The Unofficial Danny Gokey FanSite |  |
- Sir Elton John to Perform on Idol Gives Back
- Getting to Know Will Young
- Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Lambert top Out magazine’s most influential list
- Seacrest speaks! Ryan on ‘Idol’s’ past, present and Simon-less future: ‘It’ll be like losing my oxygen’ [Updated]
- More ‘Idol Gives Back’ details revealed: someone will go home
- ‘Idol’ results show minute by minute: Elvis, Lambert, lasers and tears
- Season 9 CD track listing, cover art revealed
- Kara DioGuardi strips, Rickey Minor skips
- Idol Alumni Give Back At Feeding America Food Banks
- Jason Castro’s Debut Album Has Arrived
| Sir Elton John to Perform on Idol Gives Back Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT As part of his global effort to raise awareness for and to end HIV/AIDS, Sir Elton John will perform on Idol Gives Back, airing Wednesday, April 21 at 8/7c on FOX, on behalf of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige & the All-Star Band will also perform. In addition, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has joined Idol Gives Back as a not-for-profit partner on the charity special. Iconic superstar Sir Elton John has become a legend since forming his first band in 1961 and continues to sell out concerts all over the world. In 1992 in the U.S., and then in 1993 in the U.K., John established the Elton John AIDS Foundationto support innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS and direct care and support services for people living with the disease. Collectively, the two organizations have raised $220 million since inception in support of projects in 55 countries around the world, including significant funding dedicated to programs in their respective home countries. Johns collaboration with Tim Rice on the music for The Lion King garnered him a Grammy Award and an Academy Award in 1994. In 2004, John and his band began a residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for The Red Piano, which ran until April 2009 and totaled 241 shows. In 2006, he released the autobiographical album, The Captain & The Kid, the sequel to Captain Fantastic … read more
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| Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT Will Young was the winner of the very first Idol show, Pop Idol, in the UK during 2002, which spawned the Idol franchise. His single, Leave Right Now, is the song you hear during the eliminated Season 9 Idols goodbye packages each week. Recently, Will caught us up on what hes been busy with lately. The inspiration behind Leave Right Now came from love, and feeling the need to talk about the clash between the heart and the mind, Will said. I didnt write that song, Eg White did, and hes worked with Adele on Chasing Pavements and with James Morrison. Most songs I sing are about love. When Will was on Pop Idol, he stood up to Simon Cowell. What advice does he have for the Season 9 finalists as they receive critiques from the judges? Pop Idol was the first of this format of show on TV, so I just followed my instincts, but remained polite. I fought for what I believed in. My advice to the American Idol contestants is to follow your instincts and your heart, but do it in a nice way. Can you tell I studied politics? How does it feel to be the first winner of a show that launched the worldwide Idol franchise? Will said, It feels really great to be a part of American Idol and have an exit song which plays every week. Idol is such a big brand now. It started as nothing, but it touched audiences, and people like to have a hand … read more
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| Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Lambert top Out magazine’s most influential list Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT
"American Idol's" newest judge tops Out magazine's list of the most influential gay men and women in America, rising from the No. 2 slot she occupied last year thanks in large part to the broader exposure "Idol" has brought her. "Since DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on 'American Idol' in February, millions upon millions of viewers are getting a double dose of the hugely popular talk show host and 12-time Emmy winner," write Out's editors. "The American Express and Covergirl pitchwoman's reach is nearly unparalleled, especially after Oprah Winfrey's announcement that she will be ending her show in 2011. A passionate advocate for marriage equality, an avid opponent of 'don't ask, don't tell,' and staunch defender of animal rights, DeGeneres's enormous platform is many an American's gain." But DeGeneres isn't the only "Idol"-affiliated name to rank high. Adam Lambert debuts on the list at No. 5, breezing right past the likes of "Project Runway" powerhouse Tim Gunn (No. 47), two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster (No. 41) and financial guru Suze Orman (No. 27) – as well as a host of other entertainment, media, political and fashion heavyweights. Lambert's sudden burst into the gay power elite is something Out's editors say they "never saw coming," noting that his "attention-grabbing run on 'American Idol' was largely interpreted as a referendum on tolerance." "Lambert shattered the glass closet of 'American Idol,' arguably ruining the show itself in the process (this season's mealymouthed class merely played catch-up), and his kinky American Music Awards performance forced ABC to break out its rule book," the magazine contends. "His Rolling Stone cover was the mag's best seller of 2009, and midrange domestic debut sales of 'For Your Entertainment' are only the launching pad for an international career. Who did we talk about before?" – Amy Reiter Photo: Adam Lambert performs on "American Idol." Credit: Frank Micelotta / Fox
