American Idol Stars

It started with a big yawn. Another season of American Idol…ugh. A new batch of hopeful crooners, most with way less talent than their mamas assure them they have. Same Randy ‘Dawg’ Jackson, same gushy Paula, same Simon Cruel. Yet another year of cringing at the fearless, tone-deaf masses, and shrinking at the shameless exploitation of the ‘William Hung’s of the world. But as the many are winnowed down to the few, we watch. Not because we adore karaoke, or because we secretly enjoy salivating over how badly, one by one, the losers crash and burn. Each week we seek, with earnest anticipation, some hint of hope. Mired in a morass of mediocre, we long for a fleeting glimpse of originality. We crave that spark of creativity and imagination that has long since faded in the haze of modern-day megalomania.

American Idol has rocked the formula for rolling out pop stars. It ignites the hopes and dreams of every kid who ever played air guitar in front of the mirror, or went for the high note in the shower. Capitalizing on contemporary techo connectivity, Idol makes stardom accessible to the likes of you, me and them – the would-be wannabes. Students, bank tellers, single moms and dads, and yes, bartenders – they all line up for the chance of a lifetime. By mid-season you know their names and faces. And you want them to do well. But when you boil it down, it’s a sour pill to swallow. The world’s biggest talent competition is a fraud. Even as it plucks the few exceptional singers from the pack, the Idol process primps and polishes. It sculpts and molds, until in the end, a new household name packaged by some industry guru starmaker churns out generic songs written by well-compensated unknown songwriters.  read more »

BROOKE WHITE

Having Reached Rarified Territory As A Top Five Finalist On American Idol,

The Musicians Institute Voice Alum Rocks And Moves The Idol Dome With

Her Takes On The Neil Diamond Classics “I’m A Believer” and “I Am…I Said”

Last week on American Idol, Musicians Institute (www.mi.edu) Voice Alum Brooke White reflected the feelings of millions of her fans across the country with her heartfelt rendition of “You Must Love Me,” the Academy Award winning song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita.

This week, as a member of the rarified group of Top Five Finalists, she got personal while confidently tackling two classics from legendary mentor Neil Diamond. First, accompanying herself on the acoustic guitar, she buoyantly declared “I’m A Believer.” Later, singing and playing the grand piano, she boldly took Diamond’s advice to change the locale of “I Am…I Said” from the original lyric “New York City born and raised” to reflect her Arizona roots.

Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul all responded positively to her take on “I Am…I Said,” referring to her emotional effectiveness when she’s in her comfort zone performing with the piano.

Fans in the forums on www.americanidol.com, rooting for White to make the Top Four, were overwhelmingly positive. One said, “One thing I really like about her is that she’s SO REAL. She seems like the girl next door. But loaded with talent & looks too!” Another wrote: “She was AMAZING! I voted like crazy the whole 2 hours! She really deserves a spot next week” And, referring to her piano and vocal take several weeks ago on a Beatles classic, another Brooke believer added, “I Am…I Said’ was awesome, best performance since ‘Let It Be’ for me.”  read more »

Like all reality TV shows, this show has nothing to do with having true
talent win. It is a bunch of teens choosing the contestants as a popularity
contest, and not choosing the true talented performers a.k.a. the true
American Idol. The past years have shown the progression to the appalling
results of tonight's show. When will the show get back on track and let
those who know real talent choose who stays and who goes.  Carly is in the
top 3 performers of this year's competition, so she leaves all because she
may not be as popular as two singers who who were terrible last night. I
know I will not watch the show anymore.

Musicians Institute Voice Alum Is A Top Six Finalist

On American Idol Thanks To America’s Approval

Of Her Meaty Rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero”

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MI’s Visiting Voice Instructors Ken Stacey and Windy Wagner

Are Top Twenty Finalists in the Idol Songwriter Competition

With “Only Love,” Which They Penned With David Walsh

Simon Cowell may have wondered where the beef was, but America found enough sizzle in Brooke White’s heartfelt rendition of Mariah Carey’s inspirational anthem “Hero” to make the Musicians Institute voice alum a Top Six finalist on American Idol.

