Before I get started, I just found out I have an extra ticket to the Kelly Clarkson concert at Cobb Energy Centre November 27 for anybody out there who would like to join me. Email me at rho@ajc.com if you’re interested, first come, first serve! (These are the benefits of reading this blog. You just might to get to hang out with me! Wait—did I say that was a benefit?)
Despite the fact her single “Tattoo” is closing in on the top 10 of the pop charts, Jordin Sparks’ self-titled CD out today isn’t getting a lot of advance hype. On Amazon, it’s only ranked No. 46 as of this writing. It’s hard to say how well she’ll do. Taylor Hicks last year pulled in 298,000 in sales his first week and Carrie hit 315K the year before. I doubt she’ll hit 300,000. I’m not even sure 200,000 is likely given how album sales are trending in general. My prediction is 150,000 to 200,000. We’ll see.
I haven’t gotten an advance copy of the CD, will probably have to pick one up at Best Buy today. I’ll post a blog entry later about it if I have the time.
Jordin, fresh off her Soulja Boy appearance with Jimmy Kimmel on the AMAs Sunday, will be doing the TV rounds this week. She would probably do Leno if Leno’s writers weren’t on strike. But she still has Good Morning America Tuesday, Regis Wednesday and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parad on Thursday on NBC.
Blake’s CD “A.D.D.” is set for December 4. MTV News provides plenty of details.
“It’s my new genre I made up,” the singer, who was heavily influenced by 1980s pop, proudly told MTV News during a recent interview. “I call it 2080, because it’s a mix of all the great pop music that’s inspired me.” Lewis claims the record is a blend of electronic elements fused with funk, soul, rock and pop — pretty much everything, kitchen sink included.
Oh, and Simon Cowell has had Botox but denies dying his hair, according to a Daily Mail interview. And he has no desire to get married or have kids. But his competitive drive is alive and well.
“Every year I want to do better than the last year,” he tells the Mail. “Make more, do more, achieve more. It’s a killer - but what can you do?”
(28) Comments
Posted by: on November 20, 2007 7:44AM EST
First??? Where is my cookie?
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 7:59AM EST
LOL!!! Shaun! That's the spirit! One large chocolate chip cookie for Shaun!
I like Jordin's voice but I don't have high hopes for her cd. I think the people who watch Idol are there for a number of reasons....the drama of the contest, the fun from the judges, etc. But I also think we watch because of the music. We enjoy hearing some of the familiar music sung by these kids. When they are singing unfamiliar music, we may be less interested. That's why, for the non-Idol watcher, it's the music and not the singer that gets their attention.
Kelly and Carrie and Chris have all managed to find music that gets the attention of the non-idol watcher. Jordin will have to do the same. Fantasia, Rubin and Taylor have all found niches, but small ones, and are not perceived to be huge successes.
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 9:09AM EST
LOL Morning Shaun if you're still out there.... mornin' D :-)
I wish i could take you up Rodney on the ticket offer but Cobb is just a LIIITTTTLLLLLEEE bit too far away for me :-(
Good comments D on the success of our Idols...
ANyone watch DWTS last night? it was freaking incredible...even Jennie Garth finally "woke up" and truly danced instead of just performing!!! I still expect it to be a finale with MelB and Helio (both taking perfect scores on both dances last night!) taking the top two spots, and i think Marie's fanbase will keep her in there.
Well, work beckons.... i'll ,,,@¿@,,, (peek) in later and see how things are going!
Posted by: kellyfan on November 20, 2007 10:36AM EST
If I didn't have tickets already, I would have JUMPED at the chance...though I'm sure Rodney gets better seats. ;) I'd love to say hi if anyone is going, though. I requested meet and greet passes through the fan club, but I haven't heard back. I guess it's like getting a Wonka golden ticket!
