Kelly Clarkson Previews a New Song, Tim Halperin Debuts on Billboard & Lee DeWyze Parts Ways with RCA Records

I don’t know how often I’ll do these Idol news-related round ups, but this morning seemed like a good time for one!

Earlier this week, Kelly Clarkson “leaked” a new track, “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger).”   Her fifth studio album, Stronger, is due out later this month on Monday, October 24. Take a listen to the song below!

Season 10 alum Tim Halperin shared some exciting news with his fans on Twitter this morning!

My exciting news: Check out who is #14 on the new Billboard Chart! http://bit.ly/nf3Htx WOOT WOOT! #raisetheroof
Rise and Fall is #14 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart!  And as a friendly reminder, you can download your copy of Rise and Fall on iTunes! Congrats, Tim!
 

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed this morning that Lee DeWyze has been dropped by RCA Records. A rep for Lee told THR that the singer-songwriter is “in a good place right now.”

 
Other Idol winners that are still on RCA’s roster, include powerhouses Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, as well as David Cook and Kris Allen.
 

And speaking of Idol winners, season 10 winner Scotty McCreery released his debut album, Clear As Day earlier this week! Scotty’s expected to debut at #1 on next week’s Billboard Chart. Exciting!

 

VIDEO: Tim Halperin Performs “American Fame” on Good Morning Texas

Singer-songwriter Tim Halperin appeared yesterday morning on Good Morning Texas, where he talked about life after American Idol and performed “American Fame,” from his brand new album, Rise and Fall.

Check out the interview and performance below!

Vodpod videos no longer available.

For an updated list of where Tim will be performing, check out TimHalperin.com!

Check out my review of Rise and Fall, as well as my latest interview with Tim about his new album.

And of course, if you don’t have a copy of Rise and Fall, pick yourself up a digital copy at iTunes!

Tim Halperin Talks About His Debut Album, ‘Rise and Fall’

If you haven’t been keeping tabs on singer-songwriter Tim Halperin since he appeared on season 10 of American Idol this year, allow me bring you up to speed.

Halperin released his first single, “The Last Song,” in less than a week after not advancing to the Top 13 on Idol. He was recognized by a nationally syndicated radio host, “DJ Kidd Kraddick,” and took part in a Kidd Kraddick in the Morning segment called “Idol Got It Wrong,” where fans could vote on whether his version of an Idol performance was better than the contestant’s version each week. Add in raising $8,000 to make a video for “The Last Song,” a mini-tour and his ongoing work for Komen For the Cure, you could say that Halperin’s managed to keep himself pretty busy so far during his post-Idol career.

On September 26, Halperin spent the final 24 hours of his American Idol contract in “Idol jail” outside a shopping center in Texas, while entertaining 50,000 viewers on USTREAM with live performances of songs from his debut full-length album, Rise and Fall. On September 27, the day after his contract with Idol was up, Rise and Fall was digitally released to iTunes at midnight.

Later that week, Halperin graciously took the time to talk with me about where the idea to go to “Idol jail” came from, his fantastic new album, and what’s coming up next for him.

How was your caged existence on Monday?

[laughs] You know, I see why it’s not fun to be in jail. I did have some fun, though, because my jail wasn’t your typical jail. I had people bringing me Starbucks and coming and hanging out with me and dancing around. I had a piano in jail and for me, that’s not jail at all. It was good. It was long, though. It was very exhausting. I only slept probably 30 minutes during the 26 hours that I was in prison. I really enjoyed it, though.

I had tuned in for an hour or so during the afternoon, and then I tuned back in after your album was released, which was like 9:30-10:00 my time (PST), and you looked so tired by then.

