Okay, starting a NEW thread on the previous seasons contestants. If you would like to DISCUSS anyone that was on AI from seasons 1 - 5 (from auditions... all the way to the end of the season) please do so.
Some topics that might be good to discuss:
- Where are they now?
- Remember so-n-so?
- Sales of albums by former contestants, and the numbers of records sold.
- New songs/albums by a former contestant
- News on former contestants
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
With 5 years of past contestants doing their best to make it big in the entertainment world, every year more and more music is released by performers who first came into national consciousness on American Idol. This list is the best of the albums released in 2006 by past American Idol contestants.
1) Fantasia - Fantasia
This is the year that Season 3 champion Fantasia began truly catching up to her potential. She began the year with 4 Grammy Award nominations, the most ever in a single year by an American Idol contestant. Later in the year, after leaving 19 Entertainment, the American Idol management team, Fantasia previewed her second album with the hot single "Hood Boy."
The album Fantasia demonstrates just what a powerful vocalist she can be. It's a tour de force of contemporary R&B with assists from such luminaries as Missy Elliott, Sean Garrett, and Big Boi of Outkast.
2) Daughtry - Daughtry
After Chris Daughtry's early exit from Season 5, his fans insisted that the loss would not slow him down, and he would prove himself as a top rock vocalist. They were right. The debut album from his band Daughtry is a professional, high quality, contemporary rock collection. Sales have been strong, and the single "It's Not Over" is already in the pop top 40.
3) Taylor Hicks - Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks' debut album has its fair share of unevenness, but his genuine personality and talent as an entertainer still shows through proud and clear. This album is more than enough to get your fix of Taylor's unique skills, but I suspect it is his second album that will truly be worth waiting for.
4) Kellie Pickler - Small Town Girl
She may not be the strongest voice in the business, but Kellie Pickler proved she can command attention as a vocalist on her own. Last year Carrie Underwood electrified the country music establishment with her debut album Some Hearts, and this year is Kellie's year. Using smart song selections and surrounding herself with some of the best supporting songwriters and musicians in the business, Kellie Pickler hit the ground running.
5) Clay Aiken - A Thousand Different Ways
An emotional return to American Idol in season 5's finale show did a brilliant job of firing up anticipation for Clay Aiken's long awaited second non-holiday album. Unfortunately, the final product, an album of mostly covers of love songs, did not live up to expectations. His voice is still a beautiful instrument, but he will need stronger material and production in the future to regain career momentum.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
American Idol and football fans alike will be excited to hear the latest in NFL Championship news. Chris Daughtry , frontman for the band "Daughtry", is scheduled to perform the National Anthem solo on FOX in Chicago during the Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints NFC Championship Game Sunday, January 21 at 3PM ET/12PM PT. Mark your calendars, as you won't want to miss one of your favorite Idols performing at such a prestigious and exciting event.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Kelly Clarkson will soon be showing her racing stripes in the biggest partnership NASCAR has ever made with a music artist, the sports franchise announced Thursday. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm a race fan and love NASCAR," the former "American Idol" and Grammy-winning singer said in a NASCAR press release "I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community." Kelly will be "integrated into all aspects of NASCAR," including television spots, charitable events and NASCAR's awards dinner in New York City in December, NASCAR said.
The deal kicks off with Clarkson headlining the Nextel "Tribute To America" concert airing live on Fox just before the Daytona 500 in Florida on Feb. 18. During the appearance, Clarkson will film a 30-second NASCAR spot for TV featuring a new song from her upcoming third album. She will also serve as a spokeswoman for the fourth annual NASCAR Day on May 18, 2007.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
American Idol alums are sure making their mark on the Billboard charts, particularly when it comes to country music. As Fred Bronson reports in his Billboard "Chart Beat" column, Bucky Covington enters Hot Country Songs at No. 57 with his first single, "A Different World." Bucky is also the fifth Idol to appear on this chart, following Kelly Clarkson, Josh Gracin, Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler. As Fred goes on to state in his column, "that's one from season one (Clarkson), one from season two (Gracin), one from season four (Underwood) and two from season five (Pickler and Covington)."
