"I don't do a whole lot of thinking," Bucky Covington says. "I'm a big believer in not over-thinking. I don't really think about things until it's done. If I thought about it before, it'd probably scare me to death."
That philosophy is serving the native of Rockingham, N.C., well. "American Idol's" most recent transplant to country music phoned from Michigan, where he's busy promoting his new album.
Covington, 29, only made it to the final eight on "American Idol" in 2006, but his album debuted at No. 1 on Nielsen Soundscan's Country Top 75 chart. The performance of the album, released April 17, has turned country music on its ear. With 61,000 units sold, Covington had the best first-week sales for any new male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992. He was also the only new country act to open inside the Top 5 this year on Soundscan's all-genre Top 200 chart.
"I got to give some credit to 'American Idol,' " Covington said. "A lot of people know who I am because my face rings a bell, and I have some name recognition. But Mark Miller and Lyric Street gave me a lot of help."
Miller, the lead singer and frontman for the hugely popular band Sawyer Brown, praised Covington for his honesty and believability, and came on board to produce the record for Lyric Street, the label made famous by Rascal Flatts. (Covington is Lyric Street's second "Idol" singer; the label signed former Marine Josh Gracin after his Season 2 experience ended.)
Critics are praising the Covington album's diversity. Entertainment Weekly said, "The North Carolinian with the throaty drawl could sell everything from the cheeky to the weepy. And he does."
From the totally twangy first single, to the sweet ballad "I'll Walk," to the Southern rock kicker "Bible and the Belt," Covington keeps the tempo interesting. He even earned writing credit on the sentimental "Carolina Blue," but says, "I just wanted good songs; I didn't care who wrote it."
The first single, "A Different World," is making a solid mark on the country charts, having landed at No. 19 last week on Billboard's Hot Country Songs charts. The video is doing even better.
Lyric Street hired virtuoso video director Trey Fanjoy for Covington's debut video. "We filmed it in 15 hours, all in one day, at the Disney Ranch (in California). It was about 15 degrees at 6 in the morning, and by noon it was 75," Covington says. Of Fanjoy, he says, "She is a sweetheart. She was about seven or eight months' pregnant at the time, when she directed that. She never complained, and she has done an awesome job. I would love to work with her again." Fans like the video so much that it was in the Top 5 on CMT last week.
With such a strong country background, Covington might have auditioned for "Nashville Star," the country version of "American Idol," but he almost didn't audition for "American Idol" at all.
Hurricane Katrina forced the cancellation of the "American Idol" audition at the closest venue for him, 11 hours away in Memphis, Tenn. But then, a new site was chosen, in nearby Greensboro, N.C. Covington thought it was karma, and he went.
"There wasn't a whole lot of thought into it, period," he said. "I thought, 'Let's give it a good hit-and-a-miss,' and it hit."
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
'Idol' to pack the house -- and schedule
"American Idol" finalist Phil Stacey is in Wichita to put on a benefit concert for Greensburg.
But tonight's sold-out concert isn't the only item on Stacey's whirlwind agenda.
He's going to meet with concert sponsors. Have a barbecue and reunion with old Wichita pals. Partake in his-and-hers massages with wife, Kendra.
And, per his own request, Stacey hopes to take a tour of Greensburg today.
"We're still hopeful he can do that," Brett Harris, the Wichita disc jockey who organized Stacey's trip, said Monday.
Stacey, a 1997 graduate of Wichita's Northwest High School, will perform tonight in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,900 at Central Christian Church.
Harris is hoping the show will raise $50,000 for the Salvation Army's fund for Greensburg Tornado Relief.
The concert came about after an off-hand comment Harris made to Stacey during a radio interview a couple of weeks ago.
Stacey had just been booted from "American Idol" (tied for a respectable fifth place) and had called in to Harris' morning radio program on B-98, (97.9-FM).
"It was in the middle of the interview, and I flippantly said, 'We need to drag you out here for a benefit concert,' " Harris said. "And there was a pause and then a, 'Sure. No problem.' "
It wasn't quite that simple, though.
