American Idol Season 10 - The Top 40 Spoilers

This is my first American Idol post of the season and it contains spoilers, so if you want to be surprised don’t read any further. 

So, by now Idol fans know the routine, auditions occur in cities around the US during the summer and fall, the judges make their picks and the contestants get their “golden ticket” to Hollywood.  The infamous “Hollywood Week” usually occurs in December and when the show starts in January the finalists have already been decided. 

This year is no different and Hollywood week kicked off back on December 6^th in Pasadena (not Hollywood).  The cuts have been made and the unofficial list has been leaked out.  

If you can’t put a face with a name then just Google them, most of these kids have video on YouTube or a Facebook page.

The top 40...

Aaron Sanders

Alexander Ryan

Ashthon Ahmirr' Jones

Brett Loewenstern

Brittney Mazur

Casey Abrams

Chris Medina

Clint Jun Gamboa

Colton Dixon

Deandre "Kamele" Brackensick

Erin Kelly

Haley Reinhart

Holly Cavanagh

Jacee Badeaux

Jacob E. Lusk

JamesDurbin

Jerome Bell

Jessica Cunningham

Jimmie Allen

John Wayne Schulz

Jordan Dorsey

Jovany Barreto

Julie Zorrilla

Karen Rodriguez

Kendra Chantelle Campbell

Lauren Alaina Suddeth

Lauren Turner

Lakeisha "Keisha Renee" Lewis

Miss Jackie Wilson

Naima Adedap

Pia Toscano

Paul McDonald

Rachel Zevita

Robbie Rosen

Scott McCreery

Stefano Langone

Ta-Tynisa Wilson

Thia Megia

Tim Halperin

Tiwan Strong

FYI – This guy is the early favorite to win the season…

New Music for Monday - Crystal Bowersox - Farmer's Daughter

American Idol runner up Crystal Bowersox's new album "Farmer's Daughter" doesn't release until Dec. 14, but you can listen to the album now on AOL by clicking here or cutting and pasting the link: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/3 into your web browser.

 

 Here's a look at the track listings.

1. "Ridin With The Radio" - written by Bowersox with background vocals by her husband, Brian Walker

2. "For What It's Worth" - The cover of the Buffalo Springfield song

3. "Farmer's Daughter" - written by Bowersox; a pre-"Idol" composition

4. "Holy Toledo" - written by Bowersox; you might remember it from before "Idol"

5. "Lonely Won't Come Around" - co-written by Bowersox, David Ryan Harris and Alexandra Tamposi

6. "Hold On" - written by former "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger

7. "On The Run" - written by Bowersox

8. "Kiss Ya" - written by Bowersox

9. "Speak Now" - written by Bowersox; presumably it's nothing like Taylor Swift's song of the same name

10. "Mine All Mine" - written by Bowersox

11. "Mason" - co-written by Bowersox and husband Walker, who also provides background vocals

12. "Arlene" - written by Bowersox

Give it a listen and let us know what you think.

"Live It Up" Doesn't Live Up to Expectations

Back before Black Friday Lee DeWyze, the winner of last season’s American Idol, debuted his first album, “Live It Up.” If you missed buying a copy of the CD then you weren’t alone because according to Neilsen Soundscan DeWyze had the absolute worst sales numbers ever for an American Idol winner.

“Live It Up” only sold 39,000 units in its first week making it the worst debut by an Idol winner - ever. By comparison, Kris Allen sold 80,000 copies the year before and David Cook sold 280,000 the year before that. To find the best sales record you’d have to go all the way back to 2003 when Clay Aiken sold 613,000 as the runner-up.

Lee isn't only the lowest-selling winner, but he's also lower than any runner-up, beating Diana DeGarmo by 8,000 less albums sold. In any typical week DeWyze may have made the Billboard top 10, but considering the competitive debuts; Susan Boyle, Rihanna, Josh Groban, Kid Rock, Rascal Flats, Keith Urban and Nelly, I suppose ending the week at #19 isn’t all that bad.

