Tag Archives: Kelly Clarkson

McCreery: A Top-Earning “American Idol”

Posted on by
Reply

He’s only been part of American Idol history for less than two years, but Scotty McCreery is already one of the Fox reality singing competition’s top-earners.

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country crooner, the season 10 winner, claimed the No. 3 spot on Forbes’ list of Top-Earning American Idols for 2012 with $4 million.

Scotty McCreery

McCreery, who ranks behind Kelly Clarkson with $8 million and Carrie Underwood with $5 million during the scoring period (May 2011 through May 2012), has been on a roll since receiving a $250,000 record deal as part of his Idol victory in May 2011.

The CMT Award-winner and Academy of Country Music Awards’ New Artist of the Year surpassed expectations with his debut album, Clear As Day, which sold more than 1 million copies. And the North Carolina native took advantage by hitting the road last year, opening for Brad Paisley.

So what’s next for McCreery? A solo tour and a new album later this year, all while continuing his college education.

“It’s meant everything,” says McCreery of the show. “I didn’t have a career before, so it was the starting point for my career and it got me going. … They reach like 16 million fans on a bad night.”

Sanchez Preparing to Release Debut Single in February…

Posted on by
Reply

Last year’s American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez is preparing to release her debut single next month…

The 17-year-old half-Mexican American singer, who collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas’ apl.de.ap on the promotional single “Jump In,” has revealed that she’s been hard at work on making music.

Jessica Sanchez

“I’ve been working on my album since the Idol tour and I just finished it up,” the pint-sized singer announced recently, saying she’s getting ready to release her debut single this February.

Sanchez’s first single is reportedly a duet with R&B crooner Ne-Yo, who is also one of the producers/songwriters who worked on her upcoming album.

When asked about the long time it has taken to release her debut album, Sanchez told MTV News, “I wanted to make it perfect for the fans. I’ve worked in the studio before, but going to that next level with such high producers? It was crazy … working with Ne-Yo. Everything was such a blur and I was just a fan girl the whole time.”

Despite the long wait since the end of the 11th season of Idol last summer, fans will soon get to hear the 16 tracks that Sanchez has recorded with song masters Toby Gad (One Direction, Kelly Clarkson), Harvey Mason Jr. (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake) and Rykeyz (Wiz Khalifa, Fantasia Barrino).

“It’s me, soulful, but more dancey,” Sanchez said of her work. “It’s all completely me,” she said of her upbeat, mainstream pop disc with an R&B edge. “And I’m excited about all of it.”

In the meantime, Sanchez’s fans will get a chance to see her in her upcoming recurring role on Fox’s Glee.

Lovato Gives a Show-Stopping “VH1 Divas” Performance

Posted on by
Reply

Demi Lovato isn’t afraid to be a diva…

Demi Lovato

The 20-year-old part-Mexican American singer and The X Factor judge performed live at last night’s VH1 Divas concert, getting the crowd on their feet with her show-stopping performance of her current single “Give Your Heart a Break.”

Held at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, this year’s all-star event featured performances by Pitbull, Kelly Clarkson, Ciara, Jordin Sparks, Melanie Fiona and Miley Cyrus. Adam Lambert served as the show’s host, while Havana Brown served as house DJ.

The event paid tribute to music legends Whitney Houston and Donna Summer with performances featuring current and classic dance hits.

Miguel: This Year’s Leading Latino Grammy Nominee

Posted on by
3

Move over Bruno Mars… There’s a new Grammy darling this awards season, and his name is Miguel.

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American R&B singer/songwriter is this year’s most-nominated Latino artist, picking up five Grammy nods during The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night.

Miguel

Miguel – a previous nominee in 2011 for Best R&B Single – is up for one of the biggest prizes atthe 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Song of the Year for his smash single “Adorn,” which has dominated the Billboard charts. He’s up against Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team,” Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” and Fun.’s “We Are Young.”

