Archive for August, 2007

Daughtry’s "Home" Surpasses "It’s Not Over" On the Charts

Daughtry, fronted by Chris Daughtry, has shown America that its success is certainly not fleeting. "Home" has maintained its position as No. 1 on the charts for ten weeks, thus surpassing the reign of the band's other chart-topping song "It's Not Over." As Billboard points out, "It's the first time the same song has ruled both the Adult Contemporary and Adult Top 40 charts since Daniel Powter's 'Bad Day' in May-June 2006." Coincidentally, both of these songs have served as the song that plays when a contestant is voted off the show. Whether it's the sentimental nature of it or the song itself, it has proved its staying power on the charts.

American Idol Grapevine

As the American Idols Live Tour ’07 rolls on, fans across the country are raving about spending an evening with the Top 10. Check out some samples of some of the recaps, stories, and reviews from the MyIdol Message Boards! From Haley’s Comets, to Blaker Girls, Spark Plugs, Fanjayas, and every fan group between, it sounds like no Idol fan leaves this year’s tour disappointed. Experienced this year’s tour and want to share a review? Or just want to live vicariously through other fans? Join MyIdol to get involved! Who knows, you just might find yourself in the next Idol Grapevine! The girls did great especially LaKisha, Melinda, and Jordin. – maryheart LaKisha Jones is far more than just a “belter.” She can control and moderate her singing as well as the best singers “on the market” today – wowzers913 Sanjaya owns the stage when he's on. Watching him dance with the backup singers at the end of the show was cool. This morning the local news called it the "Sanjaya Show." – dotsicle Gina was much better than she has ever been. Her rendition of "Who Knew" was spectacular, much better than the original. – andre10 We sang. We danced. We screamed. There were so many more songs me and my cousin knew, even our moms were dancing! I got three hugs from JORDIN!!!! I ALMOST FAINTED! – ChrisTucker765 Haley was beautiful and Gina's voice was amazing. I knew when I heard and saw her live why I liked her so much. – moxley Sanjaya was absolutely an entertainer. All the young girls screamed and yes, some cried. – mom2five Phil was awesome. "Blaze of Glory" sounded amazing. – idol_freak1994 If you have sensitive ears, you better bring earplugs because the audience response is deafening and totally contagious. – ohJetaime Every performance was good by all the idols. Jordin did phenomenal. Chris Richardson was awesome. I give it a perfect 10, definitely a huge highlight of my summer. – CoopDogg24 It was my first concert ever, and I'm glad I got off to a good start! The whole concert was just an amazing experience. It was so energetic! AHHH… I LOVED IT! – JBSparksRocks EVERYONE was OUTSTANDING last night!! The show was just amazing.... the idols were genuine, talented, and simply blew the roof off the Xcel Center. I also got to meet Chris R., Blake, Haley, Chris S., Gina, and Phil! Seriously, there are no words that would do it justice. This concert was fantastic!! – kate4chrisandkat Overall, a fiercely entertaining show, and certainly the best AI show I've been to. If you can, don't miss it. –seamokeebirdee

Mandisa’s Debut Album Hits Christian Charts at #1!

Mandisa has helped American Idol to achieve another first, as her debut album, True Beauty, enters the Top Christian Albums chart at No. 1! As Billboard points out, "It's the first debut album by a solo female artist to open at No. 1 in the 27-year history of this chart (the survey was first published the week of March 29, 1980)." This gives American Idol its 132nd No. 1, with Billboard including all national and domestic charts. On The Billboard 200, "True Beauty" is new at No. 43.

Constantine Maroulis Makes His Mark on the Charts

Until recently, the number of season four Idols to hit the charts has been somewhat small compared to other seasons. With his debut at No. 75 on the Billboard 200 for his self-titled debut album, Constantine Maroulis has changed that. What's even more impressive is that he achieved this while releasing the album under his own independent label, Sixth Place Records. As far as the "Idol" seasons go, season five has seen the most success on the charts thus far. Eight of the season five contestants have already charted. Here is an updated breakdown of charted singers season by season: *Season one: (five) Kelly Clarkson Justin Guarini Tamyra Gray R.J. Helton Jim Verraros *Season two: (four) Ruben Studdard Clay Aiken Kimberley Locke Josh Gracin *Season three: (seven) Fantasia Diana DeGarmo Jasmine Trias LaToya London George Huff John Stevens Jennifer Hudson *Season four: (four) Carrie Underwood Bo Bice Constantine Maroulis Mario Vazquez *Season five: (eight) Taylor Hicks Katharine McPhee Elliot Yamin Chris Daughtry Paris Bennett Kellie Pickler Bucky Covington Mandisa *Season six: (two) Jordin Sparks Blake Lewis *Non-finalist William Hung brings the total to 31.

Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head to Release Duet Album

After signing with Universal Records Motown, season six contestants Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head are teaming up to release an album featuring both of their talents. Sloan said, "I can't wait to get into the studio. Sundance is an amazing talent and it's funny that both of us joked about working together when we left the show on the same night and now here we are both signing on with Universal Records. We are thrilled!" The Peter Collins-produced (Bon Jovi, Rush) album will contain a mix of new and classic material. In regards to the album’s duet format, Sloan said, "Singing duets was Jolene's [Cherry, senior VP of A&R at Universal Records Motown] idea. She felt that the combination of our soulful voices would make for an amazing album. We all met together to kick around the concept and now we're really excited about the direction of the record.” As the duo begins recording this month, the album is scheduled for a November 2007 release, with a solo album from Sloan slated to follow. In the meantime, check out our exclusive Exit Interview with Sabrina and Sundance!

