Some juicy Carrie Underwood news from American Idol.com
“Carrie Underwood recently wrapped a three-week reign at #1 on the country charts with “Wasted,” and now her previous multi-week country chart-topper, “Before He Cheats,” showcases her massive cross-format appeal as it cracks the Top 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 Radio Airplay chart this week at #9. The last country song to break into the Top 10 on the Mainstream Top 40 Radio Airplay chart was Faith Hill back in 2000 with “Breathe.”
Already a Top 10 at Hot AC, “Before He Cheats” notched a whopping five weeks as country’s #1 single in late ’06, scoring a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Country Song and earning multiple trophies at the 2007 CMT Music Awards. Now in rotation at MTV, the video for “Before He Cheats” was a recent “First Look” on TRL and became the first country video ever to air on the show, and the first country video added to MTV since Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” in 1999. It’s also red hot at VH1, where it’s the #4 most-played video and #4 on the viewer-voted VSpot Top 20 Video Countdown.“
Quincy Jones, the legendary American conductor, record producer, musical arranger, simply overall music royalty, has decided to take part on the “Idol Gives Back” charity show by offering a song that can equal the effect of “We are The World” sang by a myriad of music industry superstars back in the 80’s.
This time, his new song is entitled “Time to Care” and amply performed by the Top 6 of this year’s American Idol. I love the lively beat and the very deep message that it brings. It’s time to care
(Notice how Phil Stacey sounded so good…like a real pro…it was almost like listening to someone who’s been a favorite singer for many years)
Sanjaya Malakar fever is very much still alive. Our very own golden boy has made it in the top 5 of The TIME 100 Most Influential People. In fact, he is at the top 3 spot with 182,371 votes. At the top 5 list, Sanjaya is together with Rain (Korean singer), Stephen Colbert (American comedian), Dane Cook (American comedian), Sidney Crosby (ice hockey player).
Tamyra Gray, top 4 finalist on the first season of American Idol is another AI alum who’s gonna be on BROADWAY. Although this is not her first time to be on Broadway stage, it’s just fascinating that a lot of AI alums are currently venturing into stage acting. Tamyra will be on the famous Broadway play “Rent”, joining the cast as Mimi Marquez, on May 29th up until Novemebr 25th of this year.
Tamyra was never really gone in tinseltown even after the Amercian Idol season 1 frenzy. She has appeared in several tv series like “Boston Public“, “What I Like About You“, and “All of Us“.
She also co-wrote the song “I Believe”, the finale song for the season 3 American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino (who also stars now on the Broadway play “The Color Purple”)
Ryan Seacrest did his usual morning-after interview with newly-axed AI contender, Phil Stacey. He admitted that anyone would want to win the competition, nonetheless, he’s still happy with the fact the he lasted up to the top 6. He says: “Its ended a lot better than I could’ve possibly imagined.I had a rough start… I’m very fortunate to have lasted that long.”
When asked who his favorite mentor was, he gladly said QUINCY JONES, pretty much for being the most hands-on teacher that he was. Phil said that Mr. Jones stayed in the studio to hang out with the gang (did a lot of coaching) and didn’t leave until the last person left from the studio.
Right now, Phil is looking forward to going back to Jacksonville to spend time with his family. He is still very much in the Navy, and will wait for his superiors’ feedback if he can go on the AI tour.
Somebody had to go. Charity even was over, it was bye bye time for Chris Richardson, along with baldy Phil Stacey. Ryan Seacrest’s tradition is to do an exit interview the morning after elimination. When Ryan asked Chris R. how he’s doing, Chris replied “Im doing pretty good.”He(Chris) is looking forward to launching his own album in the near future, when AI fever subsides a bit after the tour. Meanwhile, he’s happy to have some downtime to be able to see his friends and family, while waiting for the tour to start.
Blake is the most confident, innovative, and brilliant American Idol contestant ever!
Here was his best performance that made him the most talked-about AI contender to date.
Great reviews from the judges, great energy from the audience. WE love yah , Blake!
Shot through the heart and you're to blame
Darlin' you give love, a bad name
An angel's smile is what you sell
you promise me heaven, then put me through hell
Chains of love, got a hold on me
when passion's a prison, you can't break free
Whoa!
You're a loaded gun
yeah, whoa...
There's nowhere to run
No one can save me
The damage is done
Shot through the heart
and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love a bad name
Katharine McPhee, season 5 runner up to Taylor Hicks, made it to the list of PEOPLE magasine’s list of 50 Most Beautiful People. Our Kat belongs to the STARS WITHOUT MAKEUP category. Yes, people, our girl is beautiful with or without makeup. Fabulousah!
This week, we had to let go of two dudes. It’s bye bye Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson. It pains me to see Phil Stacey go, he has been good in the recent weeks. But someone had to go.
May 1, 2007 marked another momentous event on Anthony Federov’s life. The American Idol season 4 (top 4 finalist) portrayed the role of “Matt” in the longest-running off-broadway musicale “The Fantasticks” held at the SnappleTheaterCenter. The story of this musicale is about a young boy and girl who are intensely in love with each other in the middle of their intrusive fathers, then friction grows strong until they drift from one another. Hmmm….interesting.
photo by Joan Marcus
Anthony Fedorov replaces recent cast member Douglas Ullman, Jr.
photo by Joan Marcus