For the next week, Harris spent his days on the phone trying to gain approval from "American Idol" people and from Stacey's superiors in the Navy, who had to agree to extend his leave by one day.
Then there was the matter of transportation. Harris, a flight enthusiast and pilot who does part-time sales for Yingling Aviation, discussed the visit with Yingling's president, Lynn Nichols. He promptly offered to charter a flight for Stacey and his family from their home in Jacksonville, Fla.
On Monday, Harris and a crew took a Yingling prop jet to Jacksonville to pick up Stacey, his wife, Kendra, and his two young daughters, Chloe and McKayla.
As soon as tonight's concert ends, they'll immediately board the plane and head back to Florida, where Stacey is expected to report for duty on Wednesday morning.
The concert, Harris said, will feature Stacey singing most of the tunes he performed while on "Idol," and he has plenty to choose from. During his 11-week-run, Stacey sang hits ranging from Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory" to Keith Urban's "Where the Blacktop Ends."
Stacey, who will be backed by local cover band Three Ring Circus, also hopes to perform a few hits by one of his Christian music heroes, the late Rich Mullins.
Among the concert attendees will be survivors of the Greensburg tornado and the Greensburg city administrator. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius hopes to attend, Harris said, and Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer will declare this "Phil Stacey Day."
For Stacey's Wichita buddies, the visit feels sort of surreal.
They're used to seeing him when he swings through town and having unlimited access to his time.
This visit is different, though, said one of those friends, Darren Schopf. He's pretty sure he'll see Stacey while he's here, but Schopf bought tickets to the concert just to be sure.
"Normally, when he comes in to visit we spend a good amount of time with him," Schopf said. "But now, he's got a full schedule -- just like when we saw him in Los Angeles."
But tonight's sold-out concert isn't the only item on Stacey's whirlwind agenda.
He's going to meet with concert sponsors. Have a barbecue and reunion with old Wichita pals. Partake in his-and-hers massages with wife, Kendra.
And, per his own request, Stacey hopes to take a tour of Greensburg today.
"We're still hopeful he can do that," Brett Harris, the Wichita disc jockey who organized Stacey's trip, said Monday.
Stacey, a 1997 graduate of Wichita's Northwest High School, will perform tonight in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,900 at Central Christian Church.
Harris is hoping the show will raise $50,000 for the Salvation Army's fund for Greensburg Tornado Relief.
The concert came about after an off-hand comment Harris made to Stacey during a radio interview a couple of weeks ago.
Stacey had just been booted from "American Idol" (tied for a respectable fifth place) and had called in to Harris' morning radio program on B-98, (97.9-FM).
"It was in the middle of the interview, and I flippantly said, 'We need to drag you out here for a benefit concert,' " Harris said. "And there was a pause and then a, 'Sure. No problem.' "
It wasn't quite that simple, though.
For the next week, Harris spent his days on the phone trying to gain approval from "American Idol" people and from Stacey's superiors in the Navy, who had to agree to extend his leave by one day.
Then there was the matter of transportation. Harris, a flight enthusiast and pilot who does part-time sales for Yingling Aviation, discussed the visit with Yingling's president, Lynn Nichols. He promptly offered to charter a flight for Stacey and his family from their home in Jacksonville, Fla.
On Monday, Harris and a crew took a Yingling prop jet to Jacksonville to pick up Stacey, his wife, Kendra, and his two young daughters, Chloe and McKayla.
As soon as tonight's concert ends, they'll immediately board the plane and head back to Florida, where Stacey is expected to report for duty on Wednesday morning.
The concert, Harris said, will feature Stacey singing most of the tunes he performed while on "Idol," and he has plenty to choose from. During his 11-week-run, Stacey sang hits ranging from Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory" to Keith Urban's "Where the Blacktop Ends."
Stacey, who will be backed by local cover band Three Ring Circus, also hopes to perform a few hits by one of his Christian music heroes, the late Rich Mullins.
Among the concert attendees will be survivors of the Greensburg tornado and the Greensburg city administrator. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius hopes to attend, Harris said, and Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer will declare this "Phil Stacey Day."
