Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head, who both just missed making the final 12 this past season, are going to do a duet CD with a major label Universal Motown. (My reaction: huh?). Oddly, they have scored a major record deal before most of the final 12.

Here are the details at ew.com.

CREDIT: Getty Images

”The feel will be soulful songs with a contemporary twist — kind of Al Green meets OutKast,” said Sloan, noting that she and Head will hit the studio in August, with the hopes of making a late November release date.

Sloan added, in the long-term, both she and Head consider themselves solo artists. ”It’s not going to be a long-term [partnership], like Peaches & Herb,” she said with a laugh.

Phew!

Boy, oh boy. Who would have seen this comng?

Corey Clark, the season two contestant who allegedly had a relationship with Paula Abdul (never fully proven), has been arrested in Arkansas on drug charges and an outstanding warrant from Arizona. It’s unclear what drugs he possessed, based on the wire story.

Here’s a link.

His mug shot makes him look like Sideshow Bob.

CREDIT: The Simpsons

Clark was arrested near Interstate 40 at about 2:30 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Rehrauer said.

A warrant had been issued for Clark after he failed to appear in an Arizona court on a summons stemming from an arrest last year for violating a court order and trespassing.

American Express gave $500,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of America, which is based in Atlanta, and brought Ruben Studdard to a press event at the Georgia Aquarium. I took a few photos, including him below being interviewed by “Good Day Atlanta” co-host Suchita Vadlamani. (And make sure if you meet her to say Su-CHEE-tha, not Su-GEE-TAH as I mistakenly did.)

Studdard, a former Boys & Girls Club member who was placed in the organization’s hall of fame last year, drove in from Birmingham for this event alone because he has to be in Mississippi tomorrow for a concert.

“The Boys and Girls club asked if I could speak to the kids. It’s something that has special meaning for me. I’m a product of Boys & Girls Club. It’s cool. I get to see some beluga whales, too!”

Ruben looks good. He isn’t svelte by any means but he’s about the thinnest I’ve ever seen him. He naturally goofed around well with the kids who were at the press event. (See below)

He told me he’s thinking of doing a duet with Jordin Sparks for his fourth CD, which he plans to start working on next month once touring for his current CD is over. “I know it will be all live instrumentation but I don’t know particularly what the overall flavor will be,” he said of the fourth album. He is happy with how his CD came out but was disappointed with the sales figures.

Ruben also thought what happened to Kelly Clarkson was “whack,” that she shouldn’t have gotten slapped around for trying to convey her vision. “I think it was all blown out of proportion. I think it’s always the artist’s fault when they step out on their own and do something they want to do. I will say this: we can’t release an album without a record company. She couldn’t put it out by herself. If they didn’t like it, they shouldn’t have put it out. I love her new single. I think her new video is hot. I think everything she touches is gold.”

Ruben is planning a big man’s clothing line called Royal Structure. “I’m getting a sponsored by an apparel company I can’t name,” he said. “We’re going to the Magic [trade] show next month. We’re hoping we get it in all the Federated Stores. You know, Macy’s.”

What’s on his iPod right now? “Amy Winehouse. That’s my favorite CD right now. Jamie Cullum. Carl Thomas’ new album. Those are my three favorites right now.”

A couple years ago, Mandisa, an ultimate top 10 finisher on “American Idol” won the Star 94/Fox 5 guaranteed trip to the front of the line at Chicago auditions.

If you think you can do the same, the competition is in full force this week.

Beginning on Monday, July 30th. during the Steve & Vikki and Cindy & Ray shows, when you hear the cue to call, be the correct caller and you could “audition” your way to being 1 of the 25 contestants to compete for a “Fast Pass to Fame” at the Grand Finale Event August 3rd at the New World Of Coke. You must be 16 to 28 years old on July 28, 2007 to enter. There are some on-site opportunities are various RaceTracs.

Last but not least, you can take your chances and show up at the Grand Finale Event on August 3rd at the New World of Coke. Be there between 2p-4p to register for a chance to win 1 of the final 11 contestant slots that will be randomly chosen at the Grand Finale Event on August 3rd. Registration will take place between 2p-4p at the YELLOW Star 94 tent located near the main entrance to the New World of Coke and adjacent to the stage on the main lawn.

