Season 7: Where Are They Now?

As we enter the final stretch of 2008, and are just 13 days from Season 8 of American Idol, I found myself wondering what the Top 10 finalists from AI7 are up to these days. We certainly hear more from some than others, but I guess I just wanted to write a final wrap-up and send-off on these guys before a new crop of Idol hopefuls dominates our collective experience. I have included MySpace/blog/website links where I've been able to find them, and would encourage you to use those to keep tabs on your favorites from Season 7!

Chikezie (now of one-name fame) was the first out of the Top 10 but has remained busy. Most notably, you may have seen him perform along with David Hernandez, Diana DeGarmo and Kimberley Locke as part of the American Stars on Holiday tour. The show, directed by American Idol associate musical director Michael Orland, ran around the country for 3 weeks in December. According to a recent interview, Chikezie started writing his album after the summer Idols tour finished, and he hopes to release it next year.

Ramiele Mulabuy, of petite stature but bigger voice, has been largely quiet since her Idol run ended, but not completely silent! She has her own website here where you can keep track of All Things Ramiele. In what became a very active Idol holiday music season, Ramiele released a Christmas single, “We Are One (This Christmas)” , from which she will give 2 cents per download to charity (available from her website).

Micheal Johns left the American Idol stage far earlier than most viewers had expected, topping out at Number 8. MJ brought a soulful Aussie swagger that Idol had not yet seen, and with his 6 foot 3 athletic frame, a sexiness that had often been missing as well (IMHO). Many felt it was just a matter of time before MJ would score a record deal and fans would hear more from him outside from AI. Micheal was busy from the day he left Idol, playing with David Foster and making multiple appearances on TV and in person across the country. He also played several shows in the Philippines last month and released a holiday single ("Another Christmas") in December, the proceeds from which will be entirely donated to charity (the Muscular Dystrophy Association and The Red Cross). Well, it took longer than most expected, but as of last week, Micheal Johns was signed to Three Ring Projects, the record company who also (very wisely) has Season 5's Elliot Yamin as a client. So fear not, we have not heard the last of Papa Johns! Keep track of MJ at his MySpace page.

Kristy Lee Cook's MySpace page mysteriously makes no mention of the fact that her 15 minutes of fame appear to be up. Apart from the two Davids, KLC was the first of the rest to be signed by a major record label (Arista/Nashville), a move that surprised a few people including me. What followed was a blur of minor promotional activities, none of which seemed to help lift her and her album from relative obscurity. Selling only 25K copies, 6 months later, she is dropped. Many argued that the album was too hastily assembled (4 days!!) using country rejects from Carrie Underwood, for starters. Well, we'll have to see what KLC does from here on out...keep track of her if you like (I won't).

Carly Smithson is another AI finalist we've not heard much about/from since she left AI. Sure, bits and pieces have cropped up here and there about her singing with Micheal Johns and getting a new tattoo, but by and large, we've not heard much. The latest news is that she is reported to be "writing with a certain Season 5 rocker" and will be releasing an album next year. Read all about it in Carly's blog here.

Brooke White has also been largely absent from the post-AI scene, other than news of her songwriting in Nashville and a benefit performance, and a heartfelt goodbye to her borrowed piano...will we hear more from her in 2009? time will tell...find out at her MySpace page!

Jason Castro...my Jason....oh, how I miss thee. I was delighted to find your Iamsecond webspot and learn just what makes you so special...and that the rest of the world will finally (hopefully) learn it as well. Jason's MySpace page has other bits of info on what he's up to, but I've also read that he has played out a (tiny) bit and released “White Christmas” on the ukulele as a FREE download on Amazon starting on 12/15 which I have amazingly neglected to download. ...wonder if it's still available??!! Go forth and prosper, Jason!

For coming in third place, we've hardly heard "boo" from Syesha Mercado. In fact, I've heard less about her than any other Top 10 finalist. I had to really dig to see what she was up to these days and found just two "sightings"...the first being the appearance (with Randy Jackson) at the “Gala For Children” event at the Beverly Hills Hotel on November 20th, followed by her appearance on the IKEA float (alongside Justin Guarini) in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Day. Wonder if we'll hear anything from her in 2009? You can keep up with her on her blog.

On to the first of the two Davids...and my head has been spinning trying to keep up with David Archuleta. I don't believe he has stopped to take a breath since being named the AI7 runner-up back in May, a feat we've not seen since the Reuben/Clay one-two punch in Season 2. In fact, I think Archie has been every bit as busy and in-demand for appearances as Cookie has been. In addition to releasing a debut CD on November 11th which has just about gone GOLD as of this week (nearing half a mil in sales!) and 2 singles thus far, both with videos, David has made appearances too numerous to mention/list. He just finished a wildly successful radio tour gig thing across the country (the Jingle Balls) in which he performed songs from the CD as well as holiday classics, and he was amazing in the clips I viewed. I gotta tell ya, this kid rocks. I predict a big future for him....I'm excited to see where he goes next! If you haven't picked up David Archuleta, I suggest you do...you'll love it! Keep up with David at his MySpace Page.

Winner David Cook 's debut CD was released one week following Archie's on November 18th and it has already reached Gold status, selling 582,000 copies thus far. What followed the release, like Archie, was what can only be described as an exhausting series of concerts and appearances across the country from Rockefeller Center to Walt Disney World....from a children's hospital in Kansas City to the CNN newsroom in Atlanta. He'll end the year dropping the ball with Ryan Seacrest (sort of ) where he'll perform with Scott Weiland at The Mirage in Las Vegas on NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE airing Wednesday, Dec. 31 (11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. What follows for Cookie in the new year? He's apparently headed to the Philippines for a few shows, and told Rodney Ho that he'll be doing a college campus tour this spring. Road trip anyone? :) Find All Things David at his official website.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Luke Menard Cancer Free

In this holiday season, I am pleased to pass on the wonderful news I just read on

Season 7's Luke Menard. According to Access Hollywood, Luke has been given the all-clear from cancer. As you might recall, Luke was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma earlier this year shortly after leaving Idol. According to this newspiece, Luke still has more than a dozen radiation treatments to go to target the scar tissue left following months of chemotherapy, but he is thrilled to end 2008 with happy news.

Luke says, "We were always praying for this news - to be cancer free. When you're going through chemo, it's kind of a one-day at a time thing. You don't know how you're gonna feel when you wake up in the morning and sometimes you're kind of sick and you're throwing up.

"It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's definitely been a year to remember and a year to forget - being on American Idol, and days after I was eliminated being told I had cancer. It's been a crazy year."

And to help out, most of his medical bills were taken care of by people concerned for him:

"All the producers from American Idol, 19 Entertainment ... David Cook, who won American Idol, ... he has been extremely helpful, even financially with medical bills. 19 Entertainment has helped out with medical bills, so it's been way more than I expected."

Luke has been touring with an a cappella group Chapter 6 and released an album with them called “With The Windows Down” on December 2. He's also been writing music - focusing on writing Christian music - an has even collaborated with AI6's Chris Sligh.

You can keep track of Luke at his blog located here.

Best to you, Luke!

Cook Rocks with Debut CD

If you are like millions of American Idol fans, you eagerly anticipated November 18th as much as I did: the date of the release of the long-awaited debut CD from Season 7's winner, David Cook. Like others, I wondered: would his debut effort match his captivating run on Idol? I loved David Cook's ability to take a song I thought I knew and shake it up into something fresh and different, and for this he stood out among all the other contestants. I also thought he had a great voice, and it sure seemed like he was a nice guy, grounded in family and friends, and he was the picture of grace and humility throughout the season.

Well, his voice sounds great on the CD, and all the press I've seen since his Idol win has shown him to be a humble and caring guy, and he sure seems to be continuing to take his new found fame in stride.

