American Idol judges: Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres.
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 I think over the years judges have been replaced by personalities.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.
Chesney and Miller Rock Tootsie’s
/by contributorCountry superstar Kenny Chesney and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Miller took the stage at the Ryman Auditorium last night (3/2) for a filming of the CMT series Crossroads. After treating the SRO Ryman crowd to almost two hours of music, the pair cut across the alley and ducked into Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, hitting the stage for a jam session that lasted into the wee hours.
“If you’re at the Ryman… and you want to do it the way the old Opry stars did, everybody knows it was out the back door of the Ryman, cross the ally and sneak in the back door of Tootsies,” Chesney says. “Kristofferson drank there, and Willie. Hank Williams, Patsy Cline. If I was gonna show my friend what this experience was all about – especially after a night as great as our Crossroads taping had been… then we had to do Tootsies!”
On the impromptu set list were Miller classics “Fly Like An Eagle,” “Take The Money & Run,” “Abracadabra,” “The Joker” and “Rock’n Me,” along with Chesney’s “Livin’ In Fast Forward” and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Love Struck Baby.” As yet, no air date has been set for the Chesney/Miller edition of Crossroads.
courtesy of Nashville Country Club
High A&R Bar Key To AI Success
/by adminAmerican Idol judges: Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres.
“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.
John Lennon Biopic to Kick Off Film Fest
/by contributor“What better way to kick off eight days of storytelling, creativity, collaboration and music than with a film celebrating the young life of one of the greatest artists in history of popular music,” said Sallie Mayne, Executive Director NaFF.
According to Artistic Director Brian Owens, entries to the Festival reached a new level this year, with 2,216 feature-length and short films from 82 countries. A complete schedule of films, events and panels will be announced next week.
“Nowhere Boy,” produced by the Weinstein Company, brings to life Lennon as a spirited teenager — curious, sharp and funny — growing up in the war shattered city of Liverpool in dreary post-war Britain. Two extraordinary sisters tussle for his love: Mimi, the formidable aunt who raised him from the age of five and Julia, the spirited mother who gave him up to Mimi’s care. Yearning for a normal family, John escapes into art and the new music flooding in from the United States. His fledgling genius finds a kindred spirit in the young Paul McCartney. But just as Lennon’s new life begins, the truth about his past leads to a tragedy he would never escape.
Individual tickets for the 2010 Nashville Film Festival will go on sale online in early April. Click here for more information. .
Jim Halsey Releases “Starmaker”
/by contributorPublished by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, Starmaker digs deep into the fundamentals: how to develop an act, how to get an agent, how to use the press to build your audience, how to play the biggest and best forums. His advice is designed to help readers find their place on the team—the position that provides the most successful and most fulfilling career.
Halsey has worked with The Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Hank Thompson, Reba McEntire, Wanda Jackson, Tammy Wynette, Rick Nelson, Roy Orbison, Dwight Yoakam, Clint Black, the Judds, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Lee Greenwood, and a host of others. Since 1990, The Jim Halsey Institute has been helping artists’ dreams come true everyday. Halsey, who makes his home near Tulsa, Oklahoma, continues to manage The Oak Ridge Boys.
Shaw and Friends Benefit Abintra
/by contributorAlso joining Shaw at the benefit, scheduled for Saturday March 27 at 7 p.m. at Limelight, will be award-winning songwriters Desmond Child, Gary Burr, Chuck Jones, Alex Call and more. In addition, the show will feature national syndicated radio personality Blair Garner (After MidNite with Blair Garner) and CNN Headline News anchor Robin Meade, who will perform.
“This is one of those rare Nashville moments when you can hear all these award-winning writers and artists under one roof,” says Shaw. “Limelight is a wonderful venue to see live music with a great sound system.”
Shaw’s recent successes include co-producing Grammy-winning, Platinum-selling trio Lady Antebellum. She is especially committed to the arts program at Abintra Montessori School, where she and some of the other performers are parents. This is the second year Shaw has organized a benefit for the school. Proceeds from the concert will support the Integrated Arts program at Abintra. The event will also feature a silent auction with works by local artists, signed celebrity musician memorabilia, and items donated by local retailers.
