Idol Chit-Chat
This is your place to discuss all things "American Idol." The performances, the judges, the past contestants — it’s all right here.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Kat Gets In the Christmas Spirit

We can now add Katharine McPhee to the list of Idols who have recorded Christmas CDs...

"Christmas Is the Time...To Say I Love You" features the title track (originally recorded by Billy Squier) as well as standards "O Holy Night," "This Christmas," and a medley of "Away In a Manger" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem."


Since I've always liked Kat, and I LOVE Christmas music, I'm kind of psyched about this one.

I'll have more when I get my hands on a copy...


Photo Credit: Amazon.com

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Kara Gets a New Show

Kara DioGuardi has landed a new show…

It’s called “Going Platinum” and it will air on Bravo.

“Platinum” will follow 12 singer-songwriters as they compete in a series of songwriting challenges. Jewel will host, as well as give her feedback, and Kara will be the head judge.

I still believe that Kara is a fantastic songwriter, so maybe this is a better venue for her.

“Platinum” is currently in production and is scheduled to premiere in 2011…

Photo Credit: FOX

Kelly Celebrates Texas

Kelly Clarkson will sing the National Anthem before Game 3 of the World Series in Arlington, Texas.

You may recall that Texas is Kelly’s home state.

Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday, October 30th at 6:30 p.m. on FOX…

Photo Credit: Mike Ruiz/RCA

Monday, October 25, 2010

Jason Castro Broadens His Horizons

Jason Castro is expanding his fan base by dipping his toe into a musical arena that has proven very successful for other Idol alumni—Christian music.

Jason will release his new album, “Who I Am,” on Atlantic Records/Word Entertainment November 9th on his website and at all Christian retailers. The first single, “You Are,” was released to Christian AC radio this month.
The album features five new tracks, plus five tracks from his first CD, including “Let’s Just Fall In Love Again” and his cover of “Hallelujah.”

Jason will also release “Changing Colors: Live From Studio 1290” on November 9th. The digital only five song EP features live versions of “Changing Colors,” “If I Were You,” “It Matters To Me,” “Love Uncompromised” and his version of the Tom Petty song, “Learning To Fly.”

You can hear snippets from the album here.

Photo Credit: Atlantic Records/Word Entertainment

Friday, October 22, 2010

Why I Love Kris Allen...

It’s probably been a little while since I declared my love for Kris Allen, so let me just do that now…

I love Kris Allen!

Need a reason why? Check out his reggae version of his winner’s single, “No Boundaries,” that he did during an interview with EW.com’s Michael Slezak…

Lee's New Single

Last week, Lee DeWyze debuted his new single on “On Air With Ryan Seacrest.” But it wasn’t “Live It Up” as originally announced.

The song is called “Sweet Serendipity” and it has a very John Mayer/Mat Kearney/Kris Allen sound to it.

I like it, but I worry it sounds too familiar to be a big hit…

“Sweet” will be available for download October 26th. Lee’s album, “Live It Up,” hits stores November 16th.

You can hear “Sweet” below. Be sure to let me know what you think…

Catching Up With Mama Sox

Crystal Bowersox tied the knot with musician and longtime friend, Brian Walker, on 10/10/10.
You can see pictures from the wedding here.

And just to clear up any confusion, no, this is not the boyfriend she tried to guilt into proposing to her on “Idol” that she broke up with just before the finale.

By the way, Crystal’s album is tentatively scheduled to hit stores December 14th. She had been fighting with Jive to postpone the release until Spring, but it looks like Jive won…
Photo Credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX

Catching Up With Archie

In case you missed it, David Archuleta’s third album, “The Other Side of Down,” hit stores October 14th.

It sold 24,000 copies in its first week, debuting at #13 on the Billboard 200.

Here’s the video for the first single, “Something ‘Bout Love.” Archie’s still not good with the videos, but he can definitely sing a catchy tune.

And you know I love that key change climax…

The ACAs Take On an Idol Flair

Monday, FOX announced the nominees for the inaugural American Country Awards. And “Idol” was well-represented…

Carrie Underwood received six nominations: Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year: Female, Album of the Year for “Play On,” Single of the Year: Female for “Cowboy Casanova,” Touring Headline Package of the Year, and Video of the Year: Female for “Cowboy Casanova.”