The eleven (11) contestants randomly drawn on August 3rd plus the pre-qualified nine (9) contestants from on-air and five (5) on the street will perform for chance to win a “Fast Pass to Fame.”

The 25 American Idol hopefuls will “audition” live on-stage between 4p-7p for chance to win a “Fast Pass to Fame.”

More details are here.

Seven of last year’s contestants provided auditioning tips to the upcoming crew, including the men and women who will be hanging at the Georgia Dome August 14. Here are the tips, courtesy of USA Today..

Most of it is fairly obvious. Don’t sing over-used artists such as Etta James, Whitney Houston or Celine Dion. Be true to yourself. Look the judges in the eye. Not surprisingly, the dullest comment came from Haley Scarnato. You’ll have to read it to believe it.

Hok isn’t there but the top 10 on Fox’s “Idol” cousin “So You Think You Can Dance” do a victory lap this fall after the “Idols Live” tour is over. Mark the date here: October 22 at the Arena at Gwinnett. Ticket sales forthcoming.

The tour is 49 cities, up from 35 last year. It sold well last year and should again.

Meanwhile, the DreamsN2Reality seminar/show August 4 at Philips Arena has added Diana DeGarmo to its lineup, which already had William Hung. That’s step up, eh? The show will feature casting directors who will give tips on how to get on reality shows and give folks a shot to be on some, including the ever-classy “Flavor of Love.”

Anyway, ticket info is here. Prices range from $50 to $115 though there are plenty of discount opportunities.

I’m going to be out most of the day covering the media horde at Flowery Branch on opening day of Falcons training camp. So I’m going to post a few links here and let it be.

Ryan Seacrest wants to have kids..

Here’s a great review of the Idol tour out of San Jose, Calif..

Here’s a boring interview with Phil Stacey via TV Guide..

Kelly Clarkson drops out of the top 10 in her fourth week with “My December,” falling from 5 to 11 with 42K in sales and 505K total. Daughtry is at No. 22 and is approaching 3 million in sales. Carrie is at No. 30 and is at 5.8 million, catching up to Kelly’s “Breakaway.” Elliott is down to 81, selling 9K and 324K total. Bucky is down to 83 with 8,700 in sales and 223K total. Fantasia moves up to 125 with 5,900 in sales and 443K total. Kellie is up from 157 to 141, with sales of 5,200 and sales totaling 585K. Kat is at 347K, Taylor at 692K, Clay at 515K, Ruben, 214K, Kimberley Locke at 14K and Paris at 18K. More details here at Idol Chatter..

Bravo’s little-seen “Hey Paula” has shown Paula Abdul being dropped from the upcoming “Bratz” movie and she doesn’t take it well. Here’s an mtv.com story about it..

“Just before heading to bed, I decided to check my e-mail, and I discover an e-mail about the ‘Bratz’ movie I’ve been working so hard on,” she explains in a voiceover, as we watch the moment unfold. “Now, all of a sudden, I’m infuriated. … After all of these long months of hard work, I’m getting an e-mail that basically says they really don’t need me.

With her mouth hanging open in shock, the video shows Abdul collapsing into a chair and tearfully bawling, “Where is God when you need Him? Because this does not make any sense!”

And did anybody say hey to Taylor at the Barnes & Noble last night? Anybody? My Buzz colleague says he did dine at 2 Urban Licks.

Kelly Clarkson’s “handlers” must have finally decided enough was enough. It’s time to have Kelly kiss and make up to Clive Davis. Here’s her Web site announcement..

“There has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding the release of “My December,” much of which has focused on a supposed feud with my record label, in particular, Clive Davis. I want to set the record straight on this by saying that I want my band, my advisors, those close to me and my record label to be one big, tightly knit family. Like any family we will disagree and argue sometimes but, in the end, it’s respect and admiration that will keep us together. A lot has been made in the press about my relationship with Clive. Much of this has been blown way out of proportion and taken out of context. Contrary to recent characterizations in the press, I’m well aware that Clive is one of the great record men of all time. He has been a key advisor and has been an important force in my success to date. He has also given me respect by releasing my new album when he was not obligated to do so. I really regret how this has turned out and I apologize to those whom I have done disservice. I would never intentionally hurt anyone. I love music, and I love the people I am blessed to work with. I am happy that my team is behind me and I look forward to the future.”

