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Randy Jackson Weighs In on New Journey Singer

justingirl1989 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:22:08 -0700

Who better than Randy Jackson to judge Arnel Pineda, the controversial choice for new lead singer of the legendary rock band Journey?

Not only is Jackson a judge on American Idol, but for two years he also played bass for Journey.

His verdict on Pineda, who has come from relative obscurity to fill the formidable shoes of former frontman Steve Perry? A big thumbs up – with a footnote.

"The guy can sing, he's great," says Jackson. "But no one ... no one will ever be Steve Perry. He's one of the greatest singers to ever grace the microphone."

Pineda's rise is one of rock's great Cinderella stories. The Journey-loving Filipino – who grew up poor in Manila and was homeless for two years before turning professional singer – was playing cover tunes with a local band when Journey founder Neal Schon ran across extensive live-club footage of Pineda's performances on YouTube.

Because Pineda's YouTube rendition of Journey's "Faithfully" had developed an Internet cult following (given how closely it resembled Perry's own version of the classic), Schon flew in Pineda for a tryout. The singer then joined the band in time for a three-disc album, Revelation, and an international concert tour.

Jackson visited the studio during work on the album. "I heard a few songs," says Jackson. "I think they're doing really well."

As for ex-Journeyman Perry, "He's doing his thing," says Jackson. "Steve's fine. I actually had lunch with him about a month ago. He's working on hot stuff, too.http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20208686,00.html

Randy Jackson To Launch Diet Book!

justingirl1989 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:39:05 -0700

If you were looking for an ambassador for healthy living, you might not make a beeline for Randy Jackson.

Sure – the American Idol judge shed 150 pounds in 2003.

But, honestly, how many of us have seen him sitting behind that famous desk and longed to know the secret of his svelte figure?

Well, we’re going to find out anyway, when the Dawg himself publishes his own diet book, The No-Nonsense Guide to Getting Fit, Eating Better, and Living Longer, this November.

Randy, 51, who announced this year that he has Type II diabetes, says he has tried every diet under the Sun, and he swears that his new approach holds the key to the "new you".

It’s an unlikely project for a man who has, well, yet to reach the pinnacle of physical fitness – even more so when you consider that he dropped all those pounds after having a gastric bypass operation!

Still, celebrity diet books can be major money-spinners. Let’s just hope Ruben Studdard doesn’t get any ideas!

http://www.okmagazine.com/news/view/7930

Videos~ American Idol & More * 4 Videos total *

PinkNC — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:22:04 -0700

"The Soup" ~ American Idol on (4/25/08) and More

American Idol on "The Soup" (5/2/08) and More

American Idol on "The Soup" and More (05/16)

The Soup: American Idol (Season 7 Finale) 5/23/08

American Idol - Bad Auditions

PinkNC — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:18:31 -0800

Randy Jackson at the CMT Awards: Love It Or Hate It?

biarose — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:17:56 -0700

How do you like the colourful polka dot look?