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| Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT
So what's going on with TV's leading multitasker? Is he overwhelmed? More like overjoyed. After nine years of hosting America's most popular singing competition, he still loves his job — correction: jobs — though he is contemplating letting one of them go. More on that, the Simon Cowell tribute video he's in charge of, and kooky Tuesday in our exclusive Ryan Q&A… First off Ryan, we know you're a bit of an exercise freak, but with all the running around you do in the "Idol" studio alone, who needs a gym? It's 100% cardio for me. I don't have to do the pre-core anymore because they have me in a different place on that set every time we come back live. It's a lot of work. Certainly that was the case on Tuesday, what with your impromptu waltz. What was going on? I was enjoying it. We've done this show for nine years. When they take me out into the audience, sometimes the energy out there takes me to a different place. I looked at the people and I was just having fun Tuesday night. That guy looked like the most inappropriate person to dance with, so I figured, "Let's pick him up and just dance with him for a second." The other thing is, they're moving these contestants all over the place when they're performing so sometimes when I introduce them, I'm actually trapped. I can't actually get out of the location to get back to the side of the stage. So sometimes I'll do something like that to get past it. But that night, I was just enjoying it and having a good time. My mom was there in the audience, I was in a good mood! Often, I will playfully do things to amp up the energy for the live show, because it's at the end of my long day. I had fun during the dress rehearsal too. It's one of those things where the contestants change every year, and we're here every year and every now and then, you throw in an unconventional intro or outro just to make it different. Some people might think it's funny, other people might not. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It's live and you're at bat and you're just swinging as many times as you can… But there is no script. The conversation with Adam Lambert? Unscripted. I rehearse only the camera blockings so I know which cameras we're going to use, but we certainly don't rehearse any of the antics or any of the craziness that goes on. There is a new dynamic at the judges' table, and you're the one who has to navigate it. How has the vibe of the panel changed from your purview? Obviously, any time you put someone new into the sequence of a cast like that, you're going to have a change. Ellen [DeGeneres] is one of my dearest friends, I've known her for a long time and she brings a different point of view. Usually, she says something funny that gets a laugh and we move down the line, but her critique and criticism doesn't come from the place of "I worked with Mariah." My job as the host this year is to try to pay close attention, to look at everything that's happening, and listen to it. I don't wear an IFB (in-ear), there's no one that tells me what to do or say in my ear. So I'm trying to watch all the judges, what the contestants are saying and pick up on any moment. If I feel like there's any kind of a lull — because sometimes we're going for two hours — I'll try and pick up the pace a little. Sometimes you spend so much time at the judges' table that we wonder: Do you want to be a judge? There was a little bit of talk about that, but I do not want to be a judge. I actually like being the master of ceremonies. I like being the host. I like being on the side of the contestants. I like getting to know the contestants. On Tuesday before Lee DeWyze went out, I was talking to him to say, "This is fun. This is a game show, if you will. But you, this small group, is now at a place where there is a finish line in sight and with each week, it gets closer." And I said: "You guys have got to start thinking about this, if you're not already, as a business – and a big one, because if you win, you will become very successful, you will release an album, you could become a millionaire. You could win a Grammy!" So I kind of had that conversation with those guys last night before we went on the air, [to explain] that we're looking for the best and we want to make the best a hit-maker. I think the level of intensity needs to shift a little bit now that we're getting down to the final group. Exactly. Adam's very smart. We have a lot of smart contestants, but what I saw in Michael Lynche last Wednesday, I saw a level of performance and intensity and desire of winning. That guy wasn't going to let anything take him down. He broke the ceiling, if you will. Not that everybody can do that every time, but I do think that's a great lesson for the other contestants to learn and to see. Go for it. Leave everything behind. You're all good at what you do, don't second-guess yourself. Like Lee DeWyze, he's a great singer, but he looks so nervous sometimes, it's like dude, just get out there and remember: You want to win the title of American Idol and if you do, your life changes forever.