While country music almost seems to be the most popular way to go on American Idol these days, it hasn't always been very prevalent on the show. As Bronson tells us, season three did not produce any "chart-worthy" Idols in country music, although it is the season with the most charted finalists (seven). With the quick success of Bucky's debut, he puts season five in second place with six.
According to Bronson, Bucky is the 26th American Idol singer to appear on a Billboard chart.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
On the eve of the sixth season of American Idol, Season 3 Finalist Jennifer Hudson won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in "Dreamgirls!" Jennifer won her award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and had this to say: "I had always dreamed but I never ever dreamed this big. This goes far beyond anything I could have ever imagined." Americanidol.com congratulates Jennifer!
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Bucky Covington will be combining two of America's favorite pastimes this weekend at the Sound and Speed event in Nashville. He will walk the red carpet before attending tonight's VIP dinner at the Wildhorse Saloon, where NASCAR and country music stars will join together to raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the All for the Hall campaign.
Bucky Covington and NASCAR fans alike will be thrilled to hear about what will also happen on Saturday. Bucky will join NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte for an autograph and Q & A session for country music and NASCAR fans.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
As anyone who knows anything about American Idol knows, the ones who become "almost famous" can make it just as far if not farther than the more successful Idols. Their notoriety carries them and, in the case of the "Almost Famous" Idols from last season, it can take them beyond their fifteen minutes.
PEOPLE Magazine caught up with some of these Idols and found out where they are now. You might be surprised by the answers.
The infamous Brenna Gethers, known for her arrogant and rebellious ways, promised, "I will be talked about." According to PEOPLE, Brenna was right about this seemingly overconfident prediction. Last summer, Brenna replaced the lead singer of the Bomb Squad, a funk rock band that won an American Music Award for Best New Music in 2003. "I feel so grateful," Brenna tells PEOPLE. In regards to the attitude that was definitely once there, she said, "That was just one side of me." She also tells PEOPLE that she gets recognized every day and attributes this to the way she acted while on the show. "People think I was Top 3, (but) I only made it to Top 20."
Not many would forget the classic moment during the finale of Season 5, when Clay Aiken 's biggest fan and look-alike, Michael Sandecki, was shocked by a surprise visit from Clay himself. Michael wasn't used to being in the spotlight and the consequent media exposure he received, so he tells PEOPLE that he had to do a bit of soul searching. "I kind of got thrown into the spotlight. I had to question myself: Where do I fit in? Who am I?" Still pursuing his passion for music, Michael has retreated from the spotlight and into a clerical job. As he tells PEOPLE, "I eat, live and breathe music, and I'm going to make it somehow."
Garet Johnson, aka "The Crying Cowboy", has been a kissing fool since the show ended. As he gushes to PEOPLE, "I've kissed, I don't know...25 girls, I'm guessing." And pre-Idol? "Besides my mom?" he asks PEOPLE. "None." Besides kissing, Garet spends his time working on his family's ranch in Wyoming. However, he hasn't given up his dreams of a music career. As he tells PEOPLE, "I need more seasoning first."
Last but certainly not the least are the Brittenum Twins, whose time on American Idol was cut short due to some legal troubles. Before leaving the show, however, the two became known for their bad attitudes and disregard for the judges' feedback. As they tell PEOPLE, their legal troubles and subsequent community service did a lot to help better their values. As Derrell said, "Being a helping hand makes you feel really good inside." The pair are releasing their R & B CD "Here I Am" in March.
Check out the whole article in the PEOPLE Magazine article that hits shelves January 12th.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Kevin Covias served as co-host on FOX's Good Day New York this morning, and they threw a few curve balls his way. First they checked in with Kevin regarding what he's been up to since American Idol, and he's certainly been keeping himself busy. He's looking into colleges as well as pursuing his love of acting and singing. On top of all that, he's been using his newfound fame to draw attention to a cause that's near and dear to his heart, Diabetes. Kevin was diagnosed with Diabetes six years ago and is insulin-dependent, but his message to others with the disease is that it doesn't have to slow you down. Kevin is hoping for a cure but, in the meantime, is remaining positive and keeping busy.
