American Idol

American Idol’s Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams

Debut Video for "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

in American Idol, Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Music Videos

Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams were two of my favorite American Idol contestants in season 10, so to say I’m excited about their duet is a gross understatement. The song and the video are everything I’d hope for, and expect, from these two. It showcases their amazing vocals and colorful personalities.

I only hope Haley and Casey will make an album together really soon. Really, really soon. Until then, know this: I’ll buy anything and everything with either one of their names attached to it. Love them and love them muchly.

What You Need to Know
American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart has just debuted her new video for Baby, It’s Cold Outside, a jazzy rendition of the holiday classic featuring fellow Idol alum Casey Abrams. The video, which premiered today on Yahoo, takes a behind the scenes look at the pair in the studio recording the track, which was produced by Busbee (Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry) at Conway Studios in Los Angeles.

On season 10 of Idol, Haley and Casey were known for their unique, standout performances and jazzy vocal style, and quickly became fan-favorites. Entertainment Weekly called their jazz performance on Idol one the best duets of all time on American Idol. I couldn’t agree more.

What You Need to Do!

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” will be available digitally November 21st, and will appear on Haley’s debut album due early next year. Get the latest news from Haley on her website, HaleyReinhart.com. CAN’T WAIT!

I could listen to their version for hours on end. In fact, I believe I will….

Congratulations Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina!

The Newest American Idol and Runner Up

by Joi

in American Idol, Country Music

Congratulations to 17 year old Scotty McCreery, the Season 10 winner of American Idol! I really thought Scotty and Lauren were the ones to beat this season. Their voices are just impeccable.

Be sure to grab his single “I Love You This Big” along with his Season 10 compilation album, which features full-length versions of 13 tracks that he performed while competing on the show, including Lonestar’s “Amazed” and “Gone” by Matchbox 20.

Runner-up Lauren Alaina’s new single “Like My Mother Does” is also available for download, on its own or part of her compilation album. Lauren Alaina American Idol Season 10 features her version of tracks by Faith Hill, Miley Cyrus, Elton John and 10 additional performances.

Both singles and the compilation albums are available now, exclusively on iTunes.

This was a wonderful season of American Idol – so much talent. The tour should really be something else!

Crystal Bowersox: Me and Bobby McGee

Memorable American Idol Performance

by Joi

in American Idol, Crystal Bowersox, Music Videos, New Artists

In the last post, I mentioned Crystal Bowersox and it was all it took to make me want to re-watch her Me and Bobby McGee performance from American Idol. It’s one of my all-time favorite American Idol moments. The girl just pours so much passion and emotion into everything she does.

Sigh. Love her.

Pia Toscano Snags a Record Deal

File Under, No Duh!

by Joi

in American Idol, Pia Toscano

Pia Toscano’s elimination from American Idol will go down with the all-time shockers (nearly as shocking as Chris Daughtry’s or the fact that Crystal Bowersox didn’t win – I’m still trying to cope with those). Not surprisingly, Pia has scored a record deal. She, somehow slipped through the American Idol voting cracks, but she didn’t fly under the industry’s radar.

Far from it.

From UsMagazine.com:

“Pia is being signed to a deal with Interscope Records who are rushing her into the studio to record an album ASAP,” a source familiar with the contract talks tells Us. “Starting [Thursday] night after the show, Interscope told her they wanted her and first thing [Friday] morning Interscope brass started calling every top songwriter and producer in town to get an album together and rush release it.”

Here’s the thing. This season is PACKED with talent, from top to bottom. From here on out, each elimination is going to leave us all shaking our heads. On the positive side, Pia is said to be handling everything exceptionally well and looks forward to what her future holds. No doubt… many, many wonderful things.

Best of luck to a beautiful girl I know we’ll be hearing A LOT from. If she can connect with the people who gave Kelly Clarkson her start, there’s no telling how far Pia will go. As a vote of my confidence in her, you’ll notice I’ve already given her her own category here on the music blog.

Serious stuff, that.

Pia Toscano Slaying it With I’ll Stand By You on American Idol:

Chris Medina What Are Words?

