Ryan Seacrest on American Gladiators

Ok, so he was only the host (not a contestant) and this was from the kids version of the show called "Gladiator 2000". But it's still fun to watch and see how different he was back then him act exactly the same.

Carrie Underwood - "American Girl"

This video is SO CUTE! And the nod at the end to "Before He Cheats" was a nice touch. Check out Carrie Underwood's music video for "American Girl", her second single from the album Carnival Ride:

Carrie - A-AG [jonnyaliblog.blogspot.com]
Uploaded by Alisvideo

Idol Semi-Finalists Get a CD!

via Variety.com

Artists' Addiction Records and Rocket Science, a sales and field marketing company, figure there's still an audience for "American Idol" finalists voted off in the early and middle rounds.

The two companies are banding together on a four-volume series featuring four "Idol" performers per CD, with each singing three original songs. First volume, which will be released Feb. 5, features recordings by Jon Peter Lewis, Ryan Starr, A.J. Tabaldo and Stevie Scott. Vol. 2, tentatively scheduled for March 4, will spotlight Alaina Alexander, Rudy Cardenas, Patrick Hall and Gedeon McKinney.

The albums will be available exclusively through Wal-Mart and iTunes.

Grammy Nominations

Wow, Idol is all over the Grammy nominations list. This is awesome for the show! Congratulations to Chris Daughtry for receiving 4 nominations! Here's a rundown of what happened...

Daughtry
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - Home
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - It's Not Over
Best Rock Song - It's Not Over (nominated with Ace!)
Best Rock Album - Daughtry

Carrie Underwood
Song of the Year - Before He Cheats (technically, it's a songwriter's award so Carrie herself isn't nominated, but still...)
Best Female Country Performance - Before He Cheats
Best Country Song - Before He Cheats (again, a songwriter's award)
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals - Oh Love (with Brad Paisley)

Fantasia
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - When I See You
Best R&B Song - When I See You (songwriter's award)
Best Contemporary R&B Album - Fantasia

Kelly Clarkson
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals - Because of You (with Reba McEntire)

Mandisa
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album - True Beauty

Good luck to everyone! I hope they spread the wealth and everyone gets at least one.

Melinda Doolittle's Post-Idol Success

Dear friends,

I am very confused as to why Melinda Doolittle from Season 6 of American Idol has not be snatched up by a record label. I have been craving some of her soulful singing and I think the world needs as many REAL singers as we can find.

Instead, the only thing I have seen her do is a commercial for a restaurant? A CHICKEN restaurant? Oh lord...



"Crunch, crunch, mmmhmmmmm."

Elliott Yamin - "One Word" Music Video

Why did the make Elliott Yamin jump around and try to dance in his music video for "One Word"? And is it just me or are his khaki pants belted too high? Also, he looks best in the car (natural/casual) rather than the big hair, trendy fedora or semi-slicked (pictured) looks.

His voice is great, I love this song but I think the video feels "forced."

American Idol Season 7 + Blake Lewis' Album Cover

The next edition of “American Idol” doesn’t start until January - but the Hollywood phase of the show, where scores of hopefuls are narrowed down to 24 semi-finalists, is about to begin and a new season is officially underway.

Several changes are in the works, officials say, including:

- changing the format to let singers show other musical talents, such as guitar playing.

- many fewer “mentors,” those established musical stars like Diana Ross and Tony Bennett, who appeared every week last season and took attention away from the contestants.

- and next summer, the annual “Idol” live tour may be combined with the “So You Think You Can Dance” tour - to create a show with both singing and dancing.