American Idol Contestants Blog

Renowned Vocalist Pia Toscano to Present Anthem at Ford 400

2011-11-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

American Idol finalist and 19/Interscope recording artist to sing “Star-Spangled Banner” before NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship race

MIAMI— Homestead-Miami Speedway today announced that American Idol finalist Pia Toscano will sing the National Anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Ford 400 race on Sunday, November 20. Track President Matthew Becherer made the announcement.

The 19/Interscope recording artist just completed the American Idol Live Tour and is currently putting the finishing touches on her debut album, scheduled for release early next year. Toscano has opened for the Barenaked Ladies and performed with Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden.

“I am so excited and honored to sing the National Anthem at the NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship race – the Ford 400,” said Toscano.

“It’s fitting that an entertainer of Pia’s caliber presents the Anthem at NASCAR’s Championship race,” said Becherer. “We are excited and confident that it will be a rendition that fans at the track and those tuning in worldwide will enjoy.”

More About Pia Toscano:

19/Interscope recording artist and American Idol finalist, Pia Toscano, began her singing career appearing in talent shows when she was four, was the official National Anthem singer at her middle school, and performed at every event including graduation.

Widely considered one of American Idol’s Season 10 frontrunners thanks to her powerhouse vocal ability and dark-haired beauty, Pia‘s early elimination shocked and visibly upset judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler. The latter said of the voting public:

“They’re wrong. I don’t know what happened with this. She’s beautiful. When she sings, she’s a bird.” Outraged fans took to Twitter to express their support, including celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson, Ellen DeGeneres, Alyssa Milano, Dax Shepard,
Marlon Wayons, and Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher phoned in to “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” to opine: “I think she was probably the best pure singer on the show, and she’s got all the makings of what it means to be a star in my opinion, so I was just irked [when she was voted off].”

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/11/14/renowned-vocalist-pia-toscano-to-present-anthem-at-ford-400/

Thia Megia – US National Anthem Video

2011-11-16T22:56:00.000-08:00

Thia Megia, American Idol season 10 finalist, sings the US National Anthem at the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.

Nikki Reed Releases Duet With Husband Paul McDonald

2011-11-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

Nikki Reed is showing off her singing skills on a new duet called 'Now That I Found You,' which she recorded with husband and 'American Idol' alum Paul McDonald.

The newlywed couple premiered the tune on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, revealing a sweet acoustic ditty that includes lyrics written by the 'Twilight' actress. Although Paul takes the lead on the song, Nikki holds her own with pretty back-up vocals.

According to the 23-year-old star, the duet "happened about a month ago," and this isn't the first time she's dabbled in music. "I've experimented with writing lyrics for other people in the past," she said.

Will the couple continue to make sweet music together? The outlook is good. "He really wants me to," Nikki added. "He's really supportive and encourages everything, so he wants to be a super team. I'm a little more shy. We've done some open mics together. I probably will end up doing it."

American Idol Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart Release Christmas Video – WATCH

2011-11-16T22:11:00.000-08:00

Former American Idol contestants Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart have released a music video for their Christmas song, Baby, It’s Cold Outside.

Casey and Haley both appeared on season ten of the Fox TV singing competition which was eventually won by Scotty McCreery. Abrams was eliminated eighth and Reinhart was the eleventh contestant to get kicked out on the public vote.

Throughout their time on the show there were rumors that the two were dating each other. Now they are making sweet music together.

Their jazzy style duet was released earlier this year. Haley said she grew up singing the song so it is one of her favorite Christmas songs.

Reinhart signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/Interscope Records earlier this year, making her the fourth finalist on the tenth season to secure a deal following McCreery, runner-up Lauren Alaina and Pia Toscano.
She previously told reporters that she was hoping to release an album that was “sultry, bluesy rock,” adding, “I also love jazz so if I can get more into that in the future I’d love to do that. I’m definitely loving that feel.”
Watch the music video below and let us know what you think of the Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams music collaboration.

James Durbin Album pre-order

2011-11-16T21:25:00.000-08:00

Just though that I'd ad this post as well. Letting you know that you can pre-order the new album 'Memories of a Beautiful Disaster' on Amazon.com! :-)

James Durbin Will Sign Autographs Monday at Streetlight Records

2011-11-16T21:13:00.000-08:00

Monday will be Durbin Day part two, when the American Idol finalist appears in Santa Cruz at Streetlight Records to sign copies of his new disc.

