar, Amy Krebs, Blake Lewis Lead Seattle Contingent of American Idols - American Idol Worship
Sanjaya Malakar, Amy Krebs, Blake Lewis Lead Seattle Contingent of American Idols - American Idol Worship: "The Seattle Business Wire has posted a released about the three Puget Sound area residents have been chosen to continue on in the American Idol semifinals.
Fans should be familiar with the first one: 17-year-old Sanjaya Malakar, who watched himself move on last week, a feat that elicited mixed emotion because he did so at the expense of his sister, who was sent home.
Malakar is from Federal Way, WA - and so is 22-year-old Amy Krebs. Pictured here, Krebs says she was “humming before she could talk” and has been dreaming of making it big ever since."
American Idol Worship - American Idol news and songs
"When Melinda Doolittle first appeared before the American Idol judges, she sounded like a lifelong backup singer. There was a good reason for this, however.
Melinda Doolittle has been a lifelong backup singer.
Despite showing little confidence during her audition in Memphis, though, Melinda showed off a great voice. She was unanimously passed through to Hollywood and Simon Cowell called her “one of the best singers we’ve had.”"
Friday, February 16, 2007
Show Tracker: 'American Idol' - Los Angeles Times
Show Tracker: 'American Idol' - Los Angeles Times: "In many ancient cultures – I don’t recall exactly which – the greatest curse that can befall a person is to have his or her name wiped out of human memory. For a soul to wander the Universe for all eternity, anonymous and unmourned. That fate awaited 16 contestants on Wednesday’s “American Idol” who gathered at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to hear their fates.
After whittling down the pool to a mere 40 contestants in the Hollywood round, the show then takes a not-entirely explained pause to reconsider everyone by “reviewing the tapes.” And, presumably, to run background checks to learn who is a wanted drug-runner, who has a secret EMI recording contract and who has abandoned families in every state.
The 40 are then called back to spend an entire day sitting in a waiting room before they are summoned for a lonely elevator ride into a ballroom where they must take the longest walk of their lives across a Mussolini-sized floor to sit before the trinity, lined up with echoes of “Flashdance” to reveal the judgment of Paris.
It certainly is no longer necessary to win “American Idol” to become a star; losers from past top 12’s have gone on to produce bestselling albums (Clay Aiken), receive Oscar nods (Jennifer Hudson) and hold microphones on red carpets (Kellie Pickler). Even those from past top 24’s who failed to make the big show still spark a glimmer of recognition among the devoted."
Monday, February 12, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Pop/Rock :: Mayer, Dixie Chicks honor Henley
"John Mayer and the Dixie Chicks helped guide Don Henley on a trip through his musical memories that left the singer-songwriter feeling ''very strange.''
They joined Henley's Eagles bandmate Timothy B. Schmit, Sam Moore, Keb Mo, Trisha Yearwood, Michael McDonald, Shawn Colvin and Seal in launching Grammy weekend by honoring the 59-year-old Henley as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night.
Surrounded by his wife, three daughters and son, Henley listened as the biggest hits of his career with the Eagles and as a solo artist were interpreted in the city where the band formed in the early 1970s.
His favorite? ''The End of the Innocence,'' performed in drawn-out fashion by Colvin.
Seal offered up his take on the Eagles hit ''Best of My Love.'' Later, Henley told the crowd, ''I used to hate that song and now I like it again.''"
The State | 02/02/2007 | ‘Shut Up’ traces Dixie Chicks’ fall from country grace
"It all seems quaint now — the “boycott,” the death threats, the CD-trashing parties, enraged protesters at fluffy pop concerts.
The idea that performers had the temerity to question America’s rush to invade Iraq in 2003, to mock America’s now increasingly mocked chief executive pushing for it — and the price they paid — feels like ancient history.
But here they are, bluegrass-pop stars the Dixie Chicks, re-living their firestorm of controversy in “Shut Up & Sing.”"