Cowell said White’s stripped down piano and vocal version was “like a hamburger without the meat,” but the singer retorted that there are “a lot of vegetarians out there”; those vegetarians, along with millions of other fans of the charming, raspy Carly Simon/Carole King styled singer-songwriter, overrode the famed judge’s opinion and voted her in.

In other American Idol-related MI news, Ken Stacey and Windy Wagner along with co-writer David Walsh have reached the American Idol Songwriting Competition Top 20 with their song, “Only Love.” Wagner (k.d. lang) and Stacey are currently VIT visiting instructors; Stacey was also a regular instructor before leaving the staff to tour with Elton John.

To listen to “Only Love” and other American Idol Top 20 songs and register to vote (free of charge), check out the American Idol site (www.americanidol.com). Voting started Thursday, April 10th and runs for two weeks.  read more »

Andy Kindler and Patton Oswalt Expose the Evils of American Idol and High School Both high school and American Idol feature harsh social criticisms, popularity contests, and shady characters – be it Ryan Seacrest, or the neighborhood creep. But which is more evil – calculus homework, or bad renditions of Aretha Franklin songs aired three times a week? To decide, Patton Oswalt and Andy Kindler go head to head in the court of the honorable judge Lewis Black, the ultimate evaluator of evil. Tune in tonight at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central.

What can I say about American Idol last week? Well, it pretty much sucked. I have watched the show since day one, and there have been some ups and downs and some shocking moments. But last week, was the worst. Let me just start by saying that Idol Gives Back, reminds me of a telethon. I think it's great that they are trying to raise money and help people. But the way they get people to keep repeating the number, gets really old. Just paste the number on the screen and leave it there. Plus all of the fake little speeches, etc. seemed very contrived and cheesy to me.

Thursday's elimination show was rediculous. They started out having the idols sing some song about Jesus. When did this become a religious show? Voting Michael Johns off before Syesha and Kristy Lee is just plain wrong. He was in my top 4, I think America got it wrong. I also think the way Ryan played with him by saying "in the past, during Idol gives back week, we haven't sent anyone home" then booting him was very disrespectful.

Last but not least, can we just get rid of David Archuletta? I'm so sick of his nice guy, no attitude, christian rock ass. I would never listen to him on the radio or buy one of his cd's. Can't you show an edge? Get some nuts man. Tired of this kid.

That's my rant, feel free to comment.

Last night was great, I thought all of the performances were awesome. It's going to be hard to pick who will be eliminated this week. I think it will be Chikezie. I think he's done all he can at this point. The competition is way too stiff. I thought David Cook's performance was spectacular. The guy is willing to make songs his own. I get tired of contestants getting up there and doing cover versions of the songs. Do something to make it special...follow David Cook's lead.

At this point, I think it will boil down to David Cook, Brooke White and Carly Smithson. But then it is anyone's guess who will win, they are all really strong singers.

BLUE SKIES AHEAD FOR MUSICIANS INSTITUTE ALUM BROOKE WHITE, WHOSE CHARMING TAKE ON “HERE COMES THE SUN” VAULTS HER INTO AMERICAN IDOL’S TOP TEN

A Favorite Of Both Fans And The Show’s Judges, White Will Join Her Fellow Idol Top Ten Finalists On Tour This Summer

Musicians Institute voice alum Brooke White brought her bright smile and enough musical sunshine to American Idol’s second Beatles Night to earn her a coveted spot in the competition’s Top Ten.

By winning America’s heart with her earnest rendition of George Harrison’s “Here Comes The Sun,” the Mesa, Arizona native also secured her place alongside her fellow Idol top ten finalists this summer on the show’s annual national tour.
A check of the comments in the viewer forums on the American Idol website reveals the way the singer is capturing hearts across the country. One fan writes, “Is it her sincerity when she sings? Her beautiful, captivating smile? Her quirky, sweet personality? I'd have to say it's all of the above and more. She's the real deal, she’s super cool, and really connects with the music she is singing.”

Others echo the sentiment: “Brooke, thank you for bringing the sweet breeze of real music to this pop-heavy competition.” “I think Brooke is extremely talented. Aside from being a charming young beauty, her voice is impeccable.”
And: “I love everything about Brooke. Her voice is unique, she is a pure soul, and she seems like such a kind and humble person. Brooke is someone who I feel won’t let the spotlight change who she is.”