The store at 939 Pacific Ave. opens at 11 a.m. and the hottest singer from Santa Cruz with a new album out will sign copies of it at 4:30 p.m.

The store expects 300-500 people to show up, not the 20,000-30,000 who came to hear him play last May.
Contrary to other published reports, Durbin is not performing, just signing, according to store employees Wednesday night. There will also be special T-shirts for the occasion.

This week's Good Times had a nice profile and interview with the man they call the "Durbinator."

How much money Scotty McCreery & Lauren Alaina make?

2011-05-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

It seems to be what many wonder nowadays? Do Idols get paid? And if so, how much money do they get paid?

So how much are Scotty and Lauren Alaina taking home from their Idol run?

Scotty McCreery, a winning American Idol, will get majority of the pay. His winning recording contract will pay him $250K. But he will also get many other posh perks such as first class travel, hotel accommodations for him and his parents.

And since he's a minor, certain allowances have been put in place for his best interest: Idol must deduct 15 percent of his earnings until he's 18 and place that money in a trust for the singer; his parents, Judith and Michael McCreery, were named custodians of it. The contract also states that McCreery signed an exclusive deal with 19 Records and that, among his other obligations, he must participate in an Idol-themed stage show with Disney Hollywood Studios and go on the now-standard post-season American Idol tour.
As for Aliana, the teen will take home a little less than a third of McCreery's pay, as the second-place spoils total up to $87,500. However—and here's the good news for Lauren and her accountants—that figure could double up to a not-too-shabby $175,000 if when she actually records an album.

Source: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b244213_heres_how_much_scotty_lauren_made_from.html#ixzz1NUn0mpq5

What's going on with Scotty & Lauren Alaina

2011-05-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

"American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery's Southern manners and humility were on display as he took reporters' questions in a conference call Thursday. Peppered throughout were "sirs" and "thank yous," and he sounded both pleased and conscientious, if perhaps a little surprised, to have found himself taking our questions as a newly minted "Idol" -- kind of the way you'd expect the sweet kid who mows your lawn to sound if you handed him a cold glass of lemonade and an extra five bucks on a hot day.

"My work here is done," he said of his successful "Idol" run. "It's time for the real job to start."

Here's some of what he else he had to say:

On how he's handling all the "Idol" attention:
This is pretty wild, I got to say. It's a whole lot more than I bargained for coming into this. I never would have expected it. But I'm handling it well. It's what I asked for, and this is my new life. It's a really crazy ride so far.

On being a favorite all season long, and if at any point he had doubts that he'd make it all the way:
This week, especially, [I thought I might go home]. [Runner-up] Lauren Alaina, she's something: She sings like a bird and she's just an amazing young lady. Every week, I've heard people say the "frontrunner" stuff and "the favorite," but to me, it never even crossed my mind like that. Because everybody this year -- from top 40 down -- was just so talented. ... But as far as doubting myself, I don't think I ever really gave myself a chance, before this show, [to try to make it] as a musician, and now it's just about the confidence. ... I mean, I've always had confidence in me. It was just weird, the nerves for this show. It's something else.
On Lauren Alaina kissing him at the end of the finale and saying he "might be" her boyfriend and whether there's really anything romantic going on between them:
Oh, no. ... Me and her, it's more like the brother-sister thing. She told me before the show she was gonna do that as kind of like a joke. She's a character, but she's lovely. Really, we're really close friends. I met her day one of Hollywood Week, and we were schoolmates through this whole experience. She's great. But yeah, it's more a brother-sister friendship between me and her.

On the album he hopes to make and who he hopes to work with:
I'm really looking forward to getting my music out there. We've already recorded two [original songs] this week. We weren't really sure which we were going to do [for the finale], and "I Love You This Big" turned out to be the one we did, but the other one I'm really excited about, too. I think it's gonna be a great album. I gotta pick good songs. That's what it's all about after the show. It's getting good songs. Because the fans got me to where I am; it's my job to get them the music they want to hear. But hopefully, me and Lauren Alaina will get to do a duet sometime. I'm not sure about the first album, but hopefully sometime soon.

On host Ryan Seacrest calling him "Scotty the Body" all season long:
Ryan ... told me early on that it was kind of like a tradition. I think he's done it with all the Scotts he's had on the show before.... It was more like a joke. I mean, I've been eating too many cookies [while working] on the show, anyway, so I'm not as toned as I was back in my baseball days.