Kellie Pickler received two nominations: Single of the Year: Female and Video of the Year: Female for “Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You.”

And, Danny Gokey received a nomination for Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist.

The nominees for each category, according to the official FOX press release, were determined by one of four media measurement companies: Big Champagne, Great American Country, Mediabase and Pollstar. The winners, however, are decided entirely by the fans. You can vote each day at http://www.theacas.com/ until November 8th for all categories except Artist of the Year, which is open until December 4th.

The ACAs will air Monday, December 6th at 8 p.m. from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on FOX…

Photo Credit: BNA Nashville

Jordin Sparks Covers a Disney Classic

Jordin Sparks got the honors of recording “Beauty and the Beast” for the “Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition.” The Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack hit stores October 5th.

You can see the video below.

By the way, if you don’t have a Blu-Ray player, you can get the Diamond Edition on DVD November 23rd…

Allison Loses Her Label

Last month, the news broke on EW.com that Allison Iraheta was no longer on the Jive Records label…

However, Allison is still signed to 19 Recordings.

This story makes me sad, because I believe Allison is extremely talented. And the people at 19 worked very hard to promote her. However, I don’t know that I can say the same about the people at Jive. I think that maybe they made some wrong single choices for her that doomed her chances.

Maybe Allison can find a home at the new “Idol” label home, Universal Music Group, and find a producer who can make the most of her talents…

Photo Credit: Chris Cuffaro/FOX

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Simon on "X Factor": "Zero Rules"

Tuesday, Deadline.com posted an interview Deadline UK did with Simon Cowell, talking about “X Factor.”

In the interview, Simon was asked what would happen on the show when it premieres next fall on FOX:

“Zero rules. Because I can’t bear rules. For instance, I’ve never liked the idea you have to be a certain age to be a pop star. I like the idea that anybody can enter, anybody can compete. And obviously the fact that groups can compete as well as individuals. They haven’t had that on American TV before…But the main thing is that we’re going to America because there’s a lot of talent in America and there’s a lot of people over the age of 30 who want to get to these shows as well. It should be a 14-year-old competing against a 50-year-old competing against the next ‘N Sync. That to me is an interesting show because it’s got a variety of contestants. And we are going to scour the whole country to make sure that the whole of America is aware of the show and is given the chance to audition in as many different places as possible.”

Simon also said that he hasn’t booked any judges for the show, despite rumors to the contrary.

There was also this interesting exchange:

DL: The UK “X Factor” and the U.S. “X Factor” are still both due to take place at the same time next Fall. What are you going to do? You can’t be in two places at the same time.

Cowell: You’re going to be surprised by what we’re going to announce. I’ve got a little plan.

Hmmm…

Photo Credit: FOX

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Kris Allen Honored For Helping Little Kids Rock

Kris Allen will be honored later this month for his work on behalf of children…

Little Kids Rock, a leading nonprofit provider of free musical instruments and teacher trainings to US public schools, announced today that it will honor Kris at its annual “Right to Rock” Celebration Thursday, October 21st at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.

According to the official press release, Kris will be recognized for his “significant contributions to the field of music, as well as his philanthropic efforts on behalf of children.” Kris became a supporter of Little Kids Rock through “Little Kids Rock Across America.”

Photo Credit: Jive Records

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Ryan Seacrest Channel?

The Ryan Seacrest Channel?

Believe it or not, it’s a possibility…

“The Hollywood Reporter” is reporting that Seacrest is in talks with talent agency, CAA, and entertainment company, AEG, to launch a new cable network.

The report says that it’s all preliminary, but the concept is “music, pop culture and lifestyle oriented.”

However, the report stresses that the network will not be a competitor to E!, where Seacrest will continue his work.

The guy just doesn’t stop, does he?

Photo Credit: Sam Jones/FOX

The Latest On Lee's Album

RCA announced today that Lee DeWyze will release his new single, “Live It Up” on October 13th. It will debut exclusively on “On Air With Ryan Seacrest.”

Lee’s album, also called “Live It Up,” will be released November 16th.

The RCA press release describes the album as “an engaging blend of rootsy pop, rock and folk, anchored by DeWyze's soulful, rough-edged voice and bright-sounding acoustic guitar.”

According to the release, DeWyze co-wrote most of the songs on the album…

Photo Credit: RCA