Hey y’all! I’m slowly trying to get back in the swing of things. I don’t want to overdo things quite yet with a full post. I’ll get back to more written content posts when my arm is hopefully feeling not as sore.
Anyways, the Glee 3D Concert Movie is coming out on August 12, and to kick off your gleek out session, check out two vignettes featuring Rachel Berry and the Warblers’ Blaine Anderson!
And in case you haven’t seen it, here’s the trailer for Glee 3D Concert Movie!
Before the Top 11 contestants from the tenth season of American Idol took the stage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose on July 13, I had the opportunity to sit down for a one-on-one interview with Washington native, Stefano Langone.
Langone and I talked about the current tour, his post-tour plans, and his advice for the American Idol season 11 hopefuls.
How has the tour been going so far?
The tour’s been going great. We’re getting some great reviews. Just trying to establish myself as one of the top-notch performers. Everything’s been working out.
So you tried out for Idol initially in San Francisco, and now you’re performing tonight in the Bay Area, how does it feel to kind of come full circle?
All of my family’s from the Bay Area. I’m really, really pumped to perform tonight. There’s going to be a lot of Langones in the house.
What has been the most fulfilling part of the tour so far for you?
Just getting to see the crowd’s reaction, and getting to see the fans after the show. My goal really is to make a name for myself, and really show people who they voted for and just making more fans, you know? Creating a buzz and making sure I establish what I want to do after the show. Unfortunately I didn’t get to pick the songs that I wanted to do, and I didn’t get to perform in the way I wanted to, but I’m taking what I’ve got and I’m making the best of it. I’m going out there and giving great performances and that’s number one.
Having to perform the same set every night on tour, how do you stay amped for each show?
It’s the crowd. The crowd keeps you hyped up; you can always count on that. You can’t get sucked into the, “Ugh, I’m doing this again.” You can’t get sucked into it; you’ve got to realize what you’re doing it for and why you’re here. It’s about the music and about your performances.
Continue reading Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ Stefano Langone
Last Wednesday, hours before the Top 11 from American Idol season 10 took the stage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the more unique and interesting voices from this past season.
Cool, calm, and collected, 26-year-old Paul McDonald from Nashville, spoke candidly about the American Idols Live! Tour, including which contestant fell victim to the first tour prank of the summer, and working on his solo music while out on the road.
How has the tour been going?
It’s been excellent so far. We’re only like, I think, five shows in, and we got about a thousand more to go. [laughs] We go through September, and we do a handful of Canada dates, maybe one or two. Then they take us over to the Philippines.
Wow, I’m pretty sure that’s a first with taking the tour overseas. What has been the most fulfilling part of the tour for you so far?
Oh goodness. I guess it’s just the whole vibe of pretending that we’re real rock stars for the summer. We’re singing karaoke and stuff, but the production is like a huge tour. We have six buses, six semis, we have catering, we have the whole VIP kind of like a very pro tour. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, unless you’re the Rolling Stones, or Bruce Springsteen, or Carrie Underwood, or one of those, you know? So, it’s kind of cool to be in that for just a little bit and see how this grand scale of venues and touring works. It’s cool.
Do you have any kind of fun bus stories from the tour so far?
Fun bus stories? Oh gosh, I’m trying to think. We really don’t hang out on the bus too much, because they literally have us working from [about] noon. This morning I got up at like eight-thirty, we went to the Ronald McDonald House, me and Casey. We did some charity, we hung out with the kids, came back and had hair and make-up, which I don’t do any of that stuff. After that we have lunch, and then we have sound check. We go from normally from 12 noon to 12 at night. The only bus time is after the gig we go in there and like have a drink and pass out, but there has been a good story.
The first gig in Salt Lake City, Jacob Lusk decided to take a shower in the locker room — we’re playing all these big basketball arenas and stuff — and I was like, “Let me show you how it’s done fellas.” This is like “Band Pranks 101.” I got the bucket of ice, and all of us, Scotty and everybody, filled it up with ice-cold water. Jacob’s in the shower singing, you know, doing his thing. We walked in there and Casey’s filming it, and came in and just busted him with an ice cold bucket of water, and he was like, “Ahhhhh!” I was like, day one, the tour pranks begin.