Victoria Beckham takes the American Idol Seat

kty — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:00:30 -0800

Victoria Beckham will join the American Idol judges’ panel when the show takes the talent search to Boston for its season premiere, airing Tuesday (8 p.m. EST) on FOX. The former Spice Girl will return for the Denver auditions, airing Feb. 2.
“It was very exciting to be asked to do Idol,” Beckham says. “[My husband] David and the boys are all big fans of the show. It was a real privilege to be a part of something so huge!”
As for working with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, Beckham says, “Everybody was very nice. I’ve known Simon for many years. Kara and Randy were very sweet. I have a lot of respect for them all as individuals and together they are a great team. I enjoyed working with and getting to know Kara - she’s a real girl’s girl, like me. We went for dinner and she seems like a genuinely nice, down-to earth-girl. I felt each of the four of us brought a different role to the auditions and we complemented each other.”
For her own judging style, Beckham says, “I believe in constructive criticism and I am a very positive person, so I always tried to find something good and helpful to focus on, be it someone’s singing, their looks or their overall style. Having been a performer, I know how difficult it is to be that person standing there being judged. I didn’t want to trample on people’s dreams.”
Specifically, Beckham says, aside from strong pipes, “I wanted an overall look. For me, image is important as that helps sell records. I wouldn’t judge someone just on their looks alone, or what they were wearing; it takes the whole package of vocal, personality and a personal style.”
She was even touched by some of the performances she witnessed. “There was one girl in Denver,” Beckham says. “She brought her niece along to her audition as the family didn’t have childcare. She was beautiful, well-dressed and she could really, really sing. She had a real aura and star quality.”
But for every great singer, “there were plenty of break-out laughing moments,” Beckham admits. “You can’t help but laugh. It’s a joyous, natural reaction. And whilst you don’t want to appear rude or upset anybody, people and their comedy moments are just as important as the really talented singers are, because they make great TV!”
So does sparring verbally with Simon. “Yes, I can give as good as I get,” Beckham says. “I have a dry sense of humor which worked very well alongside his acerbic wit and I really enjoyed working with Simon. I enjoyed the banter we created and the fact that we could laugh together - most of the time!” –Cynthia Wang

Best Guitar Brand

cartermcdonald73 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:34:37 -0700

Here are the 10 best guitar brand, that were a popular brand and high standard.· GibsonThe Gibson Guitar Corporation, of Nashville, Tennessee, USA, is a manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars. Gibson also features and makes guitars under such brands as Epiphone, Kramer, Valley Arts, Tobias, Steinberger, and Kalamazoo. In addition to guitars, the company makes pianos through its Baldwin unit, Slingerland drums, as well as numerous accessory items. · FenderFender Musical Instruments Corporation of Scottsdale, Arizona is a maker of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster. The company, previously named the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company, was founded in Fullerton, California, by Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender in 1946. Leo Fender also designed one of the first commercially successful solid-body electric bass, the Precision Bass (P-Bass), which has become known in rock, jazz, country, funk and other characters of music, fender guitar information will give information his brand.· IbanezIbanez is a guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki and based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in the United States and Europe.· B.C. RichB.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars established by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969 and the early 1970s. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are constructed in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. Hanser Music Group now operates the Southern California B.C. Rich custom shop. As of 2001, no member of the Rico family is involved in the production of B.C. Rich guitars.· CharvelCharvel is a guitar brand originally founded by Wayne Charvel in Azusa, California and then later, Glendora, California (only the PO Box was in San Dimas); they were made popular by famous rock guitarists such as Edward Van Halen (Van Halen), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Warren DeMartini (Ratt), Dave Mercado (Lazarus), Jake E. Lee (OzzyOsbourne), Vinnie Vincent (KISS), Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister) and George Lynch (Dokken). The main Charvel models were (then) unique custom revamps of the Fender Stratocaster - often consisting of a Strat-shaped body with a single humbucker and Fender style tremolo bridge system. Many other custom creations were available as well.· EpiphoneThe Epiphone Company is a musical instrument {manufacturer|producer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Music Company in 1957 who also had owned Gibson Guitar Corporation. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market. Their professional archtops, including the Emperor, Deluxe, Broadway and Triumph, rivaled (and some contend surpassed) those of Gibson. Aside from their guitars, Epiphone also made bass guitars, banjos, and other stringed instruments. However, the company's weakness in the aftermath of World War II allowed Gibson to absorb it.· ESPThe first ESP Guitar was made in Japan in 1976. The ESP Company (Electric Sound Products) actually started up a year earlier but only provided guitar replacement parts at that time. ESP guitars and alternate parts continued to be sold exclusively in Japan for nearly a decade before moving into the U.S. market. In 1983 their replacement parts were made available in the U.S and in 1984 their guitars made their American appearance.· JacksonJackson is a guitar producer originally owned and operated by Grover Jackson, a partner of Wayne Charvel of Charvel Guitar Repair. It started with the creation of the "Rhoads" V model guitar, originally designed and used by guitarist Randy Rhoads (and then used and promoted by Vinnie Vincent of KISS/Vinnie Vincent Invasion after Rhoads's accidental death. Grover put his name on the Rhoads rather than the Charvel name because he felt the design was too shocking for Charvel's regular customers. This pattern inspired Grover to start the Jackson guitar company.· KramerKramer Guitars (KRAY-MUR) is an American maker of electric guitars and basses. Kramer produced aluminum-necked electric guitars and basses in the 1970s and wooden-necked guitars catering to hard rock musicians in the 1980s; Kramer is currently a division of Gibson Guitar Corporation. Kramer was one of the most popular guitar brands of the 1980s and the best-selling brand of 1985 and 1986.At the height of its popularity, Kramer was considered a prestige instrument and was endorsed by many famous musicians of the day, including Eddie Van Halen, Richie Sambora, Mick Mars, Jennifer Batten, Tom Morello and Vivian Campbell.· YamahaFor the next 40+ years, Yamaha's company made organs, pianos, harmonicas, furniture, phonographs and finally their first acoustic guitar in 1942. In 1965, a year after The Beatles made their legendary Ed Sullivan Show appearance; Yamaha began production of solid body guitars. In 1966, they started to make the electric bass as well.This brand guaranteed the qualitiness of their products, and they are the best guitar brand that have been the bestest for years.

