And the BIG surprise is

David Cook posted to stay tuned to David Cook Official. For a big surprise, nekkid pictures? No. The big surprise ended up being lyrics to his new single Light On

LIGHT ON

LIGHT ON
Never really said too much
Afraid it wouldn’t be enoughJust try to keep my spirits up
When there’s no point in grieving
Doesn’t matter anyway
Words could never make me stay
Words will never take my place

When you know I’m leaving
Try to leave a light on when I’m gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I’m gone

Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it’s late at night you can look inside
You won’t feel so alone
You know we’ve been down that road
What seems a thousand times before
My back to a closing door and my eyes to the seasons
That roll out underneath my heels
And you don’t know how bad it feels
To leave the only one that I have ever believed in

Try to leave a light on when I’m gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I’m gone

Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it’s late at night you can look inside
You won’t feel so alone

Sometimes it feels like we’ve run out of luck
When the signal keeps on breaking up
When the wires cross in my brain
You’ll start my heart again
When I come along

Try to leave a light on when I’m gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I’m gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it’s late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone

New Idol Judge Survived Auditions

Kara DioGuardi has finished participating in four sets of American Idol 8 auditions; New York, Jacksonville, Louisville and San Francisco and Kara says she is beginning to feel more comfortable being a part of the judging panel.

“I just know I’m getting my groove, loosening up and forgetting about the big elephant in the room,” she told the New York Post about joining American Idol judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell as the Fox mega-hit’s new fourth judge.

“The first few cities I was like, ‘Oh my God, the camera is on me’, it was a little strange,” she continued. “But I’m starting to let my true self come out. You forget about the camera and start being you. And that’s been fun for me.”

She also told the newspaper that she’s been “pretty honest” in her opinions about the contestants. “I think you’re going to see me be nice at times, but I’m a little more hard on the contestants,” she told the Post. “That’s kind of my motto: ‘All right, I’m gonna give you another chance, but you’re skating on thin ice,’” she said. “If there’s something there, I’ll give someone a shot, and then kill ‘em during Hollywood week.”

When Fox first announced that DioGuardi would be joining the show, producer, Simon Fuller described her as a “smart, sassy lady,” and she has been living up to those words so far!
American Idol’s eighth season will premiere in January 2009.

Source: Reality TV magazine

November 18, 2008 - Save The Date

American Idol winner David Cook's debut album will be released on November 18th, 2008 on 19 Recordings / RCA Records. Cook has teamed with Grammy winning producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock) on the album.

Today marks the launch of DavidCookOfficial.com, Cook's official social networking site where fans can interact with David, his music and each other. Fans can create their own profiles, make friends and contribute their own blogs, photos, videos and connect with other fans in their towns by various search functionality.

Cook describes the site as a place where he and his fans can communicate with each other. Cook will be hugely involved in all interactive aspects of the site. He personally welcomes fans to his site via video blog and fans can communicate with David by sending him email to David@DavidCookOfficial.com, Cook's personal mailbox. Those that sign up to his newsletter will be the first to be notified of the title of his first single in the coming weeks. Additionally, Cook will regularly message his fans so they are the first to know breaking news and album updates.
DavidCookOfficial.com will be the home of exclusive content, unique and exciting contests and will allow fans to keep track of Cook's upcoming events and appearances with an interactive map feature. Additionally it will also incorporate a point system that will allow fans to compete for points which will earn them special prizes.

DavidCookOfficial.com will also include a Mobile section that will allow fans to call and text David and download his official ringtones.

Source: Market Watch

David and Andrew Cook perform together

David Cook, 2008 winner of American Idol sang the national anthem with younger brother Andrew Cook at the Kansas City Chiefs game

Personal Blog #1

So yeah, September is turning out to be quite the overwhelming/fucked up month. I've been back in school for 4 weeks and I feel so stressed/overwhelmed. Not so much the classes, but the fact I'm working full-time on top of it.

I've missed 4 classes as of today, and I dread going in tomorrow because I don't want to get lectured by the teacher about missing a class and how intensive the program is. I'm trying really hard to get my butt in gear, but there are not enough hours in a day to do what I have to do. I go to class from 7:45am to 11:45am. Then head to work immediately after, I don't get home until 11:30pm. So I'm lucky if I can get about 5 hours sleep each night.

