Music Blog

Artist development in the music industry has evolved over time, leaving most of the early progress to the artist themselves. For the most part, the days are gone when a record label developed up and coming talent. The question continuously arises for those young artists, “where do I start”? With the advent of the Internet, the possibilities are mind boggling.

But what about this year? Do I think I can make it? Like Kelly Clarkson? Or Clay Aiken (my fav American Idol)? Or Fantasia? Or Diana Degarmo (also my fav American Idol)? I don’t know. I’ve always dreamt of being a superstar, but someone literally slapped me to reality when he told me

“Wei, being in the English songs industry can be very competitive. Can you do it like Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears a? Or as good as Celine Dion? Sexy like Kylie Minogue? Chinese songs industry still maybe got hope la. But you, you only know ‘fun cheong’ (gwai lo wa). Can you be like Sally Yeh?”

After Tuesday's `70s disco-themed "American Idol," Anwar Robinson failed to stay alive on Wednesday night's show.

Despite being earlier hailed by judge Paula Abdul as technically this season's best singer, the dreadlocked Robinson received the fewest votes and was sent home, narrowing the field of contestants to just six.

In his performance Tuesday, Robinson sang Earth, Wind and Fire's "September." Judge Simon Cowell's assessment proved prophetic.

"I don't think it was a winning performance," Cowell said.

The viewers of Fox-TV's massively popular "American Idol" series decided which song would be released as a charity single by voting online for their favorite among three choices. So many viewers cast votes that all three songs will be included on the single.

For those of you who haven’t been following American Idol, Carolyn and I decided to make a little primer. These are only our opinions, but one of us is right on the money (me, Jim).

I have got to have him. Now. He is such a hottie. Contantine Maroulis. From American Idol. There is SOMETHING about that look….those eyes….

Scott Savol: I feel for this guy. His voice is stellar. But up there in that big pink shirt, with Fat Joe chains and style, he looked like a huge piggy. He seems so nice, and so stupid, and so fat, and so rural, and so typically American. He has those clubby little short fingers, and he has no jaw line at all. Its rough, because average ugly Americans don't want to watch average ugly Americans. Much like Piggy from Lord of the Flies, Scott won't last long on this island.

In the performance on Tuesday night, Simon Cowell told Jessica Sierra that she was a good singer but that she didn't have the "likability factor." Apparently, Simon was right. Not only was Jessica sent home tonight, but none of the other American Idol finalist shed a tear for her departure. Which is very odd considering American Idol finalist are usually notorious for crying at the drop of a hat. It looks like someone would have thrown some sympathy sobs Jessica's way considering the crying...

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"American Idol" finalist Scott Savol was once arrested after a confrontation with his son's mother — but it won't cost the singer his shot at stardom.

Although several past contestants have been booted for not disclosing arrests, Savol was "forthcoming to the `American Idol' producers and the network regarding his misdemeanor" and "the situation did not warrant his disqualification," Fox said in a statement Thursday.

I really hate to harp on about this but those who know me know of my disgust that she even made the final four after forgetting lyrics to songs in the Beatles week of the competition. And I just realised that that was one long sentance without a single comma!

If you missed the American Idol IV Top Eleven Repeat last night, you didn't miss much. Ryan Seacrest did not apologize on behalf of the show's producers or the sub-contracted technician hired to put up the telephone numbers who made us all tune in for an hour on Wednesday night, as well as Tuesday's performances.

One thing is for certain: American Idol loves drama. It certainly has only helped their ratings.

More than 31 million votes were cast for this year's Top Eleven American Idol contestants.

For every scandal that has struck the show, it has attracted a bigger American Idol audience.

Fortunately, for American Idol, FOX, 19 Entertainment and the eleven AI IV finalists did not have CSI to go up against tonight.

Fortunately for FOX, the Oklahoma State vs. Arizona game ended moments before American Idol proclaimed their Top Ten contestants. (Congratulations to Lute Olson and his Arizona team for making it into this year's Elite Eight.)

But first ... here are the answers to the questions we asked in yesterday's post regarding American Idol's numbers snafu:

1) What will host Ryan Seacrest say by way of explanation to the 30 million viewers who dedicated their Tuesday night to American Idol, and now have to do it all over again?

American Idol's main message: "Oops!"

American Idol producers insist they had no intention of forcing a "re-vote."

There were no new performances last night. American Idol fans were simply presented with the tape of the previous night's performance.

I tell ya, this American Idol thing is really heating up. Last week’s first vote out show was pretty tough to watch, but I must say I’m pretty pumped up about tomorrow night’s version. My girl had a tough night, but she’ll be back. I don’t know what I’ll do if she sings a Shania song.

I've been watching "American Idol" since the days of Justin and Kelly. I fell in love with the show listening to Clay's voice, and yelled at the judges when Fantasia won.

Following the latest round of American Idol, Bo Bice has been installed as favourite with bet365 to win the competition. Paddy Power aren�t as convinced with Bo joint favourite with Carrie Underwood at 7/4.

Conspiracy theories that ''American Idol" is rigged were stirred up again yesterday when the Fox network announced that it had displayed onscreen the wrong phone numbers to vote for three contestants during Tuesday night's show.

The shake-up at "American Idol" began when the network displayed incorrect numbers for two call-in lines during the Tuesday's broadcast, Grogin said.

An appeals court has upheld dismissal of an Irving man's claims that Fox stole his idea for the hit T-V show "American Idol."

A week or so has now passed since the news Mario Vasque has quit American Idol - originally the readaBet.com selection - and I have now had time to consider who is worthy of being the replacement contestant in the betting verdict.

NEW YORK (AP) - Sports Entertainment Enterprises Inc., which owns most of the Elvis Presley estate, has agreed to acquire 19 Entertainment Ltd., the British company behind American Idol, for about $156 million US in cash and stock.

"American Idol" fill-in for dropout Mario Vazquez survived the show's elimination night Wednesday, but his return may not be for long.

Nikko Smith endured the Fox show's dwindling from 12 contestants to 11 by securing enough votes from TV viewers to continue another week. Son of baseball great Ozzie Smith, he had been cut from the competition but returned after Vazquez withdrew, citing personal reasons.

Smith's rendition of "I Want You Back" on Tuesday night, though, was deemed "horrible" by judge Simon Cowell.

It's personal. That's what Mario Vazquez is insisting about his decision to drop out of Fox's "American Idol" talent search. Fans were buzzing Monday about why such a popular contender would forfeit "Idol" fame.

"My gut and intuition told me it wasn't time to do this," Vazquez told The Associated Press. "I had to focus on some personal areas in my life with the little bit of privacy that I have."