It's part of the game, it's part of the formula. People know what to expect — that Wednesday night has come around and obviously someone has to go. There are some contestants where I look down at the card and I look up in their eyes and I feel bad for them because I know how badly they want it, or we've become friends somewhat, I've gotten to know them a little bit. It's not that it becomes easier, but they know it's part of the job and I know it's part of the job. Has there ever been one that was particularly difficult? When Chris Daughtry left a few years ago, I was surprised by that. You've been doing a lot of follow-up questions to the judges and the contestants, is that because you feel like the comments weren't clear enough? The intent is never to press the judges' buttons. It's more like: sometimes I read this right and sometimes I read this wrong, I don't do everything on that show perfectly because it's a circus and sometimes you try and use your gut. But I've stood next to those kids for nine years. I can kind of sense body language when they have heard a critique where they're not quite sure what it means, or that critique might be something that's antithetical to the critique they heard three weeks ago, or two weeks ago, or a week ago! So the idea behind that is to try get a little bit of clarity. Now obviously, Simon and I have a special relationship and sometimes he says things in a way that hurts the contestants' feelings, even though he might be honest and I guess my goal is to provide them a little clarity for them to work on for the next week. And most of the time they do it, but if I do go back to them it's for that reason. How has your relationship with Simon changed over the last few years? Well, I think he's in awe of me now and I think that the older he gets, the more depressed he is with our difference in age. Has our relationship changed? Not at all. I had dinner with him last weekend at his house. When we get together we don't talk about work, we hang out. We've obviously been through this together and so it is an opportunity to create a unique bond. And Randy [Jackson], who I'm also close to, is the same way. But Simon is an expert in that role of being a judge on a performance show. And when Simon feels like he's challenged or when Simon feels like I didn't understand what he said to the contestant, he doesn't like that — he gets a little agitated, that's who he is at work. But I think that we can put our little work cap on and we're intense at work and we compete at work and we go at it, playfully usually. We've never gone to a commercial break and had either of us upset with the other. But he does seem to get grumpier as he gets richer. What's up with that? Yeah, what's that about? I don't know why he gets that way. Not so in your case… I couldn't be happier about it. It certainly has the opposite effect on me. What will life be like without Simon next season? It will be like losing my oxygen. I don't know what it will be like without him next year. You certainly cannot recreate Simon Cowell. You cannot recreate the role he played and you can't do anything that's derivative, if you will, of what Simon has built, and will continue to build. I think there is a big question mark. I don't know because I don't know who is going to be there. I don't know what that dynamic will be like, but as we can all guess, it will certainly be different and it'll create a life of it's own. We'll just have to wait and see. We heard whoever it is has to be bigger than Ellen. Well Ellen's pretty thin, so… We've taken to calling this year the sleepy season, but compared to last year with Adam Lambert… well, there is no comparison, is there? But Ryan, you have 3 million Twitter followers, certainly you must sense there's been some dissatisfaction with this year's lineup. I get all kinds of feedback — nothing really different than years past. Someone like Crystal performs, and you'll get tweets about Crystal good and bad. Same with Siobhan, or whoever. People are hyper-critical on Twitter and they don't sugarcoat. Well speaking of Twitter, you never responded to the Lacey Brown incident, where you tweeted about her elimination before the show had aired on the West Coast. Care to explain? One of the cool things about Twitter is that it allows people to have access instantly to information that they wouldn't get in a formal interview or in a filtered platform. However, I probably shouldn't have spoiled it for the West, so that was a mistake, by not saying, "Hey, don't read this," or "Spoiler alert." But here's the thing: I tweet myself, so in the process of running from one thing to the next in my head, I was just running down the list of guests for the radio show the next day, and [Lacey] was incorporated into that list. So it wasn't an intentional, like "Hey, here's the news." But I didn't really think too much about it because the results were out. If you're online, all that stuff's out there. Next year is "Idol's" 10th anniversary, which makes us think of, among other things, Brian Dunkleman. What was up with that crack the other night? That was just for fun. Again, not scripted. I was just thinking in my head, two locations, two hosts? And he's the obvious host. [Laughs.] I was also setting up the fact that we're going to do a 10-year anniversary and look back on all of the different things that have been a part of this show, and I think people will get a chance to see every incarnation of "Idol," including my see-through shirts, my frosted tips, Simon with the bad hair and his pants jacked up, so the 10th-anniversary season is gonna be fun. I've actually been put in charge of editing together Simon's goodbye package, which is an extreme honor. And there's nothing that's making me happier than being able to put together this little piece for him. Imagine the satisfaction of me going back and finding all the most embarrassing clips and putting them together. I'm excited now just thinking about it. I actually can't watch the tapes of me earlier when this thing first started. It's very hard to watch. And when "Idol Rewind" is on and I flip through the channels, it's, like, please don't show a shot of me. Amazing. You can be seen or heard some 14 hours in a day but you can't watch