New URL for the American Idol buzz blog!
Please go to the new American Idol Buzz blog at http://blogs.ajc.com/american-idol-blog/
Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > December > 04 > Entry
12/4: Grammy noms, A talk with Kimberley Locke, coming to Athens in concert Friday/Saturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here are the “American Idol” noms from the Grammys:
Carrie Underwood got a nomination for best female country vocal performance with “Last Name” and best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media (“Ever Ever After” from “Enchanged”)
Jennifer Hudson was nominated for best R&B album and best R&B song & best female R&B vocal performance with “Spotlight,” along with best R&B performance by a duo or group with Fantasia for “I’m His Only Woman.”
Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown got one nom for best pop collaboration with vocals for “No Air.”
Daughtry was shut out.
- Kimberley Locke, the third-place finisher from season two, has become the queen of Christmas music among Idols, with three No.1 adult contemporary hits and a Christmas album last year. So it’s natural she’s doing a holiday concert tour with Diana DeGarmo, Chikezie and David Hernandez. She’ll be at the Classic Center in Athens Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. with tix ranging from $10 to $70. (She did a Christmas tour last year with Dave Koz.) I spoke with her by phone from Pennsylvania yesterday.
“I always knew I’d do a Christmas album one day. I just didn’t know it’d be so soon,” she said. “I wanted to do a traditional Christmas album with songs people remember. Just add a little bit of a twist and your own flare.” She said she chose “Jingle Bells” because it’s not as commonplace to do. I joked that she definitely outdid the barking dogs.
The first half the concert will be straight Christmas music. The second half will feature covers and originals. We then mused about how all the concerts now end up on YouTube. “Some people will upload videoes before we even get off the stage,” she said. “It’s scary!”
I asked her about 2009 plans, noting that half her peers seem to be doing Broadway. “I have been on some Broadway auditions,” she said. “I just haven’t found the right part.”
Her big project is a special Royal Caribbean cruise on September 12-17. You can get details at www.lockeandloaded.com. And don’t worry. Dustin Diamond, whom she clashed with on “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2007, won’t be around. “I would throw him overboard!” she joked. “Then I’d feel sorry for him and save him.”
Her boyfriend and the “Fit Club” personal trainer Harvey Walden will have both fitness sessions and concerts for 1,500 people on the cruise. She’s already got commitment from Vonzell Solomon and Jon Peter Lewis to join the cruise. She’s trying to get a couple more “Idols” to join her. The itinerary is Miami, St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee. Pricing ranges from $849 to $1,950 per person.
She lost 40 pounds after doing “Celebrity Fit Club” and has kept the weight off, she said. (Dating Walden certainly helps!)
“On the cruise, I can share with every day people what the tips are to lose weight,” she said. She will get to hang with fans extensively, she said.
She has been to Atlanta at least once or twice a year since “Idol,” doing gigs at the Wet Bar and Atlanta Pride. “I always get treated well in Atlanta,” she said.
You can buy tix here. I’m not sure if these four Idols are a big enough dra to fill the Classic Center once, much less twice. The Center’s capacity is 2,100 people. We shall see! I’m going to try to make it to Friday’s concert.
Comments
By Woodpappy
December 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Morning everyone…….
By harrietth
December 4, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Morning, Woodpappy!
By JTesla
December 4, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Morning all,
Kimberly Locke is dating Harvey Walden? Wow, good for them! Thanks for all the info Rodney.
By kelly&carriefan
December 4, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Hi y’all…
Well, I do like Last Name, but I’m not sure it’s Grammy worthy. Though after seeing a nod for Best New Artist to the JONAS BROS….um, on second thought. ;)
J-Hud is definitely talented and I’m guessing will win one. Glad she got some recognition.
I’ve always liked Kimberly Locke…good to see she’s having success. And yes, she is quite popular with the gays. Her cover of “Fall” was amazing.
By Deirdre
December 4, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Rodney…thanks for the phone interview. Are you going to Athens?
Hey Woodpappy…nice of you to pop in every now and then. Hope the world is treating you well.
I’m in and out all day today with errands.
By Nana
December 4, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Hey everyone. I’m getting a late start today. I’m still in a fog and now I have bronchial pneumonia. Didn’t work yesterday, so I’m really behind at the office.
Kimberly is one of the better idols. Sounds as if she has things going right for her. Carrie’s nom for “Last Name” is a little suprise to me. I would have thought it would have came from of her better songs. Don’t get me wrong, I like that song, IMO, it’s just not one of best. Anyway, I hope she wins. Congrats to all the Idols that were nominated.
