I am planning to meet with Diana DeGarmo later today. She’s performing the National Anthem tonight at the Braves home opener. Hopefully we’ll hear how her country work is coming along in Nashville.
And here is USA Today special section’s season four update, in no particular order:
Anthony Fedorov (fourth) - He performed on the “Simply Ballroom” tour with Vonzell Solomon. They sing while the dancers dance. He also joined the Sarcoma Foundation of America board after his brother died of cancer in 2006. No album yet.
Vonzell Solomon (third) - She was a postal carrier, pre-Idol, and now is a national spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service. After Idol, she did a 50-city tour of postal facilities and is now dong that Simply Ballroom tour. No album yet.
Lindsey Cardinale (12th) - She’s studying radiology at Southeastern Louisiana University and goes to Nashville to work on her country debut. Release date not yet set.
Mikalah Gordon (11th) - No update since she got bumped for Gina and Constantine on “Idol Extra” on Fox Reality Channel.
Constantine Maroulis (6th) - Just spoke with him a couple of weekends ago. He has that “Idol Extra” gig and his album has sold about 26K, according to SoundScan.
Anwar Robinson (7th) - He plays Tom Collins on the national tour of “Rent.”
Scott Savol (5th) - He got married in 2006 and now lives in Nashville, working on an album with Lil’G of Silk fame.
Jessica Sierra (10th) - She’s in a rehab facility in California after relapsing, post “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew.” A porn tape is floating around the Web, too.
Nikko Smith (9th) - Not much going on there for the St. Louis man.
Nadia Turner (8th) - She did some straight-to-DVD comedy called “Lord Help Us.” Otherwise, USA Today didn’t have much. Bummer. (She is doing guest commentary for Entertainment Weekly on “Idol.”)
Bo Bice (runner up)- His second album “See The Light” has sold more than 40K copies exclusively at Wal-Mart, which is a fraction of what his first album did. But at least it was in the style he wanted it to be as an indie act.
Carrie Underwood (winner) - We know about her. Two albums, 8.3 million copies sold, five no. 1 country hits, five Grammy awards. Sure, she’s not the most exciting or interesting personality but she knows how to pick good songs and perform them well.
In other “Idol” news:
“Entertainment Weekly” does power ratings, based on fan votes and David Cook is now ahead of former presumptive front runner David Archuleta. Michael Johns has edged up to third, his best performance in a month. Brooke is still the top gal, with Carly in fifth. Jason Castro has slipped to his lowest ranking yet at sixth with the lowest three way way behind: Kristy is seventh, Ramiele is eighth and Syesha is rock bottom in ninth. She’s going to need to pull off a Chikezie type of breakthrough performance to save herself.
And here’s that dreaded chest bump from the group sing last Wednesday. (DJ Slim posted it from the American Idol Web site.). Memo to David Cook and Michael Johns: Never… do… this… again!
DJSlim’s fans attempted to caption this photo.. I’m sure you all can come up with funnier ones!
