CMT.com reports that Jessica Harp, formerly of hit country duo the Wreckers, will abandon her fledgling solo career to concentrate on songwriting. The information was gleaned from a letter the singer/songwriter posted on her website. Her debut album will, however, be released digitally on March 16. Harp had released two solo singles, “A Woman Needs” and “Boy Like Me.”

Big Kenny, half of country duo Big and Rich, has been added to the list of speakers for the inaugural TEDxNashville event to be held Sunday, March 21 at Montgomery Bell Academy from 1 p.m-6 p.m. Big Kenny, who is seeding various humanitarian efforts in stricken areas like the Darfur region of Sudan and Haiti, will speak about how his philosophy and experiences drive his efforts to promote health-related projects all over the world.

Themed Art + Science: The Future of Health, TEDxNashville will assemble hundreds of Nashville’s brightest minds for a day of deep discussion, thought provoking video and live speakers presenting, in 18 minutes or less. The latest breakthroughs in health and wellness, including the influence of successful artists like Big Kenny and how their popularity can be leveraged to increase awareness of issues that impact the well-being of everyone, will be presented.

“My mission is to highlight the good, inspire greatness, and encourage mutual responsibility for the betterment of humankind,” says Big Kenny.  “I think TEDxNashville is a great place to spread those ideas and I’m excited about being a part of it.”

Through Big Kenny’s foundation, www.loveeverybody.com, he has funded philanthropic projects in the US and throughout the world.  A key influence over this part of his life was Walt Ratterman, who had been working in Haiti on behalf of Kenny’s foundation, until he lost his life in the Haiti earthquake.

TEDxNashville follows the format of TEDx, the independently organized events that are an international phenomenon. TEDx events offer to spark a community-wide discussion of ideas that matter, free of any commercial, political or religious agenda.

American Idol, the highly rated star-maker machine that annually spins straw into gold…(and platinum), is all about comings and goings. But this year it’s not just the latest crop of hopeful contestants angling to capture the spotlight. Changes among the judges are threatening to obfuscate the music competition. Ellen DeGeneres joins the bench this season, as stalwart Simon Cowell, announces his impending fall defection to The X Factor.

“I want to leave Idol this year bigger and better than it was in the past,” Cowell said at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California, last Jan. But can the show survive losing its strongest, most knowledgeable judge?

“When we first started we had a record producer, an artist and an A&R man,” Cowell told People. “In simplistic terms, if you’re going to give a score you generally need to know what you’re talking about. I think over the years judges have been replaced by personalities. That in the long term will create problems because you’ve got to be able to spot a star. So whoever replaces me, my advice has always been to find somebody who actually knows what they’re talking about.”

DeGeneres, despite being a “personality” and comedic wit, may be a prime example of a judge without direct musical experience. During this year’s highly edited tryout weeks, DeGeneres provided fun comments and displayed her animated personality. However, during last week’s live judging exercise, her lack of musical sophistication surfaced. “I liked it and I like you,” DeGeneres told Janell Wheeler who was voted off last week. “I loved it and think you have a great voice,” she told Haeley Vaughn. To Siobhan Magnus she offered, “I loved it, loved the song choice, loved how deep you started and liked it a lot.” To Jermaine Sellers, Ellen advised, “I love your look and love that song…but thought you were trying too hard.” DeGeneris’s most colorful moment came in regard to Alex Lambert, “I like you. I like bananas and sometimes a banana is just not quite ripe and you’re like ‘oooh I wish it was more ripe because I’d like to eat that banana right now,’ but it’s not ripe enough.”

Contrast the above comments with some of Cowell’s observations. To Lilly Scott, “I actually felt you sang this song because you like it and it portrays you as an artist, rather than something to get you through to the next round, but I’m still not feeling star power from you.” To Lacey Brown he charged, “I thought it was quite depressing. After about 15 seconds, I was wondering how much longer we were going to have listen to this. It was kind of indulgent.” Cowell told Didi Benami, “You are a good singer but here is my problem: There’s too many people trying to sound like the same person, like Adele and Duffy. Shut your eyes and I could confuse you with three or four singers tonight. What I’m missing here is a spark, something that excites me.” Crystal Bowersox got this zinger, “The truth is, there are thousands of you doing this outside of subway stations every day. If I met you in real life I wouldn’t stop in my tracks and think you’re the most original artist I’ve ever heard. You doing Alanis is you doing a soundalike.” Cowell was especially harsh toward 17-year old Katie Stevens, “It was like your mom and dad had dressed you and given you that song for this audition and it was kind of annoying. I’ve heard this so many times. You’re 17 and you’ve gotta become a recording artist, not someone who sings at a family birthday party.”

With regard to replacing Simon Cowell, who reportedly earns $36 million per season, AI judge Kara DioGuardi, told Zap2it.com, “It’s got to be someone who’s an incredible character, who has a combination of music experience and is also great television. That’s what makes Simon so compelling. Not only has he catapulted many people into stardom, he’s also so damn fascinating to watch. We’re all sad, though.”
“You cannot just criticize, you have to offer constructive advice as well,” Cowell was quoted as saying. And perhaps that is the essence of why finding a suitable replacement will be critical to the show’s success. Despite Cowell’s reputation as a harsh, insensitive critic, he is capable of holding a talent mirror to a contestant’s eyes and forcing them to see what he sees. In fact, one could argue his high musical standards have resulted in the launching of stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry and others.

Based upon the first week of judging it may be premature to question if DeGeneres will sit on the bench for one term or graduate to additional years, but it it seems altogether accurate to predict that the show’s producers had better choose next year’s panel wisely, if they hope to keep the franchise alive.