I wish I had the support of a family like Ricky does. His parents allow him to stay at home without paying any bills so he can go through Med School. I have to pay bills, on top of school, so the constant idea of $$$ is on my mind. I've come to the realization my father is not much of one based on how he treats me/depends on me to take care of everything, and it sucks more because I can't leave ... nowhere to go.

I really just feel stuck. I like work, I like school, but together I'm so overwhelmed it's taking a toll on me and the one person I want to confide in (Ricky) I feel might judge me as a failure. He went through 4 years without missing a day, plus working full-time.

... I wish I could do that :(

Idol Tour Hits Hollywood

A few very long months ago, these nine singers shared hotel rooms on the other side of downtown with a couple hundred other aspiring superstars summoned for the semifinal round of "American Idol" auditions known as Hollywood Week. Half a year later, the 10 who emerged from those masses touched down momentarily in the filled-to-the-rafters Staples Center to entertain an ecstatic audience that greeted the returning champions like gods falling to Earth as the "Idols Live" tour came home to Los Angeles.

The most frequent criticism a professional "Idol" watcher hears of the show is the "this is not real stardom" saw, that these singers did not rise organically through the grassroots along our mythical (and, largely, no longer existent) path for superstars, playing tiny bars to a handful of drunks in Butte, Mont., rising to a capacity-40 nightclub in Boise until suddenly -- and untainted by the touch of the professional music industry -- they force their way onto a radio station and instantaneously charm the millions. By contrast, the grudge goes, "American Idol" stars are "invented" TV show confections who have not paid their dues, and their rise is forever tainted by their corporate overlords and sponsors.

Seen through that prism, Monday night at Staples would no doubt have taken on a bit of a Disneyland glow -- a stadium full of people willing themselves to believe that these are actual stars and this is an actual rock concert, mistaking fame for talent, etc. etc. etc.
Unabashed "American Idol" apologist though I am, I can only say that if this was mass delusion, it was a thoroughly satisfying one that left the crowd grinning like Cheshire cats from a concert whose sheer fun topped that of any musical event I've been to lately. Wherever they came from -- from the votes of the American people or from the executive suites of Rupert Murdoch -- these 10 singers singing three songs each (and four for David Archuleta, five for David Cook) proved that each of them had the showmanship to, in their brief concert time, hold a giant arena in their thrall.

Having seen the first two concerts on the tour, which were epic in their way, the Staples show felt like the night when the Idols became entirely comfortable in their place on the massive stage. Five shows into the tour, the nerves had been worked out and they each -- singing now with no threat of nasty comments from Simon Cowell or a visit from Angel of Death Seacrest -- were at last giving themselves over completely to what I know from my conversations with them is the great obsession of each of their lives -- creating music.

It should also be said in this niche-ified age that it is hard to think of another concert that pleases such a broad age range of the American populace. Eight-year-olds were there to screech their lungs out for David Archuleta, while their grandmothers nodded approvingly and their parents thrilled to the powerful rock renditions of Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. Teenagers thrilled to champion David Cook's hard-rock numbers. Tie-dyed hippies prowled the floor awaiting Jason Castro. Kristy Lee Cook spoke for the urban cowboys in the crowd. A tribe of pop princesses with low-hanging bangs in imitation of Ramiele Mulabay were on the loose. Chikeze and Syesha Mercado's uplifted the proceedings with uplifting R&B numbers. Brooke White brought quirky indie pop to the people. And each managed to make his or her genre that least street-cred worthy of words, "accessible," to all the other audiences in the house.

Throughout the season, as they were forced week after week to jump through thematic hoops, the question was constantly posed to each: What sort of singer would you be? At the concert, we at last saw their best shot at answering that question. Here, then, a brief rundown of the acts, as well as a final tribute to each as the tour moves on and they head out across America and then, ultimately, on to their post-"Idol" careers.

- Chikeze: He had the unenviable task of opening the show, but the singer whose elimination now seems so long ago brought the crowd to a very quick crescendo with his version of "So High." The often-serious Inglewood native often seemed in a different universe from his brethren during the season, but he showed at Staples that, as a singer, he is a talent to be reckoned with.

- Ramiele Mulaby: The pixie-like singer made the clearest shot for a traditional pop career of any, featuring songs by Taylor Dayne, Rhianna and opening with a Jackson 5 number that featured the only synchronized dance steps of the night. Throughout the season, Ramiele brought a spirit of fun and youthful mischief to the show that made her unforgettable even after her early departure.

