BYU grad finalist in 'Idol' song contest

Vote for a great song to be the American Idol theme -- written by a BYU graduate -- the song is very well done. Read about the story and listen to the song at the Deseret News.

Farewell to Kristy Lee Cook!

So it was goodbye to Kristy Lee this week. I think with time as she refines her performing skills, she'll still do well in the industry if she chooses to pursue it. And congratulations on her engagement.

Huge American Idol "Shocker"

Well, I have to say I was absolutely shocked that Michael Johns was sent home tonight. I thought for sure he would be sent to safety and either Carly or Syesha would be sent packing. But no, our cute Australian friend is going home. Very much a surprise -- and not just to us, but to him as well. I think everyone was stunned. I think because he had never been in the bottom three, people must have taken it forgranted and not actively voted for him as much as some of the others.

Well, that's the fun of American Idol -- you never can get quite comfortable with what is to come.

TiVo predicts Syesha Mercado the next 'American Idol' finalist booted

By Christopher Rocchio, 04/10/2008

If you listen to TiVo -- or the viewers who subscribe to it -- American Idol seventh-season finalist Syesha Mercado is in trouble.

TiVo Inc. has announced that since Idol's seventh-season finals began four weeks ago, the company has been using its "second-by-second audience measurement to determine which performers had the highest and lowest viewership."

"It turns out, this information -- especially among viewers who are watching on a timeshifted basis -- is predictive of which contestant will be voted off. Viewers tend to rewind and watch their favorite performances multiple times, while fast-forwarding through the ones they don't like. These viewing preferences correlate with voting patterns (for each week TiVo has measured)," said TiVo in a Thursday statement.

"For the past four weeks running, the person with the lowest viewership as recorded by TiVo subscribers has been voted to go home."

Since TiVo's research has been spot on so far, that doesn't bode well for Mercado -- the 21-year-old Floridian who sang "I Believe" during Tuesday night's performance episode broadcast.

"Two American Idol finalists at opposite ends of the viewership spectrum as evaluated by TiVo: David Archuleta ranked in the highest audience numbers during his performance. Syesha Mercado was the lowest on the totem pole this week, with the fewest viewers sticking around for her performance," said the company in the statement.

TiVo claims it identified Mercado's low viewership "in the early hours of Wednesday," however decided against releasing the information until Thursday morning so it wouldn't "disturb" last night's second annual Idol Gives Back charity event.

TiVo's audience measurement analysis is based on anonymous aggregated data from a sample of approximately 20,000 anonymous households that subscribe to the service.

Elliott Yamin rooting for David Archuleta to win 'American Idol'

By Christopher Rocchio, 04/10/2008

Elliott Yamin is apparently in David Archuleta's corner.

It would be really cool to see a young kid like him win," Yamin told Entertainment Weekly on Wednesday night at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards. "I really love his songs, and musically, he's very talented. He plays the guitar, piano... it's nice to see [Idol] bringing out the creative sides of those kids."

The 17-year-old has been widely considered Idol's seventh-season frontrunner -- being hailed as the "one to beat" by Simon Cowell, who along with Randy Jackson also recently predicted an Archuleta versus David Cook finale.

However Yamin apparently's isn't as big of a fan of the other remaining male seventh-season finalists.

"No one's really impressed me this season," he told Entertainment Weekly. "David Cook is okay, Michael Johns is alright, but it's anybody's game at this point."

The Idol fifth-season third-place finisher is currently working on the follow-up to his self-titled debut album, which he told Entertainment Weekly he hopes will be out by the fall. Jermaine Dupri is helping with the album's production.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what he adds," Yamin told Entertainment Weekly.

In addition, Yamin said he'd also like to work with D'Angelo on the album.

"I've always wanted to work with him, and I've said it in interviews lots of times," Yamin told Entertainment Weekly. "Still, we've never heard from him."

Yamin's mom Claudette passed away last week at the age of 65, however Entertainment Weekly reported he was in "good spirits" at Hollywood's Kodak Theater on Wednesday night.

American Idol Fans Predict Winner

By Dan Whitcomb Tue Apr 8, 3:01 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "American Idol" fans say baby-faced crooner David Archuleta will win the No. 1 television show's current competition, even though they picked rival David Cook as the most talented performer, an E-Poll/Reuters survey found.
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As the top-rated U.S. TV talent show entered one of its most-watched weeks when it hopes to raise $100 million for charity on its "Idol Gives Back" program, fans were showing plenty of love for the two Davids.

