Kelly Clarkson releasing new solo album Oct. 25, worked on trio Already Famous debut at Norman’s Blackwatch Studios
“American Idol” Kelly Clarkson will release her new album “Stronger” on Oct. 25, Sony Music announced today.
On Aug. 30, she will host a live webcast at KellyClarkson.com to debut the album’s lead-off single, “Mr. Know It All,” which will launch at radio immediately after the webcast. “Mr. Know It All” will go on sale at digital retailers on Sept. 5.
Since bursting onto the music scene 10 years ago, Clarkson has released four studio albums (“Thankful,” “Breakaway,” “My December,” “All I Ever Wanted”), sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, moved 10 million albums in the U.S. and sent 7 singles to the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. She is the recipient of two Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, two MTV Awards and 11 Billboard Awards. Clarkson’s last effort, 2009’s “All I Ever Wanted,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and produced the smash singles “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Already Gone.” Her most recent hit is the Jason Aldean duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”
But the Texas native isn’t just looking ahead to her forthcoming solo record. Perhaps inspired by Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert and her new group Pistol Annies, Clarkson has started her own all-girl trio Already Famous with fellow singers Jill Pickering and Kate Rapier.
Already Famous was in Norman in late July to record its debut album at Blackwatch Studios, which posted a short and sweet note about the project on its official Facebook page.
Clarkson also posted about her time in Norman on Twitter (@kelly_clarkson), indicating that she brought over some Red River Rivalry with her:
“I was walking up to every Sooner fan possible asking “don’t you really wish you were from Texas” haha I’m funny!!” she wrote on Twitter.
No word yet on when Already Famous will drop their debut album, but the Pistol Annies will release their freshman effort on Tuesday. Look for my story and review next week.
-BAM
CMA Music Festival TV special airing tonight
Taylor Swift performs at the 2011 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn. (AP file photo)
The three-hour, primetime concert special “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” will air at 7 tonight on the ABC Television Network.
The concert lineup includes individual performances from Oklahoma-connected acts Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts, along with Trace Adkins, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban.
The special also features one-of-a-kind collaborations including Alabama performing with Brad Paisley; Jason Aldean collaborating with Kelly Clarkson; a late-night jam with Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow; Josh Turner singing with “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery; “Idol” runner up Lauren Alaina joining Martina McBride; Gretchen Wilson partying with Big & Rich; and Alan Jackson performing with Zac Brown Band.
Behind-the-ropes access is part of the special including interviews with The Band Perry, Aldean and Clarkson, Lady Antebellum, Swift, and Shania Twain; a late-night jam at a downtown club with Luke Bryan; and a day in the life of McCreery and Alaina as they experience their first CMA Music Festival. Several artists step up to introduce their peers including Bentley, McBride, Rascal Flatts, John Rich, Rucker, Shelton, and Twain.
The annual event, which originally started as Fan Fair in 1972, runs four days and includes 30 hours of autograph signings, 100 hours of live music, hundreds of artists and celebrities, and a party list of thousands of avid, singing and dancing-’til-dawn fans. This is the seventh time ABC will broadcast this special, which invites the country to America’s biggest country music bash.
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Photo gallery: CMA Music Festival TV special airing Sunday
Ada native and Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton performs at the 2011 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press file photos)
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert plays at the CMA Music Festival.
Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, charms the crowd at the CMA Music Fest.
The three-hour, primetime concert special “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” will air at 7 p.m. Sunday on the ABC Television Network.
The concert lineup includes individual performances from Oklahoma-connected acts Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts, along with Trace Adkins, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban.
The special also features one-of-a-kind collaborations including Alabama performing with Brad Paisley; Jason Aldean collaborating with Kelly Clarkson; a late-night jam with Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow; Josh Turner singing with “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery; “Idol” runner up Lauren Alaina joining Martina McBride; Gretchen Wilson partying with Big & Rich; and Alan Jackson performing with Zac Brown Band.
Behind-the-ropes access is part of the special including interviews with The Band Perry, Aldean and Clarkson, Lady Antebellum, Swift, and Shania Twain; a late-night jam at a downtown club with Luke Bryan; and a day in the life of McCreery and Alaina as they experience their first CMA Music Festival. Several artists step up to introduce their peers including Bentley, McBride, Rascal Flatts, John Rich, Rucker, Shelton, and Twain.
The annual event, which originally started as Fan Fair in 1972, runs four days and includes 30 hours of autograph signings, 100 hours of live music, hundreds of artists and celebrities, and a party list of thousands of avid, singing and dancing-’til-dawn fans. This is the seventh time ABC will broadcast this special, which invites the country to America’s biggest country music bash.
As a preview of Sunday’s TV special, check out these Associated Press photos from the 2011 CMA Music Fest.
Trace Adkins
Josh Turner, left, and "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery
See more photos after the break.
Wednesday Video Spotlight: “American Idol’s” Scott McCreery, Lauren Alaina release debut videos
“American Idol” Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery released this week his debut music video, for his hit single “I Love You This Big.” Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina also released this week her first music video, for “Like My Mother Does,” this week. Both teenage singers are pursuing country music careers.
“Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe confirmed today that all three Season 10 judges – Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson – will return to the reality TV show, reports the Associated Press.
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What to do in Oklahoma on July 19, 2011: Hear “American Idols Live!” at the Cox Convention Center
Today’s featured event:
Hear Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and the other 11 finalists from “American Idol’s” 10th season at 7 tonight when the “American Idol Live” tour comes to the Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens
The “American Idol Live” 2011 lineup will showcase the diverse and daring talent on the roster, including winner McCreery, runner-up Alaina, Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Stefano Langone, and Thia Megia.
“American Idol’ remains the No. 1 rated show in America, and this year, iconic judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez went through a tight race to narrow the contestants down for America to decide who will be the next big star. In the end, fans voted to make young country crooner McCreery the winner.
For more information, go to www.coxconventioncenter.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
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David Cook performing tonight on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, is performing tonight on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” The show airs from 10:35 to 11:35 p.m. on CBS (KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City), and Cook’s performance will cap the show.
Cook recently released his second post-”Idol” album, “This Loud Morning.” The album debuted at No. 7 on the cross-genre Billboard 200 chart.
To read my review of “This Loud Morning,” click here.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley to co-host CMA Awards for fourth straight year
Checotah native Carrie Underwood and fellow country music superstar Brad Paisley announced this morning that they are returning in fall to co-host the Country Music Association’s annual awards show for the fourth consecutive year.
The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9 on ABC.
The superstars made the announcement in a video posted on the CMA’s official Facebook. The announcement was filmed on the set of the music video for “Remind Me,” their latest duet, which is featured on Paisley’s new hit album “This Is Country Music.”
“We couldn’t ask for better hosts than Carrie and Brad,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, in the subsequent news release. “They have the unique qualities of humor, talent, credibility, and natural rapport that makes them a hit with the fans and the industry audience. The CMA Awards are in great hands with Brad and Carrie at the podium.”
Underwood said getting the invitation to co-host again with Paisley is “exciting news.” In an interview before co-hosting the 2010 CMA Awards, Underwood told me that she enjoys the whole process, even the meetings leading up to the actual event.
“It’s a lot of fun. I mean, gearing up for it, we have meetings and things like that.We listen to scripts, and we’ve gotta look things over and make notes … so we can be prepared and say, ‘You know I really wouldn’t say this this way’ or whatever. And Brad has a lot of really awesome ideas as far as scripts go; he’s definitely got a more like TV writer mind than I do. I’ll read whatever’s on the teleprompter,” she said with a laugh during our fall 2010 phone interview.
“But we just go in and have fun and spend a few hours doing that, and before you know it, it’s showtime. For me, there’s lots of wardrobe changes, and I’m running back and forth. Somebody’s always grabbing one of our hands taking us to the stage. … Three hours really flies by when you’re hosting.”
Paisley echoed in the news release that he was honored to be asked back as the show’s co-host.
“It’s hard to believe this will be our fourth year to host the CMA Awards – it’s such an honor to be invited back,” Paisley said. “I love working with Carrie, she’s a class act and a complete balance to my non-class act. I’ll try my best to not mess it up.”
Paisley is the reigning CMA entertainer of the year. He has won 14 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award (now the new artist award) in 2000, including album of the year in 2006 for “Time Well Wasted” and male vocalist of the year in 2007, ’08 and ’09. He has won the musical event of the year award three times, in 2004 with Alison Krauss for “Whiskey Lullaby,” in 2006 for “When I Get Where I’m Going” with Dolly Parton, and in 2009 for “Start a Band” with Keith Urban. He also claimed the vocal event of the year trophy in 2001 for “Too Country” with Bill Anderson, George Jones and Buck Owens. He has earned the music video of the year honor three times, in 2002 for “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” in 2004 for “Whiskey Lullaby” (again with Krauss), and in 2007 for “Online.” He ranks at No. 5 on the list of top CMA Award winners of all time.
A singer/songwriter/guitarist triple-threat, Paisley has sold more than 12 million albums and has earned 19 No. 1 singles since debuting in 1999. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Paisley’s innovative and entertaining 2010 “H20 World Tour” was ranked No. 1 country tour for attendance by Pollstar. His 2011 tour, “H2O II: Wetter & Wilder,” featuring Oklahoma native Blake Shelton, continues the success with tour dates across the United States and Canada, along with an international itinerary that includes London, Dublin, Stockholm, Oslo and more.
The 2005 “American Idol” winner, Underwood has received five CMA Awards in her career, including three consecutive wins as female vocalist of the year in 2006-08, along with the Horizon Award in 2006 and single of the year for “Before He Cheats” in 2007. The CMA Awards gig will cap another big year for the five-time Grammy winner, who made her big screen debut in spring in the movie “Soul Surfer” and recently wrapped her first promotional trip to Australia for the release of “Play On: Deluxe Edition.”
The Oklahoma native is one of music’s most powerful vocalists and has amassed more than 13 million in U.S. album sales and has achieved 13 No. 1 hits since releasing her debut album, “Some Hearts” in 2005. She co-wrote six of her No. 1 singles. In 2010, she was the top-ranked female country touring artist of the year for her “Play On Tour,” which performed in more than 100 cities for 1 million fans throughout the U.S. and Canada. Her career achievements include nearly 60 award trophies along with membership in the Grand Ole Opry.