As for the CD, while I like it, and it continues to grow on me the more I listen to it, it isn't as compelling to listen to as his Idol performances were for me. Your mileage may vary. In fact, as much as I disagreed with other's comparisons of David Cook to Chris Daughtry (two artists I think are absolutely nothing alike), musically they sound very much the same to me. The CD is overall a pretty generic-sounding rock-lite compilation, enjoyable I guess, but nothing that offers up evidence of that "wow" factor I saw on Idol...in fact, I find myself reaching for Archie's CD (gasp!) more often than Cookie's! There, I said it.

The fact that DC recorded this CD while jumping across the country on the Idols Live tour this summer is simply amazing (but David Archuleta did that, too). More amazing is that he wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 12 tracks on the disc, the only 2 NOT being "Time of My Life" (the winning song from the Season 7 finale) and the first single off the CD "Light On." For this reason, I think we'll see and hear more of DC after this winter.

Favorite tracks? I took a drive across a couple of states with my family for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and because I knew he wouldn't listen to the whole thing, selected 3 tracks for my husband to listen to. I chose "Heros", "Come Back to Me" and "Permanent".

"Heros" was apparently written for/about his brother struggling with brain cancer. It's a powerful song, and gives evidence to what I experience on a daily basis with both my own kids and myself, and that is the never ending bond we experience with siblings (if we're lucky). I love that he considers his brother a hero, and I feel privileged to be able to share that with them though this song.

"Come Back to Me" is a great song of commitment and of seeing and loving someone for who they are, even though they don't always see the best in themselves.

"Permanent" is a heartbreaking song, again, about his brother, with a haunting piano riff but a message of support and of, hopefully, the permanence of our presence in each other's lives, no matter the circumstances.

Overall, a pleasing freshman effort....but for me, nothing to complain about, but nothing to rave about, either. Perhaps my expectations were too high?

Archie's Debut CD: Good Solid Pop!

I know I'm a week behind in writing this review, but Idolmama's got a few things goin' on. I did stop and buy the CD the day it was released, and took the shrink wrap off in the parking lot with anticipation! I had read some early press, but wanted to draw my own conclusions. Wondered just how Lil' Archie had managed to navigate the post-Idol world and enter the real music biz.

As the title of this post suggests, I like it. The CD is a solid offering of great pop music. I do think "Crush" is the best pop song of the lot (may be the perfect pop song?!) but there are other great ones as well.

My other favs? Smack in the middle: "Little Too Not Over You" is almost every bit as good a song as Crush, and should be the next single. Bonus? This song was co-written by Archie himself! GREAT job. I can also see the video in my head already....very catchy and you'll be singing it shortly after you hear it, whether you want to or not.

My other two favs are love songs (gish....I know he's only 17, but he's a balladeer extraordinaire! With a creamy voice!) I think both "You Can" and "To Be with You" are amazingly pretty songs that David delivers with the kind of maturity I wouldn't expect at this stage. And wonder who is singing background vocals in "To Be with You"? It's none other than our Idol-4th-Judge-to-Be, Kara DioGuardi, who also co-wrote the song.

My only issue is with the cover.... sheesh, it's tough to do with a goofy softie like Archie, but they pulled it off -- he looks like a thug who is about to beat someone up. Inside photos are much better, more representative of who he is....but I guess those wouldn't sell??!

I'll admit, I was one of those Idol viewers who wondered if David Archuleta could make relevant music...I liked him on the show but he just seemed to choose such old songs, and being so young.....I just wasn't sure. Well, I'm sure now that he'll be around for a little while longer. My recommendation for this CD? Buy and enjoy!

Carrie Underwood at Sears Centre Chicago

Carrie Underwood brought her star power to the Chicago area earlier this month (Hoffman Estates, to be exact) and we jumped on the chance to see country's hottest star perform. It was that very day she was asked to cohost the 42nd Annual CMA Awards with Brad Paisley, so I'm sure she was feeling pretty good.

I took my 'tweener and we went with her 'tweener cousin and Mom, and a dear friend who loves her some American Idol. My daughter is a singer, and her cousin is, too, and goshdarnit....Carrie is a role model for young girls and especially young singers. Now, don't I sound old-fashioned! But it's true!

I have to admit, my expectations were somewhat low-ish....I love Carrie and think she is a phenomenal singer but I remember all too well her stint on Idol and her performances in the Idols Tour for Season 4. She had no stage presence (we called her one dance move, if you could call it that, the "Carrie Pee Pee Dance") and her aw, shucks -- and at times, ditsy blonde -- personality were a litte over the top at times. According to WhatNotToSing.com, Bo Bice should have won that season, if based on performance reviews alone.

Well, girl can sing, and SING. And her stage presence has improved since Idol, in that she looked comfortable standing on stage and delivering tunes and actually moved around quite well. Her stage banter let us know that despite her fame, she is still that Oklahoma hometown girl we fell in love with on Idol. I was really impressed with her as live performer and I'm more a fan than ever!

First off, we took bets entering the venue as to how many costume changes she would do. I guessed two, meaning one for each half of her set. I said this knowing this was a low ball number. Sister in law said five, and there was a three thrown out from the tweeners somewhere in the middle. I really had no idea what was reasonable and what would be excessive.

It turned out to be 4 and a half.....we'll get to those details in a minute. But first, the venue. As a veteran of Chicago's concert venues, this was my first trip out to the Sears Centre, about 30 minutes past O'Hare. I was very impressed with this place and hope to come out here again soon. Carrie sang on a Friday night, which gave us some pause, knowing how hellacious traffic can get on the weekend, but it wasn't bad at all, approx one hour and 15 minutes from the city. Parking was easy, and the venue itself -- on the smaller scale at 12,000 seats -- was clean, with good acoustics. Even our seats way up high offered great views, and concessions and restrooms were well-located and never crowded.

Okay, now that we've dispensed with housekeeping details, on to the show. Everyone in my party loved it and thought she sounded and looked absolutely fabulous, which is a bit contrary to the (lame) Chicago Tribune review. Yes, she is from a small town and she reminded us of that (we love it). Yes, she is country with a little bit of rock and roll (who can forget her rendition of Heart's "Alone" during her Idol run??) She is also enormously talented.

The set list: since Carrie has released just 2 CDs since Idol, she doesn't have a overwhelming amount of material to draw from for her first headlining tour, but I can say that what she does have is very, very good. Her two albums to date, 2005's "Some Hearts" and 2007's "Carnival Ride" have together spawned six number-one hits, while her current single "Just a Dream" is at #6 on the Billboard "Hot Country Songs" chart at the time of this writing. I won't even go into all of the other awards and honors she has received in her 4 short years as a recording artist....those years were summed up beautifully in an awesome video montage and were pretty impressive!

So, songs spanned both of her albums, with a cover thrown in on the encore ("Paradise City" by none other than Guns-n-Roses, of all bands). Her set list favored the recent album with all but 2 tracks represented (including one of my personal favorites, "You Won't Find This," but I can't have everything) and a good half of her debut album. Yes, Carrie's portion of the concert was only about 90 minutes, but it was full of great music! Band was very, very good and included a smokin' fiddle player along with banjo and mandolin and a drummer who kept it down. (Note to management: why not introduce these fine folks?)

About the clothes....Carrie had 4 solid "costume" changes, which I guess is reasonable for country's reigning Queen....my rating of 4 and a half comes from the fact that she appeared at one point in a ball gown beginning with a brief interlude to " Inside Your Heaven" which quickly morphed into "I Know You Won't" and beautifully so. But at the song change, she whipped off the bottom portion of the gown and thus wore a cutie little dress....which is why I counted that a half :)

Other favorite moments: some unexpected Who music (a little "Who Are You" musical interlude during one of Carrie's costume changes), and the 3 year old who came on stage to sing "All American Girl" with her.

