Former Vice-President and environmentalist Al Gore has announced his plans for a “Live Earth” concert to promote awareness of the imminent dangers of global warming. A top-notch lineup of artists, including American Idol season one winner Kelly Clarkson, will perform in concerts on 7/7/2007 across the world. The concerts will be aired on television, radio, and the Web with MSNBC reporting that the concerts will be streamed live on MSN.
In addition to Clarkson, other artists already slated to perform include the Food Fighters, Lenny Kraits, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Duran, Koran, Harrell, the Black Eyed Peas, Akin, Enrique Silesians, Fall out Boy, Corrine Bailey Rae, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. The promoters plan to hold the concerts in Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; London, England; Kyoto, Japan; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and the United States. Gore also has plans to stage the first effort roc concert in Antarctica having a Live Earth performance there as well.
NASCAR has just announced that Kelly Clarkson has agreed on a deal for the 2007 season. This makes it the largest deal that NASCAR has ever had with an artist. The first time we’ll see Clarkson is February 18th as she headlines the Nextel Tribute to America which will air live on FOX. A 30-second “NASCAR. How bad have you got it?” television commercial will be filmed during this tribute and will air throughout the 2007 NASCAR season. A new song from Clarkson’s upcoming third album (due out mid-year) will also be featured in this commercial.
What did Clarkson have to say about the opportunity? “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a race fan and love NASCAR. It’s been cool doing things with NASCAR in the past and I’m honored to have the opportunity to play such a huge role for the sport in 2007. I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community.”
In addition to the 30-second spot, Clarkson will also take on the role of spokesperson and ambassador for the fourth annual NASCAR Day on May 18th. The entire press release is available on the NASCAR site.
There is a Santa Claus! In our second installment of Idol Christmas, I posted excerpts from an article article discussing a Justin Guarini performance of “Motherless Child”. Thanks to a December 16th concert at Bright Hope Baptist Church and a fabulous fan (justicelvr) from JMan’s World we now have pictures and video of another amazing performance of this incredible song. To be honest, although I was moved to tears by Justin’s performance, I had never heard or heard of the song, so I didn’t “get” it. A quick Google search brought up this information from composer Gwyneth Walker’s website:
Motherless Child is derived, in part, from the African-American spiritual “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.” The original song dates back to the era of slavery when it was common practice to sell children of slaves away from their parents.
Watching the video is a much different experience after learning the true meaning…
Justin also performed my all-time favorite song, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Needless to say, I absolutely love his slowed-down, jazzy, smooth, soulful version. I had previously posted (and enjoyed) Clay and Carrie’s version, but Justin’s performance had me crying in my keyboard. It is conceivable that I am a the tiniest bit biased, but I don’t think so…
I got a google alert for Justin Guarini yesterday ~ I get so excited when I see those because I am always hopeful the headline will be something like “Simon Fuller Guilty Of Sabotage! Justin Awarded $50M and A Career!” It was almost that good. It was an alert for a blog entry from Essential Justin’s Blogsite.
I am so ashamed to admit it, but my Kelly Clarkson hackles were raised after I read it. I read it, and read it, and read it and read it some more not believing that my beloved Justin board would be so far off on their take of the Kelster. I am embarrassed because after reading it again this morning, I realized that it was in absolutely no way derogatory toward KC. At all. Not even close. Mind you, I am the QUEEN of preaching for fanbase civility, respecting opinions, not rushing to judgment, “the stupid media twists everything” - and there I was irritated by a sentiment that wasn’t even there! I certainly went tumbling ass over kettle off my pulpit this morning.
Luckily, I didn’t post a response - I would have made a complete idiot of myself. However, at the same time I received the alert, I was writing an article about Essential Justin. It has since been edited….
The world has gone completely insane. Before I started writing for Idolwire, when I would see stories like these, I would simply change the channel, close the page, etc. Unfortunately, I had to change my address from “Happy, Oblivion” to “What the Hell?, Real World” in order to report the news - and I use that term very, very, loosely.
I was wondering how long it would take and what lengths people would go to mutate the “feel-good story” of the year - Jennifer Hudson’s Cinderella story from booted Idol to Oscar-worthy star - into a national scandal. You can read the story here, here, and here. I’m too disgusted to summarize for you.
It’s almost like we can’t stand to have anyone too happy for too long. “Jennifer Hudson steals the movie! She’s on her way to superstardom! Her performance is like a religious experience! Let’s rip the bitch to shreds! C’mon! Who’s with me!” It’s crazy - how does making Jennifer Hudson look bad make anyone else look good? How does making Jennifer Hudson feel sad, depressed, and hurt make anyone else feel better? I don’t get it.