Archuleta, a 17-year-old native of Utah, was voted the likely winner by 40 percent of "Idol" viewers polled, according to the survey by E-Poll Market Research on behalf of Reuters.

Anointed the man to beat by judge Simon Cowell after he sang John Lennon's "Imagine" in February, Archuleta tied rocker Cook as the one whom viewers wanted to win, with both getting 25 percent of the vote.

But Cook, 25, who has reworked 1980s dance hits such as Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Lionel Richie's "Hello" into edgy, slow-burning rock songs, topped Archuleta 31 percent to 27 percent when it came to proving his talent beyond just singing.

Irish-born belter Carly Smithson was ranked third most talented followed by folksy Brooke White, Aussie Michael Johns, dreadlock-sporting Jason Castro, country girl Kristy Lee Cook and Syesha Mercado.

Past winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, and even those who didn't win such as Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry, have gone on to successful music careers.

"American Idol," which is hosted by Ryan Seacrest, pits singers against one another in a months-long competition for a professional recording contract.

The weekly show draws nearly 30 million viewers, making it the most-watched program on U.S. television. This season's winner will be announced during a live finale in May.

The survey, which was conducted last week, polled roughly 1,100 respondents ages 13 and over who, perhaps surprisingly, had good things to say about razor-tongued Cowell.

Even though his No. 1 trait is "rude" according to E-Poll's E-Score Celebrity data, Cowell was chosen by 64 percent of respondents as their favorite judge.

His fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul each received about 17 percent of the "favorite" vote.

Some 85 percent of those polled said "American Idol" would be worse without Cowell, and 75 percent considered him to be the judge with the greatest influence over the way the public votes. Jackson followed with 13 percent and Abdul at 12.

But a large majority, 83 percent, said the judges had little or no impact on the their own votes.

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Philip Barbara)

American Idol - Final 8

My predictions from this week -- if it were ONLY based on the performances from this week. I predict the bottom three to be: David Cook, Syesha Mercado and Carly Smithson. David's performance was a bit of a mess, and although he has a large fan base, it is my impression that he comes across a bit cocky and I believe that will end up hurting him in the end. Syesha is a beautiful girl and she can sing -- but you never really connect with her as a person -- it's like you're just watching a performance all of the time and there is not much to relate to there. And Carly can sing as well, but it seems as though she is not in her element -- being judged. She doesn't look like her softer self when she sings and I think that hard edge will get her eliminated.

However, with the fan base and with past performances I think perhaps Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White may end up in the bottom three.


Article from ETOnline: http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/04/60398/index.html

As part of "Idol Gives Back" week, the Final 8 "American Idol" contestants were required to sing inspirational songs on Tuesday night's performance show. According to the judges, the standout performances of the night were JASON CASTRO, DAVID ARCHULETA and KRISTY LEE COOK.

MICHAEL JOHNS was up first with AEROSMITH's "Dream On." RANDY JACKSON told him, "I really believe this is one of the important weeks for us, because you are telling us who you are. I don't buy that you are an Aerosmith-like singer." PAULA ABDUL said, "I couldn't disagree more. First of all, I think it was the perfect song for you to pick. You sound as good as you look. The high notes that you hit -- my Chihuahuas are going to come join you on stage." SIMON COWELL took a middle position, saying, "I thought it was a very good performance. Why I am slightly with Randy is, I don't like it when you do an impersonation of a rock star. I prefer when you do blues or soul. I preferred last week."

SYESHA MERCADO channeled former "American Idol" winner FANTASIA with "I Believe." Randy remarked, "I have to give you credit again. You took on another tiger this week. Fantasia is one of the best singers. I didn't find the connection with you. It was just okay." Paula noted, "Not many people can take on songs like that. Fantasia has her own style. You made [the song] your own. I think this is hands down one of your most shining nights." Simon observed, "Of course there is going to be a comparison. She sang that song when she won the competition. I think technically you sang it well. What it lacked for me was that big wave of emotion that I got when Fantasia sang it that I didn't get from you."

Ukulele in hand, Jason Castro interpreted "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" inspired by the late ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE's version of the song. Randy enthused, "Dude, Jason Castro is back. That was the hottest tonight. That was blazing, molten hot." Paula agreed, saying, "I love that version of the song. You did a great job." Simon claimed, "The first time I heard that version, I thought it was interesting. The second time, I loved it. The third time -- fantastic."