Miguel’s other nominations include Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance for “Adorn,” Best Urban Contemporary Album for “Kaleidoscope Dream” and Best Rap Song for his collaboration with Wale on “Lotus Flower Bomb.”

Meanwhile, the Latina who beat Justin Bieber for Best New Artist in 2011, Esperanza Spalding, is the other Hispanic artist to receive a whole lotta Grammy love this year.

The 28-year-old part-Hispanic singer is nominated for three awards for her music related to her latest album Radio Music Society: Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best Long Form Video, Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will be held Sunday, February 10, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and air live on CBS from 8:00-11:30 pm ET.

Here’s a look at all the categories featuring a Latino/a artist:

Song of the Year

Ed Sheeran, “The A Team”
Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
Miguel, “Adorn”
Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You”)
Fun., “We Are Young

Best R&B Performance

Estelle, “Thank You”
Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Ledisi, “Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)”
Luke James,” I Want You”
Miguel, “Adorn”
Usher, “Climax”

Best R&B Song

Miguel Pimentel, songwriter, “Adorn” (Miguel)
Tamia Hill, Claude Kelly & Salaam Remi, songwriters, “Beautiful Surprise” (Tamia)
Benjamin Levin, Rico Love & Tremaine Neverson, songwriters, “Heart Attack” (Trey Songz)
Antonio Dixon, Kenny Edmonds, Anthony Hamilton & Patrick “jQue” Smith, songwriters, “Pray For Me” (Anthony Hamilton)
Darhyl “DJ” Camper, Elle Varner & Andrew “Pop” Wansel, songwriters, “Refill”  (Elle Varner)

Best Urban Contemporary Album

Chris Brown, Fortune
Miguel, Kaleidoscope Dream
Frank Ocean, Channel Orange

Best Rap Song

Nasir Jones & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Patrick Adams, Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer & Paul Leka, songwriters), “Daughters” (Nas)
Olubowale Akintimehin, S. Joseph Dew, Jerrin Howard, Walker Johnson & Miguel Jontel Pimentel, songwriters, “Lotus Flower Bomb” (Wale Featuring Miguel)
Sean Anderson, Tauheed Epps, Stephan Taft, James Thomas, Terrence Thornton & Kanye West, songwriters (Denzie Beagle, Winston Riley & Reggie Williams, songwriters), “Mercy” (Kanye West Featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz)
Dwayne Carter, Aubrey Graham & Tyler Williams, songwriters, “The Motto”  (Drake Featuring Lil’ Wayne)
Shawn Carter, Mike Dean, Chauncey Hollis & Kanye West, songwriters (W.A. Donaldson, songwriter), “N****s In Paris” (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Peter Hernandez & Cameron Thomaz, songwriters (T. Bluechel, M. Borrow, T. Griffin, K. Jackson, N. Lee & M. Newman, songwriters), “Young, Wild & Free” (Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Featuring Bruno Mars)

Best Jazz Vocal Album

Denise Donatelli, Soul Shadows
Kurt Elling, 1619 Broadway: The Brill Building Project
Al Jarreau (And The Metropole Orkest), Live
Luciana Souza, The Book Of Chet
Esperanza Spalding, Radio Music Society

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

Gil Evans Project, Centennial: Newly Discovered Works Of Gil Evans
Bob Mintzer Big Band, For The Moment
Arturo Sandoval, Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You)

Best Latin Jazz Album

Chano Domínguez, Flamenco Sketches
The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band, ¡Ritmo!
Bobby Sanabria Big Band, Multiverse
Luciana Souza, Duos III
Manuel Valera New Cuban Express, New Cuban Express

Best Latin Pop Album

Ricardo Arjona, Independiente
Fonseca, Ilusión
Kany Garcia, Kany Garcia
Jesse Y Joy, ¿Con Quién Se Queda El Perro?
Juanes, MTV Unplugged Deluxe Edition

