American Idol

Season 7 American Idol winner David Cook

DAVID COOK DEBUT RELEASE SET
He may be having The Time of His Life, but there’s no question David Cook is ready for his first full-length release. The latest singer to be crowned American Idol, Cook is set to release his debut album November 18 on 19 Recordings/RCA Records. The first single, Light On, will be available on iTunes beginning Sept. 30.

Light On was co-written by Chris Cornell, lead singer/songwriter for megabands Soundgarden and Audioslave, and Brian Howes, a well-known producer and songwriter. Keep up with the latest David Cook news at his now-live Web site, www.davidcookofficial.com.

CHRIS DAUGHTRY TURNS BACK TO TV
Season 5 American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry may be leaving his reality days in the past, but he’s certainly not done with television appearances. It recently was announced Daughtry would appear as a guest star on an upcoming episode of CSI: NY.

The 28-year-old is expected to first appear in the show’s 100th episode as a character named Machiavelli Taylor, according to reports. With Katharine McPhee taking on the big screen recently in House Bunny — not to mention an Oscar winner and dozens of Broadway gigs among other past finalists — Idol no longer can be seen only as a chance to become the next big pop star.

NEW ‘IDOL’ JUDGE IS ‘PRETTY HONEST’
Judge No. 4, Kara DioGuardi, has been spending some time in the judging chair at Season 8 auditions in New York, Jacksonville, Louisville and San Francisco. The newest judge to join the Idol panel talked to the New York Post about her new job and finding her spot on judges row.

“I just know I’m getting my groove, loosening up and forgetting about the big elephant in the room,” she told the Post. “The first few cities I was like, ‘Oh my God, the camera is on me’, it was a little strange. … But I’m starting to let my true self come out. You forget about the camera and start being you. And that’s been fun for me.”

In the end, DioGuardi said she has been trying to be “pretty honest” in her opinions and comments to Season 8 hopefuls.

Carrie Underwood performs ‘Before He Cheats’ at Sunday night’s 50th Grammy Awards.

After a high-energy performance of her hit single Before He Cheats at the 50th Grammy Awards, Season 4 American Idol winner Carrie Underwood picked up a couple more trophies to add to her growing award collection.

Underwood took home Grammys, thanks to Before He Cheats, in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song categories. The Best Country Song award actually was presented to songwriters Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins.

Carrie Underwood poses with her Grammy backstage at the awards show.

Several former Idol contestants and/or winners were nominated, including four nominations for Daughtry. The rock band fronted by Season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry is nominated in the Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rock Song categories for It’s Not Over; Best Rock Album; and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for Home.

Chris Daughtry and his wife, Deanna, attended Sunday night’s Grammy Awards.

As a co-writer of It’s Not Over, Ace Young was included in the Best Rock Song nomination.

Season 3 winner-turned-Broadway star Fantasia garnered three nominations in R&B categories. She was nominated in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for When I See You, as well as in the Best Contemporary R&B Album category for her self-titled release.

Underwood also was a nominee in the Best Country Collaboration category for her work on Oh Love. She was up against the original Idol, Kelly Clarkson, who was a Best Country Collaboration nominee for her Reba McEntire debut, Because of You.

Mandisa earned a nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category for her CD True Beauty.

American Idol, Carrie Underwood, Mandisa, Daughtry, Ace Young, Grammy, Grammy Awards

There were more American Idol alums on the 50th Grammy Awards red carpet than musicians who didn’t get their start on the FOX reality hit. Or so it would seem.

From winners Carrie Underwood and Fantasia to fellow Grammy nominee Chris Daughtry, the red carpet also welcomed Idol faces such as Ace Young — someone probably should have told him you dress up for the Grammys — and Tamyra Gray. Even Paris Bennett made an appearance (or was I seeing things?).

Here are a few photos from the red carpet to hold you over. Check back later for more photos, as well as commentary on performances and wins (maybe even losses) from the night.

Ace Young
Carrie Underwood

Fantasia

Daughtry

American Idol, Grammy Awards, Carrie Underwood, Ace Young, Fantasia Barrino, Chris Daughtry, Daughtry

Ferras’ Hollywood’s Not America will be the “goodbye” song for contestants next week on American Idol.

Last season’s contestants took their final bow on the American Idol stage as Chris Daughtry’s Home played in the background. The year before it was Daniel Powter’s Bad Day. This year, at least for the Feb. 12 and 13 episodes, singers will be leaving the stage to up-and-coming Ferras and his song Hollywood’s Not America.

The song is from Ferras’ upcoming CD, Aliens and Rainbows, scheduled for release April 1 — digital release of the album is scheduled for March 11. Already, Hollywood’s Not America is available for download as a single on iTunes.

“Because this was my first record, I decided to draw on the artists who’ve inspired me — Elton John, Bowie, Queen, the Beatles — because of the huge impact they’ve had on my own music,” Ferras says on his MySpace page. “But I also wanted to make a record that’s personal and tells a story, and every song is either something I’ve experienced, something I hope to experience or something I can really connect with. These aren’t just random pop songs — they come from a real place; they explore feelings.”

After you check out Hollywood’s Not America, make sure to listen to the live recording of Take My Lips. Ferras certainly has an interesting sound, and he certainly is an artist to watch.

American Idol, Ferras, Chris Daughtry

Even without an audience of fans, Daughtry won a People’s Choice Award at the 34th ceremony.

Queen Latifah hosted the show in its audience-less format because of Hollywood’s continued writer’s strike. The show featured many of its winners giving pre-recorded acceptance speeches, including Daughtry. The band took home the Rock Song honors with its hit single, Home.

“I knew I was going to be away from my family for a really long time, and I got in that mindset and the lyrics just flowed,” Chris Daughtry said about the song during the pre-recorded speech and interview. Home helped Daughtry become the best-selling artist of 2007, according to Billboard magazine’s annual Billboard 200 list. The CD has sold more than 3.2 million copies to date.

Daughtry’s next big chance to add some prizes to the trophy case will be at the 50th Grammy Awards. The band has four nominations, including Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rock Song for It’s Not Over, as well as Best Rock Album and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for Home.

The Grammy awards are scheduled to be broadcast at 8/7c Feb. 10 on CBS.

American Idol, Daughtry, Chris Daughtry

You don’t have to win American Idol to be a winner. Daughtry is proof of that.

The recently four-time Grammy nominee is the top-selling artist of the year, according to a list compiled by Billboard magazine for its annual Billboard 200. Daughtry, the band fronted by Chris Daughtry of Idol fame, has been a force since releasing its self-titled debut earlier this year. The CD has sold 3.2 million copies, which put it at the top of the list.

Akon, Hannah Montana and Fergie took up the second through fourth-place spots, while Season 4 Idol winner Carrie Underwood’s Some Hearts produced a fifth-place finish with 2.3 copies sold in 2007.

American Idol, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood

American Idol is all over the red carpet at the American Music Awards. Here are their familiar faces:

Carrie Underwood

Chris Daughtry

Jordin Sparks

Kellie Pickler

Ryan Seacrest

American Music Awards, Jordin Sparks, Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Ryan Seacrest, American Idol