Grammy-winning producer, virtuoso musician, hit songwriter, legendary A&R executive and, of course, lovable American Idol judge â?? Randy Jackson has called upon every aspect of his staggering career to produce Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1, his first solo album, which is due March 11, 2008, on his new label, Dream Merchant 21, and released through the Concord Music Group. The album includes a stellar ensemble of artists and features the return of fellow Idol judge Paula Abdul whose track "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" is her first release of new music in over a decade. Other guests on the album include Idol standouts Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin, U.K. phenom Joss Stone, country trailblazer Travis Tritt, pop-rock hitmaker Jason Mraz, ace country songwriter-producer John Rich (of Big & Rich), R&B luminary Sam Moore and Bon Jovi guitarist-harmonizer Richie Sambora. Randy also works once more with the incredible Mariah Carey who guests on the gospel track "Understand" along with Bebe Winans and Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell & Rance Allen. The collection also features major up and coming talent such as the wonderful Barbi Esco on the track "My R&B" and Kelli Selah on "Who's Gonna Love You Now" among many others. With the release of Randy Jacksonâ??s Music Club, Vol. 1, Jackson has created a record he likens to "listening to a great radio station," albeit one that kicks down the walls of conventional formatting. Touching on R&B, pop, country, blues, hip-hop, rock, jazz, fusion, gospel and more, Jackson â?? who produced all the tracks, demonstrates his facility with virtually every modern musical style. "I didnâ??t want to make it all one genre, because that's not who I am," Jackson insists. "There's something here for every listener." "I'm really pleased that a bunch of wonderful, talented people showed up," Jackson said of his experience producing Randy Jacksonâ??s Music Club, Vol. 1. "I'm really blessed by the way it all came together." The native of Baton Rouge, La., was recently named Senior A&R Consultant and Producer for Concord/Stax â?? which is apt, given that the Stax label's gritty, indelible R&B hits were among his earliest influences. "Growing up in the South, I loved James Brown, Motown and Stax," he remembers. "So working with Sam Moore of Sam & Dave has been incredible." Moore, for whom Jackson produced the Grammy-nominated album Overnight Sensational, sings the blues classic "Wang Dang Doodle" on Randy Jacksonâ??s Music Club, Vol. 1, assisted by young lions Keb Mo and Angie Stone. "I always say the greats just get better," Jackson reflects. "Sam sounds better than ever, and heâ??s in his seventies now." He expresses gratitude to Idol for bringing him together with Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee. "When people hear them sing on this track," Jackson declares of 'Real Love,' "they're going to be completely blown away." Jackson adds that his Louisiana upbringing instilled in him not only a love for all kinds of music, but also a disregard for genre barriers; as he grew up, he came to adore the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Hank Williams - in his words, "every kind of music known to man." "I love people who break boundaries and always create something new and fresh," he points out. "I'm still true to my Southern roots." The disc's Tritt-Sambora collaboration, "Willing to Try" and the producer-musicianâ??s work with John Rich underscore this restlessly inventive Southern sensibility. He describes Randy Jacksonâ??s Music Club, Vol. 1 as "a great way to announce my new label, hear from some great established and new artists, and share a little musical history," adding "in a way, itâ??s autobiographical â?? it covers a lot of my life experience." That experience, of course, includes session and touring work with a who's who of popular music, 15 years as a major-label A&R executive and a sterling track record as a producer. Over the years, Jackson has worked, in one capacity or another, with Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, *NSYNC, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Journey, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Destiny's Child and countless others. "After everything I've done, I wasn't dying to make a solo album," the tireless music maker admits. "But this was an opportunity to bring together an amazing roster of artists and make a kind of potpourri of all the things I love. At the end of the day, I'm a song guy â?? and working on these songs has been a way to express my passion for music, which has never been stronger." Complete track listing: 1. Dance Like There's No Tomorrow â?? featuring Paula Abdul 2. Something To Believe In â?? featuring Jason Mraz, Van Hunt & Jon McLaughlin 3. What Am I So Afraid Of â?? featuring Keke Wyatt, Trisha Covington & Kylie Dean 4. Just Walk On By â?? featuring Joss Stone & Three 6 Mafia 5. Home â?? featuring John Rich, Anthony Hamilton & Sara Watkins 6. Wang Dang Doodle â?? featuring Sam Moore, Keb' Mo' & Angie Stone 7. Like A â?? featuring Crunk Squad & Ghostface Killah 8. Who's Gonna Love You Now â?? featuring Kelli Selah 9. My R&B â?? featuring Barbi Esco 10. Real Love â?? featuring Katherine McPhee & Elliott Yamin 11. Willing To Try â?? featuring Richie Sambora, Travis Tritt & Lucy Woodward 12. I Understand â?? featuring Bebe Winans, Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Mariah Carey & Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church Choir Check out the new profile/bio pages for the judges and Ryan, complete with some of their most memorable sound bytes!