Next up on the block, Crystal Bowersox – the runner up to Lee DeWyze debuts her first album, "Farmer's Daughter" on December 14. "Farmer's Daughter" will feature eight songs written by Crystal as well as a track written by Kara DioGuardi and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, a Buffalo Springfield cover, and "Mason", a song written by Crystal and her husband Brian.

New from Daughtry

It was just last month that Idol contestant Chris Sligh announced the birth of his new daughter, now Daughtry has one-upped him.

Chris Daughtry and his wife, Deanna, welcomed twins Wednesday, the rocker announced on his website.

Adalynn Rose was born at 11:06 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Noah James followed at 11:25, weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces. The news is extra special for the couple, after Deanna underwent a hysterectomy in 2006. The babies were carried to term via a surrogate.

"Our family is overwhelmed with joy by these two precious gifts from God," Daughtry wrote." The babies are both healthy and resting. Thanks to everyone for their love and prayers."

The 30-year-old former American Idol contestant already has a 12-year-old adopted son, Griffin, and a 14-year-old stepdaughter, Hannah, from his wife's previous marriage. Chris and Deanna have been married since 2000.

Daughtry and his rock band of the same name just wrapped a European tour last month.

American Idol Update – Chris Sligh

Chris Sligh has a new baby and a new CD. 

Chris Sligh and Wife Sarah welcomed their first child on Sunday, Oct. 31 at a Nashville hospital.  Two weeks past her due date, Keira Lennon Sligh was born at 6:06 a.m., weighing 7 lbs., 12 oz. and is 21.5 inches long.

Sligh says Keira was the only girl’s name he and his wife could agree on, while Lennon was a nod to the Beatles. “I’m a Beatles fan,” he says. “Luckily I managed to negotiate a Beatle into my child’s name.”

Chris’ new CD, “The Anatomy of Broken,” is a Christian based album that delves deep into the human condition and the profound need for a Savior.  Says Sligh, “The goal of what I wanted to do with this record is to communicate that it’s okay to admit that we’re fallen and broken, and if we weren’t broken, we wouldn’t need Christ.”

Sligh was eliminated from American Idol on March 28, 2007 and is the tenth-place singer in Season Six. The next day, Sligh said that he had not sought to win the competition and that he had considered quitting the show two weeks before, but stayed on the show in order to make it into the top ten so that he could go on tour with the other finalists.

Bo Bice Free Live Concert - Oct 13th - 5:00pm PST / 7:00pm CST / 8:00pm EST

By way of announcement, if you are a fan of Bo Bice from Season Four of American Idol, or just want to check out some new music from a talented Southern rocker, there is a free streaming event taking place this week.

Bo Bice will perform a special live concert from his own studio on October 13th, exclusively broadcast on Justin.tv (www.justin.tv/bobice) at 5:00pm PST / 7:00pm CST / 8:00pm EST. Not just a concert, the event gives fans the unprecedented opportunity to interact directly with Bo, where they can request favorite songs, ask him questions and chat with the charismatic musician. Fans can also submit questions in advance via Justin.TV (www.justin.tv/bobice) to be answered during the show. Several will be selected to receive special prizes including copies of 3, autographed memorabilia and other exciting items. The performance will include selections from his latest album, 3, and a special version of his radio hit “You Take Yourself With You.”

“When I first heard about what I could do via Justin.TV, I jumped at the chance to set this up. Any fan that can’t get to one of my concerts can tune in on October 13th and it will be like I’m performing right there in their own home, where they can come right up to me and ask me questions or tell me stories I might not ever get the opportunity to hear,” said Bice.

“Bo has a very close relationship with his fans, and this live concert is an innovative way to give them something special,” said Mike Jason, Senior Vice President Retail, Saguaro Road Records.

