The producers of American Idol have really been talking up this big announcement and speculation has run rampant from a wildcard show to more than four eliminations. However the actual announcement is even bigger and better than any speculation I’ve seen. American Idol will be “bringing issues of extreme poverty, both in Africa and the U.S., into the hearts, minds, and homes of us all.” This will all be under the banner of “Idol Gives Back.”

Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell travelled to a poverty-stricken region of Africa as part of this program. When asked about his trip Cowell said “it was something I’ll never ever forget, seeing some of the most appalling conditions I’ve ever seen in my life then we met some of the nicest people I’ve ever met…mixed emotions.” Later this year Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul will travel to Louisiana and the Mississippi basin to address not only poverty but literacy and help those that are still recovering from natural disasters; namely Hurricane Katrina.

On April 24th the final six will be performing an original song written just for this event by Quincy Jones. That night as you vote a donation will be made by Coke, AT&T, and other sponsors for every vote made. In addition Ford Motor Company will also be making a donation with details to follow. On April 25th phone lines will be open for us, the viewers, to make our own contributions to this cause. In addition we will be able to donate via the internet.

This will be a star-studded event with the likes of Gwen Stefani, Borat, Pink, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, and even Bono becoming involved. I am so very excited for this, it is about time that American Idol has stepped up to the plate and done something charitable on this level. When April 24th comes everyone better get their dialing fingers ready!

Wouldn’t you know it?  I don’t have $175,000 to bid on this dress.  I don’t have $1.75 to bid on this dress. Here’s the link if you do.  Well, I’ll keep an eye on it anyway.  I wonder how much it would cost to get Carrie’s legs?

Clay Aiken’s charity, The Bubel-Aiken Foundation, is asking for help this year with their Wrapping for Inclusion program.  Wrapping for Inclusion is a nationwide awareness campaign where volunteers wrap gifts in exchange for donations at local merchants and malls across the country. Donations support TBAF’s efforts to provide opportunities for inclusion for children of all abilities.

Ace Young’s private Red Carpet Birthday Bash and benefit was held last night in Hollywood. The party was not open to the public, even the location was kept under wraps, so to the boards I go to rustle up some unofficial informatiion!

Highrollers With Heart, an Ace fan charity, raised over $27,000 in just under one month’s time (WOW!) and presented an emotional Ace with the “check” on stage. The crowd danced to hip hop, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, etc., but Ace did not perform (apparently Ace wasn’t feeling too hot). Not sure if it was Ace’s highlight of the night, reports are he looked uncomfortable, but the four-girl lap dance was a hit with the crowd! A gift from best bud Chris Daughtry, maybe??

It was a star-studded event with plenty of Idols on hand. Anthony Federov, Paris Bennett, Lisa Tucker, Elliott Yamin and many more stars reportedly were in attendance. Well, happy birthday, Ace! And Congratulations to Highrollers With Heart for a successful fundraising campaign!

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte honored Clay Aiken as one of its most outstanding alumni at the 2006 Alumni Awards Banquet on Saturday, November 11th.

Clay, a 2003 graduate, was recognized for having reached great levels of achievement and have distinguished themselves through public and University service and was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

The university noted Clay’s dedication to children, his successful recording career, and his charity work throught the Bubel-Aiken foundation.  In addition, Aiken has served as an Ambassador to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, UNICEF National Ambassador of Education, and in September 2006, President George Bush appointed Clay to serve on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Whew!  You wonder when this guy finds the time to sing!  Congratulations Clay on a very well-deserved honor.

Taylor Hicks will give a special accoustic performance at the GIMME SHELTER BENEFIT 2006 at the Roxy Theatre presented by KCRW. Featuring The Cold War Kids, The Like, Mellowdrone, Simon Dawes, and Starsailor. Benefitting The Spectrum Program and Red Cross.  Taylor’s album drops the same day…I hope he can still perform as scheduled.

The Kodak Theatre has been witness to some classic Kelly Clarkson performances and Kelly added another to the list last Thursday at Tony Bennett’s 80th Birthday untelevised fundraiser for The Hole in the Wall charity. 

Introduced by Bruce Willis as a songwriter and two-time Grammy winner, Kelly performed Bennett’s “Because of You” and “It’s Alright With Me.”  Billy Crystal took the podium after her performance and said almost incredulously, “Kelly Clarkson, oh my God! I am so glad I voted for her.  Wow!”  Billy, dude, where have you been?  It wasn’t luck that turned Kelly into a multi-platinum, two-time Grammy-award winning, internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter - the woman can sing!  Billy wasn’t the only one impressed:

“You sang beautifully tonight” - Tony Bennett to Kelly before finale

“But the music from stage was stellar, especially “Because of You” by Clarkson, who more than proved the music-industry insider consensus that she is the “American Idol” who really matters.” - Geoff Boucher, Times Staff Writer

“…Kelly Clarkson who has a big and gorgeous voice…” - Army Archerd

…and the list goes on.  Kelly continues to win more and more fans with her incredible versatility, talent, and charm.  Watch for country fans to swoon over her performances from the “CMT Giants: Reba” special airing on Saturday, November 18th.  Unfortunately, the Tony Bennett event will not be televised, but you can read Boucher’s review here and watch Kelly’s performances here and here from YouTube.

What:  The 2nd Annual A Fine Romance benefit for the Motion Picture & Television Fund 

When:  November 18th

Where:  Sunset Gower Studios - located at 1438 North Gower Street in Hollywood, CA.

The evening will feature celebrity performances honoring musicals from both the stage and screen. Among those scheduled to be part of the fundraising event are Christina Applegate, Kristen Bell, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Douglas, Jennifer Hudson, Andrea McArdle, Audra McDonald, Shirley MacLaine, Bernadette Peters, Patrick Wilson, Rita Wilson, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The Motion Picture & Television Fund is a major service organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of California’s entertainment community through healthcare, childcare, retirement care and charitable social services.

 For more information about The Motion Picture & Television Fund, visit www.mptvfund.org.

Mandisa took to the stage for a worthy cause at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater along with other performers such as Lalah Hathaway, Shirley Murdock, The Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem and musical legend Ms. Gladys Knight.  The Ashley Stewart Stores Community Foundation’s First Annual Benefit Gala “Back to Harlem” raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for three outstanding charities, The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dress For Success and The Boys Choir of Harlem.

The Ashley Stewart Stores Community Foundation supports education and women’s empowerment initiatives. It also provides resources to individuals and organizations that offer academic training and health and wellness programs to deserving women and youth in their communities.