The American Idol contestant that Simon Cowell (correctly) predicted would not only win Season 4 but go on to sell more records that any other American Idol will continue to bring her signature country pop style to the music scene for a while longer, you betchya.

(Final note: Opening band Little Big Town was fabulous. They are now on my Christmas list! give then a listen!)

Cook's "Light On" released

Today was the day we finally got to hear David Cook's first single from his yet-untitled debut album, dropping in stores (reportedly) on November 18th. I rushed home from my PTA meeting and played it three times (you can play it HERE) and am contemplating my feelings about it...

...I'm certainly in the "like it" camp, although not jumping on the "love it" bandwagon....my fellow blogger at USA Today called it "Daughtry Lite" and I have to agree with that....I think it's catchy, and pleasant, but maybe not as standout-ty as I thought it might be....but I'm sure that will change as the tune grows on me.

What surprises me is how much I like David Archuleta's "Crush" as a single...and now with the video to enhance the story, it's even better.

And DC is entirely too pretty in this picture! What do you think of the song? And the picture? :)

Kara DioGuardi - In Her Own words

I'm intrigued by the addition of a 4th judge to the Idol table in January. Thought this Electronic Press Kit interview with her was a great way to start getting to know her, and thought I would pass it along for your review. In it she admits to being "feisty and opinionated" and thinks Simon is "dead on." Transcript supplied by Fox:

About My Background in Music Industry

I am a working songwriter in the music business. I find talent, I sign talent. I co-own a publishing company where we have 13 to 15 writers at any given time that we represent. Actually one of our writers has the new Archuleta single, “Crush.” I’m in the music business in terms of the day of day of it, finding talent, nurturing talent, writing songs, producing songs. I’ve co-written and written with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Santana, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson. I’ve been nominated for various Grammies. I’ve won the BMI 2006 songwriter of the year. So I’ve definitely spent a lot of time in the music business. I’ve worked my way up from basically nobody wanting to know who I was, to people actually being interested in what I have to say and what I have to do.

So I think I bring a unique perspective to the business because I’m also somebody who was a singer in the beginning of my career and used my voice to leverage my way into the rooms with some of the biggest music producers out there and to cut records. And while I am a songwriter, I’ve always been in the business of making records and I think that makes me viable for
AMERICAN IDOL.

How I Got the Job as Judge

So how did I get this job?! I’m sure everyone wants to know this. My agent called me and he said you are on a short list to be the 4th judge on AMERICAN IDOL and I said “Are you calling for me or did you dial the wrong number?” They were like no seriously this is going on this can happen and I was like there is no way they are going to pick me. Why wouldn’t they pick someone famous? Someone everyone knows? But you know, I guess they saw something about me that they thought was good and they wanted to put somebody who was from the industry on the show and so, I got the job.

How I'm Adjusting to the News

When they told me I was the judge, I just didn’t believe it. I still don’t believe it. I don’t even know what I’m doing here right now. I’m just trying to enjoy it and trying to take it one day as it comes, because it is a big change for me. I’ve basically been in the back of the studio for 17 years the girl that’s going “Hey, I don’t like that line or sing that again.” So it’s gonna be a different experience; so I guess people are going to know me now.

My History with the Show

My history with the show is that I’ve written a bunch of songs that have been performed and released by Idols. I co-wrote “Walk Away” from Kelly Clarkson and with Kelly Clarkson. I co-wrote the “Real Thing” for Bo Bice and actually won two BMI Awards they were extremely performed on the radio. I’ve written with Katherine McPhee and for Katherine McPhee on her record. Clay Aiken [and] I co-wrote “The Way.” Taylor Hicks. I’m probably leaving an Idol out. I’m sorry, which one would that be, I think that’s it.

Oh and I actually have a song now on the David Archuleta CD that’s coming out, I think soon. I co-wrote with David Cook. So hopefully he’ll use that song too, so two songs on the new Idols.

What I Think I’ll Bring to the Show

Well I think I’ll have my own take on things and I kind of bring a unique experience in the sense that I sing and was a singer and I write and I produce and I sign talent and I'm very involved in the day to day of the music industry, like Simon. So I think I’ll bring that perspective, but I’m also very opinionated and pretty feisty and not afraid of a good confrontation, so I’m looking forward to it. Bring it on.

About Paula as a Judge

Well I think Paula brings a lot because she’s sold many records, she’s performed; she knows how hard it is to be an artist and actually turn that dream into reality. And I think that what she does is, she treats the contestants in a kind way and knows that their dream, you know, is a sensitive issue. I think that she does care about them and she wants to make sure that even when criticism is given that they want to keep going and their not, you know, so depressed that it didn’t turn out the way they wanted that they just stop it. I think she’s encouraging, and she’s kind and she’s nurturing; I think that every artist needs to be nurtured.

About Randy as a Judge

Well Randy has just got so much great energy and when he speaks to the contestants he’s coming from a very knowledgeable place. He’s been a great, is a great musician. He’s been out on the road, so he knows what it takes to be a huge superstar and I just think he has a way of being honest, but at the same time helpful and I just think he’s great, has great energy and I really looking forward to working with him.

About Simon as a Judge

Simon. Simon is pretty much dead on. He kinda calls it like he sees it. I like that about him. He’s very honest; he’s funny. And, I think he brings a very unique perspective because he finds artists and sells a lot of records, and he kind of just tells it like it is and I respect that.

About Ryan as the Host

I’ve actually never met Ryan and I’m looking forward to meeting him. And I think he brings. He’s just so approachable, so just feels like the guy next door but yet is so great at being a host. And, I’m really looking forward to meeting him.

What I’ll offer as a Judge

Well, I think there is an inherent responsibility because you are there, you are judging their performances and you have a very unique opportunity to be able to give somebody some of your insight. And, you know I’ve been doing this a long time and I can tell them, ‘you know you really have to do this,’ ‘you really have to do that’ and it’s based on my experience cause I’ve seen people go from not being famous to being uber famous. Or not being great songwriters to being great songwriters and I know how to get them there. So hopefully I will be able to help these Idols whether they win or not so that as they continue on their journey to become artists they can take that with them.

What I Will Look for in Contestants

I am gonna be looking for a unique spin, you know somebody who steps in front of me has something to say -- who has a unique look; who has a great voice; a unique tone; isn’t trying to imitate everybody else that’s out there. And, has incredible self confidence because anybody who has ever really made it, steps on that stage and they own it from the minute they step out there. So I think it’s important that you know they really be themselves and that they’re interesting and that they keep me engaged.

What it Takes to Become a Famous Singer

I think what it takes to be a famous performer or singer is really somebody who doesn’t care what anyone thinks, who loses themselves in the moment, who is authentic, real, believable and follows their heart. I mean, I think some of the greatest songs out there are the ones that connect with us because we all have that experience and it’s the same thing with artistry. When you are looking at someone who is just an amazing performer its cause you really feel what they are putting out there and it becomes almost your own experience and it’s believable. And you know everybody wants to be a rock star, so it’s great to see people turn into that and actually it’s believable and you’re routing for them. You know, that’s what I hope that we find this season, cause it’s really about being a rock star. You know when you say rock star it doesn’t mean you have to be doing rock music, it can be any kind of music, but it’s people who are out there doing their thing. They don’t worry about, ‘am I this, am I that,’ it’s just being yourself and being great at it.