Bice’s Southern sensibility, earthy vocals and decidedly non-pop performances won over a nation of fans during the fourth season of American Idol, where he landed as the runner-up to Carrie Underwood. His first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” reached #1 on the pop chart when it was released in 2005 and was certified gold after it became the second-highest debuting song of the year. His album (The Real Thing) debuted at #4 shortly afterward and was also certified gold, his 2007 follow-up (See The Light) was ranked #1 by VH-1, and he later sung lead on Santana’s single “Brown Skinned Girl” (certified gold).

Bo’s third album, aptly titled 3, was released on May 18th. With soulful southern blues and rock, gospel-like choruses, Americana and country, the new album is much like Bice himself, irresistibly likeable, filled with easygoing charm and undeniable talent.

* news > AMERICAN IDOL TOP 24 SPOILERS

American Idol returns tonight with Los Angeles auditions and guest judges Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne. It’ll be an odd mix at the judge’s table with the “Sk8er Boi” and “I Kissed a Girl” singers giving their feedback to the season 9 hopefuls. Tomorrow night it’s Dallas with guest judge Doogie Howser aka Neil Patrick Harris. Next week the auditions wrap up in Denver on Tuesday night and then it’s the “Road to Hollywood” episode.

Hollywood weeks starts on February 9th and it’ll be there that we get to see Ellen make her debut as an American Idol judge. Like the auditions the Hollywood week is taped in advance so the top 24 have already been decided… Fox just hasn’t published the list yet, nor will they until after the show airs. Contestants are sworn to secrecy and as Michael Lynche found out Fox doesn’t compromise when it comes to secrecy.

You’ll see Michael in the auditions this week, he’s a young blues singer who made the top 24 and reportedly was the “contestant to beat” until his father told the St. Petersburg Times that his son had made the finals. So due to a violation of his confidentiality agreement Michael has been removed from the competition. But don’t worry about Michael as he’s already signed a record contract and I’m sure will be trying to capitalize on his Idol fame.

With all that said, below is the rumored list of the top 24 contestants that will make it through the Hollywood week…

Vered Didi Benami
Crystal Bowersox
Lacey Brown
Paige Dechausse
Michelle Delamor
Lee DeWyze
Katelyn Epperly
Andrew Garcia
Chris Golightly
Tyler Grady
Ben Honeycutt
Casey James
Aaron Kelly
Alex Lambert
Siobhan Mangus
Antwan Michael
Jose Munoz
John Park
Ashley Rodriguez
Lilly Scott
Jermaine Sellers
Katie Stevens
Haeley Vaughn
Janell Wheeler

* news > ANGELA MARTIN CAN'T GET A BREAK

Who’s Angela Martin? Well, if you've been watching American Idol you might have seen her Tuesday night.

Angela Martin is a single mom who cares for her daughter who has Rett Syndrome, a debilitating neurological disorder. Her story was featured on American Idol Season 7. After winnig a golden ticket for Hollywood Angela suffered a tragedy, her father who had been beside her throughout auditions was murdered a week before the competition. Although she made it two the second round, Angela eventually left the competition.

In Season 8, Angela Martin was back. She got her gold ticket but a traffic violation with a mandatory court appearance and arrest warrant kept her from making her Hollywood audition.

Angela Martin appeared on the American Idol audition stage for the third time in three years on Tuesday night. She faced guest judge Shania Twain singing performing Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine.” She impressed the judges once more and received yet another gold ticket to Hollywood. Simon Cowell told her, "It's people like you, singers like you, that is why I like doing this show." Judge Kara Dioguardi said, "You do deserve a break."

Twice before Angela has had circumstances keep her from embracing an expectant opportunity and now she has a third chance to make it to the American Idol finals might simply pass her by, because Angela Martin has again been dealt an emotional and psychological blow that could result in her third strike on Idol. Worse, she is 28 years old, and this would be her last year of eligibility.

Angela Martin's mother disappeared on Christmas Day.