On what was going on when he broke down in tears in the back of the limo during his hometown trip back to Garner, N.C.:
We were driving up to the school and I just looked out the window and I just saw all the familiar faces that I hadn't seen in so long. And someone said, "We missed you. We love you, brother." And it just really got me. I'm about to cry when I think about it. I've just missed them so much. And it was a great moment for me to be back there and just see them again. Because they're my friends. They were my friends before the show. Those are the true ones that I just really love.

On his now-scuttled potential career as a relief pitcher:
I don't think it would have gone past high school [anyway].

On whether he had a game plan to remain in his comfort zone:
Everyone had their own niche. I mean, Casey would sing his jazzy, kinda rocker, growly music. Jacob would sing his gospel music. James sang his rock music. And I sang my country music. ... We'd do different songs, but we all had that kind of genre we'd stay to. Country music is me. It's what I grew up with, it's what I do, so I didn't have any intentions of changing. My thing was, if it got me this far, why change it up? It's what I love to do.

On whether he really sank that three-point basketball shot in the first try:
I tried it from the steps initially, and I was missing terribly. So I said, well, why don't we try that from the balcony? And that was my third attempt from the balcony that I made that shot.

On his "coronation" song, "I Love You This Big":
I love the song. It's a great song to start off with. When they pitched it to me, I fell in love with it, and I really ... last night when I sang it for my finale song, it was kind of a choked-up performance. But I got through and I hugged my family with it.

On what his thoughts were going into Wednesday night's results show:
My thought was that [Lauren Alaina had] wrapped it up when she sang that finale song, ["Like My Mother Does."] That's just one of the most beautiful song I've ever heard. And I was more than nervous coming into it last night. It worked out in my favor, but Lauren, she's sweet. She's been supporting me and I've been supporting her through this whole process. We're really close friends, and you know, we both came out winners last night.

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/05/scotty-mccreery-american-idol-lauren-alaina.html

Scotty McCreery with Leno, Regis, and others

2011-05-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

So we all know that Scotty won this years American Idol!!! Congratulations to Scotty!

Scotty will also be on the show" The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Up until now we're not sure if he'll sing or just chat with the Great Chinned One. The show airs on NBC-17 at 11:35.

Scotty will also appear on "Live with Regis & Kelly" on Tuesday, May 31. That show airs on WTVD at 9 a.m.

Next Thursday (June 2) Scotty and Lauren will both sing for the "Today" show Summer Concert Series. "Today" starts at 7 a.m. on NBC and goes until 11 a.m.

We'll post other updates on appearances as soon as we learn of any.

American Idol Live Tour 2011 Dates & Times

2011-05-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

So some of you have lost your favorites early on, some later on and some still haven't lost your favorites (Lauren & Scotty). Some have even had multiple favorites. Who knows! A nice thing is that we can still see them on the tour and see all of them at once. We probably may never have that chance again to see all of them together on stage. So I am super excited. For your convenience here is a list of tour locations, dates and times. If you decide to purchase, use coupon code maysavings to get $10 OFF. :) My husband and I are going to the one in Oakland, CA on 7/12. Let me know if you're going and what city.