Problem: she dissed Clive in multiple publications, from Self to Entertainment Weekly to USA Weekend. Go back to previous blog entries and you’ll see a bunch. I can’t believe all the publications blew things “out of proportion” or used her quotes “out of context.” If there was one isolated quote from her, that’s one thing but she said pretty much the same thing to many many journalists and her intent was clear: she wasn’t happy with how Clive treated her and didn’t think his opinion was paramount vs. her own.

Taylor Hicks’ book was mocked on VH1’s “Best Week Ever” this week. One of the actors pretended to be reading the end of the Harry Potter book but was actually reading Taylor’s book. At least it was free press!

Anyway, here’s a reminder that he will be at the Barnes & Noble on Cumberland Highway off Akers Mill Road at 7 p.m. I am doing my final oral presentation for a group project in my MBA class (global strategic policy!) on Krispy Kreme Doughnuts tonight and will miss the signing, unfortunately. Good thing about him is you know he’ll be back. Please email me photos if you take any while you go and I’ll post’em!

Nigel Lythgoe admitted that the show obsessed so much on the guest coaches season six, as we bloggers have noted, the producers didn’t give the contestants enough due. I’m not sure if extra storylines about Melinda’s background singing or Chris Richardson’s Hooters work would have endeared us more to them to be honest. But I guess it wouldn’t have hurt.

”We were so engrossed with the mentors and didn’t really focus on the Melinda Doolittles of the show,” he said during the Television Critics Association press tour, which I am missing. “We didn’t know them as much as the Kellie Picklers of last season.”

Lythgoe’s current cousin, “So You Think You Can Dance,” spends more time on the back story of its contestants.

”We’re all attached to them a little more,” Lythgoe said about “Dance’s” focus on its contestants’ lives. ”I think that’s affected us all a little bit more. There are little emotional hooks that come out.”

Then he added, about the SYTYD top 10, which is actually very strong: ”There isn’t a Sanjaya here, although I do think Sanjaya helped the last season of Idol. I think there’s enough talent with enough great stories to warrant the fact that we are basing it on their talent. No one needs to alter their hair on this program.”

In case you’re reading this Monday, welcome to the new week!

I finally caught up with “So You Think You Can Dance,” which I’m watching though not religiously. I’m sad to see Hok gone. The British/Asian B-boy is truly unique as the judges say and I didn’t think he did that badly earlier this week, at least not badly enough to be eliminated before the top 10. I do wish though the usually eloquent man didn’t repeat the cliche from hell whenever someone is eliminated: “This isn’t the end for me. It’s only the beginning.” That phrase should banned. Please!! It’s stupid and sadly, it’s often not true at all. Or simply wishful thinking. Then again, I expect Hok will do just fine.

Of the remaining guys, I enjoy Dominic the most. Of the women, Sara, the B girl, is the tops, though Sabra is great, too. (She reminds me of Nadia Turner with that hair!)

Anyway, EW gabbed with Kellie Pickler, who they note is the lowest-ranking “Idol” finalist to sell more than 500,000 copies of an album. It also notes how amazing it was that she came out with as strong an album she did considering how quickly it came out. She in fact, released her CD before any other season five finalist. Certainly, nobody would have predicted the success she’s had so far, with “Red High Heels” and “I Wonder” are both top 20 hits in country.

Sure, some people hate her and finds her innocent Southern gal persona annoying, but she’s got plenty of fans (including me.)

”People relate to [her] honesty and the fact that there’s no pretense,” says SonyBMG Nashville chairman Joe Galante.

She conveys her love for Dolly Parton and how she wants her next CD to be different.”I do want this next one to be a complete spin around, like, ”Wow, I didn’t know this about her.’ I want people to leave in shock — to think, Really? I’m all about that. I like controversy.”

Another great quote: “I belch and fart like a man, better than any of ‘em.”

