July 2008 News Archive

American Idol season 6 finalist Melinda Doolittle has finally signed a record deal.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Doolittle will join the roster at independent label Hi Fi Recordings. The label also has had a hand in successful efforts by Avril Lavigne and Spacehog, among others.

Hi Fi was founded in 1995 by music industry vet John Hecker and was originally a joint venture with major labels Elektra, Arista, and Virgin Records. Doolittle's debut is expected to be released this fall.

Congrats to Melinda Doolittle on her record deal!

In a recent AOL Television survey that drew more than 1.3 million votes, Simon Cowell drew 39 percent of the vote for best reality TV villain.

Paula Abdul, meanwhile, was chosen worst reality judge by 42 percent of voters. Ouch. Touch break, Paula.

The AOL Television poll on the best and worst of reality television was conducted from July 9-23. It attracted 1,340,208 votes.

Do you agree with a poll that ranks Simon Cowell as the most villainous person on reality TV?

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken just completed a trip to the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya. There, the former American Idol finalist provided children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

The 29-year-old American Idol alum has written a series of blogs about his experience in the field. Here's a snippet from one of them:

“Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives. The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans. Many displaced parents told UNICEF that getting their children back to school was their top priority.

“Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too. This is just another one of the many amazing ways UNICEF is helping children today, while also building a safer Kenya tomorrow.”

Read all of Clay Aiken’s blog entries at UNICEFUSA.org. (Click on the “Permalinks” to view the full entries.)

Auditions for next season's American Idol got underway in San Francisco last week.

Here's a look at some of the hopefuls. Remember, your next American Idol might be pictured here...

Kellie Pickler's second album will hit stores on September 30.

“I’m so excited and proud of the new album,” said Pickler. “The material on the new album is part small town girl, but also a reflection of the experiences I’ve had over the last two years. I’ve matured, some, seen a lot more of the world, and naming the album Kellie Pickler says, ‘this album is me, this is who I am and where I am.’”

Pickler is off to a good start with the single “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.” Listen to it now

Carrie Underwood has been nominated in the “Mainstream Country Artist” and “Video of the Year” categories at the 14th Annual Inspirational Country Music Award Show.

The show will take place on October 16, 2008 at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

The event is described as:

“The annual Inspirational Country Music Awards are dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent among artists who perform Christian and Inspirational Country music.”

For a changce, here's some Kimberly Caldwell news that does not involve her dating David Cook.

The season two American Idol finalist Kimberly Caldwell is set to host Jingles, a series that asks contestants to write and perform jingles about a wide variety of products. The show is produced by Survivor creator and reality TV show guru Mark Burnett.

No premiere date has been announced yet.

Don't get Kristy Lee Cook and Carly Smithson wrong: each American Idol finalist is thrilled to be on tour this summer.

But each also confided to TV Guide that it's hard on their relationships.

Kristy Lee, who got engaged during Season 7 to Andrew Dobner, said she hasn't seen her man at all.

"I get to see him on the 10th, but I don't know if he's going to any of the other shows," she said. "It's tough. We've had a few 'moments,' because he doesn't understand what's going on, but he's starting to get the picture when I'm like, 'I can't handle this!' But he's getting the picture that he needs to be supportive. He's starting to come around."

Kristy Lee Cook is missing her man while on tour.

Smithson also admitted that her ongoing tour and rehearsal schedule has been hard for both her and her husband.

"The whole [thing of] not being able to hang out with him as much is just awful. For me, [L.A.'s] my last city where I'm going to get to see him," she said.

However, Smithson also sees the humor in some of the Idols' whirlwind lives: "He's been amazingly understanding. Like 'I can't talk to you right now. I'm putting on an eyelash.' Weird things like that!"

American Idol winner David Cook is currently at work on his debut. It's due in November and he recently spke on his goal for the CD:

''Something that's undeniably me... I got to write with Ed Roland from Collective Soul, Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace.... I'm gonna keep a few close to the vest. I like surprises.''

Here's a look at Cook, hard at work in the studio:

On September 30, Jennifer Hudson releases a self-titled CD.

Rumored collaborators on the album include: Akon, R. Kelly, John Legend, Jack Splash, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Robin Thicke, Timbaland, T-Pain, The Underdogs and Diane Warren.

Here's a look at the cover for "Jennifer Hudson."

What do you think?