Good music bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart. Brilliant music remains there forever. With energy off the Richter scale, Taylor Hicks' performances of September 25 and 26, 2009 at Birmingham's WorkPlay Theatre stand in that latter, rarified category. Compared to those concerts, this review will be flimsy. Words cannot match the live gigs, the best I've ever been blessed to experience in my long history as a music geek. So I'll just pull a Pat Benatar and hit it with my best shot.
Kaleidoscoping between playful little boy, the guy you'd like to knock back a cold one with, and the most dedicated of musicians, Hicks created a riveting, don't blink or you'll miss it stage presence. Rockin', bluesy, jazzy, soulful, and more, he deftly balanced freeform jam with structure, pulling selections from three albums (The Distance. his eponymous CD, and Early Works) and interspersing them with little snippets of gems like Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey and full covers such as The Meters' Hey, Pocky Way and The Beatles' Don't Let Me Down. The entire set list escapes me and I make no apologies; I was having an out of body experience.
Incredibly powerful and alternately tender, Taylor's high pipes bled no-holds-barred rockers (Seven Mile Breakdown and I Live on a Battlefield) into the pretty, hopeful The Deal, the lush Latin-inflected Once Upon a Lover, Runaround, which nails a driving beat to a tale of deception, the profound and understated Nineteen, and Maybe You Should, a quiet little killer that made me wish Hicks had twisted the knife deeper into my heart. As impossible as it seemed for Taylor to top himself, he did just that Saturday night with the phenomenally rousing New Found Freedom, replete with a robed gospel choir from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. At the risk of blaspheming, this last number was a religious experience: an inspiration for anyone who's ever been kicked in the butt, dusted himself off, and emerged tempered in steel.
Gyrating faster than the Energizer Bunny and suddenly quiescent, the singer-songwriter-arranger-instrumentalist dripped sweat like an air conditioner on max, his face morphing under the spots from pain to delight and every nuance in between. Swinging from acoustic to electric guitar to harp (harmonica), he ran me over like a locomotive and resurrected me at will. The instruments he played best, however, were my heart strings - and judging from the reaction of the audience en masse in his native Birmingham theatre, their cardiac organs as well. The take-no-prisoners Hicks is a unique talent: an artist and entertainer who knows the difference between the two entities and who honors them both. He is also the captain of his own ship, the independent label Modern Whomp Records.
It would be patently unjust to exclude mention of the fine musicians who rode the blissful roller coaster with the accomplished Taylor Hicks. These include:
Gifted pianist/organist Brian Less. Musical heir to Jerry Lee Lewis, Mr. Less' hands should be bronzed - no, gilded; they fly maniacally, delicately, and perfectly over the keys.
Funky sax/flute player extraordinaire, Jeff Lopez, who sometimes blows two horns simultaneously, and to perfection!
Lead guitarist Josh Smith of the exquisitely hot, bluesy, hurts-so-good licks.
Authoritative rhythm was driven by drummer Leif Bondarenko, percussionist Jay Smith, and bassist Jay Parker.
Donna Hall lent her lovely backup vocals to the set.
Surprise guests included Billy Earl McClelland, a blistering blues axe man who blew me into next week, and Ona Watson, celebrated jazz musician who joined the leader of the band for a hot-cool cover of Bobby Womack's Woman Got To Have It.
If you have the chance to catch Taylor Hicks live as he tours nationally, take this advice to heart: run, do not walk. A ticket will buy you an unforgettable, uplifting musical experience unmatched, in my estimation, by any other.
Season 5's American Idol, Taylor Hicks, is celebrating a birthday today. When Taylor auditioned for American Idol, Simon Cowell - who shares a birthday with Taylor - said that Hicks would never make it to the final round of Season 5. After Taylor's first live TV performance for the voting public, Simon admitted he was wrong and that Taylor's personality is what makes him stand out. Taylor became the new American Idol on May 24, 2006, winning the title over Katharine McPhee, with over 63.4 million votes cast in total and in front of 200 million television viewers. Taylor became the oldest contestant to win American Idol, and he was the first male contestant to win without ending up in the bottom two or three.
After Idol, Taylor signed a recording contract with 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records. His self-titled debut album was released on December 12, 2006 and landed at number 2 on the Billboard 200 charts. One month later, the album was certified platinum. Taylor's first single, "Do I Make You Proud," debuted at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold. In July 2007, Hicks released his autobiography, Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way.
On March 10, 2009, Taylor released his second album, The Distance, on his own label, Modern Whomp Records. The first single, "What's Right Is Right," reached #24 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. During a Season 8 results show, Taylor returned to the American Idol stage and performed the second single from The Distance, "Seven Mile Breakdown." Both "What's Right is Right" and "Seven Mile Breakdown" were made into music videos.
Currently, Taylor is touring the country in the role of Teen Angel in Grease. This month, the show will take Taylor to North Carolina, Texas, and Arizona. In May of 2009, Taylor made Forbes' "Top Ten earning American Idol stars" list, coming in at number 10 with over $300,000 earned from album sales and from his role in the national tour of Grease.
Grab your harmonica, shout "Soul Patrol," and do a little dance for Taylor Hicks!
Happy Birthday, Taylor!