Does anyone else find this really odd?

harmonyfrance — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:09:41 -0700

Ellen DeGeneres Joins American Idol as Fourth Judge

Emmy Award-winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has joined American Idol as the new fourth judge sitting alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi. As the new judge, Ellen will offer her own unique perspective to the contestants throughout the competition. Season 9 will premiere this January.

Guest judges during Season 9 auditions include Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, and Shania Twain. Ellen will take her seat at the judges' table after the audition rounds commence.

Upon becoming the fourth judge on the number one show, Ellen said, "I'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. I've watched since the beginning, and I've always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text my vote."

American Idol's creator and executive producer, Simon Fuller, is equally as thrilled. "I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the American Idol family. Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can't wait for this next season to begin."

Executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz added, "We're all delighted to have Ellen join our ninth season of American Idol. Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable. She is one of America's foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team."

Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment for FOX stated, "We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres join the American Idol judges' table this season. She is truly one of America's funniest people and a fantastic performer who understands what it's like to stand up in front of audiences and entertain them every day. We feel that her vast entertainment experience - combined with her quick wit and passion for music - will add a fresh new energy to the show."

A beloved television icon and entertainment pioneer, Ellen’s distinctive comic voice has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances through her work today on television, in film and in the literary world. DeGeneres has made a home for herself in the daytime arena with her hit syndicated talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." The show, now entering its seventh season, won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host four years in a row and has earned a total of 29 Daytime Emmy Awards.

Recently, Ellen was included in Forbes' Top 5 "Most Influential Women in Media" and was voted "Best Daytime Talk-Show Host" by Parade.com readers. In addition, she has been voted "Favorite TV Personality" by The Harris Poll's annual favorite television star list, beating out Oprah Winfrey and Jay Leno. Ellen was included in MSNBC's "Power players who shape your TV habits." Ellen was also honored with Television Week's Syndication Personality of the Year and voted No. 1 in Oxygen's "50 Funniest Women Alive" special in the company of such comedic legends as Carol Burnett and Lily Tomlin and has been included in TIME's 100 Most Influential People.

Ellen had the honor of hosting the highly rated 79th Annual Academy Awards and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety or Music Program. This follows her 2005 stint hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards, which marked her third time hosting the show. Her performance hosting the 2001 award show garnered her rave reviews for providing a perfect balance of wit with heartfelt emotion to the post-September 11 telecast audience. Ellen won an American Comedy Award for her inaugural effort hosting the show in 1994. Additionally, Ellen co-hosted American Idol's very successful Idol Gives Back special that raised money for children in extreme poverty in America and Africa.