Michael Johns: Ah, the injustice. The thought of what might have been, had the Duende From Down Under survived longer on the show. Seeing him on the Staples stage, however, it is clear from both his classic rock numbers ("We Are the Champions" and "Dream On") and his soulful rendition of "It's So Wrong," that this is a talent for grown-ups, almost too smoldering to allow kids to be exposed to (although the ones near me seemed to love him). Those characteristics should serve him well as he goes down the road, but they may not have worked in his favor with the "Idol" voting base.

- Kristy Lee Cook: More than either of her blond "Idol" country singer predecessors (Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler) Kristy Lee shows a capacity to perform rocking country music, pushing her down-home girlness to the farthest Shania reaches of tough-girlness that country will allow. Her tomboyish qualities should serve her well in the country world. She even used her first "Idol" mad money to buy a bow and arrow.

- Carly Smithson. The greatest singer in Idol history. I challenged those who doubted this to look me in the eye and tell me it was not so after the Staples show. None would dare. An amazing story. An electrifying singer. Her opening number (Evanescence's "Bring Me to Life") was like a million-volt wake-up call to the crowd, transforming the vast arena like some sort of otherworldly call to prayer. Greatness awaits.

- Brooke White. With her deep voice and girlie blond manner, Brooke has a natural ability to take melodic quirky indie tunes (she sang Coldplay's "Yellow" and Feist's "1234") and make them read to children, country fans and everyone else in between. One of the kindest, most pure-natured people ever to step on the "Idol" stage, her connection with the joyful innocence of music will guide her way.

- Jason Castro. The Dreadhead mafia was out in force at Staples. It is very difficult not to smile when Jason is on stage. His goofy, good-natured attitude permeates his music, his wardrobe and his smile. He very pleasingly performed his crowd-winners from the season ("Over the Rainbow" and "Daydream") as well as Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy." Jason's good humor was one of the highlights of the season, as was his occasionally shocking ability to steal a night with one of his seemingly laid-back numbers.

- Syesha Mercado: The stealth candidate of the year who dodged bullet after bullet to end up finishing at the very highest ranks. At Staples she proved this was no fluke. After opening with a crowd-pleasing version of "Umbrella" and then bringing it down with Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You," she absolutely brought down the house with a death-defying power spectacular, Whitney-worthy rendition of "Listen."

- David Archuleta. The youngest "Idol" star has become as much a phenomenon as a singer. The screeching starts with the first allusion to his name and continues through his four-song set. Nonetheless, the juxtaposition of this awkward boy who has such a hard time expressing himself through the nervous giggles when he speaks and the absolutely assured confident singer who steps up when the song start is fairly incredible. Watching how David grows and matures now that he is in the spotlight to stay will be a fascinating journey.

- David Cook. Without question, a rock star. A spectacular set that had the crowd on its feet throughout. More than Chris Daughtry ever could, David Cook has the ability to put a likable, charismatic face on hard rock while being entirely genuine and true to himself. His rise from the back benches to dominate the show and ultimately unseat the huge favorite to win will forever be one of the great "American Idol" stories. And his ability to connect with young people in a very authentic way should provide a shot of fresh blood into the franchise. It's a new era, with David Cook as champion and how that will change next season will be fascinating to watch. (Auditions start next week.)

After the show, the 10 greeted fans at a backkstage party, posing for pictures and signing autographs long after the lights went up. Those with Southern California-based families said their goodbyes as they prepared to ride off tonight to San Jose and to America beyond (five cities down, 48 to go).

For one who has been watching them since the season's beginning, it is hard to imagine that a new crop can take their place. Season 7 contestants, in their professionalism, diversity of talents, good natures and high spirits, seemed a special group. But the world has met them now and the next step will be to watch where they go with this moment. An "Idol"-watcher may wish it could last forever, but now, the real battle awaits.

These proud warriors of song have battled well and battled hard for these last few months and created something that for tens of millions was a special experience, the rare chance for families to come together in front of a television and the closest thing we have to a national epic. Before the final struggle begins to claim their permanent place in public life, one great victory lap of America is well deserved and well enjoyed.