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'American Idol' Alum Jason Castro's Debut Bumped To Next Year``xalan``xBy Jim Cantiello - MTV
'We're really close but are making some final tweaks so it can be exactly the album that I imagined it would be,' Castro writes online.
Looks like Jason Castro fans are going to have to wait a little bit longer to hear original music from the season-seven "American Idol" finalist. His debut album, originally slated to hit stores November 17, has been bumped to "early next year," according to a message posted on Castro's site Tuesday.
Castro, currently on a mall tour to drum up excitement for the self-titled release, insisted the delay is no cause for alarm. "I've poured my life into this album for the past several months - writing over 50 songs, recording a bunch of them and working to get each one just right," he wrote. "We're really close but are making some final tweaks so it can be exactly the album that I imagined it would be!"
Although Atlantic Records just released Jason's first single, "Let's Just Fall in Love Again," to radio this past week, Castro debuted the song in a webcast in August and offered it as a download for fans who pre-ordered the album, and iTunes has been selling the track since September 1. (His devoted fanbase pushed the track to #37 on the iTunes song chart.) No word yet on whether Atlantic and Castro will release a second single closer to the album's new, yet-undetermined release date.
The dreadlocked fan favorite isn't the only "Idol" to face shifting release dates recently. In early September, Katharine McPhee's new label, Verve Forecast Records, decided to move her sophomore release, Broken, from this past Tuesday to January 5 because of "scheduling" issues.
Even with Castro's CD bump, November 17 remains an overcrowded day for new music. "American Idol" winner Kris Allen, Leona Lewis, OneRepublic, Shakira, John Mayer and 50 Cent are all scheduled to release albums that day.
Jason fans disappointed with the delay have one thing to be happy about. Castro ended the message with a little surprise: "For those who already pre-ordered the album - a big THANK YOU! I'm going to be sending you a bonus track that we just couldn't fit on the album."
If you see "Grease" at the Durham Performing Arts Center this week, do not go hoping to see the movie reincarnated right before you.
Instead, prepare for a fun version with a slightly different plot, a few extra, forgettable songs and a swell time -- but not much more.
The 1978 movie starring John Travolta as Danny Zuko and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson has been seducing teenage girls at slumber parties for more than 30 years now. It might be difficult to get an audience that doesn't have certain expectations of "Grease" the musical.
For example, Danny is played by Eric Schnieder, who looks more like Adrien Brody from the film "The Pianist" than Travolta. Frankly, Dominic Fortuna, the actor who plays Vince Fontaine, the horny DJ, looks a heck of a lot more like Danny. And for some reason, Danny wears a striped polo shirt and loose, cuffed jeans with his T-Bird leather jacket, rather than the plain white T-shirt and tight jeans of the Zuko I suspect many were hoping to see.
But he can sing, and at times Schneider channels the silky Travoltan pipes of yesteryear. The whole cast has pretty decent vocals, though a few of the women sound a little too much like Disney characters than they do Stockard Channing, the film's original Betty Rizzo, or Newton-John.
Emily Padgett, who plays Sandy Dumbrowski (note the different last name than Sandy from the film -- was that really necessary?) is adorable at times, flitting between insecurity around the Pink Ladies and earnestly coquettish around Danny. But she holds onto the words a little too long during her solos and lets the vibrato linger.
Birdie Carroll as Jan, and her romantic interest on stage, Will Blum as Roger, steal the show. Blum in particular is able to take a caricature, the funny fat kid, and make him not only dynamic -- and I mean laugh-out-loud funny -- but also believable.
Ultimately, the musical is upbeat and has high energy, even though the scenery is a little flat, aside from the ice cream cone atop the diner from which Teen Angel, played by Taylor Hicks, emerges from the heavens.
Hicks, winner of "American Idol" season whatever, does his best to get some laughs, but the song he sings -- originally done by Frankie Avalon -- is not the best showcase for his vocals. He makes up for it after the show by singing a solo piece from his new album.
Some of the dance sequences are spectacular -- mainly the all-male routine atop the Greased Lightning car. The high school dance scene is also cute and more reminiscent of the film than I thought they could pull off.
Still, there's something about the nuance of the original, the subtle sexual innuendos, unexpected humor and palpability of the friendships that come across a little hazy on stage. The overt erection humor is a little misguided, the jokes at times heavy-handed and the spark between characters a little dull.
But hey -- it's live and it's fun.
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"Idol" giving back for a third time``xalan``xBy Nellie Andreeva - Reuters
"American Idol" is bringing back its "Idol Gives Back" charitable special on April 21 after a yearlong hiatus.
The special, airing during the top-seven Wednesday results show, will benefit Children's Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation. More than $140 million was raised in two previous specials.
In addition to the fundraising, the April 21 show also will feature that week's voting results and the elimination of a finalist.
"American Idol" will return for a ninth season in January with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and rookie Ellen DeGeneres.
Over time, it's become clear: Taylor Hicks is the most dynamic, interesting and consistently entertaining member of Birmingham's "American Idol" trio.
Perhaps it's unfair to lump Hicks, 32, into a category with Ruben Studdard and Bo Bice, because their music styles are so different - soul-pop, R&B and Southern rock, respectively.
