Scotty McCreery in best “Idol” album debut in 8 years

“American Idol” champion Scotty McCreery became the most successful winner in eight years on Wednesday when his debut country album went straight to the top of the Billboard charts.

McCreery, who turned 18 years-old this week, was also the youngest male artist to see a debut release open in the No.1 spot, and “Clear As Day” notched the highest first week album sales of any solo country artist this year, Billboard said.

McCreery took the “American Idol” crown in an all-country music finale of the TV singing contest in May. “Clear As Day” , released on a Universal Music Group label, sold 197,000 copies in the first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan figures.

Read more

Happy Birthday Carrie Underwood!

Happy Birthday Carrie Underwood! The American Idol winner turned country-singing-superstar turns 27 today!!!

I don’t think she needs any birthday presents. She’s sold over 10 Million albums, that’s rewarding enough!

Kelly Clarkson Chimes In On The Taylor Swift Grammy Controversy

Kelly Clarkson has written an open letter to a record executive who defended Taylor Swift’s off-key performance at the 2010 Grammy Awards by declaring. Scott Borchetta came to Swift’s aid on Thursday after critics picked apart her duet with Stevie Nicks at the Los Angeles ceremony last Sunday. Scott Borchetta felt that Swift should be excused for the slip.

He said, “This is not American Idol. This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It’s not about that technically perfect performance.”

Kelly Clarkson took this quite personal, here’s what she had to say.

In a post on her official blog, she writes, “Wow… Dear Scott Borchetta, I understand defending your artist obviously because I have done the same in the past for artists I like, including Taylor, so you might see why it’s upsetting to read you attacking American Idol for producing simply vocalists that hit ‘the high notes’… You know what, we not only hit the high notes, you forgot to mention we generally hit the ‘right’ notes as well. Every artist has a bad performance or two and that is understandable, but throwing blame will not make the situation at hand any better.”

“I have been criticized left and right for having shaky performances before (and they were shaky) and what my manager or label executives say to me and the public is ‘I’ll kick butt next time’ or ‘every performance isn’t going to be perfect’. I bring this up because you should take a lesson from these people and instead of lashing out at other artists (that in your ‘humble’ opinion lack true artistry), you should simply take a breath and realize that sometimes things won’t go according to plan or work out and that’s okay.”

The pop star then signed her message, “Sincerely, One of those contestants from American Idol who only made it because of her high notes.”

So there you have it! What side are you on? Hahaha

Kris Allen “Live Like We’re Dying” Music Video Premiere

Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this: American Idol Season 8 champ Kris Allen drops his self-titled debut LP on Nov. 17, and what better way to get the Interwebs abuzz about the album than with the release of a video to accompany his lead single, “Live Like We’re Dying?”

I have to admit, the song is growing on me.

Jordin Sparks Gets A Milk Mustache

Jordin Sparks and the National Milk Mustache “got milk?” Campaign have teamed up with VH1 Save the Music to launch the “Drink Milk for a Change” program.

The 19-year-old American Idol winner wants to inspire teens to help make a difference in the lives of teens across the globe. For every Milk Mustache photo created on bodybymilk.com, $1 will be donated to support VH1 Save the Music. So go do it now!!!

What do you think of Jordin’s milk mustache?

Carrie Underwood’s New Single “Cowboy Casanova” Is Climbing The Charts

“Cowboy Casanova” Is the fastest rising chart single of Carrie’s career and the first airplay blockbuster from her Nov. 3 album release, Play On.

Carrie Underwood’s hot new single, “Cowboy Casanova,” is not only the fastest climbing country single of her career, but also the fastest rising hit of the year at country radio, soaring to #11 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart only one week after its official airplay impact date of September 14. It’s the first single from Carrie’s anxiously awaited third album, Play On, which releases November 3, but fans can own “Cowboy Casanova” now with yesterday’s release of the digital single.

What do you guys think of the song?? It’s pretty good. It’s growin on me. If you haven’t heard it, listen below.

Kelly Clarkson Performs On Jimmy Kimmel Live

Kelly Clarkson performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night. She performed two of her singles off her latest album, “My Life Would Suck Without you,” and “Already Gone.”

I think she sounded great, what do you think?