You Don't Want to Miss This One

by Joi

in American Idol, Chris Medina, Music Videos, New Artists

One of the standout stories from American Idol has been the beautiful story of Chris Medina. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the cut and was sent home this week.

It’s certainly not the last we’ll hear from this ridiculously talented man, though. I mean, if we didn’t know it when he walked out those doors (what an exit! – he left J Lo in tears, Randy and Steven near nears and got a huge show of support and love from Ryan), we know it now.

Fans across America now have the opportunity to show their support for Chris Medina. An original song based on his very emotional story, What Are Words, (19 Recordings/Interscope) written and produced only a few days ago especially for Medina to perform by acclaimed hitmaking songwriter-producer Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige), debuted this week, and is available digitally for download. A video, shot this past weekend, just premiered today on AOL.com.

In case you haven’t caught Idol this year, here’s Chris Medina’s moving story: Chris is a 26-year-old barista from Illinois who captured the hearts of viewers for more than simply his vocal talent. His story of becoming the primary caregiver to his fiancée, Juliana Ramos, who was severely injured in a car accident just months before they were scheduled to wed, won him fans around the country. One of those touched by the story was Jerkins, who was so inspired that he penned What Are Words for Medina to record earlier this week.

To go from a mass audition in Milwaukee to the American Idol stage in Hollywood and then to record an original song by and for Rodney Jerkins has been an amazing journey not just for me but for Juliana, said Medina. To be able to work in the studio with someone of his stature was a dream come true.

Added Jerkins: When I heard the story of Chris and Juliana, the words and music just flowed. Sometimes a song is more than a song and thats really true with What Are Words.

Below is the video of the moment the world also fell a little more in love with Steven Tyler:

I’ve listened to Chris Medina’s What Are Words three times already today – so I guess you know what that means…. Exactly, it’s time for number 4. Seriously, this is better than anything I’ve head on the radio for weeks.

Now, This IS American Idol!

Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest Bring the Magic Back

by Joi

in Aerosmith, American Idol, Jennifer Lopez

I remember how exciting and fun American Idol was during it’s first 5 or 6 seasons. I remember waiting all week for Ryan Seacrest to say the magic words, “This IS American Idol!’ Then the music and I’d both get carried away.

Sadly, the show took a foul turn for the worse. Simon seemed to lose interest (he always seemed crabby and bored), Paula seemed to lose her mind (she always seemed like her mind was floating somewhere near Jupiter). The shows also took a turn for the worse when each episode seemed to focus more on the “featured” star of the night. Who cares?!?!? We tune in to see the IDOLS. We want to hear more about them and more from them.

To be honest, the past few years were just too painful to even watch. A show I was once obsessed with became something I just ignored.

I tuned in to the first episode of American Idol this season and, lo and behold, I fell in love with the series all over again. Randy Jacks0n and Ryan Seacrest are back, and quite frankly, I’d missed them. To their credit, through it all – they never lost their enthusiasm, passion, energy, or sense of humor. They were the only things consistent about the series throughout the good years, the bad years, and the years I wish had never happened.

The remarkable thing is, the guys brought more magic with them this year – Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. Lightening didn’t just strike American Idol, it struck twice! Tyler and Lopez have everything Cowell and Abdul lost along the way… and then some

There’s something captivating about all 3 judges (and Ryan Seacrest as well). They obviously have a genuine love and respect for the contestants as well as the show. Unlike Cowell, they aren’t bored or “annoyed” with the contestants. They don’t seek to embarrass or humiliate anyone. They obviously want them to do well. In the Hollywood rounds, it has been SO obvious that Jennifer Lopez is truly pulling for the singers. You can see it in her ridiculously beautiful face – she’s physically WILLING them to do their best.

I love every single thing about what the new judges have brought to American Idol and I’m just truly grateful that I can love the show again. American Idol has reinvented itself and it is honestly better than ever before. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are exactly what American Idol and its fans needed.

This is the show we fell in love with. Welcome back, Idol!