But all three are local guys who made their fame on the same TV reality series, and their successes happened within a span of just four years. There's an inevitable urge to compare and contrast them, and frankly, Hicks always stands out.
When the Gray-Haired Guy returns for a concert here, as he did Friday night at the WorkPlay theater, it's always a professional, high-energy show. Hicks works hard as a singer-instrumentalist (guitar and harmonica) and the set never feels amateurish or slapdash.
If anything, Hicks' 11 p.m. performance at WorkPlay proved that he's gained in confidence and stage stature in the years following his 2006 "Idol" win.
Sure, Hicks seemed comfy before - doing those goofy dances and connecting with the crowd - but he's completely feeling his groove now, performing songs such as "The Deal," "The Runaround," "The Distance," "Nineteen," "Seven Mile Breakdown" and "What's Right Is Right." His tenor voice sounded nice and flexible, too, powering through some numbers and mellowing out in others.
Is Hicks the most sublime music artist who ever lived? Of course not; he'd be the first to admit it.
Hicks simply knows his strengths, downplays his weaknesses and makes the most of what he's got.
Case in point: Hicks was pulling double-duty here, playing late-night sets at WorkPlay on Friday and Saturday after appearing in the national tour of "Grease" at the BJCC Concert Hall. Friday's lasted for about two hours, and it's a safe bet that Saturday's was equal to that in length. Talk about a can-do attitude.
As expected, members of the Soul Patrol, Hicks' supremely enthusiastic fan club, came out in force for the sold-out nightclub date. Some of them had traveled for hours to get here, and one group set up lawn chairs outside WorkPlay Friday morning, making sure they'd be the first inside when the theater doors opened.
Hicks, loyal to his roots, featured several Birmingham-area players in his band, such as keyboard player Brian Less, sax man Jeff Lopez and drummer Leif Bondarenko. Guitarist Billy Earl McClelland of Auburn (a demon on the slide) and Mobile singer Donna Hall (formerly of Wet Willie) made guest appearances.
Today is a deathly quiet day so far in the "Idol" world. This might be a good time to do this:
After eight seasons, we've had 95 'American Idol' alums over eight seasons.
That's 10 season one, 12 each for the next six seasons and 13 last year.
I'd say at least one third have now been able to leverage their fame into some semblance of a music career. In other words, many don't have to go back to being a postal service worker or a Sonic waitress.
I decided just for fun to rank my top 25 most successful "Idol" contestants among those finalists (I'll leave the likes of Frenchie Davis and William Hung out. We could do a separate, much shorter list of most successful "Idol" contestants who didn't make the finals). This isn't a judgment based on me liking them or not. It's not just record sales. It's how I perceive success to be. Feel free to rank your own top 5 or 10 on your own criteria.
1. Jennifer Hudson. Okay, she didn't win and disappeared for a couple of years. During the season, I thought she was talented but at the time, fell in the shadow of Fantasia. Ultimately, she merely wasn't quite ready for the primetime. When she got that "Dreamgirls" role, her life changed and our view of her changed, too. She's the only "Idol" to branch out into movie acting and win the biggest awards for said acting. Plus, she's an incredible singer who's now in the "A List" category when it comes to recognition and respect. She's, in effect, far transcended "Idol" and that's quite a feat.
2. Carrie Underwood. She has seven No. 1 singles (and an eighth on the way), a stable full of awards and the respect of the country music industry and beyond. Though she's had some tabloid moments thanks to a her penchant for football palyers and actors, she has maintained a clean-as-a-whistle reputation. She's talented, likable and the perfect vehicle to prove 'Idol" can create a star.
3. Kelly Clarkson. Being the first winner has its benefits. She was there early and we'll always have warm and fuzzies for her for that reason alone. She still strikes me as incredibly down to earth and "real," especially when she's battling her record label or her weight. I don't think that will ever change. She's sold more albums than any other "Idol" over four albums and has more than a dozen big hits under her belt. You can't help but root for her no matter what happens.
4. Chris Daughtry. He may be a bit Nickelback cookie cutter with his sound and his second album may be "no surprise," but boy, his band is commercial gold! So far, he's been a guaranteed hits generator and comes across as a truly earnest, if not terribly original, rocker.
5. Fantasia. Whether you like her or not, she's hard to forget. She was a distinctive personality and singer from day one. Since the show, she's had hit singles, a hit biopic, a hit bestselling book and accolades galore for her role on "The Color Purple." I've seen her live multiple times and just emanates "star."
6. Adam Lambert. Okay, he has not released an album yet, much less finish it. He didn't even win. But he's a tornado force to be reckoned with, a glam rocker "Idol" has never seen before and probably never will again. He made the cover of "Rolling Stone" when he came out. He's the first "Idol" non winner to make the cover before the actual winner. The man hit No. 1 on the Amazon charts this week two months before its release.
7. Clay Aiken. Speaking of a man who didn't win that captured a massive fan base, we have the delightfully fun Clay. Mocked for his "gay or not gay" tap dance, it's interesting that this alone kept him in the spotlight far longer than if he had just come out in 2003. The Clay jokes have generally gone away in recent months, haven't they? He brought out those Barry Manilow comparisons and sold a boatload of early CDs. He squandered some of his fan base by doing too many covers in recent years and not creating his own portfolio. He was well received recently doing "Spamalot." If anything, we will watch his future endeavors with interest.
