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 Gokey.

The documentary will air right before the telecast of the Gospel Music Association’s 40th annual Dove Awards.  

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

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 well.  Watch the segment:

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 the stars and one by one.  Mickey Mouse got things started but was then followed by Justin Guarini (runner-up, season 1).  He looked great and was all smiles for the fans and the media.
Next was Chris Sligh (finalist, season 6).  He talked a little bit about how his song “Here Comes Goodbye” was picked up by Rascal Flatts and is actually the first single off of their new album.

It was a star-studded event.  Check out more pictures including Carrie Underwood, David Cook and David Archuleta after the jump!

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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 have to admit that I really liked Kevin Covais, especially his performance of “Starry, Starry Night.”  Of course, this is also the season that brought you Kellie Pickler.

I could go on and on.  Here’s the Top 12 (elimination dates from 2006):

1. Taylor Hicks – Winner
2. Katharine McPhee - May 24
3. Elliott Yamin - May 17
4. Chris Daughtry - May 10
5. Paris Bennett - May 3
6. Kellie Pickler - April 26
7. Ace Young - April 19
8. Bucky Covington - April 12
9. Mandisa - April 5
10. Lisa Tucker - March 29
11. Kevin Covais - March 22
12. Melissa McGhee - March 15

Here’s a video of the winning moment (look for Carrie Underwood and Anthony Federov in the audience) and Taylor singing “Do I Make You Proud?”

image: Newscom

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.

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

More after the jump!

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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 20%, a seasonal event that helped a number of other Idols increase their sales.

Jordin’s not even the top Idol on the chart. That honor belongs to Carrie, who rises from No. 9 to No. 7 thanks to a 25% increase in sales to 141,000. That brings her five-week total to 1.07 million.

Wow!  That just hurts.  Poor Jordin!  I really am shocked by her sales.  Okay, here’s the rest of it:

Daughtry nearly doubled sales to 43,000 for a total of 3.33 million.

Carrie’s Some Hearts is also up, 29% in fact, to 20,000, bringing its total to 6.05 million. It moves 72-68 on the chart.

Elliott’s Sounds of the Season album appears at No. 170 after selling a bit more than 7,000 copies. Its total is slightly more than 9,000.

The Idol first-week sales chart (winners’ first albums only):

417,000: Ruben (debut at No. 1)

315,000: Carrie (No. 2)

298,000: Taylor (No. 2)

297,000: Kelly (No. 1)

240,000: Fantasia (No.

119,000: Jordin (No. 10)

Clay is the all-time first-week sales champ for an Idol debut album with 613,000 for Measure of a Man.

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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 that even the hardest hearts soften during the Christmas season. There is a prevalent joy that draws people together and Christmas music is the soundtrack to that season.”

Mandisa will also be spreading the holiday cheer with some live performances, including an appearance at the second largest Christmas tree lighting in the country–the NYSE Christmas tree lighting. She will also perform live at the Crystal Cathedral on Christmas Eve, which will be televised worldwide. Mandisa fans can also catch her performing live with another popular AI alum, George Huff, for six dates while in California.

I am really happy for Mandisa and excited to hear what her take on these classic carols sounds like!

Tags: mandisa, holiday album, christmas carols, mandisa christmas

via americanidol.com

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 album (and nearly outsell the entire rest of the top 10), but it more than made up the difference between this week and last week’s total album sales. Last week the total was 7.9 million. This week’s: 8.3 million. Without Carrie, this week would have been 7.8 million.

The new album also provided a nice boost for the first album. Some Hearts jumped from No. 81 to No. 60, selling 13,000 copies, a 38% increase over last week. Her total is now a rounded 5.98 million, slightly more than 16,000 away from 6 million.

Meanwhile, Daughtry took a slight hit, dropping 34-39 and sliding 8% in sales to 19,000. His total is 3.23 million.

more after the jump!

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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 40 format’s top 10 with its first three releases.

And Jordin makes the chart at No. 38 with Tattoo, giving this year’s crop of Idols its first radio success story. Tattoo is also the third-most-added record at the format.

Elliott’s Wait scores a lucky bounce on the rhythmic top 40 chart, climbing 33-30 despite a decline in airplay.

More after the jump!

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