She wore a disguise wig so she could watch Brad’s concert in the front row in peace. She told a hilarious story about buying tampons in a drugstore in her hometown of Albemarle.

For some reason, she doesn’t address (or get questioned about) her pups. But here’s a side comment she made in the middle of a question about Kelly Clarkson that is beyond hilarioius:

“There’s a freakin’ war going on…. [but world issues] are not being given half as much attention as Britney Spears for not wearing panties. Who cares? If the girl doesn’t want to wear panties, leave her alone. I’d rather focus on my troops that are dying for me so that I can actually sit here and have this conversation with you, and homeless kids that are in shelters, than whether or not Britney has panties on. To tell you the truth, I don’t even have any panties on right now. I don’t care.”

Now I really do love her!

MTV.com wrote a lovely piece about how Fantasia has surprisingly rocked Broadway with “The Color Purple” while her second single off her sophomore album has helped enliven her music career at the same time..

“I think she could become a bulletproof artist without her album necessarily having to go triple-platinum or even platinum,” said Keith Murphy, an editor at Vibe magazine to MTV.com. “You’re looking at an artist who now has the capability of growing old with her fans.”

I would agree with him. Fantasia has serious skills and she’s smartly using them on multiple platforms three years after winning “Idol.” Go Fantasia!

It’s interesting that there are already stories circulating burying Kelly Clarkson’s career over an album she didn’t even expect herself to sell that well, just something she wanted to do as an artist.

Here’s a long one from ABC News.

And catty Roger Friedman has at it in his Fox News gossip column.

I don’t buy it. One album won’t be the end of her by any stretch. She’ll bounce back, perhaps as we noted, with a country-rock album.

And here’s the cover of Self magazine:

“I don’t care about selling millions,” Clarkson says in the new issue of Self magazine, on stands July 26. “I just want to write music that people will relate to.”

The second single “Sober” is now being played on 21 out of 138 top 40 stations nationwide, ranked no. 64, according to Mediabase 24/7. It still hasn’t received any airplay in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Bucky Covington has a top 10 country hit with “A Different World.” And the Reba/Kelly duet version of “Because of You” is about to supplant it, ranked at No. 11 but showing more momentum. Kellie Pickler is still edging up the charts, too, with “I Wonder” at No. 14.

Elliott Yamin is now up to No. 7 on the top 40 charts with “Wait For You” while Daughtry’s “Home” (which peaked at No. 3) has dropped to No. 10. “Before He Cheats” falls to No. 23 after peaking at No. 9. “Never Again” is down to No. 39 after peaking at 21.

Fantasia peaked at No. 2 on the Mediabase urban chart and has slipped to No. 3 with “When I See U.”

Mandisa’s “Only the World” holds at No. 7 on the Christian pop chart.

On the AC chart “Home” is no. 5, “Before He Cheats” is at No. 7, Kimberley Locke’s Change” is at No. 8 and Taylor Hicks’ “Heaven Knows” is at No. 23 (that only equates to 226 spins nationwide). Plus, Elliott is at No. 26 with “Wait For You.”

For four straight years, “American Idol” has lost to “The Amazing Race” in the Emmys best reality competition series. “Idol” was nominated for a fifth time this morning and naturally, “Amazing Race” is one of its key competitors. But both could be ousted by repeat nominee “Project Runway.” “Dancing WIth the Stars” gets its second nomination, too, but I can’t see that winning. The only newcomer is Bravo’s “Top Chef,” which I actually like more than “Runway,” probably because I prefer food over fashion.

In the non-competitve reality category, the same fives shows from 2006 were nominated. Those Academy folks are sooo adventurous, eh? “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” was nominated a second time but will probably lose to last year’s winner “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” I love “Penn & Teller: Bull**” on Showtime and it also received another nomination, along with “The Dog Whisperer” and “Antiques Roadshow.”

Just so you and I don’t actually have to watch “Hey Paula,” the publicists at Bravo were kind enough to provide a detailed synopsis. It’s like squeezing blood from the entertainment turnip, eh? I feel sorry for the producers attempting to make this interesting. Last week’s ratings: 364,000 people. That’s pitiful and down about 40% from the opener two weeks earlier. In comparison, Bravo’s “Kathy Griffin: Life on the D-List” draws about 800K to 1 million and “Top Chef 3” brings in 2 million viewers.