8. David Cook. Sure, that eyeliner was a bit much but he always struck me as a more original rocker than Daughtry - and less sullen. He seems to be able to laugh at himself more, too. While he hasn't quite had Daughtry-level success, he has made a mark and it's likely he'll be in our sights for years to come.
8. Kellie Pickler. Three years ago, I would never have imagined putting her in the top 10 but she has earned it. She has made smart career choices, kept herself in the limelight via constant touring and goofy TV appearances and generated some decent songs to boot. She latched herself to the Taylor Swift bandwagon and got her first top 10 single this summer as a result. She still comes across as a sweet, bubbly, just less naive, personality.
9. Jordin Sparks. She is pure pop and has four genuine top 10 hits as a result. Still a teen-ager, she is a bit of a work in progress. It's hard to say given the fickle nature of the pop world whether she'll still be viable in five years but she seems to be a hard worker and quick learner. She is clearly the shining star during the arguably weakest "Idol' season yet.
10. Ruben Studdard. Ruben surprised the world by beating Clay six years ago. He is now no longer talked about much. He tried to break into the R&B world but has been too old school to get much V-103/Hot 107.9-type airplay. His sales, as a result, have steadily eroded. He is now touring with "Ain't Misbehavin' " and he seems at ease with himself. I still like him and he did sell quite a few records those first two years out.
11. David Archuleta. He has a dedicated fan base and one top 10 single under his belt. Once he outgrows hte Disney crowd, who knows?
12. Taylor Hicks. He is one of the more distinctive personalities ever to come out of "Idol." He made great TV, which is why he won "Idol" in 2006. But his 70s-style rock-soul was never an easy sell commercially. He's going to tour for the rest of his life and I'm sure he'll be happy about that, even if it ends up being Smith's Olde Bar-type places when he's 50. He's currently on the "Grease" national tour in a basically cameo role.
13. Kris Allen. It's a bit premature to predict how successful Kris can be but he has a commercial look, a commercial sound and a good head on his shoulders. I predict he'll do just fine.
14. Elliott Yamin. A true underdog, he came into the competition with virtually no stage experience and came out a modest star. He surprised the world with a massive hit with "Wait For You" in 2007. He hasn't been able to duplicate that since but nobody seems to hate the guy. I hope he can find another hit or two down the road.
15. Katharine McPhee. She isn't much of a pop artist but she manages to keep herself busy doing concerts and acting in films. Now she's blonde. I'm not sure about that.
16. Justin Guarini. The poor guy became a butt of many many jokes when he bombed out and lost his record contract after season one. He has never been able to fully climb out of that abyss. But he did get work on TV Guide Channel, still gets concert dates and recently got married. He strikes me a nice guy who will find work.
17. Constantine Maroulis. Talk about a man people loved to hate! The man who visually humped the TV camera has actually found bliss on Broadway, even garnering himself a Tony nomination. The man's a hustler.
18. Bo Bice. Like Taylor Hicks, his brand of 70s rock was never commercially viable. In fact, his first single proved that pop schlock isn't for him. But again, like Taylor, he is a tour machine. He has a great fan base and they'll follow him to whatever beer-sodden honkytonk he plays at. He is also an incredibly nice guy. He's the only "Idol" ever to call me personally after I interviewed him to thank me for a story. Classy!
19. Bucky Covington. The man nobody thought much of season five now has three top 15 hits. Country music liked him and his unassuming persona clicked enough to make him a decent opening act for any big artist.
20. Diana DeGarmo. Snellville's own hasn't released a full album in ages and even pondered country music after doing that CMT show. But her heart and soul is in theatre. Her voice is perfect for it. She's been on numerous shows now, the most recent being "The Toxic Avenger" in New York City.
21. Kimberley Locke. She had one pop hit "Eighth World Wonder" and a bunch of AC radio hits. She landed on "Celebrity Fit Club" and found herself a boyfriend. She can belt it out. Overall, she has managed to carve out a modest career.
22. Josh Gracin. Another season two vet, Gracin generated several country hits after he left the show but his last few songs have not done much. Good thing about country is even after you've left the charts, you can always do fairs and festivals and he has enough hits to do that for awhile.
23. Kimberly Caldwell. She is only now working on an album after all these years but she has kept her career alive via hosting shows on TV Guide Channel. (And dating David Cook for a while to boot.)
24. Chris Sligh. He only finished 10th season six but he found his niche in Christian music and pulled out a hit there. He is also a songwriter and got a No. 1 hit via "Here Comes Goodbye," sung by Rascal Flatts. The man, as he noted recently on his blog, makes a good living doing what he loves and he works hard at it. Go Chris!
25. Ace Young. He co-wrote a hit with Daughtry and shows up each year on the Jerry Lewis telethons. He does a lot of charity work and has very fanatical fans. That says something.
Who else could have made the list? Tamyra Gray had some success on Broadway. Sanjaya wrote a book and ate bugs on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Outta Here." Anthony Fedorov did "Fear Factor" with Carmen Rasmussen and did the "Fantastiks." Carly Smithson has joined what used to be Evanescence.