For Stacey's Wichita buddies, the visit feels sort of surreal.
They're used to seeing him when he swings through town and having unlimited access to his time.
This visit is different, though, said one of those friends, Darren Schopf. He's pretty sure he'll see Stacey while he's here, but Schopf bought tickets to the concert just to be sure.
"Normally, when he comes in to visit we spend a good amount of time with him," Schopf said. "But now, he's got a full schedule -- just like when we saw him in Los Angeles."
'Idol' runner-up McPhee projects a new image
Coupled with her new sex-kitten image, Katharine McPhee's sound suggests that she’d be a strong candidate for the Pussycat Dolls reality show.Taylor Hicks is headlining in clubs and casinos. Kellie Pickler is opening for Brad Paisley. Chart-topping Chris Daughtry is gigging all over the place.
Last year’s “American Idol” finalists are working it harder than any of their predecessors.
Runnerup Katharine McPhee has hit the radio-concert circuit, Minneapolis, Allentown, Pa., and New Haven, Conn.
McPhee, 23, is promoting her self-titled CD, which was a curveball to “Idol” worshippers. After showing off her big, Broadway-ready voice on TV, she gave herself a musical makeover, serving up a collection of dance pop, R&B and pop.
Coupled with her new sex-kitten image, the sound suggests that she’d be a strong candidate for the Pussycat Dolls reality show.
We caught up with McPhee — her publicist calls her Katharine, not Kat — before she started her radio tour to talk about her single (“Over It”), career and “Over the Rainbow.” She was much more talkative than champion Hicks — and a lot funnier.
Q. What can we expect from you?
A. I’ll be singing four to five songs. You’ll get to know me a little bit more as a personality and as performer. Because on “Idol” you didn’t get to see us perform; it was like one two-minute song and then you were finished. This gives you a chance to let the nerves subside.
Q. We’re not going to hear “Over the Rainbow,” I take it.
A. No, you’re not. I’m sorry.
Q. When was the last time you performed that?
A. Gosh, I don’t even remember. On the “Idol” tour, I sang it every night.
Q. People look at your album cover and wonder if you’re going to wear the over-the-knee boots and sweater for this performance.
A. No.
Q. Is that an outfit you wear very often?
A. Oh, yeah. I wear it out all the time. Heh-heh-heh.
Q. You had a glamorous image on “Idol.” What kind of image are you looking for now?
A. It’s more about what’s in right now. I like little dresses. I still like the long dresses as well. It’s summer so a little bit more cute, sexy. An album cover is really different from what you wear every day. At least this album cover.
Q. Your album had a big first week of sales (116,000) and then has slowed down. How do you feel about the reaction to the album so far?
A. It’s what I predicted it would be with the current single. I don’t think it was one of those songs that was going to drive record sales up to crazy numbers. It’s a good introduction to the new sound. It wasn’t my favorite song off the new record; so I’ll be candid about that. More important, I’m really excited about the next single, which is “Love Story.”
Q. There are a lot of different musical styles on the album. What were you trying to do?
A. My initial approach for the record was to have it in the vein of “Love Story,” “Not Ur Girl,” “We’ve Got Each Other.” Then a few ballads made it on. There are a lot of politics that go on with the first record and a lot of things that you don’t think you have control over and then later you realize ‘oh, I had a little bit more control than I thought.’ ... I think it’ll be a little more my way on the second record.
Q. Your album hasn’t been a blockbuster and either has Taylor’s. How do you feel about that?
A. I think the record industry is in a weird place right now. Considering that Taylor didn’t have anything on the radio, he’s done pretty well for himself.
I have to say I’m very satisfied where I am right now. Coming off a show where everything happens so fast and you rise to the top so quickly, (it’s good) being able to kind of be on the other side now and see how other artists have to start out. I can certainly say now that I’ve had to do things to try to work my way to the top; it wasn’t just all handed to me. I kind of appreciate this way my music is evolving. We have three more singles to go. As far as sales go, I don’t pay attention to the weekly reports nor do I want to know about them.
