Yep, They're OverDavid Cook Solo Again

In Touch Weekly says it has confirmed that the once "fairy-tale romance" of American Idol "stars" Kimberly Caldwell and David Cook is kaput. A rep for Kimberly confirms, "Kimberly and David ended their relationship just before the holidays. The couple remain good friends and being very private people, appreciate their privacy at this time."

OMG, "appreciate their privacy at this time"? Did somebody die? We're talking about a 7-month dating relationship. Get over yourselves. Besides, David's already filled the hole in his heart with his new Scottie pup, Dublin.

Anyway, judging from the recent photo above courtesy of TMZ, David is balling instead of bawling.

GINA GLOCKSEN, MARRIED AND RECORDING



On New Year's Eve, season six finalist Gina Glocksen married her longtime beau, Joe Ruzicka. In attendance as bridesmaids were co-contestants Jordin Sparks and Haley Scarnato. Glocksen, 24, wore an ivory and silver strapless mermaid-style Melissa Sweet dress purchased from Priscilla of Boston. She wore her hair down and accessorized with a veil she borrowed from the niece of "Idol's" piano player. The eight bridesmaids wore strapless, champagne, knee-length dresses, also from Priscilla of Boston, and carried small bouquets of burgundy roses. Ruzicka, 32, and his groomsmen wore gray morning suits with ascots.

The NVHS String Quartet performed the music at the ceremony. Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” was the accompaniment as the bridal party walked down the aisle, followed by "With or Without You" by U2 as Glocksen was escorted by both her mother and father.

Sparks blogged about the wedding on her MySpace site:

"But as the church doors opened, and she was standing there staring at the man she loved, I couldn't help but cry. The sparkle that was in her eye was undeniable. She never took her eyes off him. Not once. That in itself was amazing. And the fact that these two phenomenal people found each other...was breathtaking.

After a couple tears, some wedding photos, and numb feet, we were off to the reception. And that's where the party started. Actually, no, it started on the bus. THAT'S where it started. Anyway, it was beautiful. Tons of friends and family, great dinner, and "clinking of glasses". But, you know Gina, she likes things different, instead of 'clinking', the whole table had to stand up and sing a love song! You guys know how that went. Lots of singing. I sang Gina and Joe's first dance. No pressure right!?! I sang a version of I Wanna Hold Your Hand, and they were in their own little world. Gliding across the floor like they were the only ones there. And to them, they were. Gina danced with her father to My Girl, sang by Jay and Sharlotte (one of the backrounds on AI). Then Gina got up and sang I Hope You Dance for Joe and his mom. I cried...again. I missed hearing her sing.

After dinner, some toasts, and a very entertaining slideshow. The wedding was over and the New Years party started. It was a blast! Joe's band Then Again played. Everyone was on the dance floor within seconds! It continued like that until it was time to countdown. Then...BAM!!!! It was 2009."

Meanwhile, Glocksen talks about her new single, "My List of Regrets," on her Web site. About the song's title, she says:

"No, not literally a list of my regrets. . . it's my NEW SONG! I am so excited about this one. I think you are really going to be blown away and maybe even a little bit surprised by it. It started out as a goofy little keyboard lick, but my AMAZING producer (Adam) turned it into a heart-pounding mesh of rock and techno. Can I give you one bit of advice? Turn it up because you have to listen to this one LOUD!

I'm planning on releasing 'List of Regrets' as my FIRST SINGLE on itunes within the month. If you haven't signed up on my email list, please do so I can send you word when it is available. If you like the song please spread the love and tell your friends to check it out. That's all for now. Hope you LOVE IT!"

You can listen to "List of Regrets" here.

KELLIE PICKLER, BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Elsewhere on New Year's Eve, Kellie Pickler rung in 2009 with Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark as a roving crowd reporter on ABC's "New Year's Rockin' Eve." Pickler did an admirable job and earns props for sticking it out in Times Square's strong winds and frigid temperature, which dropped down into the teens that evening.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2009

More Idol Videos

Watch Part 1 video of Chikezie interview on "American Idol Extra"

Watch Part 2 video of Chikezie interview on "American Idol Extra"

Watch video of Kellie Pickler performing "Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You" at the Grand Ole Opry:

Kellie Pickler at the Grand Ole Opry

Watch video of Kellie Pickler performing "Things that Never Cross a Man’s Mind" at the Grand Ole Opry:

Kellie Pickler at the Grand Ole Opry

American Idol:The Top 11 Results Show

Bottom Three:
Carly Smithson ("Blackbird")
Kristy Lee Cook ("You've Got to Hide Your Love Away")
Amanda Overmyer ("Back in the U.S.S.R.")



Eliminated:
Amanda Overmyer







Watch video of Amanda Overmyer elimination:

At the top of the show, Ryan Seacrest announced this season's mentors: Dolly Parton (who just released her latest CD, "Backwoods Barbie"), Mariah Carey (whose next CD, "E=MC2," releases on April 15), Andrew Lloyd Webber (currently appearing on the BBC 1 show 'I'd Do Anything,' in which he is conducting a search for stars to take on the leads in a new production of "Oliver") and Neil Diamond (whose new album, "Home Before Dark," releases on May 6). Are you beginning to see a trend here? Got a new CD or something else to promote? Dial 1-555-IDOL-PRODUCERS.

Still, we have to give credit to "Idol's" producers for checking out our exclusive poll that ran from the middle of last season until January 2008, where we asked our readers to vote on whose songbook they wanted to see featured with that person mentoring on the show. The producers apparently weren't able to get your most popular choice, Carole King, but they were able to snag two other of your most popular choices to appear.

Here are your results:

Musically, the show gets off to an inauspicious beginning with audio problems during the Top 11 Beatles medley. First the audio starts fading while Jason Castro and David Cook sing their section of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Next Ramiele Malubay joins Brooke White for "Here, There and Everywhere," but only Brooke's microphone is working. We're beginning to think it's going to be a very long hour (and, in fact, it was. The show ran over to 62 minutes. Who knew there was that much fluffy filler in the world?)

Watch video of Top 11 Beatles Medley:


Part of the fluffy filler included not only the week's Ford commercial by the Top 11, but also a video of the making of the week's Ford commercial. Does Ford have to pay double for the ad time this week?

