Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Georgia's own "American Idol" winner from season 11 Phillip Phillips, fresh off singing the National Anthem last week during game two of the World Series, is rooting for the San Francisco Giants, who are ahead 3-2 over the Kansas City Royals.
He has a personal reason: fellow Leesburg native Buster Posey, the Giants All-Star catcher.
"He's four or five years older than me. When I was entering high school, he was graduating. I remember watching him play in high shcool. He was an incredible player. He still is! I know his sister. We had classes together," Phillips said in an interview Friday. "I've gotten to meet his family. I met Buster a year or two ago at a game. Really awesome nice guy."
Phillips himself played baseball until age 15 or so when he discovered the guitar - and never looked back. He said he played multiple positions but felt most comfortable at first base. He said he was more of a spray hitter, not a power guy.
As for doing the National Anthem for the World Series, he did the same thing two years ago. The first time was so "terrifying," he vowed he wouldn't do it again but he said they "twisted my arm."
"I'm going to say I'm never going to do it again ... until I do," he said.
He talked to me to promote his first visit to the Atlanta Symphony Hall Nov. 6. (You can buy tickets here for prices ranging from $39.50 to $59.50.) He's the second "American Idol" finalist to perform there as a solo artist. The last one: Adam Lambert in 2010.
Phillips has performed in Atlanta several times since winning the contest, including his first solo gig at Kennesaw State University last year and a co-headlining concert with O.A.R. at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in July.
"It was the first time playing in a venue like that in a neighborhood," he said. "The people closer to the stage were really into it. It was fun."
The Atlanta Symphony Hall sounds even more formal but don't expect Phillips in a suit and tie. "Only when my girlfriend makes me," he said. (He's had the same girlfriend preceding "Idol.")
He is really happy with his second album "Behind the Light."
The songs on the album "resonate so much better than the first album" live, he said. "They have so much more energy. We can rock out even harder. It's so musical and the emotions are a little heavier."
Unfortunately, his latest single "Unpack Your Heart" is struggling. In its ninth week on the Hot AC chart, it has started losing airplay and peaked at a mere 27.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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The latest "American Idol" promo highlights some of the big success stories (Kelly Clarkson, Phillip Phillips, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson) using video from their original auditions:
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Welcome to dirty politics, Clay Aiken! USA Today deemed your attack ad on Renee Ellmers "off key." (Get it?)
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Her first single that failed to make the top 2 on the country charts is "Something Bad," the duet with Miranda Lambert. It peaked at No. 7.
Her next faith-based single "Something in the Water," though, will likely hit the top of the charts. It's climbing steadily and is now at No. 15 on the Mediabase 24/7. charts after just a month of airplay. (It's also getting some airplay on Christian stations.)
Scotty McCreery's "Feelin' It' has been on the charts for nearly six months and is still climbing, now up to No. 16, just behind Carrie.
Speaking of slow, Daughtry's "Battleships" is in its 21st week and has edged up to No. 19 on the Hot AC chart.
Colton Dixon's second Top 10 Christian AC hit enters the top 10 in its 16th week. Danny Gokey's former No. 1 song "Hope In Front of Me" is still at No. 5 after 31 weeks.
Jennifer Hudson's "It's Your World" peaked at No. 11 on the urban AC chart and has slipped to No. 13.
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Kelly Clarkson does a soulful cover of Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" in Buffalo over the weekend. As always, worth a listen!
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