Idol Stalker - Watching American Idol

Michael Johns “Hold Back My Heart” Released Today
Kris Allen Talks Album Collaborations, Dines Out With Wife
Kelly Clarkson Weighs in on Alleged Perez Hilton Assault
Brooke White “Radio Radio” Available Download

Michael Johns “Hold Back My Heart” Released Today

Posted: 23 Jun 2009 11:45 AM PDT

Like his fellow season 7 alum, Brooke White, former American Idol finalist, Michael Johns, is releasing some music today and I've got to say that I've had the chance to preview his Hold Back My Heart album and it's soooooo much better than I was expecting.

Michael definitely has a great voice but my impression of his was slightly marred by the end of the competition since I think the theme weeks didn't agree with him. It's clear now, however, that he's very talented and has put out a collection of songs that are reminiscent of music from the 1960s up until today and I can definitely see myself putting this CD on and having a BBQ or heading on a fun road trip.

Here's the tracklisting:

My favorite tracks are "Heart on My Sleeve," "Fools Gold," "Mountains" and "Turn to You" although I have to admit that the second half of this disc doesn't seem as good as the first. It's still a pretty decent effort so I hope it does well! Have you heard it? What do you think?

image: Amazon

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Kris Allen Talks Album Collaborations, Dines Out With Wife

Posted: 23 Jun 2009 10:46 AM PDT

Reigning American Idol champion, Kris Allen, has revealed that he will be working with some great talents on his debut album. Along with songwriter, Claude Kelly (who penned Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You" and Britney Spears' "Circus"), producer Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Nas) and former Evanescence keyboardist David Hodges and Joe King of the Fray.

In an interview with Billboard, he said: "I've been writing a lot with a lot of different people, and it's going well. Each writing session has been a learning experience. I think that we are trying to figure it out and that it's going the right way and I'm really excited about it. I can't wait."

I love that he refers to it as a "learning experience" because too many people go into the studio with the attitude that they already know it all. The whole benefit of working with others is to get as much from the collaboration as you possibly can and it sounds like he's doing that.

It hasn't been all work and no play for the Idol winner, though. He was recently spotted taking his wife, Katy, out to dinner at Madeo in Beverly Hills. The photographers asked him how he felt when runner-up, Adam Lambert, revealed that he had a crush on Kris during the competition. Kris retorted by saying Katy had a crush on Lambert! What a good sport. Some people would be so freaked out.

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Kelly Clarkson Weighs in on Alleged Perez Hilton Assault

Posted: 23 Jun 2009 10:32 AM PDT

The original American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson, was on MuchMusic's Much On Demand (for those of you not in Canada, it's similar to MTV's now defunct Total Request Live) where she was asked about the whole Perez Hilton vs. Will.i.am controversy – Perez alleges that he was assaulted by the Black Eyed Peas' front man and/or his manager and/or some security guards when he was in Toronto over the weekend to attend the MuchMusic Video Awards. From the footage that TMZ released, it seemed like Perez was the instigator but I digress…

Kelly, ever the outspoken woman that she is, had no sympathy of Perez. She said that she's been hit before and never made a video crying about it and she also said that "when you dish that much out, you better be able to take somethin'." She made it clear that she doesn't condone violence but she basically voiced what everyone else has been saying – Perez had it coming. It might not be right but it's definitely predictable!

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Brooke White “Radio Radio” Available Download

Posted: 23 Jun 2009 10:02 AM PDT

American Idol season 7 finalist, Brooke White, will be releasing her first post-Idol album, High Hopes & Heartbreak on July 21, 2009. She released the first single "Hold Up My Heart" back in February but now returns to the airwaves with "Radio Radio."

The song is basically what you would expect from Brooke who is very much a folksy pop/indie singer. I like her tone but, for some reason, I envisioned this song sounding a little different. Either way, I think fans will love it.

Download it now from Amazon and tell me what you think!

image: Amazon

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