Watch video of Top 11 Ford commercial "Should I Stay or Should I Go":

And just when you think it can't get any fluffier -- or stupider -- we come to this year's lamest segment, the viewer call-in Q&A. Someone needs to tell the producers that this segment is even worse than last season's "Man/Woman/Child on the Street" interviews by Ryan Seacrest. Those were dazzlingly entertaining by comparison! Simon Cowell was asked why he spends so much on cars and so little on clothes, a question Cowell called "rude." Simon and Paula Abdul were asked if they would considering filming a sequel to their kiss scene from Season 2 (He says "yes," because Paula is a good kisser. Paula never got to answer). Ramiele was asked what the last song she downloaded to her iPod was (R. Kelly's "I'm a Flirt") and Michael Johns was asked if his "Idol" experience has been everything he thought it would be (yes, and more. It's been very stressful). Wow! How illuminating.

Watch video of stupid viewer call-in Q&A.

We are treated to shown clips of Kellie Pickler's progression from roller-skating waitress at Sonic to post-"Idol" breast-augmented country singer. Ryan introduces the video with a snide double-entendre about how everything in her life has gotten bigger. Kellie then sings "Red High Heels," a seemingly odd choice as it was her very first release from "Small Town Girl." Currently touring with Rascal Flatts, Pickler reveals that she is working on her "sophomore" album. She looks slim, stylish, young and pretty and about a million times better than she did during her Season 6 appearance (bottom picture in blue dress). The "Idol" producers most love Kellie. Even though she finished in sixth place during Season 5, she has rated two post-"Idol" appearances, whereas Katharine McPhee, that season's runner-up, was snubbed by the show until last week.

Watch video of Kellie Pickler performing "Red High Heels":


And finally, just prior to the elimination, the show does its weekly pimp spot for this year's "Idol Gives Back" on April 9. This week it's a clip of Elliott Yamin and Fantasia in Angola distributing mosquito nets. Elliott gets all verklempt when a woman names her newborn for him. OK, it was touching and we verklempt, too. Sue us! We've also learned, though Ryan strangely didn't announce it, that Ellen DeGeneres will again be cohosting the show this year. DeGeneres will host from the Kodak Theatre with Seacrest hosting from the "Idol" stage.

The updated list of performers includes Maroon 5, Heart, Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men, The Clark Brothers, Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend and Snoop Dogg, with many more to come. This year's event will raise awareness and funds to benefit six charities: the Children’s Defense Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children and the Children’s Health Fund.

Watch Elliott Yamin, Fantasia in Angola video:


Next week, the Top 10 finalists perform songs from the year they were born. On Wednesday night, Season 2 finalist Kimberley Locke will perform her new single, "Fall."

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2008

Kelly Clarkson Apologizes to Clive Davis

Even though her CD has dropped out of the Top 10, Kelly Clarkson is staying in the news because of the apology she proffered to Clive Davis on her Web site (a step that Simon Cowell recently advised her to take in the press):

In a posting of her Web site, Clarkson writes, "A lot has been made in the press about my relationship with Clive. Much of this has been blown way out of proportion and taken out of context.

"Contrary to recent characterizations in the press, I'm well aware that Clive is one of the great record men of all time. He has been a key advisor and has been an important force in my success to date. He has also given me respect by releasing my new album when he was not obligated to do so.

"I really regret how this has turned out and I apologize to those whom I have done disservice. I would never intentionally hurt anyone."

KELLIE PICKLER LOVES SPEED

... As in driving fast, or so she told Newsweek in an interview they recently conducted with her. Kellie Pickler also told the 'zine that she'd love to fill the empty host chair on "The View." Read on:

You sound like you're outside.
I'm doing a show in Wisconsin, opening up for Reba [McEntire], so, yay! I'm lying on the bunk of my tour bus right now.

Do you ever drive the bus?
They won't let me for some reason. I don't know why.

Well, do you have a license?
Yeah! I'm a good driver. I wanted to be a NASCAR driver. I love driving fast.

What's the fastest you've ever driven?
I once got pulled over going 95 in a 35. Let me tell you, I cried my way out of that ticket. But it was real dangerous, I shouldn't have done that. It was early in the morning and I was driving to school. We had this weird tardy thing. If you're tardy three days to class, you'd get suspension.

You were great as a guest host on "The View." I think they should offer you one of the open seats.
Omigod. I'd so do it. I've got an opinion about everything. They film two shows in the same day. So I'd tour during the weekends.

Maybe Barbara Walters will be reading this.
I know! I've been waiting for them to call. Every time I've done the show, everyone tries to create all this animosity, and there's really none. They've all been really nice to me.

Except for Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Actually, she's the nicest. Some people tend to forget it's called "The View," so everyone's got to have their own point of view. It's not called "The Facts."

Are you and Carrie Underwood friends?
We went to the "Idol" concert together. It was nice to have a girls' night out.

How was Sanjaya?
It was kind of weird. The music, the mix, was so loud I could hardly understand what anybody was singing. I think they were having some technical problems. Everybody sounded great, but Carrie and I both had a hard time listening.

Have you seen "Hey, Paula?"
What's that?

Paula Abdul's reality show.
She has a reality show?! I don't watch TV ever. If I do watch TV, it's either Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel. Have you seen "Planet Earth"? It's amazing. It's up close and personal with different things on the earth, like animals, plants and trees. Stuff we don't know that's out there.
Sounds like school.
It does. But it's not.

Do you know Kelly Clarkson?
No. I haven't met her. She was at CMA's because she sang a duet with Reba, but I didn't get to meet her there. Everybody was rushing all over the place. I hope to meet her soon. Every time we're at the same place, it's like we're dodging each other. I was at the NASCAR race a few months ago, and she was performing the day after. Each time, we're in the same area but we never meet.

Have you heard the new album?
I haven't heard it, no.

You should get it.
Yeah. I will if I ever get to the store. I live on the bus.

Don't you have iTunes?
Yeah, but I'm so stupid I don't know how to do it. I'm an electronic illiterate.

So you don't have an iPod?
I do. But there are no songs on it anymore. My friend downloaded one of my CDs, "Dolly Parton's Greatest Hits," but I accidentally deleted them all. I bought one of those new iPhones, but I don't know how to work it.

How did you meet your boyfriend?
Jordin? I'm, like, which one?

Ooh. You have more than one?
Jordin [Tootoo, a NHL player for the Nashville Predators] and I are actually neighbors. It's really funny. I didn't know anything about hockey. He's never even heard of "American Idol." This lady that works at the complex I live in says there's a guy named Jordin who wants to meet you. I'm like, "Ok, I guess." He leaves her two tickets for a game to give me. I'm like, "Lisa, you're going with me." I don't know what the guy looks like. I've never been to a hockey game. All I know is that his name is Jordin Tootoo. So I go to the game, every time a new player comes on ice, I'm looking for player 22. All of a sudden, this guy comes out on the ice, rips his clothes off, throws the guy on the ice, punches the crap out of the guy. I'm like, this hockey game is turning into a boxing match! Lisa is like, "That's Jordin." I'm like, I have to go out with this monster? Afterward, we went to dinner. There were knots on his forehead, his knuckles were all bloody. Great first impression. But he kicked the dude's butt. So at least I feel protected. One thing led to another and now we're a little item, I guess you could say.