Trenyce and LaToya London both do theater. Mandisa wrote a book and sells CDs in Christian music, along with George Huff. Mikalah Gordon showed up on "Gone Country." Nikki McKibbin has also done reality shows, as did Jessica Sierra (though she had to be in "Celebrity Rehab"). Blake Lewis released an album and has a second on his way. Brooke White came out with some tunes. Jason Castro is doing a mall tour.``xEkVuVlZFEuBynhnAUO``x1254594514``x(default)``xAmerican Idol Buzz (http://blogs.ajc.com)``x53071149601226``x
'American Idol' Champ Kris Allen Is The 'Real Deal,' Mat Kearney Says``xalan``x'He had a really strong sensibility,' singer/songwriter says of collaborating with Allen for major-label debut.
Mat Kearney's songs have been featured everywhere from "Grey's Anatomy" to a Bruce Springsteen-helmed charity CD. The next place the singer/songwriter hopes to hear his work is the major-label debut of "American Idol" winner Kris Allen.
Kearney teamed up with Kris in early August to write a top-secret tune and is very pleased with the results. "We wrote a song and it's awesome," Kearney boasted to MTV News while he was in NYC for a tour stop.
Amid a flurry of the usual "Idol" collaborators (Ryan Tedder, Claude Kelly), Allen surprised many when he announced that he was also working with Kearney. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter was just as surprised. "I think [Kris] was just a fan," Kearney said of how they ended up collaborating. "What he told me was that he was just picking bands that he liked." (Those bands apparently include Semisonic, Daughtry, the Fray and the Calling - members from each of those groups have all been mentioned in connection with Kris' album.)
Having worked with Kris in the midst of the breakneck pace of the American Idols Live! tour, it's no surprise the trip ended up being a bit of a whirlwind. "[His people] called me and he flew into town, and I made coffee and we sat in my living room and we wrote some stuff," Kearney said. "Before they knew it, it was late at night, and they had to find an open studio to record a demo before Kris had to skip town. They eventually settled on Kearney's friend's "ghetto" makeshift home studio. "He sang it in, like, one take and it was amazing. I was like, 'You should enter some sort of singing contest. You could do something with that,'" Kearney joked. "That guy can sing."
Apparently, Kris can write too, which was an even nicer surprise for Kearney, who admitted he usually associates "Idol" with vocalists, as opposed to singer/songwriters: "Someone wants to 'write' a song with you, you're like, 'Great, you want to come over and I'll write a song so you can be co-writer.' " But Kris' abilities shattered Kearney's expectations. "He was awesome, and he had amazing input and he had a really strong sensibility. ... I was like, 'Wow, this guy's the real deal!'"
Kearney admitted that he didn't know much about Kris before their session together. "I knew that he was the cute guy who was really nice who told people about his wife or something. And Simon didn't like that. That's all I knew. And I knew he had sung [Kanye West's] 'Heartless.'" But it didn't take long before the two singers with a sharp sense of humor hit it off. "He's a totally cool guy, totally enjoyed being with him. ... I have nothing to say about it other than he was great. And he bought an amazing trout for everyone. We ate trout! Keeping it Southern."
Kris Allen's still-untitled debut is scheduled to hit stores November 17, while Mat Kearney is currently on tour supporting his latest album, City of Black & White.
In the future, every "American Idol" finalist will spend at least 15 minutes on Broadway. Which means Taylor Hicks is ahead of the curve.
Alabama native Hicks won "American Idol" in 2006, beating out a finalist field loaded with North Carolinians, including McLeansville's Chris Daughtry, who has emerged as the top record-seller from that year's "Idol" crop. While Hicks has not sold as well as Daughtry, he's still putting out albums, including this year's "The Distance." And he has a healthy side-career going in musical theater, playing Teen Angel in the musical "Grease."
"Grease" opens Tuesday in Durham. We chatted with Taylor by phone from Houston.
Q: Have you ever acted before this part in "Grease"? No, not really. I think I was Santa Claus in a Christmas play once, and that's been about it. But by now, I've definitely got it. The whole acting thing is new to me, learning how to role-play. But the great thing about it is that I get to build up the character and make it better each night, which is fun to do.
Q: How familiar were you with the movie before this? Oh, I was a big fan. I think every American has seen "Grease" at least once in their lifetime, so I was familiar with it. But I didn't want to borrow too much from that for Teen Angel, which is such a signature role. I wanted to accomplish making it my own signature. ... My entrances are a little bit grander, maybe, and I added some R&B horn lines to the music.
Q: What do you have coming up after "Grease"? I'm definitely gonna make another record. And if the right role comes along in TV, film or Broadway again, I'll look into it. It has to be the right fit. I don't think it'd be "Harry Potter." Maybe a small role in a comedic film. Teen Angel is the perfect role for me; it really is. I couldn't ask for a better way to understudy and get that perspective. Plus I get to integrate my record within the encore. At the end, I perform the single off my record "The Distance." It's like a Broadway show and a mini-concert at the same time.
Q: What advice would you give 2009 "American Idol" winner Kris Allen? Try to work 24 hours a day, because it's an opportunity that doesn't come around but once in a lifetime. So enjoy it. ... Make sure you're singing songs you love, and make sure the parts you take are really you. And have fun.