“I’m excited to be doing this again and bringing my talented friends to a cause I care so much about. It’s important to me to use my talents and resources in supporting Abintra’s unique arts program,” says Shaw.
Tickets for “Victoria Shaw and Friends” are $15. To purchase, click here.
People.com Hosts Exclusive Preview of Bucky’s New Single
/by Sarah Skates“We were basically done with the new CD when this song came across the desk … the minute I heard it I knew that I had to cut it,” said Bucky. “It reminds me of my dad when I was growing up and I think many people will relate to it too!”
The single will be available beginning Monday at 2pm central via PlayMPE for airplay on country radio.
Covington’s self-titled debut album has gone on to sell nearly 500,000 copies and produced a string of top 10 hits including “A Different World,” “It’s Good To Be Us” and “I’ll Walk.”
Bentley, Tillis and Lauderdale Host WSM Radio Shows
/by MichelleThe shows will feature the artists’ favorite songs in a mix of Country, Bluegrass and Americana genres, and will also include in-studio guests. Bentley leads off on Mondays with his show The Thread, followed on Tuesdays by Tillis and her Lettin’ My Roots Show, and Lauderdale on Wednesday with The Jim Lauderdale Show.
A variety of guest artists and WSM favorites will take the mic on Thursdays. Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor will guest host the first Thursday show March 18, while Diamond Rio’s Dana Williams follows March 25.
“Putting this radio show together is the most fun I’ve had in a long long time,” says Bentley. “I named it ‘The Thread” because it’s my chance to go back to all the music that influenced me…it’s the artists and songs that tie us all together as a genre. I get to pick the music, tell stories and do just about whatever I want with that hour…it’s anything goes. 650 AM is a country music institution…I’m proud they agreed to put me on the air!” Get a sneak peak of The Thread.
Shelton Starts Release Day With ACM Nomination
/by Sarah SkatesBlake Shelton invited Miranda Lambert to join him on the Grand Ole Opry stage Fri., Feb. 26 to perform the George Jones classic, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?” Shelton also wowed the sold-out Opry crowd with his current single, “Hillbilly Bone.” Earlier in the night Lambert had performed “White Liar” and “The House That Built Me."
Blake Shelton started his release day this morning (3/2) by joining Reba McEntire to announce the ACM nominations live on CBS’s The Early Show. He scored a nod in the Vocal Event Of The Year category for “Hillbilly Bone” ft. Trace Adkins. The song is the fastest rising single of his career and the title track to his new Six-Pak album.
“This is the best day of my life,” said Shelton. “I got to read the nominations with the queen of country music, Reba. And, then I find out ‘Hillbilly Bone’ is nominated! I’m glad that my first nomination in years is with one of my great friends, Trace Adkins. The only thing that could make this day better is if Betty White was there to give me the award should I win!”
Also today, Shelton was set to appear on NBC’s Today show, and tomorrow (3/3) he visits Fox News Channel’s FOX & Friends and Hannity’s America. On Thursday he heads to Good Day New York and on the 22nd he stops by E!’s Chelsea Lately.
The new album is Shelton’s sixth studio effort and was produced by Scott Hendricks.
Aubrey Mayhew Memorial; Babies On Way For LBT and Luke Bryan
/by Sarah Skates———————-
Congrats to these Capitol Nashville artists with babies on the way:
Little Big Town husband and wife Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild are expecting a baby and in lieu of gifts, the band is hosting an online shower to benefit children recovering from the earthquake in Haiti. Details here.
Luke Bryan and wife Caroline are looking forward to the birth of their second child in August. The couple was married in December 2006. The baby will join two-year-old brother Bo Bryan.
Video: Underwood On “How I Met Your Mother”
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto credit: Chris Hollo
It’s a busy time for Underwood, who is pictured on the new issue of People, and this morning received six ACM award nominations.
She has also partnered with Pedigree to help feed dogs in need via www.facebook.com/Pedigree. And the company made a $50,000 donation to Underwood’s C.A.T.S Foundation (Checotah, Animal, Town and School Foundation) to help build a local animal shelter in her hometown.