Yeah, the interesting aspect of it is that it was live the whole time. And whenever I have people watching me, I love entertaining people and interacting with people. I felt like I had to entertain and interact with everyone the whole time. Because I’d look and there’d be like 276 people watching, 500 people watching, 400 people watching right now. I’m like, “Oh my gosh!” You know, I thought, This would be like a really good show, like a really good gig to have 500 people sitting there watching me. I can’t waste this time, I can’t waste this opportunity to share my music with people and hang out with people, and talk with people.

Continue reading Tim Halperin Talks About His Debut Album, ‘Rise and Fall’

VIDEO: Scotty McCreery Performs “The Trouble With Girls” on the Today Show

Earlier this morning, season 10 American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery performed his new single, “The Trouble With Girls” live on the Today Show!

Check out Scotty’s performance below!

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Oh my. I just love this kid’s voice.

Don’t forget! Scotty’s debut album, Clear As Day, is out tomorrow, October 4!

Music Review >> Tim Halperin – ‘Rise and Fall’

The day after his American Idol contract was up, season 10 alum Tim Halperin released his debut full-length album, Rise and Fall, on September 27.

Halperin began working on the album prior to his Idol journey in August of 2010. Working with producer, Jordan Critz, Halperin selected 13 tracks that he felt gave a well-rounded representation of himself.

“With this record, because it’s my first full-length album, I wanted to make sure that it was the most me. That it had songs on it that I felt like best represented who I am, not only as a songwriter, but as a person,” he explained to me during our interview earlier this week.

I think Halperin definitely accomplished that goal. Rise and Fall is comprised of songs about life, love, and heartbreak.

His first single, “The Last Song,” is currently in the top ten on the Singer/Songwriters Songs chart on iTunes. Halperin told me this past June that the tune was one of the first songs recorded for Rise and Fall about a year and a half ago.

“It just turned out really well, and I think that that song gives people a good picture of who I am, and also that my music is very honest and straightforward. I like to throw all my emotions on the table, because I think people can relate best to honest music,” he said.

Continue reading Music Review >> Tim Halperin – ‘Rise and Fall’

LIVE VIDEO: Tim Halperin in ‘Idol’ Jail Live on USTREAM

To celebrate the release of his upcoming album, Rise & Fall, Tim Halperin is spending the last 24 hours of his American Idol contract in a jail cell in Texas! As well as celebrating the release of his album, Tim is collecting donations for Kidd Kraddick’s charity, Kidd’s Kids!

If you’re in the neighborhood, go say hi to Tim at Legacy Drive and Bishop Road ( 7201 Bishop Road, Plano, TX).

Check out live video of Tim in Idol jail after the cut!

Continue reading LIVE VIDEO: Tim Halperin in ‘Idol’ Jail Live on USTREAM

MUSIC VIDEO: Kelly Clarkson – “Mr. Know It All”

Kelly Clarkson’s music video for her current hit single, “Mr. Know It All” off her upcoming album, Stronger, just debuted on VEVO!

Check it out!

Great song, great video!

Sometimes it’s the simpler music videos that leave a greater impression on people. I like it!

What do y’all think of Kelly’s new video?

Don’t forget, Stronger is due out October 24!

VIDEO: Kelly Clarkson Performs “Mr. Know It All” on The Tonight Show

Last night Queen Kelly Clarkson performed her latest hit, “Mr. Know It All” off her highly anticipated fifth album, Stronger, on The Tonight Show.

Check out her performance below!

I think Kelly sounded fantastic! That song has really grown to be one of my current favorites.

Don’t forget that Stronger will be released on October 24, and you can pre-order the album on iTunes!

Listen to Song Previews From Tim Halperin’s Upcoming Album, Rise & Fall

Tim Halperin’s full-length debut album, Rise & Fall,  is set to be released in just under two weeks on September 27 via iTunes.

Check out the video below for song previews from Rise & Fall, including: “I Wanna Fall in Love,” “Crash Course to Hollywood,” “I Gotta Know,” “Pretty Girls,” “New York,” and “American Fame”!

Get the latest Tim Halperin news at his official websiteTwitter, and Facebook!