Season seven’s Jason Castro is doing a mall tour. It’s like Tiffany minus the lip gloss, the leg warmers and the cheesy synth sounds. In other words, not like Tiffany at all.

He will be at Discover Mills Mall October 23, according to billboard.com. And believe it — I’ll be there!

In a scheduling move that could potentially put his fans’ loyalties to the test, Castro’s album is due on Atlantic Records Nov. 17, the same day that this year’s “Idol” winner, Kris Allen, will release his own self-titled debut. But Castro says he’s not worried about the competition.

“I see it as an opportunity. We’re all living the dream, so I’m not really concerned about when whose album comes out — I’m just gonna get out there, that’s all I want to do.”

-And Adam Lambert is now at No. 1 on Amazon.com for his advance, untitled album due out November 24. He might pull a Clay Aiken and outsell the winner Kris Allen. In fact, it’s probably a very high likelihood. …

Continue reading Jason Castro coming to Discover Mills Mall October 23, Adam Lambert #1 on Amazon »

strongSimon Cowell, now 50 years old, writes a letter to his 30 year old self in the Daily Mail.

After reading through most of it, which is kind of interesting if you’re into Simon’s early background, I realize he clearly had some spare time on his hands. And yet he still hasn’t said anything of substance about Ellen DeGeneres.

-Ryan Seacrest may be too expensive (and busy) to take over for CNN’s Larry King. That’s what an inside anonymous source told the New York Post. Of course, King has no immediate public plans to retire. When I interviewed him a few months back, he said he wouldn’t know what else to do. And he’s signed through 2011. But it’s fun to speculate, eh? Seacrest subs for King on occasion.

-Adam Lambert’s album, nearly two months from release, is already No. 2 on Amazon.com’s sales charts. MJ notes that the link was leaked, that it’s not even available if you search “Adam Lambert.” It’s untitled and costs $9.99.

His fans are clearing chomping on his bit for …

Continue reading Simon Cowell writes letter to younger self, Adam Lambert already No. 2 on iTunes »

From her MySpace page (last updated in June)

Part-time Fayetteville resident and season five contestant Paris Bennett called in late last week to promote the upcoming season of “American Idol Rewind,” which starts this weekend on TV Guide Channel.

Her class of 2006 is considered the favorite among many of us “Idol” acolytes. Among the top 10, Daughtry is huge. Kellie has been a surprisingly sturdy presence in country music. Bucky, Ace, Mandisa, Elliott, Kat and Taylor have kept themselves in the spotlight to various degrees. Even Lisa Tucker is working with Ne Yo.

Paris did come out with an album a couple of years back but got little traction. She had a baby nearly a year ago named Egypt. Whatever diva-like issues she had in 2007 are largely gone. But she really hasn’t forged a solid career image that I can ascertain.

And unfortunately, during my interview with her last week, I wasn’t able to get much deeper with her own assessment of her career or anything of real …

Continue reading Paris Bennett interview for ‘American Idol Rewind’ »

Justin Guarini’s publicist was nice enough to send me a note telling me he is getting hitched this weekend to a gal he’s known since high school. To the left is a photo with Justin, Reina and his future stepdaughter Lola.

Here’s the press release:

Justin Guarini, 30, runner-up to Kelly Clarkson in Season One of “American Idol,” is getting married this Saturday, September 26th to his fiancee Reina Capodici, 27, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

The couple have know each other since high school but only started dating a few years ago.

Ms. Capodici has a four year old daughter, Lola, from a prior relationship.

They decided to get married in December of last year, when Justin was in Florida at Disney’s EPCOT Center filming his “hosting clips” for the “American Idol Experience” ride at the Orlando theme park.

The intimate family wedding will be held on a private estate along the Delaware River, not far from both their families’ homes in Pennsylvania.

Forgoing traditional wedding …

Continue reading Justin Guarini getting married this weekend, Melinda Doolittle at Road Atlanta this Saturday, radio airplay update »

 Loading …

Despite lower ratings and a lousy economy, the ‘Idols Live 2009′ version did virtually the same as ‘Idols Live 2008′ in terms of attendance.

MJ has all the gory stats. The 52 shows filled 85.6 percent of seats vs. 85.3 percent in 2008. Attendance was about 483,000 vs. 482,000 in 2008. Since ticket prices were slightly higher, revenues were up from $29.3 million to $30 million. If you believe Chris Sligh’s take, the attendees each pocketed about $200,000 so the “talent” took home just 6 percent of the total …

Continue reading Idols Live tour 2009 does about the same as 2008, Simon Cowell trying to bring X Factor to U.S. »

If you missed Kellie Pickler opening for Taylor Swift earlier this month, she’s taking a solo turn next month October 16 at Wild Bill’s in Duluth.