Q. You have said that “American Idol” saved your life. Could you explain what you mean by that?
A. I was able to be more focused on my career and the possibilities of what could happen as opposed to an eating disorder.
Q. Was being runnerup a blessing or a curse?
A. Everything has been a blessing. Chris will tell you that being fourth is a blessing; he’s doing great. We’re all doing great in our own way. We’re all hitting different markets. If I had won, I’d probably be in the same situation right now. That’s fine with me.
Q. When you appeared on Tyra Banks’ show in February, people wonder about what you thought when she grabbed your breast to determine if it was real or enhanced?
A. Well, she asked me. It was just a fun, cute little show. I didn’t realize that people would make such a big deal about it for weeks to come. That’s how I’m with with my girlfriends — I’m really playful and fun. That’s what it was like with Tyra. I was just having her help me clarify a rumor.
Q. You appeared on the sitcom “Ugly Betty.” What’s your future with acting and dancing?
A. I’m taking ballet. Just kidding. I’m not like: “Oh, the door’s open; I have to get into a movie.” I’d rather take some time to find the perfect project than to just rush into something.
Monday, May 28, 2007
American Idol – Self Improvement Brought to Life By Jordin Sparks
So, another season of American Idol comes to an end with the crowning of Jordin Sparks as American Idol 2007. On the night, she was a deserving winner, as well as being a beautiful person and a wonderful singer. Only the most cynical and spiteful of observers can argue that American Idol does not produce some great singers, it does; or that Jordin is not one of them, she is. We know already that the top three, as last year, will probably be superstars. So we can look forward to great things and big album sales from Melinda Doolittle and Blake Lewis, as well as Jordin.
Apart from loving music of many types, one of the reasons I enjoy American Idol is the way, when it gets down to the final 16 and the serious singing contest, you can watch as young talented people develop before your eyes. The whole process of American Idol ensures that every contestant, making the final stages in Hollywood, will get coaching and encouragement by professionals in their field; singing, performance, image, dress, movement around the stage, and every other aspect of being a star singer, everything seems to be covered, as you can observe those who are destined to succeed listen watch and learn.
Apart from that, you can observe the pressure mount each week and see how each contestant handles it. To be successful, they need to absorb and grow, just as with any other profession. But in their case, they do so under intense publicity over a four month period; the successful have to soak up more and more pressure each week. Some respond well to the pressure, while others start to fade and cannot move to the next level of performance needed to reach the top 6 and beyond. Most start from obscurity; many come from relatively poor backgrounds.
Self improvement writers can be quite snobbish, and many would dismiss a so called reality show, especially when they see the freak show element of American Idol, as being of any relevance with success or achievement. They would be wrong to do so. Each year in American Idol we see great examples of young people going through a self development process, condensed into a very short period of time.
Transformations can be outstanding, as you observe some singers improve week by week in every aspect of their performance. You also get to see how they respond to set backs, such as having to sing outside of their comfort zone, or incur the wrath of Simon Cowell’s barbed tongue. Others you can see grow for a while and then suddenly fade; it is a fascinating show to observe. To me it is simply a singing or talent contest, not a reality show, which consistently reveals some amazing talents in American youth.
Jordin Sparks has been one of the best examples yet. Although I have always liked Jordin, when the contest first started she seemed far off the talent levels of the likes of Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones. However, by the time she reached the top 10 I was starting to take more notice. “Jordin’s going to make the top 4, even the final”, I began to tell myself.
Of all the contestants, Jordin Sparks improved the most over the period of the contest, and as we reached the top 5 she was running quite close to Melinda in some performances. I was starting to see a Melinda/Jordin final, rather than a Lakisha/Melinda final. In the end, we had a Blake/Jordin final, and it was Jordin who carried the crown.
So, why did Jordin progress so much? Why did she become the 2007 American Idol and not Blake Lewis, Lakisha Jones or Melinda Doolittle?
In the end, her bubbly personality, beauty, and youth may have helped tip the balance in her favor. But they would have meant little if she had not persevered in developing her singing talent as the contest went on. What she was able to do was take her singing ability, and work at it as hard as she could for the duration of the contest. She showed strength of character whenever there was any criticism, and she learnt from her mistakes as she went along. Off screen, I suspect she was one of the keenest contestants when it came to listening to the advice of her advisors, those who were already in the business and knew how to become a star in every respect.
