Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Adam Lambert sings an acoustic version of "Starlight" LIVE!

Adam Lambert, American Idol Season 8 runner-up to Kris Allen, performs a stripped down acoustic version of Muse's "Starlight" on September 19, 2009.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Matt Giraud and Kris Allen perform on the street

Matt Giraud sings while Kris Allen plays guitar as they perform on the street for fans before a show on The American Idols Live Tour..

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Kris Allen's First Single is called "Live Like We're Dying"

On a Twitter party, Kris Allen confirmed that he has a new single called "Live Like We're Dying"

For about 1 hour, Kris Allen answered fans' questions on Twitter. Among those being addressed by him were his new album and its lead single. He wrote yes when quizzed whether the song is titled "Live Like We're Dying".

Kris stated there is "no date yet" for the song, but the winner of "American Idol" season 8 said he has his rhymes "fresh to def." When asked about the release date of his debut album, he once again confirmed that it will come out in U.S. on November 17.

Previously, Kris Allen tweeted about having songwriting session with The Calling's vocalist, Alex Band. He is also said to work with The Fray's guitarist Joe King and acclaimed producers Salaam Remi (Nas, Amy Winehouse) and Claude Kelly (Leona Lewis, Akon).

- From aceshowbiz

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Nigel Lythgoe on Ellen DeGeneres: 'Idol stole her from us'

So You Think You Can Dance judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told EW that American Idol “stole” Ellen DeGeneres from his show so he’ll “steal” Paula Abdul as a guest judge in the future. Talking from the red carpet of Saturday’s Creative Arts Emmys in Los Angeles, Lythgoe said though he “loved” having DeGeneres on the Fox dance show (”We hope she will still be able to come and help us out from time to time”) Lythgoe said it would be a “great idea” to have Abdul join the SYTYCD team in the near future. ”I’d prefer Paula,” he said. “I think it is a great idea to put her on.”

But Lythgoe was quick to add that DeGeneres will be a valued addition to Idol. “What it does is give the public, who are the people who decide in the end who is crowned the victor, a voice on the judges panel and they have never had that before,” the former Idol producer told EW. “They already have industry experts, musicians and producers and songwriters represented and Ellen will be that judge who comes at it from a fan perspective. She loves music and she will be able to speak about what people will like and what would sound good on the radio. And she’s funny. And I also think she is strong enough to keep Simon Cowell in his place, which I am always worried about.

- From EntertainmentWeekly

Monday, September 7, 2009

Matt Giraud's dreams come true as he and fellow American Idols rock Grand Rapids

Though Adam Lambert undoubtedly set the crowd at Van Andel Arena ablaze Sunday night, and Kris Allen was superb, a near full house had already experienced the highlight of the "American Idol" live tour: Watching West Michigan's own Matt Giraud's dreams come true.

Giraud, who had noted in an interview earlier in the day that the night's performance was to be "one of the biggest nights of my life," must have been gratified by the crowd's uncorked response to his presence. As Mattie G tore into the Black Crow's "Hard to Handle" with zeal unseen on the show, it was clear he definitely lit the audience's "candles" in a big way.

"I used to play across the street, at the B.O.B," he said, grinning at thousands of fans in a packed arena.

His vocal high-bar routine on "Georgia" was impressive; he's a gifted impresario. The 24-year-old got a little emotional during the song, perhaps catching the eye of a loved one, or just feeling the embrace of the "hometown" crowd.

Giraud doffed his jaunty signature porkpie hat to play and sing The Fray's "You Found Me." Take that, Simon Cowell (the Idol judge scorned Giraud's pick of that song on the show). He sounded fabulous, and throughout his all-too-short three-song set displayed that indefinable snap, crackle and pop that all stars have.

Along with a much-improved Scott MacIntyre, Giraud also did dueling piano duty couple of times throughout the show.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne to guest judge American Idol

Music stars Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne will be guest judges on American Idol during the final two days of auditions held this week in Los Angeles. With each star judging on a different day of L.A. auditions, Katy and Avril will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi at the judges' table.

Katy and Avril aren't the first stars to guest judge at Season 9 auditions. Recently, Victoria Beckham served as a guest judge in Denver and Boston, Mary J. Blige shared her expertise in Atlanta, Joe Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris joined the panel in Dallas, Kristin Chenoweth met up with the show in Orlando, and Shania Twain was the guest judge in Chicago.

The Grammy-nominated Katy Perry has captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike. Awarded Best New Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and voted Best New Artist by readers of Rolling Stone, Katy is currently wrapping up her sold-out "Hello Katy" worldwide tour in September. Katy even performed during a Season 8 results show. See photos of Katy's American Idol performance.