(AP) - Clay Aiken is shown as he is interviewed in New York, Thursday Jan. 10, 2007. The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of 'American Idol,' has made his Broadway debut in 'Monty Python's Spamalot,' in creator Eric Idle's old role as Sir Robin. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

(AP) - Clay Aiken is shown as he is interviewed in New York, Thursday Jan. 10, 2007. The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of 'American Idol,' has made his Broadway debut in 'Monty Python's Spamalot,' in creator Eric Idle's old role as Sir Robin. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

(AP) - Clay Aiken is shown as he is interviewed in New York, Thursday Jan. 10, 2007. The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of 'American Idol,' has made his Broadway debut in 'Monty Python's Spamalot,' in creator Eric Idle's old role as Sir Robin. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

(AP) - Clay Aiken is shown as he is interviewed in New York, Thursday Jan. 10, 2007. The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of 'American Idol,' has made his Broadway debut in 'Monty Python's Spamalot,' in creator Eric Idle's old role as Sir Robin. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Between Ryan Seacrest's flair for the dramatic and the judges never holding back their true opinions, there have surely been many times we've all thought "I can't believe they just said that!" Listen to the new sound bytes we've added to their profile pages for some of the more memorable and amusing quotes! Make sure to check back, as we will be updating them throughout the season!

College football will see the ultimate hype this spring as Kelly Clarkson, ZZ Top, Maroon 5, Dwight Yoakam, Counting Crows, Taylor Swift and Montgomery Gentry, to name a few, perform simultaneously in college stadiums nationwide as part of the inaugural Gridiron Bash on April 18. The event, billed as "the largest single-day sports and entertainment event to take place on college campuses," according to New York-based producer MSL (Muscle) Sports and Entertainment, will visit about 20 universities. Participating schools include Texas A&M, Kansas State University, University of Tennessee, Rutgers, University of Colorado, West Point (Army), West Virginia University and Penn State. Did you catch Kelly's interview after her appearance on Australian Idol? Watch it now!

(Reuters) - Simon Cowell, one of the judges, poses as he arrives for the finale of the television reality series 'American Idol' in Hollywood, California May 23, 2007. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

Blake Lewis has become known for his close communication with his fans via the internet. americanidol.com is about to offer the ultimate chance for Blake fans to get the answers they really seek from America's favorite beatboxing Idol! He is taking the time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us, and he wants YOUR questions for the interview. Have a burning question for Blake? Get creative! Ask it via our Forums!

No one can say Phil Stacey didn't put forth effort to audition for American Idol, as he ended up missing the birth of his second baby girl, McKayla, to make the Memphis tryouts! Thankfully, he was given the golden ticket and able to quickly join his wife and family. His efforts definitely paid off, as he made it all the way to the sixth spot on "Idol." He was ultimately eliminated on the same day as Chris Richardson due to no one being voted off the week before for "Idol Gives Back." There was a point after the show that Phil wasn't sure he'd be able to tour with his AI peers, as he wasn't sure if he'd be called to active duty in the Navy. Luckily, he was able to do the extensive 55-city tour. Phil also reported to Reality TV World that, despite some initial ribbing from his Navy friends, they were actually quite supportive. As he stated, "I got a lot of support from my Navy buddies. Up front, they made fun of me because I went to the auditions to begin with. They joked about how I was wasting my time and everything. Of course at the same time, they said they believed in me and everything. When I got on the show, there was just nothing but every single week they would text me little messages like, 'Phil you're my Idol,' you know, that kind of stuff. It was really sweet actually. Really nice of them." Despite being off the "Idol" tour for only about six months, Phil has been amazingly busy. He appeared as a special guest at Carnegie Hall with the New York Young People's Chorus. Along with AI peer Melinda Doolittle, Phil was a featured soloist at Scott Hamilton's annual ice skating benefit. He also helped to raise close to $100,000 for Kansas tornado victims by performing at a benefit concert. To boot, he has sung at two different NFL games. Phil was also the grand marshall of the Gator Bowl and sang the national anthem on New Years day. On top of his many singing appearances, Phil Stacey has picked up and moved his family to Nashville to work on his country music career. He has already released his first single, "If You Didn't Love Me," and the entire debut album is due out on April 15th! The album is produced by Grammy award winner Wayne Kirkpatrick. Happy 30th Birthday to Phil, who was born on January 21st, 1978! Check out this pic of Phil hanging out with the rest of the season six gang in this Behind-the-Scenes photo presented by Coke. Come back next week to view our exclusive interview with Phil!