What Makes an Artist a Success

Well, I think there are a lot of things that go into being a successful artist. Obviously you know you have to have the right look, you have to have the right sound, but you have to have the right song. We’ve seen that even in the Idols some of them have been very successful and some of them haven’t. It’s about that winning song. You know “Since You’ve Been Gone” huge song, catapulted Kelly into absolute stardom. So, it’s really important that everything happen at the same time -- great voice, great look, great stage presence and a great song. And all that coming together and just somebody who wants it that bad, because it’s a lot of hard work, it’s not easy.

Why Songwriters love American Idol

Well, I think what started to happen is Idol has been so incredible for song writers because it’s really a great vehicle for them to have their songs out there. You know many, many song writers once the results come out, they always think oh ‘I gotta write a song for this one or that one’ and you know it’s really kept a lot of writers paying their mortgage. So we love Idol! We’re like go Idol! Whose the next one; whose the next one we are going to be writing for and actually keeping our jobs. So we love it.

About My First Day on the Job

I am so excited about my first day of work because I’m going back to New York and that’s my hometown, couldn’t be a better place to set this thing off.

David Cook Meets the Big O

That would be Oprah, natch! I was sitting at my desk at work today, feeling just a little _different_ without knowing exactly why....but the air seemed different. Just then I skipped over to my favorite AI blog (thanks again, MJ!) only to learn that David Cook was in my fair city today taping the season opener for Oprah's talk show, set to air on Monday, Sept 8th! Set your TiVo! She is helping Chicago with it's bid to host the 2016 summer Olympics and kicking off the 23rd season of her syndicated talk show -- convened an Olympic-themed stage down at beautiful and impressive Millennium Park complete with 150 Olympians she reportedly flew in from all over the country, just for this occasion....and added David Cook to sing "Time of My Life" live on stage (acoustic, I'm told) as the athletes filed offstage at the end of the taping.....and WHY was I sitting at work???

Just then my cell phone rang, and it was two dear friends, out of breath telling me they had just high-fived Micheal Phelps, Shawn Johnson and Dara Torres....along with the entire men's water polo team! Calling from Millennium Park, thinking of Idolmama! Now, that's some good friends right there.

I would put a photo of David here but I haven't found one yet!

(ETA: I found this photo at mjsbigblog.com, it's Nastia Liukin and DC in Chicago at the Oprah taping....great, huh? Thanks, MJ!)

MAVID!

One of the funniest things to come out of this year's Idol tour is Mavid...that would be the pet name for the duo of Micheal Johns and David Cook. Yeah, we all know they are best buds, and they certainly show us their Brodance (inspired by their bromance) as evidenced by this compilation of video snaps from the tour, expertly and lovingly compiled by Kristen HERE! Thanks Kristen! (A million percent YES for you:)

I guess this is one way to beat the boredom of doing the exact same thing (more or less) 50 times in a row over about as many nights.....keep 'em coming, Kristen!

(picture courtesy of fanforum.com)

David Archuleta's CRUSH!

The wait is over! Were you wondering what Archie would sound like with an original tune, out in the real world? Wait no more! A new single from David Archuleta was released last Friday on 19 Entertainment's Jive Records, the same arm that did Jordin Sparks' "Tattoo". As usual, MJ has Archtastic coverage of this event and a link to download the tune (which I highly recommend you do) HERE.

We've been playin' it all weekend here at Casa Idolmama and really digging it....very catchy. I don't think it's the best showcase of lil' David's vocal abilities, but it's pretty good. And kudos to whomever matched him up with the perfect debut song! Here is a guy wondering if he's got a crush (what a rush, what a rush...), or if it's really love, and wondering if she could ever feel the same way (it's too much, too much...)

Do you think of me, when you're all alone, of what we could be, where this thing could go...

This will certainly send the tweeners into orbit, and Archie to the top of the charts!

Idols on Tour in Chicago: Recap/Review!

What do you get when you mix one part cheese, two parts product placement, and about 10 parts screaming girls? You get the American Idols Tour 2008!

The AllState Arena in Chicago last night had to be nearly sold-out, and I happily saw all kinds of people there: families, Dads, grandparents, teens, and plenty of Cougars :) This was my tweener daughter and I's third tour (went to Seasons 4 and 6), and the first for my nine year old son, and his first 'arena' show, and he was pumped.

I would rate the Applause-O-Meter at the beginning of the show during a montage of contestants the highest for Micheal Johns and Jason, and then the very highest for the 2 Davids...and I've have to call that one as a tie. I'll include the songs each performed here, although those of you following the tour at all will already know this stuff...I'll include for the benefit of those of you who actually have lives and don't obsessively follow the Idols all over the Internet :)

Chikezie opened with "I Believe to My Soul" by Donny Hathaway, and it was a great opener as many have agreed. I prefer Elliot's version of this song, but Chikezie does good. His other two songs are good, too, but I don't know them: "Caught Up" by Usher, and "So High" by John Legend. I'm busy checking out the scene as his warms up the crowd.

I liked Ramiele on the show, and she has used the opportunity to tour as an opportunity to improve as a singer, but mostly as a performer. Leaps and bounds ahead of the show. Her "I Want You Back" by The Jackson Five was very fun, and her other two numbers were good, too ("Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne, and "If I Never See Your Face Again" by Maroon 5 featuring Rihanna) even though some of the dancing was a bit pageant-y and stiff. At least she was moving! And by golly, she looked like a star!

Micheal Johns! Big entrance! Light show! His three songs were tunes all done on the show, so nothing new ("We Will Rock You"/"We Are the Champions" by Queen; "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" by Dolly Parton; and "Dream On" by Aerosmith). The guy has charisma out the wazoo and the crowd absolutely loves him. And he's so pretty! I'm mesmerized. My fav part was his emphasis on the Queen lyrics "You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it, I THANK YOU ALL!" and that was cool. I'm not sure about his dance moves (he has none, just this bouncy thing that doesn't make sense) BUT the guy rocks. I love the Dolly cover from the show, and I keep asking myself, WHY didn't this guy get farther??? He wins us all over when he whips out a Cubs towel and dedicates "Dream On" to the Cubs World Series 2008 appearance! He also flubbed the lyrics to one of the songs at one point and laughed, "It happens, people!" but we didn't care :)

Kristy Lee Cook: Sparkly tank top ? Check. Hip huggers? Check. Sparkly belt buckle? Check. Wobbly vocals? Check! I see lots of people get up to head out for refreshments and whatever. As the only top 10 cast member to have secured a recording contract other than the two Davids, it doesn't show, and the crowd is polite. She sings "Squeezin' the Love Outta You" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson, "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood, and "Cowgirls" by Kerry Harvick. Lots of prancing around and hip-shaking. I wish her the very best.

I was not big into Carly Smithson on the show.....and while I appreciate that she's a very good singer, I understand again perhaps why she didn't finish higher. She opens with "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence, and while she looks fabulous (despite some wacky, funky black glove thingies), she just looks and sounds angry to me....and I hear this from others, too. I think people had trouble connecting with her for that reason and a few others (Irishness and tats, to name a couple, although I have no problem with either, just saying). I loved her softer side on the show and would have loved to have heard Dolly's "Here You Come Again" or "Blackbird" and be treated to her beautiful vocals, instead I got to hear "Crazy on You" by Heart (shouty) and "I Drove All Night" by Cyndi Lauper, which she does very, very well....but I just don't prefer it. The crowd likes her tho, and it looks like life on the road agrees with her! (I actually heard tunes 2 and 3 from the ladies room and the t-shirt kiosk where we bought a David Cook t-shirt for my son :)

As such, I missed Shoeless Brooke's entrance, but she's on the piano as we come back in singing the beautiful "Let It Be" by The Beatles....sounds very very good, and looks very relaxed and happy. Her second and third songs were not familiar to me ("1234" by Feist and "Yellow" by Coldplay) but they suited her perfectly. She also played the piano on tunes 1 and 3 and guitar on the second, most impressive. I hope we get to see and hear more from her after this tour!