How long have you been dating?
Since January. But we've never had an official boyfriend-girlfriend day. It just kind of blossomed. I don't know what day we committed to each other.

KELLY CLARKSON, NIGHT WRITER

According to Star Pulse, Kelly Clarkson struggles with insomnia - because her songs keep her awake at night. The singer admits many of her lyrics and hits come to her as she's trying to get to sleep and has to write them down or record them on the spot.

She says, "The moment a song comes to me, I have to get it out. That's why I have a hard time sleeping, because a lot of those times are at night."

KATHARINE McPHEE RAW

Watch video of Katharine McPhee's photo shoot for Vegas magazine at Raw Vegas. The Season 5 "Idol" runner-up dishes on how she fell in love with her "Vegas" show-stopper, showgirl cover look, and offers viewers a tasty treat -- a few bars of one of her favorite tracks.

PETER NOONE: PREFERS MAGGOTS TO IDOL

Well, it's a sure bet that Peter Noone won't be invited back to mentor on "American Idol." According to Contact Music, the lead singer of the '60s group Herman's Hermits, who mentored the guys during British Invasion week during Season 6, now admits he hates the idea of hopefuls appearing on such a big show before they've made it. Noone says, "If I were a young performer today, I'd take the bowl of maggots if people said, 'Do you want to be a contestant on American Idol or eat a bowl of maggots?' I'd say give me the bowl because I can get through that quick. I think it's probably much better to play in bars and then play the next-best bar than start on such a huge stage. If people are going to hate you, they may as well hate you in a small room."

PRODUCER NIGEL LYTHGOE: WE MADE MISTAKES

EW reports that at the Television Critics Association summer press tour,
"American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe said that last season "Idol" suffered by focusing more on famous mentors than on contestants -- and says the show can learn from "So You Think You Can Dance."

Lythgoe, the executive producer of both shows who also serves as a sharp-tongued judge on "Dance," said we should all expect some changes on "Idol" next season. "We realized we made mistakes on Idol last season," he said. "We were so engrossed with the mentors and didn't really focus on the Melinda Doolittles of the show. We didn't know them as much as the Kellie Picklers of last season."

Lythgoe is referring to the marked difference in the ways the two programs showcase their contestants: In recent seasons, "Idol" has tended to shun details about its singers to instead focus on the big-name stars who come to the show to perform and work with the contestants, especially in later episodes. "Dance," however, spends quite a bit of its airtime featuring the back-stories of its dancers and their struggles to get on the show.

"We're all attached to them a little more," Lythgoe said about Dance's focus on its contestants' lives. "I think that's affected us all a little bit more. There are little emotional hooks that come out." As for an "Idol" tune-up plan for season 7, Lythgoe revealed the production team is always looking to "tinker with the program," adding that ultimately he'd like to see the "Idol" contestants be as strong as his prized top 10 on "So You Think You Can Dance."

And what of Sanjaya? Of course, the faux-hawked menace snuck his way into the discussion. Speaking about the top 10 dancers seated behind him on stage, Lythgoe said: "There isn't a Sanjaya here, although I do think Sanjaya helped the last season of 'Idol.' I think there's enough talent with enough great stories to warrant the fact that we are basing it on their talent. No one needs to alter their hair on this program."

PERKS OF THE PRESS

A firsthand experience by a journalist for the Hanford Sentinel covering the Idols Live Tour:

FRESNO -- Ben's been a security guard at the Save Mart Center for several years. He first got the job to help pay his way through school, he told me.

Ben and I got to be quite good friends Friday evening. I was at the Save Mart Center "on assignment" to cover the American Idol Live! concert, camera bag and notepad in hand, just like the good old days. But I was over an hour early, so had some time to kill. And that's where Ben came in.

We talked about our taste in music, and he told me some wild stories about out-of-control teenage girls at the Chris Brown concert the week before. As the minutes ticked by, vendors and other security staff trickled in as Ben and I chatted. A couple of EMTs walked by pushing an empty gurney. Probably for a passed-out fan, I thought.

I was sitting on the cold, stone floor, listening to what I thought was piped music. It sounded pretty good, and my feet were soon tapping away. Suddenly, the music stopped and I heard laughter coming through the sound system. Then a voice started singing "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas and again I heard a voice say "That was good, that was good."

It was at that moment that I realized it was Them! They were going through sound checks ... and they were just a stone's throw from me.
Suddenly Ben's walkie-talkie crackled: "We are go for doors, we are go for doors!" Fans of every age, shape and size started pouring in. A girl and her brother each carried homemade signs. Hers said "Blake rocks my world." Her brother's said simply "Blake, you rock."

Then it was time. Along with four other members of the media, I was escorted down into the bowels of the Save Mart Center, a bit like walking through an underground maze at an airport. When we reached our destination, we were greeted by the Idol tour PR person, who explained the procedure for taking photos. We had about 10 minutes, she said. First, Blake will be on stage, and then Jordin will join him, coming up on a lift in the middle of the platform ...

The rest frankly was a blur. Within minutes we were standing next to the barricade in front of the stage where we would take pictures, and I made small talk with one of the Save Mart Center's staff as we waited for our cue.

I looked up. A blond-haired guy in a staff uniform walked to the middle of the stage as the announcer welcomed everyone to the concert. He looked kind of familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. Then he pulled off his cap -- and his blond wig -- to reveal spiky brown hair and an impish grin. It was Blake Lewis. Before I had time to hoist my purse and camera bag over my shoulder, the center of the stage opened up, and there was Jordin.

The next 9.8 minutes went by at light speed. I was snapping photos, trying not to fall over the cameramen who were filming for the overhead screens. Before I knew it, I was an arm's length from Chris Richardson, Sanjaya, Gina and Melinda. I wasn't sure if they'd all been dieting, or if TV really does add 15 pounds, but they looked great! Getting swept up in the moment, I suddenly realized how much I missed the reason I got into journalism in the first place.

The fans were going wild. They were screaming and reaching out across the barricade toward the stage. I watched their faces; this was awesome! I looked over at the Idol PR person and smiled. "Thank you," I mouthed.

After three songs, we were motioned away from the stage, and I had to relinquish my camera to the PR person, for "safe-keeping," I was told. I made my way to my seat just a few rows back from the stage. It was L18, but I don't think my rear ever touched the chair. Everyone in the floor area was on their feet, camera cell phones snapping photos and video footage.

