Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
TMZ reported what killed former Buckhead denizen and "American Idol" singer Michael Johns: an enlarged heart.
While family sources old TMZ that a blood clot killed him after an ankle injury and a friend thought he drank himself to death, an autopsy blamed his death on natural causes. Orange County's coroner concluded it was dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition which inhibits the flow of blood. He also had a fatty liver, which stemmed from heavy drinking but that wasn't necessarily the reason why he died.
Johns spent four years in Atlanta, mostly playing music in the Buckhead area from 1998 to 2002. He visited friends here at least once a year, jamming at Tin Roof Cantina. He participated in "American Idol" in 2008 and finished seventh.
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"Idol" has trimmed during Hollywood Week down to 48, not 40, as initially reported.
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Earlier this year, Constantine Maroulis returned to "Rock of Ages" after a long stint on Broadway as Drew. He also did the road tour. But the show closes January 18, 2015.
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"The Voice" coach Blake Shelton slagged "American Idol," saying the fact it generated two genuine superstars in Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson was mere "luck." He ignored the fact the show for a time was the biggest show in America for years at a time when people still bought albums. As MJ here notes, no matter how popular "The Voice" has been or will be, the chances of the show generating a true superstar of that magnitude is slim. No reality show lately has created a musical superstar of any sort.
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Idol Pad reports the new mentor for "Idol" will be Teresa LaBarbera-Whites, former Senior Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records. She replaces the useless Randy Jackson from season 12, who took over for the sharp and entertaining Jimmy Iovine from seasons 10 and 11. Let's hope she's more Jimmy, less Randy.
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Speaking of Underwood, her latest single "Something in the Water" had a relatively slow upward momentum week, rising from 13 to 12 on the country chart. But a top 10 stop is inevitable. She's never had a single miss the top 10. The song is getting some airplay on Christian stations, too, including Fish 104.7. And her upcoming baby is a boy.
Scotty McCreery's "Feelin' It" edges up to 14 in its 28th week on the chart. (Two songs in the top 10 are in their 37th week, one by newcomer Parmalee and one by vets Big & Rich.)
Daughtry's "Battleships" peaked at No. 19 on the Hot AC chart. Jennifer Hudson's "It's Your World" peaked at No. 11 on the urban AC side.
On the Christian AC chart, Colton Dixon's "More of You" topped out at No. 8. Danny Gokey's "Hope In Front of Me" remains at No. 5 in its 34th week.
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Katharine McPhee sang for the first time on her hit CBS show "Scorpion" last week. I actually watched the first 25 minutes of the episode but found it incredibly boring and her acting borderline wooden. Apparently, she did croon later in the episode "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You."
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