Insert Group medley, featuring the bottom 6:"Pride In the Name of Love" by U2...with some Idol Gives Back footage ...it was a little cheesy but okay.

After an Intermission, where we got refreshed (sort of, they are sold out of white wine! E-gads! There are Cougars in the house after all.....) and bought more t-shirts (I'm sorry to say) the darling Jason Castro took the stage to some of the loudest cheering we'd yet heard. He opens with the awesome "Over the Rainbow" (the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole version) with his ukulele and it's gorgeous. He follows with "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley (which apparently he auditioned with, and we never got to see that footage) and "Daydream" by The Lovin' Spoonful. Just JOY JOY JOY with this boy on stage! Love him. Please tell me there will be more of him. SOON.

Unfortunately for Syesha, she takes the stage and begins singing into a mic that is not working. It takes almost the entirety of "Umbrella" by Rihanna to find one that works and get it to her. Happily, she is able to shrug it off pretty well and continue with a very pretty "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys and a rousing version of "Listen" by Beyonce. Now, Syesha looks....um....really glammy and really....um.....well, enhanced. Either that or her wardrobe people are that good. I don't remember that (those?) from the show. Do you think she'd lend me that dress for my high school reunion next week? LOL . Three words: short, sparkly and plunging.

David Archuleta time. I cannot tell you how deafening the crowd is....the shrieking is so loud, it tops the Hilary Duff concert I took a daughter to years back that had heretofore held the crown of Loudest Shrieky Concert Ever. David plays the piano and sings "Angels" by Robbie Williams just beautifully, "Apologize" by OneRepublic, "Stand by Me"/"Beautiful Girls" by Ben E. King/Sean Kingston, and "When You Say You Love Me" by Josh Groban. He's very, very good and seems relaxed and happy. "Stand By Me" is just incredible. I decide I'll buy anything he puts out.

Finally, the moment we've waited for.....David Cook opens with "Hello" by Lionel Richie and it's as incredible as we remembered from the show. Freshly coiffed and sporting guyliner to boot, DC looks and sounds amazing. Crowd is NUTSO. Don't know what's up with the waist scarf, and he snuck onto the girl's bus and borrowed KLC's sparkly belt buckle! Follows with the obligatory "The Time of My Life" but I have to say, the song has actually grown on me! "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith is a great song when DC does it, but I'm blown away by his version of "My Hero" by Foo Fighters, dedicated to his brother. After a fakeout ending of the concert, he reappears to close with his signature "Billie Jean"...and it's really, really, well done. Wow, me loves this guy! Hurry up with that single and CD, will ya?

Group encore:"Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna....they start out, marching and dancing and all group number cheese factor galore and I whisper under my breath, "Please don't make Jason do this...." but he does, but without so much marching, just walking :) Why all the love for Rihanna? Is there something I don't know about? There's also lots of love for Aerosmith in this setlist, but I gather that's because of the Activision's new Guitar Hero version featuring Aerosmith...remember I mentioned product placement up top? (the other product is Pop Tarts, in case you didn't know).

For terrific video clips and more thoughts from the Chicago show, check out MJ's American Idol blog HERE...you won't regret it!

Overall, even though this post is WAY long already, it was a good show, but I have to say not great for me. I prefer last year's show format where they mixed up all of the contestants into duets and trios, etc....where they performed out of order. This show was very predicable going from 10 to 1 and I wish they would have done a few smaller group numbers....but that's just me.

Have you caught any shows? What did YOU think?

Idol Concert Countdown!

Folks, we've got just a few mere days until the American Idols hit the Windy City (more or less), and I'm excited. I've been tracking _some_ of the reviews out there (trying not to read too much!) and it looks as though they are putting on a great show and people are digging it! I'm curious about the format change this year and how it will work...and of course looking forward to seeing the Davids and MJ. No, I don't have any of those meet-and-greet passes or special perks, even though I am Idolmama ;) but will enjoy the show nonetheless.

Review/recap to follow on Sunday!

Kristy Lee signed to 19/Arista Records (again)

Forget the news that Ruben got married or that teen Paris Bennett is expecting a baby this fall, or that David Cook is apparently still hanging around Kimberly Caldwell. No, this week's most interesting Idol news is that Kristy Lee Cook has been signed to a record contract.

According to USA Today:

"American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook has signed with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. Her first single, 15 Minutes of Shame, arrives Aug. 11, and the album follows in the fall. The album is being produced by Brett James, who co-wrote Jesus, Take the Wheel for former Idol champion Carrie Underwood. The signing marks the return for Cook, 24, to Arista Nashville. She was signed to the label as a teen but dropped before recording anything. Cook will record her album while touring with American Idols Live, which kicks off Tuesday in Glendale, Ariz., and runs through Sept. 13."

Okay, so I'm kind of surprised by this....Brooke, Carly and Syesha all finished higher than her (not to mention Jason). But then again, the country thing seems to do better post-Idol (look at Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington, Phil Stacey, Kellie Pickler....) She certainly got lucky being hooked up with Brett James, what a talent...but how come her single is coming out before Cook and Archuleta can get one out? Let's hope the title of the single doesn't ring true for her....

Folks -- What do you think? Did 19 sign the right non-winning finalist?

Idol Summer Reading List

The last episode of American Idol Season 7 was 6 weeks and 6 days ago...but who's counting?? Just in case those episodes of American Idol Rewind from Season 2 and your Tivo'ed Season 7 episodes aren't enough for you, here is a summer reading list of eight American Idol-related books I found. Most of these can be found at Amazon, and at used prices to boot!

1. I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But...Back Stage Gossip from American Idol and the Secrets that Can Make You a Star by Simon Cowell (2003).

Amazon writes: "From his days in the mail room at EMI Records to the creation of American Idol, Simon has always had a knack for judging talent—and for being center stage. Here, he tells the rollicking stories of his first insult (to his mother), his first music criticism (to first-grade teacher Mrs. Prigg), and his first image makeover (on his unfortunate younger brother). And of course, the side-splitting backstory of the birth of American Idol—and all the dreadful auditions, bad hair days, judges’ squabbles, juicy rumors, surprise triumphs, and #1 singles that followed."

I've actually read this book and really enjoyed it. He dishes about lots of behind-the-scenes from seasons one and two and just learning about his childhood, his parents, the environment in which he grew up helped me understand him a lot better.

2. What's Up Dawg? How To Become a Superstar in the Music Business (by Randy Jackson, 2004).

I've not read this book personally, but as the promo says, "If you think you have what it takes to be the next Beyonce, Justin Timberlake or 50 Cent, or even the next American Idol, read What's Up, Dawg and let's see if you got What's up!" Clear as the phone book, right?

3. Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life (by Clay Aiken, 2005)

I picked this one up at the library a couple of years ago and did enjoy it. One thing I learned from it was that Clay auditioned twice (in two different cities) because he didn't make it past this initial judges the first time....wow. makes you wonder, doesn't it?

4. Idoleyes: My New Perspective on Faith, Fat and Fame (by Mandisa Huntley, 2005).

I have not read this book but for some reason I think she probably tells a good story. Amazon.com writes: "By candidly sharing her own joys, heartaches, triumphs, and failures, Mandisa shows women that they can be beautiful at any size and that healthy self-esteem and personal beauty come only when they accept themselves as a unique and much-loved woman of God's creation. Mandisa also gives readers a very candid, behind-the-scenes look at life as an American Idol contestant."

5. Life Is Not a Fairy Tale (by Fantasia, 2005)

I didn't read this book, but I will admit to watching the made for TV movie on Lifetime and was totally sucked in. Amazon writes: "At the age of seventeen, despite the promise of her extraordinary voice, Fantasia was in danger of becoming just another sad statistic: an uneducated, unmarried teenage mother living in the projects. But Fantasia had been raised by two strong, influential women: Both her grandmother and mother are preachers, and she was raised with an unshakable faith. In Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, Fantasia speaks -- with a spirit as strong as her voice -- about what it takes to believe in the power of one's self."

Best of all, if this book floats your boat, you can get a used copy for just a penny on Amazon!

6. Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way (by Taylor Hicks, 2007)

Have any of you read this? If I could get it for a penny, I might consider it. I wouldn't pay any more than that, tho!

7. Staying in Tune (by Carmen Rasmussen, 2007).

Gee, I didn't know she had put anything out there until I went looking. Wow, everyone has some inspiration to share!

Amazon says: "In this book, Carmen shares never-before-published stories and photos from her life, such as: her experiences as part of the cast of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond, her unique path through the American Idol audition process as Simon Cowell's wildcard selection, her trial and triumphs as an American Idol finalist, her opportunities in Nashville as a country music artist, the joy of her temple marriage, and why the gospel will always be her top priority."

Wait a sec! You mean she doesn't dish on that awesome run on Celebrity Fear Factor when she was partnered with Anthony Federov?

8. Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul (2007)

Aw, gee, I know you've already gotten your copy! This is a pretty good collection of essays from Idol finalists from all seasons as well as stage people, make-up, Debbie Byrd the vocal coach, as well as Paula herself. Quick easy read that my 11 year old is enjoying!

Happy reading!

Camp Should-A-Been!

If you've not checked in with the folks at WhatNotToSing.com lately, you're missing some great fun. They've launched a summer series aptly titled "Camp Should-A-Been" which they describe as follows:

"What would the American Idol season outcomes have been if we viewers had voted solely on performance? A lot different than they actually turned out, that's for sure. Here at WhatNotToSing.com's legendary Camp Should-A-Been, we turn this hypothetical fantasy into...uh, real fantasy, disguised as reality. Plus we throw in a few laughs along the way.

Check back throughout the Summer of 2008 as we replay every episode of every season, with cold, objective, and thoroughly unsentimental voting based on WNTS.com's exclusive Web Approval Ratings. We'll try to put a new episode result online every night."

Season One is well underway, and with some surprising results! A creative and fun way for us to reflect on seasons past and consider what might (should?) have been.....

Hottest Bachelor

Ahem, well, of COURSE! My only question is, what took People magazine so long to name David Cook as one of the hottest bachelors of 2008!

The online edition writes, "He can sing in front of millions of people, but the 25-year-old American Idol winner admits that his stage bravado doesn't always carry over into his personal life. "Looking a pretty woman in the eye and convincing her I'm worth taking a chance on is different. It takes a specific brand of guts, and it's not the kind I have."

There is also a little video clip for you to watch while DC gets his make up and hair done...for some kind of a photo shoot. David admits to having serenaded a woman, but says he is much more nervous doing that than singing in front of 2,000 people. I will try and quickly summarize........What does he look for in a woman? "Confidence and compassion" and says that if you have both of those qualities, you are probably pretty well-rounded. Would he ever date a fan? "Never say never...just have to see how things go." Where does he see himself in 5 years? "Being happy doing what I'm doing....whether that's playing shows all over the country or pumping gas somewhere....things can change...."

Look for your hard copy on newsstands on June 20th...

KC/DC

Okay, so I was mildly upset to learn that David Cook was dating Kimberly Caldwell, like, right out of the Idol womb...I mean, geez! Dave, can you take a little breather before diving right in? Aren't there, like a gazillion OTHER things you should/could be doing right now other than worrying about your social life, which we know will be just fine? And especially with an obnoxious fame-seeking blond??

Then I saw footage of the actual asking out and I realized, hey! He's just like us. He was actually complimenting her, and had NO idea that it would be the most asked-about and followed news piece for him post-Idol. I also saw her interview him post-finale (one of his first interviews after he won) and they were actually really, really cute together and didn't even know it. She shares his history/experience with Idol, which I gather is one of those things no one really "gets" unless you've done it. She is also his age (mid-20's) and sports a couple of tattoos, so really -- they may be just the right fit. Until he comes to Chicago this summer...LOL!

It's actually better for her than it is for him....she is a reality TV show host and semi-has-been Star Search and American Idol finalist...he is suddenly America's hottest and most eligible bachelor...so we'll see what happens. She also seems to have a new single out soon? Or something else to promote? Not surprising.

Personally? I think he aimed a little low....Kelly Clarkson is single and so is Carrie....just saying....

Why David Cook Might Be the Biggest Idol Winner Ever

David Cook might be the biggest American Idol winner ever, and here's why.

I think he has the total package of musical talent, vocal artistry, EQ, youth, singleness, versatility, and a little of what the French call, "I don't know what!" :) (inside joke)

Let's first look at the AI contestant to whom he is most often compared: Chris Daughtry. Chris was a consistent fan favorite who placed 4th in Season 5 but continues to have huge commercial success despite not winning the AI crown. Daughtry was the biggest selling artist of 2007 (yes, you read that correctly!) heading straight to the top of the charts and receiving 4 Grammy nominations.

Daughtry and David Cook share some key similarities: both performed in rock bands in high school and in (gasp!) high school musicals. Both have been defined as "post grunge" artists (which Wikipedia calls "music [that] may often incorporate the distorted guitar, angst-filled lyrics and "loud-quiet" dynamics of grunge, but produce it in a radio-friendly and commercial way." Both Daughtry and Cook have tapped into a fanbase which includes CD buying and iTune downloading fans. Both have been/were signed with 19 Entertainment.

But here's where they differ. I think Cook has all the talent Daughtry has. However, unlike Daughtry, David Cook has a personality and a likability that Daughtry did not demonstrate. Initially under the radar, we got to know Cook as the weeks went by as a humble and kind guy, who placed family above all else, and stayed true to himself as an artist despite the pressures of Hollywood. He humbly included his fellow contestants in his winning magic rainbow "moment" and continues to acknowledge his runner up Archuleta in a fond way. His subtle but powerful tips and nods to his mother and his brothers were endearing. The orange bracelet worn to support the 7yo battling cancer he met early in the season was a heartfelt move. We connected with him, and more so than other recent finalists, Cook seemed approachable and human. Yes, he started the season with a little bit of attitude, which he quickly tamed, demonstrating an EQ that other winners have not always seemed to have. And a final distinction: Cook is single. Daughtry auditioned for Idol as the married father of two, and however lovely that may be, marketing an unattached winner (Kimberly Caldwell notwithstanding) will be far easier!

Additionally, Cook broke out of the predicable idol mold by demonstrating a musicality we've not seen. Agreed that this season's addition of allowing contestants to play instruments benefited several of them and would have helped contestants in previous seasons, but more than that, his contribution of original arrangements and interpretation of classics was amazing. Despite controversy and some criticism for performing songs arranged by other artists (Chris Cornell's "Billy Jean," Whitesnake's "Day Tripper"and Doxology's "Eleanor Rigby,") Cook's performances of "Hello", "Little Sparrow," "Always Be My Baby," "All I Really Need Is You," Baba O'Riley," "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," and "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing" were his own arrangements. Could Kelly, Carrie or Daughtry match that?

Cook also has versalilty as an artist. Here is a guy who easily flowed from country to Neil Diamond to big Broadway to cheesy group numbers without a twitch....he says he will make a "rock album" but the guy has won over the Cougars with ballads, too....and anything else he sings (Randy, let's talk about the phone book!). At no other time has the Idol franchise had the opportunity to embrace such a multi-dimensional winner.

