CREDIT: AP

Radaronline reports a photographer bugged Adam Lambert enough that he chased after him and tried to grab his camera. A friend of Adam’s pulled him away, no harm, no foul. Clearly, Adam was trying to have a private moment based on what he was wearing.

Adam’s response:

On Thursday 16th September 2010, @adamlambert said:

They’re real good at provoking, but there ain’t any pics or video of the b.s. they spew out… Haha well… I lost my temper for a sec but wow it felt great lol MIAMI!!!

(UPDATE at 10:50 p.m. EST: TMZ reports the photographer filed a police report so it doesn’t look like Lambert will be able to get out of this one with an LOL. )

- Oh, yah. There were contestants from season 9, right? MJ in quick succession yesterday posted entries about Casey James getting listed as “Casey James Band” on the Sony Nashville site, Tim Urban set to release his album second week of November and Lee DeWyze set to release his October 16. You can pre-order Lee’s album now. I’m …

Continue reading Adam Lambert attacks a photographer; updates on Casey James, Tim Urban, Lee DeWyze »

The national nightmare is almost over: “Idol” sent out a press release at 4:45 p.m. EST today announcing the new judges’ panel… will be announced on  September 22.

Yes, it’s a press release effectively to tell us when the network will release news we already presumably know. Ryan Seacrest will hold an actual live press conference, presumably with the news judges in tow at the Forum in Los Angeles.

At this point, we can only hope they’ve been messing with us with oodles of false leaks and it’s NOT Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. I’m almost praying for a surprise.

But somehow, I doubt it.

Continue reading ‘Idol’ promises judge’s panel Sept. 22! »

Sure, it’s not 2006 anymore, but “American Idol” is now soliciting auditions via MySpace.

Despite the use of dying MySpace, the concept is sound. I hope “Idol” finds some good talent this way.

Justin Bieber was discovered on YouTube. “America’s Got Talent’ also used YouTube this season.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. owns MySpace, so this is probably an effort to resuscitate the dying brand through its sister TV network Fox.

Here’s the press release:

In celebration of AMERICAN IDOL’s 10th anniversary season, the No. 1 show on television is offering aspiring singers an additional opportunity to have their voices heard. 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America and FOX have partnered with MySpace to revolutionize the show’s audition process. Beginning today through October 6, hopefuls between the ages of 15 and 28 (as of July 15, 2010) will have the opportunity to submit an audition video exclusively on MySpace at www.myspace.com/americanidol.

Entrants should demonstrate …

Continue reading Hoping to find another Justin Bieber, ‘Idol’ solicits MySpace auditions »

CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

Adam Lambert tore down the roof at the very staid Atlanta Symphony Hall Tuesday night. And while the venue was a bit stuffy, Adam wasn’t in the least.

Fortunately, he tamed some of his worst tendencies we saw on “Idol” and that ill-fated American Music Awards performance. Heck, he didn’t even sing “For Your Entertainment.” It merely played on tape to open his hour-long set.

The show flowed well. He started dark, including a short version of “Ring of Fire,” his only cover of the night. He then did a few acoustic cuts. Then he did happier dance songs at the end, including his current his “If I Had You.” (He apparently has dropped “Whole Lotta Love” and “Mad World” from the set recently.) Adam’s brimming confidence and grace on stage made the show easy on the eyes. Overall, it was a visually stunning set (with a simple, yet effective, laser light show).

The crowd included a few teens but mostly women in their 30s to 60s. (Not as many gays as you …

Continue reading Adam Lambert rocks out for a very enthusiastic Atlanta Symphony Hall crowd »

After that rather unflattering piece Monday  in Deadline Hollywood about Jennifer Lopez and her “diva demands,” Fox execs are telling TMZ that they are being “planted” by rivals who want to see “Idol” fail. Really? They didn’t necessarily dispute the details in the story, which involved Lopez demanding movie and TV production deals, as well as $15 million in salary. She got $12 million, according to the story. It also said the delay in the announcement is Lopez wanting it to be tied to the release of her next single.

MJ thinks that it’s Simon Cowell and his “X Factor” cronies, since they obviously still have sources inside “Idol.”

The New York Post also says Randy Jackson makes $8 million. Paula Abdul demanded $10 million but “Idol’ wasn’t willing to give it to her. Too bad, eh? (Ryan, as we know, gets $15 million.)  TMZ at about 2:20 p.m. today said her deal is only for one year. Then again, Ellen DeGeneres’ five-year deal got cut to one year.

Please send us the press …

Continue reading Paranoia reigns at ‘Idol’ over Jennifer Lopez ‘leaks;’ Jordin Sparks vs. a pit bull »

If you already dislike Jennifer Lopez as a “diva” type who may or may not add much to the judge’s panel, reading this Nikki Finke Deadline Hollywood piece won’t change your mind at all. In fact, it is completely unflattering from every angle.