The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of the Country Music Association, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. The final nominees in each of the 12 categories for the 2011 CMA Awards will be announced in early September.
-BAM
David Cook to perform on “The Talk” this afternoon
David Cook (AP file)
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, will perform today on “The Talk,” which airs at 1 p.m. on CBS (KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City).
Cook released last Tuesday his second post-”Idol” album, “This Loud Morning.” The album debuted at No. 7 on the cross-genre Billboard 200 chart.
To read my review of “This Loud Morning,” click here.
“Friends with Benefits” star Jenna Elfman also will appear on today’s “The Talk.”
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: David Cook releases sophomore album “The Last Goodbye”
Tags: David Cook, Top 20 Countdown
“American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, released his second post-”Idol” album, “This Loud Morning,” Tuesday on 19 Recordings/RCA Records.
“This Loud Morning” is Cook’s first new album since November 2008, when he released his self-titled major-label debut six months after winning on “Idol.” “David Cook” went platinum. And the singer/songwriter/guitarist has really been making the rounds to promote his long-awaited sophomore effort.
In the Video Spotlight, check out his Associated Press video interview about the album, his video track-by-track breakdown with Billboard.com and his cover of Radiohead’s “High and Dry” from VH1.com.
He will perform Thursday on “Lopez Tonight,” airing at 11 p.m. on TBS.
Executive produced by Matt Serletic (Rob Thomas, Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul), “This Loud Morning” features tracks written and co-written by Cook along with many acclaimed songwriters including, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder, David Hodges, Johnny Rzeznik, Kevin Griffin and Marti Frederiksen.
Look for my review of “This Loud Morning” in the coming days here on BAM’s Blog, on NewsOK and in The Oklahoman.
-BAM
Video: “The Voice” semifinalists to go on tour in summer
NBC is sending its break out reality TV hit on the road this summer.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network is planning a tour featuring its eight semifinalists: Beverly McClellan, Vicci Martinez, Dia Frampton, Javier Colon, Nakia, Xenia, Casey Weston and Frenchie Davis. Check out this video of the semifinalists performing a George Michael tribute on last Wednesday’s episode of “The Voice.”
The four remaining finalists – McClellan, Martinez, Frampton and Colon – will again be featured from 8 to 10 tonight on the last live performance episode of the season. The winner will be announced during the season finale from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Follow my live blog of both episodes here at BAM’s Blog.
The tour will not include the show’s four all-star musician-coaches, country music star Blake Shelton, pop belter Christina Aguilera, Gnarls Barkley singer Cee Lo Green and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine. Citing multiple unnamed sources, the trade publication reports that organizers for the Live Nation tour wanted the chart-topping, genre-crossing foursome to join the show’s contestants but talks apparently broke down over compensation.
I imagine that scheduling difficulties also were a factor in keeping at least half of the coaching panel off “The Voice” tour. Shelton is opening for Brad Paisley’s “H2O II: Wetter & Wilder World Tour” all this summer and into the fall. Paisley is set to perform his duet with Shelton, “Don’t Drink the Water,” on tonight’s episode of “The Voice,” airing from 8 to 10 p.m. on NBC.
Likewise, Maroon 5 has a full summer and fall tour slate with Train, including a Sept. 22 date at Oklahoma City’s Zoo Amphitheater. Train frontman Pat Monahan will perform a duet with “The Voice” finalist Martinez during Wednesday’s season finale, airing from 7 to 8 p.m. on NBC (KFOR-4 in Oklahoma City).
Although it’s unclear the planned series of live concerts will fare with the star quartet to anchor it, a tour should generate more buzz for the freshman show,which will return as a mid-season replacement on Mondays next spring. Revenues from the planned tour also will ofer another way for the network to cash in on its biggest success in years. “The Voice” –which at $2.3 million per episode is NBC’s priciest unscripted series ever– is garnering in the neighborhood of $250,000 per 30-second spot this season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Shelton has already taken to Twitter (@blakeshelton) to gush about the tour prospects for his semifinalists: “I feel like a proud papa with my two girls @DiaFramps and @X3NIA17 hitting the road this summer for The Voice Live On Tour. Show ‘em love!”
Levine also expressed his excitement about the tour on the micro-blogging site. Although his original tweet has been deleted, it lives on in this retweet by Colon (@Javstwtr) “RT @adamlevine: @Javstwtr & @casey_weston are hitting the road in July for #TheVoice Live Tour. You can thank me later> I’ll thank u now bro.”
Despite its innovations on the reality singing contest format, “The Voice” isn’t the first such show to spin off a finalist tour. Since its began 10 seasons ago, reality TV granddaddy “American Idol” has dispatched the top from its latest season on a summertime concert series.
In fact, “American Idol Live!,” featuring the top 11 from the show’s 10th season – Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Scotty McCreery, Stefano Langone, and Thia Megia – will stop July 19 at Oklahoma City’s Cox Convention Center. For more information, go to www.coxconventioncenter.com.
-BAM