POP ICON PAULA ABDUL FRETS IN PHILLY AS MOTHER NATURE TURNS AGAINST HER ON BRAVO’S “HEY PAULA”, THURSDAY, JULY 19 AT 10PM

Paula Abdul, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill Or Rocky Balboa - Who Said It? - Play “The Quotable Paula: Level Three” Game At www.BravoTV.com’s

NEW YORK - July 18, 2007 - Bravo gives viewers a chance to spend another whirlwind day-in-the life of pop icon Paula Abdul with the fifth episode of the new series “Hey Paula,” on Thursday, July 19, at 10PM ET/PT. In this installment of the 30-minute docu-drama, a quick trip from Philadelphia to New York takes a turn for the worse when Mother Nature throws an unexpected snowstorm into the mix. Photography for the series can be found at www.nbcmv.com.

Unpleasant weather leaves Abdul stranded in Philly. The pop icon makes the most of being stuck in her room by playing a practical joke on her assistants. It’s all fun and games until the next morning. Abdul finds out she might not be able to fly to NYC due to the snowstorm. Luckily both Billy and Daniel get last minute flights and are able to prepare Abdul for her Letterman appearance, with Billy prepping her lines, while Daniel primps her look. Fans eagerly await Abdul’s arrival outside of The Late Show With David Letterman, including one very emotional girl.

Who said it - Abdul, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill or Rocky Balboa? “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Is it Abdul, Churchill, Gandhi or Balboa? Go to www.BravoTV.com for the surprising answer. www.BravoTV.com features exclusive content and adds Balboa to the already baffling list of lines from Abdul, Churchill, and Gandhi. Think it’s so easy? Think you can tell the difference between Abdul, Gandhi or Churchill? Hmmm…think again.

I can’t think of a weekday since December with so little news on the “Idol” front.

But it’s 1:20 a.m. so maybe something will pop up later and allow me to update this pathetic entry.

How desperate am I? Ryan Seacrest cried at the wedding of Eva Longoria and Tony Parker in Paris Saturday..

Is that news? Not really.

Anyway, at least USA Today’s Ken Barnes provides more detail about download sales than you can imagine.. He showed that Gina sold more downloads than expected while Haley was not surprisingly pitiful on the sales side. Sanjaya also didn’t really sell much. Jordin’s songs on average sold slightly less than Blake’s. In fact, his “You Give Love a Bad Name” outsold the abysmal coronation song poor Jordin sang ” This Is My Now.” (192K to 177K). And I thought I was obsessed with numbers!

I also have an advance copy of Constantine’s new CD. When I have more time, I’ll give it a listen and a quick review.

Now I have to get a copy of Taylor’s book!

There’s this strange rumor floating around that Sharon Osbourne would replace Paula Abdul. I see no evidence this is imminent, that it’s merely wishful thinking for many. First of all, Osbourne already is committed to “America’s Got Talent” and she isn’t half bad on that show, but how much of an upgrade would she really be? I don’t mind Paula as a judge on “Idol.” She plays well with Simon, but Bravo’s awful “Hey Paula” reality show proves she’s incredibly dull behind the scenes. I didn’t even bother to watch the latest episode — the previews proved how difficult it was for the producers to find any plotline at all since they pretty much showed her being, um, hungry. Wow! Ratings drooped to 523,000 last week, a major disappointment for Bravo.

Carrie’s sophomore album is set to come out on October 23, her record label announced.. Her first CD “Some Hearts” came out in November 2005 and has sold more than 5.7 million copies with a raft of hits. It’s easily the most successful “Idol” debut ever and may never be matched or exceeded.

Reminder: If you are a band and want to be on the “Idol” spinoff this fall “Search fro the Next American Band Search,” the deadline is July 31. Here are the details..

Welcome to the new week!

Here are the six Idol questions that were featured on VH1’s “The World Series of Pop Culture” during the first round last week. (Our local trio El Chupacabra were unfortunately ousted in the first round on the episode aired Thursday, but they can take solace in the fact they already have $250,000 from winning last year.)