Q: What would you be doing now if you hadn't won "American Idol"? Well, I don't think I'd be Teen Angel without it. I've always seen myself as a musician, an entertainer. So I would still be entertaining.
Q: What was it like to the subject of a "Weird Al" Yankovic parody? I was probably as much in shock about that as about Broadway calling. But it was cool. When you get parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic, you've arrived.
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'The X Factor' in the U.S.?: Five reasons that makes me fear for 'American Idol'``xalan``xBy Michael Slezak - Entertainment Weekly
News that Simon Cowell might bring top-rated British singing competition The X Factor to the U.S. airwaves has me feeling a little skittish. Maybe that's because of my profound and deep-rooted fear of change. Or maybe it's because over in Jolly Old England, X Factor gobbled up American Idol's British cousin, Pop Idol, like the great white devoured that water-skier in Jaws 2.(For the record, Britain's iTV yanked Pop Idol after only two seasons in favor of upstart X Factor.) And as someone whose career, social schedule, and emotional well-being are built around a deck of American Idol playing cards (yes, they do exist), I want that water-skier kept out of harm's way.
Oh yeah, I know, an American X Factor could be brilliant. But having followed that series vaguely from across the pond, I've got five reasons I fear I won't dig it as much as Idol - and I'm not even counting the fact that Leona Lewis' voice leaves me feeling colder than bathroom tile in January. Without further ado...
1) For me, for you, X Factorlooks a little stagy, dawg: Indeed, X Factor tweaked its format in its current season so that contestant auditions take place in front of a live audience. (See YouTube sensation Danyl Johnson's fine (albeit hokey) tryout to "With a Little Help From My Friends.") And that just raises the risk of witnessing the kind of painfully contrived editing and "Oh golly!" reaction shots from the judges that we see on the dreaded America's Got Talent (and Britain's Got Talent). Simon's ability to break into a "spontaneous" grin aside, there's a reason he and Randy and Kara are reality TV judges, and not supporting players on Mad Men, Lost, and Desperate Housewives.
2) X Factor's mix of groups and solo performers across four categories - 16-24 males, 16-24 females, Over 25s, and Groups - seems weirdly incongruous: Call me short-sighted (you might be right), but I worry it'll be harder to get my competitive spirit engaged when the contest is less apples-versus-oranges and more toothpaste-versus-shampoo, if that makes any sense. (Tell me that makes sense.)
3) Anonymous contestants will always trump celebrities: And yet the fact that X Factor's four judges also serve as mentors - one across each contestant category - seems designed to give even more airtime to talking heads and less to the talented kids looking to break on through to our hearts, minds, and iPods. (That said, I wouldn't mind if Idol introduced Project Runway-style examination of contestants' struggles with song selection and arrangement, clothing choice, and rehearsal woes.)
4) X Factor could create a glut of reality TV singing competitions. The true beauty of American Idol is that you can (unhealthily?) obsess over the show every year from January to May, then exhale for the next seven months. Or if not exhale, then at least change gears and spend all your free time following the Idol summer tour, wondering about record deals for Matt and Anoop, and trolling the Internet for details on upcoming releases by Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, and Mishavonna Henson. (Yes, seriously, check out Mishavonna's stuff on iTunes.) Let's say, theoretically, Fox adds X Factor to its fall lineup - September-December - and then keeps Idol on the airwaves January-May. Will we end up with a situation many of us are currently experiencing with So You Think You Can Dance? That feeling of needing a few months away before you can even think about re-engaging? That pang of guilt that a fabulous crop of dancers' auditions are currently clogging up your DVR? Color me concerned, perhaps even woeful, Tim Gunn-style.
5) Idol just keeps getting better: I know, I know, we live in a society where the 18-34 demographic is king, and where any show that lasts beyond four seasons runs the risk of a knee-jerk label of "uncool," but recent incarnations of Idolhave been as strong as ever - perhaps even stronger. Season 7 gave us the epic Cook-Archuleta showdown - and introduced us to a deep bench of delights, including Jason Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, and Michael Johns. And season 8's Kradison gives Idol its best chance at three-pronged Billboard-chart success in show history. Why would Fox do anything to derail its money train, even if ratings have slipped a little in recent years?
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'Idol' Alum Jason Castro Plots Tour``xalan``xBy Monica Herrera - Billboard.com
Jason Castro -- the original dark horse contestant on "American Idol" who finished fourth in 2008 -- is hitting the road for a national mall tour in support of his self-titled debut. The Texas singer-songwriter's trek begins Oct. 12 in Minneapolis, Minn. before wrapping Nov. 15 in Ontario, Calif.
"I can't wait to get out and play the new stuff," Castro tells Billboard.com. "I'm itching for it."
In a scheduling move that could potentially put his fans' loyalties to the test, Castro's album is due on Atlantic Records Nov. 17, the same day that this year's "Idol" winner, Kris Allen, will release his own self-titled debut. But Castro says he's not worried about the competition.
"I see it as an opportunity. We're all living the dream, so I'm not really concerned about when whose album comes out -- I'm just gonna get out there, that's all I want to do."
In fact, the dreadlocked singer is proud of being the first contestant to ever play an instrument on "Idol," paving the way for a low-key artist like Allen to win the title a year later -- perhaps to the chagrin of "Idol" judge Simon Cowell. "I think it would have happened either way," he says. "It's started as a singing competition, but it's slowly morphed. Maybe I was one of the catalysts, but I just happened to be that guy who walked in with a guitar."