Within minutes, my ears were ringing from the loud music and the women screaming wildly behind me. I got caught up in the emotion: "Wuhoo!" I yelled as Sanjaya, dressed in a white jacket, gray T-shirt and red jeans, sang and moonwalked to Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel." "Wuhoo!!"

In between songs, the guys joked and ribbed each other. They talked about their friendship, and about the first time they all met. Sanjaya and Chris Sligh remembered "the bald guy," Phil, who good-naturedly went along with the ribbing. They really seem like best friends, I thought to myself.

Then Blake took the stage again, seeming right at home behind the microphone. "Everyone take out your cell phones and wave them like this!" he said, moving his arm from side to side. I looked behind me and the auditorium was suddenly filled with hundreds of fireflies as cell phone screens danced in the dark. It was magic.

Blake took off his jacket, revealing an untucked blue shirt over gray pants. He wrapped one hand around the mic, and the sound of techno filled the air, his beat box rhythm mesmerizing us all with its intensity. The crowd went wild. Did it get any better than this?

The Idols' performances were a whirlwind, one after the other. They ran across the stage, shaking hands with fans, and then back to the middle, hugging each other and acting like they were having such a good time. As each one sang, the stage backdrop showed footage from their initial auditions. These fresh-faced hopefuls had been turned into polished performers, and I secretly wondered if that was a good thing.

After an hour and 15 minutes, it was time for an intermission. I finally sat down. L18, a red plush chair, was comfortable. I had come down from the euphoric adrenaline rush, and I was exhausted. My camera battery had long since died, and my phone's memory was full from the photos I had taken. I didn't relish the thought of battling the traffic when the concert was over, so I decided to go home.

Driving back to Hanford, my ears still ringing, I felt good. I wished I'd gotten to say good-bye to Ben, the security guard, but I was sure he was off somewhere doing the job he said "paid the bills."

What had I enjoyed most about the evening? Sanjaya strutting across the stage, LaKisha, Haley and Gina as dance-hall girls singing "Lady Marmalade," or Jordin singing her heart out in a duet with Chris Robinson? No, I thought to myself. It was being a journalist.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Taylor Hicks on Track ... Literally

Nothing says summer like a truck race at the Speedway accompanied by some good old-fashioned American rock and soul. Former "American Idol" star Taylor Hicks brought his "Soul Patrol" to the track last night for a gig before the Built Ford Tough 225, says Cincinnati's The Enquirer.

Hicks, 29, who also sang the national anthem, told the paper in a pre-appearance interview that he had no worries about taming the boisterous Speedway crowd, having spent plenty of time at the track in his native Birmingham, Ala. The Speedway gig is his only scheduled appearance in the area. He called us from the road and shared some of his boundless enthusiasm for scoring the gig of a lifetime.

You probably didn't know this, but a local guy you may have heard of named Peter Frampton just played the Speedway a few weeks ago.
Well, that's a tough act to follow, especially when you're talking about Peter Frampton, but that's great. I'm excited about coming to the Speedway.

Are you a NASCAR follower?
I do follow NASCAR. I'm actually singing the national anthem at the Homestead race (in Florida), the last NASCAR race of this year. And I'm from Alabama, so there's the Talladega connection.

Have you ever played this area before?
I actually haven't. The "Idol" tour hit Louisville and I've come through there a couple of times and hit Louisville before "Idol." I'm looking forward to coming through there and setting up shop.

What would surprise people about your show?
I think it's very musical. I never got to play instruments on "Idol," and now I get to play guitar and harmonica. I do mostly originals off of my albums, "Under the Radar" and "In Your Time," and some covers. There's definitely a songwriting, soulful aspect to my music.

You're unusual for an "Idol" winner in that you do have such a musical background and so much touring experience. Has that helped you on the road?
It has. Experience playing in clubs for 10 years and trying to make it really teaches you about who you are as an artist and a person. So when you do catch an opportunity like this, it allows you to stay the same person and understand the business a lot better than someone who hasn't been in it. I think people walk away feeling that their votes did count and it was the right vote because it is such a musical show.

What's the first thing fans typically say when they meet you?
Soul Patrol!

Do you regret it a bit now that you put that out there?
Not at all. The more the merrier.

The Speedway crowd can be a bit rowdy. Are you prepared for that?
I played the infield at Talladega, so I'm very aware of the hoopla and I love it! I was born in a honky-tonk, so the more honky-tonk the better.

Where has your "Idol" success taken you that's been the biggest surprise, the place you never imagined you'd get?
The White House. That was amazing. I got to meet the president and give him a "Soul Patrol" T-shirt. I haven't seen him wear it yet.

And watch a video of Taylor Hicks singing the national anthem at the Kentucky Speedway:


IDOLS IN NASHVILLE

A short video with concert and interview clips from WKRN of the Idols recent visit to the Sommet Center. Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh discuss moving to Nashville, Sanjaya Malakar talks about his hair, and BFFs Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks their bonding. The anchor also reports that Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler attended the concert and watched it from a suite.

KIMBERLEY LOCKE'S DUST-UP WITH DUSTIN DIAMOND

According to "Extra," former "American Idol" contestant Kimberly Locke is riding high.

Locke told Terri Seymour that she's got a new album, a new figure and a new outlook.

Locke became a Jenny Craig spokeswoman last year, determined to lose weight and get healthy. "My goal with Jenny Craig is 40 pounds, so I'm so close I can taste it," she revealed.
She said her new album, "Based on a True Story," comes straight from her painful breakup with her fiancé last year. "I got really nasty, and I don't ever want to go through that again," she admitted. "So I wrote about it."

Locke also changed things up to get in shape. She appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" and says she's lost four to five dress sizes, but the is not shy about the tension on "Fit Club" between her and former "Saved by the Bell" geek Dustin Diamond.









Dustin poked fun of her not winning "American Idol," and his comments got under her skin. "Had he come up to me and said, 'Don't take it personally,' that's a different story," Locke said. "But don't make me the butt of your jokes."

But Kimberly not nursing a broken heart. When asked by Seymour if she's ready to start dating again, Locke responded, "I'm already dating honey. I didn’t stop!"

SABRINA SLOAN SPEAKS

BuddyTV has an exclusive interview with Season 6 semi-finalist Sabrina Sloan (but, seriously, was everyone really knocking down her door?):

First, can you tell us a little bit about what made you audition for American Idol last season?
Yeah, I've been a fan for the last five years watching the show from the first season, and my friends and family were always telling me, “You could be on the show, you can totally compete on that show. You should go audition.” And I was actually in New York, on Broadway, kind of doing my thing but I wanna go, you see every year people get kicked off that should stay, and it's kinda controversial who ends up winning. But I thought I absolutely have nothing to lose, I just really wanna try and get in the show and I decided this year I had to do it.