Ryan Seacrest to Host the Emmys!

Ryan Seacrest will host the 59TH PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS airing live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Sunday, Sept. 16 at 8/7c on FOX. Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, FOX, said: “Ryan Seacrest is known and loved by television audiences around the world. His work on AMERICAN IDOL is unparalleled in the industry. He’s a consummate host of major live broadcast events and a proven talent who always makes it look easy, which makes him the perfect choice for this year's Emmy telecast.” “Ryan Seacrest appeals to a broad audience, including the highly desirable young adult demographic, so he should serve as a magnet for attracting a diverse array of viewers to our Emmy telecast,” said Dick Askin, Chairman and CEO of the Television Academy. “He is charismatic and talented, and he will be very comfortable in the production environment that has been created for this year's telecast.” Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the 59TH PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS, said: “I’m excited about working with Ryan. This year’s show will be different in a number of ways; the freshness, enthusiasm and professionalism that Ryan brings to everything he does will be a perfect match for some of the innovative things we have planned. I’ve watched Ryan’s growth on live events with great delight, and we’re going to have a great time with him on the Emmys.” Ryan will also host the entertainment portion of FOX’s Super Bowl broadcast this winter, marking the first time the event has featured a host and red carpet pre-game coverage. Originally from Atlanta, Seacrest began his professional career in broadcasting at the age of 16, when he interned at WSTR/STAR 94 in Atlanta.

Release Dates Announced for American Idol Jordin Sparks

In addition to traveling the country on the American Idols Live! Tour, Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks has kept busy preparing her first album. After signing with 19Recordings/Jive Records, Jive recently announced that Jordin’s first single, “Tattoo,” will be arriving at radio stations nationwide on August 27th, with a full studio album scheduled for a November release. Jordin’s first single is being produced by the duo Stargate, well-known for their work with Beyonce’ and Ne-Yo, and is co-written by chart-topping writer Amanda Ghost. “American Idol has truly been a life altering experience,” Jordin said. “Signing with 19Recordings/Jive and Barry Weiss [CEO and President of Zomba Label Group] and his great team is hopefully the beginning of another dream opportunity for me to deliver the kind of meaningful music I love. I can’t wait to share this next chapter of my story with all the fans that have supported me so far.” With a date and timeframe set for Jordin’s debut single and album respectively, the American Idol's future has the support of music industry veteran Clive Davis, who commented, “Jordin is a terrific young singer who has found a great home at Jive. Barry and his successful team know how to patiently nurture career artists, and Jordin Sparks hints of a legacy and longevity waiting to be fulfilled.” Check out our interview with Jordin before this year’s finale!

Carrie Underwood’s "So Small" Is So Big On the Charts

In the least surprising "Idol" news, Carrie Underwood's "So Small" was an instant success on the charts. It exploded on to the Hot Country charts at No. 20. As Billboard notes, "It's not only the highest new entry of 2007, it's the highest new entry ever for a solo female artist since January 1964, when the chart expanded from 30 to 50 positions." "So Small" is also Carrie's highest-debuting single, as "Jesus, Take the Wheel" came on to the chart scene at No. 39 in 2005. The song is also Carrie's eighth chart entry in slightly over two years. "Bless the Broken Road," a collaboration with Rascal Flatts, was her first song that charted. It debuted and peaked at No. 50 in June of 2005. As Billboard points out, Carrie is one of four "American Idol" alumnae in the top 20 of this week's country chart. In crossover success news, Kelly Clarkson reaches the top five, as her duet with Reba McEntire on "Because of You" (MCA) edges up 6-5. Bucky Covington rises 7-6 with "A Different World" and Kellie Pickler is still going strong at 15-14 with "I Wonder."

Carrie Underwood’s Sophomore Album Sure To Be a Hit

Although Carrie Underwood's sophomore album isn't due out until October 23rd, Billboard is already sure of its success on the charts. After the impression that "Some Hearts" made on her fans along with the cross-format success of "Before He Cheats," it's no wonder that Carrie wanted to use this momentum in going into her next project. As Billboard notes, "'So Small' is going to be so big at country." They go on to say that the album contains "spine-tingling notes" and a "full-bodied ballad tempo." The lyrics to the song, "So Small," will also surely hit home with many of Carrie's fans. "Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing/ Is just a grain of sand/ And what you've been out there searching for forever/ Is in your hands." As Billboard notes, "Underwood is unstoppable, and 'So Small' delivers on all previous collateral that she is here to stay."

Constantine’s Debut Album Has Something For Everyone

Constantine Maroulis waited a long time to release his debut album, which dropped on August 7th, but according to Billboard, it was worth the wait. The album contains everything from pop tunes to ballads, and is tinged with some Latin flavor and a heavy dose of angst. Billboard compares the multi-formated album to the likes of Maroon 5 or Rob Thomas. "The former, in fact, seems something of a model for the hooky 'Several Thousand,' while Constantine (who wrote three tracks here) has a little Ricky Martin on the brain for 'Girl Like You,' Bon Jovi for 'Heaven Help the Lonely' and a compelling combo of the Strokes and Iggy Pop's 'Lust for Life' on 'I Thought It Was Something.'" Billboard speculates that it most likely won't see the huge numbers that other Idols have seen due to the fact that it's an indie release. However, it's an excellent way to springboard his music career. Check out our exclusive interview with Constantine!

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