When asked which 2009 "Idol" finalist's album he is most looking forward to hearing, Castro says, "I'm really excited for everybody, but I can't wait to get Allison's record," he says, referring to Allison Iraheta, who like him, finished fourth in the show's eighth season.
Castro inked a record deal with Atlantic Records in April, marking the first time the label has signed an "Idol" finalist. His first single, "Let's Just Fall in Love Again," entered Billboard's Heatseekers Songs chart at No. 15 and Hot Digital Songs at No. 57, and his album will feature production and songwriting contributions from Evan Rosse, John Fields and Kara DioGuardi.
Castro's tour will be supported by the interactive music network Akoo, which will allow fans to request the music video for "Let's Just Fall in Love Again," as well as exclusive video footage of the singer, via text-message at its mall locations.
"AMERICAN Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert is bigger than Madonna and even The Beatles.
Within hours of making his yet-to-be-released album available for pre-order on Amazon.com, a frenzy of ordering drove Lambert's ranking all the way to No. 2 on the online retailer's bestsellers list.
That put Lambert ahead of Madonna, The Beatles and world-wide sensation Susan Boyle.
Lambert's album won't be released until Nov. 24. The only CD that out-ranked him yesterday was Barbra Streisand's first new record in four years.
The sky-rocket sales seem to indicate two things: that "Idol" packs an unprecedented punch in the music business and that Lambert, like Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry in past seasons, may quickly overshadow the singer who beat him in the final vote, Kris Allen.
Remarkably, Lambert's record company, RCA, did not announce that it was taking pre-release orders. The sales were all propelled by word of mouth.
Lambert and his fellow Top 10 "Idols," including Allen and 4th-place finisher Allison Iraheta wrapped up their "American Idols Live" tour a few weeks ago.
Fans, left without their daily fix, have been scouring the Internet for news of their "Idol" favorites.
It was during one of these searches, early Sunday morning, when a Lambert fan discovered that Adam's album was available.
Within hours, word of the album's availability on Amazon spread across the Internet. The online social networking site, Twitter, lit up with the news. Fans traveled from "Idol" blogs to Lambert fanboards to spread the word to other fans. Soon, the album, which has yet to be named, began climbing up the Amazon Bestsellers List.
By late Sunday afternoon, it hit No. 4. Later that evening, it peaked at No. 2.
Lambert has been working on his album with a slew of industry a-listers including Lady Gaga's producer RedOne, One Republic's Ryan Tedder and "Since U Been Gone" hit maker Max Martin.
The album has also made its way onto several critics' "most anticipated" lists.
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Simon Cowell's Gone Soft (and Long-Winded) in His Old Age``xalan``xBy Breanne L. Heldman - E! Online
Someone needs to pull the pen from Simon Cowell's fingers.
While we love it when the crotchety American Idol judge decides to air his dirty laundry in public (that Susan Boyle botch list was a classic), is an absurdly lengthy diatribe really necessary?
On the cusp of his 50th birthday next week, Cowell wrote a letter to himself published in yesterday's Daily Mail in the U.K. In it, he looks back on the past few decades, scolding himself for poor decisions he made in the '80s and '90s and patting himself on the back for the good ones.
It would be a good, self-deprecating, third-person about-face, but regardless of what he says, nearly 3,500 words makes for nothing but a puff (as in puff, the magic ego) piece.
"You are on a roll and you think the good times will last forever but, oh dear, Simon. You are so, so wrong," he writes to the 1980s version of himself. "You look like a complete idiot...you are overconfident, far too cocky and dressed from head to toe in expensive designer gear...It hasn't dawned on you yet, you idiot, that you can't afford any of this stuff."
Of course, Mr. Tight T-shirts takes it easy on himself for the final 1,000 words or so.
"I must say, despite everything, I'm quite proud of you, Simon," he says. "You're happy, you're content and just incredibly grateful for where you are."
Then he goes on to list what's changed for him over the years - really important things like what he drinks and snacks on and how he doesn't like to bum $5 from anyone. He pats himself on the back for never marrying because he's such a workaholic, and for staying friends with his exes.
"Your job, Simon, was to make celebrities, not to become one yourself, dear boy," he says. "Underneath it all, Simon, you are a realist. You don't believe the hype about yourself. You can see what you do well and what you do badly. People think you are this Machiavellian character, forever plotting and scheming."
He ends his diatribe as Hallmark would have intended - "So happy birthday! Love Simon" - although we'd hate to see the card size needed to print this self-loving -loathing opus.
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American Idol's Justin Guarini Marches Down the Aisle``xalan``xBy Shawna Malcom - People
Surrounded by family and close friends, Justin Guarini married Reina Capodici at a private estate in his hometown of Doylestown, Penn., early Saturday evening, Guarini's rep Jeff Ballard confirms to PEOPLE.
Guarini, 30, the runner-up to Kelly Clarkson in the first season of American Idol, and his new bride, 27, attended high school together but only started dating after reconnecting in the past few years.