The previous week, White earned the praises of the notoriously hard to please judge Simon Cowell with her transcendent piano and vocal performance of “Let It Be.” He said, “I thought, Brooke, it was again one of the best performances of the night…a brilliant choice of song…three weeks running now…great!”  read more »

Hi Chikezie,

I was appalled to see Ryan rub your head last week! He didn't do that to anyone else and I can't imagine him doing that to anyone except a child. And, he called you, "Boy"! You're a man and deserve to be treated as such.

I saw that you mentioned it on Idol last night and thought that maybe he hadn't apologized to you otherwise you may not have mentioned it. I would like to contact Fox to ask the executives there to ask him to apologize to you. I wish there was something I could do, but don't know how to contact the executives.

David Hernandez was the first contestant eliminated from the Top 12. I'm not really all that sad to see him go. He had a good run, but I don't think he deserved to go much farther. Now if we could only get rid of Syesha, Chikezie, Amanda and Kristy it'd be a serious contest.

SIMON COWELL'S LOVE AFFAIR CONTINUES

ON AMERICAN IDOL WITH FORMER MUSICIANS INSTITUTE STUDENT BROOKE WHITE

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Former Student Is A Top 12 Finalist On American Idol

"Once again, two weeks running, you've done a great performance!" praised America Idol judge Simon Cowell after Brooke White's rendition of of the emotional Pat Benetar ballad "Love Is A Battlefield" on Wednesday nights show. Brooke was spared Simon's usual "tough as nails" critique after she performed a stripped-down acoustic version of the '80s mega-hit while sitting on the steps of the Idol stage.

White, a recent student at Musicians Institute's Vocal Institute of Technology (VIT), made it through to the final Top 12 contestants on Thursday night's elimination show.

Since opening its doors in 1977, Musicians Institute has primed over 20,000 musicians, producers, engineers, vocalists and industry professionals for successful careers in every genre of contemporary music. Located just blocks from the Capitol Records tower, MI has an incredible history of innovation dating back to its origins in 1977 as the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), which broke new ground as a performance-based contemporary music school taught by working professionals. Within a few years, GIT was joined by bass and drum programs to form Musicians Institute and the evolution has continued to this day with degree and certificate programs for career-minded guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, recording engineers, independent producers, guitar makers, music business professionals and filmmakers.

If you've been wondering what's new with Season 5's country-rocker Bucky Covington, wonder no more--he's been busy building a career in Nashville. His debut album, Bucky Covington, hit the Billboard country charts last year at #1, and his first single. "A Different World", reached the Top 5 in country radio airplay in summer 2007. Bucky's current single, "It's Good to Be Us", is headed up the charts even as we speak.

But wait, there's more! Not only is Bucky on a nationwide concert tour with Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan, he's also just been announced as a nominee for the 100% fan-voted CMT Music Awards, where his video for "A Different World" is competing for the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year nod. (Bucky faces a familiar friendly rival in that category; Season 5's other country success story, Kellie Pickler, is also nominated.) The voting's open now, and the awards show airs on April 14th.

To check out how far Bucky's come since those Idol days, watch his videos for "It's Good to Be Us" and "A Different World" at CMT.com, and catch him live in concert with Dierks Bentley all spring--Bucky's official website has the dates and cities.

Last nights show was a bit of shocker. It didn't go as I thought it would. I knew that Jason Yeager was destined to be cut, but the other three surprised me. I think Amanda Overmyer, KadY Malloy and Luke Menard need to thank the lucky stars they are still there. Both Alaina and Robbie were surprises. I liked the 3 people they cut better than Amanda, Kady and Luke, so it was kind of a bummer. Not to mention, now I'll have to hear Luke sing again, ugh.

I know that most pop stars don't write their own songs anymore, but I had an idea. Since they are letting people use instruments this year, why not test their songwriting ability. Once it gets down to the top 12 or something, have a "sing your own song" week. I'd like to hear some of these contestants original songs. I think that would be interesting to see. Just the contestant on stage, with an instrument, singing their own songs, no band. Very stripped down. Although, there are a lot of people who don't play anything, and that would completely screw up my idea.