When you went into those auditions, did you think you had a pretty good chance to move on once you got there and saw the competition?
I did. It wasn't too overwhelming, actually. I flew to Minneapolis from here to audition. I live in LA, but when they were in Pasadena, I was throwing my best friend her bachelorette party in Las Vegas so I missed the LA audition and ended up going to Minneapolis. And it was still a huge, huge crowd but I actually got really lucky and got in kind of in the first couple of hours and like out by 8 am so it wasn't like the long, long day that I thought it would be and I...I felt like, yeah, I mean when I walked in, you don't know what people sound like necessarily but the characters around you so you kind of feel like, “Well, I've got just as good a shot as anybody else.”

One of the things I think viewers don't get to see enough of is the Hollywood week and kind of what happens there, you know. Can you explain to us a little bit about your experience in Hollywood week?
Hollywood week was crazy, cause I watched it on TV too so you just think it's so...you're up all night, it was crazy. And it's intense. It's a little like boot camp, it's a little like, you know, kind of a sorority rush cause you're on lock down in the hotel and you're around people you don't really know, you're rooming with somebody you didn't know before, maybe you just met and day in day out, going up and singing a song and getting cut and like hanging out for the day, like the girls day where they took us out at Long Beach and it was a good four days, five days and by the end of it, it gets really intense during that group daytime when you're working with three or four people trying to memorize lyrics or put together a song, a routine for the judges. It was a whole lot of pressure and not a lot of sleep and at that point everybody really wants it bad because everybody gets into Hollywood thinks they absolutely belong in the show so it gets really competitive at that point.

When you got the news in that big room that you made it to the top 24, what were your initial reactions, were you expecting that or did you think you had a chance to be sent home at that point?
The thing is with the show you never know and I've treated every step of the process as kinda like a callback. It was like, “Okay, I made it to the next step but I haven't gotten on the show yet,” and that was the big ultimate goal, so for me it was kind of that last step. Like, I've come so far. You know, I really, really asked the show, please tell me and they left me till the last three or four girls and so I was really sweating it out cause there weren't many spots left, and you never know. I mean, there are people that you thought would probably go home that went home but then there are people that shouldn't go home that went home so by time I got up there I was like fingers crossed and okay I'll see what happens.

Being in the top 24, being a semifinalist, what was the thing that took you most by surprise during that whole experience?
I think a lot of people that went home in Hollywood week. You may see some of it on the show, even stuff that was you know, edited out like there were some stellar people that you would go, “Oh, for sure, they're gonna be on the show. They're a contender to win the whole thing.” And then they wouldn't, they wouldn't go through, it was like one little lyric forgotten or you know, you'll never never know and it's hard to keep that mindset that once you go on the show you can go at anytime and it's not all about just talent. It's kind of the whole package, there's a lot involved, so you really just never know when it's gonna be your time.

This season had a fair amount of controversy. What's your take on both Antonella's thing and then Sanjaya making it as far as he did?
Right, right. I mean, it really comes down to it being not about the talent once you get on the show and when you leave it up to America to choose, and you have all the different variables and people voting because they don't like the show and you know, voting based on popularity, or whatever it is, I mean that's kind of the draw to the show. Who's gonna leave, even the upsets are what make the show popular. Because you can get mad and scream and go they don't deserve to go home and I can't believe it, but it's kind of the name of the game. So, we've got contestants that have to be prepared for it and I think this year definitely had some of those elements, but the point is that everybody who's on the show deserves to be there cause they have the votes, so whether it's because of their voice or not because of their voice, because of something else, if they have the number of votes, they're in. It's not like So You Think You Can Dance where the judges have some sort of say in who stays or some of the other shows. That's the thing about what makes American Idol, American Idol, that America is the deciding factor.

I think most would agree that you were one of the better pure singers on the show. Were you then pretty surprised to be eliminated when you were?
I was surprised then. I was. As much as I tried to say, “Okay, I could be going home,” I didn't want to and I really wanted to be in the finals and really didn't think it was my time, so it was hard. It was really hard to leave that night and I was a little bit taken back and you just got to look at it as a huge blessing and so many doors open because of it so I would do it again no matter what.

What have you taken away most from the whole Idol experience?
I would say just to stay true to myself, because I feel like I did that all on the show. I didn't pull any tricks or try to do anything other than do what I do and sing, all the interviews that I've done afterwards people kind of recognize my character, you know, they appreciate me staying true to who I was and that came across and I really had no regrets about any of the choices I made on the show. So, it's something you worry about going on to such a huge stage in front of 37 million people and putting yourself out there to be torn apart and be judged by everyone and no matter what people say, good or bad, about what I did or who I am or what I look like, you know, I just I feel confident that I got a good job and I deserve to be there.

Since being on Idol, how has your life changed and what have you got in store for the future?
Life changes because people definitely recognize you and even now that the show's over, the finale's over, you really start to realize once you're off the show what a huge, huge machine American Idol is and how many people really watch cause people still recognize you and I definitely can't go bummed out to the 711 anymore, cause undoubtedly somebody will say “Hey!” And the huge opportunities…I hope I can make a record pretty soon and working out a deal with a major record label, and just some kind of cosmetic promotion opportunities and I was an actress and singer before Idol so God created agents and they live here in LA. Hopefully some acting opportunities too, but lots and lots of doors open so it's been really, really great.

IS SIMON COWELL STEPPING OUT ON TERRI SEYMOUR?

Well, they really don't say, but today's Sunday Mirror is trying to titillate us with that possibility:

Jasmine Lennard has broken her silence on her relationship with Simon Cowell and admitted: "I adore him."

The 21-year-old model was rumoured to be having a secret fling with the 47-year-old "X Factor" judge last year when she was spotted leaving his £11 million home in West London. Cowell - who has a long-term girlfriend Terri Seymour - insisted they were merely "discussing projects".

Now Jasmine, who split with night club owner Mark Alexiou amid the revelations, has ignited the rumours again in a magazine interview in which she says: "Everything he says is golden, because he has so much experience. I have a lot of respect for Simon. I adore him." The "Make Me a Supermodel" star also revealed she is seeing someone "very precious" - but would not say who.

Asked to explain the initials SC tattooed on her wrist, she said: "It's someone who is important to me and I'm happy to have the tattoo there for the rest of my life.

"I'm seeing someone, but I can't talk about it because whoever I'm seeing is very precious to me in a way I cannot describe in words, and I'll do everything I can to protect that person."

... Researching Lennard, we found this story that ran last July in the same paper:

Simon Cowell has been allegedly cheating on girlfriend Terri Seymour for six months, it has emerged.