The intimate wedding was presided over by a female minister from the Universalist Church and included vows the couple wrote themselves. Guarini's stepdaughter Lola, 4, spoke during the ceremony. Music by Radiohead, Paramore and Peter Gabriel was performed by the Vitamin String Quartet.
"Justin is one of the most deserving people of happiness and love," Kimberly Caldwell, Guarini's co-host on the TV Guide Network's Idol Tonight, tells PEOPLE. "I know he will be an amazing hubby."
The couple were engaged in December while Guarini was at Disney's EPCOT Center filming for the American Idol Experience ride at the Orlando theme park.
Guarini plans to return to the recording studio this winter to write and record his third CD.
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'American Idol' winner Kris Allen's first single is catchy``xalan``xBy Misha Berson - The Seattle Times
Kris Allen's first post-"American Idol" single, "Live Like We're Dying," is good. It's surprising, and maybe a little jarring at first, if you expected a ballad or a mellow groove with a spare arrangement, like some of Allen's best performances on "American Idol" that paved the way to his Season 8 win.
But "Live Like We're Dying," is very catchy, a bit inspirational (the lyrics are all about seizing the day, and making the most of life and love). Also it's energetic and danceable, with a really grooving, syncopated chorus -- so what's not to like?
This driving rock tune with some tongue-twisting rap is a cover of a (fairly obscure) number by the Irish band, The Script. It's not blockbuster material, but Allen's version erases any notion that he's some wimpy folkie. It's gotten good reviews from Billboard and a few other reputable outlets.
But where's the fanfare here? The hype? The cool video? The official pop single release day is often a Tuesday, to maximize coverage during the week. But word of "Live Like We're Dying" began dribbling out last week, when a short excerpt of showed up on Web sites and Allen started talking about it in interviews.
It was bunched up in middle of the iTunes Top 100 downloads last we looked. But it deserves better. Yet with little advertising, airplay, or sense of occasion so far from Jive Records -- the recording outfit connected with 19 Entertainment, a company led by "Idol" uber-boss Simon Fuller -- will it break out?
Given all the buzz about whether Allen deserved his win over extremely popular runner-up (and completely different kind of singer) Adam Lambert, you might think Jive would really push "Live Like We're Dying" to give their boy a boost -- especially since it's a marked improvement over what some other Idol winners have put out as their first post-show single.
So what do you think of the song, and its chances of catching fire?
You can discuss this article in TOSP's Forum.``xEkVuEylVEAoTjICOsQ``x1254175719``x(default)``xThe Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com)``x53071149601226``x
Who's hot (and not) entering Week 2 of ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars'``xalan``xBy Maria C. Montoya - Nola.com
KELLY OSBOURNE - She didn't have the highest score of the week, but she was the biggest revelation, showing off a slimmed-down figure and graceful Viennese Waltz steps that had parents Ozzy and Sharon beaming in the audience.
JOANNA KRUPA - If you don't subscribe to Maxim you may not have recognized the name of the Polish supermodel. But after getting last week's highest score for what Len Goodman called a "smoking hot salsa," everybody knows her now.
AARON CARTER - The 21-year-old singer who released his first record at age 10, had the highest score among the men after a cha-cha the judges called "spiky," "sharp" and "edgy."
DONNY OSMOND - Yes . . . Donny Osmond. His fox trot with partner Kym Johnson impressed the judges, who said he "played the audience like a master fiddler."
LOUIE VITO - The abominable snowboarder is more Tony Hawk than Fred Astaire, but mad props to any dancer who can do a flip during the cha-cha.
DEBI MAZAR - Her scores were low, but the judges comments were hilarious ("You can work those bosoms like nobody else!"). If she can get her feet to move as fast as her mouth, she just might win the thing.
MICHAEL IRVIN - The Dallas Cowboys' Hall of Fame receiver said his nerves were "a million times worse" than before he played in the Super Bowl, and it showed -- his cha-cha tied for the low score but he survived another week.
TOM DeLAY - The Republican and former House Majority Leader had two right feet, of course, but the 62-year-old Texan danced with gusto. "Parts were magic, parts were tragic," judge Len Goodman said of his cha-cha with partner Cheryl Burke.
Simon Cowell is about to become the highest-paid star on TV.
The "American Idol" judge who fans love to hate has signed a deal worth more than $100 million a year to bring "X Factor" -- his "Idol"-like show in Britain -- to the United States, the Daily Mirror newspaper in London reported.
Cowell will produce, but not appear on, his American version of the show.
The deal will also extend his contract with "Idol" -- which had been due to expire -- another two years. In total, Cowell will reportedly make $103 million by next fall, according to the British newspaper.
Oprah remains TV's top earner, but her estimated $200 million income includes her entire empire.
The Mirror also reported that recently departed "Idol" judge Paula Abdul is in the running for an "X Factor" spot.
A rep for Cowell did not return messages yesterday, and a Fox spokeswoman declined comment.
This was a big weekend for cocky Cowell, who turns 50 next week.
For the occasion, he wrote an open letter to himself as a young man.
The rambling missive, published in London's Mail on Sunday, said:
"You are overconfident, far too cocky and dressed from head to toe in expensive designer gear.
"Armani and Versace. Oh, nothing but the best for you Simon! It hasn't dawned on you yet, you idiot, that you can't afford any of this stuff."