RadarOnline is reporting that on Christmas, Angela’s mother, Viola Martin Brown, went missing. According to the report, Angela says that Viola spent Christmas with her family, then left for a 20 minute drive to visit another daughter but never made it to her destination. On New Year’s Eve, police found Viola’s car nowhere near her planned destination with no signs.

While we are all watching the Idol auditions this week Fox is busy taping the Hollywood week that will air just as soon as the auditions wrap up next week.  So far reports have it that Fox has selected 23 of the 24 finalists with one slot open for a female singer.  Let's hope that slot is for Angela but right now she's not on the list. 

* news > AMERICAN IDOL: WHERE ARE THEY NOW - JASON CASTRO

Just incase you were wondering what American Idol alum Jason Castro has been up to I came across this press release issued last week, take a look:







FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 13, 2010

JASON CASTRO OFFERS “LOVE UNCOMPROMISED” ON NEW EP; COLLECTION FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TRACKS ALONGSIDE HIGHLIGHTS FROM EAGERLY AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM; TEXAS TROUBADOUR POISED FOR FIRST-EVER US CLUB TREK; DATES BEGIN ON JANUARY 20TH IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA; “THE LOVE UNCOMPROMISED EP” IS AVAILABLE NOW

Atlantic recording artist Jason Castro has unveiled details of his much-anticipated new EP. “THE LOVE UNCOMPROMISED EP” immediately shot to the Top 5 on the iTunes album chart upon release and is available digitally now.

The five track EP heralds the forthcoming release of Castro’s self-titled debut album. “THE LOVE UNCOMPROMISED EP” features an exclusive acoustic rendition of the album’s buoyant lead single, “Let’s Just Fall In Love Again,” as well as three of the album’s brightest moments. Among them is “You Can Always Come Home,” a tender duet featuring Castro’s acclaimed Atlantic labelmate Serena Ryder. As if all that weren’t enough, the EP includes a further bonus track, “Sweet Medicine,” exclusive to this release.

The Texas-based tunesmith - best known as the third runner-up on the 2008 season of Fox’s American Idol – is set to embark on a major US tour, his first full-fledged trek in support of his own music. Jason will accompany F-Stop Music/Atlantic recording artist Matt Hires on his upcoming “State Lines Tour 2010,” due to kick off on January 20th at Jacksonville, Florida’s Jack Rabbits, with dates then continuing through late February (see attached itinerary). To make the tour even more special, Castro plans to perform at local high schools in many of the markets along the way – for details, please visit www.jasoncastromusic.com.

Slated to arrive in Spring 2010, “JASON CASTRO” brims with toe-tapping pop, strummy folk, and electrifying rock (“Closer,” “Heart of Stone”) — all cleverly balanced, rooted in the classic, melody-minded singer-songwriter tradition, with heart-on-sleeve lyrics and acoustic guitar-driven arrangements. Featured alongside unabashedly emotional tunes like “Love Uncompromised” and the lilting “If I Were You” is a stunning version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” (which Castro performed on American Idol, citing Jeff Buckley’s version as a huge inspiration to him as an artist).

To fully capture the moods he wanted, Castro collaborated with producer Eric Rosse (Sara Bareilles, Tori Amos) and a host of top-notch songwriters — including Marc Roberge of O.A.R., Gregg Wattenberg (Five For Fighting), Zac Maloy (David Cook), and Espionage (Train) — all of whom helped make “JASON CASTRO” an ideal showcase for his considerable gifts as a vocalist, songwriter, and musician.

“I feel like the album really captures my personality,” Jason says. “People got to know me a bit on the show, so I wanted to build on that by including all these songs I’ve written about my life. I wanted to share with people the things that are meaningful to me.”

“Let’s Just Fall In Love Again” is already garnering tremendous feedback, having recently been included on Entertainment Weekly’s influential “Must List,” which praised Jason’s “signature warble, jaunty whistles and claps, and affectionate lyrics,” noting that the single “ makes falling in love with (Castro) again oh-so-easy.” “Let’s Just Fall In Love Again” is available now via iTunes, while its companion video clip – directed by Travis Kopach (Panic At The Disco, All Time Low) –can be viewed online at www.jasoncastromusic.com/video/lets-fall-in-love-again.

