August 2008 News Archive (Page 2)

On an unspecified date in November, both David Cook and David Archuleta are expected to release their debut albums.

Whose do you think will sell more copies?

American Idol seventh season finalist Michael Johns has been released from the show’s restrictive contract that prevents finalists from being signed by other record labels.

Johns “asked to be released from the 19 Entertainment contract” and “19 agreed, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported this week.

The singer has already “been on two major labels and an indie” and now “plans to go on his own like Elliott Yamin and hopes to find distribution any way he can,” and “says he’s recorded eight songs (two songs by Diane Warren), most done before the tour started. He hopes to get 25 done by Thanksgiving and pick 12 for an album set to be released in January or February,” the newspaper added.

It's a unique deal, but one that Johns is appreciate of.

“They said, ‘Look, we realize you’re 29 years old. Good luck.’ I was so thankful. I’ve been able to work and get things done instead of wait around,” Johns said, adding that he’s not going to a major label because “I want control back. It’s not like I need a label to get me noticed. This is one of my last shots to be in this situation.”

As to a producer, he said, “I can’t believe producers are returning my calls! Ultimately, we’ll write as much as we can then figure out what producer to stylize it. … It’s an album hopefully you can dance to, work out to, chill out to.”

David Cook and David Archuleta greeted fans in Washington, D.C. before a stop on the 2008 American Idols Live tour.

Here are shots of the finalists:

You can't blame Clay Aiken for singing a happy tune these days.

The American Idol finalist's son, Parker Foster Aiken, was born in North Carolina last week. Now, we're received word word that the singer will reprise his role as Sir Robin in the Broadway musical Monty Python's Spamalot.

Aiken performed the part earlier this year from January to May; he'll return to the show from September 19 to January 4.

According to Variety, Aiken’s initial run in Spamalot "had a noticeable effect on box office. Weekly sales ... surged the week Aiken joined the cast and took a steep tumble ... after he departed."

Makes sense to us. People love Clay Aiken.

It's a boy for Clay Aiken and Jaymes Foster, the American Idol finalist's best friend who was artificially inseminated earlier this year.

Aiken announced the birth of the baby he fathered on his web site, referring to the baby’s mother as “my dear friend, Jaymes." The child was born on August 8.

There are no photos yet of Clay's son, Parker Foster Aiken, but there is this description of him, courtesy of the popular, former finalist:

“No hyphens. One first name. One middle name. One last name... [he] is healthy, happy, and as loud as his daddy. Mama Jaymes is doing quite well also. … We’ll share more at some point in the future.”

Best wishes to Clay Aiken and his new family!

Life is pretty good when you're an American Idol finalist.

Season seven champion David Cook and fellow singer Carly Smithson hung out on the field with the New York Mets prior to an August 2008 baseball game. Both crooners look right at home in the uniforms, don't they?

Clay Aiken's best friend, Jaymes Foster, has given birth to his son - a baby boy named Parker Foster Aiken - as of 8:08 a.m. today!

Aiken's mother, Faye, said dark-haired Parker weighs 6 lbs., 2 oz., and is 19" long. "Clay is smiling from ear-to-ear," Faye said.

Mom, dad and baby all are doing fine. Congrats to all!

This is Jaymes Foster. With Clay Aiken. And some chick who has had her face blurred out for some reason. Umm, yeah. Don't ask us, we just found this online.

Clay Aiken and Jaymes Foster, who met when he starred on American Idol in 2003, are said to be planing to raise little Parker together.

We couldn't be happier for our man Clay.

As David Archuleta and David Cook continue to work hard on their debut albums, fellow season seven American Idol finalist Brooke White has a CD for sale.

Songs from the Attic was released by the independent label New Millennium Records Group in 2006. Itd was produced and co-written by Tim Simms and is now available for download on White's website and on iTunes.

You can check out the song list and purchase White's album from our music section right now! Just follow our link.

According to E! News, David Archuleta is working on songs for his debut album with Rock Mafia Records, the Santa Monica-based tune factory behind the Miley Cyrus hits "7 Things" and "See You Again."

Over the next couple of week weeks, E! reports that Archuleta will record at least two Rock Mafia-sanctioned songs that 19 Recordings and RCA Records are counting on to turn into hit singles, a source said.

"David knows he needs to have a big radio hit, and Miley's producers are the closest thing he can get to a guarantee."

Congratulations are in order for Bo Bice and wife Caroline Fisher. The couple welcome welcomed a baby boy, Caleb, into the world earlier today.

Bice and Fisher were married in July 2005 in Helena, Alabama. Their son Aidan was born in September 2005.

"[Caleb] is a good biblical name," Bice said at the American Idol finale show in May. "We stuck with that with both kids – good Irish and good biblical names... We're just blessed to have such a beautiful family."

Bo Bice and Caroline Fisher are new parents!