Ultimately, she did just enough to become a deserving American Idol; a beautiful young woman (in all ways) who has star quality written right across her face; but her head and heart have remained exactly in the right place, all through the contest, right until the final.
No wonder her proud parents watched with awe and tears combined. Their daughter, Jordin Sparks, is a star, but a personable and modest one who we will see so much more of over the coming decades.
Apart from loving music of many types, one of the reasons I enjoy American Idol is the way, when it gets down to the final 16 and the serious singing contest, you can watch as young talented people develop before your eyes. The whole process of American Idol ensures that every contestant, making the final stages in Hollywood, will get coaching and encouragement by professionals in their field; singing, performance, image, dress, movement around the stage, and every other aspect of being a star singer, everything seems to be covered, as you can observe those who are destined to succeed listen watch and learn.
Apart from that, you can observe the pressure mount each week and see how each contestant handles it. To be successful, they need to absorb and grow, just as with any other profession. But in their case, they do so under intense publicity over a four month period; the successful have to soak up more and more pressure each week. Some respond well to the pressure, while others start to fade and cannot move to the next level of performance needed to reach the top 6 and beyond. Most start from obscurity; many come from relatively poor backgrounds.
Self improvement writers can be quite snobbish, and many would dismiss a so called reality show, especially when they see the freak show element of American Idol, as being of any relevance with success or achievement. They would be wrong to do so. Each year in American Idol we see great examples of young people going through a self development process, condensed into a very short period of time.
Transformations can be outstanding, as you observe some singers improve week by week in every aspect of their performance. You also get to see how they respond to set backs, such as having to sing outside of their comfort zone, or incur the wrath of Simon Cowell’s barbed tongue. Others you can see grow for a while and then suddenly fade; it is a fascinating show to observe. To me it is simply a singing or talent contest, not a reality show, which consistently reveals some amazing talents in American youth.
Jordin Sparks has been one of the best examples yet. Although I have always liked Jordin, when the contest first started she seemed far off the talent levels of the likes of Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones. However, by the time she reached the top 10 I was starting to take more notice. “Jordin’s going to make the top 4, even the final”, I began to tell myself.
Of all the contestants, Jordin Sparks improved the most over the period of the contest, and as we reached the top 5 she was running quite close to Melinda in some performances. I was starting to see a Melinda/Jordin final, rather than a Lakisha/Melinda final. In the end, we had a Blake/Jordin final, and it was Jordin who carried the crown.
So, why did Jordin progress so much? Why did she become the 2007 American Idol and not Blake Lewis, Lakisha Jones or Melinda Doolittle?
In the end, her bubbly personality, beauty, and youth may have helped tip the balance in her favor. But they would have meant little if she had not persevered in developing her singing talent as the contest went on. What she was able to do was take her singing ability, and work at it as hard as she could for the duration of the contest. She showed strength of character whenever there was any criticism, and she learnt from her mistakes as she went along. Off screen, I suspect she was one of the keenest contestants when it came to listening to the advice of her advisors, those who were already in the business and knew how to become a star in every respect.
Ultimately, she did just enough to become a deserving American Idol; a beautiful young woman (in all ways) who has star quality written right across her face; but her head and heart have remained exactly in the right place, all through the contest, right until the final.
No wonder her proud parents watched with awe and tears combined. Their daughter, Jordin Sparks, is a star, but a personable and modest one who we will see so much more of over the coming decades.
'American Idol' LaKisha Jones Visits Hometown
FLINT, Mich. -- LaKisha Jones made a triumphant return to her hometown Sunday night, when an estimated 500 people turned out to welcome the "American Idol" contestant.
Fans, some carrying posters, balloons and roses, chanted "Kisha! Kisha!" as Jones rode down the escalator at Bishop Airport in her first visit to Flint since January.
"Hello, Flint! It's good to be here!" Jones told the crowd swarming around her podium in the airport lobby. "I want to thank Flint for your love, your support, your encouragement and your votes."