Avril Lavigne has been in the industry since she was 17 years old. Her first album, Let Go, sold more than 16 million copies worldwide and earned her eight Grammy Award nominations and four Juno Awards. With her three albums accounting for over 30 million records sold worldwide, Avril is currently in the studio working on her fourth album. In addition, she designs her own line of clothing, Abby Dawn, and she just launched her first fragrance, Black Star.

American Idol will kick off its ninth season with the audition episodes this January on FOX.

Adam Lambert - Donors Choose (video)

American Idol Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert asks fans to donate to DonorsChoose.org in lieu of giving gifts at http://www.donorschoose.org

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Kara DioGuardi sings "No Boundaries"

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi sings "No Boundaries", the song winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert sang on the show.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Paula Abdul Breaks her Silence since leaving American Idol

Paula Abdul hasn't spoken a word since she shocked the world in early August by announcing her decision to quit American Idol after failing to reach a contract agreement with the show's producers. But on Sunday, Abdul turned up at the Hollywood Hills home of musical producer Craig Zadan to celebrate his successful Lifetime comedy series, Drop Dead Diva, in which Abdul guest stars as, of all things, a judge. Abdul finally broke her silence to TV Guide Magazine about her decision to leave Idol, her fun new role and what's next. A talk show perhaps?

TVG: You're looking amazing, Paula. And you seem so happy today. No regrets about leaving American Idol?
Paula Abdul: You know, to say 'no regrets' isn't easy. I feel like I have been such a big, huge part of the success of the show from day one. I loved being able to be the artist's artist; being there from my point of view of knowing what it feels like to be vulnerable and to be out there wanting to achieve the most magical moment in a minute and thirty seconds. To be able to do that was an amazing experience and the show was wonderful for me in that regard.

TVG: Obviously, Simon Cowell must be devastated.
Paula Abdul: You know, we stay in touch. And I've stayed close to the contestants and I support them.

TVG: Simon told us in a cover story we did with him last April that he would never want to do the show without you. That he'd fight for you.
Paula Abdul: (Looks down, softly) I know... I know... I had to stand on my principle. This is the first time I'm speaking to the press. You're the first person I'm speaking to. I'm going to miss them. And I'm going to miss the experience of watching young talent evolve into a place where they get to take off and soar.

TVG: Will you still tune in?
Paula Abdul: Of course I will. I'll watch it as much as I can. I had some really unforgettable moments that hit plateaus for me and I'm very blessed to have been a part of what made television history.

TVG: The contestants will no doubt miss having a Paula Abdul on the judges' panel rooting for them.
Paula Abdul: Well, it warms my heart that the kids are saying, 'I just feel bad that we don't get to experience Paula being there.'

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta Close to Finishing Debut Albums

There's no rest for the signed on the American Idols Live! tour -- just ask runner-up Adam Lambert and fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta, who are using any down time on the road to continue working on their debut albums, which are both due in November.

Lambert tells Billboard.com that his set is "about midway" to being finished. "We recorded a bunch of stuff before the tour started, and I wrote a handful of stuff," he reports. "We have three or four weeks after the tour ends that I have to record like crazy, but we have a lot of material to do that with."

Lambert says the album "has elements of rock, of course, but it has a lot of pop sensibilities to it. It's really current, really fresh and yet still melodically and vocally it's nodding to the '70s and '80s classics. I know I got most of my credibility on 'Idol' doing those songs from those eras, and it wouldn't make sense for me to do an album that runs away from it."

Among Lambert's collaborators so far have been RedOne, Linda Perry, Max Martin and Greg Wells. The album is so far unnamed -- "I want to see what ends up on the album before I come up with a title," he says -- and will likely be comprised of all-original songs, though he says that "there might be a cover on there. It's a maybe." Similarly, he has not yet recorded any duets but says "the jury's still out. It really could happen."

Iraheta, meanwhile, has been writing songs with Kevin Rudolf and David Hodges for her album, which she says will "definitely have that rock sound to it. It'll be fun, and there's gonna be some deep stuff, too -- like, lyrics about what can possibly be happening to other people in the world right now that I've gone through myself, but also melodically, just some good, slow rock ballads."

Iraheta says she's feeling "less pressure" than either Lambert or American Idol Season 8 "Idol" champion Kris Allen. "They're not in my face as much as they are in theirs," she notes. Lambert, meanwhile, acknowledges the weight of expectations.

"I do feel a little bit of pressure," he says. "There's a lot of hype. I've been fortunate enough to have a lot of attention, which is a great thing for somebody in my position, with an album coming out. I think people are going to like what they hear. I hope they do, at least."

From Billboard.com