Event Venue Date/Time

American Idols Live	Maverik Center Salt Lake City, UT	Wednesday 7/6/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Comcast Arena At Everett Everett, WA	Friday 7/8/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Rose Garden Portland, OR	Saturday 7/9/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Power Balance Pavilion (Formerly Arco Arena) Sacramento, CA	Monday 7/11/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Oracle Arena Oakland, CA	Tuesday 7/12/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	HP Pavilion San Jose, CA	Wednesday 7/13/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Nokia Theatre Live - LA Los Angeles, CA	Friday 7/15/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Citizens Business Bank Arena - CA Ontario, CA	Saturday 7/16/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	US Airways Center Phoenix, AZ	Sunday 7/17/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Cox Convention Center Oklahoma City, OK	Tuesday 7/19/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TX	Wednesday 7/20/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Reliant Arena Houston, TX	Thursday 7/21/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA	Friday 7/22/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Amway Center Orlando, FL	Sunday 7/24/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	The Arena At Gwinnett Center Duluth, GA	Tuesday 7/26/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	RBC Center Raleigh, NC	Wednesday 7/27/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Time Warner Cable Arena (formerly Charlotte Bobcats Arena) Charlotte, NC	Thursday 7/28/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Bridgestone Arena (Formerly Sommet Center) Nashville, TN	Saturday 7/30/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Scottrade Center Saint Louis, MO	Sunday 7/31/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Sprint Center Kansas City, MO	Tuesday 8/2/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Target Center Minneapolis, MN	Wednesday 8/3/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI	Thursday 8/4/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL	Saturday 8/6/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Joe Louis Arena Detroit, MI	Sunday 8/7/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Schottenstein Center Columbus, OH	Tuesday 8/9/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Consol Energy Center Pittsburgh, PA	Wednesday 8/10/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	1st Mariner Arena Baltimore, MD	Thursday 8/11/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Boardwalk Hall Arena - Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, NJ	Saturday 8/13/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Prudential Center Newark, NJ	Sunday 8/14/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Prudential Center Newark, NJ	Monday 8/15/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Wells Fargo Center - PA (formerly Wachovia Center) Philadelphia, PA	Wednesday 8/17/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Verizon Center - DC Washington, DC	Friday 8/19/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Richmond Coliseum Richmond, VA	Saturday 8/20/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (formerly Wachovia Arena) Wilkes Barre, PA	Sunday 8/21/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, NY	Tuesday 8/23/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, NY	Wednesday 8/24/2011 TBD	view tickets
American Idols Live	Webster Bank Arena At Harbor Yard Bridgeport, CT	Thursday 8/25/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Dunkin Donuts Center Providence, RI	Saturday 8/27/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Times Union Center (formerly Pepsi Arena) Albany, NY	Sunday 8/28/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Cumberland County Civic Center Portland, ME	Tuesday 8/30/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Verizon Wireless Arena - NH Manchester, NH	Wednesday 8/31/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	DCU Center Worcester, MA	Thursday 9/1/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Mohegan Sun Arena - CT Uncasville, CT	Saturday 9/3/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	War Memorial At Oncenter Syracuse, NY	Tuesday 9/6/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Sovereign Center Reading, PA	Wednesday 9/7/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Air Canada Centre Toronto, Canada	Friday 9/9/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets
American Idols Live	Blue Cross Arena Rochester, NY	Saturday 9/10/2011 7:00 PM	view tickets

Scotty or Alaina?

2011-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

Personally I am a fan of both but leaning more on Lauren's side. She is just so innocent and sweet. She has the best family. Its amazing how her mom has been with her every step of the way. Scotty too is a great singer and makes me laugh all the time.

So what do you think, who will it be, Lauren or Scotty?

Chris Medina receives a new wheelchair van

2011-03-10T03:19:00.000-08:00

MobilityWorks and BraunAbility teamed up to help Chris Medina a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan with a automated ramp which will help the wheelchair get right into the van.

In an interview with Southtown Star Reporter Victoria Johnson, Chris said “If it’s easier for us to get her in the car to take her out to dinner, she’ll want to go to those places more,” Medina said. “I think that’s really how this van helps. It brings back better quality to our lives. It’s just a very nice gesture. Having this van really means a lot to us.”

Read more here

Lauren Alaina's performance this week?

2011-03-10T00:33:00.000-08:00

I am a HUGE fan of Lauren Alaina, myself, as well as Scotty. And not to say that I don’t like the other contestants, they’re really all great singers. I think Lauren did great or maybe it’s just because I am such a loyal fan. I did notice that the judges didn’t like it as much as they liked and raved about her past performances. Perhaps it wasn’t the best song choice for her. But regardless, I just hope she stays! IMO, I think she is so well liked that she’ll make it. What are your thoughts?

Here is the video of her last night’s performance singing Any man of Mine:

Scott McCreery live onstage performance

2011-01-28T22:07:00.000-08:00

Scott McCreary, a darling 16 year old sing Your Man!

2011-01-28T19:23:00.000-08:00

Scott (Scotty) McCreary, an darling 16-year-old with the unequivocally low voice. He sings “Your Man” as great as wow, he has such an old-school nation voice. The low things is fantastic. Steven Tyler asks for something the small some-more la mode as great as he busts out the small Travis Tritt. It’s fabulous. We mean, not everyone loves country, yet we can’t repudiate this kid’s talent. Randy cites his throw-back nation voice which — totally. Hope to see this child go far, what the cutie.

Lauren Alaina Suddeth - I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing

2011-01-28T02:19:00.000-08:00

Lauren is a 15 year old high school student from Rossville, GA. She said she got inspired to sing for her cousin. Lauren first sang "Like We Never Loved At All" by Faith Hill (thanks to a viewer) and ended her audition singing "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Wow! Below is the video:

Chris Medina - what an amazing story!

2011-01-26T23:10:00.000-08:00

Chris is a great person and a great singer. To me, his story was the most sincere and touching. View his performance below: