What's going on?

Someone had the nerve to ask me the other day, how can there be anything about American Idol for you to write when the show isn't even on?? I just about coughed up my Coca Cola.

The truth is, and you know this since you are reading this blog :) with 6 seasons so far there is LOTS going on with ex-Idols, with albums, follow up albums, holiday albums, concert tours, TV appearances, Broadway shows, charity events/causes, gossip :) PLUS, the spin-off shows are great fodder: So You Think You Can Dance this summer, Don't Forget the Lyrics! and most recently, The Next Great American Band (which I haven't even gotten around to weighing in on yet...but I love it! Go Sixwire!) There is lots to write about! And discuss amongst ourselves :)

January will be here before we know it!

Kelly Clarkson still a star

Kelly played a sold out show this week here at the Chicago Theatre and from the review published today, it sounds like it was a great show. (I like Greg Kot's style...you can read his review here.) Sounds like it was a great show with lots of old and new favorites. Yes, My December hasn't see the commercial success her earlier efforts enjoyed, but hey people -- she was just keeping it real and making it her own! Can't fault her for that!

While Carrie has recently edged past her in terms of overall CD sales (sorry, Kelly), the original American Idol has nothing but blue skies ahead. I can't wait to hear what comes next!

Yuletide Yamin!

Okay, I know that Elliott Yamin is Jewish, but that isn't stopping me from loving his new CD of Christmas music. I deal with the same thing when I listen to Barry Manilow at Christmas....some of my favorite holiday music! Honest!

You can only get Elliot's Christmas CD at Target, and you'll want to pick it up as it has lots of old favorites with Elliot's special spin on them including "Little Drummer Boy;" "Merry Christmas, Baby;" "The Christmas Song;" and "Jingle Bells." You'll also get Elliot crooning "A Very Merry Christmas," "Let's be Naughty (And Save Santa the Trip)," as well as "Warm Me Up" -- three original songs recorded exclusively for the CD. My personal favorite? "This Christmas" , a Donny Hathaway standard, gets the CD going with trademark Elliot. What's not to like? And a pricetag at $6.99 means even Scrooge can afford it!

Cover Girl Carrie

Check out the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly to see a gorgeous Carrie Underwood on the cover and a wonderful interview inside, or read it online at

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057685_20057687_20152857,00.html

In the interview, Carrie reveals that at 24, she has reached an age none of the other women in her family reached before getting married, that she would rather go bowling than go to a club, and that the songs on her sophomore album will remove any doubt that she is a country girl...yee haw!

Elliot Kicks off Fall Tour in Chicago (and we were there)

I should subtitle this post "What a difference ice cream makes"...Elliot didn't take the stage until two (quite fabulous) other bands had played.... after the first band, my husband realized it was going to be another hour (at least) before Elliot performed, so he offered to take the kids next door for ice cream, while I sat on my keister and sipped my beer....which I thought was a fabulous idea :))

I go to the ladies room 20 minutes after they leave, and only then do I hear my cell phone beeping to tell me I've missed a call. I check, and I've missed three, all from my husband, and all within a span of about 4 minutes....something is up. I'm thinking, major problem, accident, injury, vomit, something....so I call, only to hear that they just met Elliot, standing around outside the tour bus. Quite accidentally. And, he's really nice....stops to chat with them, all FIVE of them....poses for pictures (taken with a cell phone and too dark to post, since I had the real camera in my purse)...gives my daughter a hug, my other daughter a high-five, and encourages my son to keep taking drum lessons. Really spent time talking with them. Kids are amazed and grateful. I am, too! What a really cool encounter with a cool guy.

The show itself was short, only 12 songs, but it was packed with power, musicianship I honestly wasn't expecting, and a LOT of heart from Elliot Yamin. He opened the show with "Alright" from his self-titled CD, and it was on from there with all of our favorite tracks as well as a few treats interspersed. One treat was a cover of the 70's classic "Sharing the Night"...wow, what fun. The other treat was enjoying Jose "Sway" Penala (Season 5 Idol alum) providing background vocals and percussion, and looking like he was enjoying every minute!

I am absolutely convinced that Elliot is the true star from Season 5, and know that we've only seen the beginning of what he can do! And he's a nice guy to boot ;)

Now, if only I'd gone for that ice cream.....

Elliot!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Elliot Yamin to the Windy City for a show next Friday night...will post a review of the show and a picture, if I'm lucky enough to snap one worth sharing!

Idol Alum Activity

I start with Jordan's single, "Tatoo" , which I took a listen to...and while it's innocuous and catchy, I was totally distracted by the "yelping" in the beginning...it reminded me of what my puppy Holly might sound like if she'd gotten her leg caught in the VCR....seriously....maybe I'm just outta that Loop.