My wife said she would post here if I got any of the questions wrong and humiliate me. Fortunately, I got them all correct. I expect you folks will post the correct answers but either way, I’ll post’em as a blog entry later Monday with other Idol items.

Here they were in order. Typically “World Series of Pop Culture” questions get tougher as they go along though I think the third and fourth questions were of comparable difficulty to questions five and six.

1. During Season Three auditions, U.C. Berkeley junior William Hung skyrocketed to fame with his tone-deaf verson of which Ricky Martin song?

2. After being crowned the Season Five winner, gray-haired groovemeister Taylor Hicks thanked his legon of fans, who are widely known as what?

3. In a David Caruso-like career move, what co-host left the show after Season One, allegedly to pursue an acting career, leaving Ryan Seacrest to host solo? (The VH1 contestants Andrew W. got it wrong because he hates Idol but Anthony got it.)

4. During Season Three, what quirky film director appeared on “Idol” as an unlikely guest judge. (Shockingly, Andrew W. knew this and stole it from Anthony.)

5. Much to the annoyance of the other judges, Randy Jackson makes frequent on-air references to his former gig as a bass player for what California-based ’80s band?

6. Because it spawned two “American Idol” winners and one runner-up, what U.S. state recently erected billboards bearing the slogan “Where American Finds Its Voice?” (I know the answer but I wasn’t aware of the billboard campaign!)

Tonight, the second season of the lighthearted comedy/drama “Psych” debuts at 10 p.m. on USA Network with an “American Idol” parody called “American Duos.”

This gives the two main characters. pseudo-psychic Shawn (James Roday) and childhood buddy Gus (Dule Hill) an excuse to sing ’80s tunes like “Shout” and “Take On Me” badly. Hill’s actually wears a 1984-era Michael Jackson red suit and does the moonwalk. (see below)

There’s a mean, Simon-type character Nigel St. Nigel (Tim Curry!) being stalked by a potential murderer and he needs a psychic to protect him. There’s also a barely articulatek, drugged-up character named Emelina Saffron (Gina Gershon) who is supposed to be as vapid as Paula Abdul. And a third character who isn’t really like Randy Jackson.

I was mildly amused but overall, “Psych” is so frothy, so absurdly NOT serious, it makes network mate “Monk” play like “CSI: Miami” in comparison.

We always had a sense Kat McPhee was less interested in music and more into modeling and acting.

First, she did a cover of STuff. And now EW.com has some skeletal info about her grabbing a role as a sorority girl in an Adam Sandler-produced comedy, yet untitled.

Fantasia, who has gotten rave reviews on Broadway for her role of Celie on “The Color Purple,” has extended her stay from October 2007 through early January 2008, according to playbill.com

Kelly Clarkson keeps gabbing away about her problems with Clive Davis. D-listed references her interview with Blender in which he believed her CD would not sell more than 600,000 copies. Hey wait! Check my blog entry a couple days ago. I said based on her two-week total of 400,000 and the fact she may get virtually no more radio support (which could change), she’s projected to sell, well, 600,000 copies.

“I don’t know you very well, and I am not a bull-xxx. I get [that] you don’t like the album. You’re 80; you’re not supposed to like my album. I literally got told to my face that it wouldn’t sell more than 600,000 copies. And I got lied to. One reason I don’t like working with people at the label is that they lie … If you’re going with the flow and not fighting, that’s settling. I can’t take that. Life is just too short to be a pushover.”

And something called Nashville Cream met with some of the Idol folks before the Nashville concert. Lots of modestly interesting (or modestly boring, depending on your perspective) tidbits.

Finally, this is really strange. Nashville Records sent out a press release saying they have started negotiations with season two finalist Kimberly Caldwell. Why would a company send out a press release before a contract is signed?

Ken Barnes over at Idol Chatter brought up a good topic and since there appears to be little if any Idol-related news out there, I’ll steal it for us to ponder: this season’s Idol crew has generated very little of that so-called “buzz.” I guess given our feelings about them since the season itself, this isn’t surprising. Overall, the top 12 had a fair share of talent but we never glommed on to them personally the way we did the previous season five crew. I have a hard time believing any of them will have careers remotely close to a Carrie or Kelly Clarkson though someone could shock us all in the end.