Nikki, citing unnamed sources, said she accepted the judge’s spot in late July, about the time we heard the first rumors. The story claims that Lopez demanded a “put” deal requiring Fox to place her in films to help her moribund movie career. She also wanted a TV production deal. Fox refused to call her bluff.

The story said she wanted $15 million. She accepted Fox’s offer of $12 million, far more than what Paula Abdul was getting.

More reason to be annoyed with J.Lo: the story says she requested the announcement not be made until mid September to coincide with a new single with her new label Island Def Jam. Sony dropped her earlier this year after her last album disappeared without even being released. Her “Back-Up Plan” film bombed as …

Continue reading Nikki Finke provides gory details of J.Lo negotiations »

Bo Bice, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Sept. 11, 2010. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame last night was a mini-reunion for three “American Idol” vets Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young and Bo Bice.

Young and Bice were there to celebrate their manager Charlie Brusco, an inductee who has managed bands such as Styx and Lynyrd Skynrd and was a major Atlanta promoter back in the 1980s.

DeGarmo, a former Horizon up-and-comer award winner, was there to present the award this year to Tyna Q, an Alpharetta-based teen Spanglish singer. She, Bice and Young all performed solo songs during the pre-show at 8 p.m. before the actual ceremony went live on GPB at 8:30 p.m. Diana sang a lovely ballad called “Thank You” in honor of the victims of 9/11 on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. (I was in the back row with a camera without a great lens. So this is the best I could get on the right)

I spoke with all three “Idol” alums on the …

Continue reading Meeting up with Bo Bice, Ace Young & Diana DeGarmo at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame ceremony »

Just got this press release:

Carrie Underwood opens up to Women’s Health about married life, being “normal,” and picking up a Canadian accent in the October issue. Not surprisingly, she says nothing terribly controversial:

On her personality:

“I’m the most normal person in the universe”

On getting engaged:

“I was so excited that five minutes had elapsed before I even looked at the ring!”

On married life:

“A lot like dating. Sometimes our schedules will click, sometimes they won’t. But that’s good because we’re both independent.”

On going to Canada:

“I love going to game, cheering for my man”

“When I come home, I’m accused of picking up the Canadian accent”

On not living more of a “Hollywood” life:

“I’m not the kind of person who does crazy things”

On a perfect day:

“I’d sleep in a little, work out, do laundry, run errands, buy presents for people with birthday’s coming up. I like it when I don’t have to be anywhere, and anything I do is my choice.”

-MJ says …

Continue reading Carrie Underwood adjusting to marriage, picking up a Canadian accent »

With music manager Charlie Brusco (Styx, Lynyrd Skynyrd) getting named to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame this year, Bo Bice and Ace Young will perform in an all-star band at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Saturday night.

Brusco is Bice’s former manager. I think he still reps Ace but I’m not 100% sure.

Diana DeGarmo is going to introduce the Horizon Award, which she has received herself in the past.

- Allison Iraheta parted ways with Jive Records after just one album. The label really tried to get her going but radio just refused to play her songs. Hopefully, I’ll be able to ask her some questions next week when she arrives in Atlanta though the person I’ve been in contact with has been incognito this week and has not confirmed anything. (UPDATE: I was just informed she is no longer doing interviews. Hmmm…)

“Allison Iraheta has parted ways with Jive Records, however she remains signed to 19 Recordings. Allison is currently on the road in the U.S. opening for Adam …

Continue reading Bo Bice, Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young at Georgia Music Hall of Fame ceremonies this weekend »

CREDIT: AP

Joe Perry is not a fan of “American Idol.” And when he heard Steven Tyler was considering a spot on the judge’s table, he was appalled – for Tyler’s sake and more importantly, the future of Aerosmith, which pays the bills, obviously.

“Technically speaking, after the gig in Vancouver (on Sept. 16), I don’t have a job with Aerosmith,” said a weary sounding Perry in an interview with the Calgary Herald to advance the group’s Friday show at the Saddledome.

How about “Idol”?

“It’s a reality show designed to get people to watch that station and sell advertising,” he says dismissively. “It’s one step above (Teenage Mutant) Ninja Turtles.

“I’ll tell you one thing, when we put this band together, this is not something that (Steven Tyler) would do,” he adds, his voice filled with disappointment and frustration.

Ironic he mentioned Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles because Simon Cowell helped parlay them into musicians in the early 1990s long before …

Continue reading Joe Perry of Aerosmith harshly disses Steven Tyler’s dalliance with ‘Idol’ »