I still watch Idol, and I think that Jordin has a very nice voice. I do like "Tattoo" but I'm getting to the point that it's gotta be something completely new for me to want to take an interest in their music. Out of all the Idols, the only ones that have managed to make me a fan are : Kelly, Carrie, and Daughtry. They are all in different genres which is the key. Talent can take you far, but you have to be distinguishable in some way...just ask Clay. He started hot off the gate and then only has a smaller, rabid following.
I think it will be harder for Idol winners to make a mark. For me, a great voice is nothing without a personality to match. Maybe the reason I didn't really care for last season...not much personality was shown.
Wow, long entry. Shutting up now. :)
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 11:39AM EST
LOL kellyfan, your thoughts are also welcome. And you're right.... not much personality "was shown" and that was the problem, imho... they focused on celebrity mentorships, guest artists, and laid way too far back on the "bio snapshots" of the contestants. According to what Rodney said a couple of weeks ago, the focus SHOULD change back to the contestants this year; i hope so! If the quality of competitors on other "reality" contests such as DWTS, SYTYCD, and NGAB are any indication, there could be some really GOOD talent out there.
OH! with regard to "dance" ... has anyone else noted that in January CariAnn and Bruno will have another competition going... will combine DANCE and SINGING ... by teams! interesting concept, am looking forward to that.
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 11:40AM EST
err first line up there "also welcome" should have been "always welcome"....my mind is racing too fast for my fingers, i guess :-/
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 12:00PM EST
I wrote a whole long thing then forgot to post it! :-(
Anyway, kellyfan, it's nice to know that someone can ramble on almost as long as linny and me! :-)
I see Clay doing something like Vegas or Branson. He's too 'regular guy' to be a huge star.
Kellie Pickler has found a nice little niche as the 'girl who sings just ok but is lots of fun to be around'.
The one contestant who I think should be getting more attention is Kimberly Locke. I've been watching Idol Rewind and she's terrific. Any other season and she might have won!
Posted by: kellyfan on November 20, 2007 12:17PM EST
Thanks, Linny. I'm looking forward to the new season of AI, but I'm wondering when are they gonna shut it down. I guess we've got a couple more to go?
The blog got so quiet. I kinda feel like I joined the party late...
DWTS: Great last night. I was happy for Jennie getting that perfect score. Finally! She's got in her, if she has a little bit more self-confidence. I'm loving Mel & Maks....I hope she wins it. Though, Helio is going to be a tough competitor.
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 12:19PM EST
It'll pick up again when the new season starts. There's a large group who had trouble tolerating flatscreen..so they left.
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 12:36PM EST
I'm with you kelly, i was proud of jennie, but.... i'm a HUGE Maks fan, lol.... and i am truly impressed with Julianna's talent, both to dance and to choreograph...and her brother ain't half bad, either! if they are the future of 'ballroom' dancing, then i'm a fan for life!
D... what do you think will happen with Melinda? The girl has such huge talent, but somewhere along the way got so totally left behind on the self-confidence thing... she showed little sparks of great dignity AND humor all in one... with some coaching, i think she could go far (coaching for 'stage presence' mostly, well, and wardrobe & hair style)
but whether she'll blossom or just fade on the vine.... i dunno
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 1:36PM EST
linny...JMO, but, I think Melinda was a big hit with people in the right places. She will guests on other people's show, she will open for other people's concerts. I think she has a career in front of her, but it will be slow moving and very steady. She'll always have work, even though we may not see much of her.
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 1:44PM EST
BTW...I'd like to see Mel B win DWTS. She's a good dancer but mostly because a female hasn't won it yet.
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 1:49PM EST
didn't a female win the first year? Kelly Monaco, a soap star?
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 1:50PM EST
then Drew Lachey, who now seems to be a regular performer partnered with his coach/partner, Cheryl, the second year, and Cheryl again with Emmett Smith the third year, then last year it was Julianne and Apollo... with a possibility of Julianne repeating with Helio...