Now on to those curve balls. Just when Kevin Covais thought he could relax and enjoy the cushy job of co-host for the day, the weather person for Good Day New York asked Kevin to stand in for her. Being the good sport that he is, Kevin jumped in front of the green screen and did his very best...and it wasn't half bad.
Watch the full video for a look at "Chicken Little's" new career!
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Josh Gracin will travel to Charleston this weekend to take part in Wheel of Fortune’s “Country Music Stars Week” to raise money for their favorite charities.
When Josh spins the wheel this weekend, he'll be playing for the National Guard Youth Challenge. Josh became a National Guard Youth Challenge Program national spokesperson in June 2005 and has been an active participant through visiting programs, filming public service announcements and appearing at Foundation events.
Josh’s self-titled debut, which includes the #1 hit “Nothin’ To Lose,” is certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of more than 500,000 units. This year Josh will release his sophomore CD, featuring his current hit, “I Keep Coming Back.”
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Soul Patrol can officially get excited. According to Billboard, Taylor Hicks has announced his concert tour dates. He will be playing in small, intimate venues and theaters:
Feb. 21: Jacksonville, Fla. (Florida Theatre)
Feb. 22: Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Theatre)
Feb. 23: Coral Springs, Fla. (Center For The Arts)
Feb. 24: Orlando, Fla. (Universal Studios)
Feb. 27: Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Civic Center)
March 2: Myrtle Beach, S.C. (House Of Blues)
March 3: Knoxville, Tenn. (Tennessee Theatre)
March 4: Asheville, N.C. (Orange Peel)
March 6: Huntsville, Ala. (Von Braun Center)
March 9: Atlanta (Tabernacle)
March 10: Birmingham, Ala. (Alabama Theatre)
March 25: Prior Lake, Minn. (Mystic Lake Casino)
March 27: Green Bay, Wis. (Weidner Center)
March 28: Milwaukee (Pabst Theater)
March 29: Chicago (House Of Blues)
March 31: Cleveland (House Of Blues)
April 3: Boston (Avalon)
April 6: Mashantucket, Conn. (Foxwoods Casino)
April 7: Westbury, N.Y. (North Fork Theatre at Westbury)
April 12: Lancaster, Penn. (American Music Theatre)
April 17: Baltimore (Rams Head Live!)
April 24: Columbus, Ohio (Lifestyle Communities Pavilion)
April 27: Kansas City, Mo. (Ameristar Hotel & Casino)
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Taylor Hicks will reign as the Krewe of Endymion's grand marshal for the 2007 Carnival season. Al Green and the musical groups Journey and Styx will also ride in the parade. Taylor was in New Orleans for a wedding just before Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 29, 2005. With his flight out of town canceled, he took a cab to West Monroe and turned his free plane ticket into an Idol audition trip to Las Vegas. Endymion will roll down New Orlean's historic St. Charles Avenue on Feb. 17, the Saturday before Mardi Gras, which is Feb. 20.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
There are quite a few American Idol alums that are proving themselves to be anything but idle since being on the show. They are hitting the charts and in large numbers. Check out the following list of Idols on the Billboard Charts:
Bucky Covington, a finalist on the 2006 season of American Idol, has signed to Lyric Street Records. A label representative confirmed it expects to release Covington's first single, "Different World," later this month. Nashville Business Journal reported the signing over the holidays in an interview with the label president, Randy Goodman. Other artists on the label include Rascal Flatts, SHeDAISY and Josh Gracin (also an Idol finalist). Covington announced in September that Sawyer Brown's Mark Miller would be producing the sessions for his debut album.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
As "American Idol" preps its sixth season, former finalist, Paris Bennett, independently plans her own tour and the release of her debut CD, Princess P.
Bennett, niece of inspirational singer Anne Nesby originally from the Sounds of Blackness, signed with 306 Entertainment for her debut set. "Dreamin'," the autobiographical first single, is slated to impact iTunes and radio in January of 2007. The 18-year-old co-wrote the majority of the songs on the album which also boasts production from Jon Jon TraXX, Darren Lightey and Rodney Jerkins.
Princess P is scheduled to hit shelves in March of 2007
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
01-20-2007 04:19 PM