The "X Factor" judge, famed for his razor tongue, met society girl Jasmine Lennard, 21, in a posh restaurant in January and began seeing her after sending a flirty note.

News of his affair with Jasmine is bound to devastate model-turned-television presenter Terri, his most serious girlfriend.

Their relationship is reported to have been on the rocks recently.

Jasmine, who has overcome drug addiction and is thought to be bisexual, has since made several secret visits to his £7.5million home while Terri, 32, is away.

The pair have dined together in public and Jasmine has even visited the X Factor studios.

A source told The Sun: "They spend most of their time together in Simon's house when Terri is at their other home in Los Angeles.

"Sometimes they go out, but only with other friends so as not to arouse any suspicion."

The pop tycoon's affair was exposed just before midnight on Tuesday, when Jasmine was photographed leaving his house. It was the eve of her 21st birthday.

The young model, who has a boyfriend, emerged in a heavy fur coat, despite the stifling heat. But beneath, she wore racy black lingerie, the newspaper reports.

The model saw in her 21st birthday by spending an hour-and-a-half with him on a downstairs sofa.

They headed to his bedroom at 1.30am, where a lamp was turned on and they shared a steamy clinch by the window.

An hour later Jasmine emerged from the four-storey mansion in Holland Park.

Her friends believe she is in love with the multi-millionaire.

One revealed: "Jasmine is absolutely besotted with him and thinks he feels the same."

However, Simon's secret lover has had a troubled past and was once at celebrity rehab clinic The Priory alongside Kate Moss. At just 14 she was on the Pill and regularly smoked marijuana.

By 18, she was hooked on cocaine and ecstasy and went on to have sexual encounters with both men and women, according to The Sun.

She claims cleaning up her act by checking into The Priory got her out of "the gutter".

Simon, who has been dating Terri for four years, has previously admitted he has a roaming eye but insisted he was not a love-cheat.

Asked two years ago if he was faithful to her he replied: "Well, I am a bit of a flirt but I'm pretty good.

"My eyes do wander, and daily. It's what you do after those eyes that counts."

However, one of his former loves, pop singer Sinitta, claimed he was incapable of being faithful.

It is also sure to upset Jasmine's club owner boyfriend Mark Alexiou, who once dated Sophie Anderton.

But Simon's spokesman last night claimed his rendezvous with Jasmine at his home was innocent. He said: "Simon has known Jasmine for some time. They had a meeting to discuss TV projects."

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Kellie Pickler on the Verge of Collapse?

According to various sources, including the National Ledger and Trans World News, in its latest issue Star Magazine is reporting that Season 5 "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler might be suffering from health problems. The country singer has cancelled three concerts since June 22, and insiders say it's because she's on the verge of collapse, reports Star Magazine, relying, once again on nameless -- and most likely imaginary -- sources.

Insiders tell Star she's making herself ill on tour with country giant Brad Paisley. "She’s under a great deal of pressure to be slender and slinky," an associate explains in the report from Star. "Kellie’s trying to lose weight, but that’s near impossible when she’s working 14 hours a day," the source adds. "Something has to give, and unfortunately it’s her health."

Kellie, who, according to the tabloid, has lost about 20 pounds since last spring, cancelled two shows in Colorado and one in New Mexico. "She needs to eat and rest more," says the source. "There's a real fear that she won’t hold up."

Kellie's rep, Wes Vause, admits to Star that the singer is a "picky eater" and canceled shows "because of low blood sugar." Vause tells Star that Kellie "had gone to Canada and didn't eat enough, so she needed to get her strength back. She is well."

McPHEE SIGNS FOR ANOTHER FILM

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Katharine McPhee's acting career is revving up as fast -- or even faster -- than her singing career.

The industry publication says that the Season 5 "American Idol" runner-up will make her studio acting debut in the untitled Anna Faris project for Columbia Pictures and Happy Madison [Adam Sandler's production company]. McPhee, along with Emma Stone, Rumer Willis [Bruce and Demi Moore's daughter], Kat Dennings and comedian Dana Goodman, have signed on to co-star in the comedy, which is being directed by Fred Wolf.

The script, written by "Legally Blonde" scribes Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, centers on a Playboy bunny (Faris) who gets kicked out of the Playboy Mansion and becomes the house mother to the lamest sorority on campus. The casting fills in the major roles of the sorority sisters and solidifies the project as the first female-driven comedy to come out of the shingle.

McPhee will play a pregnant hippy [well, the pregnant part should make her happy], while Stone will be president of the sorority.

Willis will play an insecure young woman who wears a backbrace even though she could have had it removed years ago. Dennings will portray a pierced women's studies feminist, and Goodman will play the sister who keeps switching majors and should have graduated years ago.

Also cast is Sarah Wright ("Made of Honor"), who will play a conniving young woman from the popular sorority.

Filming is scheduled to begin July 23 in Los Angeles.

The comedy marks the second role McPhee has booked in as many months; in June, she nabbed a role in "The Last Caller," a dark romantic-comedy indie. Her casting in the Faris project, along with "Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson's acting turn in "Dreamgirls," shows that "Idol" is becoming a fertile ground for finding acting talent as well as vocal talent. McPhee is repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.

SLIGH, STACEY TO MOVE TO NASHVILLE ... SPARKS TOO?

The Tennessesan reports that "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle had quite a homecoming Wednesday when the Brentwood resident and former back-up singer took center stage at Nashville's Sommet Center with the nine other Idol finalists.

"I am so excited to be home," says Melinda. "Nashville has been amazingly supportive. They have done more than their share of helping me out, so I am excited to be able to say thank you."

What's next for Melinda? "That is the best question in the world. I don't know the answer yet," says Melinda. "I'll find out as it goes along. I'm just letting God take control of that."

Finalists Phil Stacey, whose parents live in Smyrna, and Chris Sligh, who has family in Springfield, both plan on moving here soon. Phil is likely to sign with a major country label, while Chris will probably opt for a Nashville Christian label. It's too soon to announce their label or management affiliations, but it's safe to say they're in talks with top-notch folks.

"I do plan on putting out a country record," says Phil, who spent time with his parents, wife and daughters in his hotel room Wednesday. "My influences are country and gospel, so I may put out a blend of the two, music I can express my faith in as well as just hopefully make a connection with the listening audience."

Idol winner Jordin Sparks spent the day with Michael W. Smith and his birthday-girl daughter, Anna. "There's a house for sale in Anna's neighborhood," Jordin says. "I was like, 'I'm buying it.' It's a dream just talking about it, but I would love to move here."

BUCKY DOESN'T WANT TO OVERTHINK THINGS

In an interview with the Albany Time-Union, Bucky Covington said "I don't do a whole lot of thinking. I'm a big believer in not overthinking. I don't really think about things until it's done. If I thought about it before, it'd probably scare me to death."

That philosophy is serving the North Carolina native well. "American Idol's" most recent transplant to country music called from Michigan where he's busy promoting his new album.

Covington, 29, only made it to the Top Eight on "American Idol" in 2006, but his album debuted at No. 1 on Nielsen Soundscan's Country Top 75 chart. The performance of the album, released in April, has turned country music on its ear. With 61,000 units sold, Covington had the best first-week sales for any new male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992. He was also the only new country act to open inside the Top 5 this year on Soundscan's all-genre Top 200 chart.

"I got to give some credit to 'American Idol,' " said Covington, who plays WGNA Countryfest on Saturday. "A lot of people know who I am because my face rings a bell, and I have some name recognition. But Mark Miller and Lyric Street gave me a lot of help."

Miller, the lead singer and front man for the hugely popular band Sawyer Brown, praised Covington for his honesty and believability, and came on board to produce the record for Lyric Street, the label made famous by Rascal Flatts. (Covington is Lyric Street's second "Idol"; they signed former Marine Josh Gracin.)

Critics are praising the album's diversity. Entertainment Weekly said, "The North Carolinian with the throaty drawl could sell everything from the cheeky to the weepy. And he does."

"I wanted variety," Covington said. "I love all types of country music and I wanted a little bit of all of them on the album. With a lot of time and a little bit of elbow grease, we found the right songs."

From the totally twangy first single, to the sweet ballad "I'll Walk," to the Southern Rock kicker "Bible and the Belt," Covington keeps the tempo interesting. He even earned writing credit on the sentimental "Carolina Blue," but says, "I just wanted good songs, I didn't care who wrote it."

The first single, "A Different World," is making a solid mark on the country charts, thanks in part to the video by virtuoso video director Trey Fanjoy.

"We filmed it in 15 hours, all in one day, at the Disney Ranch. It was about 15 degrees at 6 six in the morning and by noon it was 75." Of Fanjoy, he says, "She is a sweetheart, she was about seven or eight months' pregnant at the time, when she directed that. She never complained and she has done an awesome job. I would love to work with her again."

With such a strong country background, Covington might have auditioned for "Nashville Star," the country version of "Idol," but he almost didn't audition for "Idol" at all.

Hurricane Katrina forced the cancellation of the audition at the closest venue, 11 hours away in Memphis. But then, a new site was chosen, in nearby Greensboro. Covington thought it was karma and he went.

"There wasn't a whole lot of thought into it period," he said. "I thought, 'Let's give it a good hit and a miss' and it hit."

Covington says of his debut album, "We got a lot of work to go but it was a very good start."

FORMER FINALISTS HIT DIAMOND IN PA.

The Centre Daily Times reports that former Season 4 "American Idol" finalist Vonzell Solomon performed the national anthem before Wednesday's game. Solomon, 23, placed third on the popular show in 2005.

Ryan Starr, an American Idol contestant in 2003, will visit Medlar Field on Sept. 4.

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Jordin Sparks Fired Up for the Fourth

According to Newsday, Jordin Sparks is bursting with enthusiasm over her appearance tonight on NBC's "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular."

"I'm so excited to do this program ... and right after that, I leave to start the tour," she said. "It's going to be so much fun, I can't wait to get started on all of it."

Fellow "Idol" finalists Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle will perform on the Independence Day show, too, as will Martina McBride and Joss Stone.

"It's kind of tripping me out," Sparks admits. "You watch it on television and think it's such a big event. I love the Fourth of July. Melinda actually was the one who told me we were going to be doing this, and I said, 'What are we going to [sing]?' She said, 'I have no idea. We'll talk about it later.' I just love her and Blake; we have such a good time when we're all together."

The occasion will let Sparks be in one place for a while. She says that a few weeks ago, "everything was going so fast, I was like, 'Oh, my gosh. I really just need to sit down.' So I did, and I thought of everything I'd done, and it all just hit me. It was unbelievable, and it's still a whirlwind sometimes. It's just this crazy cycle."

"It's going to be a blast," Sparks says of the Idols Live tour. "Most of us are going to be doing songs we know we can succeed in doing and that we love to perform. There will be different groups and duets. I went to the season-four 'Idol' tour, and this is so much different. It's going to be really intense, so I hope people come out and see us."

An "American Idol" fan since its debut, Sparks says the show's earlier seasons were an education for her.

"Just seeing what everybody performed and what the judges responded to, and even the little things, really helped me," Sparks says. "I would think, 'I don't want to sing such-and-such song because somebody else already sang it, and I don't want to be compared to them.'

"Also, having seen an 'Idol' tour, I know the arena in my hometown was packed. It was amazing, and I kind of know what to expect in terms of how many people will be there. I love touring; it's going to be fun to wake up in a different city every day."

The home-schooled Sparks is sure to meet countless fans along the way. "I haven't really talked to many of them, but my mom got an e-mail from a teacher who said her class had been watching 'Idol.' One of the kids said, 'If Jordin can do "American Idol" and get A's, I can, too.' Things like that have been coming along, and I think, 'All I did was get up there and sing.' My mom has been telling me I've been making an impact, though, and I feel so lucky to be doing that.

"People will be constantly watching me now, and at the same time, I still need role models. Two little girls came up to me and were like, 'Jordin, we love you. You're our inspiration.' It made me want to cry because I want to reach out to them and show them they don't have to wear the latest fashions, or have the coolest things, or succumb to peer pressure. They can just be themselves, and I want to be able to represent that."

Sparks kept remarkable company during her "Idol" season, thanks to guest coaches ranging from Gwen Stefani and Diana Ross to Jon Bon Jovi and Tony Bennett.

"I'd be looking around," Sparks recalls, "and thinking, 'Do you see this? Do you see these people who are standing in front of me?' I mean, they're all legends and household names, and I just felt so lucky to be able to meet all of them. It was really, really cool."

Once she's past the Fourth of July show and the "Idol" tour, Sparks will begin work on her first album, following the online success of her "Idol" anthem "This Is My Now." She expects her CD to be released "before Thanksgiving. People sometimes take a year to make an album, and I have just a couple of months. I'm going to start meeting with writers and talking with people about songs, and I just hope that when it comes out, people like it."

RUBEN STUDDARD KEEPS KIDS FIRST

According to MyFox Birming-
ham, Ruben Studdard paid a special visit to children in Alabama Tuesday when he spoke to a group of kids involved with a summer program called "Kids First" about the importance of education and how it is the building block for success.

IDOLS ON COUNTRY MUSIC'S MOST BEAUTIFUL LIST

Net Music Countdown reports that in the July 16th issue of Country Weekly, the results of the reader poll naming the most beautiful woman in country music are in and that the fairest of them all is ... Carrie Underwood.

Underwood takes the title from the 2006 winner Faith Hill, who placed second in this year's voting.

Cracking the Top 10 for the first time are rising stars Kellie Pickler, at No. 5, and Taylor Swift, who came in at the No. 9 spot.

McPHEE BARES SKIN, SOUL

The Detroit News reveals that in the August issue of Stuff, "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee bares some skin and her soul as the cover girl. McPhee, 23, reveals her views on dating older men (her man is 42), dealing with enormous boobs as a high school freshman and not being as innocent as people think. By the way, McPhee wants kids, lots of kids. "Oh yeah. I want to have, like, 15 babies," she says.

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© 2007

Taylor Hicks Rocks Atlanta

According to WSBTV, "American Idol" 2006 winner Taylor Hicks rocked through Atlanta last night. He hit the Southern Star Stage at Six Flags performing before hundreds of fans.

The road is nothing new for the Alabama native. Long before American Idol fame came calling, he was hitting the roads all across the southeast, playing in bands since he was 19 years old. He adds that touring back then has prepared him for the lifestyle now, a lifestyle that includes performing at night, sleeping during the day from time to time, and plenty of time of the open road.

While some past contestants of American Idol have been quick to abandon their ties to the show, not so for Hicks. He says he understands what a great opportunity performing on American Idol in front of millions was, and he continues to learn more and more about it each day.

From here, Hicks continues the tour, a tour he describes as high impact soul aerobics, a modern day approach to soul. Next month, Hicks the artist turns into Hicks the author. He's got a new book coming out called "Heart Full Of Soul." In it, he tells how a gray-haired guy beat the odds, finding his own voice and seizing the opportunity when it came his way.

Don't miss the slideshow and video from Hicks' performance on the WSBTV Web site.

ELLIOTT YAMIN PLANNING 2nd CD

An interview with Elliott Yamin from the Arizona Daily Star:

Nobody can say Elliott Yamin isn't doing it his way. "American Idol" passed on the third-place vocalist in 2006 when producers doled out Season Five record contracts, but the 28-year-old soon worked out a publishing deal with Sony/ATV and now has a self-titled hit album on the Billboard independent charts.

You went on a nationwide arena tour with the "Idol" finalists after the show ended. Now, you are playing smaller venues on your own. Do you prefer one or the other?

The arenas were great. I had a blast doing those. Who wouldn't like to get up in front of 16,000 people every night back-to-back-to-back. At the same time, I really enjoy doing these small clubs and theaters. It is more intimate. You get to really interact with the crowd. Dare I say I probably do prefer this kind of tour we are doing here.

You keep in touch with your fellow Season Fivers?

I keep in touch with quite a few people. Bucky [Covington] and Taylor [Hicks] were my best friends on the show. I talked to Taylor probably about a week ago when we were in St. Louis and Bucky a couple of weeks ago. I talk to Ace [Young] all the time. Ace has probably become one of my better friends post-show. He lives in L.A., pretty close to where I live. We talk about more personal stuff than the business stuff. Everyone has been so busy, they just want some normalcy.

Do you feel recording independently from the "American Idol" machine has been to your advantage?

Absolutely. I've been involved every step of the way with every facet of this project from co-writing songs to picking out the sequencing on the record to trying to help pick where I wanted to go on tour. Everything from top to bottom. I am a partner in my own deal. I have more vested in this. I don't have to go out and sell 2-3 million records to be successful.

What did you want to achieve with your first solo album?

I just wanted to bring raw, soulful music. I didn't want it to get overproduced or sound too copy. There is an eclectic mix of sounds on the record. I wanted to work with as many people as I could and have as many different sounds as I could. There are some sounds on there for the blue hairs, for the young folks and for everyone in between. Had I been on a major label, I wouldn't have been able to record that way. I am proud of how we accomplished it. I am looking forward to the next record.

You were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when you were 16 years old. Now, you are a celebrity advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. How does it feel to hold such a title?

I think it is very important. A lot of people align my struggle with calling me a role model. I don't know if I necessarily want to be one, but I definitely want to be a voice. I've had my struggles with it when I was younger. I know what it was like to have diabetic seizures. I know what it is like to be at your lowest point.

Maintaining it on the road is very challenging. You learn how to cope with the different ways and different situations. It is just a matter of checking my blood sugar more often. I wear an insulin pump. It is more conducive to my lifestyle, which is always on the go.

Any projects on the horizon?

I did a big Christmas deal with Target. I will be recording that album in July. We go out on the road and do the second leg of the tour in August and September. Then it is on to the next album.

JOSH GRACIN: I DON'T SEE MYSELF AS A CELEBRITY

Excerpts from an interview with Season 2 finalist Josh Gracin in the Walker Country Messenger:

"When I'm up on stage it's like a whole new world for me. I love performing. I'm a firm believer that it's really great for a singer to have a good voice, but to bring it to another level you have to draw the audience in and make them a part of the music, make them feel what you’re feeling."

Born and raised in Westland, Mich., about 30 minutes west of Detroit, Gracin grew up listening to his parents’ favorites: Elvis, the Beatles and the vintage rock and pop on a local station. Then, when he was 11, the station’s format changed to country.

"In the weeks and months after that, I really fell in love with country music. Listening to Garth Brooks, Joe Diffie, George Strait and Randy Travis, I really started getting into it," he said.

After high school, he enlisted in the Marines. About two years into his four-year term of the Marines, he saw the first "American Idol" show.

"I hadn't sung in a couple of years because I was in the Marines, and I thought it might be a good chance for me to get back out there and sing," he said.

"I don't see myself as a celebrity at all. I'm very shy and not all that self-confident, and I feel like an ordinary person, a normal guy who's very approachable. And if I get a little carried away, I’ve got my wife to keep me humble and bring me back down to earth."

TODAY'S VIDEOS

Watch video of Taylor Hicks singing "Don't Let Me Down" Wednesday at the NorVa in Norfolk, Va.:


Click here for other videos from the same concert.

Watch video of Bucky Covington at the Lincoln Theatre June 14:


Watch video of Jasmine Trias singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from "Dreamgirls" at the June 15, 2007 Inspiration Concert in Toronto:


Watch Mandisa seeing her CD single, "Only the World," for the first time:


And listen to "Only the World" here.

Watch Brad Paisley video "Online," which is not only funny, but features a slew of guest appearances, including Jason Alexander, William Shatner and Kellie Pickler, who is currently touring with Paisley:


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© 2007