Bares noted that there’s no Idol compilation CD, just downloads. One theory is that there are so many former “Idol” contestants out there making headlines and trying to make careers, that there’s simple “Idol” fatigue. Our minds can only absorb so many people. (The first five seasons generated 58 finalists.) Maybe we have truly jumped the “Idol” shark six seasons in. I think season seven will tell us if that’s the case. If traffic on this blog dies next season, that would say a lot, too!

I haven’t heard attendance figures from the various Idol concerts in the Southeast so far. I wonder if any have sold out.

Kelly’s second single “Sober” is bombing out on radio. Not even 10 percent of top 40 stations have added the song so far, none in Atlanta. Her rock angst-filled CD dropped more than 60 percent in sales in its second week. If she doesn’t get any hit singles, she will struggle to sell 600,000 copies of “My December.” (After two weeks, she has sold about 400k.)

CREDIT: Rick Diamond

But hmmm… check her out on the country radio chart. Reba McEntire and Kelly have dueted “Because of You” and it’s approaching the top 10 on that chart.

Maybe we should start thinking about her fourth album. Will she take the Jimmy Buffett/Bon Jovi route and jump onto the country bandwagon by 2009?

Reba and Kelly are now buds. Kelly appeared on “Reba,” did a “Crossroads” with her, then showed up at the CMA Music Festival Fan Fair singing “Because of You.”

Kelly just signed with a Nashville-based agency called Starstruck which happens to also represent… Reba McEntire. And who will be Clarkson’s direct manager? Narvel Blackstock, who is married to… Reba McEntire.

And she is now also the voice of NASCAR.

So, Carrie—watch your back!

This is not an original observation. Check out this Rolling Stone item..

“American Idol” now is spiraling out of control with its licensing this year.

Here’s the press release and the first graf:

With over 30 million viewers each week, “American Idol” has become synonymous with great music and leading fashion. Recognizing this harmony between music and fashion, Lyric Jeans, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: LYJN) today announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with FremantleMedia, co-producer and licensor for “American Idol,” to create a lyric-inspired “American Idol” branded apparel line for department stores, mid-tier and mass market retailers. The initial Lyric Jeans-“American Idol” collection will focus on the contemporary juniors and girls market and expand into other areas including children’s wear.

Plus, I got to finally meet Mandisa in person. She’s gorgeous, naturally. She’s definitely in “promotion” mold (“My life is a promotion tour,” she said), first with her book and now with her upcoming CD, “True Beauty.” It’s out July 31. You can advance order it at amazon.com..

“I’m so excited,” she told me after a signing for her single at the Christian Retail Show at the Georgia World Congress today. “I”m so ready for it.” That single, out a couple months ago, is called “Only the World” and is doing well on the gospel charts. “I am second to last,” she said in terms of the nine season five contestants who have record deals. Ace Young is the only one who has yet to release a CD. (Lisa Tucker, Kevin Covais and Melissa McGee are the only ones in the top 12 without deals.)

PHOTO CREDITS: Rodney Ho (I took them while she was doing some CD signings Monday at the Christian Retail Show.)

She’s been doing a few one-off Christian festivals here and there, plus some minor-league baseball post-concerts. She said she’s very comfortable in the Christian world. “This is where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “This is it. This is who I am.”

She considered R&B but counted it out. “I don’t fit in current R&B. It’s more hip hop slanted. I blend in more with Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan [as opposed to say, Rihanna.]. Until that makes a comeback, I don’t know if I’d necessarily fit.”

The CD will be a mix of R&B and gospel, some Chaka Kahn influences. They’ll be a few ballads but lots of upbeat stuff.

She stays closest to Kellie Pickler but stays in touch mostly with the ladies.

And she said she feels good. “At the end of ‘Idol,’ I was in a bad place because of the controversy [over her alleged anti-gay comment and her weight]. After sifting through everything, I feel much stronger about my faith.”

She has a bunch of relatives here and will stay an extra day to see them.

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