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album

Campo, Campo
Carla Morrison, Déjenme Llorar
Quetzal, Imaginaries
Sistema Bomb, Electro-Jarocho
Ana Tijoux, La Bala

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)

Lila Downs, Pecados Y Milagros
Los Cojolites, Sembrando Flores
Los Tucanes De Tijuana, 365 Días
Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea, Oye
Gerardo Ortiz, El Primer Ministro

Best Tropical Latin Album

Raúl Lara Y Sus Soneros, Cubano Soy
Eddie Montalvo, Desde Nueva York A Puerto Rico
Marlow Rosado Y La Riqueña, Retro
Romeo Santos, Formula Vol. 1

Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)

Thara Memory & Esperanza Spalding, arrangers, “City Of Roses” (Esperanza Spalding)
Gil Evans, arranger, “Look To The Rainbow” (Gil Evans Project and Luciana Souza)
Shelly Berg, arranger, “Out There” (Lorraine Feather)
Vince Mendoza, arranger, “Spain (I Can Recall)” (Al Jarreau And The Metropole Orkest)
Nan Schwartz, arranger, “Wild Is The Wind” (Whitney Claire Kaufman And Andrew Playfoot)

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

András Schiff, Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Clavier
Jory Vinikour, The Complete Harpsichord Works Of Rameau
Claudio Cruz, conductor; Antonio Meneses (Northern Sinfonia), Gál & Elgar: Cello Concertos
Hansjörg Albrecht, Holst: The Planets
Kim Kashkashian, Kurtág & Ligeti: Music For Viola

Best Contemporary Classical Composition

Stephen Hartke, composer, Hartke, Stephen: Meanwhile – Incidental Music To Imaginary Puppet Plays (Eighth Blackbird)
Tania León, composer, León, Tania: Inura For Voices, Strings & Percussion (Tania León, Son Sonora Voices, DanceBrazil Percussion & Son Sonora Ensemble)
Ugis Praulins, composer, Nightingale (Stephen Layton, Michala Petri & Danish National Vocal Ensemble)
Einojuhani Rautavaara, composer, Rautavaara, Einojuhani: Cello Concerto No. 2 ‘Towards The Horizon’ (Truls Mørk, John Storgårds & Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra)
Steven Stucky, composer; Gene Scheer, librettist, Stucky, Steven: August 4, 1964 (Jaap Van Zweden, Dallas Symphony Chorus & Orchestra)

Best Long Form Music Video

Big Easy Express; Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros & Old Crow Medicine Show
Emmett Malloy, video director; Bryan Ling, Mike Luba & Tim Lynch, video producers
Bring Me Home – Live 2011; Sade
Sophie Muller, video director; Roger Davies, Grant Jue & Sophie Muller, video producers
Radio Music Society, Esperanza Spalding
Pilar Sanz, video director; Esperanza Spalding, video producer
Get Along, Tegan & Sara
Salazar, video director; Nick Blasko, Piers Henwood, Sara Quin & Tegan Quin, video producers
From The Sky Down, U2
Davis Guggenheim, video director; Belisa Balaban, Brian Celler, Davis Guggenheim& Ted Skillman, video producers

Hernandez & Cabello’s “The X Factor” Journey Continues…

Posted on by
Reply

Ally Brooke (Hernandez) and Camila Cabello have plenty of reason to celebrate…

The Latina singers – members of FifthHarmony – gave a stronger performance on Wednesday’s The X Factor that not only helped them avoid having to sing for their lives… But the all-girl group’s performance of Kelly Clarkson’s “(What Doesn’t Kill You) Stronger, ” also gave them their best ranking in the competition as they advanced to the Top 6.

Fifth Harmony Stronger

Taking the stage just hours after a death in the family on Wednesday night, the group rallied around Hernandez, who dedicated the group’s performance to her late grandfather.

L.A. Reid took time out to recognize Ally’s loss before reviewing their performance.

“First of all, I have to offer my sincere condolences to you (Ally). I’m really sorry for your loss,” Reid said before critiquing their performance of “Stronger.”

