Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Idol Stalker - Watching American Idol

Idol Stalker - Watching American Idol

American Idol Season 8 – Hollywood Round Part 1

Posted: 03 Feb 2009 07:15 PM PST

There were 147 contestants brought to Hollywood and they were treated to the first-ever Idol Bootcamp where they received advice about their hair, clothing and, of course, their voices.  Barry Manilow showed up as a surprise mentor.Judges_Set_10.5.08_0049Dennis Brigham and Lil Rounds from Kansas were among the first group.  Lil sang "I Will Always Love You" and got a standing ovation.  Dennis sang "For Once in my Life" and they didn't think it was good (it wasn't). 

Asia, Alexander and Lil were kept from the first group.  Dennis did not go home without an argument.  He even told Simon that he wore very, very cheap pants for a man with so much money.  Wow!!!

Nathaniel Marshall did a great job.  I was touched.  The judges didn't like his song choice.  Anoop, of course, was great.  He's one of my favorites.  Jasmine Murray did a good job. 

Rose Flack broke down during rehearsals the day before and looked extremely nervous before her audition. 

The entire second group was put through to the next round.

Steven Fowler sang a Stevie Wonder song and it was PHENOMENAL.

Jorge Nunez has an amazing voice.  He reminds me of Clay Aiken sometimes, to be perfectly honest.

Von Smith was yet another great male performer but Simon just ripped him to shreds.

Still they all managed to make it through!  I'm so happy!

Bad song choices cost a lot of potential contestants their chance to remain in Hollywood which, of course, is always sad. 

Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle seemed a little stressed about his audition but he chose to come out as Norman and sang "And I Am Telling you."  I don't think he should have come out as his alter ego, in my opinion.  The judges seemed perplexed by him as well but he actually got put through to the next round along with Frankie Jordan.

Jackie Tohn and it was an interesting audition.  I like that she's so personable and unique so I'd like to see her in the finals.  She made it to the next round – it's a start!

Jamar Rogers sang "California Dreaming" just like he did in his original audition.  I don't normally like it when they do that but he did sing it well.  Danny Gokey sang "Kiss From a Rose" and I like him.  They both made it through to the next round.

Katrina Darrell (who you may remember as "Bikini Girl") was back and kissing Ryan Seacrest again.  She chose to "Breathe" and she started well but I felt it went off at the end.  Kara and Paula heard what I heard but Simon and Randy actually liked her enough to put her through to the next round.

Jeremy Michael Sarver, one of my favorites, did a great job.  I love that guy!!!  WOOHOO!!! He got through to the next round!

Jesus Valenzuela sang "Lately" and he also did a good job but he didn't make it through.

David Osmond, Erika Wesley and Emily Wynne-Hughes were up next and David sounded good, Erika was okay and Emily made the dumb mistake of changing her song last-minute on stage.  That rarely goes well.  Still, she and David made it through to the next round.  Erika did not take her rejection well and Paula revealed that she hadn't voted against her. 

In all, 104 contestants made it through the first round.  Tomorrow, they break into groups.  They promise drama that we've never seen before!  We love drama!  Can't wait for tomorrow night!

image © 2007 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

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Jennifer Hudson to Sing at NAACP Awards, Go On Spring Tour

Posted: 03 Feb 2009 09:43 AM PST

After her triumphant return to the spotlight at the Super Bowl this past weekend, Jennifer Hudson, is continuing to ease back in to a routine.  The Jennifer Hudsonamazing singer is scheduled to perform at the 40th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, February 12, 2009.  The even will be broadcast live on FOX. 

Jennifer is nominated for seven Image awards this year: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Outstanding Album ("Jennifer Hudson"), Outstanding Song ("Spotlight"), Outstanding Music Video ("Spotlight"), Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Jennifer Hudson feat. Fantasia – "I'm His Only Woman"),  Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding New Artist.

It's also been announced that she will be embarking on a six week tour in late March or early April. 

I know there won't be any tour dates near where I live but I wish I could see her perform!  If any of you go, you've got to come back and tell me about the show!

image: Bauer-Griffin

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Kara DioGuardi to be in Theory of a Deadman Music Video

Posted: 03 Feb 2009 09:22 AM PST

WOW!!!  American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi, is going to be a star in the AMERICAN IDOL: Judge Kara DioGuardi. CR: Jack Guy / FOX  © 2008 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX new Theory of a Deadman video.  I know that not all of you may be familiar with the Canadian group (they are based out of Vancouver and were discovered/sound like fellow Canadian rockers Nickelback).  It's super exciting to me because I am not only a fan but I've had the occasion to meet (and party) with the members of the group at last year's Juno Awards and they were incredible!

Here's some of the press release:

Vancouver rockers Theory Of A Deadman will be filming a video for their hit single "Not Meant To Be" starring Grammy nominated songwriter and American Idol superstar Kara DioGuardi in the lead role. DioGuardi co-wrote the song with the band's frontman Tyler Connolly.

Connolly had this to say about working with DioGuardi, "Amazing. I went over to her place, drank some wine and we wrote 'Not Meant To Be' in 5 minutes. Our writing styles fit together so perfectly it was almost like it was 'meant to be.'"

DioGuardi adds, "The best part about my job is that you never know who you are going to meet, and who's going to inspire you. Although I'd never worked with Tyler, when he started singing the song, I knew we were onto something special. I am thrilled he asked me to be a part of the video."

I'm really excited!!!  Here's the video for my favorite TOADM song "Bad Girlfriend":

image © 2008 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Jack Guy/FOX

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Pick Up Melinda Doolittle’s Album Today!

Posted: 03 Feb 2009 09:03 AM PST

Melinda Doolittle was a force to be reckoned on the sixth season of American Idol.  Judge, Simon Cowell, had hoped she would be in the finale but she ended up finishing in third place behind Blake Lewis (runner-up) and Jordin Sparks (winner).  Today, Melinda's first album drops and I hope you pick up a copy!melinda_doolittle_coming_back_to_you_cover

The album, Coming Back to You, was recorded using live instruments and you can feel and hear the richness in the quality of the tracks.  It's got a real old-school, Motown kinda feel to a lot of it but I think it's definitely worth a listen.

image: Amazon

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