Continue reading Backstage With ‘American Idol’s’ Paul McDonald
I’m definitely late to the party on this one, but check out the video below for some behind the scenes action on Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera’s upcoming music video for their #1 hit, “Moves Like Jagger”!
Update! Here’s a new behind the scenes video that Maroon 5 just posted from the set of “Moves Like Jagger”!
Are y’all looking forward to this music video?
Hours before the Top 11 from American Idol season 10 took the stage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, I had the opportunity to talk with a certain Idol contestant that was extremely excited and happy to be back in his neck of the woods.
Santa Cruz native, James Durbin and I sat down backstage for a pre-show chat, where he discussed getting the crowd up and on their feet during the tour, writing and recording for his album, and the episode of Idol that neither of us will be forgetting anytime soon.
So how does it feel to be performing in the Bay Area?
It feels great. We did Oakland last night, and that was insane. I’m really excited for tonight.
It has to be a cool feeling to have tried out for the show in San Francisco, and have this full circle kind of moment.
This place, HP Pavilion, I came to my very first sporting event here. It was the Sharks versus the Avalanche. I was five-years-old, packed arena, and out of every single person, my one seat, I won a CD player. And then a hockey puck got hit over [the barrier] and landed right next to me. Unfortunately the Sharks lost, but two out of three things ain’t bad.
I’ve been here so many times. I’ve seen countless wrestling shows here. I once waited for three hours and climbed on top of that cement wall to catch a glimpse of Chris Jericho. Now I have him on speed dial. We were just texting and he’s in Europe with his band touring. We went and saw Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Poison, and Motley Crue, and hang out all the time. It’s so crazy, it’s a full swing.
Very cool. Have you been able to get back to Santa Cruz while you’re here, or does everyone kind of have to come to you?
Everyone’s had to come here. I’m dying to go to Socrates and get a sandwich, but unfortunately not, which really sucks. It’s a twenty minute cab ride. I could grab lunch and come back.
So, how has the tour been going so far with the handful of shows you’ve done so far?
This will only be our sixth show out of forty-seven. It already feels like it’s been awhile, but it’s only been a blink. But, it’s gone really good; every show’s been great. Everyone’s been really receptive, everyone’s there to have a good time. Sometimes they need to be reminded that they’re supposed to have a good time. A lot of people have been sitting down.
You know, I’ve gone to a handful of Idol tours, and sometimes people treat the live show like they’re at home watching y’all on TV, instead of embracing the vibe of being at a concert.
I know some people get agitated if people are standing up, Sit down! We’re trying to watch the show! It’s a concert; you’re supposed to stand up! We enjoy it when you stand. That’s why when I come out for my set, I come out through the crowd. I want people to stand up! Stand up! Try and find me!
Continue reading Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ James Durbin
It was during the April 26, 2011 premiere episode of The Voice, which featured the blind auditions, where the audience met husband, father, and phenomenal singer Javier Colon. Colon’s voice impressed all four coaches, Adam Levine, CeeLo Green, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton, so much that they all turned their chairs around during his initial performance. Colon decided to make Team Adam his home for the remainder of the competition.
Colon survived the battle round and went through to the Top 16, where his performance of Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” was a highlight of the performance night. During the Top 8, he put a modern twist on Coldplay’s “Fix You,” which would help ensure his spot representing Team Adam in the finals.
In the end, there was only a two percent difference in the voting margin between Colon and Team Blake artist, Dia Frampton. After over two months of hard work, dedication, and singing “Landslide” with Stevie Nicks on live television, Colon was announced the as the winner of The Voice season one.
The morning after his big win, Colon participated in a conference call with the press where he discussed what advice Adam Levine imparted on him during the show, his reaction to finding out he’d be singing with Stevie Nicks, and what winning means for him and his family.
When speaking about how he was going to approach the blind auditions on The Voice, Colon said that he went into it “pretty open,” and that he would have been happy on any of the coaches’ teams.
Continue reading Javier Colon Discusses His Time On ‘The Voice’
Last week after Javier Colon took the title as The Voice, some people claimed that Dia Frampton had been “robbed” of the title. As much as I love Dia’s voice, in my opinion, the only contestant on The Voice this season that was “robbed” of another chance to move on was Tyler Robinson.