“I wanted ground breaking,” Reid said, claiming he didn’t hear enough harmony or an “original arrangement.”

Disagreeing with L.A. Reid, Britney Spears “thought the song really worked” for the group.

Demi Lovato agreed.

“I think that this was probably one of the best performances you guys have given,” said Lovato.

Excited for his group, Simon Cowell labeled the performance “fantastic.”

“This is an amazing, amazing song. What a fantastic performance you just gave. This is really, really important. I can see you on the charts. I can tell you Ally, your grandfather would be proud of you tonight.”

Following the elimination of Paige Thomas and Vino Alan, it was revealed during Thursday’s results show that Hernandez and Cabello’s group – coached by Simon Cowell – came in fourth place after the public’s vote.

Here are the remaining top six acts on this season of The X Factor:

6. Diamond White
5. CeCe Frey
4. Fifth Harmony
3. Emblem3
2. Tate Stevens
1. Carly Rose Sonenclar

Pitbull to Appear on VH1’s “Divas” Special…

Posted on by
Reply

It looks like Pitbull isn’t afraid to share the stage with a few divas…

The 31-year-old Cuban-American singing sensation, who will perform on this year’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special, has joined the ever-expanded roster of performers for VH1’s annual Divas show.

Pitbull

Pitbull, Kelly Clarkson, Melanie Fiona and Metric will join previously announced performers Demi Lovato, Ciara, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Rowland and Jordin Sparks as they all pay tribute to the most iconic divas of dance music, including the late Whitney Houston and Donna Summer.

The celebration, hosted by American Idol diva Adam Lambert, will be broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, December 16 at 9:00 pm ET.

Meanwhile, Havana Brown, whose “We Run the Night” featuring Pitbull reached No. 26 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 earlier this year, will serve as the event’s house deejay.

In keeping with tradition, tickets for VH1 Divas are available for purchase with proceeds to benefit the Save the Music Foundation. The VH1-backed charity is dedicated to keeping music education alive in American public schools and has provided nearly $50 million in new musical instruments to date.

Garcia Lands Safely in “The X Factor” Top 12

Posted on by
1

It’s back to rehearsals for The X Factor contestant Jennel Garcia…

Following an impressive performance during Wednesday’s first live performances, the 18-year-old half-Puerto Rican rockera has advanced to the Top 12 on Fox’s reality singing competition.

Jennel Garcia

During Thursday night’s episode, where one contestant from each of the judges’ teams would be sent packing, Garcia was the first person declared safe by her Young Adults mentor Demi Lovato.

“I’m so happy for myself, but my two best friends are out there still,” said an in-tears Garcia backstage after the announcement that CeCe Frey and Willie Jones would be the two who’d have to perform for the last remaining spot in their category. “But I’m super happy.”

But the night wasn’t as stress-free for the show’s other Latino contestants…

Ally Brooke Hernandez and Camila Cabello, members of the all-girl group 1432 (formerly the LYLA) had to face-off against country group Sister C after finding themselves in the bottom two in Simon Cowell’s Groups category.

Sister C performed Miley Cyrus’ ballad “When I Look at You,” while 1432 opted the perform Lovato’s “Skyscraper.”

“You know what they say, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ And you know what, you did it,” decreed judge L.A. Reid. “And, I’m proud.”

Britney Spears said the ladies’ performance made her “a believer,” while Lovato heaped on the praise.

“I don’t know who that song is by,” joked Lovato. “But regardless, you did better than the original singer.”

Cowell – who admitted the group had a “wobble” on Wednesday night, but was “much, much, much better” this time around – ultimately picked 1432 to advance to the Top 12.

But David Correy didn’t have the same luck.

The the 26-year-old Brazilian-born singer ended up in the bottom two in Reid’s Over 25s category with Jason Brock.

Despite a soulful, slowed-down rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” Correy couldn’t catch a break from any of the judges, except Spears.