yourself. Actually, the ubiquity has caused me to not really want to see myself that much anymore. But the TV show is a blessing. I said this during rehearsal on Tuesday, and I meant it: I pulled up a little girl who was, like, 12 years old and I pulled up a woman who was maybe a grandmother and I said, I want to thank you for watching the show because what we try to do well is create a program that families can watch together, and that generations can watch together. And I know that dads will say to me, "I never really had anything to talk to my daughter about until this show came on, and now we sit together, watch and we talk about our favorites. We actually have a conversation about each others' lives." That, to me, is a really cool thing: that a television show can create that moment when families will actually sit together. That's been lost, with everybody's hectic schedules, the divorce rate and people having to work three jobs in a recession. And you still like your job? I do like it. I actually really like my job. My jobs, I should say, I'm trying to figure how out how many more I can do. There's one I'm thinking about giving up. I can't tell you which one, but it's not "Idol." It is one that I have to make a decision on sooner or later and probably something that your audience will be familiar with… – Shirley Halperin [Corrected at 11 p.m.: An earlier version of this post misspelled Season 9 contestant Michael Lynche's last name as Lynch.] Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Photos: (from top) Ryan Seacrest on the March 24 episode of "American Idol." Credit: Fox Ryan Seacrest comforts Didi Benami on her elimination night. Credit: Michael Becker / PictureGroup Ryan Seacrest and Season One co-host Brian Dunkleman, right, deliver voting results to contestants Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini. Credit: Ray Mickshaw / PictureGroup
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| More ‘Idol Gives Back’ details revealed: someone will go home Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT
We're less than a week away from the massive philanthropic undertaking that is "Idol Gives Back" (airing Wednesday) and a few more details have come to light. Like the show's big musical get: Sir Elton John, a longtime fan of "American Idol" but one who said as recently as Grammy weekend that he was not interested in Simon Cowell's judging job. Other performers were announced during and after Wednesday's show, including Joss Stone, Lady Antebellum, Justin Bieber and Mary J. Blige, who'll perform with an outfit called the All-Star Band, which we presume is the same supergroup we wrote about a couple months back for L.A. Times music blog Pop & Hiss. Consisting of Mary, Randy Jackson, Travis Barker, Orianthi and Steve Vai, the collaboration yielded two Led Zeppelin covers, "Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love," both of which became available for download on Tuesday. Previously announced artists include Carrie Underwood, Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox and Alicia Keys, who will also mentor the Top 9 this coming week. There's sure to be plenty of non-music celebrities on hand as well, both in the studio and at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where Queen Latifah hosts. We ran into Jonah Hill a week ago, who was coming in to tape a segment with his "Get Him to the Greek" costar Russell Brand. Jennifer Garner, Randy Jackson and In a conference call with reporters on Thursday, "Idol" executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz revealed that, unlike in previous years, when the charity element was extended to the week's eliminated contestant, Wednesday's two-hour show and special will result in someone going home. "Absolutely" was the exact word she used. She also said that the "Idol Gives Back" lineup is pretty much set at this point. "There's one that we haven't announced yet," says Frot-Coutaz. "It's a packed show. We're trying to figure out a way to fit it into two hours at Who would be your pick for "Idol Gives Back's" one secret performer? Cast your vote in the comments. – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Photos: From top, Jennifer Garner visits LBJ Elementary in Jackson, Ky., where Save the
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| ‘Idol’ results show minute by minute: Elvis, Lambert, lasers and tears Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT 5:55 p.m. Season 5 Top 3 placer Elliott Yamin enters the studio wearing a bright pink button-down and shades. It seems like we run into Elliott almost every day! But it's always nice to see him back in the "Idol" studio. 5:56 Simon Cowell's mom — or mum — enters the studio with the help of a gentle minder. She seems like a lovely lady, and it's always a kick to see her climb into a giant black Rolls Royce after the show, carrying a Marks & Spencer bag in lieu of a pocketbook. Maybe that's how Simon amassed all that wealth — his mother taught him to be thrifty! 6:00 Ryan makes his way to the top of the set for his "This…. is American Idol" intro, but it's when he first mentions Adam Lambert's performance that the place goes absolutely bonkers. With just as many Adam signs as banners of support for the contestants, it's no wonder the comparisons between seasons 8 and 9 have been so harsh. 6:05 Midway through the "Teddy Bear" portion of the Elvis medley, it looks like the group is starting to come apart as the giggles get the best of Crystal Bowersox and Tim Urban. 6:06 Big Mike takes Crystal on a mid-medley dip — impressive! The judges look scared. 6:10 Ford commercial time, and at least one person in the studio audience is absolutely shocked that a Polyphonic Spree song would be used as the soundtrack. 6:13 Andrew's girlfriend looks like she's ready to leap out of her chair as Ryan recaps the judges' comments. And… it's bad news for Andrew. 6:17 All four judges come up to the stage to say goodbye to Andrew during the commercial break. Kara takes a little extra time, going so far as to hold his cheeks while presumably offering words of support and encouragement. 6:19 Lee finally gets a moment with his buddy, but it's brief, as Andrew is chaperoned backstage so the post-elimination procedure can begin.