Carly Smithson and We Are the Fallen

by Joi

in American Idol, Music Videos

So, there have been a serious drought in updates lately, right? Right. My only reason is this: The music world has been kind of boring me lately! Sorry, but there you have it.

I’d made a pact with myself that I wouldn’t post another entry until something (or someone) came along that made me glad I had a music blog in the first place.

Thank you Carly Smithson. Thank you We Are the Fallen. Carly wasn’t only one of my all-time favorite Idols ever, she was one of the best singers and biggest talents the show ever saw. Yet they never even registered that fact. This girl, with vocals that take your breath away was subjected to ridiculous treatment when she was on Idol. She had to stand there and take fashion advice from Simon. Fashion advice! She’s in good company, though – Jennifer Hudson also was treated to Simon Cowell fashion advice while on the show. Like Jennifer, I think Carly’s going to be okay.

Lovely Carly and former members of Evanescence have come together to create We Are the Fallen and have snapped me out of my Music Blog doldrums. They’ve released a remastered version of their debut single, ‘Bury Me Alive.’ This outstanding video was conceived by director Kyle Newman and his actress wife Jamie King (who stars in the video).

Using the stages of a burial as a metaphor, the Bury Me Alive video tells the story of a relationship ending after being sold-out or disillusioned.

We Are the Fallen will release their debut, ‘Tear the World Down,’ May 11 in America via Universal Republic. The band will hit the road with HIM later this month for 28 dates. That tour kicks off March 26 in Philadelphia.

Jason Castro Opens Tour to Great Reviews

by Joi

in American Idol, News

This week, Jason Castro hit the road with Caitlin Crosby and label-mate Matt Hires on a cross-country tour. The American Idol alum is only a few shows in, and his set is already receiving great reviews. The New York Times checked out Wednesday night’s show and reflected on the journey that Castro has made from his American Idol audition to his “magnetic set” at Joe’s Pub.

“Earlier this month he released “The Love Uncompromised EP” (Atlantic), a prelude to a full album this spring, and it’s among the most sure-footed records, debut or otherwise, by an “Idol” contestant from any season. Partly that’s because Mr. Castro has had time to marinate, and to woodshed. His season’s winner, David Cook, and runner-up, David Archuleta, both released debut albums about six months after the season finale. But no one rushed Mr. Castro to pin down his style, and he certainly didn’t rush himself. He’s got it down cold now, though: 1960s pop with bright guitars, slashed through with a contrarian streak. It’s as if he were still stuck in one of the genre-themed weeks on “Idol,” but the most apt one. Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz should be nervous.”

Read the rest of the review here and be sure to keep up with Jason Castro on tour at Twitter.com/JasonCastro and JasonCastroMusic.com.

Much success to Jason Castro – he deserves nothing but the best.

Jason Castro Gets Married and Will Begin Touring: Busy January!

by Joi

in American Idol, News

American Idol contestant, and a personal favorite, Jason Castro married his girlfriend Mandy Mayhall in a private ceremony near Dallas on Saturday.

Details of Jason Castro’s wedding haven’t been leaked, but it is said that he made it known via social networking that he married the girl of his dreams. His mother Rene Castro is also rumored to have leaked photographs of the wedding via a social networking site. It is said that the couple left quickly for their honeymoon.

Jason Castro’s The Love Uncompromised EP will be released digitally on January 12, and he is scheduled to start touring later this month. Busy January for Jason, right? I’ll post about his EP as soon as I get the details.

Apparently Jason proposed to Mandy Mayhall while the two were dressed as Beauty and the Beast for Halloween. How cool is that? Their engagement was leaked in November – via a social networking site.

Jason was the fourth finalist during season 7.

The Music Stars With The Hottest Concert Sales

by Joi

in American Idol, Beyonce, Country Music, News, Pictures, Rock

USA Today ran a great piece yesterday that detailed the top 10 grossing tour stars. What I love most is the fact that it’s a great, wild mix! I’ve listed them below, with an accompanying poster (when available).

1. Kenny Chesney – Total Gross: 56 million

Kenny Chesney Framed CD
Buy at AllPosters.com