Ellen's career began as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans, which led to national recognition in 1982 when her videotaped club performances won Showtime's "Funniest Person In America" honor. DeGeneres began her acting career in television on the FOX sitcom "Open House." She moved on to ABC's "Laurie Hill," prior to being offered a part on "These Friends of Mine" by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed "Ellen." Running from 1994 to 1998, the show garnered record ratings, with Ellen receiving Emmy nominations each season in the Best Actress category. In 1997, Ellen was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy for writing the critically acclaimed "Puppy Episode" when her character came out as a gay woman to a record 46 million viewers.

Both on and off screen, Ellen's humanitarian efforts take center stage. She is passionate about bringing awareness to the people of New Orleans, her hometown, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and her efforts have resulted in "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" raising over $10 million to improve the lives of New Orleans residents. Overall, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" has raised over $50 million and brought attention to various causes, including global warming and animals. Additionally, Ellen continues to raise awareness about breast cancer, and served as spokesperson for General Mills' breast cancer awareness initiative, Pink for the Cure, and hosted special episodes of her show to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Since she was first nationally recognized in 1982 as a comedian in New Orleans, Ellen's many contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her numerous accolades including a Golden Apple Award as Female Discovery of the Year from the Hollywood Women's Press Club; a Lucy Award honoring women in Television and Film, as well as an Amnesty International Award.

We'd like to welcome Ellen DeGeneres to the American Idol family!

http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/pid/1841

Jackson Ticketholders Offered "Souvenir" Option

stephley — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:10:52 -0700

Michael Jackson fans who paid in advance for the singer's UK concerts have been offered their money back or a souvenir ticket as an alternative.

Promoter AEG Live said the tickets feature graphics "inspired and designed" by the music legend, who died at the age of 50 on Thursday.

An estimated 800,000 people paid £50-£75 to watch the star perform 50 concerts at London's 02 arena.

The company will not be printing any further tickets as collectables. It adds that the originals will become collectors' items, and feature special images which give them a 3D moving effect.

Fans have until 14 Aug to take up the offer of receiving the original tickets for the This Is It dates. AEG also released pictures of Jackson rehearsing in Los Angeles for the concerts just days before he died. Photographer Kevin Mazur, who captured his image several times in the 1980s, told the BBC: "He was happy, he was energetic, he was full of life.

"I had such an adrenaline rush, it was like the first time I photographed him, when he moonwalked."

AEG president Randy Phillips said of Jackson: "The world lost a kind soul who just happened to be the greatest entertainer the world has ever known. "Since he loved his fans in life, it is incumbent upon us to treat them with the same reverence and respect after his death."

Ticket holders can get information about refunds or keeping the tickets at www.michaeljacksonlive.com from Wednesday.

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ent...

Janet Jackson Gets Emotional Honoring Brothers

justingirl1989 — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:45:10 -0700

The Jackson family – missing their most famous member, Michael, as well as Jermaine – made a rare group appearance Thursday night to pick up a prestigious music-industry award.

As parents Katherine and Joseph Jackson smiled and applauded all during the show, Janet Jackson introduced brothers Tito, Randy, Jackie and Marlon as they received their Icon award at the 8th Annual BMI Urban Awards – and at one point, being overcome with emotion, had to pause to regain her composure.

"Family is the most important commodity that all of us have," she said after taking the stage as Ray J, Bobby Valentino, Mario, and Lloyd sang "Never Can Say Goodbye."

"I am so proud to be able to salute my brothers," she said.

As she called off the names of each, the Jackson sister, 42, said, "I salute you for your talent and your musical gifts you've given the world. I tell you that every time we speak. I'm so excited to salute you!"

Once on stage, Randy, 46, recalled the heady days when the Jacksons' reigned over the music charts.

"We were just having fun," he said. "I remember doing my first performance, and my mom made me come home and wash dishes afterwards. I'll never forget that."

While Michael didn't make it to the event, his brothers offered their support for him and his upcoming album. "We haven't heard it, but we've heard about it," Randy told reporters. "It's going to be great."
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20223770,00.html