6:21 An "Idol Gives Back" moment is up next, as Justin Gaston and Brooke White get settled into their performance positions. Footage of Elliott and Kara's trip to Angola is played on the video screen and the Idols, all the judges as well the studio audience pay close attention. 6:26 Ryan sits with Aaron Kelly and Casey during the performance. 6:29 Having seen the two of them rehearse the song about a dozen times, it seems nerves got the best of Justin. He's actually a much stronger singer than how he came off toward the last minute of the song. For more on Justin and Brooke's collaboration, check out our interview with the Season 7 finalist. 6:30 Kara makes a beeline for Elliott during the commercial break. After the show, Elliott told us a little about how they bonded on the trip to Africa. Meanwhile, Justin is talking to Lee and Casey in a guitarists unite moment. Casey hugs Siobhan for a moment, but it's Katie Stevens who looks like she's on the verge of tears. 6:35 With the remaining six finalists on the stage, the vibe in the studio changes considerably. Prolonging the pain, Ryan slowly moves down the line. 6:49 Ryan is struggling to interview Adam over the intermittent screams, but the crowd dies down just long enough for Adam to get one thought in. 6:50 It's the last commercial break, and the tension gets a little more intense. The judges pop out for one last grab at fresh air, while inside, the stage is set for the final elimination. – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter
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| Season 9 CD track listing, cover art revealed Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT The "American Idol" Season 9 compilation CD is scheduled to be released on May 11, it was announced on Thursday, with a special preorder starting Friday at americanidolmusic.com. This year's Top 10 contenders each got a track on the album, and while we take issue with Casey James' hair on the cover, we're pretty happy with the selections. How about you? Check out the track listing below: 1. Lee Dewyze – "Treat Her Like a Lady" 2. Andrew Garcia – "Forever" 3. Siobhan Magnus – "Paint It Black" 4. Crystal Bowersox – "Me and Bobby McGee" 5. Casey James – "Jealous Guy" 6. Aaron Kelly – "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" 7. Michael Lynche – "Ready For Love" 8. Tim Urban – "Under My Thumb" 9. Didi Benami – "Play With Fire" 10. Katie Stevens – "Let It Be" – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter
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| Kara DioGuardi strips, Rickey Minor skips Posted: 16 Apr 2010 10:14 AM PDT While everyone's talking about who was voted off last night, two Judge Kara DioGuardi, who insisted she appeared on the The photo that's making the rounds in advance of the DioGuardi tells Allure that, in her early 20s, she battled In anticipation of the shoot, DioGuardi says, she cut salt And as to why she chose to pose in the buff, DioGuardi told Meanwhile, "American Idol" musical director Rickey So how do the people of "Idol" feel about losing – Amy Reiter
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| Idol Alumni Give Back At Feeding America Food Banks Posted: 13 Apr 2010 08:12 PM PDT This week, former American Idol finalists from all around the country, including Amy Adams, Bo Bice, Didi Benami, Lacey Brown, Kevin Covais, Bucky Covington, Diana DeGarmo, Julia DeMato, Melinda Doolittle, Chikezie, Gina Glocksen, Danny Gokey, Mikalah Gordon, RJ Helton, David Hernandez, Mandisa, Michael Johns, LaKisha Jones, <a href="http://www.americanidol…. read more
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| Jason Castro’s Debut Album Has Arrived Posted: 13 Apr 2010 08:12 PM PDT Season 7 finalist Jason Castro released his self-titled debut album today. The album includes his singles Lets Just Fall In Love Again and Thats What Im Here For. The 23 year old has had a very busy year. This summer, after releasing his single Lets Just Fall In Love Again, he embarked on a tour that hit up malls all across the nation. A week after marrying Mandy Mayhall, Jason released The Love Uncompromised EP and then went on tour with singer-songwriter Matt Hires. The Jason Castro track listing is:
As you may have noticed on this song list, Jason included two of his American Idol Season 7 hit performances on the album: Hallelujah and Over The Rainbow. Now that his full album has been released, fans will be happy to hear that Jason will … read more
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