It’s not just Jennifer, either. In just the past few weeks we’ve had such made up, twisted, and exaggerated stories as Taylor Hicks is ungrateful to Idol, a rehashing of the Kelly Clarkson didn’t thank Idol at the Grammy’s, Fantasia calling JHud a heiffer, and the Beyonce feud. The most disgusting display of this sickening “reporting” was Clay Aiken’s sour note at a Christmas concert. It was everywhere for days. I don’t always agree with the Claymates’ tactics when it comes to supporting Clay, but they were dead-on justified in their campaign to have those videos removed. In my opinion, posting that video wasn’t “good-natured, all in fun ribbing” - it was just plain mean. These celebrities are successful for a reason - they’ve earned it! Go earn your own damn success and stop trying to destroy theirs.
It’s not easy being the kinder, gentler American Idol site. I’m trying - really I am - but, boy am I homesick for Oblivion.
When I was nine years old, I had a gigantic crush on Donny Osmond. Everything I owned was purple, right down to the wall-to-wall carpeting in my bedroom (for which I am eternally grateful – it was awesome!). I had two Donny and Marie records that I played over and over and over again - I swear I still know all the words - causing my family to run for cover when it was my turn to use the stereo. The day my Tiger Beat arrived in the mail was the highlight of my week – I would spend hours poring over the pages, staring at the pictures, and carefully cutting out the posters and the iron-ons. At night, I’d lay awake in my ridiculously cool purple bedroom and dream up all kinds of crazy stories - “The Adventures of Donny Osmond”. Alas, the yearning for my Donny was mine alone to bear. My friends didn’t share my affections, so the only conversations I ever had about my dearest love was my big sister yelling, “Mom! Tell Laurie to stop talking about Donny Osmond!” – I hardly think that counts. One Friday night, my parents had to hire a babysitter because I refused to leave the house – “But, Daddy! I can’t go – the ‘Donny and Marie Show’ is on!” Clearly, my predisposition to fanaticism surfaced at an early age.
Fast forward 30 years (slow down over my 20’s – they were fun) and imagine my joyous discovery of the world of internet fandom. Uber-fans UNITE! Enclosed within the hallowed forum walls lies a fairytale world for the celeb-stricken: news, videos, audio, pictures – anything you can imagine is here! The message boards bring fans together in ways never before possible – think of it as a year-round, always accessible Trekkie Convention. The best part is admittance is guaranteed – uber-fans can be young or old, married or single, working or going to school, or be of any nationality, race, color or creed. As long as you feel the love, you’ll be welcome for life. Is there anything better than sharing the thrill of a new CD or bit of information with your like-minded buddies? Feeling a sudden surge of love for Elliott Yamin? Jump on the board at the E-Train and share your mushiness with the equally afflicted. Did you just run into Constantine Maroulis at the neighborhood deli in the Bronx? There are hundreds of people at Greek Speak who are dying to hear your story! “What was he wearing? Did he pout for you? You know, did he make ‘the face’?” Are you a Carrie Underwood fan who just happens to live in Siberia? No matter. Lose the parka, grab a bottle of vodka, and belly up to the forum at CarrieFans.com – the place where everybody knows your (screen)name and they’re always glad you came.
When I was a girl, no one wanted to hear the story of how my beloved Donny saves me from a burning building: “Cradling her in his strong arms, Donny bravely dodged the flames and fled the towering inferno. Choking on smoke and tears, he looked down at the light of his life fading away. ‘Don’t leave me! I love you!’” Yeah, well…not so sure anyone wants to hear it now either, but that’s not my point… Today, I could post my stories in the fanfic section of the board and get immediate feedback: “Awww…that’s so romantic!” or “Gosh, that’s a little creepy coming from a nine-year-old.” The artists among us 
upload their drawings, wallpapers, banners, and blends to share their creative vision. I have several pieces of Kelly Clarkson fan art hanging in my office – at my age posters are simply not acceptable, but a beautiful black and white sketch is perfect! (Jess (awesomeaussie) at the KC Express - you rock!) I am always amazed when I read through the creative threads on boards and see all the poetry, songs, artwork, and stories. Uber-fans don’t only invest their time and money, they invest their passion.
