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Post from: Idol Stalker

Post from: Idol Stalker

American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, is set to perform at the Delaware State Fair but people who bought tickets may not actually get to see the show.

On Wednesday, about 1,200 music fans thought they bought tickets for Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith and others. Late Thursday, they received a notice from the State Fair via e-mail telling them their tickets were not valid – but that their credit cards had been charged.

Dedicated fans had already had a rough week as the schedule changed and the on-sale date got pushed from Monday to Wednesday. Then, the ticket system crashed.

The owners of the 1,200 invalid tickets were told, by email, that their credit cards had been charged by E-Tickets Software Inc., the California-based ticketing service initially used by the fair, and that they would have to dispute the charge with their credit card companies.

The e-mail also told customers the state fair will try to fill their requests with available seats if they filled out an additional order form and made another purchase.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!

This is ridiculous and more than a little suspcious. May I add that the front-row seats at this STATE FAIR (!!!) cost $284 U.S. Dollars!!!! Some people are talking about boycotting the fair this year.

Dude, I don’t want to even talk about how I would be behaving if I were one of those people who “bought” a ticket. Lemme just say that you’d probably hear about it on the news. Terrible.

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Post from: Idol Stalker

Several thousand people gathered on the campus of Belmont University this morning, some arriving as early as 6 a.m., to welcome American Idol Top 3 semifinalist Melinda Doolittle back to her alma mater. Doolittle, who was once the college mascot, graduated in 1999.

Melinda, who rode through the streets of Brentwood, Tennessee in a white Mustang convertible, wiped away tears as she looked out at the crowd, many of whom were wearing “Belmont Hearts Melinda Doolittle” gear. About the homecoming, Melinda said “Wow. This is probably one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced, and it’s so good to be home.”

Belmont president Robert Fisher led Doolittle to the unveiling of a new blue street sign that read “Melinda Doolittle Way.” That sign indicates more than just the street’s temporary name for the month, Fisher said. “Melinda Dolittle Way is the way to live life,” Fisher said. Melinda is known for her humility, so it’s no surprise that she reacted to the street sign with a gasp and shaky hands. Fisher also proclaimed it “Melinda Doolittle Day.”

After taking the stage, she said, “I’m a mess. OK, my mom is worse than I am so I’m OK.”

Doolittle sang, “Home,” but the sound went out several times during the show because of production problems. She also sang “Since You’ve Been Gone,” (not to be confused with Kelly Clarkson’s song).

Doolittle said what she has learned from her Idol experience is, “You can dream so big and God can take it farther than you ever thought.”

Doolittle began her morning at the Wildhorse Saloon where she appeared on the local Foxshow “Tennessee Mornings,” and was scheduled to meet Gov. Phil Bredesen at an afternoon press conference at the state capitol.

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Post from: Idol Stalker

Blake Lewis got a fantastic homecoming. At an afternoon parade and concert in Bothell, an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people screamed, cheered and followed Bothell’s favorite son. Lewis, seated between his mother, who was wearing a Blaker Girls T-shirt, and his father, rode in a blue Mustang convertible. He blew kisses, waved and at one point stood up in the car and gave his fans a hand. Ear-piercing shrieks followed Lewis down Main Street to Bothell Landing, where fans ignored police requests to stay back. The crowd weaved between cars stopped on Bothell Way and state Route 527.

Everyone said they’d never seen such a huge crowd in Bothell, not even for the Fourth of July.

Among those greeting him was Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Blake gave the crowd quite a show by performing five songs including Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” and Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity.” He also did an original song, “She Loves the Way,” and he backed up special guest Sir Mix-A-Lot on the rapper’s famous “Baby Got Back.”

Jonathan Douglas, 8, held a sign declaring himself Lewis’ No. 1 fan saying “I like the beatboxing he’s been doing. I think he’s going to go all the way.” Jonathan’s mother, Marie Douglas, said, “He’s like a breath of fresh air because he’s so different.”

One thing Lewis didn’t do was predict that he’s going to win the competition. That, he said, likely would happen for Jordin Sparks, the teenager from Glendale, Ariz.

