A one-hour documentary called From Idol to Inspiration will air on the Gospel Music Channel this Thursday, April 23, 2009. 
The film “explores the effect of the Fox network singing competition on Christian music.”  I think that is an interesting topic because I have thought about it myself over the years.  There are times, actually, when I’ve thought that Idol had a greater impact on Gospel and Country music than within the Pop genre.
Several familiar faces have participated in the film – Mandisa, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle and Maria Santiago, the sister-in-law of this year’s finalist, Danny …read more

Former American Idol contestant, Mandisa, was on the Today show where she discussed her recent weight loss and struggles with feelings of low self-worth and shame.  They showed a clip from her audition where judge, Simon Cowell, asked if they would have a bigger stage that season.  The comment hurt Mandisa but I also think it fueled her to look at why she was obese. 
She has since lost 80lbs and is being open about the childhood sexual abuse that she suffered.  I find it to be a truly inspirational story and I’m so happy that she is doing so …read more

I just came back from the private opening of the American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios and I had a blast.  I’m thoroughly exhausted but it really was a lot of fun.  Disney really knows how to put on a show and I am extremely grateful to them for the fabulous trip!
I will cover the event in three parts (motorcade, American Idol Experience show and the after-party) over the next three days.  Today, I’ll kick things off by telling you all about the American Idol motorcade. 
The blue carpet was rolled out for …read more

The fifth season of American Idol produced one of the biggest shocks I’d ever felt watching the show. 

When Chris Daughtry was up against Katharine McPhee for elimination, I was sure it was Kat’s time to go.  Even she looked shocked and horrified.  Chris was a fan-favorite and has gone on to enjoy HUGE success as the frontman for Daughtry so I still just don’t understand how he got eliminated.
Taylor Hicks went on to win with Katharine McPhee as his runner-up.  I personally adored Elliott Yamin and was disappointed he didn’t win or come in second place.  I also …read more

American Idol finalist, Mandisa, talked about how seeing the recent movie "I Am Legend" made her feel (and urged the crowd to see it) before she sang her hit song "Only The World" at her "Christmas on Main Street" performance.  Warning – her discussion might contain a few spoilers about the movie.

 
Technorati Tags: mandisa,only the world,mandisa only the world,american idol,video

Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Mandisa are representing American Idol at the upcoming Grammy Awards!  Here are the nominations:
Song Of The Year

Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Hey There Delilah – Plain White Ts
Like A Star – Corinne Bailey Rae
Rehab – Amy Winehouse
Umbrella – Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z

 
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

(You Want To) Make A Memory – Bon Jovi
Home – Daughtry
Makes Me Wonder – Maroon 5
Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s
Window In The Skies – U2 …read more

I got my hands on these stats yesterday so they are valid as of November 28, 2007.  I think that they provide a pretty interesting look at Jordin Sparks‘ first week as well as at how some of the other former American Idol contestants are doing.  Check it out (from USA Today):
Jordin’s 119,000 first-week sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan, which landed her at No. 10 on the Billboard album chart, are not only the lowest for an Idol winner, but total less than half of the previous low. And, it came in a week when overall sales were up nearly …read more

If you loved Mandisa’s debut album, you’ll probably love her holiday release! Her four-track holiday EP, “Christmas Joy” is set to be released on November 20th and will include “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” and Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means to Me.”

She’ll also be doing an original duet with labelmate Matthew West called “Christmas Makes Me Cry.” This last one will be sent to radio as a holiday single. Not only is Mandisa releasing her own holiday album, but she is also partaking in the “WOW Gospel Christmas” CD.
As Mandisa explains to CMSpin.com, “It seems to me …read more

With last week’s release of both “Carnival Ride” (Carrie Underwood) and “See the Light” (Bo Bice), I was interested in the Idol sales. Luckily, I found some stats on USA Today.
I’ll probably not be around for the rest of the night since it’s Halloween and I’ve got three kids. We’re making a spider cake and watching scary movies.
In the meantime, here’s the info about the Idol sales:

As you know by now, Carrie sold 527,000 copies of her second album, Carnival Ride. Not only did it sell nearly five times as many copies as the No. 2 …read more

I read these stats and updates on the USA Today site:

Where does the time go? I’m due for another survey of Idol airplay around the radio formats. So let’s see what’s happening, according to the Nielsen BDS/Arbitron stats published in Radio & Records.
In mainstream top 40, Elliott’s Wait for You holds on at No. 7, though its airplay is declining pretty rapidly. Daughtry’s Over You hits the top 10, moving from No. 11 to No. 10. That makes him, or the band that bears his name, actually, according to R&R, the first group since Maroon 5 to hit the top …read more