And passion, my fellow fans, is the key. It’s the force that creates a Claymate from a mere Clay Aiken fan. It’s the magic that transforms an occasional Taylor Hicks listener into a Soul Patroller. It’s the fire that forges a Louisiana wife and mother into a Hot Damn! 10,000+ poster on the Kelly Clarkson Express. It’s what keeps the career fires burning for Bo Bice until he can make a full recovery. It’s what drives Highrollers to raise over $30,000 in 30 days. At its best, passion is love in its purest form - at its worst, a dangerous obsession. This Christmas season, celebrate your passion in its purest form with your nearest and dearest. It is a remarkable gift to share, for a life without passion is simply a long, dark road.
Fourteen years passed before I finally saw Donny Osmond in person. He was performing the National Anthem before a BYU football game and I thought, “I have never been happier than I am right this very second.” And they called it puppy love…whatever.
In our second installment of “Idol Christmas”, I was hoping to find some footage of this performance from Justin Guarini. It’s unfair to have this kind of review and not have the audio to go with it. I shamelessly stole this off of The Essential Justin Message Board, so if someone there knows where I can find some media for it, I’d be more than happy to post it.
“Dumpson selected a spiritual - “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” - for students to sing during an audition for a solo at the festival concert.
“Justin said, ‘I know this is my kind of song,’ ” Young recalls. “He had just learned it the day before. And when he sang, there was a hush that fell over the entire room. Everybody sat there completely stunned - and you’re talking about a room of 100 of the strongest musicians in the county and about 30 of their teachers.
“Mr. Dumpson didn’t bother to hear anybody else after Justin sang. He got the solo for the concert, and he got a standing ovation.”
So just what was it about Guarini’s voice that silenced a roomful of talent?
“What makes him special,” says Young, “is the beauty of his voice, the amazing range of his voice and the ability to sing from the depth of his heart and convey that to people who hear him.”
I can offer this bit of pilfered audio – three classic songs in an unclassic arrangement sung by the utterly classy Justin Guarini.
Bo Bice! Where are you? This is an awesome, sexy, flirty version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – a duet with Joan Osbourne . Love it!
Who will ever forget worshipping at the Church of Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia Barrino? Totally over the top, this performance will forever be one of the BEST EVER!
Whatever happened to the Idol Christmas Special? I guess that was back in the day when the Idols were endentured slaves and not artists in their own right. Oh, well - good for them and bad for me. I love Christmas music and when any Idol sings I’m over the top happy. Of course, with two Christmas tours under his belt, Clay Aiken is the Christmas Idol and I could fill every post with Clay songs, but that hardly seems fair, does it?
Kelly Clarkson: ‘O Holy Night’ - Rockefeller Center
That one makes me cry every time.
Vonzell Solomon: ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ - GMA
Oh, Vonzell, how I miss you! She was my favorite performer on the Idols Live! Tour and although this song may not be her best performance, at Read the rest of this entry »
If you’ve been watching ‘American Idol: Rewind’, you’ll remember Jim Verraros. If you haven’t, well…here’s hopin’ you have a much better memory than I do. (He’s the guy with deaf parents who signed his song in the audition - awwww!) Either way, Jim will be starring in the new movie, “Eating Out 2″ - this interview is from The New York Blade Online. Jim talks about the sequel, his music career, and life post-Idol. Another example of “Don’t walk away from Idol - RUN!” - good for him!
From Justin’s Blog:
“I’m proud to announce that I’ve been working on (and am about to start shooting a new film). I booked the role a few weeks ago, but didn’t want to say anything until it was solid. Well it’s solid. I play a race car driver, who is the love interest for the main character. I’m very happy about it and look forward to the next 3 weeks of shooting. It’s a film about a 20-something woman who wants nothing more than to be a race car driver…setting small town USA. A major race team comes to town, I’m one of the team drivers-successful, young, experienced-the rest is romance (not sappy…thank goodness, and her struggle to fulfill her dream by overcoming her greatest fear)
It’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to seeing the final product. It’s a feature-length film, and will be out next year (April is the release date, I think).”
I refuse to let any doubt, negativity, or J2K flashbacks enter my brain. I will instead begin a 24/7 prayer vigil to the Gods of Celebrity until April: “Please, oh please, oh please…let this be Justin’s ticket out of D-list land! He never deserved to be there in the first place - he is much too talented and way too nice of a guy to be a punchline. We truly apologize for whatever we did to deserve Paris Hilton’s CD, so please give Justin another chance. Amen.”
The candle on my Justin shrine is burning bright and I’ve got everything I own crossed for you, JMan…it’s painful, but worth it!