After Tyler took on Patrick Thomas during The Voice’s battle rounds, Blake Shelton chose not to take a risk and advanced Patrick to the next round. For me, it was the disappointment of the season, because Tyler stood out as the stronger vocal contestant.
Fear not, Tyler tweeted that he will be releasing his debut original single, “Get Some” tomorrow, July 5! Take a listen to a short clip of “Get Some” below!
“Get Some” was written by Tyler, Joshua Horne (executive producer), and Phen Mas (producer). The track was additionally produced and engineered by Dan Whittemore. The track was mastered by Donny Baker at Studio 22 in Sun Valley, CA.
You can keep up with Tyler Robinson on Twitter!
Don’t forget to go “Get Some” tomorrow!
Continue reading The Voice’s Tyler Robinson To Release His Debut Single July 5
After two months filled with blind auditions, battles, and surprising eliminations, Javier Colon from Team Adam became the first ever winner of The Voice. Take a look at his winning moment below!
I am truly happy for Javier. Here’s a dude that is all about being there and supporting his family, taking one last shot at making his dream come true and succeeding. That’s pretty awesome.
Last night’s finale was a little underwhelming. I missed the first 10 minutes or so, and the first performance I saw was Vicci Martinez’s duet with Train’s lead singer, Pat Monahan on “Drops of Jupiter.” I didn’t think the duet was half bad. I really like Train’s pre-“Hey, Soul Sister” music, so I enjoyed watching them perform the song.
During Javier’s duet of “Landslide” with Stevie Nicks, you could definitely tell that he was nervous/excited to be singing with her. And Stevie seemed to guide him through their entire performance, which was probably a good thing, because at times Javier looks a bit overwhelmed at the situation, which was extremely endearing. I loved Adam Levine’s response afterwards. He seemed a bit overcome by emotion, which is something we fans don’t see everyday. It was a great moment. 
I was a little bit disappointed that Beverly McClellan was singing with Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, because she is a legitimate rocker, and I thought they could have hooked her up with an artist that is more her style. Plus, they weren’t even singing like a big OneRepublic song that should could belt out, they were singing their current single, “Good Life,” which is very much a pop song. To go from her damn near perfect duet with Christina Aguilera the night before to this was just lame.
Dia Frampton and Miranda Lambert, wife of coach Blake Shelton, sang “The House That Built Me.” The way Dia chose to utilize her voice was strange for me in the beginning. But I thought the performance overall was pretty good. Blake was nearly speechless at the end of it. Very nice moment.
It came down to less than a two percent difference in voting between Dia Frampton and Javier Colon. In the end, Javier brought the win home for Team Adam.
As someone that has been supporting Team Adam since the start of the season, this was a pretty big deal. I wish Javier nothing, but amazing, amazing success. I cannot wait to buy his post-show album.
In the meantime, we can all buy his music from the show on iTunes!
What did y’all think about The Voice results? Are you excited to hear that all four judges are returning next season, and are you attending the tour?
I finally got caught up on The Voice from last night, and I am truly going to miss this show! I can’t believe we find out the winner tonight! Not to get completely cheesy, but truly all four of these singers, Javier Colon, Dia Frampton, Beverly McClellan, and Vicci Martinez, are winners already. They have worked with some of the biggest and most relevant names in the business and on national TV, no less! 
I really thought that the coaches, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Cee-Lo worked it out on “Under Pressure.” I think it’s such a treat to see them all come together and perform. I’m thankful they weren’t handed some original song to try and pull off. Haha. And we’ll get to those lovely originals in just a bit.
I loved getting to see the contestants perform duets with their coaches. Dia and Blake’s cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” was pretty cute. Singing side-by-side in matching sunglasses, the duo basically sang a song that could be Dia’s theme song to her time on The Voice. With her, we’ve truly gotten to see a confident artist blossom.
Happy New Music Tuesday, everybody! For those of us that are David Cook fans, it’s a big day, because his sophomore record, This Loud Morning is finally out!
As to not clutter up the blog with separate video posts, I decided to round up what I can find from the David Cook media blitz, and it will be posted here.
Kicking off the post with DCook’s Today Show performance of “The Last Goodbye”!
Vodpod videos no longer available. Continue reading David Cook Appreciation Post
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