But Lewis, 25, who has been noticed on the show for his smooth voice, rhythms, funky style and frosted locks, was cool with that. During morning interviews at KCPQ/13, he said his first goal was to get into the to top 10, and then the top four.

Of course, he wouldn’t mind winning, either. He said “If it happens, great. If not, I’m so happy I got sent home yesterday. When I made the goal of the top four, that was the goal.”

And despite criticism of too much beatboxing in his performances, he said he won’t shy away if it feels right.

“If I feel the performance needs it, I don’t care,” he said. “I’ve gotten, you know, criticism for my hair and wearing the wrong shirt. Criticism’s criticism. It doesn’t really affect me.”

Sir Mix gave Lewis plenty of respect. “I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I saw this cat on TV,” he told the crowd. “Every time you see ‘American Idol,’ you see people who can sing, and that’s it. This cat got real talent.”

Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train, whipped up the crowd ranging from newborns to middle-age moms and dads, by introducing Lewis as: “your own, your one and only American Idol, Mr. Blake Lewis.”

Paula Rogers, 31, brought her son Wyatt, 22 months, with a “Vote for Blake” sticker on his baby backpack. “I just fell in love with Blake Lewis on this show, because I feel like he changed ‘American Idol’ with a new sound,” said Rogers, who added that the show usually sounds so Top 40 and predictable. Kayleigh Olds, 14, said “He doesn’t try to copy the song exactly. He makes it his own.”

Diana Ortiz, 19, who traveled with a friend from Vancouver, Canada, to see Lewis perform, said he’s unique. “I think he’s the only one who doesn’t care when the judges say ‘Do this or do that,’ ” she said. “He’s true to himself.”

Seattle City Councilwoman Jean Godden (pictured above) took the stage and said “And, whereas all of Seattle anticipates that Blake Lewis will become the next ‘American Idol,’ therefore be it resolved by the city of Seattle that May 11 be proclaimed as Blake Lewis Day.”

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Post from: Idol Stalker

Well, one thing is for sure, Jordin Sparks is loved in her hometown of Glendale, Arizona. She greeted more than 1,000 of her former classmates at Sandra Day O’Connor High School by saying “Hey guys, did you miss me?” Throughout the day, Jordin was treated like a star with over 5,000 people showing up at Glendale’s Westgate City Center to hear Jordin sing “Give Me One Reason,” “Heart Breaker” and “I Who Have Nothing.” American Idol film crews were on the scene, so footage of the homecoming will be aired on Tuesday’s show.

Jordin was 45 minutes late for her show where her fans braved triple digit temperatures in order to show their support. Mayor Elaine Scruggs thanked the singer for the recognition she has brought the city of Glendale, Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky (yes, that Wayne Gretzky) presented Sparks with an honorary team jersey. Representatives from the Suns, Diamondbacks, Sting and Matt Leinart of the Arizona Cardinals did the same. Leinart turned 24 on Friday, and Sparks led the crowd in a chorus of “happy birthday” to the quarterback. Diamondbacks President Derek Hall asked Jordin to throw the first pitch at a home game following Idol’s season finale.

Some of Jordin’s fans explained why they wanted to be there. “We figure we might as well get the concert while it’s on the house, because I figure her next concert won’t be free,” Vicki said.

Jordin’s last stop was at Glendale’s Arrowhead Towne Center, where she signed a few posters. She used ot work at a clothing store at the mall.

Here are some more pics from the day:

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Post from: Idol Stalker

BuddyTV was on the scene and have some great mp3s and a video of the concert. More than 1000 people turned out to hear Blake sing and even Sir-Mix-a-Lot, a Seattle native, showed up and together, the two performed that infectious hit “Baby Got Back.” Click here for audio and video from the show.

More pics after the jump…

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Post from: Idol Stalker

Post from: Idol Stalker

Join 93.9 The Song for the 2006 Family Picnic on July 8 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for an afternoon and evening of great music, fireworks, and fun for the entire family. Featuring live music by Chris Rice, Point of Grace, John David Webster, The Turning and George Huff of American Idol fame!

George’s song “Brighter Day” is on the WOW Gospel 2006 CD, which was #6 on the Gospel Chart and #9 on the Top Compilation chart.

Post from: Idol Stalker