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 1:55PM EST
i'm sorely torn between MelB and Helio, i think they are both incredibly good, and both have improved technique and style week to week, imho... i particularly loved the "Mask" quickstep by Helio, but Mel's Paso Dobles OMG are they ever tight!!!
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 2:54PM EST
LOL!!! I forgot all about Kelly Monaco mostly cuz I didn't want her to win! My brain tends to rewrite history when it doesn't go the way I want it to!
Posted by: kellyfan on November 20, 2007 3:14PM EST
I want Mel B to win...it's time for another female winner.
Also, did y'all hear about Jessica Sierra? She was a top ten-er on Carrie's season. She was just given a year probation for battery. Sad.
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 3:18PM EST
I remember when Jessica Sierra was arrested, kellyfan. I think Rodney did a blog or a mention about it. She hit somebody in a bar as I remember. At least she just got probation...it could have been worse.
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 3:19PM EST
i have to agree with that...i did not feel she was qualified at *all* to win.... but the first year was definitely a year of "has-been/wanna-be" type "celebrities" in my opinion. Every year since has gotten better and better, and this year, with the exception of the models (1st and 2nd to go) and allowing for the old-timer (wayne newton), it was pretty much a talent-filled year. i was highly amused that the oh-so-beautiful model types were the weakest dancers, and according to the tales told by the pros, the weakest in stamina and drive.
somewhere in there is a REAL lesson for youngsters... looks are fine for superficial things, but if you want to succeed, you have to be willing to work and work hard, and have personal strength as well as physical strength to go through the trials that will come your way--and plenty of time, just "lookin' goooood" won't mean a thing!!!!
'course, having said that, Cameron is sure good looking.... and he made it pretty darn far! ~¿@
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 3:20PM EST
kf, i heard something about ms. sierra but no details... sad, isn't it?
Posted by: kellyfan on November 20, 2007 3:22PM EST
Linny, of course they had no stamina...they starve themselves and have no muscle mass.
I am happy that Sabrina (not a size 0, but normal) got further and showed she was amazing.
D, I may have missed that one blog. ;)
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 3:32PM EST
Look how great both Jenny and Marie look now. They are not size 0 but they are definitely in better shape after the rigors of the season. somebody with no weight on them at all at the beginning of the season is doomed!
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 3:39PM EST
I thought Marie looked absolutely stunning in that light aqua/blue dress last night, frankly. And i agree... get OVER the 0-size (or sub-0 for some!) thing. and i am SO looking forward to Sabrina and Mark dancing next week!!! 'course, *i* am looking forward to Michael Flatley and he's positively getting elderly (compared to most dancers, lol)
and speaking of "elderly" didn't Len look good last night, out cutting up and coaching!!!
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 4:02PM EST
'aight...i'm outa here for now....
see y'all tomorrow!
Posted by: kellyfan on November 20, 2007 4:52PM EST
night ladies....
Posted by: Deirdre on November 20, 2007 5:22PM EST
I'm still running from store to store. found a beautiful centerpiece for a reasonable price......got great big cooked bones for my dogs(they deserve a feast, too). I think I'm finally finished. First contingent of guests arrive tomorrow! I'll pop in when I can. If I don't chat with y'all tomorrow, have a happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Posted by: linnykat on November 20, 2007 5:36PM EST
{{{{{{{{{{{D & family}}}}}}}}}}
Posted by: seattlelite on November 21, 2007 1:52AM EST
blake lewis do you seriously think that local seattlites that are in the know of our hip hop scene wouldn't call you out about the new 2080 genre you "made up"? call it a hunch rather than an accusation but DJ Scene, who happens to be from Seattle released a mixtape with the same name at Seattle's Zebra Club clothing stores last year...oh and let's not forget that Scene also has a Wednesday night party at the War Room called 2080's. Scene still plugs that mixtape on his website...was the music the inspiration for your newly discovered genre or was it really DJ Scene? OWNED.