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features -- Grammys' 'Idol' moment
If you can't beat them, copy them.
That's the philosophy, at least in part, of the 49th annual Grammy Awards. The 3 1/2-hour music marathon, which airs tonight at 8 on KFMB-TV Channel 8 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, is seeking to regain its footing after being soundly trounced last year by the ratings juggernaut that is “American Idol.” One of the possible solutions could come in the form of an “Idol”-inspired national contest to perform with Justin Timberlake on tonight's telecast.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
American Idol: The big blah (phillyBurbs.com) | Television
American Idol: The big blah (phillyBurbs.com) Television: "Is it just me or is this season of American Idol auditions emphatically blah?
The judges, who receive multi-million dollar salaries, seem jaded and even the idiotic performers seem nowadays to simply phone in their lame auditions. Could Idol be losing its chutzpah?
The season six auditions have produced an endless parade of would-be singers with low self-esteem, delusions of celebrity and an obvious lack of talent. Several weeks in, producers have barely shown a glimpse of this season’s true talents.
And the suspense of who might end up in the final 24 seems over before it has begun. One message board claims they already know who the finalists are. "
TV Cocktail: A TV Blog at iVillage.com
TV Cocktail: A TV Blog at iVillage.com: "They hit it, all seven cities on the nationwide search for America’s top idol. Whoever wants to tally up the thousands of hopefuls who actually showed up for the entire tour – go for it (and share your answer with us, please). What we are talking about now are the stars from last night – which shine big and bright… deep in the heart of Texas. Twenty-two out of 11,000 fresh faces live on.
We saw it all in this last city-stop of the audition tour. That is, until we see what we missed – which is tonight’s episode: The “Rest of the Best.” I’m hoping I somehow missed something."
Parenting Teens » Blog Archive » American Idol Parenting Lesson
Parenting Teens » Blog Archive » American Idol Parenting Lesson: "Where have you learned what you know about parenting? From your own parents? From books you’ve read? From friends? From parenting classes? We tend to get useful information on parenting from a variety of sources in our lives. But who would think that reality TV juggernaut “American Idol” could teach us anything about parenting?! A few weeks ago, I certainly wouldn’t have said so!
However, it occured to me over the last few weeks, as my daughter and I watched the auditions together, that there was a very important lesson in all this for parents of teenagers. As one hopeful teen after another came out to sing for the judges and was rejected, I found myself asking “Who on earth told this kid that he/she could sing?!”"
American Idol 2007 Review
American Idol 2007 Review: "Not since Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard epic Grand Final joust have the American Idol ratings been so big. Yep, that's right! Last night's season 6 premiere - S06E01 - managed to pull in 37.1 million viewers during the 8-10pm timeslot, up a further 4% on last years season premiere of 35.5 million.
American Idol drew more viewers every half hour, beginning with 31 million at 8, growing to 37 million at 8:30, to 39.7 million at 9 and peaking with 41.4 million at 9:30 p.m.
Last night's premiere equals Fox's highest rating premiere ever along side The X-Files on November 2nd, 1997.
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REVIEW / An also-ran on 'American Idol,' but don't tell that to his fans
"The lighting operator at Slim's really liked Daughtry, the hot new rock band fronted by 'American Idol' also-ran Chris Daughtry.
'They've got that totally predictable thing down pat,' the stage tech said.
With his first album already past the million sales mark after only 3 months, and a potential hit single lurking in the wings, Daughtry looks to be on the verge of exploding. Fans camped out in front of the club all day Sunday, Super Bowl or no Super Bowl. Actress Michelle Pfeiffer called to request tickets. "
FOXNews.com - Reality Check: What I'm Over on 'American Idol' - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment
"As 'American Idol' makes its way through the auditioning process, seemingly gathering larger and larger crowds in every city, the time has come for me to comment on the quirks, quotes and quips I feel I could happily never see or hear again for the rest of my life"