Kristy Lee cook performed MARTINA McBRIDE's "Do It Anyway." Randy told her, "You know what? There were a couple of pitch moments, but I loved that. It was good for you." Paula praised, "I think you outdid yourself tonight. This was your best by far. It is so easy singing songs that inspire you." Simon stated, "Randy made a point earlier on. With a choice this broad, you have a chance to show who you are as an artist. I thought you were very, very good indeed. You look like a star tonight."

DAVID COOK rocked to "Innocent." Randy said, "I am a huge fan of yours. Every week you have been throwing it down. I didn't think it was one of your strongest weeks." Paula remarked, "I think you are so well defined as being the whole package. I believe in you." Simon commented, "I didn't like this performance very much at all. I thought it was a teensy weensy bit pompous. We say this week after week after week, originality, choice of song and something you are going to remember in a couple weeks. It wasn't anywhere near as good as the last two weeks."

CARLY SMITHSON tackled QUEEN's "The Show Must Go On." Randy said, "It started out good, got a little pitchy and ended up okay. It was disconnected for me." Paula agreed, pointing out, "Your voice, as always, was pretty perfect. I didn't feel engaged with you and I usually am." Simon complimented Carly on her look. Then he added, "I thought it was an unusual choice of song. I think you over-sang it. You lost control of the song toward the end. It came across as an angry performance, which felt out of kilter with the evening."

David Archuleta chose "Angels" as his inspirational song. Randy commended him: "That was the David Archuleta I love. That was your hottest moment this season." Paula simply said, "Fantastic." Simon praised him, saying, "The best song choice of the night so far. This is one of the best pop songs written, in my opinion. I am not going to say it was your best vocal. I am nitpicking here, because you are going to sail through."

BROOKE WHITE performed CARLY SIMON's "You've Got a Friend." Randy said, "For me, I don't think it was your best performance. It was okay for me, but I wasn't mad. Paula enthused, "I think it is the perfect way to close the evening. You were very definitive and I love you." Simon observed that "it was like a pleasant walk in the park. Was it original? No. Was it pleasant? Yes."

Clay Aiken's New Song!

Just wanted to let you know about Clay Aiken's song, On My Way Here, premiering on PopEater!

The pop superstar will be releasing his eagerly-awaited album 'On My Way Here' on May 6 -- his first collection of original songs since 2003. And since Clay fans are just "Aiken" to hear new music, satisfy your sweet tooth with the inspiring first single, written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder.

http://www.popeater.com/2008/04/07/clay-aiken-on-my-way-here-song-premiere/

Osmond Gives Advice to David Archuletta

Teen idols — Osmond advises Archuleta to 'ride the wave' and enjoy
By Scott D. Pierce
Deseret Morning News

Donny Osmond knows something about what David Archuleta is going through right now.
After all, Osmond was a nice, clean-cut Mormon boy from Utah who suddenly found himself a teen idol with a big singing career and thousands of girls screaming his name.

And Archuleta, the 17-year-old "American Idol" finalist from Murray, appears to be in the first stages of the same trajectory.

"I just talked to David a couple of days ago," Osmond said in a conference call Monday with TV critics to promote his upcoming stint as co-host, with his sister, Marie, of the Miss USA Pageant. "I think that he can have an amazing career. It's an exciting ride that he's going on."

Responding to a question from the Deseret Morning News, Osmond said he would advise Archuleta to make sure he takes full advantage of the experience.

"It's just the nature of the game of 'Idol' for that kind of enthusiasm and that kind of adulation to take place," he said. "But you've got to ride that wave as long as possible and then reinvent yourself — continually reinventing yourself."

Which is something Osmond, 50, has been doing since he was a small child. Beginning with his appearances on "The Andy Williams Show" at the age of 6, he's had chart-topping hits, acted, hosted variety, talk and game shows and starred on Broadway. In addition to last year's Osmond 50th anniversary performances — which aired as a PBS special and is available on DVD — Donny and Marie have already sold out eight performances scheduled at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in July. Read more...

Miley Cyrus - at Stadium of Fire for 4th of July!

PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Miley Cyrus, the star of TV show "Hannah Montana," will perform at Stadium of Fire, a July 4 (2008) event in Provo.

Brad Pelo of America's Freedom Foundation says tickets go on sale Friday at 5 p.m. They will be available at www.byutickets.com.

Cyrus will perform at Brigham Young University's LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Blue Man Group is also on the program, and CNN talk-show host Glenn Beck will be the host.

Cyrus announced her appearance by video, promising to set the stadium on fire with her performance.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)