Pre-orders for “JASON CASTRO” are available now through Jason’s webstore. In addition to instantly receiving the “Let’s Just Fall In Love Again” digital single, fans can also choose from a variety of packages that include bonus content ranging from a special fan plaque or an autographed limited edition poster to the opportunity to personally connect with Jason at either a special “Meet N Greet” or on a one-of-a-kind five-minute phone call. For complete details, please visit www.jasoncastromusic.com/store.

A multi-talented singer and guitarist, Castro was among the most popular and talented artists in American Idol history, entering the record books as the first contestant ever to play an instrument on the show. His performance of the Leonard Cohen-penned classic “Hallelujah” proved such an audience favorite that cult hero Jeff Buckley’s rendition of the song hit #1 on the iTunes chart the following week, and sold an astonishing 178,000 digital singles. Jason scored a chart-topping single of his own a few weeks later, when his interpretation of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” also hit #1 on iTunes after a show-stopping performance of the song on American Idol. Upon the season’s conclusion, Castro was among the stars of the hugely successful “American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008.”

For up-to-the-minute news and information, please visit www.jasoncastromusic.com.

JASON CASTRO ON TOUR 2010
All Dates w/Matt Hires’ “State Lines Tour 2010”

JANUARY
20 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
21 Decatur, GA Eddie’s Attic
22 Charlotte, NC The Evening Muse
23 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
25 Vienna, VA Jammin’ Java
26 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
27 New York, NY Joe’s Pub
28 Boston, MA Café 939
29 Pittsburgh, PA Club Café
31 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

FEBRUARY
1 Columbus, OH The Basement
3 Ann Arbor, MI The Ark
4 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
5 Madison, WI Der Rathskeller
6 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
8 Lawrence, KS The Bottleneck
9 Denver, CO The Soiled Dove Underground
10 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court Gallery
11 Boise, ID Reef Boise
12 Seattle, WA The High Dive
13 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
16 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill
17 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Café
19 San Diego, CA The Casbah
20 Tucson, AZ Solar Culture
21 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room
22 Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Brewing Company
24 Dallas, TX The Loft
25 Austin, TX Stubb’s BBQ
26 Houston, TX House of Blues
28 Birmingham, AL WorkPlay Theater

* news > THE "PANTS ON THE GROUND GUY" - WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE GENERAL

American Idol is back, and while I typically don’t enjoy the audition weeks as much as later weeks I have to comment on “The General” Larry Platt. While his original song “Pants On The Ground” has become a YouTube sensation and the highlight of American Idol this week I was amazed to find that there was much more to the 62-year old performer than a commentary on current fashion. His real legacy extends all the way back to the 1960’s when he was a crusader for the Civil Rights Movement in Georgia.

Larry Platt was a student of Martin Luther King Jr. which is quite interesting and somewhat coincidental given that Monday is Martin Luther King Day. In the early '60s when he was only nineteen he worked with activist groups like the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and Southern Christian Leadership Conference to fight racial segregation in the South and was beaten while participating in the "Bloody Sunday" protest march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama.

On September 4, 2001 the Georgia General Assembly declared: "For the past 40 years, Larry Platt has given of himself in service to the people of the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, and the nation, Larry Platt merits the highest recognition for his many valuable contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and his dedication to the struggle for equality and human rights."

In a USA Today article about the "Pants On The Ground Guy" it was reported that Platt actually got his "General" nickname from prominent civil rights leader Reverend Hosea Williams, who was impressed by his valiant efforts. The General remains a community activist to this day, working with the United Youth Adult Conference and fighting public foreclosures. Hopefully his American Idol fame will bring attention to his humanitarian efforts.

Regardless, "Pants On The Ground" is catchy tune and just plain good advice because you know you’re looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.