Tix start at $25 and info is here. She will also be featured on “American Idol Rewind,” which returns October 2 with season five. TV Guide Channel will start airing it at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. that day and 1 p.m. October 3.

I’ve spoken relatively speaking to Taylor Hicks, Kellie and Elliott Yamin. The TV show has made almost everyone else, except Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee, available to talk. I’ve asked for Paris Bennett, given her local ties, and Lisa Tucker because she’s working with Atlanta’s Ne-Yo. I’ve also requested Bucky Covington and Ace Young. I’d really like to speak to Kat but the show said her people have not gotten back to them yet.

Also, Ruben Studdard is part of the David Foster & Friends show at Fox Theatre October 28. Tix are a bit pricey, ranging from $57 to $127. He joins Peter Cetera (Chciago), Philip …

Continue reading Kellie Pickler at Wild Bill’s Oct. 16, Ruben Studdard joins Fox Theatre David Foster show »

 Loading …

Z-100 yesterday debuted Kris Allen’s first single ‘Live Like We’re Dying.’

Okay, ‘No Boundaries’ was his first single in reality but we’d all like to pretend that never happened. It’s jaunty and upbeat, very pop friendly.

Check it out here:

His album is set to come out November 17.

-And our favorite reader of this blog Chris Sligh returns again with advice for the “Idols” leaving the tour.

It’s worth reading. He’s clear headed and realistic. He also noted that Jared Cotter from his season, who just missed the top 12 season six co-wrote “Down,” a huge hit with Jay Sean. I didn’t even know that. Kudos to Jared!

So, my message to Season 8. You’re not going to be successful. You’re not going to be millionaires (with the exception of MAYBE Kris and Adam). You are going to struggle. No one will care about you. Those fans who’ve been …

Continue reading Kris Allen’s new single ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ debuts, Chris Sligh gives advice »

Another year, another loss.

For the seventh year in a row, “American Idol” lost to “The Amazing Race” for best reality competition. In fact, “Race” has won every single year the category has existed. The voters base their votes on a single episode and face it, “Amazing Race” is an extraordinary show in terms of logistics and entertainment. It brings more drama than “Idol” from that perspective on any single episode.

Ryan Seacrest also lost in the second year of the best reality show host competition, again to Jeff Probst of “Survivor.”

But in the grand scheme of things, who cares, eh?

And hey, at least Bruce Gowers, the “Idol” director, finally won in his category for the first time in seven.

Continue reading ‘The Amazing Race,’ Jeff Probst beat ‘American Idol,’ Ryan Seacrest (as usual) in Emmy race – but ‘Idol’ director wins! »

(From left to right) Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Hudson, Adele, and Leona Lewis wave at the end of the VH1 Divas show in New York. — PHOTO: AP

I’m at a hotel in D.C. with access to Bravo (”Real Housewives of Atlanta”!) and Lifetime (”Project Runway”) but not VH1. So I missed the diva show last night. It sounded like fun.

Here’s a boring take of it from AP.

Paula Abdul hosted and opened the show, but she got the most attention for poking fun at her “American Idol” replacement Ellen DeGeneres — rocking a signature suit, tennis shoes and a short blonde wig — while prancing around onstage.

Here’s USA Today’s take on the Idols:

Roaring: Two-dozen dancers and a blinding, pulsating light show backed Sparks on S.O.S. They almost weren’t necessary, as her piercing, full-throttle voice was easily the night’s loudest.

More than fair: Hudson and Wonder traded dramatic vocal flourishes and intense silences on his All in Love is Fair, perhaps the …

Continue reading ‘VH1 Divas’ with Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson rock out »

I’m not going to be spend much time today on this since I’m supposed to be relaxing. So here are a couple of bits to get you going today.

People reports that former Atlantan and season four runner up Bo Bice is expecting child No. 3!

It will be his third boy, due in January. Caleb is 13 months and Aiden Michael is four years old.

“The rock triad will now be complete,” Bice’s rep jokes. “Watch out for the ‘Brothers Bice’ or ‘Bo Bice Brothers Band’ release later this year!”

-Lakisha Jones had a baby, too.

Continue reading Bo Bice expecting third child, Lakisha Jones has a baby »