“I really didn’t like the rendition of that song,” declared Lovato. “I felt It was way too forced. It just felt like you were screaming the whole time.”

In the end, Reid elected to advance Brock to the Top 12 and send Correy packing.

“I’ve been through a lot in my life, like we all have. But it’s never stopped,” said Correy after the announcement. “And I promise you this is not gonna be the last time you see my face.”

Adriana Louise Moving On to the Live Rounds on “The Voice”

Posted on by
1

Adriana Louise continues to make an immense impression on the coaches of NBC’s The Voice…

The 22-year-old Latina singer, who knocked out former Hollywood Records recording artist Jordan Pruitt during the show’s Battle Round, returned to the ring to face her fellow Team Christina mate Celica Westbrooke for their Knockout Round clash.

Adriana Louise

In what Christina Aguilera dubbed a “battle of pop divas,” Adriana Louise performed Kelly Clarkson’s “Already Gone” and Westbrooke sang Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never.”

Following their head-to-head battle, coach Blake Shelton said both singers had pitchy moments, as well as redeeming moments. Meanwhile, fellow coach Adam Levine only raved about Adriana Louise.

“You’ve got a really powerful, incredible, very Team Christina voice,” professed Levine.

Before declaring the winner, Aguilera gave kudos to both singers, saying she was proud of Adriana and Celica. But she had some extra words for the Latina singer.

“This is the strongest I’ve seen you perform that song,” declared Aguilera. “And that was really, really good.”

In the end, Aguilera picked Adriana Louise to advance to the next round.

“I can’t believe it! I’m going to live rounds,” declared Adriana. “I’m so excited, I’m, so excited! I get to come back”

Gomez Receives First-Ever MTV VMA Award Nomination

Posted on by
Reply

“Love You Like a Love Song” is one Selena Gomez’s greatest hits, with James Franco even singing along to the track… And, now the inescapable hit is getting a little love from MTV…

Selena Gomez

The 20-year-old half-Mexican American singer has received her first-ever MTV VMA award nomination for Best Female Video for “Love You Like a Love Song,” which peaked at number 22 on Billboard Hot 100 and has sold more than two million copies.

Gomez’s high-style video—which finds her in an underground Japanese karaoke club and magically mixes elements of reality and fantasy—will face stiff competition from Rihanna’s “We Found Love,”
Katy Perry’s “Part of Me,”
Beyoncé’s “Love on Top”
and Nicki Minaj’s “Starships.”

Gomez’s one-time BFF Demi Lovato has been nominated in the Best Video With a Message category for her anthem “Skyscraper.” She’ll face off against Rise Against’s “Ballad of Hollis Brown,”
 Kelly Clarkson’s “Dark Side,”
Gym Class Heroes’ “The Fighter,” K’Naan and Nelly Furtado’s “Is Anybody Out There?” and
 Lil Wayne’s “How to Love”

Meantime, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull’s “Dance Again” video has been nominated for Best Choreography. Other nominees in the category include:
 Chris Brown’s “Turn Up the Music,”
Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been,”
Beyoncé’s “Countdown”
and Avicii’s “Le7els”

This year’s MTV VMA Awards ceremony will take place on September 6 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Aguilera to Release a New Single By Summer’s End

Posted on by
Reply

Finally! New music from Christina Aguilera could be making its way onto the radio before the end of the summer…

It’s been two years since the 31-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer’s last studio album, but Aguilera is reportedly working hard on the follow-up to 2010’s Bionic.

christina-aguilera

And Billboard reports that a new single from The Voice judge is expected to be released in early August. The club thumper was produced by Swedish pop hit-maker Max Martin, and its chorus is built around the line, “All I want to do is what you wanted.”

It’s hard to believe Martin—best known for producing hits by Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry—hasn’t yet penned a single for Aguilera.

Additionally, Aguilera is apparently working on duets with her fellow The Voice coaches Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green for the Grammy winner’s forthcoming album.