By kelly&carriefan
December 4, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Hi nana…sorry to hear you are under the weather. Hope you feel better soon!
I agree with you. Just a Dream was released in July. I would’ve thought that made it elegible…and a better choice. IMO. Oh, well.
By Jana
December 4, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
I wish there was some way I could make it to Athens. And kim is right that stuff ends up on YouTube quickly. This is Kimberley and Diana dueting on “Breath of Heaven.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJb-zJJ3_A0
By Nana
December 4, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Thanks k&cfan. Believe me, I have felt better.
Jana: Thanks for the video. Those two sound great together.
Well folks, I’m calling it a day here at the office and headed for home. Everyone be safe, be happy, love the one(s) you with and cherish each minute you have with them, for you never know when it will be the last, and as always drive careful.
By Harmony
December 4, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
HEY EVERYONE!
Nana,sorry to hear that you are sick,the sad event of last week probably contributed to your illness.I hope you get much better soon,physically and mentally. We miss you!
I watched Secret Millionaire. I thought the 2nd set of millionaires were much more generous. I’ll be watching Grey’s tonight and hopefully wrapping some of my accumulating Christmas presents.
I don’t want to put a damper on the day, but I feel the need to go hit a certain man in the head with a sledge hammer! Why do people feel the need to torture other people or defenseless animals? I’m through venting now.
On a happier note, Christmas is almost here, and I still don’t know what to get all my blog friends. I’m debating between PEACE ON EARTH or A HAPPY,PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR or Both!
By Woodpappy
December 4, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
I have really been snowed in sorta with alot of work at at my office. Hope things slow down some next week. Thanks for the hello’s.
By Linda
December 4, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
I haven’t been here in a while. I thought some people might like to know that David Archuleta had his first of many Jingle Balls/jingle jams last night in Sacramento. There are videos up on youtube or you can go to fansofdavid. He sang 5 songs (4 from his album and a bonus song that he helped write “Works For Me”) in a lineup with Boys Like Girls, Shontelle, Katy Perry, and Jesse McCartney on the program as well. He did a great job.
By linny@home
December 4, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
cool! watching GPB - David Foster show… Michael Johns was on! Sang “Man in Motion” a Foster song… when Foster started talking about American Idol contestants being voted off too early, i thought he might be bringing out Kat, but… NO! it was Michael Johns!!! awesome!!! i have no idea who all will be on, Andrea Botelli and Michael Buble, for sure… Kenny G opened with Foster… Peter Cetera(?) … 2 hours of “friends of David Foster”…
just thought i’d mention it…
By linny@home
December 4, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
and indeed, Fosters good friend katherine mcphee enters the stage…
By Hoss
December 5, 2008 4:15 AM | Link to this
So Taylor’s the only winner w/o a grammy nom? Cook not eligible yet for discussion.
By Deirdre
December 5, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
Morning!
linny, that David Foster special was taped awhile ago. I haven’t seen the whole thing but I’ve seen both Michael Johns and Kat McPhee do their songs. I thought they both did very well. Kat’s work with Andrea Bocelli has really helped her eliminate the screech factor on her high notes. And Michael is just fun!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
December 5, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
oh i knew it was a “rerun” but i so much enjoyed the whole thing! i was surprised that i did. but the best thing of the night was before the Foster Hits … it was the Roy Orbison and Friends “Black&White” show. OMG that was sooooooooooooo good!
did i mention that i love Roy Orbison?
LOL!
have a great day, gang! catchya later!
By harrietth
December 5, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Good morning, everyone! I have been just swamped at work with end of year stuff, but I think I see the light at the end. Right now I am just thankful to have a job to go to. We are undergoing cuts right and left, with nine folks in a whole unit of our division being cut two weeks ago. Being a state employee is not the most secure thing one can be right now.
Is the David Foster special something that is shown again and again? I have not been aware of it being aired here in Columbia, SC.
By harrietth
December 5, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
linny, I have watched that Roy Orbison and Friends show over and over and over. I love it, too. And it is just a marvel to see how many great artists, such as Springsteen, et al, reflect the joy that Orbison brought to their own lives.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
December 5, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
GPB uses it for fundraising; i dvr’d it, harrietth
By harrietth
December 5, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Thanks, linny. It has probably been on and I did not know it.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
December 5, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
I just realized, harrietth, it was listed as one of the public broadcasting’s “Great Performances” series — the specific episode is called “Foster Hits” or something like that.
By harrietth
December 5, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Ok. I still have not seen it, though I do watch public tv a lot.
Is it 4:30 yet? LOL!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
December 5, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
sigh
not yet
By Rodney Ho
December 5, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
New blog entry up!