Source: LA Times Blog

Sorry for the absence

Real life has kind of taken over, and blogging about Idols past, present, and future have had to take a backseat. I will try to update more frequently :)

Top 24 Performance Night - Girls Night

Sloan Rangers

Ex-Idols score major-label duets deal: Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head are recording a disc for Universal Motown

American Idol's Sabrina Sloan has signed a recording contract with Universal Motown, and her first project will be a CD of duets with fellow season 6 semifinalist Sundance Head, the singer confirmed in an exclusive interview with EW.com. ''The feel will be soulful songs with a contemporary twist — kind of Al Green meets OutKast,'' said Sloan, noting that she and Head will hit the studio in August, with the hopes of making a late November release date.

Jolene Cherry, senior VP of A&R at Universal Motown, said the album will be produced by Peter Collins (Bon Jovi, Rush) and include a mix of new and classic material. ''I usually am not so much in sync with things that are on American Idol,'' Cherry noted, ''but both [Sloan and Head] really caught my attention. I was really impressed by the quality of their vocals.''

Sloan, the last female semifinalist voted off Idol before the season 6 finals began, said that an executive from Universal Motown tracked her down via a member of her mother's Arizona church congregation in the days after her ouster.

And despite some initial reservations about the duets concept, Sloan said she hopes the combined power of hers and Head's fan bases will help them get noticed in a music scene increasingly crowded with Idol alumni. ''We had a fear of having a whole From Justin to Kelly thing. We didn't want to make anything cheeseball,'' Sloan explained. ''But Jolene and the [people at the] label said, 'It cannot be that.' We're putting it out at the same time as [season 6 winner and runner-up] Jordin [Sparks] and Blake [Lewis]. It's got to be killer.''
Still, Sloan added, in the long-term, both she and Head consider themselves solo artists. ''It's not going to be a long-term [partnership], like Peaches & Herb,'' she said with a laugh.

Aside from Mario Vazquez, who chose to drop out of Idol just prior to the season 4 finals, and novelty act William Hung, Sloan and Head appear to be the first Idol contestants to score major label deals without reaching the top 12.

Source: Entertainment Weekly Online

Clay Aiken's big knight on Broadway

Pop singer, how-to author and now, Broadway hatchling, Clay Aiken debuts Friday as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot," the squirrely musical spoof of the Arthurian legend.

Aiken is the latest in an ever-expanding roster of "American Idol" contestants who've leapt to Broadway. The list includes Fantasia ("The Color Purple"), Diana DeGarmo ("Hairspray"), Frenchie Davis and Tamyra Gray ("Rent") and Josh Strickland ("Tarzan").

In the past couple of years, Aiken has fielded offers from other Broadway shows but passed because he was either busy or not very interested. He chose "Spamalot," he says, "because it's completely different. A lot of the stuff seemed, for lack of a better word, boring."

"Spamalot" is anything but. "It's the silliest thing on Broadway," he says, adding that it felt like a good fit even if Robin doesn't warble all that much. "I have a part with minimal singing," he says. "My big number is a Noel Coward-style patter song."

He goes on to say that most people would have expected him to do something more traditional and with more shots for solos. His powerful pipes are, after all, his claim to fame. The show's humor pulled him in. "It appealed to me," he says, "in the same way that it appeals to audiences."

Aiken credits fellow "Idol" alum Fantasia with playing a part in bringing him to Broadway. "Seeing her in 'The Color Purple' helped me decide to do this," says Aiken. "I was blown away. She said she was enjoying the experience."

Aiken has been relishing working with legendary director Mike Nichols. "He knows so much you have to be a sponge around him," he says. "He's the funniest person I ever met, so dry and wise."
He's even appreciated the rather bizarre visualizations and motivations Nichols uses. "He was trying to teach me to react to something," says Aiken. "He said, 'Imagine if you came in and we said, 'Every fifteenth performance, we cut off a toe.'"

Audiences will find out tomorrow if the tip actually helped, and they'll see the new bits of music and jokes "Spamalot" writer Eric Idle has added for Aiken. "It's just a touch here and there," says Aiken. Songs have been modified to better fit his voice.

Aiken can take comfort that he's not the only new kid on the stage. Hannah Waddingham, who played the Lady of the Lake in the London production, starts Saturday in that role at the Shubert Theatre. "I've kind of gotten past the whole audience-makes-me-nervous thing," Aiken says, "but this is the first time I've danced. I'm kind of a little weirded out about that."