The 27-year-old bank clerk became a fixture on the top-rated Fox television singing competition. Jones made the semifinals in February, got an on-camera kiss from sometimes-churlish judge Simon Cowell and remained in the running until May 9, when she was outpolled by Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis and eventual winner Jordin Sparks.
Jones flew from Los Angeles to Flint to pick up her 4-year-old daughter, Brionne, who stayed with Jones' mother, Beverly Jefferson, during her "Idol" run. She and her daughter were to leave Tuesday for a visit to Houston, where she lived for six years, The Flint Journal reported.
Jones told the Flint crowd she looked forward to a longer stay in June, when the city will hold a rally in her honor.
Fans, some carrying posters, balloons and roses, chanted "Kisha! Kisha!" as Jones rode down the escalator at Bishop Airport in her first visit to Flint since January.
"Hello, Flint! It's good to be here!" Jones told the crowd swarming around her podium in the airport lobby. "I want to thank Flint for your love, your support, your encouragement and your votes."
The 27-year-old bank clerk became a fixture on the top-rated Fox television singing competition. Jones made the semifinals in February, got an on-camera kiss from sometimes-churlish judge Simon Cowell and remained in the running until May 9, when she was outpolled by Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis and eventual winner Jordin Sparks.
Jones flew from Los Angeles to Flint to pick up her 4-year-old daughter, Brionne, who stayed with Jones' mother, Beverly Jefferson, during her "Idol" run. She and her daughter were to leave Tuesday for a visit to Houston, where she lived for six years, The Flint Journal reported.
Jones told the Flint crowd she looked forward to a longer stay in June, when the city will hold a rally in her honor.
AMERICAN IDOL - Why do we watch Dancing and Singing talent shows?
There a thousands of young adults that can sing and dance. They wait in line, in the rain, in the heat and in the hope they will get picked to be on either of Fox's top rated talent shows Fox Broadcasting Company: So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol: Official FOX Site . They want to be the next Carrie Underwood, or Benji Schwimmer. Their friends and family encourage them to try out, some of them are real good and others ... well then there are others. In the never ending race of ratings, the producers of these shows focus more on the bad than the good in the first weeks. It is not really kind or funny, but they think it is. The good ones stand out and you remember what city they started out in as they carry out the accepting letter to go Hollywood and be in the finals.
So in the interest of time, I skip to the last weeks of the finals, when it gets down to 12 contestants in each show. I root and rave about my favorite. I wanted to be a Broadway dancer, so dancing makes me smile. As far as a singer, that was never encouraged by my family, so I would never have to be profiled on the bad entries. Each week, each show spotlights different genres-- Hip Hop, Waltz and Free Style-- on So You Think You Can Dance. On AI, they have Bon Jovi, Blues, or Pop music. It gives the group of hopefuls a chance to show their range of talent. While one may be great at Hip Hop or the Blues, they don't do well at Waltz or Bon Jovi.
What the producers want is an overall talent that transcends all the genres. They want the American standard. The triple talent. One that can sing, dance and have that special something. The thing that makes them shine. The thing that makes us fall in love with them. Each season, as the final show arrives, the winners from previous years are brought back to show how they fared. Every now and then, there may be someone that fans forgot, but they get their moment in the sun again for 15 more minutes.
This week on AI, voters picked a new winner. With far more votes than in any American Presidential Election that I know of, over 70 millions viewers voted and Jordin Sparks won over Blake Lewis. Two very different singers appealing to different fans. In fact, the last 4 or 5 finalists will do well. Remember Clay Aiken or Chris Daughtry?
ON SYTYCD, last years winner-- Benji Schwimmer-- is not so famous. But he was one heck of a dancer and very much liked by this old gal. Thursday, Fox starts a new season of the dancing show and I will be dancing along with it. But this show can not compare to ABC's Dancing with the Stars. The kids on So You Think You Can Dance have done nothing else but train to dance all their young lives. They eat, sleep and dream dance. They don't have famous friends to cheer them on. They rely of the extra job their parents take to afford dancing lessons. They stay after school to use the Gym. They use baby sitting money and after school jobs to buy their dance shoes.