Finally, despite news that this season's Idol viewership was down overall, indicating to some that the mega show may have peaked, voting for the show's finale reached new heights at 97.5 million votes ...indicating to me that it's as big as it ever was, and continues to reach new audiences. Those new audiences love David Cook! And may just help make him the biggest Idol winner ever.

What do you think? Can Cook top Daughtry in CD sales? Could he win the hearts of country fans loyal to Carrie? And should he dump Kimberly and call Kelly (or Carrie?)? Time will only tell how David Cook stacks up to other Idol winners, and Idolmama can't wait to see what happens!

e-mail feed!

Lest you think I'm snoozing, and dreaming about David Cook whilst doing so, I'm busy wrapping up the school year and trying to set up a feed so that you can subscribe to this blog and be notified by email when a new post is made. That would be cool, right? So you could go about the business of summer, never having to come here UNLESS there's something new to read or a new poll to vote in (which I'm hoping will be about once/week).

Stay tuned!

The "landslide" issue...

Course it's Tuesday night and I'm jonesin' for some Idol like many of you, I suspect....funny how you get attached to certain rhythms and routines between the months of, say, January and May?! If the weather were warmer than 45 degrees here in Chicago, it might feel like the May it should be, with Idol over and me onto something else, preferably outside, but it feels like March, and makes me want to snuggle in with Cookie, Archie, Jason and the rest of the gang. (Okay, even Simon!)

I've got a burning issue on my mind and I just have to get it out and discuss (I hope, but you have to help with that so I'm not just talking to myself). Every single bit of AI finale press coverage used the word "landslide". If you Google the words "landslide" and "Idol" together, you will get 2,680,000 hits. Just to recap, David Cook reportably got 56% of the finale vote and David Archuleta got 44% of the votes.

As I've mentioned, I've watched this show since Season 2. And I've got to admit, I can't accept the definition of a 56% to 44% vote as being a landslide! Dictionary.com defines the term as being an "overwhelming victory." I've got an issue. Idol does not typically reveal any vote tallies, so I have nothing to look up on this.

We know that Season 1 was a close vote. I read that Kelly Clarkson got 58% of the votes to Justin Guarini's 42%....and NOBODY called that a landslide, but talked about how close it was.

Season 2, which pitted Clay and Reuben, was a close race since Idol told us that only a few hundred thousand votes separated the two contestants. (Note to self: during free time this summer, research a "few hundred thousand" votes compared to the total votes for Season 2 versus the 12 million separating Season 7's finalists...same proportion?)

Let's take the Season 3 finale. Now, my good friend Susie was not around for that season nor for that spectacular finale, and she is scratching her head after watching the Exorcist Bunny (AKA Fantasia's) performance a couple weeks ago (happily quoting Michael Slezak at Ew.com) and wondering, this chick won?!! YES, she wasn't like that on the show, dawg, and she was good. And my point is, there is no way the season 3 contest was as close between Diana DeGarmo and Fantasia as it was this season, yet they didn't call that one a "landslide" vote. I'm guessing that DeGarmo got, at most, 30% of the votes to Fantasia's 70%, which I would have defined as a landslide victory for Fantasia. DeGarmo was an accomplished singer, yes, but at 17 years of age, just didn't offer the artistry and energy and raw talent that Fantasia consistently delivered.

Likewise, Season 4's matchup between Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice might have been a bit closer than Season 3, but I'll bet it wasn't 56-44, and if it was, I don't recall them announcing it as a close vote or a landslide. Bo got lots of votes for sure; his unconventionality and down home personality were refreshing, and I love him to this day. But Carrie was never in the B3 and had more voting fans. I'm also guessing that despite his talent, Blake Lewis didn't fetch 44% of the votes last season, nor did Kat McPhee in Season 5 up against Taylor Hicks. So why now the "landslide?" It feels to me like salt in David Archuleta's wounds. Or really, I don't know what the intent is by the continued use of this term.

Conclusion? I felt this to be a very close vote, by Idol standards, and a very fair matchup compared to most seasons past where clearly one contestant was favored for whatever reason (talent, popularity, consistency of performances) than the other. I feel that to pronounce this season's final vote as a lopsided effort discredits Archuleta and his supporters and undermines the future of voting for AI.

So, am I totally off here? How is the term landslide defined in political terms? Dear Friend, where art thou?

Where Do We Go From Here?

I've been abuzz all day thanks to David Cook. I still can't get over the fact that he won. I truly can't wait to see what the future holds for him, and for Archuleta as well, and frankly, for any one of 'em who wants it....

I intended to post my thoughts on last night's show in more detail, but by now it seems old news. There are lots of reviews/recaps out there in case you missed it....sorry if you did! I loved the show, every minute, even the bad parts. But that's just me! :) I thought it showcased the music and did a nice job with the finalists and their performances. Was it the goose bump-inducing finale of Kelly, or Fantasia, or Carrie? No, in all fairness, it wasn't....but it was heartfelt all the same....and I loved it. For me? I would like to see an all-Idol-finalists finale with no stars/celebs....give these folks a final minute in the sun.

I am more impressed with David Cook today than I was going into the finale, and I was already impressed. Every interview, every newspiece I read on him today makes me like him more and more. My SIL brought me a copy of a mag from her mani pedi today from several weeks ago with an article on Cook explaining why he wears those plastic orange bracelets. He wears one for a 7-year-old girl he met at the very beginning of the season who is battling cancer. I saw that Jordin was wearing one, too. This is the kind of guy we just elected Mayor of Idolville. And I approve!

I've spoken to many of you today, by phone, by email, by text: Yes, the season is really over. I understand that you are worried about me. Worried that I might go and drive off a cliff now that my beloved Idol has concluded. Well, have no fear! I will pick up the pieces, and there are a few things that will help ease my Idol Jones this summer:

So You Think You Can Dance? I can't recommend this show enough. Yes, I agree that Mary Murphy can be a bit irritating with that horrible screaming, but really, if you like Idol, you'll like this show for all of the same reasons, and maybe a few more. In fact, a read an article last week (that if I were better organized I would link) but it basically said that SYTYCD actually is a better show, and could stand to lend a few features to Idol for a change. You'll get to spend the summer with Nigel Lythgoe (which does allow you to get to know him better , he's quite a cat), and speaking of cats, you'll love Cat Deeley, SYTYCD's hostess with the mostess, and you'll learn the difference between a samba and a rumba, all while cheering on your favorite young dancers.

The Idol Tour: I'm SOOO glad I bought my tickets. Just knowing the gang will be in town on July 19th makes me happy. This will be the 3rd tour I've caught, with my tweener, only this time around we're taking the Little Brother (age 8) for his first real arena show. He's stoked. Tickets aren't the greatest (brokers got the best, dagnabbit) but we'll be there, lighters in hand (if they still permit those),singing and swaybot waving and all that. Can't wait. If only my new BFF Gina Glocksen could score me some backstage passes.....Gina....are you there???)

Debut CDs: I know it probably won't be until December at the earliest, but that will come around before we know it....and we'll have the opportunity to see just how the Davids have expressed themselves.

This blog! Someone asked me, so now that Idol is over, what will you write about? Hmmfftph. Idol, of course! I started this blog in July 2007 when Season 7 was a full 6 months away and never had a shortage of Idol-related things to write about. There is more Idol news than ever, and I intend to bring and discuss! Bookmark me and check back often! I also want to take some time to update the blog...it's a learning opportunity for me that I've not had the chance to fully explore.

Peace out for Season 7! And thanks for reading.....

Word Nerd Is Idol Champ

David Cook, the self-professed "word nerd" has taken the crown of Season 7's American Idol. I'm still in somewhat of a shock over it....worried about what it means for Cookie, and more importantly what it means for runner-up David Archuleta. I've got visions of dank basements and chains and screaming and .....oh, this is a G-rated blog.

