Idol Update: BMAs, New Clay Christmas, Taylor, Katharine, Daughtry, Kellie, Elliott and...Bucky!
Apparently I don’t understand how the Billboard Music Awards work. Since they’re based on actual chart performance, I figured that the best-selling album of the year would win. But apparently, that wasn’t the case since Carrie Underwood took home album of the year. Maybe the BMAs were afraid they’d ruin their credibility if they gave it to “High School Musical.” Carrie took home four other awards as well: Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year, Country Album of the Year, New Country Artist of the Year and Female Country Artist of the Year. Rascal Flatts, which has the second best selling album of the year (of any genre) was shut out. I don’t understand it, but congrats to Carrie anyway…
Wal-Mart is offering an exclusive Clay Aiken Christmas CD with four new Christmas songs: “All Is Well,” “Christmas Waltz,” “O Come O Come Emmanuel,” and “My Grown-Up Christmas List.” The “All Is Well” EP is only available at Wal-Mart…
Wal-Mart is becoming the home for “Idol” exclusives. You can get two exclusive “Daughtry” tracks on their CD and there will be an exclusive track on Taylor’s CD as well…
Speaking of Taylor Hicks’ CD, this week’s Kmart ad is incorrect. The CD does not come out until next Tuesday. But Taylor will be heating up the airwaves this week to promote it. He’ll be on “Live with Regis and Kelly” Wednesday morning, and “The View” Monday, December 11th. He’ll also be one of the performers on “Christmas in Washington” Wednesday, December 13th at 10 p.m. on TNT.
Taylor told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show Friday that the comments about him not watching “Idol” were taken out of context, saying he only meant that he would be “giving up [his] crown soon” (Or perhaps he was just trying to gain some cred with an indie music magazine?). He also told Ryan his tour will begin February 24th…
Daughtry is off to a great start. “It’s Not Over” entered the Hot 100 as the top debut at #65. I haven’t seen them, but the song is apparently being used in “Prison Break” promos—which is an excellent choice. Chris has also signed a publishing agreement with BMG songs. Chris wrote or co-wrote 10 of his album’s 12 songs…
Katharine McPhee’s release date has officially been moved to January 30th, robbing her of any Christmas sales. At least one critic has questioned whether Katharine actually got her people to move the date or if she was just that behind in recording it. Either way, it’s going to need A LOT of promotion.
Katharine missed a golden opportunity when she won Big “It” Girl at the VH1 Big in ’06 Awards. Chris Daughtry lost Big Reality Star to Janelle of “Big Brother.” Thanks by the way to everyone who voted for Kiefer Sutherland, who won Big TV Star…
You can catch Kellie Pickler’s performance on the Grand Ole Opry tonight at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, December 6th at 1 p.m. on GAC…
Speaking of GAC, here’s big news for Bucky Covington fans. Bucky is now a part of the GAC Christmas Tour with Deanna Carter, Blue County, Steve Azar and Julie Roberts. He replaces Buddy Jewel who was unable to tour due to a broken wrist. You can see the concert in Knoxville on GAC Saturday, December 16th at 9 p.m. Bucky is debuting his new single, “Different World,” during the tour and is aiming for a January release date for his CD. No word on a label, but at this rate, we’ll have his CD before we have Katharine’s…
Elliott Yamin has signed a publishing deal with Sony. This is not a recording contract, but it will help him find a distributor for songs he has written. He’ll release a cover of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” on AOL next week…
Think all of the Oscar buzz for Jennifer Hudson is just hype? Check out what “Variety” had to say about her performance:
“An ‘American Idol’ finalist without prior screen experience, Hudson comes fully-formed to film. It’s the kind of galvanizing perf that calls to mind debuts like Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl” or Bette Midler in “The Rose,” with a voice like the young Aretha. More fully developed here than onstage, Effie is the fierce, wounded, pulsating heart of the movie. Her big song and second explosive number “I Am Changing” both elicit audience cheers and applause.”
YIKES! You can take a listen for yourself on the “Dreamgirls” soundtrack at http://music.aol.com/songs/new_releases_full_cds...