Dancing and singing is a God given talent, so I stand up and cheer for each one that gets a chance to share that talent with the fans. Each final show brings me joy in seeing a young adult get a chance to make their dreams come true. We watch to see the kid next door make good. To see the pride in their families for all the hard work that brought them to this time and place. We watch because this is reality TV. Nice things happening to nice people. Not like a Jerry Springer show that rips people’s lives apart as the crowd cheers. I only cheer for winners and the talent shows are the ones to watch, for me.
So in the interest of time, I skip to the last weeks of the finals, when it gets down to 12 contestants in each show. I root and rave about my favorite. I wanted to be a Broadway dancer, so dancing makes me smile. As far as a singer, that was never encouraged by my family, so I would never have to be profiled on the bad entries. Each week, each show spotlights different genres-- Hip Hop, Waltz and Free Style-- on So You Think You Can Dance. On AI, they have Bon Jovi, Blues, or Pop music. It gives the group of hopefuls a chance to show their range of talent. While one may be great at Hip Hop or the Blues, they don't do well at Waltz or Bon Jovi.
What the producers want is an overall talent that transcends all the genres. They want the American standard. The triple talent. One that can sing, dance and have that special something. The thing that makes them shine. The thing that makes us fall in love with them. Each season, as the final show arrives, the winners from previous years are brought back to show how they fared. Every now and then, there may be someone that fans forgot, but they get their moment in the sun again for 15 more minutes.
This week on AI, voters picked a new winner. With far more votes than in any American Presidential Election that I know of, over 70 millions viewers voted and Jordin Sparks won over Blake Lewis. Two very different singers appealing to different fans. In fact, the last 4 or 5 finalists will do well. Remember Clay Aiken or Chris Daughtry?
ON SYTYCD, last years winner-- Benji Schwimmer-- is not so famous. But he was one heck of a dancer and very much liked by this old gal. Thursday, Fox starts a new season of the dancing show and I will be dancing along with it. But this show can not compare to ABC's Dancing with the Stars. The kids on So You Think You Can Dance have done nothing else but train to dance all their young lives. They eat, sleep and dream dance. They don't have famous friends to cheer them on. They rely of the extra job their parents take to afford dancing lessons. They stay after school to use the Gym. They use baby sitting money and after school jobs to buy their dance shoes.
Dancing and singing is a God given talent, so I stand up and cheer for each one that gets a chance to share that talent with the fans. Each final show brings me joy in seeing a young adult get a chance to make their dreams come true. We watch to see the kid next door make good. To see the pride in their families for all the hard work that brought them to this time and place. We watch because this is reality TV. Nice things happening to nice people. Not like a Jerry Springer show that rips people’s lives apart as the crowd cheers. I only cheer for winners and the talent shows are the ones to watch, for me.
American Idol Jordin Sparks Crush Re: Angelina Jolie Beau Brad Pitt
Attention Angelina Jolie, Jordin Sparks has a crush on Brad Pitt. American Idol winner is a 'normal' teenager with a crush on the boyfriend of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt.
Jordin Sparks revealed her crush in an AP interview last week saying, "he's just really cute."
Sparks, 17, hastened to note that she doesn't know the actor also known as Angelina Jolie's main man and baby's daddy.
Sparks took part in a teleconference in which she was asked about everything from her favorite star to what she thought her earning potential might be, reports the AP.
"I don't know. I'm just looking forward to doing the best that I can do," the perky teenager replied. "I'm just a normal, quirky 17-year-old," she said.
Jordin Sparks revealed her crush in an AP interview last week saying, "he's just really cute."
Sparks, 17, hastened to note that she doesn't know the actor also known as Angelina Jolie's main man and baby's daddy.
Sparks took part in a teleconference in which she was asked about everything from her favorite star to what she thought her earning potential might be, reports the AP.
"I don't know. I'm just looking forward to doing the best that I can do," the perky teenager replied. "I'm just a normal, quirky 17-year-old," she said.
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