Wow! I loved tonight's finale.....it didn't seem to have the flash factor of other seasons, or the big-bucks-no-whammies feel, but it was very, very nice. I thought it really showcased the finalists, brought humor and tremendous stars, and invited past Idols who delivered great performances.

Tonight's show was filled with amazing moments (my favs being the duet with Graham Nash and Brooke White, and the Archie sing-along with One Republic), but I also really loved the easily-missed clip of Blake Lewis singing along, word-for-word, to Jordin's "One Step At A Time"....classy. After Gladys, Carrie and George took the stage, and with Simon's apology to Cook, it was all but done.

Gotta get to bed, but a more extended review/commentary to follow...

Cookie Vs. Archie

I will take a break from voting for David Cook after tonight's finale to compose this blog. Just a short one, though. There is work to be done. At the time of this writing, 30-odd votes and counting. The mere fact that I'm getting through is a little worrisome.

Overall, a very, very enjoyable finale show, one of the best in recent memory...but way over the top favoring David Archuleta. Wasn't this supposed to be a contest? Weren't our votes supposed to count? It sure seemed like from the judges comments that Archie all but had it wrapped up, and that surprised me.

Another two votes for Cookie just placed.

Tonight's song trifecta was an enjoyable offering. The Clive Davis picks were a mixed bag for me, the original songs were pretty good, and contestant's choice offered a surprise. And why did Lord Andrew have a starring role in this evenings festivities? I missed that.

On the one hand, Clive Davis handing Cook a U2 song ("Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For") was awesome, as I didn't think they had previously licensed anything for AI performances. On the other hand, the Elton John song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" was so brilliantly performed by Clay Aiken in Season 2, I wasn't sure how it could be redone tonight and was disappointed it was chosen over something we've not heard before.

Cook did U2 proud and I know Bono was smiling. This song means something to Cook, and it shows. Simon pronounced it "phenomenal" and I agree. Meanwhile, Archuleta does Elton John in a very competent and smooth way, which Paula announces is "flawless" and Simon declares it his "best all season".

Round Two (songwriter competition) was a great surprise, since I was still expecting both to have to sing the same song. I love that they both got to choose from a pool of original songs, and what a thrill for those songwriters! It appeared to me that both chose wisely. Cook's "Dream Big" says just what he's been trying to communicate all season, and was uptempo and record-ready, even though Simon tells him it "wasn't a winning song." Hmmph. Likewise, Archuleta's pick of "In This Moment" suited him perfectly, and this made Randy pull out his phonebookmoltenhotcrazylava over it. Did anyone else find only the sailor-themed jacket a bit of a distraction (Ahoy matey!). I guess Archuleta now hails from Nantucket, Utah!

(FOUR MORE votes for Cook just placed, the final one getting a busy signal). Hmmm.

The final round was the Contestant's Choice. I've read that in seasons past, the contestant has in reality no choice other than to reprise a previously performed song, ONLY because the schedule does not permit learning three new songs. Well, Archie did a song we've already heard but Cook chose to do an entirely new song, and kudos to him for that....talk about inittowinit...this boy's got it. Cook chose Collective Soul's " The World I Know" and it was vintage Cook. (Okay, it was a bit somber.....but....life is somber, people! Still, it rocked!) Archie's final song "Imagine" was predicable and of course well sung. I read somewhere that Archie has been doing "Imagine" since he was, like, three years old. Hhmph.

So, what do I think? If it's just a singing competition, then Archuleta is the better singer. But finding the "diamond in the rough" with Cook is what makes Idol the awesome show it is. He has the whole package: looks, sound, musicality, artistry....no, he hasn't been performing since he could walk and doesn't have the vocal proficiency that Archuleta has, but he is an amazing contestant who consistently impressed week after week and deserved more from Simon than he got tonight, and I feel he deserves to win.

And I totally thought from surfing the web all week that Cook had it coming into tonight with the numbers, but the judges totally skewed things tonight, unfairly, I believe. And I don't know why! Only time will tell. I cannot recall a finale on Idol where the judges, and Simon in particular, said said obvious things for one contestant and didn't compliment the other whatsoever. It makes me wonder about reverse psychology, since his battering of Cook just made this minivan-driving Mom of three run for the phone.

On to the results show!

Why I Think David Should Win

As we prepare for the Season Finale of season 7's American Idol this week, I want to take a moment and discuss. I'm actually quite happy with the remaining two contestants, overall, and think they should be the last two standing. I'm also encouraged that since the six previous seasons have been won by 4 ladies and only 2 gents, it's time for another gent to step up! And seeing that the previous two male winners (Reuben and Taylor) have been the least-successful (commercially) of all of the previous winners, I'm ready for either David to hit a home run.

So, why do I think David Archuleta should/might win? I've been hoping for the last few seasons for a "pop star" of the male gender...I've wanted someone like Ace Young to win and take us into that direction, pinups and all....to harken back to the days of Shaun and David Cassidy and Leif Garrett.....good, old-fashioned fun... someone my tweener would swoon over as I did the aforementioned stars, and someone my 8 year old son could look up to in the music industry.

Do I think David Archuleta is that star? He seems to have many of the qualities: great voice, great look, and youth on his side. He clearly is proficient at making the young girls cry, so check that off. He was extremely consistent all season, and I think he would not embarrass the Idol franchise with drunken club-hopping or illegitimate children.

HOWEVER, what he has going against him: first of all, the "aw-shucks" thing will wear thin. If he should win, he will need to step up to the microphone, to the camera, to the photographer, to his fans and deliver with confidence and conviction. No more feigned gratitude and disbelief that "I've made it this far"....we want a winner! Secondly, Idol has already all but said they don't want to work with Daddy. Note to David: as soon as your 18th birthday arrives (this December!) ditch Dad and get a new manager. As for your debut CD, the ballads certainly work for you, and you can sing 'em like no one else. But we also will want to see the artist you will become, and not just the singer we already know you are. Already a proficient pianist, I would like to see more of that, for example. What musical legacy will you leave?

So, why do I think David Cook should/will win? I've said all season that should Cook be in the finals, he will already be smoothing the salve on the wound that was Chris Daughtry's early exit from Idol. There are millions of Daughtry fans (old and new) that would delight in crowning Idol's first rocker winner. He, too, has been extremely consistent all season and as many have said, been one of the most exciting performers in recent memory. Clearly a gifted musician with the ability to transform melodies and rhythms from familiar songs into fresh arrangements, Cook is record-ready. And thankfully, the stylists got to him early on. He showed up to his audition looking like he raided Blake Lewis's closet, and is ending up looking the part of a stylish winner.

(Although, I don't buy that Cook is all rocker...his straight delivery on Andrew Lloyd Webber night and his reported experience in musical theater mean he's all that and more....even his ability to perform the cheesy group numbers without a trace of regret or disdain is remarkable.)

HOWEVER, I'm afraid that should David Cook win American Idol, that it will ruin him. It will ruin him in the way that 19 Entertainment stripped everything of substance that was Bo Bice out of Bo's first CD. The way that the music industry focuses on selling product and not on artistry. That his travel schedule, with all of it's appearances, performances, recording frenzy -- along with the nationwide tour -- will keep him away from his beloved family which might be too difficult for him at this time with all that is going on.

I am hopeful that should Cook win the whole thing, that I will have worried about the above for nothing, and that it will be the best thing that has ever happened to him....

Speaking of winning, even though the numbers are 2 to 1 for Cook over Archuleta at this point, I'm not ruling out an Archie upset. His fan base, with proficiency (and motivation!) for texting and phoning in cannot be underestimated. And if it's true that only one million votes separated Syesha, Archuleta and Cook during Top 3 week, that is Super Close.

On to the finale!